Owen's newest facination is the vertical blinds. I set him there in front of the patio window and he played for quite awhile. He is all dressed up for church in the outfit that Granny Nanny and Grampa Steve gave him for Christmas. Could we ask for a more precious little boy?

On Friday we hung out with cousins Cali & Emmi at the Hall house. It was fun; Auntie Kate is so sweet and we love spending time with her.The girls took turns swinging with Owen in the caterpillar swing.Everyone happy?:-)

What a week my little boy and I have had! Christmas feels so far away, and technically we have only had two days together so far, but I have truly loved being home with Owen at this time. We have fun playing, running errands, singing, talking, giggling, and yes...he is getting the hang of napping. I think this week has been quite the growth spurt as well. He's been sleeping quite well and eating lots! He eats a bowl of cereal and a full serving of you-know-what! He is sitting so strong for his bathtime too. Everyone is asleep, so perhaps I should go too. I can say this much...I hope Owen always knows how much I him so.

If you look closely, Owen seems to be giving his new turtle toy a kiss. Thanks MB and "Big Guy!"
To be honest...I know he loves it because it makes noise and moves and has a cute face on it, but he puts everything in his mouth and has this new thing with "kissing" anything he can grab. So proud of our little boy.
Owen and I have three more days to be together and then the weekend. I love knowing that I get to spend so much time together--Roger would call it "quality time." Hmmmm...time to get some sleep. We are getting quite a bit these days. Owen has realized that he likes sleeping on his tummy--he rolls over as soon as I put him down. We say good night at 8, top him off at 9:30 and then we don't see him until 6 or 7 in the morning! Whew! Miracles do happen!

CONGRATULATIONS Karina and family!
Kate and Madison are beautiful...or as beautiful as newborn babies are! :-) I can't believe how big they are for being only 33 weeks along. I'm happy for you and look forward to meeting them.

We made it home! Whew, what a weekend! Owen had so much fun, but he grew very tired. We had a little fun with our new toys, but he made it to bed at a reasonable time.

Here he is: playing, playing playing. He was grabbing, pulling, turning, pushing, and kissing all his toys. He especially likes the ones that make noise. Thanks everyone!
Our family Christmas photo this year: we could not have asked for more or better celebration. Our thoughts go out to those we could not share it with and those who are far from home this holiday season. Namely Julie and Lori, who are with those they love, and Karina Beth, who is waiting...being stuck in a hospital bed on Christmas morning with no one. She did say the nurses were good to her and brought her great food! :-) I said, "see, there is something good about it

all!" Karina, it

will all be worth it when these little girls come into the world...beautiful like their mom. I still say you have no idea what you are in for: 4 kids under the age of three! I pray best of blessings and tons of luck come your way.

Merry Christmas everyone!

"What cookie, Mom? Gramma didn't give me frosting or a gingerbread cookie...heehee!" The celebrations began Friday with a day of work where we both were served and ate much! Owen and I joined Rog at his work party and enjoyed the company of some fun co-workers and the company owner, Greg, who bragged Roger up about how well he is doing. Believe me, if anyone knows that Roger is a good salesman, it's me! :-)

We left there and sped through wet darkness to Gramma Mama & Grampa Phil's where MB and Grandma Mimi already were. Saturday was a day of relaxing, taking pictures of Owen, and eating good food. None of us made it through the movie that was started around 9:30 pm, but we woke refreshed on Sunday morning. We opted for going for a run in the woods, eating a hearty breakfast ham-bake, and opening gifts rather than head to church. There was an afternoon service that the others went to, but Roger, Owen and I drove back to MN to be with the Reger's for Christmas eve. None but Jack appreciated Owen's new Favre jersey (Go Packers!) that he arrived wearing. I sure got a kick out of the reaction! Sorry Grampa Steve! The rest of the evening was full of more wonderful food, laughter, singing, and, of course, the dice game. Owen has so much fun when there are lots of people...he cried only when we had to leave. He too sang and played very hard.

We are so blessed...can one say that too much? Tomorrow the festivities continue with the Reger "immediate" family in the morning and the Bakke's in the afternoon. Whew! Jesus, we sure know how to celebrate your birthday! I feel that Owen's first Christmas has been focused on the blessings of health, life, love, and family...all that He has given us.

Christmas cards got out...sorry they weren't "personalized," but I truly hope all will find and savor the peace and love this holdiay season which was given to us through Jesus' birth, life, and death. Breathe that in for a sec...

Jenn came over and had a little Christmas cheer with us tonight. She gave Owen his "Baby's First Santa hat" and threw him around a bit. He smiled and giggled until he got too tired and then headed to bed so "mommy" and Jenn could do some catching up. I can't believe it is Friday...finally. We travel to Wisconsin tonight but sadly head back Sunday. However, it will be good to be able to spend Christmas with both sides of the family this year. I am exhausted, but can say that today will be all right. Everyday is a new day to say that.

