Chores

Since I have returned to work, Jake has become part time stay at home dad. 
But really, he has DOUBLE duty on the days that he has Trent.

note-triple duty (Gracie must still go too!)

Chores must still be done.

But don't worry, Trent definately got his daddys blood.
He is a lover of animals and the outdoors.
So, he like chores!

(for now.....)

Not ME Monday!

I have not stolen borrowed my sons "Baby Aquaphor Ointment" for use on my own hands.

I did not put hair gel in my 6 month olds hair for his pictures with Santa. (and for anyone that also would never do this.....it doesn't really work on baby fine hair....not that I would know or anything.....)

I did not put my son in bed with me when he woke at 5am twice last week just so I could get another hour of sleep. (I would never start that habit now.....)

Man, it is a good thing I never do these things!

Love, The RockinRyans

Just in time....

For two weeks in a row the three of us have sat together through an entire church service! No crying, no screaming and no frantic stressed parents!
YIIPPEEE!! It is so nice to be together during this time, but don't get me wrong.....I didn't say anything about not MOVING! Jake and I are jungle gyms the entire time and there must be lots of quiet entertainment provided. As soon as crawling begins we will not be able to contain him...time for the nursery!

This new found fondness tolerance of church comes just in time for Christmas Eve service. We are looking forward to a special service together as a new family on this special night.

Love, The RockinRyans

Apples

Yammy!

"Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.” Colossians 2:7 (NLT)YUMMY! Yams for the first time!

Nothing like sitting around in your underwear after a big meal!
What a great first Thanksgiving!
Love, The RockinRyans

OK!

Well, I guess that I could make this private somehow, but that seems like lots of work. So, because I like easy I will leave the blog open and continue. If people from around the world want to see my little man....let them!

Since his birth, Trent has been defined by his hair. And his fussiness. Six days of the week he is much better, happy, smiling, laughing. Then we get to Sunday. It is like he senses church from 40 miles away. He gets grumpy before we are even dressed. Usually we can sit in church until the sermon, then we have to get up and walk or go into the cry room. Yesterday was no different. He started screaming before we even got inside! We went immediately to the cry room, not even attempting to sit in church. He screamed pretty much the entire service. After church he was fine. We went to lunch, fine, no screaming, just smiling. Hmmmm. Do you think this is a coincidence? How can it be? Do you think he schemes and plots his plan of church attack? No not him......

After a stress filled morning he got his bath. This is Trents hair after a bath.

I think he is more like the "Mad Scientist". Scheming, plotting, concocting his next plan of attack......watch out!

He may be thinking about you next!
Love, The RockinRyans

To Blog or Not to Blog....

I am a child of the 80's. I am not technologically savvy. I learned to type on a typewriter. When away at college my family and friends actually sent me letters that I received in an actual mail box on actual paper. (That was always the best part of my day! I bet college kids never even check their "snail mail" box anymore!)

It is fun to keep family and friends updated on Trent with pictures and information. But has blogging gone too far? Does everyone really need to hear how great our husbands are? How advanced our children are? That we went to the grocery store that day?

I started this blog for family and friends, last time I checked I know no one that lives in Australia or Hong Kong. Last week I added the ability to list who looked at my blog. I expected to see Wichita, KC, or maybe even Montana, but not Ancona, Marche . WHAT, where in the heck is that?

So, I feel our life is a little invaded. Maybe I am just too old for all this "share your life" stuff. Yet I want my family to see Trent grow!

Oh what to do........I am sure when Trent is older, he is going to think I am the biggest geek, being a child of the 80's and all!

Love, maybe for the last time...The RockinRyans

Toes

Trent is getting to my favorite baby stage! Lots of smiling and giggles. Trying to move, discovering the world around him. But two of my very favorite things are when he lays in his crib by himself after waking and "talks" to himself and his discovery of his toes. He actually found them about a month ago, but when he is in his crib talking to himself he is also playing with his toes. For some reason this has always been one of my favorite baby poses! Alas, whenever I try to capture this pose on film he immediately drops his legs, stops smiling and "freezes" with a very serious look. Well, I finally got a pic with the toes up, maybe the smile will stay longer next time!

Love, The Rockin Ryans

Step 4-

Collect lots of yummy candy!

