The Middle

Nippon chose Rowan's middle name, Ekaa.

It is another name for the goddess Durga.

I love the way her name flows together....Rowan Ekaa Rath.

Such a strong name!

The Name

The name "rowan" is derived from the Old Norse name for the tree, raun. Linguists believe that the Norse name is ultimately derived from a proto-Germanic word *raudnian meaning "getting red" and which referred to the red foliage and red berries in the autumn. Rowan is one of the familiar wild trees in the British Isles, and has acquired numerous English folk names. The following are recorded folk names for the rowan: Delight of the eye (Luisliu), Mountain ash, Quickbane, Quickbeam, Quicken (tree), Quickenbeam, Ran tree, Roan tree, Roden-quicken, Roden-quicken-royan, Round wood, Round tree, Royne tree, Rune tree, Sorb apple, Thor's helper, Whispering tree, Whitty, Wicken-tree, Wiggin, Wiggy, Wiky, Witch wood, Witchbane, Witchen, Witchen Wittern tree. Many of these can be easily linked to the mythology and folklore surrounding the tree. In Gaelic, it is caorann, or rudha-an ("red one", pronounced similarly to English "rowan").

Half a Year

WAIT just a second! Is this really true?!?! Has 6 months come and gone so fast!?

Rowan is the loveliest of babies. She has endless eyelashes, petite everything, and the best laugh. It's hard to get more than a quick giggle out of her but when you get that full-on laughter it is absolutely the greatest of all sounds. She is now sleeping in her own bed (big thanks to Kimberlee Krok on that one!) and is only waking 1-2 times a night! Ok, so she does have some nights where she wakes up more than that (like last night and the night before) but it's a work in progress. I'm just happy to have my bed back and a bit more sleep. Now that she is in her own room she is taking better naps too, which frees me up to do fun things such as cleaning, laundry, and giving extra attention to Afton. (I might even sneak in a movie, or at least part of one.)

She is getting so active but isn't mobile, which totally frustrates her, so we got her a Jumperoo. It frees up my hands and she gets her wiggles out. She can really bounce high in that thing!

This another example of how different my two kids are. Afton, as a baby, was content to roll around on the floor without any added stimulation. If Rowan is not being held she MUST have something to chew on, make a noise, flash a light, or interact with her or there's tears. It's going to be hard, I mean fun, keeping up with her.

First time in the big stroller! 

It doesn't look like she's impressed, but she did like the swing.

This is at an indoor play place Afton loves to go to (he went to their preschool before starting at Shoal Creek). Normally I wouldn't put my baby into a walker shared with who knows how many kids but she was so wiggly, wanting to get down and play with the big kids, that I went ahead (build up that immune system!). She LOVED it. Her little feet dangling and kicking.

Rowan weighs 13lbs. 7oz.

Her height is 24 1/2".

And her lil head is 40cm (3-5%).

FBI

Afton picked out an FBI play set with handcuffs, badge, aviator glasses (FBI requirement), and wrist watch at the dollar store.

Not sure I take him seriously when he says "freeze, put your hands up!"

30 More Questions

I asked Afton these same questions almost a year ago. Let's see how they've changed....

1. What is your favorite color? Green

2. What is your favorite toy? Pokemon toys and airplanes

3. What is your favorite animal? Giraffe

4. What is your favorite fruit? Apples

5. What is your favorite TV show? Bubbles Guppies or Pokemon (he couldn't decide)

6. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac N Cheese

7. What is your favorite game?  Candyland

8. What is your favorite snack? Chocolate Bread (same as last year!)

9. What is your favorite outfit? F-16 T-Shirt

10. What is your favorite song? Color Songs (he sings them at school)

11. What is your favorite book? Saffy the Giraffe

12. Who is your best friend? Enzo (neighbor)

13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride His Bike

15. What is your favorite drink? Fruit Punch

16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

17. What do you like to take to bed with you? Bs (his two stuffed bunnies)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bacon 

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Chocolate Cake

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? "Airplane Flyer for Southwest"

21. What makes you happy? His Stuffed Bunny

22. What makes you sad? When He Can't Find His Bunny

23. What makes you excited? New Pokemon Cards

24. What makes you mad?  Going to Time Out

25. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend? Going to the Aquarium

26. What is your favorite instrument? Guitar

27. What is your favorite sport? Tennis (true story, his favorite player is Djokovic)

28. What is your favorite thing to cook? Brownies

29. What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? Going Places (he had no specifics)

30. What things are you excited to do with your sister when she gets bigger? Play Hide and Seek

Safford N Snow

While we were in Safford we had to go up to Mount Graham and play in the snow.

