Point and Shoot

Trent learned to use my camera long ago.

He knows how to turn it on

shoot a picture

and turn it back off.

Unfortunately his aim is a little off.

But, maybe not.

I had been erasing many pictures of floors, ceilings and feet

until my Mother in Law

made me realize these pictures were special.

His aim is not off.

These were pictures of what he sees.

And he loves his photography.

How can these be trash?

Plus, his aim is improving!

I will not keep EVERY picture he takes of floors and ceilings

but now, thanks to a generous birthday gift from

Grandma and Papa,

he has his very own camera!

I will keep you posted often with showcases

of his photography!

Love, the rockinryans

our Sean

6:4 Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength. 6 These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NET)

A big responsibility

we promised

to our Sean

on the day of his dedication.

As we stressed about what to name our baby boy within 24 hours

of his birth,

the name Sean was thrown into the mix.

I rummaged through the baby name book,

knowing the importance of checking the meaning.

"God is gracious"

yes He is

and Sean would be our sons name.

2 month stats~

12 lbs 5oz (50th%)

and half of his big brother.

22 3/4 in (50th%)

His personality is really shining through,

smiling, cooing and giggling

are my favorite sounds these days.

So fun to watch him grow!

love, the rockinryans

We made it

through our first full day apart,

as I returned to work

the boys off to the sitter.

I had been dreading this day for 12 weeks

(how did time go so fast?)

I think it was harder on me than them.

The baby woke at 5,

ate

and snuggled back into his cozy nest of flannel blankets.

This was our usual cuddle time,

after early morning breakfast

and before

everyone else awoke for the day.

The usual time for him to cuddle against my chest

for me to breathe in baby smell

in quiet

as we drifted back into sleep.

But today I laid him back alone.

He was fine,

my heart was not.

I prepared for work,

somewhat excited for adult interaction.

I began to leave, feeling ready and not on the verge of tears.

I almost make it

then I hear

"Mommy? Moooommmyyyy, moooooommmmmyyyy..."

I had to go in

to hug him

to kiss his mussy cheeks.

I do, tell him I love him,

turn to leave as Jake takes over

but first he says "Are you OK?" and pulls me into a big bear hug

the crocodile tears begin. 

"Its OK, the day will be over before you know it." he reassures me.

He is right, it is only 10 hours, I can handle it.

I make it to work, and that is the question of the day,

"are you OK?"

All the other mommies know how I am feeling.

The support helped as I counted the minutes.

It was strange being back,

reminding myself of the certain steps I follow,

the drugs and dosages,

the politics of work.

Catching up on gossip

and talking about my sweet boys.

I start setting up for my first case.

The room is quiet until the nurse enters and turns on the radio.

Savage Garden~

I knew I loved you before I met you

I think I dreamed you into life

I knew I loved you before I met you

I have been waiting all my life.....

The tears well up,

but I knew I couldn't let them fall.

I was here to care for others,

and besides

I had my secret weapon.

I found him in my purse on the way to work.

So, he stayed in my pocket all day.

I reached in,

gave him a squeeze,

and remembered the day my boy and I

fought off the bad guys together with this super hero.

This made me smile

only 9.5 hours left.

love, the rockinryans

Today

Every day I have a list in my head of goals I would like to get accomplished before bed.

Most days I may get only through about 10%

of what I had planned.

The list never goes away, or gets shorter.

But the new me (remember)

has learned to remain calm, prioritise

and have fun!

Today on my list-

go to the gym

keep my boys happy and entertained

clean the house

get groceries

take a nap

spend time outside

finish some projects.

We know immediately that "clean the house"

is always on the list.

And napping isn't possible because my boys never sleep

at the same time.

But today, we actually checked off more than one item

at once!

My group gifted us a new double stroller

and I couldn't wait to get it put together.

(Isn't it funny what we get excited about as parents?)

So we put it together,

jumped in

and headed to get our groceries.

It was a beautiful day

the boys loved their new stroller

I got great exercise without the gym

we were spending time together

and having fun.

