11 months

Yesterday, Owen turned 11 months old. Can you believe our dear, sweet Owen is nearly one year old?  Even Isaac {as unsure as he was in the beginning} would agree that Owen has been a wonderful addition to our family.   He fits just perfectly, and he gives the BEST hugs. :)

He still has four teeth {two up, two down}, his molars are flaring up in the back though.  He stands unsupported for short periods of time, has attempted taking a step or two, but usually will just fall down and resort to his speed crawl.  He loves riding the four-wheeler with Grandpa {he can even point to where it is while making a bbbbb sound}, loves almost all food {he's still crazy for bananas!}, supported walking {holding someone's hands or following his walker},  matchbox cars or anything with wheels, circles {oddly enough, he ALWAYS wants to hold the circle pieces from Isaac's puzzles}, puffs, musical instruments, wrestling with his brother, peek-a-boo, some books {he doesn't love every book like his brother did.  He's kind of a book snob, he'll eat just about anything {paper clips, stickers, price tags...}, and he loves the night light {LOVES.  He plays with it.  Unplugs it.  Then proceeds to stick his fingers in the outlet!}.  Lately, he's become more dramatic:  If I put a spoon of food in his mouth that he doesn't want, he just sits there with his mouth open and then will stick his tongue out.  He arches his back when he's had enough of anything.  And by arches, I mean, he does a complete back bend and will hold it for quite a long time.  Ever since my trip to Louisville, he has been stuck to me like glue.  He doesn't let me out of his sight for very long. 

But, we LOVE him to pieces and we could not imagine our lives without him.  Happy 11 months O-dubs!

Drama King

Isaac has become our incessant whiner.  Often times, he'll just start whining without any reason at all {except to try to attract attention to himself}.  It gets worse every day that he creeps closer to age 3, continuing on his tradition of being ever-so-dramatic {we called him a divo when he was younger!}.    Everyone tells me this is normal, but it sure does get on my nerves some days.  And others, like today, it's hilarious because of conversations like this:

Isaac {on the couch}: "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, waaaaaaaaaaah, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah"

Blake {in passing, from the kitchen}:  "Oh stop.  Are you trying to be a drama king?"

Isaac:  "Waaa ----  NO, I'M NOT!  WAaaaaaaaaaAaaaAaaaahh!"

You know you wish you could live with this too. ;-)

Thursday Deals 7/28/2011

1. Head on over to Einstein brothers and get a their new triple decker club bagel.  Print this coupon, and you can buy one get one FREE!  It includes a side {it even says so on the coupon!}.

2. Sign up here to get a coupon for $1 off any white milk purchase.  Thank you whymilk campaign!

3. Are you into canning fruits?  If so, head over here to request a FREE canning sample of pectin from Ball.

4. Get a FREE sample of Depend here.  If you think it's appropriate, you could sign up for one for someone you know. ;-)

5. Enjoy an additional 30% off at Coach outlet with this coupon.

6. FREE sample of Exederm baby care products here.

7. If you like Sun Drop soda, you can print a buy one get one FREE coupon here.

8. Like Mary Kay perfumes?  Get a FREE sample of four of them here!

9. $5 off $25 at Staples with this coupon.  Expires 7/30/11.

Owen's Alphabet Book - H

You've already seen this one, but here it is with the words. :)

Owen's Alphabet Book - G

Dear Blogger,
Why do my upright pictures rarely load correctly?  I've tried everything!

Owen's Alphabet Book - F

As our families grow, it's so hard to get everyone together for one shot!  This was the best I had. :)

Renewed

I suppose you're all probably wondering where I went?  I spent almost all of last week in Louisville, KY at the NPM Convention.  It was a wonderfully enriching experience.  Great speakers, great music, great camaraderie between Pastoral leaders worldwide.  I learned a lot and found a lot of healing as well.  Nothing like a renewed spirit!  While you wait for my own pictures and recaps, here's a little taste of what we experienced:



PS - My voice is in that large crowd singing somewhere! :)

Thursday Deals - 7/14/2011

1. FREE sample of Nivea Touch of Cashmere Cream Oil body wash here.

2.  $10 a $25 purchase at Yankee Candle with this coupon.  Expires Aug. 7, 2011.

3. FREE sample of Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff shampoo here.

4. Print this coupon for $1 off Kashi Pita Crisps.  Yum!

5. FREE sample of Garnier Moisture Rescue here.

Owen's Alphabet Book - E

Mark this down as one of my favorite photos in this book!

Owen's Alphabet Book - D

:)

We love...

Julbo.

We have a 2.5 year old who wants to do everything himself, but is easily frustrated when he can't get it just right.  Case in point:  sunglasses.  He wants to put them on himself, but often can't loop them over his ears - and that's on the odd chance that he actually puts them on the right way.

Enter Julbo sunglasses.  They have created peace in our household when it comes to sunglasses.  I'll recommend them to anyone.  They're hardy {they bend}, they can go on ANY direction, and there are no ear loops, just a slight tension so that they hold themselves on his head.  He's worn them for a loooong time and never complained of them squeezing his head too much, so I know they aren't too tight.  They also come with an attachable cord for looping around his neck.  We like to use that only when he's on the tractor or someplace where they could potentially fall off and get lost or run over.  It's hard to find "cool" kid sunglasses, and I think we have a winner here!

Julbo, we love you.

Explorers

In an effort to get away from life and just focus on our boys and our family, we're trying something new.  Every week, we're going to pack a picnic lunch, find a local park in some town, and just discover what we can find on foot - shops, trails, churches, rivers, critters, you name it!  It's fun and educational for the boys, it's only 2-3 hours at a time {not counting driving - read: napping - time}, and it's SO worth it. 

Here are some cute pictures from our second exploration this morning/afternoon.

Thursday Deals - 7/7/2011

1. Get a FREE $10 Gift Certificate for Dakota Beef, just answer a short survey.  To find a store near you that carries it, check here.  Among the stores, H-E-B, Shaw's, and Whole Foods carries them!

2. Get a FREE sample of Tub-O-Towels here.

3. COOL FREEBIE FOR KIDS!   You can get a FREE autographed poster of your child's favorite Disney character.  Here's how it works:  The kids write a letter to their favorite character telling them why they love them so much. Mail the letter to the address below and they should receive an autographed photo in a few weeks!  Teach your children how to write a good, old-fashioned letter!

Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, Ca 91521

4. Get a BOGO Smoothie at Jamba Juice with this coupon!

5.  Tomorrow is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A.  Show up in a cow costume, and you could be eating FREE!

6. Two FREE samples of Quest Protein bars here.

7. Are you a teacher?  Sign up here at New York and Company, and you'll get 15% EVERY DAY.  Bonus, you'll get 20% off  the first time. Amazing!

8. Extra 15% off shopping pass at Kohl's through July 10.  Print off this coupon to use in-store, or use code EXTRA15FB online.

9. Bath and Body Works is offering a FREE travel size Signature item with any purchase.  Use this coupon, valid through July 13.

Fun little game

Ready?

Try to find the six animals:

camelephantelopelicanary