Tuesday, June 30, 2009

It's a Boy!

Liam David Quinlan is here! He was born on Monday, June 29th at 11:59 AM. He weighs 7 pounds 1 ounce and is 19 inches long!

He looks just like Owen when he was born...except Liam has blonde hair (Owen had much darker hair at birth). The baby is awesome. Owen is doing so good and immediately asks for "baby" when he walks into our room. I, on the other hand, am not doing so well, yet. I am up and about and not too sore from surgery, but have been running a fever, have high pulse, and high blood pressure. I feel really tired and sick. They are running tests to see if I have an infection of some sort.

Here are a few pictures of our family of four!

Liam David...

Liam and Mama Q.

Liam and Daddy Q.

Mama Q with her boys....

I am in love with these boys! We'll have tons of fun; I just know it!!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

What we today: the day before Owen becomes a big brother...

Today was a busy day!! I was working hard to keep my mind occupied! It is the strangest thing to KNOW you are having a baby TOMORROW! Oh My!

Today is my mom and G-ma's birthday--happy birthday to you both! I sure wish I had Baby Q2 today so that he/she could share this day with you. But, tomorrow is pretty darn close!!

Grammie was up with Owen this morning and I got to sleep in until 10AM! That was quite a treat. We gave Owen his morning snack, and then he was down for a nap. I did two loads of laundry, packed my bag for the hospital, baked cookies, and made my grocery list (decided I should buy food for Owen, Grammie, and Daddy Q to have this week)!

Once Owen woke up, he had another snack. Then, we delivered 4th of July decorations for the upcoming neighborhood parade to a neighbor, a book to a friend, went to Babies R Us for a few last minute items, went to the grocery store, and finally, to Sonic Happy Hour!

Tonight, I cooked chicken tikka masala for mom for her birthday--that was so yummy and took up some time! After dinner, we went for a swim with Mimi and her girls!


Then, it was off to bed for Owen. A chat on the phone with Erin. Birthday cake and presents with Grammie. And, this blog post!
So, this is the last post until Baby Q2 is here!!! We are off to the hospital at 7AM tomorrow morning. Will update as soon as I am able!!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Mr. N Turns 2 -- He Celebrated with a Petting Zoo!!!

Happy Second Birthday, Sweet Boy!

To celebrate N's second birthday, his parents arranged a petting zoo for him and his friends. N is a big fan of animals and tractor and cannot get enough of the outdoors--this was perfect for him! Here are some photos from the very hot morning--this mama was glad that the party started so early--I couldn't have handled much more heat!!

N and Owen feeding a goat!

Emma, the Diva!
Owen feeding the goat...the first time he went in with food, he dumped it just like when he feeds Bubba. So, I handed him another cup and showed him what to do. For about the next 10 minutes, I kept getting the cup handed back to me with requests for more, more, more! Little man loved feeding all of the bubbas.

The birthday boy giving a baby pig a bottle.

Cake Time!

Mr Neat...

Mr. Messy....
Owen feeding the chickens...
Saying bye-bye to the bubbas...

It has been such a joy to watch N grow up this past year and seeing the boys interact! N is a smart, active, kind-hearted little fellow and Owen is so lucky to have him as a friend!

Happy Birthday, Boble!!!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Six days 'til Owen is officially a big brother...

is he ready? Let's see...

This is Owen sharing his wagon with his friends...I think considering the discomfort he also put up with from having one friend in his lap, this is a good sign that he may be ready!

Owen expressing his love for Bubba! Even though Bubba doesn't hug back, Owen doesn't mind...another good sign. It will be a while before Q2 gives a return cuddle!!

And this....well, this series of pics just goes to show you that...
...sometimes, you have to make the best of what you have...
...and Owen is good at that, too!

Yup, I think he's ready!! He will be one AWESOME big brother!!!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day, Daddy Q

We had a quiet, relaxing day today! I am so tired from last week and not feeling too great today, so it was nice to have Daddy Q, Grammie, and Paw Paw Mc here today! I got to rest AND the guys got to spend father's day together!


Daddy Q decided this evening that we needed a trip to Sonic for a Father's Day Cream Slush! Yummy! Here is the pair enjoying their slushies together!


Of course, Tobie wanted in on the action, too. A pic of Daddy Q with the dog that longs to be his best friend, but continues to be number 2 behind Owen. Poor girl doesn't know she is about to become number 3 in line....

Just a cute pic of the little man rocking in the wooden chairs with us.


