1st Swim

We took the plunge and suited Ryan up for his first dip in the pool. Grandma made certain this cutey had a new suit and accessories.Not sure it was worth the effort, but hopefully it cooled him off and he was certainly admired by all.

Art Major

Yesterday, I went for a quick bike ride. And I mean really quick. My poor leg muscles or should I just say legs, b/c I am lacking any muscle, could barely go around the neighborhood. I thought I better get on my bike before we go on vacation so I can keep up with my family. Fat chance! UGH!
I thought I was suppose to be the one with the art degree? Look what my hubby and kids created.

When I got back from my ride this was underway.

Remember the pirate ship? Well, this may have topped that. We've had several trips to the moon and back. Daddy rocks!

Owen just lost his 3rd tooth last week.
I am still getting use to this new grin.
The bottom front 2 are missing too.

Big Tub

Owen attended our church's VBS this week. It ran from 5:15p.m.-8 p.m. He absolutely loved it (tonight was the last night). This is such an answer to my prayers, I was really afraid he wouldn't want to go. Mostly b/c school just ended last week and I wasn't sure he'd be ready to jump into a classroom again. It actually helped our week of transitioning out of the school days, it gave him just enough to do and something to look forward to all day. Considering he is usually already in bed and sometimes asleep by 8, he is wiped out.
While Owen was at church tonight, I decided to let the younger two have a bath together. Usually Ryan has one downstairs at the kitchen sink and the older 2 take one together in the tub. Mason was thrilled to show Ryan how it's done. He even helped bathe him. Fortunately Ryan endured the scrubbing with no problem.

@ 11 weeks

He couldn't be a more calmer baby!

The 3 Amigos

Remember our 3 Amigos announcement?
Well here they are.

My parents recently attended a wedding in Arizona. When they arrived at the hotel these hats were part of the welcome bag. Mom thought they were so cute that she asked 2 other couples if she could have theirs. Unfortunately, the angle of their hats make them look more like farmers, but they really are sombreros.

Little Mr.

Almost 11 weeks

I wanted to take a picture of him in this cute outfit b/c I am afraid in a blink of an eye it won't fit anymore. It was given to him from my cousins David and Heather. He has worn it a lot. Thanks guys!
It says "Mama's Lil" Puffer." It seemed huge when we first got it, who would have guessed he'd "puff" up so quickly. It reminds me of an old fashion 1 piece bathing suit.
Ryan is still doing awesome. He has started sleeping until 7 a.m. which is so delightful and now I don't accidentally take a nap on the couch from 8:30-9:30 p.m. I feel like a new woman! I'd love if he'd stay this age for a long time!
He is down to 6 feedings and eating much quicker.
Thankfully he sleeps in the stroller at the pool so I can be in the water with the other 2. I don't know how many weeks this will continue, so I am not taking this for granted.

Brothers United

Mason recently discovered its much more fun standing up to pee. Well, I walked into the bathroom to find both boys going at the same time. As much as I wanted to stop them, in hopes of saving myself some cleaning, I could tell this was a bonding moment. And by the grin on Mason's face I could tell this may have sealed the deal! Next time hopefully he'll remember to put the seat up first. oh and back down again of course ;) It's never too early to start preparing them for their wives, right?

So, I started this post at 1:36, now it's 2:35. As I was typing I heard Mason come out of his room and go into the bathroom. He always "needs" to go during his nap. But this time he really went and not just #1. I think he forgot to put the seat back down before sitting. lol. Meanwhile I was talking to my sister on the phone. Fortunately, I went upstairs b/c he hasn't mastered the rest of the process. My sister is still on the phone with me during this discovery, so I hang up. I call her back. As I am saying hi again, I pick up Ryan only to discover he is also requiring some wiping. Oh and a quick rinse and a new outfit, it was a bad one. If my sister is on the fence about starting a family any time soon, this definitely tipped her back over.

