My Big Little 9 Month Old!

9 months have passed by so fast! I seriously feel like I've blinked and now we're here. He's only 3 months away from being a one year old! It's been a while since I've done an update on just Levi and this seemed like the perfect time.

Levi is still our little sweetheart. He snuggles up still and loves just about everyone! He's also showing his true colors more and more each day! As sweet and loving as he is he's just as mischievous and noisy! I have to have my eyes on that boy during all waking hours! When he's up, it's time to explore! And he's so stinkin' fast and stealthy! His favorite places to get into trouble are the dogs food/water, toilets (not gonna lie that terrifies me! Bathrooms are closed at all times around here!) Doing dishes is pretty much impossible while he's awake cause the dishwasher is a playground to him! He's very determined to get where he wants to go. If there's a will there's a way!

And I'm pretty certain that in the next months or so he'll be taking his first steps! Luke took his around 9 months and Levi seems like he's on the same track. He's already tried several times. We're getting close!
He's had his two bottom teeth for a few months now but he's cutting 4 more right now! Two on top and two more on the bottom. Poor baby! However, unless you could see the teeth coming I'd never know he was cutting 4 teeth at once. In true Levi fashion he's still as happy go lucky as ever! He's all of a sudden started making this adorable scrunched up face when he smiles sometimes. It's so adorable, I wanna just eat him up when he does it! He's full of personality that boy!



The scrunchy nose smile :)

Levi has the biggest bladder of ANYONE I know! That boy soaks his jammies pretty much 5 nights a week. I really don't know how he does it. He's a little bean pole and maybe that's why! He doesn't keep anything in him! I feel like I'm constantly changing his diaper and if I miss one, I'm changing his clothes instead. I've even bought overnight extra absorbent diapers and he still wets through. There's lots of laundry done around here! He's also got this weird obsession with socks. If he finds one he'll carry it around with him all day long. I will usually just give him a clean one that's missing its match for him to have. What a goof ball!
He's also developed a pretty big voice! You'd have to to be heard in this house with big brother Lucas ruling the place! Levi holds his own though and he really does adore Luke. Anything Luke does is hilarious! It's so rewarding as a mother to watch my sons play around and get along. It's also so frustrating when Luke tries to dominate Levi and takes anything that Levi has in his sights away from him. Sharing is an ongoing battle in this house. Neither one of them want to give things up! We're getting there.
Levi loves music and singing! If music is on he'll bounce and "dance" around. He LOVES when Dad plays the ukulele and sings songs to him. He'll drop anything and go crawl to find Dad when he starts to play. He gets so excited when Trent comes home from work and I think it makes Trent's day when both his boys come running and crawling to him when he walks through the door. It warms my heart too :)

We love our Levi boy!

(By they way, no editing was done to this picture. Those are his Daddy's baby blues!)

Mischief Managed

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I'm a Harry Potter nerd! And, I love it! It all started with my brother being obsessed with the books. That trickled over to my mom and by the first movie I was hooked. Our entire family, with the exception of my Dad, are quite the Harry Potter fanatics! I even sucked Trent into the group but he won't read the books. "Why read the books when I can just watch the movies?"
When the release date for the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, came out I knew we need to end it with a bang! These stories have been a huge part of my life and will be in my children's lives as well. I invited my family, the Hunsakers, and a few of my brothers invited friends. It was a BLAST! I enjoyed every minute of planning the party and the company was delightful. My brothers came earlier in the day to help make signs and make yummy food. I think everyone had a great time!

All but I think one of these wands was made by my brother Tyler and my mom.
Awesome signs my brothers made. There were two more but I forgot to get pictures.

We had Treacle Tarts (Harry's favorite) cake pops, caramel corn & movie theater pop corn Of course we needed some Butter Beer
As evidence by these pictures my boys loved the Butter Beer!

Definitely NOT my best work but I made a couple Gryffindor aprons for my mom and I. I made them that day so I was a little rushed. I really wish I would have spent more time on them!

