Family, Friends and Santa

I love this time of year, it seems like every weekend or day we are doing something with family and or friends. Today was a perfect example of that. We started our day off visiting Santa with the Roggenkamp family. It is so hard to believe that last year when we went and saw Santa Erik and Ry were not even walking. What a difference a year makes. Visiting Santa is becoming one of my favorite new traditions. As for Santa, well Ry was not sure what to think. He was not screaming, but not smiling. The staff was wonderful and patient with the boys. He did love the trains and the Cannery is full of trains. After Santa, we went on a train ride around the block. Ry stood the entire time and made train noises. I cried. My little boy is not so little anymore. Then it was off to lunch and a visit with Grandma and Grandpa. Home for a quick nap and than off to Smoke and Shoot at Maris Farms. Basically the men all shoot guns and pumpkins. Our friend has a Pumpkin farm. There are so many fun things for kids of all ages. Ry was running around with all the other little kids. He discovered a 30-40 foot underground slide and knew he had to go down it. First with Papa and then Mr independent had to do it by himself. He has no fear. After a big bon fire it was off to dinner with Ry and Kelly. Kelly took our family pictures about a week ago at a park. They are amazing. I cried my eyes out while viewing the pictures. They are beautiful. I will post the link soon when they are on her website. What a wonderful day. Rex, Ry and I are so Blessed to have so many people around us that love us. Ry is growing up so fast, I cherish every moment and memory that we are creating.

The last couple of days

We have been busy carving pumpkins, dressing up for Halloween, going to Spartan football games and learning how to fart in the bath tub and thinking we are really funny.(well Ryan) Rex and I feel like we are nesting already. I feel like everyday we have a new project that we are working on to get ready for the new baby. It seems like this pregnancy is going very fast-well sometimes. I am getting really sick several times during the day and night. It is really hard for me when Rex is not home. I wish my sister lived next door to take care of me. My mom is over a lot and Rex comes by on shift to check on us. Along with support from friends. I just feel so guilty, I love being an involved mommy and the last month or so I do not feel like I have given Ryan all the love and attention he needs and deserves. He cries and cries when I am sick. He holds my hand and usually gets me crackers. Okay some fun things. Ryan got to carve his first pumpkins. At first he was a little unsure, but then he saw us digging in and had a blast. We got a little pumpkin for baby. Ryan thought the little pumpkin was so funny. Every time he sees it he laughs and says baby pummmmk-in. Ryan was Batman for Halloween. He looked just like Brian. Rexer was on shift so we had a very uneventful night. Ry enjoyed answering the door and handing out the candy. He thought he should eat candy every time he gave it out. So he pretty much did. We had a late dinner(pizza-a real healthy day) and went to bed. Ryan got to see his first Spartan Football game. He had a blast sitting on Auntie's lap and yelling football and getting upset when the players would hit each other. Now to the last thing, I was giving Ry a bath and he farted, I laughed and so did he. He proceeded to fart several more times. Now anytime he farts or Rex farts-which is very often as you all know little man laughs.

My eggo is preggo

Yes, you are all seeing and or reading the truth. Ryan Matthew is going to be a big brother and Rex and I are going to be parents again. I feel blessed and honored to get a chance to be a Mommy again. At one point I did not know if we would have our own children again, but we are and we are thrilled. Today, I am 13 weeks. I am due early May. That means that my children will be 25 months apart, a little crazy. But Mom and Nita did it so I know it is possible. Of course also with all of your support. I found out September 1st. I was 5 weeks pregnant. Rex was sure of it for about 2 weeks before, I finally took another test and it was positive. Rex was on his way home from work. So Ry and I tried to get everything ready to surprise him at the door. Unfortunately that day he had a late call and did not get home until 9:30 am-way to long for me to wait, but I did. So just like with Ry, Auntie Julie and Uncle Leroy were the first to know. Ry had on a big bro shirt and we answered the door. Rex looked down at the shirt and said "cute shirt" he did not read it. Finally he understood. It was instant tears for both of us. We just sat in the living room crying and feeling very excited. Then it was off to a play date, where Rex was excited to spill the beans to Audrey and Erik. Later that day it was the Rutkosky clan. It was so special to see their reactions. There was so much love. Finally my parents got off work and we got to tell them. They saw the shirt of Ryan's. My mom could not believe it, and Dad just kept reading the shirt. It was so fun to see every one's reactions. Rex and I are so thankful for all of the love and support around us. The people in our lives continue to encourage us to live our best lives and be good parents. Rex and I always say that we would not be the couple we are or the parents we are without all of the amazing support and examples around us. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Maris Farms

Today we braved the weather and went to the Pumpkin Patch. Audrey, Erik, Rex, Ry and I went to Maris Farms. Audrey and I 's moms group was meeting up so we thought it would be fun. It was a blast, besides at one point it was raining sideways. It was fun to watch the little boys play, try to carry pumpkins and copy the noises that the animals were making. My favorite was when Erik tried to sound like a pig-it was toooo cute. Pigs are my favorite animals for those of you who do not know. It is so crazy, last year Audrey and I had to carry the boys around and the year before that we were pregnant. It is so amazing what a difference a year makes. Especially in these little guys lives. I was double emotional, these little boys are just getting so big. Erik is so important to us and I have truly loved watching him grow and change over the last 18 months. I love being apart of his life, and feel so Blessed. I love his infectious laugh, belly pat and how he reaches up for your hand. He is so sweet and I am thankful that Ry will always have him. I am sure that we will go another day too, well just to have an outing! For now here are some pictures.

It is about time.......

Fall is definitely in the air, how do I know you ask????? I turned on the heat and we had a fire last night (in the fireplace not in the outside fire pit). I honestly look forward to Fall, Fall is my favorite season. The good thing about a new season is that it is new and fresh. My house is all decorated with Fall decorations and we are heading out tomorrow to get pumpkins. Just to catch up on the last month or so. Ry is almost 19 months old. He is seriously a lover of life and all things. He loves to make animal sounds, run around and point at things and say WOW. He seems to always have something in his hands. He loves to read, play with tools and throw balls-and everything else. He has started to say No-which I really dislike. He seems to be more snuggly and gives kisses all the time. I have really enjoyed the last few months with him. It is amazing and challenging to watch him try to communicate with us. He is sometimes not very patient, but he is learning-as am I. He is all boy, all the time. He seems the happiest when he is going a million miles an hour or when life is busy around him. I adore and love him more each day. I am amazed how much our little man has taught me. As for life, well it has been busy. Some highlights have been October Fest at the Gonzales, Ryan feeding the seagulls and eating at Ivers in Seattle, several more weddings, the zoo and really good quality family and friend time. We have an amazing support system and I really have felt that lately. Well enough writing here are some fun pictures!!!!

Summer time, summer time!!!

WOW!!!! We have had such a blast this summer. I feel like we have been on an adventure all summer. I have really enjoyed watching the world through Ryan's eyes. He continues to discover new things. Today he looked up and saw a flock of birds, he just stood there and pointed. My little independent boy is not afraid to show who he is. He is kind and stubborn all at the same time. He is very determined. I was just looking back at pictures from the summer. He has changed so much. Rexer's new favorite thing that he does is when you ask him a yes or no question he will shake his head yes or no. Or if he does not understand he will put his arms up in the air and to the side. He also is quite the climber. He climbs on anything and everything, stationary and non stationary. Ry also somehow knows just how to fall so he nearly misses the corners of tables or cracking his head open. He still loves to dance, show his muscles, give kisses and be the center of attention. Rex and Ry have the same moves-toooo cute. We just got back from a weeding, Little man danced the night away in the middle of all the girls. Tonight Rex started a tradition that I wish I would not have seen, drinking out of the milk carton. We had smores and milk around the fire tonight-well you see the pictures. In the last weeks we have had the annual fire department lawnmower races-with a roasted pig, a wedding in Leavenworth, time at the park and in the back yard. What a fun time had by all, and we have the pictures to prove it!!!!