My little gang

A note from Ronan . . .

Ronan was very upset yesterday thinking about breast cancer and wanted me to remind everyone out there to help save his future wife's itty bitties.  I will be walking the 5k at the Race for the Cure on October 11.  If you would like to donate for a great cause, please go to:

http://komenphoenix.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=305284&supid=267575517 

Thank you so much for your support!!!!!!!

New Blog

Please check out my new blog:

Growing Green

The link is posted with my other links.

Enjoy!

Race for the Cure

On October 11, 2009, I am going to participate in the Race for the Cure 5K for breast cancer. I am super excited about it and would love for it to become a tradition. There have been so many women in my life that have fought or are fighting this war with breast cancer. It's the least I can do in support of them. I would LOVE any support from you all out there. Please go to the link below and check it out.

http://blba.us/i.asp?id=305284-267575517-1

Thanks SO much in advance!!!!!

Ronan can sit!!

I think we are getting close to Ronan sitting on his own. Today he did some good sittin'. First with me and then with Daddy while I taped. This video and the next are off of my camera phone, so not the greatest quality. But at least I know how to get those videos online! During the video, there were two other little ones that didn't want to be left out . . .

Ronan can stand!!

Well, not really. Just sort of. He has always been very sturdy on his legs so Cody set him up against the couch and he held himself up for a second. Not too shabby for 6 months, eh?

First Day of Preschool!!!

Jacob started preschool this week!! And he loves it!! He goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the morning. I'm so excited for him and we really like the school thus far. Plus, all I hear are good things about it. The first two days went great. Today he had a little trouble with me leaving, but was fine within a few minutes. Jacob loves to come home and show us the sticker or stamp he got, tell us about playing at the water table or riding the BIG bike. I asked if he had made any friends and he told me he plays with Charlie and Ty. Today I got to meet them. Jacob told me after school today that he played with a little girl named Victoria. I'll have to figure out who she is on Monday. Both of his teachers have commented on how sweet and nice he is. That makes me SO proud of him!

Below are pictures of his first day. I only took pictures at home because I wasn't sure how overwhelming it might be at school. Next week I will try and get some pics of him in action at school. I asked him where he wanted me to take his picture and he sat down on the ground and said right here. He wouldn't stand up. Little bugger. I know he was excited and uneasy, so I didn't push it. In the last picture, here's what he was telling me:

Mommy, "Jacob, can you please look at me and smile?"

Jacob, "I don't want to talk to you right now."

Ugh.

Ronan and Rosco

Today while over at Grammie and Papa's house, we noticed that Ronan was watching Rosco under the table. So I said let's sit with him on the ground and see what they do. It was so cute and funny! Rosco (my sister's dog) was SO great with him.

First licks

"Eeww, dog breath!"

"Haha, this is fun Grammie!"

(Aidan is kissing Ronan's head, so sweet!)

"You'll never beat this bad boy at a staring contest."

Karate Chop!!

Rosco sneaks in a little kiss . . .

"Ooohh, no likey licky . . ."

"Oooh, no likey drooly . . ."

"Oh, OK, you do live here."

"Please oh please may I go?"

"But not before one more little kiss!"

6 month stats

Ronan's 6 month appointment went great. For him that is. I really should have rescheduled the appointment because that morning I woke up and felt like I had been hit by a bus. Turns out I had mastitis. SO, of course on this day, when I feel miserable, the doctor is running an hour behind. Also, Ronan was a bit tired because it was during his nap time. Just as he was falling asleep, Dr. Kanagal came in. He did great and was all smiles despite being tired. Which is just how he is - all smiles and so easy going. He did have to get 3 shots, but did fine. A few tears and then it was over. On to the stats:

Height: 27 1/4" 75%

Weight: 16 lbs. 9 1/2 oz. 25%

two bottom teeth

rolls over and over and over

loves to listen to me sing The Wheels on the Bus, Patty Cake and Intsy Wintsy Spider

typically take a good morning nap, good afternoon nap and an early evening snooze

usually sleeps pretty well at night only nursing once but I do think he is getting more teeth because he has been fussing much more during the night

so so smiley and happy!

loves watching his big brothers play

and best of all . . . .

Is a MAMA's Boy!!!!

Our Sweet 6 month old!

Hard to believe that Ronan is 6 months old now! I don't have any stats to update yet, his 6 month appointment isn't until next week. But I do have some cute pictures!! Enjoy!

Should I be feeding him more?

Uhhh, you got a little something . . .right there . . .

Sweet, sweet snuggler

There's that beautiful smile I see all the time!!

I love playing with my brother!

Oh Mom . . .

1 . . .

2 . . .

3 . . .

2 out of 3 happy ain't bad!

Ronan's Baptism

On Sunday, we celebrated Ronan's baptism. It was great to have our family there to celebrate with us. Afterwards we had everyone back to our house for lunch and hanging out. Ronan did so great - smiles the whole time! I think he really liked being the center of attention.

Sweet brothers

Sweet lovin'

I think Ronan was doing the Safety Dance. And Jacob was not into taking pictures.