Seligman

This past year Trent's parents shocked us all with the news that they were moving to a little (really little) town called Seligman here in northern AZ. It reminds me a lot of the little town in Cars. In fact it's off the I-40 which was the original Rt 66. They own property up there and decided to leave their home of over 30 years and live the good life! Their house is so cute and their property is beautiful! When the words to the song "Home on the Range" come to mind I always pictured something like where they live. It's going to be the funnest place for the grandkids to grow up. There's space as far as they eye can see and the adventures are just around the corner for my kids. We had an opportunity to see it for ourselves for the first time back in November. Luke was in heaven! He'd wake up each morning and ask to go outside to play. He'd get out there and look out from the porch for a minute and then say "run, run, run!" and take off! I can't wait for all the great memories to be made at Gramma Jo and Papa Dale's house! The visit was so nice ans we all loved the quality time spent together. We've missed having them 25 minutes away but we've had so many great visits with them since they've moved! So much to explore!

Levi staying snugly warm with Gramma

For Christmas this year, Trent built his dad a potato gun. Papa's dog, Quigly, loves for you to throw his toy. Now with all that space and a potato gun, Papa Dale can really throw it far!

Love that cute little face!!!

The real reason we went there when we did was for our annual Christmas tree cutting. We usually would meet up at Trent's parents house here in Chandler the morning of. Now we have a new tradition of driving out the day before and staying an extra night. That way we don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn AND we get to have extra time with family! I'm all for it :)

Levi missed most of the fun!

The winner!
Gotta love fun family traditions!

*Since this is our family journal I decided to write about this experience.

Sometimes life is such a roller coaster ride. That is the best way I can describe what we've been through the last couple months. I was so hoping to post an announcement on our blog that we would be having baby number three this summer! We were happily surprised to find out that we were expecting again the week before Thanksgiving. I took a pregnancy test and we went to the Dr and sure enough there was a baby coming! Considering how unplanned it was I was surprised and happy at how thrilled I was for another baby. Three little ones under three seemed so overwhelming! We hadn't planned to get pregnant as soon as we did (we wanted to wait a couple years), but I knew it was what the Lord wanted for us as soon as we learned the news. I was at peace and excited. I thought I was experiencing morning sickness symptoms and since I knew I would need help with the boys and since we had already had two very healthy pregnancies we figured we'd let the cat out of the bag and make the announcement to family and friends Thanksgiving Day. (Soon after we made the announcement I realized I was just plain old sick and that it wasn't morning sickness! Oops! Live and learn I guess)
Christmas Eve, I began to show signs that something might be wrong. I shared my concerns with Trent but we kept our worries under wraps till the Christmas weekend was over. I went to the Dr Tuesday afternoon where our concerns were confirmed and we learned that we had in fact lost the baby.
It's been a long road and although I am at peace with all that has happened (excepting whole heartily this baby that we were going to be blessed with only to loose it a few weeks later) I have had a lot of thoughts and emotions through this loss. I sometimes feel silly for feeling the way I do. Compared to what others have lost, this probably seems like nothing. I have come to terms with the loss and have "moved on" I guess. Each day is different and I know I'll never be the same (in a good way). I still know that this is what my Heavenly Father wanted for us. I know it. It hasn't been all bad. We've had some sweet experiences. Trent and I have been brought even closer together through this and we've been encircled in the love of my family and close friends. I don't want to speak for Trent and what he's felt about all of this but I do know that I've been his number one concern and he's been a rock for me to lean on.
I've never known a loss like this. To have something for such a short time only to loose it shouldn't be so devastating. I know we will have more children. And I know that life will still throw us trials, but I'm thankful to know that I can make it through with the love of my Heavenly Father and the people he's blessed my life with. I'm thankful for Eternal Families. I love my two little boys with ALL of my heart. I've never experienced a love like the love I feel for them. They've made this experience sweet in their own special way. Our family has been brought closer together and we appreciate more than ever before what we have and for that alone I am grateful for this experience. Thank you to everyone who have shared their love and concern for us! Life is moving forward. And even though we don't know what is in store for us, we are excited for what the future will bring.

