Our journey into the TERRIFIC Twos.....

This little boy...

is intelligent, witty, caring, generous, pleasing, hilarious, loving, sometimes bossy and demanding, imaginative, honest, has the vocabulary of a 5 year old, and is oh so loveable! He has our hearts wrapped around his precious little finger. He amazes me daily. I honestly can't remember life without him, but it sure must've been boring!

Owen is such a blessing in our lives! I can't even describe how much I love my sweet little boy. :)

I am sure I've blogged about this before, but I don't particularly like the popular term "terrible twos". I've decided to call them TERRIFIC twos.  Yes, Owen can be bossy, demanding, and throw a fit or two (or a million)....I can't imagine how hard it is to be two, and not understand why you are told no about EVERYTHING. Owen isn't/nor will he ever be anything but TERRIFIC. He is a blessing from God. None of God's blessings should be called "terrible"....ever! Even when having a "bad" day....My baby is TERRIFIC!

Owen is still super tiny. Who would've thought my almost 9lb 2l 1/2 inch long baby would be tiny? That chunky little monkey...is so little. I don't really notice it until he is around other kids. He weighs about 23 lbs soaking wet. He is in 18 month clothes. He is finally starting to outgrow some of those and wear some 24 month clothing. As far as shorts go...he has one pair that fits that don't look like daisy dukes. They are a size 9 months. He is healthy as a horse, just tall and skinny.

Owen's favorite show is Cailou. Oh how he loves that show. He would watch it all day long. He thinks the characters are real. Some days when he wakes up he says "C'mon Mommy, we gotta go feed Gilbert". (Gilbert is Cailou's cat) He also wonders what "Jeffrey and Jason" are doing... all the time.

Owen (as all two year olds) takes everything literally. The other day he picked up a book I made for Matt with pictures in it from when we were dating. Matt said "This is from when Daddy was fat." Owen preceded to point out every picture and let Matt know he was fat. "Look Daddy there you are fat watching a baseball game". We told him not to throw all of his toys out last night, so he didn't. He took them all out gently and placed them on the floor. He keeps us laughing, and on our toes. You have to be specific with a two year old.

One of Owen's favorite words is ridiculous. He brought me a bowl earlier. I thought we were pretending to eat, so I pretended to eat this imaginary food. He said "Mommy quit being ridiculous....that is a TOY." My bad....get it right Mommy....

We talk about good choices and bad choices a lot. If Owen's sees a police car he says "Mommy that man made a REALLY bad choice. He has to go to jail now." There is no get out of jail free card with Owen. You speed, you go to jail....

Speaking of police...Owen is the stop light police. When we get to a red light he yells "STOP MOMMY!!!". At street crossings, he reminds us the "hand means stop". He is such a rule follower...

Owen recognizes signs. If he sees a bullseye he shouts "THERE'S TARGET MOMMY!!!". He also knows "Pugix" (Publix), and a few others. Maybe this means I shop to much?

Owen loves to pretend to be a magician. (not sure where he got this from) He turns food at Publix into rabbits, and make things disappear only to be found behind Mommy's ear.

Owen loves playing outside. He will walk around for hours. He loves to pick up rocks, and bring them home for his "treasure bag."

Owen is very generous. We have non-sharing days once in a blue moon, but for the most part he loves to share. He had just picked up a toy at the children's museum the other day, and an older kid (about 10 years old) snatched it from him. If it was a two year old, I wouldn't have stepped in, but 10 years old? He was just bullying the little kids. It made me mad, and I said "Will you please give that back to Owen? He will let you play with it when he is finished." Owen told me "It is okay Mommy, I just sharing, he can have a turn." Well, alright!

These pictures just represent Owen's sweet, caring heart...

When Owen wants to do something fun he calls it "an adventure". "C'mon Mommy, let's go on an adventure to the park!"

