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- Owen (2 days old)
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- Owen, age 5 (Mother’s Day ’08)
Not to be too cheesy, but Owen “completes me”, as the famous quote from Jerry Maguire goes. He is no ordinary 5-yr. old. At age 2.5 he become a big brother. Not so unusual. However just one year later at age 3, he was the big brother to 3 adoring siblings. I recall during the twin pregnancy wondering how on earth he would adjust and cope. I knew Colin would be fine as he was too young to know any better….God love Colin. But Owen had soaked in every minute of his first 2.5 years of being our one and only. He struggled a bit through the transition of bringing Colin home from the hospital, so what was I going to be in for?
He adjusted so well. So well, in fact, that he has become my official helper and partner to making life tick in the Spuler household. This story is just an example of the special boy I will be missing for 8 long hours each day come September 18….
-The twins had to be only 2 or 3 months old. I know it was early on, because I was so tired that each morning I felt I had a hangover. Rough nights of nursing twins often led to mornings of 2 babies crying and I was completely tuned out and couldn’t hear them. Jonathan would nearly have to put an ice cube on my nose to get me to come to! Well….this particular morning Jonathan and I heard something coming form the monitor that didn’t sound like a baby…..it was Owen! We listened for a few minutes but all we could hear was some jumping and talking. Then jumping and some more talking. And again…..and so it went. The twins sounded content, but I thought it was time to go and see what was going on. Owen, being the problem solver that he is, had found my nursing footstool and was dragging it back and forth from Emma’s crib to Ethan’s crib. He would stand on the stool, give the baby his or her pacifier, and talk baby talk with the baby until the other baby cried and beckoned his attention. He’d jump down (that was the thud we kept hearing), drag the footstool across the room, and begin the routine all over again with the next baby! Too cute! I stood for a minute and watched…..Owen was unaware i had awaken. Suddenly, both babies were crying and he seemed flustered. Owen yelled out – “Mommy, I’m going to need your help! It’s tough taking care of 2 babies! I just can’t do it!”
So at 4 years old he thought it was his job to keep his siblings contect and happy! No matter how many times I’ve talked with him that it is NOT his job to keep ANYONE happy….he says “Mom, God made me the big brother! It is my job to take care of them. Seriously Mom.” So I am thankful for this sense of responsibility that God has given him – it’s certainly no result of our training! I wouldn’t have been so smart!! So yeah God. He’s always got a plan.
So here’s hoping that Owen will feel free to just be a kid as he heads off to school, and that he’ll leave the great responsiblity of being a big brother at home. And here’s to hoping and praying Colin will learn how to fill sippy cups, search for missing pacifiers, do a song and dance in a moment’s notice….simply ANYTHING to help Mommy keep the twins under control. It will be a special year with Colin and to see him blossom and grow as he is given the opportunity to shine. Can’t wait to report a successful transition soon.
I’m also praying for you as your families begin a new year too. I’m thinking of my cousin Kim who also has 4, but is sending her oldest to college; of Penni and Stephen Pinegar who have entrusted us with their oldest daugher Stephanie who is going to college in Orlando; for my sister Angie who is HOMESCHOOLING for the first time!!!! Actually, let’s just all pray for ANGIE!!! Ha ha – she’ll be great! I believe God is going to give each of us the grace and knowledge we need to navigate through a successful year for our families. Keep me posted how things go for your kids.
Oh, Owen! How can he be going to KINDERGARTEN? *sniff*
Such a big sweet boy!!
Oh this is great! Owen will LOVE Kindergarten that’s for sure. I remember crying when Jonah went to K and now that its Noel’s turn I’m feeling guilty for not being as emotional.
I guess because there is so much going on right now, (only Jenni can truly know how much) I am distracted by it all. Noel is so confident and because this is my 2nd go round at this, I guess I don’t worry. Anyway, all that to say that I enjoy your blogs even though I talk to you every day!!!!!! love you Happy Birthday!!! You are awesome.
this is so sweet. i love sweet owen! everyone keeps coming up to Liam and saying “hello Owen” it just makes me smile and think of O when he was this little. he had 8 spulers adoring everything that he did
good luck with the transition. i feel emotional thinking about pre-school with Gavin (which won’t be for another year) so i can only imagine kindergarten!! love you!
I can’t believe our oldest are already starting school. Abby started this week and adapted amazingly well!!!! Her teacher sent me an e-mail after the first day to say that Abby is so social. Can you believe that? Wonder who she gets that from? She is having the time of her life as I know Owen will. He will just soar to new hights and the sky is the limit with him!!! It will be so much fun to sit back and watch what he becomes!!! Abby says good luck Owen and she can’t wait to see you again sometime real soon!!!! Love You and Happy late B-Day. Hope you got my text. Had church last night and new routine is still pretty crazy!
Jenni, I remember Benjamin’s first day like it was yesterday. His classroom was at the end of the hall and the walk toward it felt eternal. The hall seemed to stretch out like a special effect in a movie.
Nicholas waited by the window all day asking when Benjamin would come home. He missed his best friend! It was a perfectly awful day… Fast-forward all these years and now I am sending my boy, who grew up all too fast, off to college. It’s a good thing, but hard on a momma’s heart.
Blessings on your precious family. You are a great mom – I love hearing all about what’s going on with your fam through the aunt-network and now your blog! Can’t wait to see you all next month!
Much love – K