Gramma Mama was up this weekend to teach Owen a few new tricks!
"Use both hands, push that button...up to your face..."
"uh, gramma, do I hafta?"

It is such a comfort knowing that Owen is so happy when I am at work with my other "kids." Carrie says he is so much fun too! Last week she had Owen make me a little present. He had so much fun with the green paint, but he did not like getting cleaned up. Too funny! Thanks, Owen...and thanks Carrie-for taking good care of my little peanut!

Here's a little encouragement to any busy mother...

Sometimes you get discouraged

because I am so small

I always leave my handprints

On the furniture and walls

But everyday I'm growing big

And soon I'll be very tall

Then all my little handprints

Will be so hard to recall

So here's a special gift

Just so that you can say

This is how my hands looked

When I placed them here today!

Stop, enjoy the little things...do not be bothered by them.

Saturday, May 19th I graduated for the third time. I don't think I realized how exciting and monumental this day was until I was on my way to the ceremony. I am so glad I was able to don my cap and gown and wear a hood that signified my masters degree completion. "Southamericansara" flew all the way from Rio just to walk! We briefly chatted and reminisced for a few brief minutes. It was so good to see her again.
Roger was my sole fan at the ceremony itself, but my support has surrounded me this entire journey. God has been my strength through, over, and around all the obstacles, especially in this past year. I've never felt so carried as I look at where I've come. I have so much hope and peace about where God can take me because He's been faithful--as a good friend who was immersed in challenges said to me..."God is always good."

SPECIAL TIMES WITH FRIENDS... We call him "Big Guy" for a reason! Owen loves being held up so high, but John is willing to come down to Owen's level too.
If you take a look back in the archives in July, you'd see Owen and Cullen "playing" last summer. Cullen is just 9 days younger and these two are very close is all they like to do!
When we went to visit Cullen on Wednesday, Parker came over with his mom too! Parker is 18 months and is showing Owen how big boys climb the stairs.
On Thursday we went to visit Coach and the kids. These three had so much fun talking and playing with little O. I can't believe Jeremiah is 9! I remember when he was born!
Here Owen is the center of attention...just where he loves to be! The kids thought it hilarious when Owen drooled on the floor. I can't wait to play more over the summer. We'll have to take special trips to see them more often!

"Yummy! Toast!"

Owen is getting over his aversion to slimy things and likes to suck the butter out of the little toast bites. It's really yummy, homemade bread from the bread machine. Owen loves it! You can see him sucking on the crunchy part. So fun to have breakfast together! :-)

Time to Gee-Up, Daddy!
Owen snuggles his lamby and
sits on his daddy, who was taking a nap on the couch.
Too cute! No, Owen didn't crawl up there...I put him there!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!...A FEW DAYS LATE...
Owen and I went over to see Great Gramma Mimi on Mother's Day since Gramma Mama was in WI and G-G-ma Mimi was alone. It worked out great! We played and talked and had some fun.

It's such a blessing to be so close...Gramma, I'm sorry I don't come by more. I live 4 miles away...there's no good reason not to make it a habit. We do love you and I don't think Owen minds your smiles and games of peek-a-boo! Besides, you know more nursery rhymes and songs that rhyme than I do! :-)

Owen is finding his way around and through, up and over, and in and out of trouble. This week he got two new teeth...Gramma Mama is dyin' to see them. Can you see them here?...
Can you??? Can you imagine how I got this one? Yes, Owen is so ticklish and loves the tickling fingers song. His giggle is enough to make anyone smile! Gramma, Grampa...if i would have known it was going to be this long before we saw you, I would have planned better. I am sorry. We miss you...

Owen's other little friend, Caleb, was over the other night for Bible study. They played so nice and Owen shared his toys like a good little boy. Caleb's mom and dad, Wendy and Zach, just announced that they are expecting #2. Little Caleb will be a big brother! I can't imagine saying that about Owen!

After Owen went to bed, Caleb could not find his pacifier. One of Owen's toys looked similar to his orange pacifier...hence, this picture.

On Wednesday we went to see Melissa's little boy...very little boy! Keegan was born a bit early and weighed 5 lbs. at birth, but very healthy At his last Dr. visit he was 5.14. Owen didn't really notice him until we had to say good bye. Then he was so intrigued!
Owen forgot how much he liked the bouncy seat! He tried out baby Keegan's...

But...he's a bit big for it. :-)

I forgot to say it here, but Grampa Phil turned 60 on April 30! A huge milestone in the road of life. So, to see Owen's greeting...scroll down to Peek A Boo picture posted on the 30th...
Sorry Grampa Phil!

Owen and Aaron...

Owen's newest friend is Aaron.

They met in the nursery at church and decided that they could be friends. :-)

Aaron is almost exactly 1 year older...hence the size difference. These two napped while the parents ate some lunch today after church...then they got up and we all watched them play!

Happy Birthday Granny Nanny! Yeah, try to get all 5 of them to turn AND keep their eyes open! :-) We had pizza and cake for 55...stayin' alive! Here we have Cally, Maely, Granny Nanny, Owen, and Emmi. Obviously Owen had no idea what to think!

Owen "helped" with the laundry again...this time he didn't dive-roll into the pile, but he did attempt to "fold" a few things. It actually ended up more spread out by the time he was "done." He found he'd rather throw it around than stack it neatly.

Owen takes a ride on "Big Guy" with the help of Auntie Emmy! This is the closest thing to a horsey that Owen has been on...he is big...but not that big! :-) Owen gets to take a trip to see Auntie Julie for his first birthday. Maybe then he'll get to ride a real horsey!