Sorry that we missed you today, Grandpa Tex! The next time we see you, we can celebrate that you are a Dad of two and a Grandpa of two!! We'll just pretend that Father's Day in East Texas comes a week or so after it does in Dallas ;-)


Last night, our friends Jeff & Erin and Andy & Megan hosted a party to celebrate Baby Q2's upcoming arrival, which will make Owen a Big Brother! They invited Owen's friends {and their families} over for a relaxing, fun, evening. We are so grateful to everyone who came, for the great conversation, and for helping us gather the things we will need for Baby Q2's arrival NEXT WEEK!!!! {this pic is for you, Terri}

The best pic I managed to get of Owen in his Big Brother t-shirt is below...this is he and Parker playing in N's room! After this, I put the camera away and just enjoyed the company of friends!!
I can't wait to meet this little one! Gail's "hair and ring" test confirmed that we already had a boy {phew} and that baby number 2 would also be a boy {it went on to predict Baby Q3 as a girl and then no mas}...we'll see!
Today, Grammie and I visited Babies R Us to use the gift cards we got last night and purchase the rest of the items that I feel we need when we bring home Q2. I will get them all washed and organized early this week.
On tap for this week for Owen and me: painters are here Mon - Wed to paint the entry, living, and play rooms, doctor appt on Monday, preparing Baby Q2's "space" early this week, Gymboree on Tuesday, StoryTime on Wed, SoccerTots on Thurs, a visit from Lanie on Thurs/Fri, N's 2nd B-day party on Sat, followed by the arrival of my mother !
Baby Q2...I promise I can still fit you in the schedule if you decide to come early. I am looking forward to resting in the hospital ;-)

Friday, June 19, 2009

Dow + Cracker + Go =

Snack time in the wagon.

"Yay, Mama!"

We strolled around the block...
...while Owen ate his morning snack.
Punkadoo sure does like riding in his little red wagon.


Best $30 I've spent {we got it on craigslist}.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

To the pool, Mama...

This afternoon, Owen grabbed his diving rings, headed to his wagon, and said, "Dow" (Owen for "down", which is also Owen for "up, off, out...". Once in the wagon, he said "Go, go, mama."

So...we put on our swimsuits and went to the pool!

Fun afternoon!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Owen went to see Gymbo *live* today....

Our Gymboree moved to a new location recently; to celebrate, they are holding parties where the kiddos get to meet the "real, live, Gymbo." Hip, hip, hooray? Owen and his buddies, Emma and Parker, say no--3 thumbs down for live Gymbo...

Owen playing with the "basketballs" before Gymbo came out to greet the kiddos...

Gymbo the Clown played peek-a-boo with the kids from behind the door and then came in waving to them...
...Owen checked out live Gymbo...from afar...very, very, afar! In fact, I think he was the kiddo furthest from Gymbo....then he

got a little closer...
...then decided...hmmm, not for me. Owen made a break for it--he ran into the lobby...
...where he played alone...until....

...he was joined by his fellow not-a-big-fan-of-live-Gymbo friends, Emma and Parker.

Oh well. The three of them had fun hanging out together.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

In at attempt to tire the ornery out of him...

...we hit the pool this afternoon!
Little dude took a much needed 3 hour and 45 minute nap! I got a nice chance to re-cover from our morning during this time. After he finally woke, he got a haircut {he does so good now that he is quite the expert there}, picked up a few groceries I forgot on Sunday {pregnancy is getting to my brain}, and then headed to the pool.

Owen had a blast at the pool today! He played basketball with his ball and swim ring...fun. He also threw in his diving rings for a couple of six year old girls to dive for....fun. After an hour or so, it was dinner time, so we headed home.

At home, we ran into our neighbors who oiled the squeaky wagon tire, killed my wasps, and then invited us in for dinner! It was so nice of them. A bonus was that Owen was his sweet self for another hour or so--the orneriness is a special thing for me, I think ;-)

So, finally at 9:15, he is in bed. I hope that little man wakes up un-ornery tomorrow!

Owen's mission...

....seems to be to drive Mama Q as crazy as possible. Augh. Why is he choosing this week to push all of my buttons? Does he know that Baby Q2 is on his or her way and he is already jealous? Is it those last two teeth that still haven't broken through? Did he get too spoiled over the weekend with so much attention from the neighbors and Daddy Q?
Whatever it is...I am desperately hoping for it to end and for my sweet boy to return ASAP! Here's a sample of what the little mess has been doing the last two days {mind you, Daddy Q is out of town this week, so I have no relief either}...
Example 1: Soaked

It is no secret that Owen has "throwing" issues....he throws EVERYthing. He had really gotten a lot better and more restrained in the last couple of weeks with this. When he was done eating, instead of throwing his fork at me...he just said "Da Done!" and we cleaned up. When he was done playing with a toy, he set it down. AND...when he was done with a drink in the car, he would say "Da Done, Mama" and hand the cup back to me to put in the cupholder up front until he needed it again. NOT TODAY.