He doesn't have a shy bone in his body. We went to our clubhouse's summer party this past weekend. They had lots of children's games. I would say the youngest child that participated was probably 6, and then there was Owen. He did the Limbo, Hot Potato, and the "Cha Cha Slide". He tried so hard to follow all of the directions to the Cha Cha Slide. It was so cute! I will blog about it soon. :)

When Owen gets scared he ROARS like a dragon.

Owen says thank you and I am sorry about everything. "Thank you for making my breakfast, Mommy". "I am sorry I dropped a cheerio." So well mannered... We are working on yes mam. Everyone is a "mam" right now. This morning he said "Yes Mam, I want waffles for breakfast, Yes Mam". It kind of made me feel like a drill sargent.

Owen loves for me to "tell him stories". He loves stories about when he was a teeny baby.

Speaking of babies, he loves to kiss Mommy's belly and tell his baby stories. When we go to the doctor he always asks Ms. Jenny if she is going to "take the baby out". He pretends to be a baby sometimes too. For some reason saying "Goo Goo" is hilarious to my sweet O.

Owen loves to start sentences with "You know what, Mommy?"

Every morning when Owen wakes up he says "I need a kiss and a hug". So sweet!

This is what Owen does when I ask him to smile for pictures...

Owen loves drawing pictures. If I leave out a notebook and pen while I go make the bed, by the time I get back the whole notebook is filled with Owen's doodles. He tries to write his name. He can write the letter O, and then it is bunch of scribbles.

Owen loves to read the Bible, but not his Baby Bible. I don't know if you know this but Owen is "weally, weally, big". He needs to read Daddy's Bible. It always amazes me that he can listen to Matt read a chapter from the Bible. I am not sure how much he understands, but I am happy that he loves reading the Bible.

Owen loves to pray with his stuffed animals. Super Sweet!

He LOVES birthday parties! Owen turns two every day. We have to sing Happy Birthday, and blow out the candles.

Owen has counted to twenty with me one time, but his favorite number is 11. He will only count to 11 now.

Owen knows some of his letters. Not sure which ones, but the other day while watching Super Why, he started shouting out the super letters. He got every one of them right. I took out an ABC puzzle, and tried to get him to show me what he knows, but he didn't want to do that right now.

We are potty trained. He really hasn't had many accidents since he was 23 months and asked to go potty. Every once in a while he will have an off day with a few accidents, but he is still so young. I am super proud of him, and we just don't make a big deal when he has an accident. I think sitting on the potty is Owen's favorite past time. A little bird told me, his Daddy used to do the same. He sits on the potty, talks about life, and sings songs. Some days it is an hour affair....

Owen loves to pretend. His imagination is so vivid. We catch monkeys, run from dragons, play pretend sports, and have imaginary people over daily. Some days Owen's imagination gets carried away, and he gets a little scared. He will say "Mommy there's not really wolves? I was just pretending. Wolf not gonna get me?"

I love how Owen asks me to play with him. He will say "Mommy would you like to play with me? Would you like to play backetball?". (basketball)

If you ask Owen a question and he doesn't know what to say, he says "I can't 'member". (remember)

Owen loves to add every day, every time, or forever and ever to the end of his sentences. It is always very exaggerated. Examples..."Mommy you make a mess EVERY TIME." "I love Cailou forever and ever..."

If Owen does something wrong and I correct him, he says "I will get nice Mommy".

Owen is not scared of the water at all. He goes under, and will swim everywhere. I love this picture. Look at his crossed legs in the background.

Owen LOVES to sing. He knows so many songs start to finish. He even makes up songs about what he is doing or playing.

I'm sure I've missed some of the precious things he does. I try to keep up, but it is hard!

I will end with a few precious pictures. Owen, as most two year olds, loves to imitate. I go to Fit Mama's every Friday. We do yoga. Owen plays with the kids, and I didn't think he paid much attention to what we were doing. Boy, was I wrong. Look at this perfect form. ;)

Perfect Downward Dog

4th of July!

