Where have we been?

Wow--time is really flying by. Jeff finally got back from Africa and France. He had a great time and built the wifi network in Kilgali. Maybe one day we can all go back as a family. France would be a great place to go too--we are talking about buying a small house there in the small village where Alex and Amy live. While Jeff was gone, Owen and I spent most of the time outside. We cleaned up the back yard and planted a bunch in the front. Owen LOVES it outside. At first he was not too thrilled with the playpen in the back yard, but he is pretty cheerful in it now. He throws his toys out for the dogs to play with. He has to stay in the playpen in the back yard b/c Scout and Putter are pretty rambunctious and have scratchy paws. But in the front, we are free. I put the hose on and Owen waters everything. Such a big help! Im not kidding...Last week Jeff and I laid stone for a patio and now that is finished so hopefully no more dirt in the back porch from the old dirt patio. We are really on the move lately. Owen is "cruising" as they say. I actually think all of the standing in the playpen has helped strengthen his legs. I guess he will be walking soon and that just blows my mind. He is talking tons too. He now says "UP" very clearly....of course he does. Owen loves to be carried around. I am the mommy taxi and I drive him around while he points at things and makes this certain sound (think Beastie Boys "whoo whoo" its my disco call) and waits for identification. Wall, door , wall yes thats a wall.....Our first year with Owen has come to an end and what can I say...the overwhelming exhaustion is over and he is now capable of more interesting, imaginative play so things are really looking good for the future.
On a different tack, I have the opportunity to buy half of a thriving flower shop here in town. This has many good aspects--money, great health insurance, 401k, but also many drawbacks--I would have to put Owen in some sort of childcare situation, tied to New Braunfels --also what about more children? Anyway, its a big decision and I will let you know how it all turns out.

Well, the long hot Texas summer has officially begun. It has been at least 95 degrees for two weeks now. Yikes! This puts a damper on our outside time b/c its is truly too darn hot to be outside. That is another one of O's words---he says "Hot" as we get into the car...I also don't like going outside in the heat of the day because I can't stand putting sun block on him. I think it is too full of chemicals...We have been swimming and it looks like Owen is going to be a water baby. I am looking into lessons at the Y.

Sooner Country

We live in a pretty nice older neighborhood--mainly homes built in the 40's that have been well maintained or recently bought and remodeled. The neighborhood is dear to me because my dad grew up here--he moved into the house we live in in the early 1940s. My grandparents--Ome and Ope--bought this house and proudly moved in with their only child--my then 7 year old father. My Ope was a mailman and my Ome was a homemaker. When I was a kid, we would come to visit and often my little brother and I would sleep over and stay in my dad's old room which was still sort of decorated with his things from high school. Framed pictures of him in his football uniform--leather helmet--and his old girlfriend--the one, my Ome thought, that got away. My dads old dresser was where my Ome kept her spare wigs that lived on white styrofoam heads that someone had lightly crayoned in eyes and lips. An odd place to sleep but we liked it. We played in the elaborate parterre garden and made mud pies. A lot. We were mud chefs actually and pretended to host our own cooking shows. Anyway, this house is full of memories for me. My back yard neighbor, Mrs. Bush, has lived there since I was little and seemed old even then. I can't fathom how she is still alive and kicking and up for a good gossip on the fence. Her next door neighbor Mr. Bueske is quite old as well and remembers my dad as a teen ager. Wow. I guess I should tell you that my dad died three years ago of cancer. So sometimes I get very sad but at the same time happy to be living where my dad grew up. Pretty lucky...so the neighbor hood is nice, but a few streets over begins what is referred to as "the west end" . It is a shabby place by anybodies standards--shabby, but lively I guess. I mean, one house kitty-corner to us has a yard like no other. A hundred pots-- some planted some not, ubiquitous Shrine de la virgin, a large clay St. Francis feeding several plastic pink flamingos...also some real live birds living in cages under the carport. I have lived next to this nutty woman with a canoe in her front yard (planter) for four years and have seen her twice. The family next to her however, I have come to know pretty well through all the crazy little kids that seem to live in their dirt yard and occasionally meander into mine. Their house is notable in the hood b/c it looks like an Appalachian cabin with a swing set in front moved right up to the street, a yard dog, lots of random junk and a large metal sign saying "sooner country" nailed right by the front door. Last March this cute little boy who already had a tan came by and asked if he could do some yard work. Anything, because he told us it was his sisters birthday and he was trying to buy her a present. He said his name was Dougie, but his real name was Jeff--like my husband. Se I call him Jeffrey two. He is like a throw back to my childhood. He is brown and dusty and lives outdoors. He is little for his age, but talkative and sweet and full of bravado. ...

