Owen Update!

I wish I could weave every incredible moment into a blog post; cataloging each priceless minute into word form, lest I ever start to forget these days. But, 'aint nobody got time for that'... and so here I am, with a list of sweetness that I don't want to forget but no real moral of the story as far as post writing goes. Can you guys handle some rambling and rabbit trails? Because that is the essence of my life with a two year old :)
The little man is changing so fast right now. We gave him a summer haircut and it seriously aged him by three years! (Why doesn't anyone warn you about that?) When he falls he doesn't want to be immediately comforted and smothered by motherly goodness. He needs space and, while that hurts my heart a little, it truly is magnificent to watch him assess the wound and then re-assure himself that 'Owen's tough' and 'Owen's brave' before finally coming to me for a kiss and a bandaid or simply dusting himself off and resuming wild man activities.

Owen's 'happy place' is the middle spot in a giant, three-way hug with Derek and I. He wraps one arm around each of our necks and, as we squish our cheeks up to his, he says 'boff of dem' (both of them), with a grin stretching ear to ear. Other happy places include the jungle: we put on long pants and marinate in bug spray and then trek into the middle of nowhere to see what we can see and we might as well be at Disney World, there is that much excitement bubbling out of him! Also, swimming... all day, every day, in the ocean, in a pool, in a bucket, in the tub, in Kai's ice cream gallon container of water. He is a fish. And with the way he has mastered all the 'average' sea creatures and moved on to more specific and complex species (i.e jelly fish, manta rays, clown fish, convict tang) he may have a future in marine biology!
Owen's hobbies include painting, excavating, reading, cooking with Mom, 'working hard' with Dad, and perfecting the summersault! We're working on counting, abc's, colors, and warming up to the thought of a 'baby brudder' joining the family in a few months. For all his rough and tumble-ness, Owen has a tender heart and is quick to check on anyone who is hurting or sad. He also reminds me, quite regularly, to 'eat one a time, Mom.. don't choke!' (mostly in reference to mangos..) and also 'Go caffully, Mom! Don't wipe out!' What a gentleman.

In the morning Derek asks Owen what time it is and he responds, with gusto, 'Coffee time!' He has also become a fine connoisseur of hot milk and specifically instructs us in each step of the process: 'Wam it up, put shugar in and stir it UP!' We've resorted to bribery in the potty-training department and, although I'm hesitant to speak too soon, it does seem to be working! Maybe we'll be finished with diapers just in time for Baby Brudder to take over.
Needless to say, there is no shortage of laughter, lessons to be learned or messes to be cleaned up in this house. Of all the ways Owen is developing and growing, my absolute favorite, both to observe and be a part of, is his blossoming relationship with Jesus Christ. His prayers at night are priceless; thanking Jesus for all the people in his life and the things he did that day. The other night his words took me completely off guard as he prayed about the dead bird he and his Dad had found earlier. He thanked God that the bird was 'flying with Jesus now, not hurting anymore and not crying'. Little did he realize that would be enough to make ME cry! Journeying through life with a little one may be cause for much rambling and rabbit trail wandering, but it is also one of life's greatest joys and God's biggest blessings! What a wild, beautiful adventure.

A Love that doesn't add up..

Sweet Baby Boy,

The math doesn't add up. When I married your Daddy I knew that I would never love another human being like I loved him. It was 100% and I was 'all-in'. But then your big brother was born and the most unexplainable, ridiculous thing happened. I realized that, regardless of the numbers adding up or not, I could still love your Dad with all my heart and, at the same exact time, love a tiny miniature version of him with another 100% of... me! Rather than the love being divvied up, it was multiplied.

And now you are coming, sweet babe. And I can not fathom what life will be like once you arrive. I have yet to figure out how it's even possible to be a mama of two. But there is not a doubt in my mind that I already love you with all that I am. And it won't add up, but I will be 'all-in' for all of your life and I will love you with a crazy lady, mama bear, heart-walking-around-outside-my-body, kind of love. You can count on that.
You are currently the size of an ear of corn and busy developing a fine pair of lungs. Your summersaults and jabs get stronger by the day and, because this journey with you has been so incredibly 'easy', those karate kicks are my main reminder that there is truly a LIFE growing within me!

I want you to know how often I think of you and pray over every detail of your journey. This pregnancy walk has been approached different than your big brother's, simply because I don't have the same amount of time available for day-dreaming, book reading and Pinterest browsing. But I am just as giddy about the moment I will hold you in my arms for the first time; I can't wait to get to know you.
In a rare moment of sweet quiet, I sit here reading about name meanings. Your brother is absolutely the 'young warrior' that his name claims and it makes me wonder who you will be. The potential that is already wrapped up in your 8.5 inch long body is truly staggering. I thank Jesus for the privilege it is to be chosen as your Mama and the absolute joy it will be to come alongside you in your journey to be all that He is creating you to be!

I'm biased but I think you're really going to like our family. You've got the best Dad in the world and he will teach you everything you need to know about being wild, brave, free, confident, kind and true. He's already picked out your name but has yet to fully convince me :) Your big brother will, hands down, be the best adventure partner! He loves to explore and imagine and dance and laugh. He'll teach you to drink hot chocolate with 'marshfellows', jump right in the deep end of the pool and say 'scuse me' from any/all bodily functions even when you think it's hilarious. Most of all, we'll point you to Jesus, each of us in our own way, and He will continually guide you!
Like anything else in life, becoming a family of four will be a transition. But we won't be able to imagine life without you. The lessons we learn will be priceless and the adventures in store will be epic. And no, it won't add up, but our love will just keep multiplying and if that's not the best way to do life... I don't know what is!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  (Psalm 139:13-16)