Owen's photo shoot

 Here's a few pictures from Owen's photo shoot at 1 week old.  I know he has a few angry-man expressions, but Grant's charming smile makes up for that!  His sleeping face is irresistible, and you gotta love the furry shoulders (he gets from his dad).  We made an announcement with our favorites and will get them in the mail if we have your address... so please send it!  Grandma Dorothy, we're sending you some good ones!

 

  

 

 



Big Brother

Grant is loving being a big brother.  Sometimes he gets a little too "loving" and likes to smother Owen, but he is always pretty helpful.  Isn't it weird how grown up the first child seems as soon as the second one comes along?  He really has become independent, knows what he wants and usually demands good quality play time.  Good thing Will lives for playtime!  The second he walks in the door, Grant runs up and tells him what their plans are... and then they play until bedtime.

We are also letting him be as independent as possible.  He now makes his own sandwiches and is very proud of his handi-work.  After his first one, he said, "This is the best sandwich I ever had!"

 Grant was given a car from Grandma Dorothy and Owen got a book.  Grant was quick to read it to him...

 And let him know that the car is his.

   

The other day, when Owen was sleeping, Grant made quite the observation:  "Mom, he looks like a child of God!"  What a smart kid.  Owen still sleeps about 20 hours a day.  During the day, I let him sleep scrunched up on his tummy, with his bum in the air.  He loves it.  We think he takes after Aunt Jenni.

I'm a cat

Grant has always been pretty responsible with any type of writing utensil.  He knows we don't draw on walls or furniture or... ourselves.  That's why when Grant came into the family room last week, I was VERY surprised to find that he drew all over his face.  I was nursing (as usual) and couldn't get up, but from a distance, I scolded him, "Grant, why would you do that to yourself?  We don't draw on our skin... I'm disappointed."  Then Grant perked up and said, "But Mom, I'm a cat!"  I looked closer and just busted up laughing.  I laughed for a while and Grant laughed too.  He thought he was so clever.  Truly, he had drawn a very good cat face: whiskers, nose and mouth, without a mirror!  How can I be mad about a 3-yr-old's creativity?

Owen Alder Titera... "Gus"

The wait was finally over...  at 41 weeks, I had tried EVERYTHING to get our baby here, but ultimately, he came when he wanted.  We took this picture of me before we went to the hospital and 6 hours later, he was in my arms!  Born June 29th at 11:57pm...

After deliberating on a name, and wondering if he would make it in life as "Gus," we decided to officially name him Owen Alder Titera (and affectionately call him Gus). Here's where the names come from:

Owen: I saw this Irish name as I was doing my family history last year- we liked the connection it would be to my family, as well as the meaning "born to nobility; a warrior"

Alder: This is Will's Grandma's maiden name. Her father experienced many loses in his life, including the loss of his mother and wife. He became a single father to 5 children and raised them to be wonderful, caring people. Grandma Colleen Alder Magelby has been quite influencial in Will's life with her Christlike example of charity, forgiveness and patience.

Gus: This was the name of Will's father's stepfather. Will only knew him as Grandpa Gus, who married Grandma Ev after he became a widower. He was a patriarch who lived by the spirit. Everyone in Seattle seemed to know Gus Carlston.

Here's my midwife, Belinda.  We were sooo glad she was on call that night!  She is a strong British women who is old-school and believes every woman is made to birth 9+ pound babies.  She had total confidence in me and coached me through the part I dreaded most... pushing him out.  Will was actually my amazing birth coach throughout the entire process.  Together, we followed the hypno-birthing techniques that allowed me to relax and let my body do what it needed to.  I "breathed the baby down" and only "pushed" a few times.  He came out alert, unbruised and untraumatized.  He shocked us all when they put him on the scale:

10 pounds and 8 ounces of chubs and loves

This was Grant's moment of discovery!  After looking all over the hospital room for "baby bruder," he found him!  He insisted on holding him from that moment on...

Here's a fun comparison...  Will and Owen on the left------  Will and Grant 3 years earlier on the right

Ready to leave the hospital!



A few days later we gave Owen his first bath.  He didn't really like it.

We can't get over how much these 2 look alike!  Owen's on the left, Grant's on the right.

Owen (left) and Grant (right)

My favorite part about the whole process of bringing another little one into the world is seeing my amazing husband with both of our children.  He is a natural!  He is loving, patient, capable and sooo attractive!