A Few Changes at 19 Months Old

Over the holidays, Owen turned nineteen months old. It doesn’t seem like a big milestone month but for him it has been. I have noticed so many changes over the past couple weeks that have surprised me.

Owen is physically changing

He is definitely the tallest of my three boys at this age. Out of curiosity, I checked a couple major theme parks nearby and he could safely ride at least 5 rides. What?! Aiden was 4 before he could meet the height requirements for even the “baby” rides.

Not only is he tall, he is beginning to thin out. It probably isn’t noticeable to anyone who isn’t me. Ha. He still has his chubby little cheeks, but his torso and thighs are definitely losing the baby-pudge. Basically, he’s turning into a full fledge toddler.

Owen is changing mentally

This is the one that has shocked me the most.

The most impressive change is his critical thinking. More specifically, he is critically thinking. He goes off to play on his own, but will come back and use his hand to express that he wants you to come along with him, even saying, “come” and then the person’s name. If he has something, usually a snack, he will offer it to others, mainly his brothers, and say, “want one?” ,sometimes with their name at the end.

He also learned “mine”. This was a huge No No for me when Aiden and Evan were little. We did not say Mine. However, with Owen it is different. He understands that it is not for toys, not to take a toy away from someone else and say mine. He uses the word to describe a sippy cup, or his own plate. He understands that not only are those things his, but that other people have those items as well and he is not to use them. For example, Bro Bro Juice, Dada juice, etc. Everything is juice or water for him. Ha.

He is caring more than ever. Owen will take to you while gently placing his hand or your hand or arm. He leans his head on you while sitting next to you. He loves hugs. I would guess he gives about 30 or more hugs every day! Recently, he has been loving baby dolls. He calls all stuffed animals “baby” and treats them as such. He will carry them around and feed them and wrap them in blankets. I am amazed because he doesn’t see this behavior. The boys don’t play like that and no one has shown him.

Lastly, he is communicating in sentences. Six months ago I spoke to his pediatrician about my concern for his lack of speech, he just wasn’t talking and now he is saying 2, 3, and 4 word sentences! WHAT?!

Owen is changing us

Owen is simply a bubbly little bundle of love. He perfectly encompasses Evan’s love of laughter, happiness, and play with Aiden’s regard for rules, compassion, imagination. But I suppose even they picked up some of those from Arthur and I.

I still don’t know how we were blessed with our little wonder. But I know for sure we needed him and our world is so much brighter because of him. ❤

17 Month Milestones

My youngest baby is seventeen months old now.

A horrible habit that I have as a parent is looking back at my first and second children’s milestones and comparing them to my youngest. But, it didn’t start here, I also did this with my second and compared him to my first. However, I don’t use this as a bad thing. I use it to see if they’ve all come to similar milestones around similar times. Think of it as a check and balance for how I am raising them.

With that in mind, Owen is quite different from his big brothers. For example, around this age Aiden was over the crib. Quite literally! He hated sleeping in his baby prison and found ways to climb out and sneak into mommy and daddy’s bed. Oppositely, Owen loves his crib and goes right to sleep willingly. Then when Evan was this age he was addicted to a pacifier and loved to play on his own. However, Owen has never taken a pacifier and is always within arms reach of me.

Owen surely has his own quirks and things are entirely his. It’s so bizarre to me that all three, created in love by Arthur and I, whom I’d assume would be so similar are actually completely different from one another.

Til Son Down: A Look into the Life of a Mom of Three Boys

“Three Boys?!” – The phrase the starts practically every single conversation with a stranger. Then, it is immediately followed by, “When are you having a girl?”. Both statements are given out as if I am unhappy with my family that I was blessed with.

What they don’t see is the super squishy bear hugs, the hours of cars, sports, heroes, and silly play time, and the utter joy and pride when they do something new and look directly for you to share their happiness. There is nothing so special as being a boy-mom.

All three of my boys are so similar and so different from each other. The eldest, 7, loves to read and go on adventures and is timid. The middle, 5,  is so sincere and outgoing. He looks out for others before himself. The last, 1, is loving and fun. He tries his best to keep up with his big brothers while becoming his own little person.

I truly dislike the term “Mama’s Boy”. All three of my boys will go to me about something before their father. I think the term should be used more to explain the bond between a mother and her son(s). I love that they trust me most, and look to me for comfort and safety when they haven’t had a great day. A mama’s boy simply knows that his mother is his rock.

So now, I am not shocked when people gasp at my three boys. I smile wide and repeat back to them, “Yes! Three Boys!” Because they are everything I’ve ever dreamed for and I am so proud to be their mom.

All children grow into the life they see before them. Imagine the world we could create if we grow our children in love, understanding, and acceptance. I cannot wait to see the men my three little boys become.

This Mama works from Son up til Son down, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Live In Slomocean’s 5 Messy Mommy Moments

I have so many moments where I’m like, “Did that seriously just happen?” and most of the time all you can do is laugh.

As moms, dads, and guardians we all have those moments. Those been there, done that moments. Whether we have forgotten something or the kids have done something outrageous; it’s always something going on in life that really humbles our ego.

Back to School Sick

I thought we had safely made it through the first week of school. I was wrong.

We didn’t even make it one whole week. This does not give me much hope for this school year. So naturally, this mama is ready to get rid of the sickness.

Here are my 15 do’s and 2 don’ts when the littles are sick.

First Trip to Great Explorations Children’s Museum

This week the littles and I ventured over to Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

We are lucky enough to live close enough to the museum, so we headed on over just after Aiden’s school dismissal. Upon arrival, we had approximately two and a half hours until closing.

For reference, my 3 boys are: 6 years, 4 years, and almost 1 year old. 

I feel like two to three hours spent here is the perfect amount of time. Food and drinks are not allowed within the museum so plan ahead and leave a cooler or lunchbox in the car.

Easter Recap 2018

Baby’s first Easter!

This year was even more exciting than ever, it was Owen’s first Easter! Owen is such a little light in our family and we just knew that he would help get everyone even more into the spirit of Easter. He loved playing with the hidden Easter eggs, shaking them was so much fun. The whole day through he had so much fun with all of the Easter goodies.