Owen Learns Anatomy!

Owen Walks

It's a BOY!

We found out today that baby #2 is a BOY! We are so thrilled that Owen will have a brother who can be his best friend! Now we just need a name for this little guy....!

Fun Filled Florida Weekend!

We spent a few hours on Saturday at Manatee Beach. It was close to 80 degrees and Owen was lovin' it!

He spent some time pushing the ball around and chasing it himself...he needs a brother or sister to play with him!

This boy LOVES cars, tractors, and trucks!

"Monkey" goes with Owen everywhere! (Yes, "Monkey" was washed when we got home!)

Sunday we took the boat out on the Lake! It was Owen's first boat ride! He enjoyed it for the most part...he just wasn't very comfy in his life jacket.
Here he is driving the boat while operating the Fish Finder...Like Father like Son!

Again, the boy LOVES playing with cars! He even makes all the car noises too!



When we got home from the lake we played in the wagon! Joe pushed us down the driveway! I was obviously enjoying this a little more than Owen!

Two

November was a fun month. We had lots of company and stayed very busy with a crawling baby, so I didn't pay much attention to the fact that I was tired at 9:00pm. Then Joe took notice that every time we went to run errands, I had to use the restroom at each place we visited. Hummmmm?? So I thought, "maybe I'm pregnant" "Nahhh." Joe would say. So to put an end to the mystery I took a pregnancy test. 3 minutes later, one line, it was Negative. We were completely content. We weren't trying for another baby, we would prefer a little larger of a gap between Owen and #2.
So a week or two goes by. We enjoy more company, play tackle football on the beach, ya know the usual. Then I thought, "wait, I think I feel that stretching pain that I felt when I was pregnant with Owen and I think I'm "late". So...we decide I should take another pregnancy test to "put our minds at ease". 1 minute later, 2 lines, PREGNANT, with baby #2! It took 2 tests and 2 lines before we knew we're gonna have 2 kids! Shock! Really? How far a part will they be? Seriously? Owen's gonna be a big brother? No! For real?
Looking back, I'm not exactly sure why we were so shocked...all the signs were there! We told our family when they visited for Thanksgiving and then shared the news with some close friends this past weekend at a game night. I think that helped make it seem more real. We're going to have 2 kids...17 months a part. I know women have done it before, and I know several women who have kids even closer in age...I just never thought it would be me!
We're beginning to get excited. Seeing my great friends Emily and Wendell's 3 month old baby girl recently reminded me of how sweet, innocent, and adorable little ones are!
At my 12 week appointment today Owen and I got to hear #2's heartbeat. So sweet! Before I could even ask what the heart rate was (to "determine" if he/she is more likely to be a boy or girl) the Dr. exclaimed "Oh! The heart rate's 160...ITS A GIRL!" At that very moment, as if on cue Owen started to cry! I'm not kidding! It was too funny!
For those who are confused by the gender determination based on the heart rate check this out:
As the old wives' tale has it, if your unborn baby's heart rate is higher, above 140 beats per minute, that means you're carrying a girl. A lower heart rate below 140 bpm means you're having a boy.
I suppose the key words here are "old wives' tale". It's not completely accurate...what shocked me was the Dr. said a girl is her prediction! I usually believe what my Dr. says!
Obviously, Joe and I would be extremely pleased with any healthy baby...boy or girl! BUT, we would prefer a boy. We would love for Owen to have a lil' brother who he can be super close to, and we would really love for Matt and Elise (Joe's brother and wife) to have the first girl (it would be exciting for them, and we're not sure if we want that attention :-) BUT, obviously having a girl would be fun because it would be different. Who knows!!! I suppose this news helps me to become content with either a boy or a girl! The great news is, is we don't have to go much longer without knowing for sure...we have our 4D gender determination ultrasound scheduled for January 28th...less than 3 weeks away! We'll keep you posted! In the mean time, please keep Baby Graziano #2 in your prayers! :-) He/She is due July 19, 2010!

Christmas has come and gone

I love Christmas time, and I am always sad to see it go! I must say this Christmas season was very different than the past, both better and a little more difficult.
It was great having Owen to share in Christmas traditions. As a family we continued several traditions from our past but we also included many new traditions-all focusing on Christ and His birth! One of our favorite Christmas moments was attending the Christmas Eve service with the Tomlinsons. We loved it for many reasons, but mainly because it was so much fun having Owen with us in the service! He was mesmerized by the music, lights, and especially the flickering candles at the conclusion of the service. I really loved it because Owen was especially snuggling that evening. So sweet!