Where to Begin!?

Every time I think about updating the blog I feel overwhelmed and the more time I let pass by, the more overwhelmed I feel! It's time to break the cycle! We've been busy here in the Owens home. Last I posted Levi was just shy of 2 months old. Now, my little boy is 6 months and still as sweet as ever! Oh, he melts my heart! It's been so fun to have such a snugly baby. He's happy about 90% of the time and for the other 10% he's only upset because he's hurt (usually by big brother trying to rough house) or he's tired. He's growing so fast! He's in the 95th percentile for his height and has been most if his life. He's 50th for his weight so he's a little bean pole :) That's the Owens side for ya! He still looks NOTHING like me! Haha! I always joke that unless Trent is with us, people would probably think I'm babysitting someone else's child. Luke looked just like my side for the longest time but around 6-9 months he started taking after Trent a little more. Levi is showing no signs of looking like me and that's just fine! I love that he takes after his dad and that he and Luke are so contrastingly different. Levi is officially mobile and crawling all over the place! He's in 7th heaven. He thinks he's so big now that he can play on the floor with Luke. He just adores big brother! No one can make him laugh like Luke does and Luke laughs back just as hard.

Luke turned 2 in November. My baby is now my big baby! (He'll always be my baby. Always.) I have to say that the terrible two's came a little earlier than 2. He's sure learning quickly how to throw tantrums and his new favorite word is "no". We're learning to get through it. "Time Outs" have become a daily occurrence but boy is he sweet when his minute is up! No one can send me over the edge and then warm my heart as quickly as that boy! Yes, there have been a few bumps in the road but there have also been so many sweet moments! He's speaking so much more now and cracking us up with the things he comes up with! He's always been pretty independent and wanted to do things on his own which we've always loved him for. Lately though he's been giving hugs and kisses and he's been extra snugly. Dad and I are soaking it all up as long as it lasts! He still loves when Dad comes home. I think he must get sick of spending all day with me, a GIRL, and feels relived to see Dad come through the door to wrestle with! We got a piano several months ago and Trent plays everyday when he gets home. I don't know how to play (yet) so when Trent sits down to play his little shadow is right there with him playing along. We love our little Lukie boy!
We have a new addition in the family! A rat terror named Brody. He's the sweetest little dog and our boys LOVE him! The best part is that he loves them right back. Brody and Luke could wrestle and run around the backyard for hours. It's so fun to see them become little buddies. He's a puppy still (8 months old) so when we first brought him home there were a few potty accidents but really that's been the hardest adjustment. He's a very quick learner and eager to please. My cousin and her husband gave him to us back in Aug. Her hubby was being deployed to Germany and they couldn't take the dog with them. He's been a lot of fun and a great addition to our family.
And finally, here's a picture of the cutest frog and Tigger you've ever seen! I hope this catches us up for now! Hopefully it won't be so long till I post again.
Posts to come: Tree Cutting and Seligman Trip & Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 Party

It's About Time!

Every time I get on the computer I'm reminded that I really need to update my blog! Levi is already almost two months old. Seriously, we're closer to 2 months old than to 1. Time is flying! I have a feeling I'll be saying this my children's entire lives but that doesn't make it less true. I love being the mother of two boys. Physically they couldn't be more different but that's something I love about them.

My littlest man is such a joy to have in the house! Levi is such a mellow baby. He just goes with the flow. I think the second time around with a new baby has been easier for me but it doesn't hurt that he is so good. He's starting to smile and coo now and we're all soaking it up! Even Luke likes to get in on the fun and talk to him and make him smile. Levi is still all his dad. I look at him sometimes and I just smile about how different he looks from Luke. Luke was round and chunky, Levi is long and just barely starting to chunk out, a little! Luke has a more olive complexion and Levi has milky fair skin. Luke looks like me and Levi looks like Trent. The only thing I can say my boys have in common is they are both absolutely adorable! I love that they have their own looks!!!! Levi really makes us smile every day. It's only been two months and like I said before, it's flying by. But at the same time he feels like he's been apart of out little family forever. I can't imagine life without him. Whenever I look at him I know he was meant to be mine!

Luke, has really adjusted well. At first I couldn't say that though! For the first two weeks or so after Levi came home there were plenty of tantrums! The tantrums I could handle, what was rough for me was that he wanted nothing to do with me after we came home from the hospital. It tore me up! He stayed with my mom while we were there and when we came home he just wanted her. Eventually we got past that and my little boy finally wanted his mommy again. Another obstacle that we're still working on is hitting. Luke has a problem with hitting Levi. At first it happened a few times a day and now we're down to a couple times a week. I'd say that's progress. Timeouts are also a new thing to our house. He's actually really sweet with his brother now. He loves giving him kisses and when Levi cries or makes a noise he comes quickly to get me and says "baby!" while he points to Levi.

Even with all the rough times Luke is still his sweet self. He seems so big to me now. He is saying more words now and copying us all the time. They really do observe everything!! I think we're getting close to potty training too. He has been bringing me a new diaper whenever he pees or poops all on his own. I think that means he understands what's happening now. We bought him a training potty and I've tried to introduce it to him. He thinks it's fun to open and close the lid and run around the house without his diaper on but for now that's as far as we've gotten. He'll use it when he's ready. I'm not expecting anything really soon but we're ready whenever he decides to use the "big boy potty".

We feel so lucky to have our boys!!

Levi

Introducing
Levi O'Keith Owens
Born May 25th at 5:24am
Weighing 8lbs 5oz and 20in Long