Happy Birthday Owen!

Today is Owens first birthday! I just said that to him for the first time and he smiled and clapped! So here is a list of all the amazing things he can do:

give a kiss with the "mua" sound at the end
drink from a cup and go "ahhh"
move with great rhythm when music comes on
pull on on anything and everything
throw a ball really far and know its a game
knows tons of words
can get mommy toilet paper if she needs it!
pretends to have a hurt hand and makes an adorable pouty face while we say "oh, hurt hand"
sometimes he holds out both "hurt hands" for kisses
loves to push a car
loves to hold his own peeled apple to eat
pretends to cough and can now even cover his mouth while he does it
can retrieve any food out of his mouth-- and usually does- and will feed it to you. This works for crackers but also pureed peas and yogurt
loves to pass you something back and forth to say "thank you"
has five teeth
has the best laugh ever
Followed only by his smile
loves to play with your toys--but love grown up things best--like remotes keys cell phones pens etc
can color and hold a pen pretty well
knows "eyes mouth ear" game and we are working on tummy chin leg
can sit outside for an hour and just look at everything and play with sticks and grass

I can't believe how far you have come. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Owen's Birth Story!

A year ago this moment I was deep in labor with Owen. It was the best night of my life so far--and of course the most difficult. This is the story of my son's birth.

I still can't believe I have this tiny little one in my care. It is so intense...the biggest love instantly...it was too much for me at first being so totally love at first sight all at once. I cried (just like in Raising Arizona) "I love him sooooo mu-mu-much" all day the first day home...The birth was incredible. I was showing signs of hypertension and my doctor wanted to induce...I was very reluctant but he was past term and I just went ahead with it. I went in around 6 a.m. Monday morning-- it was still dark--and got some sort of gel put on my cervix to "ripen" it because it was not ready at all. All my sisters were like this too so I tended to believe them that I wasn't going to dilate on my own despite visualizing all sorts of flowers blooming...I hung out in the hospital and after hours of menstrual type cramps getting really intense (around 6 pm) my doctor came by and he checked me out and my water broke and was 4 centimeters dilated...I was thrilled. I was thinking, "I can handle this!" I labored on I guess pretty ineffectually for a few hours and the nurse was hinting at pitocin to stimulate contractions. I was in pain and could not make a decision. I had spent a few hours in the shower on a birth ball and while I thought I was making headway, I was informed that if I was that composed and talkative there was still a long way to go. I was completely against the idea in theory, but was afraid i could not go on all night long the way things were. I was already pretty tired. I didn't really sleep the night before and we had been at the hospital all day since 6am. I knew that pitocin makes contractions intense and come right on top of each other with no relief, but with my doctors help, we decided that i just needed to get things moving. I couldn't sleep through the contractions I was having, so rest was out of the question....anyway, it was pretty painful I will admit. I was having back labor and could not find relief in any position. I finally got in a rocker for the last two centimeters. I just sat and rocked and sort of fell asleep. I remember thinking that I was messing up the rocker because I kept feeling a gushing that I thought was pee. I guess it was amniotic fluid. Also, this is where Salli was most helpful obviously. I honestly could not have done it with out her. He help was constant in an unobtrusive way. I mean, Jeff was asleep! I really had to use the relaxation techniques that our Doula Salli taught me--start with the face muscles first and open your mouth and work down--I think I threw up around now and also had to go to the bathroom in an emergency type way! I was having uncontrollable pushing feelings...so I had to get on hands and knees on top of the bed to breath through them... I think at that point the baby turned around and so that horrible pressing pain stopped and I heard the best words of my life "I think I will go get the birth cart and call the doctor"... and I was ready to push our little bird into the world!! My doctor showed up and I started pushing--I pushed very well. I think that part lasted only 20 mins or so. I remember thinking, "You have to do it or it will never be over" Jeff was right there by me and It was simply the best feeling to feel Owen's head and shoulders and finally his whole body slip out. I was so glad it was OVER that's all I was honestly thinking for quite a while. .. well, also, thinking Never again. We will adopt... etc. I felt like that for like three days but now, I refer to that night as the most exciting night ever! Ha! Overall the hospital experience, while not my first choice ( we wanted to do a home birth) was great. Our nurse was trained like a midwife and suggested positions and relief techniques unheard of in most hospitals. I had hired a Doula for support as well and she was amazing too. I think that I was in real active labor for about 5 hours and 20 mins of pushing. I had to be at the hospital for 12 hours of waiting for the cervical gel to kick in, but that was just killing time. My doctor checked me around 5:30 p.m. and that's when my water broke. Things got more intense from there and Owen was born at 4:31 am. I am thinking back and remembering the intensity and wonderment exhaustion elation and sweetness....just wow. Tomorrow is Owen's first birthday and I wanted to get this down for the record.

