11 months old..

Owen turned 11 months old on Friday...

we're only one month away from the BIG birthday!

Owen has really started packing on the pounds. He weighed in last week at 21 lbs 2 oz, which put him in the 30th percentile for weight....he's moving on up, Yea! We're definitely going through clothes a lot faster theses days. He's also become "all boy" over the past month...he's walking everywhere, he's into everything, he loves throwing things, he loves hitting things, and he's climbing on anything and everything. I guess you could say the that he keeps Josh and I on our toes...we literally can't take our eyes off of him. We attempted the 11 month photo shoot, but as you can tell from the pictures...we weren't very successful at keeping him in one place for very long.

Things you're doing now...

• You're still wearing size 3 diapers but have moved up to 12 month clothes


• You now weigh 21 lbs 2 oz...which puts you in the 30th percentile for weight
• You are walking everywhere!!

• You got your top left tooth this month...so you now have 4 teeth (two on top and two on bottom)

• Your nutritionist increased your fat intake to 10 grams a day...so you've been trying a lot of new foods



• Your favorite foods are: bread, pasta pick ups, yogurt melts, and fat free fig newtons. Bread is by far your favorite...you would it for every meal if we would let you


• New foods you're eating: cereal bars, hot dogs (98% fat free and cut up really small), cheese toast (fat free cheese), eggs (egg beaters), toast with jelly, pancakes, chicken, applesauce, rice, yogurt, and bananas.

• You're not a fan of noodles...we've tired all different kinds, but you just spit them all out


• You prefer to feed yourself...you spit out everything that mommy and daddy feed you


• You still yell at mommy and daddy if we don't get your food to you fast enough...so we've started teaching you how to sign "more"


• You still love bath time and have learned how to splash really big


• You love playing with balls and have mastered throwing them

• You've started pointing at everything...this helps mommy and daddy figure out what you want
• You've started going to Teeny Tiny Tims on Wednesday nights...it's fun for mommy and daddy to see you interacting with the other kids

• You still LOVE your paci...daddy says we're going to start leaving it in the bed when you turn one...this will be a big adjustment

• You've become really dramatic lately and have learned how to throw fits when you don't get your way...I hope we get through this phase soon


• You love playing with Honey...she is so good with you!

• You have become really attached to mom and daddy over the past week...I think it's because you're trying to cut three teeth right now

• You had your first TV debut last week....Channel 5 news was doing a story on your daycare and they showed you on TV playing with Ms. Toshia

• You're really on the move now and like to get into everything....we have a big play area set up for you in the living room, but you prefer to get into the kitchen drawers, pull the picture frames off the shelves, or go into the laundry room

• You babble all the time and say dadadada for almost everything



• Your favorite toys right now are...balls (any type), your cookie shape surprise, your dunk and cheer basketball goal, and your baseball tee


• You have become be buds with Emmie at daycare...I think she might be your first crush. It's so cute to see ya'll greet each other every morning

• You are a very curious and observant little guy

• You've started getting up on your tip toes and reaching for the door handles, but thankfully you're still a little too short to reach them

More on Ukraine....

I am excited to announce that our Therapy Missions to Ukraine are now officially a part of 99 Balloons. 99 Balloons is a non-profit organization here in Northwest Arkansas that was started to celebrate the life of Eliot Mooney.
Eliot was born with an undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell of his body. However, that could not stop the living God from proclaiming Himself through this boy who never uttered a word. In the midst of heartbreaking tragedy, the Mooney family found the presence of God strengthening, comforting, and guiding them. Their story reminds us to seek God and endure our struggles rather than blame Him for our hardships.




We are so excited that God has brought us together and can't wait to see what He has planned for us!

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you can now go to 99Balloons.org. All monetary donations will help us purchase specialized items and supplies needed to build adaptive equipment (standers, corner chairs, etc) for the special needs children in the orphanages and hospital.


If you are interested in donating supplies, we have a detailed Supply List at http://www.sammonspreston.com/. The Supply List is named Ukraine April 2010.
User ID : Team Ukraine
Password : april2010

Weekend Festivities

A relaxing weekend...Finally! It's seems like we've been going non-stop lately, so it was nice to spend a weekend at home with nothing to do.

