Big Boy Bed

We set up Owen's big boy bed on April 27th - Gil was starting to outgrow the cosleeper and we had hoped to transition him into the crib in Owen's room. That meant Owen was going to have to not be sleeping in the crib.

Having never climbed out, we really weren't in a hurry to switch him to a big boy bed. He loved his crib and settled easily in it. We actually bought him a mattress almost a year ago, just in case he did climb out. I also spent a small fortune on Curious George sheets from Pottery Barn Kids. Curious George stuff is so hard to come by but I knew that was the only thing that would motivate our boy to sleep in a big bed. The bed frame was given to us by a friend and is great because it's low to the ground but holds a twin-sized mattress.

We had so much anxiety about moving Owen to the bed and as with most thing with Owen, he transitioned seemlessly. We left his crib in the room, but moved it to the other wall. There were a few nights we found him back in his crib asleep. Having crawled back in. So since we knew he needed to unattach himself from the crib (it didn't even cross his mind that we would give his crib to Gil. He didn't ask and we didn't tell him that's what would be happening) we took the mattress out of it and left the frame.

Two months later and this guy LOVES his big boy bed - he especially loves that when Daddy puts him to bed, he can climb in with him (and Daddy usually falls asleep before Owen :))

I finally came in and snapped some pictures of him waking up from his nap.

 I'm so thankful this room is large enough for the boys to eventually share.

It's only a matter of time.

"I'm gonna thump him one day. He's gonna beg me to stop."  - Baby Gil

{Owen Age 3, 28 lbs  vs. Gillen 8 months, 19 lbs.}

Dandelion Wishes

You wished on a dandelion for the very first time today.

My heart nearly exploded.

Owen Gymnastics

We signed Owen up for gymnastics this session and he has had a blast. He is very flexible and being so light he can swing his little body around very well. It's done wonders for his gross motor skills and confidence. He's become quite the monkey and swings and climbs on everything now.

I take the class with him while wearing Gillen so it's hard for me to do much else but I did snap a few pictures for Daddy when I could. They blew up a huge inflatable slide which many of the kids were scared of, but not Owen. He zipped right down!

Some of the things they did during class were rings, uneven bars, beam, zip line across the gym, trampoline, floor exercises/tumbling and lots of obstacle courses. He can pull up to a window on the bars and bear crawl across the uneven bars.

This class has helped Owen learn to wait his turn and stand in line. Granted most of the time the parents are crazy trying to herd these little bumble bees but progress was made. It was great for Owen in so many ways, especially since he is home with me.

He's going to take a summer session with his Daddy and then be ready for a class all by himself in the fall! 

19 Weeks: Brothers play

It's been so dark in the house I have a hard time capturing the boys playing. These pictures are not the best, but they show an adorable interaction between my little guys. Gillen was sitting up playing with his toy and Owen brought over the tunnel. Gil waited patiently for Owen to pop through and then Owen grabbed Gil's toy for him that he had dropped. The last photo isn't in focus but I think Gil's face is hilarious!

"So... apparently this guy doesn't wear pants anymore!?"

Gillen Azar: Four Month Doctor Visit

16 lbs 4 oz (60th percentile)

25.75 inches (67th percentile)

Me and the boys headed for Gil's four month doctor visit knowing that he had gained quite a bit of weight. The little piggy gained THREE POUNDS! His thighs are dripping with rolls and it just melts my heart.

It was actually a great visit, Owen has settled in as the big brother and we spent next to no time talking about him. Dr. Springer commented on how strong Gillen is, he sits almost completely unassisted and rolls both ways. Most of this is because he wants to be upright and watching his big brother. Gillen was a champ for his shots, three again this time. He didn't start to cry until the last one was in and he shook it off in a matter of minutes. Brave boy! (and again, brave Mama!)

After some great and very patient behavior, Dr. Springer made Owen two "puppets" with tongue depressors and Elmo stickers.

Our visit was pretty uneventful, just like we like them. Gillen is growing like a weed and it's always nice to hear Dr. Springer tell me how healthy and beautiful my boys are.

Good Morning, Boys!

There is a theme going with pictures of these boys. 

Owen = LOTS of enthusiasm; Gil =What the hell?

Gillen 16 weeks old

Chanukah: Two Candles

The boys woke up in the morning and played blocks together. We put Gillen in the bumbo for the first time and he absolutely loved it. He's both strong and fat so he easily sat up and watched his brother play blocks. Owen gave him one to chew on and it was pretty adorable seeing how interested Gillen is in everything O does. The shot of the two of them, I couldn't get Owen to stand still so his face is blurry, but it's too cute not to post ;)

 

Tonight Owen opened up a dicast toy airplane and a soccer ball. He has been asking for a soccer ball for a while now so he was SO HAPPY! (We ended up having to take it away after several near-misses to Gillen's head, but we'll try again tomorrow.)

Brother Bath

Giggles galore from these two in their first brother bath!

Gillen: 12 weeks old

and still a complete and total joy, for all of us. 

And this was a good day

Me: baby Gil is sleeping we'll let him sleep a little longer.

Owen: then I will just go to the library by myself.

Owen (while dumping milk out of his cup all over the table): Mama, are you impressed with my good behavior?

Then I went to the bathroom for two minutes and came back to find this...

And today was a good day for Mr. Owen, can you imagine what a bad day looks like ;) 

Daddy and Owen: THE CIRCUS!

Jeremy and Owen have had a rough go of it since Gillen was born. Jeremy's absence due to work has somehow manifested in Owen forgetting he exists. When Jeremy comes home, Owen used to run to the door yelling "Da-yee! Da-yee!" Now?

Owen ignores him and won't even acknowledge his presence.

If Jeremy tries to help with bath or bedtime Owen screams hysterically, which is hard on all of us. Me because I could really use the help sometimes and Jeremy because he feels like crap to come home to one kid who only wants to nurse at night (something Jeremy cannot do) and the other a screaming banshee. Tough stuff.

Jeremy had the weekend off and after an awesome trick-or-treat, Owen was happy to be with his Daddy again. We suprised Owen with a trip to the circus on Sunday.

Jeremy and I were both raised going to, and loving, the circus. I used to go every year around my birthday and so many wonderful memories.

You know what I don't remember? It being SO EXPENSIVE!

So with our limited budget and Jeremy's limited time with Owen we decided they would go just the two of them.  We assumed the circus would be about an hour long. WRONG. It was close to THREE HOURS! (I guess you get your money's worth!)

There was a pre-show if you arrived an hour early. Jeremy and Owen were one of the first fifty people in the door. Owen was able to walk a mini tight rope, see some clowns, try on some costumes, see some jugglers and get a tattoo. Jeremy said it was great.

The show was wonderful, had an intermission and then another hour of show. Poor Owen was completely wrecked by the end of it (he's never sat through anything like this, not even a movie!) and tried to take a nap on the floor of the convention center (yuck!)

I stayed home with Gillen and was able to get some writing done once he fell asleep. It was really nice to have some peace and quiet.

Jeremy took a few pictures with his phone of their trip - needless to say, Owen had a blast and keeps asking why we can't go again. This boy who makes weekly trips to the zoo and museums doesn't understand that some special things only come to town once per year ;)

 I gave them some glow bracelets before they left so Jeremy didn't have to spend money on them there. Best decision ever, Owen LOVED it! (and the glow sticks were $20 at the circus!!)

Owen wanted to wear his Halloween costume but Jeremy talked him into wearing matching Duke shirts instead :)

Owen David: 32 Months

Dearest Owen,

These might just be your two favorite things right now, "cozy jammies" and tools (well, and Curious George). You insist on wearing fleece pants around the house, for nap and for bedtime. It is becoming impossible for me to keep them laundered and in your drawer. You LOVE tools right now. We finally found you a drill that works [one of your many Big Brother presents] and you run out to the playroom first thing in the morning to get to work with your tools. You hammer your crib "fixing it" and screw in these screws endlessly throughout the day.

