Oh! Oh! Oh!

Dear Owen and Audrey,

As tired as I was last night, I couldn't stop thinking about the two of you and the wonderful days that we all had together.

Owen, you are such a loving and gentle spirit. I loved the moments when you would go and give your sister a hug and ask very sweetly: "Are you okay, Audrey?". You showed the same concern for the grandmas as you asked: "Are you happy, Grammie/Mimi?". You especially did this if you did something that you knew we may not have approved of. You are quite the charmer! (just a little warning to all of you 2 yr. old girls out there who may fall under his spell one day!)

Now, that being said, you are also "all BOY"! Your energy level is beyond this creaky, old, worn out Grammie's comprehension. You can run around almost non-stop....and then run some more. I watched as you "zoomed" your little toy cars along the hardwood floors...got up....ran to the other side of the room...and did it all again. It made me tired just watching you. (I did learn that the getting down on the floor with you wasn't difficult---it was the getting UP again that I struggled with!! *groan**)

Owen, the "Greemies" were amazed by your sharp mind and your incredible memory. If we mentioned that you could have some hot cocoa and marshmallows the next day....YOU remembered the minute that the next day started. You didn't forget a thing!!

Your mastery over words never ceased to surprise us...especially your rhyming skills...you loved doing that over and over again! Sometimes you would say something that seemed way beyond your two years and 5 months on this earth. Mimi and I would just smile as we both claimed which side of the family that intellect came from...ha ha.

I loved as you picked out your friends (stuffed animals) that would join you in bed at night. Most of the time these included, Big Mickey (Mouse), little Mickey, little Minnie, and Eddie, the elephant. As we read stories to the group of you and then tucked you in with your Thomas, the train blanket....and said "good-night" you would peacefully go off to sleep (HA!!). Not exactly... as you would then begin to ask for a drink of water....another moment of our time....etc. etc. etc. As we would tip-toe out of your room very quietly....we would hear you calling our names again and again. Truth be told, it was kind of nice having another little moment with you...but, eventually you caught on that Grammie and Mimi weren't going to continue to come back in to your room...(eventually!) : )

Audrey, Audrey....what can I say about you? First of all, you love, love, love to eat! Not only do you enjoy the food going into your mouth...but, you enjoy smushing it around your high chair tray...getting it into those chubby little fingers of yours and then rubbing it in your hair--on your face, etc. etc. Then, you would look up at us with those gorgeous blue eyes of yours, crinkle up your nose and give us the biggest smile! Covered in oatmeal or applesauce or peas or sweet potatoes--- your grin just melted our hearts.

You are such a happy and content baby...and, you seem to have gotten used to your big brothers enthusiasm and noise level. You can sit up and play on your own for quite a while as you explore the world around you. And, when you giggle....oh, be still my heart.

You are trying so hard to crawl forward and the Greemies think that you are just days away from a full-fledged crawl. Right now you can crawl backwards, sit up, and then crawl backwards again...but, as soon as you can get your "gear" out of "reverse"...watch out! You are going to be a force to be reckoned with!

Mimi and I were amazed as we watched you kick those adorable pudgy (thunder thighs!) legs of yours back and forth with unrestrained joy! Your arms would flail all around and the legs would begin to go...and go...and go....When I held you on my lap, you loved to stand up with my help and just do knee bends over and over again. Such enthusiasm, zest, and strength.

Your observation skills are so sharp...you don't miss a thing. In fact, we had to make sure and give you your bottles in a quiet room away from all of the action, or you couldn't concentrate on the job at hand. Those quiet moments in your room, feeding you the last bottle of the day...and, rocking you slowly on the rocking chair....you would wrap your fingers around one of mine....and I would watch you fight sleep as those sweet eyes of yours would flutter until you couldn't keep them open another second more. I held you until you drifted off into a deep sleep....gave you a kiss.....placed you in your crib and said "good-night"...*sigh*

Thank your Mommy and Daddy for entrusting us with their most precious possessions...the two of you.

I love you both with all of my heart...and can't wait to see you in April when you all come to visit. I'm counting the days....

XOXO,

Your Grammie