And share your candy and fun with family and friends!!

See ya next year!!

Step 3-

Get GROOVED out!*

If you like, you may carve your punkin' at this time. I chose to just look cute in front of mine!

*You MUST be awake for this part! It's so fun!!

How to have a great Halloween...

Step 2-
Make some yummmmmy carmeled apples. (Be sure to have teeth if you wish to try these)
(Oh, and dentures don't count!) *

Wrangle a black cat..............spoooooky!

*It is ok to completely sleep through this step!

Steelan

Another blog I have been following is by MckMama. She is an amazing photographer, strong Christian, devoted wife and mainly loving mother of four kids under the age of four. Her youngest, Steelan was born with SVT, an abnormality of his heart. He turns one tomorrow and was hospitalized last night with a severe case of SVT. She is updating on her blog and via twitter asking for prayers from everyone. Here is the link to see pics of little Steelan and get updates on how he is doing. Please pray for him!
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Love, therockinryans

Little Big Guy

4 month check up!

Trent is 14 lbs 6 oz (40th %til)
24 3/4 in long (50th %til)

I was shocked to find out that he wasn't in a higher percentile because everyone comments on how big he looks and he is wearing size 9-12m clothes! I find this a little confusing but it doesn't really matter because....

To me, he is perfect....my Little Big Guy!

Hello Punkin!

How to have a great Halloween.

Step one-
Go to Pumpkin Patch and pick a Punkin! *

*It is ok to nap during this process.

Helping Mama!

In a couple of weeks I will be starting my new job at Hays Medical Center! I will save you the details on the months of drama that lead up to the job change and just say that I am excited for the new position. I will be working part time for Anesthesiologist Associates of Hays (AAH) and be able to remain a part time SAHM. This is so great because I really love both jobs and didn't want to give up either one. This also gives Jake some great bonding time with Trent as he will be a part time SAHD! Anyway, leading up to the new job has been tons of paperwork....good thing I have lots of help!Oh, by the way, Trents clothes in this pic are size 12 months! The pants are a little long, but the onesie won't last much longer! His 4 month apt. is next week, we can't wait to see how much he weighs!
Love, rockinryans

Sydney Brooke

Sweet, tiny girl.

We can not wait to watch you grow.

We all love you, that you will know.

Our hearts you have already won.

Having you in our lives will be so much fun!

We love you Sydney!

Love, Uncle Jake, Aunt Kari and Trent

Cereal, take one!

I know I was a few weeks premature, but I just couldn't wait. I had to see Trent try cereal! I am hoping it will help with his reflux and we can get him off the Zantac. Here is what happened!

Happy Anniversary!

We have been married for a year....again! Last summer Jake and I renewed our vows at the beach in Atlantis. What an amazing time! We always have the best vacations together. It does make me a little sad looking back, but who knew our little one was already with us!




And how can I be sad when I see this!!

3 months old!

Finally!

Well, I have been wanting to start a blog since I became pregnant with Trent....here we are a year later......

I can't believe he is already 3 months old! It has been a difficult 3 months. He was a very fussy baby, basically 24/7 but what saved me was the fact that he did sleep well at night. Being a mom is so much more difficult than I ever imagined. I know everyone tells you it is hard, but nothing really prepares you for what is ahead. I always tease that I would have been a better mother at 16 than I am now, some days I think I am too old for this!

But now, 3 months later he is becoming such a fun little guy! His screams have been replaced with smiles and giggles. He can now hold up his head and wants to GO GO GO!! He loves the fact that he can be more independent in his Jumper and Bumbo seat. He still loves to be with mama though, loving the Moby wrap, watching me cook, clean or go for walks outside. Speaking of outside...he loves it!

I am so very thankful for wonderful family and friends that have held me up these last 3 months. I now understand the meaning of "It takes a village...". I am also so lucky to have an amazingly understanding, loving and supportive husband. He has been the rock to our crazy life during the last months. He is such a great daddy too! He has spent many days alone with Trent and does wonderfully.

Today's prayer request is for a little girl I have been following that has a brain tumor. Her name is Kate and she is only 5. She just began her second round of chemo this week. Her parents are amazing in the fact that this journey has brought them closer to God, not pushed them away. They are an amazing family, so please keep them in your prayers.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate