slumber party!

Last night daddy

had a guys night out

reminiscing about his good ole coaching

and teaching days.

So I had a date night with my boys.

I thought movie night would be fun

but I knew I had to make it special

because they would never

sit still for just a movie.

So we had a picnic in the living room,

which we have never done before.

Baby was given the go ahead to start eating solids.

I was so excited to start making baby food again!

Last week I bought a new food maker

and ran to the store for fresh yams.

I spent all afternoon making up fresh food for my little man.

Only to be fully disappointed.

I didn't like the results at all.

So they were tossed and I returned to the store

for processed baby food.

Sorry little guy, maybe I will try again with something different!

So he got to join in the picnic

this is how he felt about sweet potatoes!

We had a fun and special night together.

Guess what movie we watched?

This was his "really long hair".

He did "watch" most of the movie

especially when the singing and dancing parts were on.

But didn't sit still the entire time.

Even Gracie girl joined in on the fun!

Maybe next time daddy can join us!

love, the rockinryans

sleepity sleep sleep.....

Jake and I often talk about

"the good ole days."

Ya know,

the ones that included sleep.

I can't complain much,

baby sleeps 8-10 hours

and big guy is in bed 10,

but is a restless sleeper,

waking at least twice a night.

We go to him

because he is scared.

Unfortunately he has inherited the night terror and walking-in-his- sleep-gene.

We tried the "Big Boy" bed for a while.

He slept the same amount

but when he woke up we would find him

sitting in the middle of his room

or

opening my eyes to a cowboy hat in my face

hearing

"cowboy hat, here mommy!"

Uhhh, thanks but did you know it is 3am?

It gets exhausting being

interrupted in your sleep night after night.

But sometimes I sneak in a nap

if I am lucky enough for them to

sleep at the same time.

Plus, when we do finally peel open our eyes

and drink a pot of coffee

I see this

in our bed.

 And hear giggles

as big guy asks to

"cuddle with Sean".

I feel a rush of energy

and am excited to start our day together.

Big guy actually asked to go back in his crib.

I think he feels safe in there.

He can stay as long as he likes,

but we know he will always walk in his sleep.

And some day soon

we won't be able to drag them out of bed!

Here's to future rest!!

love, the rockinryans

p.s.~as I write this

baby is fast asleep

on my chest.

love love love it!

4months

15 lbs 7 oz (50th%til)

24 3/4 in. (10th%til)

How can you possibly be 4 months old

already?

You are such a joy.

Laughing and smiling so much

I have started calling you

"Mr. Smiley".

You have amazingly beautiful blue eyes

that capture my heart.

You get so excited your arms and legs fly,

you scream and squeal

you no longer want to lay still.

You really have no interest in trying to crawl
because

you want to stand all the time.

You love your Johny Jumper

and are a brave little man,

giggling hard at being tossed in the air.

Milk is no longer satisfying you.

8-10oz at a time

and you still grab for our food.

You are outgrowing 6month clothes rapidly.

If you hear big brother

you stop what ever you are doing

and watch him

grinning.

Daddy makes you laugh the hardest.

You love to cuddle with mommy.
But in the mornings
when you used to crawl in bed with me to sleep more,
you instead now crawl in bed to
talk and laugh and climb around on mommy and daddy.

Starting to put everything to your mouth

loving blankies and stuffed animals.

Rolling all the time,

onto your tummy in the night,

waking up mad

so mommy rolls you onto your back

you fall right to sleep again.

Speaking of sleep

you are good at it!

Your usual~

8 hours, waking to guzzle down a bottle,

then back to sleep for 2 more hours

or until big brother

climbs in bed with you,

but you like that

so you wake happy in the mornings.

One long nap during the day

is all you need.

Your brother taught you how to scream.

You love to do this

to get attention,

especially from girls!
Grabbing mommy's mouth and nose
while eating your bottle
is your new favorite hobby.
(Besides playing with your toes!)

These last four months have been
so wonderful
now that you are here.
We love you
and are so glad you are our family.
love, the rockinryans

Old Lady

It is hard to believe

our baby girl

will soon be 8 years old.

She was our first.

And for many years

our only.

She has had many changes in her life.

And adjusted well to them all.

She does get a little grumpy

with being tackled

by a two year old.

Who can blame her?

A few days ago big guy

gave her a huge bear hug,

tackling her to the floor.

To which she replied with a grunt and growl.

(her usual response to him, unless food is involved.)

I told him~

"Trent, please be careful, Gracie is an old lady!"

