Swine Flu, Cabo, and Ear Infections- Oh My!

And yet again, I am sorry for the delay. I am now HOME for a few weeks and school is out! There has been so much going on, I could write for days. But-no need to bore you all! We have had a fun filled month and it all started with the Swine Flu! No, nobody contracted it...but it made it's way into our lives anyway.
We've had a family trip planned to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for almost the past year. Departure date- May 3. The week prior to the 3rd, the media decided that there was no better news to report on than the Swine Flue "Pandemic". Everyone said- "don't go!" -even the vice-president. Bowen was supposed to go, too. ("You can't take that baby!") Do I take my first born infant son to a "diseased" country? Am I a horrible mother? It was a hard week..we were literally going one morning, not that afternoon...going the next day, not going the next. Bowen ended up having ear infections all about that same time. These were his first, and they were BAD! Two different antibiotics plus a Rocephin (another antibiotic) shot later-they were finally gone. I hated it for him. He was moaning and feverish and couldn't shake them. It wasn't in the plan for Bowen to go to Cabo, I guess...so off to Grammy Camp in Texas he went!! I was NEVER going to leave him and I cried my eyes out, but it ended up for the best for everyone. He was missed terribly, but I know he loved being with his Grammy, too. Thank you very much, Grammy, we appreciate you! We also had some exciting news while in Cabo! Bowen has a new aunt-to-be! Congrats Uncle Alan and Aunt Monica! We can't wait for the wedding!
So motherhood brought me several firsts this past month- ear infections and leaving my little one behind. I am still learning.
We returned from Mexico for cousin Ashley's wedding. She looked beautiful, and we wish Daniel and Ashley all the best!
Bowen is 8 months old! I am so proud of him. He is a sweet boy and has a great disposition. He is starting to become opinionated on what food he eats (hmmm..not fun!) and he is rolling and army-crawling all around. You can't leave him alone on the floor anymore! Enjoy the pics. The next post should come sooner than this one did!


Drum roll.....8 MONTHS OLD!

Such a sweet boy! (party boy, too!)

My first watermelon! (If you are what you eat, Bowen is a watermelon..that is all his mommy ate last summer!)

Cousin Ash- the beautiful bride!

Fiesta! (with a luau shirt on--this Fiesta was in LR..not Mexico!)

Daddy kept me one night while Mommy had a work-thing...Daddy, put me in my bed!

First ride by myself in a shopping cart! (I think he looks so big..I got teary-eyed when I got this developed.)

The Arch

"Yahoo" the Wahoo (yes, we named him--and ate him.)

Minus one little cutie..the gangs all here!

Easter Baby!

Happy Easter! Hope you all had a good one! The Easter Bunny came to see Bowen, and he left him tons of goodies and some eggs, too! We had a busy and wonderful weekend. Bowen is sitting up on his own and eating some finger foods. I am trying to get him started on the sippie cup, but we still need a little more time to get that one down. Bowen loves to babble, grab your hair and give you big, open-mouthed kisses. He is also a snuggler, and when you pick him up, he buries his head in your neck. What fun!
What is not so fun is cutting 6 teeth at one time. Poor baby- the top 4 and 2 more on the bottom are coming in all at the same time. I have been told that I am lucky it is happening this way....we'll see!
I hope your Easter brought you the Peace and Joy that we celebrate, and thank you for catching up on our sweet boy. Enjoy the pics!

Can you believe I am 7 months old? Can you believe my mama has plopped me up here this many times?

The dogwoods are blooming at our house, and they are stunning!

Visiting with my Aunt Sarah

I'm such a good helper already that I spilled the vinegar all over me, and that's why I have no clothes on but my diaper! More fun that way!

Coloring some eggs!

Look what the Easter Bunny left me!

Found another one!

I can eat my Easter basket!

Such a sweet little Easter Baby!

Oh! This duck is so much fun! (Thanks Grammy!)

Big B

My sweet boy has turned 6 months, and time is still flying. I have been very busy with work and mommy-hood and have been wondering daily when my breakdown is going to happen, but it hasn't yet!! Prayer works. So- that is why I have not been able to post in awhile. I wish I could do it more often, because I do like doing it! A bit therapeutic- "talking" to all of you!