Today, he threw the cup down when he was done. "Uh, oh," says Owen. Then, not 1 minute later, he says "Bwa Bwa" {Owen for "agua"}. I respond with, "honey, you threw it on the floor and mama is driving. I can't get your agua for your right now." Owen says "Oohhh" -- a very disappointed version of "Oh". Then, he realizes I have a bottle of water in my cupholder, points to it, and says "Bwa Bwa" again. I give in....he has been playing hard at Gymboree and it is hot. So, I hand him the bottle of water. He smiles, takes a sip. Smiles again....another sip. Smiles again...another sip. Then, he hold the bottle out. I ask "Are you all done?" Nothing. We stop at a light, I turn around and ask again "Are you all done; can you give mama the bottled water?"....

...instead of complying like last-week-Owen would have; he looks straight at me, smiles, and pours 100% of the water onto himself and then says....

"Uh oh, Mama....{pause} More?"
"honey, you could have had more if you HAD NOT POURED IT ALL ON YOUR LITTLE SELF"

Geez.
Example 2: Bye, Bye Ball

Owen had improved when it comes to throwing balls in the street as a game of fetch with whatever adult would run after it. I have to say that we had to loose a few balls in teaching him not to do this.... He would throw it and I would get it once and then tell him if he does it again, we have to say "bye bye" 'cause mama ain't runnin' after it.
Well....I won't name names, but little man doesn't have to say bye, bye to the balls unless he is with mama ;-)

Today, I guess he wanted to test me to see if I *remembered* that the balls stay gone if he throws them...I did.
While I was removing his soaking wet car seat cover to stick in the wash, he thought I wasn't watching him {no way, buddy}. He gets a ball, walks over to the edge of the garage, gets a seriously sly look on his face, smiles to himself, and chunks that ball as hard as he can into the alley. Then, I hear his little feet pitter patter in place and he says "uh oh. uh oh, mama. uh oh, ball." He turns to me, sees I am watching, and then....

he waves his little hand and says "bye, bye ball."

Geez.
{as an aside...I did get the ball for him after he went down for a nap...but, I've put it away to give back some other time."
I had two more examples to share...but, I think I'll go take a nap instead of typing them out. I suspect I will need my energy this afternoon and evening...
Grammie...when are you moving closer to us?

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Getting ready for Baby Q2....and other stuff

Today, Daddy Q spent some time in the attic pulling baby items down for us to sanitize and prepare for Q2's arrival within the next TWO WEEKS!!! I went through all of the newborn and 0 - 3 month clothing and selected gender neutral items to wash, we got the Boppy pillow out, the burp clothes, the swaddle blankets, tummy time mats, and.....the infant swing. Guess who was surprisingly happy to see that? Funny, 'cause it wasn't his favorite when he was a little guy. But, today, he wanted "more, more, more" in the infant swing.

Just 'cause I thought it would be fun...this is Owen in the same chair in March 2008....he has grown a little bit ;-) But, the facial expressions remain...Owen enjoys sitting at his table in his playroom. Sometimes we color, sometimes we play with toys, and sometimes we work puzzles. Today, we worked puzzles up there...

I think this expression is so funny. He does this a lot when he is talking and/or thinking. Here, he was thinking...
I can't believe that Q2 will be here two weeks from Monday {if not sooner}. The time has really gone by fast, until these last couple of weeks. Now, they still go by pretty fast, but I am paying very close attention to the number of days left--it is getting harder and harder to chase a toddler in the Texas heat with Q2 growing daily {or, hourly}.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

This ain’t my first rodeo….

Well...it wasn't my first rodeo; but, it was Owen and Daddy Q's first time to experience this. We had a rough start to the evening...they opened with fireworks, which scared Punkadoo aLOT. He didn't want to return to the suite for a while after that. Poor little guy.
He spent a lot of the time running around in the hallway with Stevie and Mimi.


Then, the rodeo clowns played baseball. Owen watched this for a bit. He also watched the calf roping and waved to all of the "bubbas" from the suite.

Stevie gave him a break from the suite and took him to walk around. They stumbled upon a pony ride. And, guess what? She got the little dude on there! Stevie's friend was with them and snapped this photo with her phone. Yay, Owen!!

I think Owen's favorite part of the rodeo was Whiplash, the Cowboy Monkey! My camera ran out of battery, so I borrowed this pic form the Whiplash's website...isn't he cute! Owen really did enjoy this part of the show!!! So did the rest of us!!

Its late or I would write more...I am tired though.
A BIG thank you to our neighbors for letting us join you and the rodeo and to Dallas Harley-Davidson for a spot in their suite! We really had fun...if only those darn fireworks hadn't set Owen off on the wrong foot ;-)