Can't Leave Him Out

So after mark reviewed my latest post (the post before this one with Owen and I's pictures)  He said, "What about me and Owen's pictures?"

Whelp, he's right! This is his blog too, so I can't leave him out!   :)

Ode to Mark and Owen....

and yes, Mark is shirt-less.

:)

Sick Day. Bored Blogger. MacBook Photo Booth.

So, the past 3 days i've been sick.  It started with a suspicion of a sinus infection.  Neon colored snot and pain in my head, especially when bending over, led us to believe that.  Now, 2 days later, not able to take care of Owen, or much less get out of bed, we are suspecting maybe something more?  This is day 3.  If tomorrow nothing has improved, it's doctor time.

*Side note to my mom:  I've been drinking tea throughout this sickness.  Knew you'd like that.*


So, needless to say, i've been bored.  Trying to find ways to keep myself entertained BESIDES just movies and facebook, has led to a lot of blog reading, book reading, and fishing through some old photos....

So, I thought i'd share some cute ones of Owie and I when we got our new computer :)

Enjoy!

I know, i know.....we are so cool.

Climber.

Something I've realized from the start with Owen, is that every new "stage" surprises me.  When you are pregnant, or you first have your baby, you hear so many, "Oh, just wait until....."
wait until they roll over, walk, etc, etc!

Well, the newest stage i've come upon is this climbing stage.  Owen is climbing and getting on top of everything.  I knew it was coming, but never expected it to be so fast!

Here are some of the places Owen has enjoyed climbing the past week...



1.) This is our shelving in our bedroom...Here is an up close shot, and then a further away shot.

there is also shelving beneath the part he is sitting in...and of course, he has figured out how to get down there too.

look very closely...

and a close-up:

2.) Climbing on Grandma and Grandpa's Deck:

3.) And his toys:

so our lives just keep getting a little more interesting each day. :)

Holding my breath...

1.  Climbing help-free onto the couch
2.  Climbing help-free onto our bed.
3.  Reaching and Opening Doors help-free
4.  Taking off his own diaper.


These are the things Owen has started to do within the past WEEK!  I always figured these little things would happen..but ALL AT ONCE?!

Meanwhile, i'm watching him like a HAWK, and holding my breath and praying for no accidents!




Life is getting more and more interesting....!

Nashville.

I miss Nashville.
so.
much.

I don't ever talk about it with anyone except for Mark, because he is the only one who gets it.  I don't talk about it often either, because frankly, I don't want to end up in tears.

Its the weirdest thing, really.  While we lived in Nashville, we had NO money, and thus, couldn't do anything.  If we happened to come by money, we couldn't do things because we had Owen, and definitely couldn't afford a sitter.  None of our friends had babies, and we just couldn't handle raising Owen without people around that wanted to have him and help him.  We longed to explore, we longed to go to shows, we longed to stay out late, but none of that was very do-able.  Don't get me wrong, it's all worth it.  Owen is so worth it.  Despite all the hard, it was so awesome.  We went to a church we ADORED.  Didn't have many friends, but did make friends with a couple or two whom we still deeply love.  We went through pregnancy in Nashville, we had a baby in Nashville, Nashville was OUR first home, just the two of us.  And we lived there almost 2 years.  Some days I would look at mark and say, "I am SO glad we live here."  heck, we almost bought a house their to stay PERMANENTLY, so obviously, we loved the place.  But then their were other days where I would sit and SOB, because I just needed a break.

Now that we are here, Mark and I's relationship is stronger.  We have more time as a couple.  Living expenses are lower, and Mark is at a job where he A.) makes more money and B.) LOVES!  so we aren't struggling to just make sure we have enough money for bills.  We live in a house, opposed to a 600sq foot 1 bedroom apartment.  We have friends surrounding us, and lots of them.  We go to a church that we are liking more and more. (finally) and honestly, life is more laid-back here.

I love both places, and when I am in one, I long for the other.  I honestly feel like a little part of my heart is in Nash, and i don't care how bittersweet it is..it's the truth.

I'm missing the city, the weather, the music, the atmosphere, the parks, the farmers markets, our church, but mainly, I'm missing the people.


Mark and I are pondering an up-coming vaca.  And I think my vote will be for Nashville.

Man...i love that place.

Firsts.

We've had a lot of "Firsts" lately..


1.  Our Very First Veggie we've picked out of our garden! :)  A squash!

2. First Finger Painting Time with Owen

 

(don't worry-it's just baby food carrots..in case any one was worried or wondering about all the ORANGE smeared all over his mouth and body!)

3.  Kiss

how cute is that??
The story has it that they were eating cheerios at snack time (Mark and I weren't there, he was in nursery) and this little girl just pulled him over and kissed him!! HA
look at that facial expression.

After that, Owie and I had a long talk about just kissing his mommy  ;o)


love to all.

Lauren

Yum.

Heres a new favorite receipe of mine I'd thought I'd share with you all..just because!

Reasons I love it:

1. Easy
2. Meatless
3. Healthy
4. Inexpensive
5. Yummy!!


And Before I give you the recipe/picture, here are a few things going on with Us!
1. Owen can officially reach door knobs.  So that's a treat! ;)
2. I made my own laundry soap! And i'm pretty stoked about it!
3. We've been spending some time out at prairie camp this week, and Owen ADORES it out there!
4. Mark & I are planning a vacation for early next year.  That has proven to be a really fun venture!
5. We have things growing!! :)  Our garden has about 7 tomatoes growing (not yet red) and one squash.  Its never very plentiful, but it's our first year, and we are excited! :)
6. Owen got 2 more teeth and is working on a third!  Going to be 17 months this month, and is weighing in now at 22.4 lbs.


And now for the food...."Chick-pea Pattys!"

Hallie Burton

Serves 4Hands-On Time: 20mTotal Time: 20m

Ingredients

• 1 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (preferably Greek)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 8 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• Pita chips (optional)

Directions

1. In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas, parsley, garlic, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper just until coarsely chopped and the mixture comes together when gently squeezed. Form into eight 1/2-inch-thick patties and coat with the flour, tapping off excess.
2. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties, turning carefully, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Divide the greens, tomatoes, onion, and chickpea patties among plates. Drizzle with the dressing and serve with the pita chips, if using.