Take me out to the ball game!

It is that time of year, baseball has begun! We were thrilled to sign up for the Miracle League again this year. The program is so wonderful and just what Owen needs - and what we need to see! It helps build his strength, it teaches him patience and rule following, it gives us a chance to sit back and watch, so many wonderful things. If you ever need a smile just come watch. It is indescribable the feeling you get sitting outside the fence watching these games. The buddies so encouraging. Everyone participates and is treated like the MVP no matter what their ability. The patience that everyone brings and the support you hear from the teammates and crowd. It just makes my heart swell.
Last night was no different. Owen was ready to play. He had his #6 jersey on and away he went. There were a few moments where he didn't want to do what he needed to do. He needed a few reminders to stay in his spot. But overall I noticed a huge change from where he was last year.

Here was his buddy last night. Griffin. He was so patient with Owen and very encouraging. Owen just called him buddy.

My favorite part of the game. Owen hit the ball and was running down the first base line. But instead of running to first base, he headed for the opposite teams bench and started asking everyone for high fives. Cheers buddy, you deserve it.

Even as he runs bases he just wants high fives. He will stop and ask anyone for them. His expression priceless as he pumps his arm and says "yethsss" through his toothless gap.

He has such concentration as he tries to hit that ball.

Zoey made it to her first of many games. Thanks to the help from Auntie Erin!

Playing defense is where we struggle the most. He wants to be silly. He wants to bat. He wants to run around.

Sometimes just laying down is ok too. The best part is that no one blinks an eye. As you can see in the background everyone else is doing their own thing too.

If you are ever interested in watching Owen play. He plays Thursday nights at King park in lakeville. The games start at 6:30 and last about an hour and a half.

Please call me Dragon.

Last week I got a request from Olivia. "Mom please stop calling me Olivia." I asked her what she would like to be called and she responded - Princess. So after about a day of the calling her princess she stopped me again and said "I think I want to be called Dragon instead" and "please ask the family to call me Dragon...Roar". And so it began. Our daughter is going through an identity crisis, eeek.
We have slipped a time or two but she doesn't seem to get to upset with us. On the other hand, anytime Owen calls her "liv" she starts to cry. Not just a little cry but screaming mad cry. "MOM OWEN CALLED ME LIV!"  We try to explain to Owen that she wants to be called Dragon. He smiles, looks at her then laughs a bit. He must think she is crazy. But he than says Dragon and moves on. Next few minutes pass and we start all over.

Personally I think she looks more like a princess than a dragon.

one month down, one month to go

Zoey is officially one month old. The days are long but the weeks are fast. Too fast, it feels like she just came home. She has decided to be our most high maintenance baby. Teaching us that we can't have all easy babies. During the day she is an angel, peaceful, engaging, lovely. But 7-8pm rolls around and she lets us know she really needs us. Colic has arrived. I will be thankful when this phase is over and I can sit down for a relaxing evening after the older 2 go to bed. Her cries are heartbreaking and we try everything to soothe her. She usually calms down around 11pm. But some nights it just doesn't end. We have even resorted to strapping her into the car seat and going for a ride late at night.
I will say though even though it seems like we will never get to bed for the night, she is the most precious thing that it is hard to be frustrated with this face.

We are one month away from our move in date! The house is coming along nicely. This pic is a few weeks old so they have since put all the siding and front finishes on. The inside has been painted and starting to look like a home inside. I am anxious to see the finishes to see all our selections together. Hopefully we made some good decisions! The kids got to take a peak inside this weekend. Olivia is VERY excited and keeps asking if we can go back. Owen is confused at what is going on :)

Sorry for the lack of blog updates. Finding time to get to the computer with more than one hand available has been scarce.