Meet Everett....

Isn't he just the cutest thing??

...he is Owen's best buddy!

Meet Everett's Mommy and Daddy, Sara and Pete...

...Mommy and Daddy's sweet, sweet friends!

We met the Arners back in Birmingham. We are so blessed to call them friends. They are so much fun. Owen and Everett have a blast together. Matt and I have a great time with Sara and Pete. It is so nice to have friends that are on the same page as us with parenting. I personally don't have many friends to talk with about toddler breastfeeding, positive discipline, etc. So, Sara is such a blessing to me! She is a wonderful mom. Sara is so patient, and really knows how to get on a toddler's level. She is one of the few people that I would take "parenting advice" from any day. :)

We were so excited when we found out they were coming to Pensacola, and even more excited when they invited us to spend the 4th of July with them.

Owen and Everett were so happy to get to play on the beach. 

They were twins! Great minds think alike...

Owen and Everett reading together when we came inside. They are so precious!!! Love those two!

Pete Everett made us a delicious shrimp boil for dinner. It was so yummy!

After we ate, we watched some fireworks together...

Bless Everett's heart. He was a little scared...

We ended the night snuggled up with our sweet babies watching the Sprout channel. Owen thinks Cailou is the perfect ending to any day!

Thank you, Sara, for taking the pictures for us! We had such a great time, and miss y'all dearly! We can't wait to play again soon. :)

Out of the mouths of Babes...

Memorable Quotes from Owen over the past couple of months.... 

"Mommy, are you smiling because I am so cute?"

Owen: "Mommy can I bring my bucket to play group?"
Me: "Yes, you may. If you choose to bring it, you have to share it with the other kids."
Owen: "But Mommy....this bucket is only for special kids like me."

"Papa, what's wrong with your eyebrows?"

*Matt comes home from work*
"Daddy, you have a good day?"
"I'm so happy to see you."

"Papa, why is your house made of bricks?"

 "Papa, who made the bricks on your house?"

"What are the bricks made of?"

 

"Nana, you're my best buddy."

"Hey Mommy, I am awesome!"

Every time I get ready...
"Mommy, you are so pretty!" (sweet!)

"I sure do wonder what Jeffrey and Jason are doing right now."
(Jeffrey and Jason were twins on an episode of Cailou)

"Mommy,  my toys are very special to me."

Me: "Owen, God says we should obey are parents. Do you know what that means?"

Owen: "No Mommy, God NOT say that. He made the earth!"

Me: "Owen, God says we should respect our Mommy. Screaming at Mommy is very disrespectful"

Owen: "Okay, I want a new Mommy! Please?"

"Mommy you can't play with me and Daddy...you need to mop the floor!"

"Mommy dance with me"
I dance...
"Now that's hilarious"

Me: "Hey Owen, would you like a wet wipe to wipe your hands and mouth?"
Owen: "No Mommy, this napkin is sufficient"

Owen weighs...
"WOW I BIG!"
Mommy weighs...
"WOW TOO MUCH!"

"Hey Mommy. You are the messiest person I know."

Me: "Owen, what would you like for breakfast?"
Owen: "hmmm...How about a waffle, bacon, eggs, and toast?"

After I got lost trying to take Owen to the movies...
"Mommy that sure was a BORING adventure!"

"Hey Mommy!"
"Yes, Owen?"
"I love bacon."

"This is so yummy, it makes me wanna dance!"

In reference to the neighbors upstairs being loud...
"Oh Mommy, they have a GORILLA up there!"

"No, aliens Mommy?" (no idea how he knows what an alien is?)

"No, monsters Mommy?"

"McDonalds is yucky Mommy. It disgusting. Not real food"

"I'll be Captain Hook, you be Capaneese." (Captain Smee)

"I want to go to the grocery store naked."

Me: "Mommy ate like a pig tonight."
Owen: "Oink, Oink Mommy!"