Last Day

Last day of Kindergarten

we buzzed off the spike

1st day of Kindergarten

Owen had a great year. We are very proud of him. His teacher had great things to say about him and I am amazed at how much he has learned. The adjustment was hard at first. He was very tired from the long days and it showed in his temperament for many months. But by the end you would never have known it. He is definitely ready for 1st grade and is very excited to be in the same class again. His teacher is looping up to 1st grade. We were given the option and decided to keep Owen in her class. They will get an additional 5 or 6 new kids, but basically it will be the same class.
It's hard to believe how much he has grown up in the past 9 months. He doing so much on his own and can handle a lot more responsibility. It's great! Most of the time ;) I am really looking forward to more time with him this summer. Today was a great start. More on that later.

On Friday, the 5 of us celebrated with dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse. YUM!

and huge ice cream conesOwen had a half day so my parents came and we all went to McDonalds for lunch.
It was a day full of not so good for you food.
Not such a great way to start out the bathing suit season! Oh well.

Calm Before the Storm

Our weather has be unusually hot for early June. The forecast this week promises more of the same along with thunderstorms. So this morning, Mason, Ryan and I took advantage of the cooler temps (high of 88 today) and went to the pool. I feel guilty bringing Ryan out in 95 degrees to sit and sweat in his stroller. This morning was perfect. Ryan slept peacefully, the pool was practically empty and I enjoyed soaking up the sun. Mason enjoyed having mommy all to himself. Next week will be a different story!

Owenese

I like Ryan bey kus he su tiim pays on my tem ryan is my fen or "I like Ryan (in his class) because he sometimes plays on my team. Ryan is my friend."

Owenese - It's a new language. I love seeing him write, even if he has to translate for me. A whole new world is opening up for him.

Big Boys

There is no doubt about it. We have a chunkier.

I took Mason and Ryan for well visits today. They both passed with flying colors. Ryan went from 8 lbs 1oz at 1 month to 11 lb 14 oz (70%) at 2 months. He is 23 1/4" (75%). Mason weighed 33.5 lbs (75%) and is 38 3/4" (75%).

More H2O Fun

Yesterday we went to the outdoor mall to make a few returns. They have this fun fountain for kids to play in so we brought their suits. Mason didn't get in the water when I brought him by himself last week, I guess he just needed his big brother by his side! They had a blast.

PopPop meets Ryan

PopPop arrived Thursday night and went home this morning. We had a great visit. He is definitely not use to the early mornings, noise, speed and energy my household exudes. But he survived and still wants us to visit for a week at the beach, so maybe we aren't that bad;)
No house projects this time, perhaps his first visit ever with nothing specific to do. I told him there would be plenty next time. I am just now getting my feet back on the ground. Master Bath reno designs are in the works.

Staying Cool

What do you do with 2 very energetic boys and really hot temperatures? Let them loose in the yard with a sprinkler.

Unique Hair Day

Owen's class has been counting down the last 26 days of school as a way of reviewing all the letters of the alphabet. If you ask me, the teacher shouldn't start counting down that early. It only adds to the hype. But that is why I am not a KG teacher and she is! Owen has loved checking his list each night. Well, today is the letter U and what better way to celebrate 4.5 more days of school than with a spiky Mohawk.
His hair desperately needed a haircut so we waited until last night and buzzed the sides. I even took off a 1/2 inch from the spiked part. His hair was so long. I don't know why I didn't take a before picture.
The t-shirt was a $1.00 purchase from Grandma, he is just now growing into it. I guess it will replace the gaudy skateboard shirt (she bought) that is now too small. Grandmas are so much more fun that moms! Yikes it looks like he will be entering 9th grade, not 1st.

Somebody Pinch Me

I must be dreaming...

• Ryan ate at 10:30 last night and slept until 5:30! I never thought I'd be excited to wake up at 5:30.
• Mason woke up in the middle of the night and NEEDED* to go potty and went.
  
• Owen made his bed like a fancy hotel room and cleaned up their room before I even realized they were awake
  

WHAT in the world?!?!?!

Good things come in 3s. Owen, Mason and Ryan :)
Thank you, Lord for this refreshment and encouragement.

