Snap shots of our week

I think this is the longest I have ever gone without blogging. Our Internet has been down for a little over a week so that puts a damper on blogging (and online christmas shopping!!!). It will hopefully be fixed in the next couple days. I have pictures and stories I have wanted to share from thanksgiving, going to the mountains to get a tree and a Christmas preview our town does every year. Maybe I will still post them! This time of year is one of my favorite seasons! Here are a couple Instagram snap shots of what we have been up to!

Does anyone else have their Christmas tree yet? Do your little ones do ok with a tree? Our tree is still standing so I think that's a good start! We put all the breakable ornaments on the top out of reach. Owen likes to take all of the reachable ornaments off and play with them, which I don't mind. As long as he doesn't take the lights off or knock the whole thing down I'm ok! I love to see his eyes light up when we turn it on in the morning! He really enjoys it!

Something I never want to forget: a kiss

Something I never want to forget: a kiss

Can you see the look on Owens face in the second picture? I've always tried to get Owen to blow kisses or give me kisses and he doesn't usually want to. He will occasionally blow a kiss to his Auntie Amy. He loves to snuggle and is very affectionate but just doesn't get the whole kissing thing. But for some reason when he sees Daddy kiss Mommy he watches with his head tilted and then he wants to kiss Mommy too. He doesn't quite understand to close his mouth or pucker his lips, its more of smushing his face against mine. I adore it. Its the sweetest thing. I never want to forget his baby kisses.

A taste of the holidays

Last week, after a conference in Texas, we drove up to Oklahoma to visit my brother and his wife Brittany. All 9 of us, 10 if you count their dog Rex, piled in their apartment for a few days of family fun. We got to go to one of Uncle Brian's soccer games and enjoy one of Auntie Brittany's amazing home cooked meals. Owen, of course, loved their puppy. He was always trying to throw the ball for Rex and chase him around the apartment. Rex wasn't quite sure what to think of Owen at first but decided trying to herd him was the way to go. It was a really fun couple of days together! Thats one of the things I'm looking forward to most about the holidays, getting to see them again! What are your favorite things about the holidays? 

Welcome to the birth club

When my sister's best friend and I found out she was pregnant we decided to through a party! My sister has been one of our only friends who hasn't had or adopted a baby yet. We thought it was only appropriate to have a "welcome to the birth club" party. Each friend brought a desert, drink or decoration that fit in with the theme. We had "bun in the oven" cinnamon rolls, a "cheese ball" and virgin pina colada's to drink. We lounged in our comfy clothes and laughed hysterically watching the movie What to Expect When You're Expecting. 

Having a baby is one of the best things in the whole world. It is an exciting, scary and humorous journey. I'm so glad to be a part of it with my sister!

16 months

Our boy at 16 months

-He is noticeably understanding so much. We can ask him a question and he will point to what we are talking about or gesture toward an item mentioned. He lifts his arms when its time to put his shirt on and gets his shoes when were getting ready to go outside.
-Whenever he gets hurt he likes to reenact the scene over and over. He says "bonk" and points to whatever body part got hurt.
-He is saying more words clearly. The other morning we were staying in a hotel room with my parents and when he woke up and saw my Dad he clearly and excitedly said, "Ga-pa".
-He likes to get people to pick him up and then he points and gibber jabbers about where he wants them to take him. 
-He has such a funny since of humor. He loves to make people laugh and he loves to laugh with people when they are already laughing. If we are all laughing really hard he will start making himself laugh hard and then try to keep us laughing. He makes a hysterical snarling smile when he thinks he is being funny. 
-One of his favorite things to do with people or animals is play chase. He loves to chase or be chased but especially for you to chase him.
-He is enjoying food more. It is so cute to watch him sit at a table and feed himself. He started wanting to use a spoon a couple weeks ago and tries to feed himself with that.
-His new words include bubba and making an elephant noise while his arm swings around like the trunk.
-He discovered that we all have two ears. He was sitting on GG's lap playing with one of her ears and got so fascinated when he found out she had one on each side. 
-He loves to be around people! He gets so excited when dada gets home, students come to visit or we go out and about.
-It is a joy to watch him learn and grow! We get to see more and more of his personality every month and I love it!