"Hey Mommy, I'm a good boy. I'm a good boy because I brush my teef."

"Mommy, I a good boy?"
"Mommy, I a big boy?"
"Mommy, I make you SO happy?"

Every time we go to Mimi and Poppy's house (where we had his bday party)
"Where's my birthday party?"

Owen is a true rule follower, and if you break a rule he is going to let you know about it.

Owen to a stranger at the beach that threw their trash on the ground:

"You need to pick up you trash, and throw it in the garbage can."

 Owen to the cashier at Belk:

"Hey Man! Do you have to poop? Make sure you poop on the potty like a big boy!"

Thanks for always putting a smile on our face O. We love you to the moon!

Playing with Owen...

I love playing with Owen! His imagination has taken off! We play baseball with imaginary helmets, gloves, bats, and balls. We grocery shop, have picnics, catch monkeys that jump out of his book and swing around our house, chase dragons, go the beach, put out fires (our house catches on fire A LOT), and so much more! He even had an imaginary friend ride in the car with us to the library the other day. He said this is my friend, he is coming with us. I asked for his friend's name, but Owen said "he couldn't 'member.". His friend lives outside in the trees with the birds. I haven't seen his friend again, but I hope he comes to play again soon!

Mommy has been really sick this pregnancy. I have tried to still be a "fun mom" as much as possible. Here's what we've been up too...

We love playing with play-doh.

Farmer's tan!

Can you guess what this is? Yep, it is poop. Life with boys...

We made this and then sang one of Owen's favorite songs "You are my Sunshine".

Owen LOVES his "kitchen helper". He made pancakes with me the other day. When he ate them he said "I make the best pancakes in the world!" Here he is making ice cream! MMM!

 

When I tell him to smile, this is the face I get now...

 

I am in love with these pictures.

We tried out the Roger Scott pool the other day. We had so much fun playing in the "Kid Wash". Owen got a "Blue Wahoo" sno-cone.

Some days we have "Owen lunches" where he can pick out anything he wants for lunch, as long as it is healthy. This day he picked water, crackers, cheese, peanut butter, an apple, and some of those Natural Cheese Puffs things (he could eat his weight in those).

Sometimes we play so hard we just need a good nap! Owen loves to snuggle up with 10 + stuffed animals when he rests. Most days he likes to lay in his crib and go to sleep on his own, with Mommy sitting in the rocking chair. He is growing too fast!

The other day we got to take a tour of the Blue Wahoos stadium with MOMS club! Owen was so excited, despite this fake cheesy grin.

 

We got to see the batting cages and work out room.

 

The best part was seeing the field. I think the kiddos were a little disappointed they didn't get to "run the bases".

I just can't get enough of this outfit! He looks so cute in red.

In the media room...

Some days you just need to sit on the beach and eat a chicken leg. ;)

Owen's new best friend is George. He has been teaching him how to pose for the camera. Here is telling George to smile!

Every Thursday we go to the movies. The Carmike Cinema has a $4.00 movie. This includes drinks, popcorn, and fruit snacks. Can't beat that... Owen got to take George to see Horton Hears a Who. I think you can see from this picture how excited he is!

George is a really good snuggle buddy...

Shaving cream is a lot of fun to paint with!

...but not as fun as MUD PUDDLES!

A little note to my O...

Owen, 

Thank you so much for having such a zeal for life! You make Mommy appreciate all of the little things in life. I promise to cut out the phrase "hurry up" from my vocabulary, and enjoy life through your precious eyes. The world must be so exciting to your two year old mind! I promise to stop worrying so much about being "on time", and to let you explore. I love watching you grow. I am so happy God chose you to be mine.

Love, 

Mommy

I will end this blog with another blogger's blog...that really touched my heart. It is so easy to say "hurry up" all the time. Why hurry? They are only little for a little while...

The Day I Stopped Saying Hurry Up