Shabbat Shalom, Just me and my little

This morning we couldn't get ourselves together in time to go to Tot Shabbat and I felt horrible that Owen missed his favorite part of the week. He took a shorter-than-average nap so I jumped in the shower and got us both gussied up for evening services. He was SO happy to wear his "bat-bat shoes" (fancy black loafers on loan to us from a friend) and even after I tucked in his shirt and dress pants he brought me over his blue sweater vest.

"Would you like to wear this too?" I asked him.

"Yes! Bat-Bat!" he said.

And even though it didn't really match, he wore it anyway. We went to temple and enjoyed the children's services with singing and shakers. As I tucked him back in the car I was thinking about how nice we looked and decided we needed to make a night of it. The two of us went out to dinner and O ate an entire bowl of lentil chili and I had a salad and a wrap. We happened to park directly in front of the create-your-own frozen yogurt shop, so how could we possibly skip that. O requested chocolate chips on his "axe-cream" and as we sat sharing our treat he asked to get up into my lap and snuggle me.

I almost melted into a pile of mush right there on the floor. I couldn't help but think that one week from today he will be TWO. Two years have gone by and every moment my love for this boy has grown exponentially.  We have our hard days of tears and tantrums but at the end of the day there is always, always snuggles. I thought once he wasn't a baby anymore that he wouldn't need me as much, but it turns out he needs me more. He needs me to reassure him that we'll eat and what we'll eat. What is allowed and what is not acceptable. He wants me to show him the world, but he wants to see it through his own eyes and at his own pace. But most of all he needs lots and lots of love, and he needs his Mama's snuggles. And I will savor every minute he wants to be in my arms, and pray it lasts a lifetime.

Shabbat Shalom!

Owen's First Ear Infection

Owen has had a cold for the past few weeks (which he has graciously shared with Jeremy) but his cough and runny nose weren't too much of a concern until the other night when he woke up screaming at 4am and slept/cried on me from 4am-9am pulling at his left ear.  This was so out of character for our boy so I brought him into the doctor.

He's never had an ear infection, but sure enough, the doctor said his left ear looked red. Owen has been taking significantly less milk from me over the past few weeks, and I couldn't help but to feel guilty. That Mama-milk kept him really healthy for close to two years and the minor illnesses he did have were short-lived at best. Jeremy reminded me that even breastfed babies get ear infections and we were just lucky to have avoided it this long, and for it to have been so minor.

He was acting fine later in the day, and good as new the next day so for now, we're holding off on giving him what would be his first round of antibiotic, ever. We have his 2-year well check coming up so he'll have his ear re-checked then.

Owen only really visits the doctor for vaccines so naturally, the visit was pretty traumatic for him (even though EVERYONE assured him, he would not be getting a shot). He cried in my arms for the entire visit, but did let the doctor look in his ears and mouth and listen to his heart. Poor little guy, can't wait for spring to clear out some of these nasty toddler germs!

(O was tired/cranky in the morning and didn't want to be filming this but I wanted his first-hand account of our visit)

Oh Happy Day!

Jeremy had the day off (again!) for Valentine's Day so we spent a low-key day together as a family.  I made us some yummy treats and we all took a nice long nap before heading out to Qdoba for dinner.

That night, Jeremy proposed to me with a delicious ring pop and an adorable card (I said, YES!)

Another perfect Valentine's Day with my two favorite guys.

(I also shared on Kveller.com about my special Valentine's traditions)

I can finally breathe

My latest reflections on motherhood at Kveller.com

Unseasonably warm weather is REALLY nice for toddlers

Most Adorable CHEESE FACE EVER!

Nana & Papa Visit

When we returned home from San Francisco Nana and Papa came to visit.  Papa was able to come with us to the Children's Museum and Owen was thrilled to show him around (and teach him how to "pint" rhymes with "mint").

 Owen's *favorite* thing to do at the Museum is to drop tiny rocks down into the chime funnel. He was happy to show his Papa how it's done ;)

Nana and Papa were also able to come to Tot Shabbat with us on Friday morning and had a blast singing and dancing with Owen. We all had a really great visit!

The longest trip in the universe

Jeremy unexpectedly had some time off last week so we flew to San Francisco to visit family and friends. The last time we made the LONG flight Owen was only 3 months old and amazed us with his flexibility. This trip was much, much different.

We introduced some headphones before we left so that Owen could listen to his music on the plane. He LOVES the new headphones and they are a perfect fit for his tiny head (adorable too!) He actually did very well on the flight out there, but the three of us waking at 4am to start the day set us off on a bad foot for a 3hr time difference. Owen ended up nursing to sleep on the flight and slept on me for over 2hours of the second leg, which was great!

Owen didn't adjust well to the time difference and woke before 5am the first day and screamed for over two hours. He did pretty well with naps but since we slept in the same room as he did during the trip, he was very aware that I was there and crying out and asking to nurse most of the night only to wake again each morning between 5-6am.  The three of us didn't get a full night of sleep the entire time we were away, which proved to be really exhausting. But we got to see so many good friends and spend quality time with family so that is what really matters. We didn't get many pictures of our trip since we were running around very busy trying to visit everyone, but we did get a few special ones.

Owen was able to meet his Great Grandma Florence for the second time! She is 94 and in assisted living but still so happy to be with us. Our shy boy was such a charmer with his Great Grandma. He gave her hugs and high five and LOTS of smiles. The tears in her eyes said it all. She also demanded that Jeremy and I get working on more babies... dually noted Grandma.

Bernice and her son Paul came over to Aunt Mimi's for dinner one night and it is always a pleasure to see her. She was Jeremy's mother's life-long best friend and loves our boy so much (even if he was a cranky version of himself this trip...)

And quite possibly the highlight of O's trip was getting to visit with his cousins Ben and Shayna. Each morning he woke up bright and early (oh god, 5am) with calls of "More Ben!, More Shayna!"

We're back and adjusting from our little trip, we learned that infants are MUCH more flexible than toddlers but traveling across country with a toddler IS POSSIBLE. You just might be a little bit tired when you get back :)