Owen Michael

Little Owen is now one year old.  We just had his one year doctor appointment so I figured I should share his stats and some little tidbits about him, his personality, and how we are getting along with three little kids under five years old.

First, this is all just surreal.  I feel like Owen just can't be mine, and he is too big to be my baby, and he's grown way too quickly.  Doesn't everyone say those things, like "Where has the time gone?"  But really, it's true.  I feel it more strongly now that I have one child who has nothing baby about her.  All of Maryn's baby-ness is gone.  She was holding my hand on the couch the other day, and not a single dimple or chubbiness is on her hand, her arms, or her face.  Of course, I knew she'd grow up.  But watching my kids grow up is sort of like dealing with a loss.  I have "lost" my baby girl, Maryn, and now she is almost five, and she will never, ever, ever be a baby again.  Never.

So that realization has made me yearn for more cuddles with my baby, Owen, but time passes quickly, and here he is already one year old and where has the time gone?  Many mothers wean at 12 months and I can't even bear to think of weaning.  He could probably walk if he wanted to, but what's the rush?  In another few months, I won't even have a baby to carry.  Possibly never again will I have a baby of my own to nurse or carry or sleep on my shoulder.  In some ways I look forward to that day, believe ME.  But in other ways I mourn the loss of my babies.

Weight:  22 lbs. 3 oz.  (50th percentile)
Height:  29.5 inches (50th percentile)
Head Circumference:  19 3/4 (25th percentile)
Teeth:  Owen has six teeth.  I think.  Maybe eight.  :)

Words:  cock-a-doodle-doo, quack, duck, woof woof, Mama, Dada, banana, Maryn, Josiah

Owen loves to throw balls back and forth, loves to take off his diaper, loves to try to touch his poop, loves to eat almost anything, loves to drink water from his straw cup, loves to throw things down the stairs.  He loves to swing, play in the sand, play in the water, go swimming, he loves to slide, too.

Owen can stand up without any assistance but has not taken any steps on his own yet.  He loves to crawl on his feet and hands, bear crawl style.  He puts everything in his mouth for inspection.  He gets into the cabinets all the time.  He likes to try new things, like bugs.  He likes to try to bite his siblings when they have a toy he wants.

I think Owen may be our shy child.  He will stay on my lap for quite a long time in a public place and usually when he goes to play, I suspect he does because Maryn and Josiah are there.  He usually does well in church nursery now if familiar teachers are there, but he doesn't say much or vocalize much when in a new or different place than home.

Owen has the smarts and perseverance of his sister and reminds us of her a lot, but he has the athleticism and bravery of his brother.  It makes for an interesting combination.  He doesn't mind getting in trouble, thinks the word no is pretty funny, and usually doesn't mind to have his hand swatted.  But when someone takes a toy from him, he usually goes and just finds something else to play with.  Or he might scream and try to bite, if it's something he really wants.  He's pretty good at manipulation already, and is good at figuring things out, being sneaky, and being cute.  :)

Owen plays very well by himself, too.  Yay :)

We love our sweet baby Owen.  I'm so glad he's ours!