I will have my meeting for my Masters capstone after the holidays and have already distributed my copies of three chapters to my comittee, but it hit me like a ton of bricks just yesterday what I need to revise about it...this too will get done someday. In three or four months, I will be able to say, "the work for my Masters degree is done." Pluggin' through. Sometimes, life feels that way. I hate pluggin' along. I want to skip and hop through life. My goal in life has been, "never get stressed out," since leaving college. I don't think I have succeeded with that. How do you control things you have no control over though? Why do I worry?

Note to self: Stress...or Santa hats and baby smiles!

Forgive me, Lord, and bless us this day with Your love and peace that is abundant and sufficient.

You'd think Owen would be a bigger help...maybe next year. As you can see he can sit on his own really well, but when there is wrapping paper or boxes to roll around with, he's all over it! :-) I have had quite a few giggles watching him and playing with him, my little boy. He makes me smile every day! I had to put this picture of him and his pacifier here...he just started taking a pacifier before bedtime. I think he's teething (he should be by now!), so he has quite the oral fixation going on. He grabs me by the hair and pulls my face towards him like he's coming in for a big sloppy kiss. He just wants something to suck on...hence, the pacifier. :-) I can't put words to what he tries to do!

No one can say that Owen is not loved or that he does not get plenty of attention. We sometimes "fight" over who gets to hug him next. We are very busy these weeks before the holidays, and much has been put off "til later." However, we never have no time to love. I hope this is always the case...I never want to run the never-ending rat-race so many of us get stuck in...I don't want to wait to live...Life is happening right now.

Perfection! :-) Owen found out today that he weighs 17.8 pounds (51st percentile) and is 26 inches BIG (34 percentile)!!! Okay, so he's short and tubby...I think it's perfect! He is huggable, squeezable, kissable, lovable...what more could a mother ask for?? He smiles and rolls, sits and grabs, he is ticklish and giggles, talks and babbles. I swear he's said "mom" and "dada"...not on purpose, of course. :-) He just likes to cry with his mouth closed so it comes out as "momma." We look forward to the holidays and being able to spend some time with many special people in our dear family. We think of those who are far and wish we could shower all with love and generosity.

It's exhausting turning 6 months! Whew! Owen has realized he is spoiled...he knows exactly how to get what he wants. :-) I have had a preview of the temper tantrums to come: his newest thing is kicking his legs and "jumping" while you are holding him or when he is lying on his back. He sticks his butt out and pumps his legs just like he is jumping. Last night he was happy in "johnny jump up." Go figure. But then this afternoon...he did not want to be there...I figured out he was a bit hungry. He is also sleeping better. Or, I am just not waking up as much. The last two or three nights I have gotten up once for him total...that's two out of three full nights for me! Well, I am saying 7 hours is "full," but of course 8 or 9 would be ideal! :-)

Beautiful in Blue...and having fun! So, Owen picked out his pants yesterday, and today, he did his own hair! :-) actually, that means he rubbed the top of his head against the bumper in his crib and made his hair all staticky and fluffy/sticky-uppy! He is loving sitting up...until he falls backwards. Oops! He had a great night tonight and bedtime was even fun time. He sucked on a pacifier for the first time...meaning, he fell asleep with it in his mouth. I am hoping that a pacifier can "pacify" him when he wakes up at night. We'll see if that happens. Sweet, sweet baby.

Somebody was sleepy! Had to catch this on film-He gets so cozy warm and bundled up he can't help but sleep.
The newest thing he's done is today Roger had Owen pick out his outfit. Well, Roger dangled two pairs of pants over Owen and the first ones he grabbed, he got to wear! :-) It was funny...guess you had to be there.

We tried to go for a walk, but it was too cold! Somebody's cheeks sure got red! But at lesat we got to wear the homemade sweater that Auntie Julie brought back from Switzerland. I say he couldn't look any cuter! Thanks Julie!

Owen has been rolling and rolling...he rolled off his blanket, away from his toys and ended under the chair that Roger's coat was hanging on. He lay there playing and playing...I just had to take his picture. He's pretty content, but I can tell he is going to be just like Roger...has to be where the action is! Have I mentioned that already?

"What about ME? I need attention!"

"Much better...What else can I demand?"

"I don't think that's my bottle, Auntie Emmy?"

The boys can't go wrong wearing blue! Gramma Mamma and Grampa Phil spent a few days up here and we were glad to spend some good time with them...Owen got most of the attention though. He spent many hours playing, strolling, sleeping, rolling around, and overall just loving the attention! Thanks for all your help, mom and dad and auntie emmy and gramma mimi! I got 21 pages started on that second chapter! I feel very good...just a few more details to attend to...we sure are going to party hard next May when I graduate!

Sittin' like a big boy! Someday he'll be reading his books and he won't have to be propped up, but will he still fit in the little rocking chair that Auntie Emmy gave him? Hmmmm...Owen's been quite happy and only fake cries a little...when he's bored, tired or not gettting enough attention. Can you believe that? There are times he thinks he is not getting enough attention! Were convinced he is an extrovert...he even loved going shopping with Dad so early in the morning the day after Thanksgiving! He stayed awake and enjoyed the ride. hmmmm...What will he think of next?