Why did I ever agree to this?

Jeff is under African skies now and I miss him dreadfully. I feel the same way as when I was in labor with Owen. I don't think I can make it through but there is no way out. Or when you are locked and loaded in a scary roller coaster...I mean, I am not afraid of anything, but I miss him! He is me and I am feeling the stretch. Owen is acting extra clingly too. Damn Damn Damn....

Peace at 7 a.m.

I never thought I would be glad to get out of bed pre-dawn just for the solitude...just to sit quietly and drink a cup of coffee and write is so wonderful this is going to be my new thing. Last night I was in bed by ten/asleep by eleven so I bet while Jeff is gone we will be more on a "schedule". I have to admit, many of the attached parenting techniques we have tried with Owen have not really worked. I guess I am talking about the sleep situation. We none of us are getting enough and Jeff is still in the "little buckaroo" bed. I am going to get Owen his own crib and this next week start to talk to O about being a big boy so when we get back from Nanny's birthday we can try sleeping alone. I'm not talking about banishing my baby to another room here, just a small crib alongside of the big bed.
So, our other big news is that Jeff is going to Rwanda to help with an internet network and then on to France for 5 days to see his friend Alex. Very exciting to see his hard work pay off in such a cool way. But we are so very sad about the separation. I am not even acknowledging it.

Owen continues to amaze me. He is so sweet natured but also very determined. He proudly shows off five teeth--three on top two on bottom. He is pulling up on everything and starting to take a wobbly step sideways while holding on to something. He has a ton on words--some real and some stand ins. His favorite word seems to be "thank you". We pass things back and forth and say thank you all day! We had another round of sister/cousins come to visit and he loved that of course. Jake and Jared were not so into him as his other cousins though b/c they are pretty young themselves. But I loved seeing them. Those boys bring joy and life with them.

I miss everybody.

Happy Easter!

I am in a great rush this morning trying to fit in my leisurely cup of coffee whilst getting Owen ready for Easter Mass with Grandmother. I have this great if only a little silly outfit for him in yellow and white. Anyway, not much of a holiday for me really. I hate to say this, but any holiday that you need to decorate for has fallen drastically in my estimation lately. I mean its just too much with Owen. I admit it, I am not a supermom Martha S. wannabe--I just want a clean house!

Lots of exciting things to report, but it will all have to wait until later.

How to wean? Should I wean? Ween?