This has also been our most challenging month to date. You have come into your own as a toddler and terrible twos have entered our house like none other. It's hard to know how much of it is your struggle with Gillen's arrival and how much of it is just being two but it has been so hard for me.  Last week your tantrums, cries, and general disagreement brought me to tears every single night. I wondered if bringing home Gillen had changed our relationship and honestly struggled to remember the happy boy I spoiled to death the week before his birth. People tell me that this too shall pass, and I'm trying not to wish our days away but I want nothing more than for you to wake with happy smiles rather than tears and tantrums. I want you to settle in bed before midnight and eat something other than green beans and peanut butter.

But then you - with your two and a half years of life - amaze me with your insight, your comprehensive vocabulary and understanding of what we say. When we talk you always ask if there is one word you don't understand. The other day you asked your daddy, "What is a customer?"  -- such hard questions from you! "Why?" is your favorite question right now and you are facinated with how things work. The other day you pointed to the wheels of our car as we were getting in and said, "When the car starts these wheels are going to spin around." Yes. Yes they are. You start conversations with strangers and always begin by asking them, "Are YOU a big brother?" (even if you're talking to a lady :)) You tell them your name is Owen, you are three (which you are not, my love) and that you have a baby brother named Gillen. I love this so much about you and it makes me so happy when strangers engage you in conversation.

You are a wonderful big brother.You've all but stopped asking if we can take baby Gil back to the hospital and I think you have forgotten what it was like without him. Whenever you talk about our family, you include your brother. It melts me. When your brother is screaming in the car, as he often does, we ask you to hold his hand. You usually answer with, "I'd be happy to" and he quiets down immediately. It's amazing really. You are a loving and devoted big brother. I am so incredibly proud of you.

Two and a half is hard and wonderful. I guess that describes parenthood for the most part. You are still my baby and my heart aches for you when we are apart. Let's make a deal - I promise to keep those cozy pants clean if you promise to take it easy on my Mama heart and limit yourself to two tantrums a day.

Two I can handle. As long as the rest of the day is filled with your hugs and smiles.

Forever and ever I love you more than all of the stars in the sky. All of them.

Mama

Big Boy Haircut: The Barber

Up until now I've been taking Owen to get his haircut when I get mine cut. My stylist did a pretty good job cutting his hair but as it's grown in it lays funny. We felt like he needed to go to a barber shop to get a proper boys cut so off we went on a Saturday morning.

The lady gave Owen the worlds largest sucker as he was getting his haircut, much to our horror. Owen has never had anything other than a dum-dum pop so this was quite the upgrade and he happily ate it (covered in hair as it fell onto the sticky sucker....) Red was everywhere and as soon as we walked out the door we offered a trade. He give up the sucker and we give him a bag of fruit snacks.

He was thrilled. Thank goodness.

Gil was there too, dressed and ready for the Buckeye game ;)

Being Big Brother takes some adjusting

 One of his big brother prizes to play with while I'm nursing. 

When I gave it to him he said, "Oh yeah! A Tinky!"

Owen has struggled over the last five weeks with our new family dynamic. The first week home he struggled with eating and night waking. The last few weeks bedtime shannagins (till after midnight!?) and tantrums have won out. While he has been very sweet to Gillen, he's taken out most of his frustration on Jeremy. This is sad for both of them because with Jeremy's work schedule they don't get much time together. Owen won't let Jeremy do anything for him right now without tantrums, screaming and calling for Mama. This is hard on all of us because I could really use the help, especially in the evening time when Gillen wants to nurse and be held. Owen knows that when I'm nursing I'm not as quick on my feet and often sees that as an opportunity to be naughty (open a jar of paint all over the playroom or scale the dishwasher). We try to point out all of the cool things that big boys can do that babies cannot and he seems to like that. He likes to be a helper and put Gil's dirty clothes in the hamper or bring me a diaper so I try to include him as much as possible.