Bowen is almost sitting up on his own. You can let go and he does fine, but you can't really walk away. I bought him a therapy ball (peanut/physio-roll) and I am giving him some good old fashioned physical therapy! Nope, I am not a PT, but I work with them! Poor kid, I know he doesn't need it, but I do think it is making him stronger, and we play and sing while he is on it. He is eating two huge meals a day besides his milk. Sometimes, I have to go mash up a banana when he wants more after he has finished! I didn't think I would ever use all of those bibs I got (I thought the same about burp cloths, at first) but boy I was wrong! We are going through them like hotcakes! He is such a big boy in his high chair and is full of giggles and fun every day. I am blessed to have my "Big B"!

Looking quite dapper, aren't we?

Sweet Potatoes are my favorite!

Open Big!

A good bath is in order after dinner!

Happy Love Day!

So sorry for the long delay in a post! Hope you haven't given up on me. We've had a month! Bowen got RSV (a bad respiratory virus). I really thought he was doing okay and just thought it was a little cough. After 6 days of coughing, I decided to take him in, and sure enough, he tested positive for it. Thank goodness he never quit eating (I'm not surprised!) and didn't get dehydrated. Thank goodness we didn't end up in the hospital! While he was sick, I thought about all the sick babies I've seen over the years, and I know I just got barely a glimpse of it. Mothers that take care of chronically sick babies are strong people. I am so thankful to have a healthy baby. After Bowen got sick, I got it and didn't fair so well! Now, Daddy has it! Oh, the joys!

We had a fun snow day, and you can see the pictures below. Bowen turned 5 months old and he is reaching and grabbing for EVERYTHING constantly! We had a wonderful Valentine's Day, too with our little bundle of love, and we hope lots of love came your way as well!

I'm 5 months old today!

My sweet Valentine

I love you Valentine! Can I give you a kiss?


SNOW DAY! My mama was SO happy!

Missy giving me love!

My first snow! (or second, but first pics...)

Fun in the snow!

I want that duck!

Got it!!

Cutting my eyes at you is what I do best!

Ta Da!!!

Bowen's Baptism

Well, our little guy is four months old now and still doing so well. We have started eating a little rice cereal and just love it! We have two new teeth that, thank goodness, have broken through! We've also just finished a wonderful weekend with family as Bowen was baptized Sunday, January 18th. He was such a big boy! We had a fabulous weekend and can't believe it all went so fast! Bowen looked so handsome in his Christening gown, and he did so well when that water was put on his sweet little head!
Here I Grow Again! 4 months old with Mr. Pup

I love rice cereal!

Mama's Boy
I looked so sweet in my Christening gown.

Bowen's Big Day
Brother Steve held me WAY up high!

With Mom and Dad

B for Bowen...and Banana Pudding

Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!

Well, I was hoping I could get this posted before Bowen actually turned 4 months...and I did..by a week, but I got it done! We had a crazy and wonderful December, as I am sure you all did, as well. We haven't seen the movie 4 Christmases yet, but I believe we star in our own version!
Bowen turned 3 months on the 9th and slept through the night that night!! Not so much every night since...but a few. Did you hear me shouting Halelujah from here? Bowen also started grabbing his toys with both hands and bringing them to his mouth and he has rolled from his back to the side and one time from his belly to his back! Since I have always worked with babies and their development, it is so much fun for me to watch his. (I do hope I am not boring you!)
We had several Christmases..from Memphis to Star City, AR and on to Round Rock, TX. Santa even visited us Christmas night in Star City after a busy day of delivering gifts all over the world. We were so lucky that Santa chose Star City for his last stop!
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas~ We are so blessed and this Christmas the blessings were bountiful! Happy New Year to you all!
3 months old..ta da!

Santa arrives at Memo's house!

I told Santa I wanted lots of hugs and kisses!

My Christmas best!

Getting ready for the Christmas party.

Loving my cute hat.

Christmas card photo shoot.

Being silly on my changing table

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. We definitely have so much to be thankful for around here. We have had a wonderful and thrilling last couple of months. Thanks for your prayers, well-wishes, and love. We had a great, but all too short, thanksgiving filled with good food and family. Our tree is now up with no lights or ornaments...but it does have water!! Hopefully, it can be decorated soon. This Christmas season is flying! Today, I packed up Bowen's clothes that he has already outgrown. That's definitely when it hits you..when an outfit fits one day and not the next. But I am so thankful he is growing big and strong so I won't complain! Sorry not too many pictures this time- we've been a little short on time around here! Love to all and know we are thankful for all of you in our lives!

I thought I had a puppy.

Love to you all!