It has taken me a week to add to this post. I have been sitting on a draft with just the title since the 13th...anyway, Owen has finally slowed down and is napping so I can post. I have been wondering when and how to wean Owen. It is finally taking its toll on me...I love nursing him, it is just my fault for "accidental parenting" him at night I guess. I am exhausted all of the time b/c of our sleeping arrangement. Yesterday I fell asleep at the movies watching "Semi Pro" with Jeff. As you can tell by my use of the phrase "accidental parenting" I have been researching the topic. I think the "Baby Whisperer" is a moron. She actually recommends getting in your baby's crib when he cries instead of picking him up. Uh, that is just silly. So, to get Owen to sleep longer I am giving him a bath before bed and feeding him a bowl of cereal to fill him up in case he is waking up hungry. He slept from 9 to 3am last night and from then on it was flip flop city all over mommy. I do not really want to stop nursing, but I do not know how to stop the night time craziness.

Christy and Ben are in town for spring break and we have been having a great time. I said this last time she was here but it is so wonderful having a sister in town!! I will post some pictures later on.

Remember the band WEEN? They are what half my brain is thinking of when I talk about weaning Owen. Kind of weird actually.

Just when I think we have it all together...

Someone drops a futon off on our front porch and my mother-in-law comes over unannounced when I have curlers in my hair...we might as well plant flowers in old tires in our front lawn! It's been raining all day today...don't worry we covered up the futon with old towels and blankets.


Bye, ya'll.

What next?

I get the feeling that Owen is asking, "what next". I mean, I think he is bored. He constantly is making this "eh eh" sound and begging to be picked up, but I think it is out of boredom. He seems to be ready to be on to the next thing, you know? I do not mean to be a typical mom here, but he is quite bright and sometimes we are just tired of each other...I can only think of so much during the day. Anyway, his best toy lately is a bunch of jewelry boxes, altoid tins, and shoe boxes that he can open and shut. If I put something in them, so much the better.

Tonight I went out for apps and drinks with KT. So necessary. I do not want to be misunderstood, but the idea of motherhood is slightly misrepresented. I mean, I waited until I was 33 to have Owen, and then to be immediately expected to drop my life and embrace round the clock mommydom---well, it is hard. Harder than anyone ever told me. It has just been so intense for months and months. Owen is the most amazing beautiful funny being I could ever imagine, it is just that sometimes I remember myself a few years ago and want to go back, desperately. Just for an hour or two. Without a hangover.

This has made me wonder if maybe we might be ready for a school or something and maybe a part time job for me. Owen seems ready and I do not want to find myself 10 years from now crazed and unemployable. I will look into this. I know there are a few places in town that claim to be more than a daycare.

Almost had a Lexus

A pretty slow week. I have been sick more this year than the last five put together. I have a cold, last week it was something else I can not remember. I guess it it nursing. I am tired a lot too. Owen has been sick or teething too. At night, he will only sleep if I am holding him while he is latched on, other hand holding other nipple and feet kneading my arm, with his long toenails scratching me. Actually maybe this is why I am so tired. Ahhh...motherhood. Owen had a doctors appointment. He is 30 inches long. Not bad for 10 months!
Something about Mozilla will not let me type the apostrophe key so I can not use contractions.

Texas Gulf

Yesterday we went down to the Texas coast and had a great time. The ride down was pretty smooth. Owen slept most of the way and when he woke up, was in a great mood. At three hours it was his longest car ride. Our first stop was the aquarium. It was fun, except the otter exhibit was closed for repairs. The dolphins more than made up for it though. One in particular really seemed to like us and would swim over to where we were and pause for a long time! Owen was awed! Then we ate some seafood by the water and had a funny waiter. Three minutes after we sat down, I asked Jeff, "Do you believe a word he said?" I mean, he very quickly told us all of this strange and unbelievable stuff. But it was likely all true. Water attracts characters. Anyway, we drove on down to the National Seashore. In my opinion, the best beach in Texas for sure. It is a protected area so, no development and not very crowded. We all loved it like crazy!! We got blankets and got cozy....I can not wait to go back and put Owen in the water. The ride back was pretty dicey with Owen crying for most of it. It made me think twice about taking him too far from home again any time soon. Anyway, next time we will likely stay the night so we will not have a night time car crisis. All in all, a great first family vacation.