It was snowing big fluffy flakes that catch in your eyelashes. 

Freezing, but so much fun!

Five

My gorgeous Rooey is five months old now.

She weighs in at 12lbs 14oz.

She is quite the giggler.

Loves the beach.

Only wants to be held by mommy, although sometimes she tolerates others.

Despises tummy time.

Is my lil Co-Sleeper.

Gobbles up bananas, avocado, peaches, mangoes, and pears.

Thinks rice cereal is blech.

Daddy makes her smile really REALLY big.

Cat-napper.

She can't get enough of bath time.

Finally has stopped screaming while in her carseat.

Wants to run and play with her brother and gets annoyed that she isn't mobile yet.

Got her first cold.

Happy 2013!!!

This little hat is from when Afton was born.

No Longer Three

My baby is no longer. I mean, the sound of 4 compared to 3 is huge. Or at least it is for me. Doesn't three sound so much younger than four? Anyway, the feel of four is different. Afton actually THINKS he is a big boy now. He even tries new things just because "I'm four now." It's pretty awesome. He has tried several new foods (at least one bite even if he doesn't like it) and doing more big boy things such as opening the door to let the cat in, using scissors and a glue gun, putting things in the trash for me, getting out his own drink from the refrigerator, and more. These are all things I am extremely excited about. Next are chores! Haha!!!

For Afton's birthday we celebrated twice. On Dec. 28th we went to the bowling alley in Safford and had fun bowling and eating pizza and cake with my side of the family (Nippon's parents were there as well. His dad, who has never bowled, got a spare!). It was so nice to see everyone and catch up. Afton had SO much fun and he got lots of really nice presents. Unfortunately I had too much fun and forgot to take a single picture. It was awesome though. 

For his actual birthday we were in Chandler and at the last minute decided to go to Peter Piper Pizza. Luckily we have fabulous friends and family that came and made it great. Thank you all for your support and super nice gifts. 

Holiday 2012

Yeah, it's February. I know. Better late than never, right?

Our Christmas was super fantastic! Afton was really REALLY into Christmas this year which made for a memorable Christmas morning. We decided to stay in San Diego for Christmas morning so that Santa could leave the kids presents at home and not make their parents have to haul them to another state. 

I woke up first with anticipation of Afton's response to Santa's arrival. When he came down the stairs he was dumbstruck. Seriously. He couldn't talk and actually froze. He just stared and stared. He couldn't believe that Santa had really come. It took convincing from Nippon and I for him to finally go inspect his gifts. I must say that Christmas is infinitely more fun with children. It's magical.

Of course the first thing he went for is this plush Poke Ball. It's like a Popple (anyone remember those?) in that when you open it and push it inside out it becomes a Pikachu (his favorite Pokemon).

This is the dumping of the stocking. In his hand is a pack of Pokemon cards. Have I mentioned he is obsessed with Pokemon? He is.

He had a lot of fun ripping.

Rowan had a lot of fun staring. At least she wasn't crying!

Nippon received an awesome Helle knife from Santa, or dagger as Afton refers to it as. I looked and looked but apparently I did not take a picture of his sweet knife with a walnut handle. But it is inside that tube. Promise.

Afton showing Rooey the book he got her.

And the big present! A bike. Just what Afton asked Santa for. He is getting really good at riding. I've loved watching him improve with every bike ride. He even makes it to the park and back (a little over a mile).

I received some gorgeous CZ earrings and an Apple TV, which I love because now I can watch Netflix in bed!!! Thank you Santa. :)