#155 - Conversations with a 2 1/2 year old

Early this morning

Katie: Come on, Owen, we have to get ready for church.

Owen: Mommy, you go to church. I stay here with Daddy.

Katie: No, Daddy has to go to church too.

Owen: Okay. Daddy and I go to church. Mommy, you stay here.

Katie: Gee thanks, son.

In church, as we are walking up for communion, in a very loud voice

Owen: Put me down, Daddy. I have a poopie!

Leaving church today

Katie: Lou, can you start the car while I change Owen's diaper?

Owen: Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!!!

On the way home from church

Lou: Owen, you were not very good in church today. You were very loud.

Owen: Daddy, are you happy or sad?

Lou: I'm sad because you were not good in church.

Owen: Daddy, I'm sorry. I love you.

Lou: I love you too, Owen.

Owen: Daddy, are you happy now?

This week, at bedtime, talking to my belly

Owen: Hi baby. It's big brother, Owen. I love you.

Katie: Owen, feel this. The baby is kicking.

Owen: That's not nice. I kick the baby for you, Mommy.

#154 - Popped!

I've officially popped. As Lou so innocently said last night, "it seems like you got really big much faster this time around." :) He really meant that in a nice way.

I feel great. No complaints here. I've been trying not to pick up Owen as much because I know that in a few short weeks, I won't be able to at all.

We're starting to work on Owen's big boy room. We're getting it painted this week, and have ordered furniture. If I'm brave, I might attempt to make his window curtains.

We'll keep you updated on the progress!

#153 - 2.5

Today, Owen is officially two and a half years old.

Some things he can do:

• Ride a tricycle
• Recite his ABCs, and pick out each letter
• Spell his name
• Tell you his full name, "Owen Luis Saez"
• Play basketball, soccer and baseball
• Name all the main characters in Cars, Finding Nemo, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Cailliou
• Tell you the names of his cousins (Kaylin, Noah and Grace) and all his aunts and uncles
• Use blocks to build a house, a tower, a car wash and even a McDonalds (don't ask)
• Pick out a shark, a dolphin, a redfish and a snapper from a picture chart of fish (see below)

He's quite the little boy. He's got the first of his 2nd year molars. His hair grows so fast (must cut once a month). He loves baths, rides in his wagon and playing with his friends. He is obsessed with books and being read to and wants to point out everything you read. He loves saying he's a big brother.

But, our sweet little boy is going through an awful sleeping phase (ever since Christmas), and has quite the temper when he doesn't get what he wants. And, he'll blatantly ignore you if you are telling him to do something he doesn't want to do. I guess he's a typical two year old!

So, happy half-birthday to Owen Luis Saez!

This past week, Lou gave Owen his own fish chart. Owen can now pick out about 6 different fish from the chart. I don't know who was happier - Lou teaching his son about fishing, or Owen learning from his Daddy about Daddy's favorite hobby. I see lots of father/son fishing trips this summer!

This weekend, Mom and Leighton visited us in Savannah. For Christmas, Lou and I bought them tickets to the Merle Haggard concert here, which was Saturday night. We got to spend the weekend with them, and they got to see a legend in concert. Not ten minutes after they arrived, Owen disappeared and then came out of their room in Leighton's red cowboy boots. He put them on by himself and wanted to walk around in them all afternoon. Thanks to Mom and Leighton for visiting us, and putting up with two sick parents.

#152 - Exciting News!

Guess who can ride a bike???

#151 - My first pregnancy update

I don't think we've officially talked on here about our expanding family, so here goes.

I'm pregnant.

Ha ha! In all seriousness though, here's an update on our pregnancy. Well, my pregnancy. We usually don't say, "We're pregnant" because, well, WE are not. I am. However, WE'RE expecting our second child this June. And Owen is quite excited to be a big brother. If you don't believe me. Just ask him! Last week, he told me he wanted a little sister named, "Money". Seriously, I can't make this stuff up.

So, my friend Michelle does this on her blog, and I'm going to blatantly copy her. (Thanks, Michelle! And I'm so excited to be pregnant as the same time as you!)

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along: 18 weeks and change

Size of baby: 5 1/2 - 6 inches, about 7 ounces. Or, about the size of a large sweet potato. Based upon my picture below, I think I'm carrying a sack of sweet potatoes.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 6 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Uh, yeah. Since 12 weeks.

Sex of Baby: It will be a surprise!

Movement: Been feeling the baby pretty much each day now.

Sleep: I'm definitely lucky here. I've been sleeping fine, and Lou has been an absolute trooper. More often than not, he's been putting Owen down at night and getting up with him during the night, which allows me to get a lot more sleep than he's been getting. It's helped me so much to keep up my energy, and I'm so grateful.

What I miss: Nothing, really. I have not been "limiting" myself as much as I did when I was pregnant with Owen, and because of that, I find that I don't even think about things that I used to eat, drink or do.

Cravings: Pickles - I go through at least one jar a week. And, ice-cream. I'm a text book pregnant lady!

Symptoms: The second trimester has been a piece of cake. The first trimester was absolutely awful. This past week, I've been experiencing a bunch of contractions. I went to the doctor, and had them there while they monitored me, but they are normal. Just need more water and rest (again, why my husband is a godsend at night).

Best Moment this Week: Having a three-day weekend with Owen and Lou was great. Owen is getting so big, and talks like such a big boy. We can actually have a conversation with him. It's the most rewarding thing ever! Plus, we booked our vacation to Disney World, and I'm extremely excited about that!

A funny picture of Lou, Owen and Cocoa from this morning. Owen and Lou have been inseparable these past few weeks. My little Mommy's Boy has become an even more faithful Daddy's Boy. I love it! It totally warms my heart!

Finally, a little blast down memory lane - here's Owen in his Little Tykes Cozy Coupe when he turned one.

And, a year and a half later...... here he is this weekend. :)

#150 - Grandpa Rusty

On December 30, 2010, the world lost a wonderful, gentle soul. We will miss you dearly, Grandpa Rusty.

#149 - Christmas 2010

With family in two different states which are on opposite ends of the country, we've pretty much perfected the alternating holiday compromise. This year was our "Michigan" year, and we decided to take a big risk, and drive up there. We had about 11 days off work, so plenty of time for the drive. The trip was much easier than we thought (at least on the way up there), and the visit with our Michigan family was as fun as ever. Not only did we get to celebrate Christmas with them, but we got to announce my pregnancy!

It's always a little bittersweet though, as inevitably, we will miss out on something, and this year, it was spending time with the Florida family. We love you!

Michigan was cold and snowy the entire week. The Tylutkis live on an island between Michigan and Canada, and the island is full of deer. We saw many of them during the week:

Owen started calling them reindeer. It was fitting.....

There's nothing like waking up Christmas morning with the entire family there. By some grace of God, Owen actually slept past 6 am that morning, so we were all somewhat rested when we shuffled down the stairs to check out the loot.

Abuela Isa outfitted the boys in matching Detroit Redwing pajama bottoms:

And, Grace had the girls in matching Yorkie pajamas!

Santa was good to all of us. Owen's gifts included some Thomas stuff, some Mickey Mouse stuff, and lots of toys and clothes including a basketball hoop. He loved watching Noah and Grace open their presents too.

Here's Noah displaying a frame of football cards from his Tito Louie.

After presents and a yummy breakfast, we spent the afternoon playing with our new toys and then getting ready for Christmas dinner. We took our obligatory family pictures in the dining room, and I think they turned out really good this year! Owen was hamming it up for the camera!

The picture is priceless - let me explain. During our visit, Owen spent one afternoon making cookies with Abuela Isa. At one point, after the cookies came out of the oven, Owen, thinking nobody was watching him, snuck a piece of cookie off the tray. But, Abuela Isa saw him, and gave him this look out of the corner of her eye. He thought it was hilarious, and for the rest of the week (and since then), he would imitate the way that Abuela looked at him. He turns his head to the side and looks down at you. It's the cutest thing. When this picture was taken, we said, "Owen, how did Abuela Isa look at you when she caught you eating that cookie?" And, here's the look!

From left: Mark, Noah, Susan, Grace, Isabel, Owen, Lou and Katie. And, Cocoa of course! She was the best dog while we were in Michigan. On the ride up there and back, she barely moved from her seat the entire time.

Our (growing) family.

Lou took this picture. I have no idea why Owen was so upset!

Here's hoping that you had a safe and happy holiday season. All our love!