Let me just start by saying Levi is such a sweet little baby! He's really just been such a joy. I think the second time around I've learned to just slow down and enjoy having a newborn again. This time is over in the blink of an eye so I'm trying to soak it all in. Luke has also been so adorable with his brother. More on him to come.
So here's Levi's birth story.
I had been dilated 4-5cm for almost two weeks. When I was first told how far dilated I was I immediately thought, "This is it! I'd better get packed because it could happen any time!". Trent was excited but cautious because he knew we could be waiting for a while. (How did he know that and I didn't? Who was the pregnant one here!?) I was approaching 39 weeks and I was dying to have my baby in my arms and to not be pregnant anymore. I was getting so uncomfortable and sleep was not happening anyways so why not be awake with a cute little baby instead of screaming heartburn and an aching back? Plus, I had been having inconsistent contractions for 2 weeks that were getting uncomfortable. I'd been walking everyday among other things to make something happen but...nothing. I called my Dr.'s office on Monday to see if I had any options at this point. I already had an appt with my Dr. for Thursday but I was too anxious to wait till then to talk to them. I had a few concerns. The biggest one being that I live in Maricopa and my hospital (Good Samaritan) was about an hour away. I was already half way dilated so who knew how fast things would progress from there. My hopes were crushed though when they said to just pay attention to my body. When I felt labor coming on to go to the hospital (yea thanks, I already knew that!)
After my phone call on Monday I was very emotional. I cried over EVERYTHING! My mom sweetly mentioned that it must happen soon cause being emotional must be a good sign. Tuesday morning I woke up with contractions coming every 5 minutes but that only lasted for about an hour. They got farther apart as the morning progressed. Then I started getting contractions that were lasting 10-15 minutes and I started to worry. Could the baby handle contractions for that long? I called my Dr. office again. The triage nurse I spoke with said that she was going to call me back in an hour and if I had any more that lasted that long that she was going to send me to the hospital. Welp, I did and so I called Trent to come home. He came home and we tried to get our new van registered quickly before we left because the temporary tag expired. (Yes, we own a van now. Just call me soccor mom! We love it by the way.) It was a huge nightmare and it took us forever to leave! (It's still not resolved by the way, grrr). Finally, we were ready to leave and we dropped Luke off at my parents. I couldn't even speak when we left, I was so emotional. I realised everything would be different when we came home and I was going to miss my little Goober! I kissed him quickly and cried while we pulled away.
When we got checked into triage it was 3:00. I knew that unless they found I was in active labor I could very well be sent home and I was praying the whole time that they could admit me!! I came in and was still 4-5!!! I couldn't believe it. So disappointed. The nurse had us get up and walk for an hour to try to get a change. It's funny but that was actually a lot of fun. Trent and I were joking and laughing and really enjoyed walking with each other. When I came back, still no change. She said she'd call the Dr though at our request, and see what she wanted to do with me and told us to go walk for another hour. So we went to the cafe, got some dinner and walked again. When I came back, still no change. She did say I was a 5 now but not actively in labor still. BUT!!!!!! Sweet, sweet Dr. Mayer said she'd admit me anyway as long as I was ok with having help to get my labor going! She recognised how far we lived from the hospital and felt comfortable keeping us. We were elated! We wouldn't be leaving the hospital empty handed.
By the time we got into the room and I was hooked up to pitocin it was 9:00pm! We were in for a long night. I had an incredible nurse, Edna, who made us very at ease. Unfortunately, we were still in labor when Enda's shift ended so nurse Chelsea was the nurse we had the rest of the time. She was awesome too though! I started to get pretty uncomfortable around 1:00am and so enter the epidural. This epidural felt very different from the one I had with Luke. With Luke I was completely numb!!! I couldn't feel my legs at all! This time I could feel my legs. I don't know if I could have actually gotten up to walk or anything but I could feel them and move them no problem. But I couldn't feel my contractions at all. As long as I couldn't feel those I was happy. Around 3:00am I started to feel some pressure so nurse Chelsea came in to check me. I was a 7 and so she adjusted my bed so I was sitting straight up in hopes of bringing the baby down even more. At 3:30-4:00 I was really feeling more pressure. So I was checked again and still a 7. I was surprised because the pressure was incredibly uncomfortable. Chelsea moved me again, this time on my side with a "peanut ball" (a huge ball shaped like a peanut, pretty self explanatory) between my legs. At 4:30 I was almost in tears because the pressure I was feeling. I was checked again (by a different nurse this time) and this time I was a 9. After the nurse checked me she just left like that wasn't too big a deal. I was thinking, you'd better get the Dr. cause this baby is coming! At 5 I was really feeling uncomfortable and questioning the epidural I had. I was feeling too much and I actually started to feel a little scared. I wasn't prepared for this. Trent, my parents and my mother in law, were all in the room with me and were wonderful. It was an intense time and they helped keep the room quiet and peaceful which I really appreciated. Trent said he thought we should the the nurse to check me again (I wasn't able to really communicate at that point so I was thankful that he sensed something was up). At that point my parents and mother in law left the room because they knew it was going to be time to push. I was told the Dr. was coming but not fast enough. My body was pushing all on it's own. Do you know how difficult it is to not push when you have no control? While we waited I was completely unaware of anything or anyone in the room other than Trent. He was so great, coaching my breathing, telling me it was going to be ok, that the Dr. was on her way. Finally, at 5:15am Dr. Mayer came in. At 5:18 I started pushing and at 5:24 Levi O'Keith Owens was born! I asked that he be given right to me but his breathing was a bit labored so they took him straight to the warmer to help him out. Of course, I was ok with it because I wanted him to be ok but I was dying to see him! Trent went over and was very proud of the fact that Levi had his toes. When I saw him for the first time I noticed he had much more than Trent's toes! Levi definitely takes after his Daddy which I love! Luke looked just like me and it's so fun to see that Levi looks like Trent. I see a little of Luke in him too though. You can tell they are brothers. Looking back, I definitely felt way more than I should have! I was absolutely scared. But, I would do it again in a heartbeat to have this precious boy in my arms. Labor and pushing times were less than half what it took with Luke and I was grateful for that.
Isn't it incredible how you instantly love them? I love them from the moment I find out I'm pregnant but when I finally met my boys that love was overwhelming! I am so grateful to be Levi's mom.
I've recovered very well and am enjoying my new little family. I feel so blessed!!!