Saturday morning, we decided to experiment with Owen's menu. As most of you know, Owen is on a very strict low fat diet because of his diagnosis of VLCAD. His metabolic nutritionist recently changed his allowable fat intake to 10 grams a day, which was very exciting because up til this point he was only allowed 2 grams of fat per day. So, on Saturday morning we tried low fat blueberry pancakes...and Owen LOVED them!

For those of you who are wondering how to make low-fat pancakes...we used the Heart Smart Bisquick, skim milk (0 fat), egg beaters (0 fat), and fat-free Promise butter. And instead of greasing the griddle, we sprayed it with Smart Balance Omega non stick cooking spray.

After a short nap, Owen and I headed out for a little shopping with Cassady and Layla. We went to OOPS, the most random store in Northwest Arkansas. It's like a TJ max on steroids...one minute your looking at area rugs and the next minute your looking at a statue, food, greenery, lamps, or a water hose...You never know what you're going to find at OOPS. They also have the biggest rocking chair I've ever seen...so of course I had to take a picture.

Valentines

Owen got his first valentine from his girlfriend at daycare..Emmie! Owen and Emmie are the oldest ones in their class, so they do everything together. It so funny to see them playing and interacting together. Owen is definitely a little flirt...I think we're going to be in trouble when he gets older! ha!

This is Owen sporting "the LADIES love ME" shirt! My secret sis at work gave this to me for Valentines...is it not the cutest?!?

A family pic before church

We had a very relaxing Valentines Day. Josh suprised me with a delicious breakfast in bed..it was a great way to start the day! I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful husband! Owen was also suprised when we woke him up with a Valentines Day present. He didn't seem understand what was going on, but love playing with the tissue paper and getting new toys.

Owen and "Many Kisses Elmo"

Owen discovered a babydoll a few weeks ago at a friends house...and he loved it! However, Josh was not a big fan of his little BOY play with a babydoll, so we compromised and got him a "many kisses Elmo". I think he liked it just as much!

Ukraine Mission...

The TEAM has had the opportunity to work with the special needs children at one orphanage during each mission trip to Ukraine. Over the years, changes have been made, new techniques have been implemented, and the children have been given new opportunities. It is so exciting to see that the TEAM's work in Urkaine is making a difference. This year, we will have the opportunity to visit additional orphanages, a regional hospital, and a clinic that works with special needs children. Check out this video from last year's mission trip...

Ukraine Orphans & Special Needs from Jim Evans on Vimeo.

Therapist casting a little boy at the orphanage for braces..

Ukraine...Ways to Help

April is approaching fast and our group has been busy with all the preparations. Word of our trip has gotten out around Ukraine and a clinic that treats children with Cerebral Palsy, motor delays, and orthopedic issues has asked us to come help there as well. This is very exciting and will allow us to reach other special needs children in Ukraine.

If you are interested in helping with our upcoming mission trip to Ukraine, please click on the flier below. It has specifics on what supplies are needed as well as how to make a monetary donation.



**If you are interested in donating supplies, we have a detailed Wish List Registry at Wal-Mart. To locate the registry on Wal-Mart's website please search by:


First Name: Ukraine
Last Name: Team
Month: April
State: Arkansas


Here are some of the kiddos we have met on past mission trips to Ukraine...

If you want to learn more about our Therapy Mission Trip to Ukraine please read my other post UkraineBound and UkraineAdoptions.

Ukraine Adoptions...

Our Ukraine Adoption Story from Amanda Clark on Vimeo.

rEcess and Family Night

Last Friday night was rEcess and Family Game Night at Owen's daycare. For those of you who don't know, rEcess is a parent's night out for kids with disabilities. It's the first Friday night of the month and it's always a great time for the kids and volunteers. This month's theme was Valentines...it was a fun filled night with crafts, music, toys, games, a movie, and much more.

Large Group...

Ethan, Lena, and Miah collecting prizes...

Kate and Caroline

This was our first time to attend Family Game Night at Owen's daycare. They had a variety of games and activities set up in each room including bowling, musical instruments, face painting, fishing, pie throwing and much more. Owen was a little too young to participate in all the games, but that didn't stop him from trying. I think his favorite activity was bowling...he like knocking over the pins with the ball, his head, his foot, his hands, and his bottom. It was pretty funny to watch!

Learning how to bowl with a soccer ball...

This picture is not very clear but he had

so much fun playing with this ball

This is the lucky teacher that got

to be the target for all the pies...