Our Original plan for Christmas day was to wake up, have our "Happy Birthday Jesus" party, open presents and just take the day easy. BUT, after opening the presents, we decided we would rather go ahead and head up to GA, instead of leaving the following morning (at 4am). Our new plan to leave Christmas day, had us arrive at my parents around 9:30pm. Not too bad! Owen did great in the car! We were a little worried since he is much more active than he was the last time we traveled. His big Christmas present was a portable DVD player for the car. We decided this would be a good investment since we'll probably be traveling a lot. Our plan is that the DVD player will only be used for long trips...that's the goal! :-)


We spent several days with my parents where Owen was spoiled with love and gifts from his Grammy, Pops, Aunt Sissy, and Uncle Adam! Owen loves it all!



Then we headed up to TN to spend time with Joe's family. Once again Owen was loved on like crazy and got some really great gifts! Owen says "Thanks!" to his Grams, Gramps, Uncle Matt, Aunt Elise, Uncle Nick, Uncle Sam, Great Noonee, Great Pappa, and Great Aunt Lisa. The day we left TN we actually got to see snow! So fun!



The day before we left for home we were able to spend some much needed time with old friends! It was great to get together at the usual spot, The Brewton's house, and just have a fun time laughing, eating, and playing games! We miss our GA friends so much, but we are extremely thankful for our new FL friends!

Although the trip was fun, Joe and I have decided it was a little too long for a young family. I suppose the guilt of moving away influenced our decision to make it such a long trip, but thankfully we have a supportive family who understands too well the stress of traveling during the holidays. We're already planning what we'll do next year...it should be a little easier though because Matt and Elise should be living in GA and can hopefully host the Graziano Christmas! That should be so much fun for Elise! She deserves that!! :-)

2010 should be a great year! We'll get to experience winter and spring here in Fl, which I assume will be very different than GA, we'll celebrate Owen's 1st B-day, and we'll welcome Baby #2 in July! I'm not really making any New Year's resolutions...it's pretty much the same every year...Live a life that glorifies God to the fullest. Happy New Year!

Owen is 10 months young!

Wow! I can't believe he's hit double digits! He's gonna be a year old before we know it! How does that happen?! These past 10 months have flown by! And I can't believe we've lived in FL now for 6 months! Time truly does fly!
Here are a few Owen updates:
-He's eating more and more "grown up" food. Today we shared chicken nuggets for lunch! I think one of his favorite times of the day is when he shares a snack with his Daddy when he gets home from work. They usually enjoy crackers, apples, or a banana!
-He really knows what he's saying! He's been saying Mama and Dada for several months now, but now he's made the connection! When I get him from his nap he immediately says "Mama!" and as soon as Joe gets home from work he says "Dada"! He melts our heart!
-Pray for us. The mini tantrums have continued. If his toy car doesn't do exactly what he wants, he grunts (he seriously sounds like a lil' monster) and then he throws his car violently! I seriously have my work cut out for me!
-He's still not walking independently but it's still his favorite thing to practice! Thanks to our dear friend Beverly, he now has a walker!!! WAHOO! Thanks Bev!
-He does not like Christmas trees! I tried to get him to touch and smell a real one at Lowes and his little legs squeezed me and he nearly broke his back trying to lean away from it!! Not completely a bad thing though because he hasn't gone near ours!
-He continues to love baths, rides in his wagon, chasing his puppy, being chased by his mommy and daddy, being spun in circles, pushing and kicking any toys or loud objects, and so much more!
-His Grammy gave him a singing and dancing reindeer when she visited before Thanksgiving. He loves it! While she was here she taught him how to push the tiny button on the reindeer's foot to start and stop the loud music! It's so cute!!
-If on Thanksgiving Owen could have stated what he is most thankful for, Joe and I believe he would have said :
-His Mama and Dada
-His grandparents, great grandparents, great great grandfather, aunts, uncles,
cousins, and Roxy (our dog)
-His Monkey
-Chippys
-Bath time
-And loud toys!

I guess that's enough updates for now! I'm a proud mom...can you tell?! :-)

To those who have young children...can you suggest any must have toys for our almost one year old? There's so many cool (and expensive) toys out there and we need a little help narrowing down his Christmas and Birthday gifts! Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

The Beach

Crawling at The Beach

Owen Loves His Monkey!