Later that night

big guy ran and tackled me,

in the process choking me and pulling at my hair.

I told him~

"Trent, please be careful!"

And his reply~

"Mommy old lady!"

Ahem.....

Anyway....

I thought we should do something nice for

our girl.

Because she often does get overlooked these days.

So we cooked up a batch of yummy doggie cookies.

It was like she knew they were for her.

And she did a great job at helping

to clean!

Big guy loved the fact that he was

making something special for Gracie.

He really loves her.

And she LOVED her cookies!

We even had enough left to

share with our doggie friend, Tank!

We love our Gracie girl!

love, the rockinryans

fly in batman

He waited all week

for the big Hays Fly-In.

All he talked about was airplane this

and firetruck that.

But shortly after climbing into this plane....

he started screaming and crying.

He would barely get close enough for a picture.

OK, I thought maybe he would like the firetrucks.

Nope.

He ran away quick

after this picture was snapped.

The super nice fireman

even talked to him

and tried to help him in.

Nope not gonna happen.

There was even helicopter rides!

Well, Mommy and Daddy

were even afraid of those!

We passed on that!

I do have to admit

it was HOT.

We thought that going early

we would maybe beat the heat.

But 94 degrees at 9:00am

makes it kind of hard to relax and have fun.

Here is our conversation as we left~

Mommy-"Bubba, did you have fun today seeing the airplanes?"

Trent-"NO!"

OK then......

This afternoon

was way too hot to even leave the house.

So we tried to find fun stuff to do inside.

I was going through some clothes in big guys closet

that are too small,

putting them into huge plastic bins

and transferring them to

baby's closet.

For some reason I thought about that darn batman costume.

I wondered if he would like it now??

I dug to the bottom of a bin and......

9 months later

he will not take it off!

batman doesn't need airplanes

don't ya know!

love, the rockinryans

the race is on

Because two chins dimples and rolls

don't look as good on me

as on him

Because I am celebrating 10 years

of post cancer survival.

Because I know so many strong

women

who have fought

and won.

Because big guy is full of energy

and as I ran the track

I got passed by a  80 year old woman.

My big guy and I are beginning our

training

I will run the timed 5k

and big guy

his very first

50 yard dash.

He can't wait.

"Run Mommy, run!!"

I so vividly remember my first 50 yard dash.

My dad took me outside to train

for my first field day.

He asked me if I knew how far 50 yards was?

Me, always being such a critical thinker......

looked into the front yard

measuring side to side (that is one "Yard", right?)

"50 houses, dad".

I think my dad still laughs at this today.

We have been trying to stay cool

taking some breaks,

but have also been preparing

mentally and physically.

And not forgetting

the good cause

we are supporting.

I don't usually ask for money.

Except for this once.

If you are interested in supporting

Trent and I

and our race day,

please visit

our race page.

Anybody is welcome

to join us in our training

and on race day!!

thank you!

love, the rockinryans

 

Cowboys love boats

Last week I asked big guy

if he wanted to go pick out

a cowboy hat

to wear to the rodeo.

He said

"Cowboy hat! Excited Mommy!!"

He wore that hat all week.

The day of the rodeo FINALLY came,

starting off

eating breakfast

with

the cowboy hat on!

He is wanting

to hold his brother more and more.

Baby is starting to get

frustrated that he

can't move like his brother.

But they have formed their own language

of screams, squeals and laughter.

It makes me laugh every time

baby copies big guy's scream.

Finally time to head to the rodeo

even Gracie got in the action.

Cowboys need good nourishment

of hamburgers, hot dogs and nachos

(and beer for the elders!)

Usually afraid of heights

he decided to climb  to the top.

I told him this was high enough.

I think he thought he would see better up high.

But once the show started

We could hardly keep him out of the arena.

We have not tried a boat outing

since last year.

But big guy enjoyed the boat much more

this time!

One of the best parts of boating

is having a yummy picnic!

Swimming was fun in the

"Big green pool".

He wanted to check out

every tree

in the water

and drive!

so glad this year

went much better then last!

Maybe next time baby will join us!

love, the rockinryans

Pictures 2011

Finally

Family pictures

went well!

Two brothers

loving togetherness

A big 2 year old

With bright blue eyes

A fun fathers day together

A three month old

Just starting to become Mr. Smiles

his personality starting to shine through

flashing those big blues flirtatiously

me and my silly boys

so glad for a morning

of

happy photos

smiles

and sunshine.

love, the rockinryans