* Mason is doing awesome on the potty. Last night was the first time he said he "needed" to go, but the past 2 days he has stayed dry. Well, except for #2 (which he has done once), but I don't count that right now. Most of the time he is forgetting his treat (2 choc. chips). I just have to do a song and dance routine when he goes. That's his real reward. He LOVEs it. Saturday we are breaking out he underpants. Just in time for PopPops visit. Isn't he lucky ;)

Blowing Steam

I just went for a 30 minute walk all by myself! I had to clear my head. I think I shed at least 4 pounds, 2 from each shoulder. I'd love to say I gave it all over to God, but I still feel weighted down. I am hoping to sit down with my calendar and note pad and jot my thoughts about our summer down. It felt good to pray beforehand.

2 months

He smiles!

Ryan started smiling last week.
It's difficult to capture on camera.

2 months have flown by. Some things are getting easier (like nursing) and other things are getting harder (he isn't sleeping as much during the day). One thing is for sure. Each week looks different. I never quite know what to expect.
Last week we tossed the swaddling out the window. I can't believe he slept swaddled (arms included) for 8 weeks. Now he is sleeping on his tummy. At first he slept a lot longer at night, but the past few days it's back to waking at 3:30/4 a.m.
It's hard to say whether its his age or b/c he is sleeping on his tummy in bed, but he is no longer sleeping as well in other places. Nap times are getting more frustrating. BUMMER! We can't just tote him around as much. This will prove very frustrating once school is out.

I just have to remind myself, that time flies and I should enjoy it ALL!

His 2 month check is next Monday. I am so curious how much he weighs. The rolls are definitely getting bigger!

Signs of Summer

Mowing the grass, ugh. I know I shouldn't complain b/c I am not even the one who does it. But it really puts a damper on our Saturday mornings. We'd much rather be at the pool :)

At least we'll have plenty of help in the near future!

These two pictures show their personalities quite well.

Bustling

My days are so full and so busy and I usually don't have much tangible to show for it. I am just constantly on the move. Remember when I was on the couch? This is still way better, but good grief, I am wiped by the end of the day. My body is still gaining strength from all that bed rest, so I hope it will only get less exhausting.
I've been walking several mornings with Mason and Ryan in the double stroller. I make myself go a little farther each time. Mason keeps asking me to run. Yea, right. Just walking and doing my day is plenty for me. Not to mention our 90+ degree days.

I better hit the publish key quickly, before I decide this is much too negative to post.

Counting Down

Owen's last day of school is June 18th.
He is getting excited.
It's on every one's brains.

"what is summer? summer is when you go to the beach"
"Kindergarten spelling" - they write it how they think it sounds

I am definitely ready to go to the beach, we will go in July and August :) I am a little apprehensive about what our summer will look like. I want it to be a good one. With a purpose. But the days go by so quick, I barely have time to think. Even when we stay home, my mind is not in it. We have started a little list of all the things we'd like to do. Some major day trips and some just small things like play baseball. I am excited, but nervous too. I will definitely be glad when we don't have to rush to the bus stop 2 times a day.

Knobs

Remember our bathroom reno? Well, we finally picked out hardware this weekend and EJ installed them. There is still no permanent mirror, but we are working on it.
Thoughts of the master bathroom reno is entering our minds again. We thought it might be wise to get the first one totally done, since we will be sharing with the boys when ours is under construction.

Not a Good Combo

It's been put off long enough, with bed rest and a newborn. Potty training is under way. I have been dreading it. Kind of hoped that by waiting this long it would just happen. Ha!
Well, I don't think potty training is good combo with a tired mommy and a new baby that eats every 2.5-3 hrs. Patience is not my strongest virtue at the moment. But we are doing it. He is wearing pull-ups for now, b/c I can't handle all the mess and extra laundry right now. Plus, it's inevitable that he goes while Ryan is nursing.
EJ was a huge help this weekend. I think we might be making some progress.
I am so tired of 2 boys in diapers!