And I found you: September 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

6 weeks old!

Owen went into the doctor's office for his one month appointment (although he was six weeks old). The biggest news is how big he has grown! He is now 11 lbs 6 oz and 22.5 inches long. For an idea of how much he has changed, when he went in at one week he was in the 20th percentile for weight and now he is in the 75 percentile. Grow baby grow! He has long outgrown newborn clothing and diapers. Currently he is wearing size 1 diapers and 3 month clothing. But some of the sleepers with feet are now too short on him. It is really amazing how much they grow and change in this first year of life. We love our beautiful baby boy!

Cartwheel Queen

I have bestowed a new nickname on our Avaroo: Cartwheel Queen. She spends hours a day doing nothing but cartwheels. It's a great way to burn energy after school! We've had to make a rule that she is not allowed to do cartwheels with food/candy in her mouth after I found her turning cartwheels with a sucker in her mouth. She has gotten so good that she can now turn one handed cartwheels and round offs. This winter we are going to encourage this interest and get her in a gymnastics/tumbling class.

Way to go Ava! She is student of the month for September. Her teacher choose her for the character trait of Caring. We love you!

Carter's World

A question that children get asked frequently is "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I just had to laugh because Carter told us that he would like to be an ice cream worker when he grows up. Yup, he's going to scoop ice cream at handels (he better stay away from the peanut butter!) It does sound like a pretty laid back job, and I assume it comes with lots of ice cream benefits!

He has also told us that when he lives by himself he is going to order pizza every night for dinner and play on his xbox. Sounds like a pretty fun life!

And a bonus picture of my three boys.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Our Weekend: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Friday Night was youth football night at the high school game. The kids enjoy the spectacle of the game: Carter loves running through the polar bear head, Ava loves to watch the Majorettes twirl their batons and honestly Dawson really just loves the snacks.

Owen was a sweet angel baby and slept for the entire game. I only took him out to feed him once.

Aunt Pam was there with her radio station, and the kids got to go in the box and watch the game being announced on the radio.

More good: In the afternoon Saturday, we went to Safety day at a local farm. Dawson LOVES fire trucks. I love watching him explore every nook and cranny of fire trucks. The kids also got to go in a sheriff vehicle and a state trooper car. And of course, who could forget the corn cannon? This was definitely a favorite.

Ava loves to check out the animals

Our four pumpkins

More Good: Snuggling six on our bed while we listen to Daddy read. Thankfully we have a king sized bed!

Now for the Bad and Ugly:

Poor Doc has poison ivy on his face and body. Off to the doctor we go tomorrow!

God Bless Owen

On Sunday September 18th, Owen was baptized. We were so fortunate that family came from near and far to support our sweet little boy.

We met at a park before the ceremony to eat lunch together. Everyone was surprised at our little Owen. He has grown so much since his little 7 lb 2 oz entry into this world. Cousin Riley enjoyed his snuggles.

Very Cute! Bob Bob and his godson.

Sara and Owen

We all love Miss Avaroo's smiles

Mom, Owen, Dad and Meme

Deacon Ron performed the baptism.

More pictures to come, once I get them from Uncle Patrick.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

One Month with Owen

Owen is one month old! He has grown so quickly and we are all so in love with him.

Big sister Ava loves this little boy so much! She gave him one of his first nicknames, O-wee.

Dawson was hanging out with Owen and he was brushing his hand on Dawson's face. Dawson laughed and said "I love this bebe. It never gets old."

He is sporting the old man hair: bald on top and hair on the sides.

Owen has been such a sweet sleepy boy. For the first three weeks he pretty much only woke up to eat or get his diaper changed. Then it was right back to sleep. He has been having more alert time and he loves being sung to or read to.

Owen was visited by his Mommy's friend Amber and her baby Josie. Josie is only three weeks older than Owen. He also got to go camping for a few hours (sit in Grandma and Bo's RV).

Owen also paid a visit to his brothers and sister at school. He was a little fussy, but it was a nice visit. The oldest three were so proud to show him off. After Owen was born, Meme came and stayed with us for two weeks. It was so amazing to have help around the house so I could just focus on resting and snuggling my little guy.

I love this picture of him. It's a little blurry, but he has a sweet smile on his face and he is clearly very happy with his last meal.

There isn't too much in this world that is better than little tree frog snuggles from a newborn baby.

Owen isn't a huge fan of sleeping anywhere else except on Mom or Dad. But I have to say that I love holding him, even when I should be doing something else.

What a little chunk a hunk! His little chicken legs have filled out into delicious rolls and he has at least two chins.

Another sweet milk drunk picture

He has started giving us very sweet baby smiles, which you can kind of see in this picture.

Owen, we are so glad you are a part of our family!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

First Day of School Pictures

First Day of Second Grade

First Day of Third Grade

It also happened to be Carter's 9th Birthday!

On this day, Dawson had a phase in day. His real first day to get on the bus and spend the entire day at school was the next day.

Our Big Kindergarten Kid!

He has been waiting to get on the bus and say hi to Jerry since he was two!

He is such a lucky kiddo to be able to get on the bus for the first time with big sister ahead of him and big brother behind him.

Off to a great start!

Owen's Birthday - Daddy's pictures

Owen's first picture snuggling with Mommy.

Owen's birth weight 7 lbs 2 oz (3240 g)

After Owen was born I was exhausted, I couldn't keep my eyes open! Mike stayed up and held the baby while I fell asleep sitting up.

Our Shadle Visitors in the hospital: Grandma, Bo, Carter, Ava and Dawson

Sweet little snuggly baby

Monday, September 5, 2016

Happy Birthday Carter!

Happy 9th Birthday Carter! It's funny because on the one hand I feel like you have been in my life forever. It's hard to remember a time when you weren't around. But conversely, I can't believe you are nine! Aren't you still my sweet blue eyed toddler running around?

No, you are definitely not a toddler anymore.

This year at school you are in the third grade. It is going to be a challenging year academically but we will tackle it together. You choose to play football again this fall and it is becoming more enjoyable to watch. Your skills have improved since last year, you are getting blocks and catching the ball and running with it! Next year begins tackle football, so we will see if you choose to continue or not.

Well, I must explain a little bit about Kidville. Inspired by the terrific children's book Roxaboxen you, your siblings and many neighbor children have created Kidville. It is located in the woods behind our house, and there is a fire pit (filled with leaves and nothing else), movie theatre, and each child has created a home for themselves. There is a president, construction worker, demolition crew and many other jobs. I love to see your imaginations go wild, and spending so much time outdoors. This weekend alone you have been up to the woods at least 2-3 hours per day.

Carter, I just adore being your Mom. I love going on dates with you and talking about your life. Other parents have told me that their children don't want them to be around to pick them up at the bus stop or eat lunch with them. Your face still lights up when you see me in the cafeteria to eat lunch with you. You may not hug or kiss me at the bus stop anymore, but you are always happy to see me. I'm just so thankful we haven't entered the "embarassed by mom" phase yet.

Carter, during my pregnancy and postpartum stage you have shown such a genuine concern for me and my well being. It makes me feel so loved that you have been caring for me. You are so helpful around the house, over the summer you completely cooked dinner for us. You made pancakes and sausage. I sat in a chair in the kitchen and watched to make sure you got the recipe correct. But you handled the griddle and the sausage on the stove like a champ. This year for your ninth birthday you cooked and iced your cake. You really hate to clean bathrooms, but you gladly run the vacuum. Thank you for all your help!