You'd never be able to tell from this picture that neither one of us is sleeping very well these days. I truly believe that Owen responds to every ounce of my stress. He is waking up like clockwork-every two to three hours at night. He was up at 4:30 this morning and it is a mere 6:20 now. Roger decided to take Owen shopping since we were all up anyway. I wonder how that will go.

The stress I feel comes from the inability to control so many things going on in life right now...I so want to finish my 2nd and 3rd chapters of my masters paper, but the time escapes me and I am overwhelmed. If I could just get that done...would Owen sleep finally? So, I drag myself out of bed because I am just lying there stewing about not getting anything done and not being able to sleep. I get crabby just thinking about how I need my sleep so I can get something done during the day. When I don't get sleep, I'm too tired to get anything done, but I lose sleep thinking about the things I need to get done. Ugh! So here I am, not working on the things that need to get done and am playing on my blog. Life...I try to simplify, but I just get more worked up! The ironic thing about all this is that, ask anyone...most people would say life is too busy and time goes too fast. Why do we have to live this way? I don't think this is how it is meant to be. Roger asked me what I was thankful for yesterday...and I said, "oh, you want me to be positive?" I do have so much to be thankful for, but why do I feel so attacked and bitten by the ungrateful, negative bugs lately? I'm back to blaming not getting enough sleep...the never ending cycle-will it ever end?

After a day of Thanksgiving with the Reger's, Owen was still full of smiles and fun for Gramma Mama and Grampa Phil. They drove up while everyone else was eating turkey so they beat traffic. I sure am thankful that they take the time and energy to visit so much.

With all the rolling around that Owen is doing, he can't help but get tangled up in his blanket! Actually, this was the first time he did this...I had to sneak in for a photo. How precious...doesn't he look sweet?? Do I have a little angel on my hands? Hmmmm...

Another first today....he had a smelly poop! Up to this point, I thought it was quite sweet smelling! Even little angel's poop must smell!

This morning Owen woke me up promptly at six; not so bad...we then had a bit of fun with the camera while still in PJ's. Dad slept through the fun so we had to do "self inflicted"! :-)
After church we went to see Jenn for lunch and had some more fun with the camera. We miss Jenn when we don't see her...our schedules rarely collide. She is looking beautiful as ever and Owen appreciated her hugs and kisses.
This week and weekend have been wonderful because we have spent much time together. Family time and mommy-daddy time have been valuable. God's grace and powerful hand are evident in the happiness we have just spending time together. Thanks to all for your prayers!

Favorite position...Happy times! Owen has officially rolled over twice all on his own. Both times--completely naked! He's sure wiggling these days though! This morning he got me up at 5:15 and decided it was play time. Good morning!

Happy Katie! We celebrated with cake and play as Kate celebrated the last of the 20's over at our house last night. She is looking as beautiful as ever and is anticipating her next arrival...she thinks it's a girl! We'll have to wait and see since they couldn't tell from the ultrasound. Ganny Nanny and Grampa Steve are proud and beaming with the three little ones. Owen loves parties! Wherever the people are, that's where Owen will be--just like his daddy.

Johnny Jump up! Owen played his jumper today! Whew he was busy: he played on his mat, then the johnny jump up, then the exersaucer, then back on the floor to take off clothes! He's happy for longer periods of time and easier to entertain these days, but when he's crabby...um...then we go to granny nanny's so she can sing and rock and bounce to her heart's delight! :-) The weekend has been a good one--we are a pretty happy family...God's blessings are evident in our ability to love and enjoy one another wholly.

Daddy's littl punkin'! If you look close, that's what his bib really says. You can believe that Owen and Roger have been having quite a bit of daddy/son time. Owen laughs and giggles at all the funny faces and funny voices that "daddy" makes. Hmmmm, what will Owen grow up to be like????

Nothing sweeter in life...

One thing to say: Pictures speak a thousand words! This time with Owen is so much fun. He seems to be enjoying life as well...especially at 3 in the morning! We are trying to get him back on schedule so he is not waking up every two hours...whew! Habits are formed quite quickly. Mornings are still his "fun" time.

Owen...having tons o fun in the exersaucer! He seems to think we have funny facial expressions!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Owen wore his little onsie costume from Gramma mama to answer the door for trick or treaters. He reached for the candy, but I think it was the wrappers that were so exciting to him...they crinkled! Auntie Emmy finds it funny that "everyone" seems to think Owen should've been a punkin' for Halloween...is "everyone" trying to tell me something???? Perhaps it's a revelation that the newest nicknames include "Porky" and "Butterball". :-) We think he is perfect!

Last Friday Grauntie Karen, Karina and the boys came to visit. They had fun watching Owen wiggle and Riley and Luke had fun running around our little home. It was good to see them...it's too bad it's been so long and too bad that it will be awhile til next time. Good luck to Karina and her two little ones on the way!