Bob. Lawn Mower.

One of Owen's favorite people is our next door neighbor, Bob. (actually his name is Robert, but Owen has named him Bob because it's easier to say) Owen associates mowing and weed eating with Bob. He will walk along side Bob the entire time Bob mows his yard (luckily it's a small yard), and every time we walk outside Owen is looking for Bob and the lawn mower. Bob bought Owen his first lawn mower yesterday, and Owen is in heaven. He hasn't stopped playing with it since he got it.

18 Months

Month 18 has been a month of firsts for Owen. He got his first object stuck in his nose. It was a cranberry...I didn't see it happen, but after an hour of him fussing and me trying to plunge out his nose, a good sneeze launched it out. I really thought that would end his fascination with putting things in his nose, but it has not. Owen also got his first sibling haircut. I had cut the boys hair one morning and went to get a broom. (mistake, I know) I had unplugged the electric clippers thinking this would solve any issue, but apparently they can still cut unplugged? I came upstairs to Ethan holding the clippers (still unplugged) and a huge chunk of hair on the floor. Lovely. And the last big thing is that he's gone "#2" on the toilet, per his request, one two different occasions. He claps for himself and then asks for candy. I am so not ready for this. I haven't decided if we're going to let this be a phase or if I should actually see if it goes somewhere...

Owen's cooking infatuation has cooled, but he's as passionate as ever about lawnmowers and weed eaters. Every morning and evening when he's in bed I hear him say "Bob" (our neighbor that holds Owen when he mows) and then a weed eater sound. Everything from sticks to fishing poles become weed eaters. He's also quite passionate about Dog his stuffed animal and his "banket" (black blanket). Those things would go everywhere with him if I wanted to try and keep up with them. He's getting more words, my least favorite being "no" and "mine" - both of which are his favorite.

This little guy continues to baffle me, and always provides plenty of laughter. Happy year and half, buddy!

Labor Day Weekend '10

We went to Stillwater last weekend for OSU's first home game, and to see family from my dad's side of the family. There were 8 kids under the age of 4 there, several of my cousins, and both of my brother's and their families. Needless to say, it was a packed (and FUN) house! We spent a lot of time in parents back yard watching the kiddos run around, eating, and catching up with the New Mexico Dodsons. Josh and Caylee surprised us with news that they're expecting their first baby about 2 weeks before our baby comes! It's hard to believe that my parents will have 7 grandkids in 2011. My dad is already talking about adding on to their house!

Baby #3!

It's a little surreal to be posting about another Hoyle baby on the way. It seems like I just started blogging about becoming a new mom and Ethan as a new baby. Man, it's flying by. We've known that we were pregnant for awhile now (the "morning sickness" has been plenty of a reminder!), but today we were able to actually see Baby 3! It was SO nice to see ONE heart beat. (I had a dream a few weeks ago there were twins in there...I was not able to go back to sleep that night.) All that to say, I was a little anxious to see what was going on in there. Thanks to Miss Pattie and Loving Choices, we were able to get a sneak peak. This is the earliest ultrasound we've ever had, so it was a little strange to not really be able to figure out what was what, but I did see the heart beat. And the technician kept commenting on how active the baby was. I think her word was "bouncing". That sounds about right for our offspring...

I now have an appointment with my doctor to see if I am a good candidate for a home birth. (very hippie, I know) If he gives us the "thumbs up", then I think we'll move forward with a midwife. We're still praying through it, but it's sounding like a pretty good option for us. More to come...

The Moores

Our good friends the Moores came to visit us last week. Jake was Chris' good friend and college, and he married a friend of mine from high school. They've spent the last 5 years in Ethiopa, and we've been praying for them and talking about them as long as Ethan can remember. (he gets them confused with Adam and Eve..."Ethan, who were our first parents?" and he responds, "Jake and Erin."!) Anyway, it was fun for him to finally meet them and their three fabulous kids. They played non-stop together and Chris and I were able to enjoy some "big people conversation". We were so encouraged by their family and loved the time with them.