Is this friggin' cute...

or what!?This is Owen's birthday present! When I was little I had a jack-in-the-box. And it scared/startled me everytime it popped up. So I decided Owen had to have a JITB too. While I was searching the internet for one I came across this one and being that I LOVE gnomes and O was a gnome for Halloween this is the JITB he had to have. It's metal with a cute little crank just like a JITB ought to be. Not plastic. And it plays the classic JITB song. Pop Goes the Weasel. Which now that I think about it, that song can't be good. Like ring around the rosy. So now I'm going to have to find out what that song is really about.

So in seven days my little baby is going to be one. I can't believe it. This year has gone so fast. Exactly one year ago today was my last day of teaching. Owen and I went down to see The Girls and have lunch on Wednesday. It was nice to visit but I don't miss it. I like being with Owen. Friday we went and had lunch with my mom and sister at their work. So we get out as much as we can. It's been so nice here that we've been going to the park to swing and playing outside in the afternoon while we wait for my sister to come or for Morgan to get home. Owen is loving being outside. He's really into leaves and sticks! Yesterday I brought out some toys but he was mostly interested in filling up this bowl with leaves and then I gave him a stick and he was stirring them a bit.

It's amazing how much being a mommy can change your life. Everyday I marvel at how he's growing and changing and developing. It seems like he is more expressive everyday and it's fascinating to watch. It makes me sad that not all children and loved and cared for the way Owen is. That not all children come into the world loved and wanted. That has always saddened me, but more so now and in a more profound way, now that I am a mother. There are so many people longing for children but people who can't or won't care for their children don't give them up to people who can. And I find myself wondering how I can protect Owen from the scary things in our world but educate him about them too. So many, many things that we are responsible for as parents. It's a good thing parenthood is a journey just like childhood! So much learning and growing to do!