Happy Birthday, Carson!

Owen's friend Carson turns one year old today! Just another reminder of how quickly the last year has flown by. Here are some photos of our last time together in Nashville. Boy, do we miss our friends.





Please take a second out of your day and hum a few bars of "Happy Birthday" just for Carson.
Love you, big boy!

Groveling for grandparents

Hold on to your hats, folks. I'm about to make a shocking admission...

I DO NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER. Yes, go ahead and gasp. Since leaving my full-time job outside the house to accept a dusk-to-dawn job inside the house, I am less effective, less efficient and FAR less organized. There are many times that I'm not sure which day of the week it is. There are many more times than that when I couldn't tell you the date. So, it would stand to reason that keeping a calendar would be a good idea for me. And it is...it's a great idea. I keep the calendar very well...it's the maintaining, displaying and referencing of the calendar that has become a problem.

So, all of this is a preface to a public apology. I am so, so, so sorry that we missed Grandparent's Day. And the FIRST Grandparent's Day no less.

What a horrible oversight and I am mortified that it came and went without any acknowledgement from us. Sure, I know you'll say "no big deal." But, for the record, had my FIRST Mother's Day gone without some recognition, I might have been pretty disappointed. So I am sorry. It's not like I didn't know this was an issue. I'm aware that we've already missed several birthdays and a couple of anniversaries by having that calendar hidden away in a box or drawer somewhere. If I missed something else, don't tell me...I feel bad enough as it is.

You know the very worst part of all? I was actually prepared in advance! I've had Grandparent's Day cards for more than a year now. I bought the cards last year in anticipation of a possible early arrival from Baby Stone...I wanted to have those Grandparent's Day cards ready to go in the mail in case little Owen decided to make his arrival in time for the holiday (9-12-04...he didn't quite make it). You see, back when my life was in a bit more order, I filed these cards away in a logical, organized fashion.

When I discovered the box this week, I was crestfallen. Neatly tucked away inside were the messages of love and appreciation intended for you. Don't look too closely...don't commit these images to memory...you'll be seeing them next September.

In the meantime, please know that we appreciate all that you do for our family...all the time, love and energy that is invested in showering your grandson with attention does not go unnoticed. Owen is lucky to have the best set of grandparents in the whole, wide world. So, while you didn't receive that Hallmark greeting in the mail or get the cheerful call on the phone, we DO love you and DO know that our family wouldn't be complete without you. Thank you for everything.

Gram and Pop, Grandpa Harrell, Granny M and Grandpa Moore, Nana, Mama Dot and Papa Walt, Bob-O, Grandma and Grandpa Stone--you are all very, very loved. This one is for you...we hope that every day is a Happy Grandparent's Day.

PS: The faint blue markings are the result of Owen's first experience with a crayon (hate to disappoint you, but I did the writing). Our first time coloring was almost uneventful...except for that whole crayon in the nose thing.

Birthday Bash

On Sunday, Owen experienced his first of many birthday shindigs to come. We had such a great time visiting with family and friends and I think Owen just might have enjoyed being showered with attention...he was hamming it up pretty good for most of the day.

Speaking of ham, the barnyard theme was a hit and allowed me to try my hand at a homemade piggy cake for my boy. Thanks to Mama Dot for her late-night help and for believing in my vision for Porky. I think he turned out great and Owen seemed to agree.

He wasted no time at all and snatched a pig ear as soon as the cake was within reach.

From what I could tell, there were no complaints about the taste either...Owen seemed to enjoy his cake just fine!



Our water baby showed off his love of the "splash-splash-splash" yet again, and was thrilled to play in the pool with friends, Emily and Sam. It was so great to watch the 3 of them play together and think of future playdates and all the stories for the mommies and daddies to exchange. We're excited to be back within easy driving distance of good friends!

Toys, toys everywhere!
Needless to say, the birthday boy hit a serious toy jackpot this time around. Really, all the gifts are so much appreciated and, as you can see, Owen will never go without. We now just have to figure out the best play rotation so that all the toys get a fair shot at his attention.
















The party atmosphere was just too appealing and Owen skipped his afternoon nap in favor of playing a bit more with his friends and all his new toys. BUT, once bedtime came, he crashed hard. Can you count the pacis?


A big thank you to everybody who helped make Owen's first birthday such a special event. We had so much fun celebrating with you and look forward to many more over the years. We were sorry that all of our family couldn't join in the fun...we missed our Sunshine State loved ones and look forward to partying with them soon!