Nor was he excited about being up front with us during the baptism

During the baptism Jacob hid his face and Aidan wandered around. ;-)

Ronan was so cute with Kurt, out pastor. He was so happy with him!

Smalley Time!!

OK, so it's been a while since the last post. We've been busy and I hope to get caught up. One super fun thing we just got back from doing was visiting our cousins in Oklahoma. My Aunt Jane was sweet enough to offer to fly out to AZ, drive back to her house in OK with me and then drive back to AZ and fly back home. There was NO WAY I could have made the drive alone. (Cody was in Tennessee for the covenant churches big senior high convention) So we made the two day drive out to OK and spent an awesome week with the Smalley clan. We miss them SO much and the kids have such a great time together. Even though they were experiencing the hottest week there this summer, we still had a blast. The boys loved the freedom to run around and play. Did I mention they live on 5 acres, back off of any roads? Awesome. There are so many great pics to share, so many in fact that I had to upload them to Flickr. I believe you should be able to click on the link below to access them. Please let me know if you have any troubles. Anyway, we were so sad to go. But we do hope to maybe make this an annual summer thing. That is of course, unless the Smalley's move back here. Which I would LOVE. But I must say that they are living the dream they've dreamt of for a while. A beautiful country home with lot's of land for the kids to run around on, great town, good friends . . .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26115514@N06/sets/72157621725717623/show/

Summer Fun

Yesterday the boys and I went out front to play in some water. Yes, we do have an underground pool out back, but I can't take all the boys swimming by myself. Usually I buy a smaller plastic pool, but just haven't this year. SO, I poured the beans and rice out of their bin and filled it with water and soap. The boys had a blast playing in it, washing rocks, washing their motorcycles and washing each other. It was a nice way for them to cool off. They did start with swim trunks on, but Jacob wanted his off so Aidan wanted his off. Such is life. Ronan even joined in the fun!

I think Aidan might be practicing his yoga . . .

The following 3 pictures are what I get from Aidan when I say "Smile!"

Washing Aidan's motorcycle

Ronan was having fun watching his brothers . . .

Then he realized Mama was taking pictures and that changed the mood.

Jacob and his silly smile

My silly smiling boys . . .

Ronan joins the fun!

Hhmm, not so sure what the big deal is . . .

this kind of just feels like a bath . . .

But, oh, hey bro, look at that over there!

Aidan really was enjoying holding Ronan, I just happened to capture him in a moment of reflection . . .

Cody's 30th Birthday at Disneyland!!!

For Cody's Big 3-0, I surprised him with a trip to Disneyland! (I actually told him a while back) The three boys stayed with my parents while we were gone. It was a quick trip, but so much fun! We left Friday morning and arrived in at our hotel in the afternoon. For dinner we hit the Alcatraz Brewing Co. It was yummy! We walked around the outdoor mall and then headed back to the hotel for some R/R. We woke up bright and early on Saturday so that we could be at Disneyland when it opened. The day was just perfect. The weather was cloudy and cool. The time went by at the perfect pace. Disney was not very crowded either! Believe it or not, we even had time to go back to the hotel for a nap!!! I love it! We were back at the hotel around 11pm and ready to hit the hay. We both slept great! I had to get up at 6:30am to pump, but fell right back asleep until 10:00!!! Then it was back to AZ and the boys.

The trip was just the right amount of time for me to be away from the boys. I missed them, but not terribly. If we would have been one day longer, I would have missed them much more. It was interesting being together with no kids, just the two of us. I don't think we have done a trip, just the two of us, since Jacob was born. It took a couple of times to remember that one of us didn't have to stay in the car while the other went into the AM/PM to get a drink and snack. We could both go! There were no time constraints for naps/bedtimes. And the only thing we carried into DL was Riss's little point and shoot camera she let us borrow. No diaper bag, stroller, snacks, hats etc. It was nice.

I did take some pics with Riss's camera. They might be a bit boring because we pretty much just held it out in front of ourselves. But I think you might enjoy a few . . .

Cody's beer

At dinner Friday night

Enjoying his beer

On the tram into DL

Cody got in free since it was his birthday. They gave him this pin to wear and almost every cast member we saw wished him a happy birthday!

The Tea Cups

Ok, so I don't like the tea cups. I can't remember the last time I have been on them. I usually feel rather nauseous after riding them. But, since it was Cody's birthday and he really wanted to ride them, I decided to suck it up and go with him. I didn't want him to have to go by himself. . . .

Waiting for our turn

Feelin' pretty good about the decision, a little relaxed . . .

and then I saw this face! I knew I was in for it. . .

What concentration it takes to spin a giant tea cup!!

What commitment!

What nausea!!!

And around and around and around we go!

I will admit, it was fun and we did get some hilarious pictures!

Self explanatory

I LOVE the giant pickles at DL. Here I am partaking of this delicious treat!

Waiting in line for Big Thunder Mountain and below, on BTM.

OOOhhhh, SCARY Haunted Mansion!!

Before the great big drop on Splash Mountain . . .

After the great big drop on Splash Mountain . . .

I'm happy and dry . . .

Cody . . .not so much. He was soaked. Hehehe!

Big Thunder at Night

Before

During: