Whew! Another week goes by! Mama is smilin' so big in this picture because the night before, October 25 at 7:54, Owen rolled all the way over his chubby little arm-all by himself! He happened to be butt-naked and bein' a little squirmy wormy. I was talking Jenn on the phone and Owen, very slowly and deliberately, leaned on his arm and rolled onto his little belly. Okay, onto his big belly! :-) He got his arms up and under himself and wiggled like that for a while. He's been all smiles since then even though I have not seen him do it on his own again. Soon enough!

Gramma Mama and Grampa Phil came to "play" this weekend and we had tons-o-fun! We patty-caked, laughed, sang, giggled, "discussed" life, and all that other fun stuff. Grampa Phil is already talking about how Owen is going to help him with projects around the house. He even said Owen can have his own set of tools! It's always sad to see them leave, but we have already talked about when we will see them again. Plans...got to have 'em! As usual, Auntie Emmy sang her little heart out to console Owen and we caught them both in an wide-eyed grin...

"Even Saturday's are early morings for us at the Reger house! We do sleep great when we get adjusted by Auntie Emmy and wear our fuzzy dinosaur PJ's! We are still getting over our cold, but I think it's on the upswing! Gramma Mama and Grampa Phil are here this weekend and we are so excited to get lots of hugs and kisses. Mom put me on the dining room table this morning for these great pix. Hangin' out...content...Grauntie Paula! We're working out on my tummy! And...other exciting news? hands are so fun to play with! I can hold them together, wiggle my fingers, and then...stick them in my mouth!"

Who wouldn't smile at this face? Granny Nanny was excited to see Owen wearing his turtleneck tonight. His sweatpants are a bit tight around the waist, but every ounce of Owen is so cuddly. He snuggles his nose against my shoulder and burries his face in my neck. So squeezable! Tonight we were reading a big board book that Gruncle Mark gave us, and Owen was reaching for the pages. He didn't know what to do with it once he grabbed on, but it's a start! :-) We are so excited to see Gramma Mama and Grampa Phil this weekend! And, we cannot forget Taz! Yippeee!

Owen loves rolling around...give him his lamby toy and he will hug and kiss and squish it...til it barfs! heehee You can't get bigger smiles from us than when we are gazing on this precious boy who lights up our lives. Some of you have mentioned my last blog entry and were wondering if I am doing okay. I will be. We are just hitting some of those bumps on the road of life-unexpected and unwanted bumps can throw anyone for a loop! God's grace is sufficient and He will provide! :-)
Auntie Emmy came over last night and played and sang...yes, I said sang...with Owen. She used to make up songs when we were little...she did great! We gave Owen a bath, rubbed a little Vick's Baby Rub, and cut his hair. Yes, we attempted to cut the mullet off...it doesn't look too much better...he's got such a chubby neck...anyway...
Owen's been a bit congested lately so Granny nanny brought over a humidifier and the Vick's baby rub. We followed her advice and put a pillow under his mattress and we were all blessed with a whole night's sleep...he got 8 hours (in a row!) and I got 7 hours (in a row!). Perfect for a long day ahead!

Four months old and all bundled up! It has gotten cold, but Owen's smile and little wiggly body warms me up...inside and out! I've been a bit sad lately and all it takes is holding him, looking at him, missing him...and I forget the hurt. We went to the doctor today and weighed in at 16.2 pounds! 74th percentil...doing well, I'd say. He is my joy...my precious gift--he is so in love with me, I can see it in his eyes.
:-)

This morning I caught Owen sleeping. He is such a good morning baby...he rarely cries in the morning and sometimes I find him like this. I had to put a 6-9 month sleeper on him because he is growing so fast...and peeing through his diaper and dirtying his 3-6 month sleepers. :-)
Precious moments...
Gr-Auntie Paula stopped by to see Owen and our house yesterday afternoon. She got the tour and also played with little "O". She thought tummy time was very entertaining! She must have a great life to be able to just drive up to see her mom for a day. We won't complain! It is always great to see her! As usual, she seems happy and healthy inside and out!

Tribute to Gramma Mimi...and a note about TAZ!

Tonight was a long night...for us all. Great Gramma Mimi came over at 4 and babysat little Owen while "mom" and "dad" both were at school. She doesn't have to do it, but she never complains. If Owen fusses, she just says, "babies cry...that's what they do." But it is the smiles that Owen gives her that brings her back every time! I gave her a big hug, but that doesn't feel like it is enough. I hope she knows we appreciate her.

We heard from gramma and grampa about Taz today. Taz has apparently won the battle against his bed: he dug a hole while making his "nest" and decided to pull out the stuffing. Grampa Phil was too quick though! They shoved the stuffing back in and safety pinned it closed! Nice try Tazzy! We miss him, but know he is having a ball! Grampa says he is being a good boy...as a matter of fact...when grampa said, "drop it!" Taz dropped the chunk of manure he had in his mouth! What a good boy!

Or...how about this face???

The latest facial expression to be captured on film...what do you think???