At the store Trent jumped out of the stroller

and got all the items off the shelves

and put them in our bag.

He never gets out of the cart normally

and he did great,

but then

at the checkout spotted the candy for the first time ever.

"M's!!"

He was good help

and I was really proud of us for our accomplishments

so yes, a yummy treat!

Oh, and we had saved money on gas

and saved the environment~
(can you tell I was pretty excited?!)

Everyone thought we were quite the sight,

most people just say

"Wow, you have your hands full!"

Yep, and so is my heart!

We also FINALLY

finished the birdbath.

He is so proud!

Gracie thinks its her water dish,

oh well, I'm sure the birds will share.

I think I had more fun today than them!

In between our activities there are many food and bathroom breaks.

It seems like the "bathroom breaks"

are constant.

We got a new stock last night.

My baby is using wipes now

and has moved up to size 2 diapers already.

Big guy has been using the potty more, but we aren't

forcing anything.

So, how long will this stash last?

384 wipes

128 cruisers

168 swaddlers.

Any guesses?

Winner gets a great prize!

love, the rockinryans

boohoo...?

Sean and I have had a rough couple of days.

I am having a hard time believing that next week

it is time for me to return to work.

In an attempt to make an easier transition,

I have started weaning Sean from his favorite food source.

He is very attached to me,

and my heart is aching

with the thoughts of leaving him.

Today was a little better,

but evenings are hard.

Thank goodness for our

comic relief!

Trent never fails to entertain!

He always brings smiles to my face

and warmth to my heart.

I sometimes wonder if he senses my feelings,

and his brothers

(well, I guess the baby's screams are pretty obvious!)

Because not only did he cheer me up with silliness,

he comforted the baby by covering him,

making sure he had his binky

and surrounding him with toys.

And guess what,

it worked!

Sean calmed and slept.

What an amazing kid!

love, the rockinryans

laugh till I cry

I love taking pictures of our daily lives.

I really love natural shots that are not posed or fake.

Every now and again some really great ones come about.

Today we helped Daddy in the yard.

We supervised grass planting,

helped to water the plants and grass,

bought cherry slushees,

and washed daddy's truck.

As he started screaming "Mommy!!!" and shooting me with the hose, I knew I really wanted a picture.

I thought it would be neat with the water coming towards me.

And it did turn out cute.

But

When he was done, he realized he was more wet than me.

And decided to take off his pants.

I said no, don't take them off outside!

He said "Pants up."

And I was so glad I had my camera!

Good job buddy, you did it all by yourself!

I have been laughing at that silly face all day.

love, the rockinryans

Mothers

It is a good thing I had great teachers,

lots of love,

excellent role models.

Women to guide me and instill good values.

To support me in my ups and downs.

To travel with,

teach me to cook

and clean.

The importance of being a supportive wife,

mother and friend.

Women to enjoy shopping and movies with.

How to be selfless and

the importance of being

a God loving woman.

Because there is no way I could do this on my own!

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31

Thank you Mom, Sity and Nanny

I love you!

Love, rockinbabyryan



Bribes

Remember this book I said I was going to read?

It was back ordered, so I thought it would be very good.

I finally received it and I started reading.

The first chapter did not a believer make me!

She begins the book by stating all the ways we should NOT discipline our children.

I agreed with most of them until reading

"Do not offer bribes".

BAHAHAHA!

Funny stuff.

She better have a lot better advice in the rest of that book.

I love bribery.

Without it I would have none of these beautiful items at my home.

"Give me your binky, or you can't plant the flowers!"

"Help momma pick up then you can make the bird bath."

"Stop whining~don't you want to make Grandma and Sittie Mothers Day cards?"

"Lay still while mommy changes your diaper so we can go shopping to get more flowers and dirt!"

I don't really know what would work any better!

Love, the Rockinryans

Hmmm....

Sometimes I think my boys look nothing alike.

Then I took a picture that immediately brought back

memories of another.

What do you think?

Love, the rockinryans

Dedication

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