One Month Old Already

Owen is one month old, I can't believe how fast time flies. He is starting to smile, his first real big one was for his dad. He still loves to be cuddled, but enjoys time on the floor too. His favorite time is in the shower or bath, he absolutely loves the water and is calm and content the whole time. He usually stays calm afterward for a while too. He cries very little and usually he has a good reason to cry, he's either hungry or needs his diaper changed. As of yesterday sleep is not of concern to him. He wakes early and isn't napping well at all. It couldn't be because he has three older siblings that are far from quiet, he doesn't mind noise but the shriek or burst of loud noise does tend to wake him up, it only frustrates me slightly. He is a true blessing.

Today he was not in the mood for pictures but
I tried anyway.

I love this picture even with my hair blowing wildly.

Finally asleep, it was short lived.

Glacier National Park

Ben is on vacation this week so we decided to make a little side trip. We went to Glacier National Park with Bama and PopPop, we did a lot of hiking and enjoyed a lot of nature. Even Owen got in his fair share of the great outdoors though most of it was in the sling on mommy. We had a great time and enjoyed being away from Havre and the everyday routine. These are just a few of the pictures, there are many more.

More Owen

Owen loves playing on his boppy pillow,
or laying on the floor.

or on his Daddy's chest.

This is his tummy time, he doesn't mind it,
but he isn't sure.

A Fun Comparison

They are each unique.

Odds and Ends

Luke loves to wear my t-shirts to bed at night, I think he looks
so cute in shirts that hang off of him. Getting him to change
into regular clothes in the morning is very difficult.

Luke also got a haircut, Beau says he looks like a marine.
His smile is just irresistable.

Anna got to make her first batch of cookies
yesterday with her new bakewear. She loved it.

Mommy needs to work on patience, but Anna did great.

I think it will be easier for both of us once I'm back to my
normal self and we have a little more of a routine going on around here.

Both Luke and Anna still love holding Owen
and spend time helping with him. Beau holds
him more frequently now especially when he is awake,
he likes talking to him and making jokes about him, Beau's interactions
are very similar to how Ben is with the kids, but Ben holds him a lot more than Beau.

My favorite stamp ever.

Owen after a bath, his hair is curly right after it is washed.
He really enjoys the water and was completely relaxed afterward.

Snuggled all tight in his cradle built by daddy and in his blanket knit
by Great Grandma Marnell, which was originally Beau's but we've gotten lots
of use out of it with all the kids.

Guess Beau didn't get a picture in here, he spends most of his days
playing bionicles, and loves getting to spend an hour on the computer.
The TV is seldom on and when Beau gets bored he picks up a book.
He usually has several chapter books started at once, and he is just
waiting for book 5 of the Percy Jackson series, we can't find it at the library,
but we'll keep looking.

A Busy Weekend

Owen was introduced to bionicles, thanks to Luke.

Daddy was home all day Saturday and Sunday,
after working 14-16 hour days since last Sunday
it was very wonderful to have him here and watch Owen
bond with him. They did a lot of cuddling just like this.
Hopefully the flooding is under control and Ben will work
more regular hours and maybe get a little time off.

And most importantly, Anna turned 7. She requested homemade chicken nuggets, a meal she and daddy make together. She loves helping in the kitchen and she really enjoyed her daddy time. She got a small stuffed horse from her brothers. She had requested an Easy Bake Oven for her present, and nothing else, but I couldn't get myself to buy that so instead I put together a bag of all her own baking dishes. She got cake pans, a cookie sheet, muffin pan, measuring cups and spoons, and a couple cookie mixes she can put together herself and bake. She and I will probably do sugar cookies tomorrow. She can't wait to get to put her stuff to use, but this weekend just went too fast. Now she just needs an apron and some hotpads and she'll be all set. It will be fun to watch her create in the kitchen and I will let her explore more recipes as she wants. It is so fun to watch her grow from a little girl into a big girl, she is the greatest big sister and loves to hold Owen and help with him. I don't want her to grow too fast though she is perfect just where she is.

Just a fun collage

Owen was very content to sleep away
his afternoon, so I took advantage of it
with some photo opportunities.