Evenings w/ the Dobelsteins

Just a glimpse into what our evenings are like...

Daddy plays video games, while watching the boys so mom can go to the gym.

Mama reads to her boys in bed before they drift off to sleep.

6 Weeks & {Almost} 3!!

Hard to believe that this week Owen will be 6 weeks. Where has the time gone? He has definitely grown! We went and visited our neighbors who just had a baby boy last week (8lbs), and Owen at 11lbs looked huge! He continues to be an every 3 hour eater, and I expect that this week will be another growth spurt with feedings dipping into the 2-2.5 hour range. He has been giving me 4-6 hour stretches at night, but the usually fall before I've gone to bed. So sleep is still minimal. He is getting a lot better about going down after his feedings though and soothing himself back to sleep after gas issues. We've found that a few gas drops at night really helps him through the rough patches. He is also doing a lot better taking naps in his bed rather than in our arms. This has been a huge help to me as I can scramble and get a few things done between feedings and also spend more focused time with Aaden. He continues to be such a joy and a sweet love to have around!

Speaking of...Aaden will be 3 in a little over a week! Every day I am shocked at how big he is and how much more mature he has become. We work on helping Mama all day long. He still LOVES to play with his cars, trains and can spend hours playing outside or reading books on his own. I love having such an independent boy!

I snapped a few pictures of my growing boys today...

 He still has blue eyes, and here is the proof! :)

The Great Pumpkin Hunt

We headed out to our favorite pumpkin patch, The Farm in Snohomish on Saturday. Uncle Tim & Aunt Lacey came along for the adventure. It was crazy busy but we still managed to have fun and find some pumpkins! I think this is our 6th year going, this year was extra special with baby Owen in tow (in his cute pumpkin hat courtesy of Nana Elaine).

Naps are delicious!

I'm working on getting Owen on a nap schedule where he can fall asleep on his own in his bed. At 5 weeks he is quite the trooper, but is still eating a ton so this Mama is hoping for little breaks here and there. Here is proof that I'm getting some! :)

Meeting the Family

This past weekend was busy! Owen met both the Bartsch and Dobelstein extended families including great-aunts/uncles, great-grandparents and cousins. We had so much fun that hardly any pictures were taken. I'm realizing that baby #2 just doesn't get the pictures that #1 had. I'm hoping that other family members will have a few pictures to send along...

In the meantime here are a few from my families' "meet and cuddle" day!

 Great-Uncle Mike (& my mom) finding the family resemblances 

 Great-Auntie Kathryn and Great-Aunt Anne checking out Owen

 Cousin JoPo giving some burping love

The cousins at the bar. :)

Lately...

Week 3 for baby Owee was a big one. He ate and ate and ate and GREW! With eating so voraciously came little sleep for this Mama. I also had my first full week without any help, so needless to say I was tired! I did manage to snap a few pictures of just daily on-goings.

Some highlights from the last 2 weeks - going to Flower World where they have a fun little petting zoo, making cookies with Gramma Nee'Nee', finger painting, potty training/going #2 like a big boy, enjoying the last hints of summer and relaxing at home.

Here are some pictures straight off the camera -

 Sleeping in the warm afternoon air

  

 Modeling his FuzziBunz diapers

 Our prize for going #2 in the potty! So proud!

  

Our sweet, content little boy!

2 Weeks

We can't believe that today marks 2 weeks for baby Owen! We had a great check-up with our midwives on Monday and found that Owen had gained another 6oz since his appointment at the pediatrician on Wednesday. He was 8lbs 8oz, gaining more in two weeks than his big brother did and outweighing him!

A distinct difference for this boy is that he doesn't spit up!? Aaden had projectile spit ups from almost day one and his little brother only occasionally gurgles up a little if he's eaten too much. What a nice change. Another difference is his ability to grunt! Aaden whimpered and cried to get our attention. Owen grunts like an old man to call attention to himself, only occasionally letting out a few cries if he's super uncomfortable. The trick to making this kid happy, is to jiggle him a little or pat him on the back. He also LOVES being kissed too. He enjoys watching you kiss his cheeks and even wiggles out a smile (with his mom's double dimples) if you kiss him on the mouth. He's a great nurser and enjoys sleeping in his car carrier at night as we've found that it helps him, resulting in regularly sleeping 4+ hours at night. All-in-all we have another super content, happy little boy and are so thankful.

Here are a few snapshots of his first full bath at the end of last week:

 A few cries to start

 Then settled right in

Seems like we're going to have another thumb sucker, he's always trying to get his thumb in his mouth. Mom's thumb tastes pretty good too.

A few photos from our day today. I've taken to calling him my little dolly, with his big (currently) blue eyes always gazing at me. This morning he was super content to just chat with me on the bed while his big brother played cars on the floor and occasionally came to offer kisses. Aaden loves his brother and is always making sure he shows it!

 Almost got a grin out of him. The dimples show up in both cheeks!

 Mt. Blankie makes a good parking garage for his bazillion Hot Wheels.

Love you baby Owen!