Pictures!

As promised, some cute pics of our week. We are going to the coast for a day trip tomorrow, so will post all about that as well as the "sip and see".

A week off

My sister Christy and her daughter Hannah were in town for a week, so I was away from the computer. It was great having her here. There is nothing like a sister. It was so great having help with Owen and just company. Hannah is pretty funny. One night my mother was watching her while Christy went to Gruene Hall with an old friend. Hannah was apparently watching some forbidden TV because the next day she told me she watched some movie called "Shark Attack" and there was a part where a guy "tries to drunk a girl and get her to lay down and kiss her, but she can't because she's asleep". Wow! I wasn't even allowed to watch "M*A*S*H" when I was a kid. I tried to get Hannah started on a blog herself, but she informed me that between school and TV, there would be very little time for blogging. I understand. Anyway, they are gone now and I miss them terribly.

On sunday Jeff and I took Owen to Gruene to eat lunch and into Gruene Hall for a his first live band. The band was just...meh, but we got a few cute pics of him on the dance floor. My Ome and her sisters used to go dancing there in a covered wagon if you can believe it. I love when it is so crowed there that the floor is literally bouncing up and down and people are on the tables dancing...

After all of that excitement, Owen got some mysterious fever and shrieking sickness. I was truly frightened for one of the first times of my life. I guess all babies have to get sick some time...He has had a cold before, but that night he was screaming and feverish. Katrina saved the day though with her sensible calm. Thanks!
Owen's new thing is a direct result from his illness I think. He shrieks now. Just shrieks when he wants something. It is so unnerving to me that I instantly comply. He has also learned to open and shut the doors here at Ome's House. He just LOVES to do dangerous things. Why is that?

All in all, fun week! I will post the pics later.

Nostalgia

When I was younger it seemed that every weekend , I would dye my hair some crazy color. It was like a ritual I did before going out with friends. In high school, my friend KT and I would either dye our hair or pierce or ears. By the time I graduated from high school, I had 7 ear rings and my hair had been every color they sold at Sally Beauty Supply. Anyway, this evening I am sans Owen for an hour so I can get this done. I am listening to this amazing website, Pandora. No drink in hand, but it feels good to be free for an hour or so on a Saturday night while I color the grey away....

What a night

Owen suffered through another night of what I refer to as "the miseries". He is simultaneously teething and has a cold, so the cure all, nursing, is just not working b/c he can't breath. He tries to nurse-- he very gamely sucks like mad then pops off to take this huge breath, but after a bit he got very frustrated and just cried, which made his nose even more stuffy. I finally just got up with him at around 2 am and we sat on the breakfast room floor and played and I fixed him some toast--until 4:30. I actually got Owen to sleep by facing a wall and rock/singing him to sleep. He just wouldn't close his eyes....I don't understand this b/c mommy's eyes want to close practically all of the time. Maybe its time I stop inhaling coffee as my main energy source?

Anyhow, our first Valentine's Day with Owen was a great success. My mom watched him while we went to a book store and out for Thai. Then we went to Target and bought ourselves the coolest toy --this new tiny camcorder that is the easiest ever to record and upload. Unfortunately, we had to get the white version b/c that's all they had.

I just got off the phone with Joe The Exterminator. He has to come back over to finish off with what I have been referring optimistically to as our "squirrel problem".

Uh, it's not squirrels.

Welcome to the Jungle!

This seems like an obvious cliche but, sometimes our life does seem quite jungley...like, for example,we had to have Joe the exterminator come for a visit today to capture some critters from our attic. Lately they had become so loud/many that Owen would look up at the ceiling with a "Huh" look on his face. However, I banged on the walls last night to give fair warning....Since this is our first post, I'll keep it short and just add some pictures of Owen who is not quite ten months old! Here's some from Super Bowl. Go Cowboys!