If you wanna see ALL the pictures from our birthday bash, click here: More pictures than you can shake a stick at!

One is fun!

Uh, sort of. For those asking what we did to celebrate Owen's big day, here's a rundown of yesterday's "festivities."

Early in the morning, Owen was in my lap facing me while we snuggled and I made up some silly song about how I'd cuddle him all day long since it was his birthday. He throws his head back in laughter and slams his open mouth into my forehead. We both scream in pain...it was a mighty big smack. I try to calm him while examining his mouth through the screams, just knowing there must be a split lip that needs mending. As I'm bent over checking for his wounds, I feel something wet dripping in my eye. Yep, I'm bleeding. Gashed by a toddler tooth. All the information I could locate on facial wounds seemed to indicate that any longer than .25 inches should be evaluated for stitches. Grrreat. I put Owen down for his nap and find a local doc who'll see me as a work-in patient. Once Owen was up and we had driven to the office, the wound had closed and I decided against going through with the appointment. In retrospect, I should have probably gone ahead...still bleeding a bit last night. SO, this was the start to our big day.

But, even a little bloodshed couldn't put a damper on the event. Owen still got to celebrate his day in the most appropriate fashion possible...playing in his birthday suit!



When Daddy got home from work, we all went around the corner to Chuck E Cheese and partied the night away! While it was actually a spur of the moment decision, it turned out to be a great one...Owen had a blast. He didn't let go of his balloon for the first 20-30 minutes we were there. Check this out...Lovin' my birthday balloon.


Completely enthralled by the mouse.
















Sharing dinner with mommy





Hanging out with Bob the Builder






Playing chauffeur to Chuck







Afterward, we came home and had the ceremonial birthday cupcake. Owen demolished the treat and perhaps even ate a few bites before collapsing for the night.















While we plan to officially celebrate on Sunday, with a real cake and party guests, we were happy to take the time to honor the moment as a family. The past year has been a wonderfully emotional rollercoaster ride...bloodshed and all.

One year ago today...

I thought life couldn't get any better.
September 13, 2004

Today, I am so happy to admit that I was wrong.
September 13, 2005

Happy Birthday, Owen David Stone. I cannot thank you enough for what you have brought into my life. You are loved more than you can know.

The Garden of Good & Owen

We've added a new favorite to our local hang-outs...the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The surroundings are, of course, beautiful and the Children's Garden absolutely rocks for the little ones! Owen made lots of new friends as he toddled about...





Hearing the latest foul news










Brushing up on his bovine social skills








Never get in a spittin' contest with a gnome
















Almost became the catch of the day








By far, Owen's very most favorite part of the Garden was the splash pad. He was all kinds of happy when we put on the swim trunks and let him play. He was bubbling over with that I-just-can't-control-myself giddiness that only children can get away with.


He would stand in the spray and laugh and then circle the outside to clap and "tell" everyone who would listen what fun he was having. While the lack of sound doesn't do it justice, here's a short clip of our water baby. Splash pad fun

Rough and tumble kiddo

Mild has become wild. Docile has become daredevil. And Mommy has become hypertensive. When you see my son, please do not contact authorities. I assure you that the head-to-toe scrapes, bumps and bruises are all self-inflicted and the result of moving at full tilt 90% of the day.

Seriously, I'm afraid for the future. Veteran mothers, please tell me this kind of behavior just peters out after the first birthday. Lie to me.

Over the course of 36 hours last week:

1) Owen took a lightning fast roll and leap off the changing table. I snagged him by the waist as he was crashing down and was just certain I had cracked a rib. Nothing but a head bump and a scrape on the leg from the open drawer he hit on the way down.

2) Hours later that night, I'm in the bathroom and Owen is playing just outside in the bedroom. LOUD crash followed by screams...I run out to find him trapped under the cheval mirror with his arm wedged between the mirror and frame. That time I was certain we were dealing with a gashed face and broken arm. Nope...just more bruises and tears.

3) Next morning, he was running (yes, running) toward me while I was sitting in the office chair. Didn't hit the brakes fast enough and plowed head first into the arm of the chair. That resulted in a small amount of bloodshed...a small little gash right on the eyelid.


But the important question...Is it wrong for me to be thankful for the boo-boo induced cuddle time?