Life is Good

March 8th was the last entry on our blog, Rex was the one that wrote the post. He called me that night and told me he had posted something, but honestly I never got around to reading it. I Had looked it over, but I did not read it. As all of you know two days later on March 10th our world was turned upside down. My Father suddenly died. Tonight was the first night I have had the courage to look back at my blog. My two boys are sound asleep and I was enjoying listening to the rain. As I look back at the blog, I smile, laugh and cry. I smile because I am so proud of my family, I laugh because we have done some great things and have wonderful memories, but I cry because most of the events or memories involve my Dad. It is hard to imagine that he will not be in anymore pictures or a part of any new memories. On May 1st at 4:27 our lives changed again in a big way. Jacob Landon was born. After a very quick labor our little "big" guy was born. Jake is sweet and seems to melt every one's hearts. Much to our surprise it was a little boy. I believe that Dad new, about two weeks before he died he finished making a wooden airplane for the new baby. Jacob's room is decorated with airplanes. New ones and very old ones that his Grandpa made. When I rock my baby Jake to sleep at night in his nursery I feel my dad all around me. Honestly I hear his voice telling me Cin you are okay, and you will be okay. I miss my dad every second of everyday. So back to the blog. I just read what Rexer wrote. In this difficult time, Rex is right we need to lean on him and keep the faith. Thank you all for your support, love and prayers. Please do not stop. My family is doing great, but we need continual help, love and support. My Father would be so proud.

Family

I am at work looking at our blog and am thinking of what family means to me. I never thought I would feel the way I do when I look at my son's picture. He has so much life in his smile. He would make the devil laugh. I find so much peace and love in his smile and ambition for life. I hope and pray that I am that way. God is amazing. He gives us situations to learn and grow from. All he asks from us is to have faith in him and he will take care of the rest. The hard part is having the faith that he will take care of it. We think well if I just had done this then that would have not happen. He knows our hearts and he knows our path. I know it is said all the time but things happen for a reason as sad or as good as they are. Everything God does is for the good. He has no part of the bad in the world. There is a devil and we are at war with him. God has helped me become who I am today for a reason. He beleived in me when I did not beleive in my self. We need to beleive in God in times of pain and in times of happiness. Life is so much easier when you put it in the hands of the almighty Lord.

Talking

I feel like Ryan has always been a very talkative child. We do not understand him half the time but he is always making some noises. He loves to sing as well. Truly it seems like in the last few days his vocabulary has triplied. He is putting words together. I love it. His latest words are pretty please, amen, prayers, bye bye pee pee, dinner please, snack and icky. It is so fun to see him change. I forgot to say grace at dinner last night and my 22 month old swiftly reminded me. Prayers Momma. I love it.

Hello again, we are alive!!!!

Wow!!! It has been so long since I have posted anything I really had to think and try to remember my password. That is way toooo long!. Well lets see life updates with the family. Ryan is growing and changing daily. I feel like each day he has a new word or is understanding more and more about life. His attitude is a very similar to mine. He is stubborn and sometimes he gives these looks that I believe only I can imitate. He still overall is a happy fun active little boy. He loves to kiss my belly and talk to his baby. He drags his little baby doll around the house. He loves it some days and other days he throws it across the room. Last night we were putting Ry to bed and we started to say prayers., like we do every night. Ry folds his hands and says Amen. Last night was really cute, he had his baby in his arms and put the baby's hands together as if it was praying as well. It was one of the cutest things Ry has done in a while. IT truly melted my heart. He is a sweet boy and I feel thankful to be his Mama. A couple of days ago Ry and I played with play dough for hours. He has quite the imagination. he made me dinner and pretended to eat the hot dog that he made himself. I cherish our time together. I know once the new baby is here things will change dramatically and life will be crazy as we all know it.

As for me and baby. Baby looks great, he/she is growing and dancing like crazing in my belly. I am still getting sick. Not as often, but still sick at all hours of the day and night. The nursery is done both a boy and girl diaper bags are packed. I am in my last trimester and very excited to meet this little person. As far as names if it is a girl it will be Natalie Kathleen and we are unsure if it is a boy. Either Luke Jacob or Jacob Landon. Rexer is sure it is a girl so he is not as worried about names. I am still unsure. Each day I change sometime I am sure boy and then I am sure girl. Healthy baby and healthy mama that is all that matters. I getting nervous about leaving Ry. I have a feeling it will be very emotional for me when I go into labor. The realization of that fact the Ry will not be my baby is so foreign to me. I am thankful for having family so close. The Roggenkamp and Rutkosky clan are on standby and ready to take Ry. Jul and Mom will be at the hospital with Rexer and I.

As for Rex, he is in the middle of doing all of his rectifications for his paramedic licence. He also continuities to take classes and go to different seminars about being a firefighter/paramedic. I am so thankful that my husband refuses to settle for less then best of himself. He is always teaching or learning something and I love that about him. He has such a passion for his career. Although sometimes the hours take a tole on me it is such an amazing career and I am thankful to be on this journey with him. In March he will be starting helping out at the Bates College fire academy. The is the same college that he went to. He will be assisting the instructors with basic firefighter skills. Ladders, driving the engine and drills. Fun boy stuff. Rex has a passion for teaching. I am excited to see were this new adventure takes him. He is excited to have another little baby in the house. Rex is an amazing Papa. He is involved in every aspect of Ry's life.

Here are some pictures from the last few months!!!!

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.