Staying in the house all day is pure punishment for both of us, so we try to venture out at least on a walk or to the park. Gillen is really flexible so I've been carrying him in the Ergo and he's perfectly content to sleep there snuggled up on my chest as Big Brother gets some energy out.

We're trying to be patient with our firstborn and hope that soon we will see glimpses of the happy boy we know and love soon. Overall he's doing a great job as a big brother and we hope his little mind will start to settle and he'll again be assured of his place in our family.

More on life with two here on Kveller.com

Just him and his accesories

I love this guy so much it hurts.

31 Months: Owen, My Great Love

Dearest Owen,

The day I left for the hospital to have your brother you were still my baby. I cradled you in my arms and kissed your soft cheeks. The moment he was born, he was the baby and you were --bigger. You were so big, and tall and grown when I saw you next. I left to have a baby and you grew into a big brother overnight. Your suntanned legs, complete with scrapes. Your tasseled hair and rose-colored cheeks. Your ability to talk from sun-up to sunset. Little to no resemblance of baby left in you, it was only in the way that I saw you. As if you had never changed from the moment I met you and now somehow you've grown leaps and bounds in an instant. But in reality everything is the same, I'm just learning to see my two children. A baby and a boy. Brothers. My greatest accomplishments.

All of my tears since the birth of your brother have been for you. I know the insides and out of your gentle spirit. I know that you are struggling as a try to know him too. It all must seem so unfair. You've shown me in your own sensitive way just how much you miss being the center of my universe. How having my divided attention is not the same as having it all. It's hard on me too. I miss the days I lived to make you smile. And this face in the picture is one I see more often than not right now. You've always known your place in our family and it pains me to see you struggle to find where you fit again. I'm trying to be gentle and mindful of how the world must look to you now. How hard it must be for you. I guess we're both trying to be patient with each other. 

You have been so sweet to your brother. Every morning when I come into your room you ask, "What is baby Gil doing?" and later in the day you ask me when we're bringing him back to the hospital. I tell you he's here to stay. You ask again the next day, just to be sure. When he coos you tell me he is making "butterfly noises" and I cannot think of a more perfect way to describe it. You've been incredibly patient and you've found your special place tucked up next to me while I nurse him. Books have allowed me to tend to you while feeding him. You ask when he can play with you, I assure you that one day he will. Until then, you show him your favorite trucks and you kiss his head. You occasionally throw a cup at his bouncer or put a stuffed toy on his face while he's sleeping. We're working on it.

I already know how to love and care for a newborn, you taught me that. I'm still figuring out what a two and a half year old needs from me. You will always be my test subject for parenthood and I apologize for all my stumbles and imperfection. But one thing will never change, you will always be my first. You are my Great Love. At night when your brother is asleep, I come into your room. I cover you up and push the hair from your face. I want to climb into your crib and hold you close. I want you to know how much you matter. How hard I am trying to make this work. When you are sleeping, you're not pushing back. You are my baby again. I love you so much it hurts and giving you a brother, while it seems so unjust at the moment, is a gift I know you'll come to cherish. You will be his Great Love, too. He will want nothing more than to be like you, play with you, follow your every move and word. Time will wash away your memories of just the three of us, but I will always have them. I will keep them tucked inside my heart and I'll share them with you when ever you want. But I'll also let you forget. I'll let you forget so that you can learn to share my love and be a big brother. Because one day soon, playing with him will bring you more joy than playing with me. I've given you a partner in crime, a roommate and a buddy. You loving each other will be the ultimate reward, for all of us.

You made me a Mama, you changed every fiber of my being for the better. I'll love you harder, to make it easier and we'll find our new us soon. The four of us. A Mama, a Daddy, a boy and a baby. My beautiful family.

Owen, I love you more than all of the stars in the sky and I'll remind you if ever you forget it.

Mama

Two Weeks Old