Winter Wonderland

About two weeks ago it snowed and I just had to take Owen outside! I mean, it was the first time he would ever see snow!!!! I put him in the warmest outfit he owns and his little hat and we ran out onto the back porch where I quickly snapped a few pictures and then we ran back inside, jumped into the bed and snuggled for about an hour!!!!
He wont remember how much fun it was but will!

Tadlock Christmas

We had our Tadlock Christmas tonight. We met at a great restaurant, Strawberry Cafe, in Madison and it was so nice because we had a reserved room. Now, if anyone doesn't know the Tadlock family very well, let me just say, we NEED a private room! We are a loud and rowdy bunch of people! I honestly believe we are secretly competing to see who can laugh the hardest and loudest!
After dinner we all came back to our house for dessert and presents. I haven't hosted a party at my house in a very long time so it was fun to have them all over. I think it was also really good for Owen because he was in his own home. We let him stay up to open gifts and he really got into it! Kelly and Ben got him this musical fish bowl with little balls that drop into the bowl and he just went nuts over that thing! It was so fun to watch him explore. He was a real trooper and stayed up until 10:30! Poor little guy! I am crossing my fingers that maybe, just MAYBE, he will sleep in a little later tomorrow.

Getting Started

So, many of you know I've been trying to set up a page so that my friends and family can see current pictures of my little Owen. I promise this will be the last change I'll make! You should be able to leave comments that will ONLY show up on this page instead being shared with every person on my mailing list!!!
I just started thinking one day about how much I enjoy seeing photos of your families and I thought this would be a great way to keep you all involved in our lives! I also thought it would be a great way to document Owen's milestones, etc.

I have TONS of new pictures that I need to download and will try to do that some time this weekend. Until then, I thought I would share a picture of Owen from October.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a very quite and calm event at the Tadlock house this year.
Kelly and Ben were in Tennessee and Michael and his beautiful bride, Courtney, spent the day with her family in Hattiesburg.
Mom set an extra place at the table and Dad placed a piece of paper on the empty plate with their names on it. It made me sad to see it.
That's the thing about big families - as they grows it gets harder and harder to all be together.

On the other hand, Thanksgiving at the Yount house was completely different! With six grandchildren six and under it doesn't take much to imagine what dinner was like! Let's see, there was Caitlin and Maddie in their matching hot pink leg warmers... Matthew putting his brother, Josh, "in jail" (???), Asher cruising along the edge of the coffee table and little Owen showing off his ability to sit up.... oh and one tiny, white kitty named Sassy desperately trying to hide from chubby little hands.... wow! Just recapping makes me tired!!!! Haha!

Even though both meals were complete polar opposites I had a wonderful time all day! I think having Owen in my life makes me so much more appreciative of my family. I mean, I've always loved them but I feel so deeply bonded to these two families now.

Ok.... I need a tissue now!

Shopping

Yesterday I met my dear friend Layla and her two daughters for a fun filled day of shopping!
I had my little assistant with me and I must admit, I was afraid we would only be able to stay out for a couple of hours. I met up with the girls at 11:00 am for lunch. Once our bellies were full (including Owen's) we headed over to Stein Mart. They girls were SO helpful! They took turns pushing the stroller and entertaining Owen. I honestly believe they are the reason he hung in there as long as he did! After touching every single item in Stein Mart we headed over to Ross Dress for Less and then ended our day at Hobby Lobby.

Owen and I got home just a little after 4 pm!!!! I was so proud of him! He was so good and I think we have many more shopping sprees in our future!

Bart asked me how many Christmas presents I bought.... uh..... I kind of forgot that was the whole point in the trip!

Looking Back

While I was sorting photographs to put on this site I got a little weepy! I knew Owen was tiny when he was born but I had forgotten how TINY!!!! When we left the hospital he was just 5 lbs 2 oz but he is a healthy 15 or so pounds now!

I also have video of him opening his eyes or stretching and in the video you can hear me comment on how proud I am of these actions! Last week he learned how to get up on his hands a knees and rock back and forth!

We have come a long way and I am looking forward to what is yet to come!