Playing, playing...rocking, rocking...rolling, rolling...almost there!
Owen can get over all the way on his side and prop himself up there, but...his arm under him keeps him from rolling onto his belly...almost and any day now! He has so much fun entertaining himself these days.
We hang out and sing and play together, but sometimes, he just wants to be on his own: exploring his mouth with his fingers, rolling around and looking at all the fun stuff to see in the world, and screaming or giggling at nothing at all! The only thing that makes these times more fun for him...being diaper-free!
I won't post that picture!

This picture was taken very soon after or before Owen threw up his breakfast all over Auntie Lori. She thought is was so much fun playing Superman with him and he was having a blast...and then...We all laughed! The overalls and "Daddy's Team" outfit were thoughtful gifts from Auntie Julie and Uncle Todd...We had to wear them and show off how cute they were on Owen!

Great Gramma rocked and sang to Owen while "Mom" had some good eats with the company last Saturday night at gramma and grampa's house. When he woke up, he was all smiles and gave Grampa Phil the greatest show of giggles and talking and hangin' out with Great Gramma Mimi. He sure brings so much joy with those giggles!

Sleepy time got cold in that big 'ol house so Owen wore his "night cap." heehee! He slept very well that night--didn't wake up until 6:30! Eight hours is the longest he has slept...too bad I don't go to bed immediately when he is down. I try, really I do!

This last week has been exhausting and we have two very exhausting weeks ahead!
It all started with a great family reunion in Wisconsin with all the sisters last weekend! MB, Gramma Mimi, three dogs, a baby and I headed there Friday and came back Sunday night. We had a good time, but we missed Roger who was left at home so he could attend the funeral of a good friend. Amazing that we have good times and sad times at the same time in our lives. Blessings with tragedies... Taz made the trip with us, but I was sad and relieved to have him stay with gramma and grampa for awhile in Wisconsin. This past week has been quite different without him and I miss him terribly. But, I know for a fact that he is loved and well-taken care of. He has the yard to run and play in and has two people who will be there for him. Once again, sad times and good times happening at the same time!

I AM SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING SOONER! We are more rested since the both of us fell back asleep this morning and slept 'til 8. I'll take that! Any sleep is good when you get to wake up on your own and not to an "alarm" (of any sort!).

Owen was concentrating so hard...hit the piggy, pull the cord, spin the ball! :-) He's hangin' out and can entertain himself for quite some time these days; although, what fun it is to watch him discover new things all the time. Taz keeps trying to get one of us to play with him...not much luck. Owen can't grab the sock that Taz dangles over him and I am busy typing...poor Taz.

Look at me Mom! Owen was hangin' out with Dad and couldn't take his eyes off mom. His gaze is following us wherever we go and he responds to our voices as well. He is laughing and coohing and screaming so much...he may just like the sound of his voice! He only gets fussy around 8pm...tired? Yep! He sleeps so well too. Once again, my greatest joy is still how he lights up and smiles and laughs when he sees me peering in over his crib. He makes me feel like the most special person in the world!

Owen wanted to show y'all how he can hold his hands together. He sure is starting to have fun "entertaining" himself more these days. Today he was enthralled with his twin cousins, Emmi & Cali. They were running around and climbing on stuff...I think he was a bit jealous. He tries to "stand" on anyone who holds him, yet he will sit to watch a football or baseball game already. Oh boy! What have I got to look forward to??

Last night Owen was having fun in his swing. I think he has more fun when he can actually grab the hanging things and not just stare at them. He kind of likes the blinky lights too. Although, his favorite place to hang out is in mom's arms! :-)

Owen "playing" with his bib as mom types away on her blog...fun times!

Owen is playing tricks on us all...or he may be sicky poops. He pooped a bit on Monday and none when I was home with him on Tuesday. He was at it again on Wednesday but no poops after I picked him up in the afternoon. He slept well last night and was happy this morning. But, I get a call around 11 a.m. and he'd already pooped 3 times. I picked him up by 12:30 and he'd had another. It is now after three and he had just given me a few toots. He's eaten and taken a little nap...nothing out of the ordinary. I called the triage nurse to ask advice...he has no fever and he still has wet diapers. He is acting "normal" so what do I do? Take him in? Watch him for a bit longer? Geez...when you are responsible for another's health and well-being...their life, it becomes quite stressful. We are hanging out...he's even typing this with me while playing with his bib. He's a wiggly little worm, as usual. Maybe I will take another "sick" day...I'll be honest though: "family illness" is what they call it. I'm not too worried, but when is it the wrong choice to just wait? Pray...that's how I'll know...

Today Owen and I got to spend the day together: my first "sick day" of the year. Yesterday he had 5 poopy diapers at daycare and they were worried that he had a bug...last night he pooped once more and then today...nothin'. So, I guess he's better! We went to see Auntie Emmy for an adjustment--we were both in dire need!
Then we came home, hung out, ate some lunch, took a nap, watched Oprah...then granny nanny came over with some eggs and we played. The eggs had nothing to do with playing though. :-)
I took this picture so we could all get a kick out of Owen's ring around his head. He is rubbing it bald--oh well. I told him today that he is still as cute as can be and adorable without hair! He felt better when I said that!
We miss gramma mamma and grampa phil tons--good thing we will see the whole family next weekend! And it's Lori's 30th birthday this weekend! We miss her and Julie, but they will be in Wisconsin too, so we are excited! Yipeee

Owen has his times: smiling and laughing and having tons of fun!