Catching Up

The last few weeks have been a little busy but a lot of fun.  I think we've finally caught up on appointments, to-do lists and visits.

We were so happy to meet our new pediatrician (who happens to share our interest in Star Wars), and finally diagnose the allergies behind Ryker's eczema- pollen, peanuts, and egg whites.

We also finally made it to the Skirball Center, and it only took me 2.5 yrs of living here! The boys loved the Noah's Ark exhibit.

Last but definitely not least, we had an awesome time at B&G's Bday party.  What could be better than a Star Wars party at Chuck E Cheese?  Jaime wins the Best Mom Award!

These boys have been the sunshine of my days!

Returning to L.A.

We had the best time doing a spur of the moment visit back to L.A. We have missed it so much and couldn't wait to see our pals and favorite sites.

Our first stop was with the Green's. The boys love Eden and she was so sweet to put up with them.

Our next day was filled with appointments all over, and then a sleepover at the LeCheminant's. The boys love Mykel!

Then we were off to Disneyland! We couldn't wait to get back there and ride the best rides without crowds.

We loved spending the day with Westin, and Evee and Owen too. Peter Pan snuck up behind us and the boys were totally starstruck.

I love being with Courtney!! Miss her :)

We refueled with amazing ice cream cones and made a lovely mess as well.

After the Disney visit we went off to OC to see the Johnsons. We visited the Dana Point Harbor, had amazing bagels, and played all the rest of the trip.

The boys had a fun movie time, and moms enjoyed the break.

We returned to NorCal totally wiped out, but so glad we went. I am really hoping we will be back there soon!!

Happy Weekend?

One thing that stinks about this quarter for Jared's school is his schedule. We are lucky that he has no class on wednesdays-fridays, but he has been filled up with other things, namely work and an extra course on saturdays, keeping him gone from early morning til late in the evening. Normally fridays and the weekend is a happy time, but between him being gone and having horribly late church on sundays I feel like the weekend stresses me out more than refuels me. The more people say. "I'm so glad its friday- the weekend!". or "have a great weekend!" the more I go into panic mode. I have no husband around, and likewise no friends because they are all enjoying their hubbies being home! Then sunday rolls around and we miss naps, and have to deal with screaming at church. Ryker has been horrible for the last three weeks. Honestly I am not sure he could be any worse unless he started vomiting all over everyone or something. I am hoping it is a phase.

Last week's remedy for a rough weekend was doing something new and fun with the boys. We gave the Venice boardwalk a shot, and it misfired with all its nasty ambiance. The canals were a fun alternative, but I could only last so long before worrying about one or both boys falling in the murky water.

This weekend I am not sure whether I should try something new again, or just try to be productive and get something accomplished. Whatever the method, I just hope I can make it through this rough quarter!

Back

Now that the week without sleep is over, I am back in commission and we are having fun again. So far this week we went to the Natural History Museum (really, so fun), and then have been entertaining Aunt Kenzie with trips to the Grove, Santa Monica Pier, and Target, of course.

Windy sunset on the pier

Nicholas has already decided she is his buddy/slave/train track repairman.

The little boys with some dinosaur bones at the museum

My favorite exhibit

Photos of the Present

We have really been enjoying our two boys lately. Ryker has reached the point where he has begun to notice Kiki and want to be part of the action. Its so great to be happy with our present lives and looking forward to each day with them.

He also loves the beach, playing with toys, and his new-found love, Cheerios.

Anyone who knows me well knows I love hats for my boys!

Both kids love bathtime

Wrestling as only brothers can

Making fruit shakes with Daddy, a daily morning tradition

Dressed for church; are they related or what?

Cuddle time- a rarity with Kiki that we enjoy whenever he lets us.

We cherish each happy, healthy moment we have, and we are so grateful for it!

Two For the Price of One

(me at 5 mo with my brother, Matt age 2 1/2)

As much as I love having a Jared mini-me for a son, I really hoped Ryker would be his own person and perhaps maybe a little bit resemble me and look like my child. At times he has looked like his brother's identical twin, but lately has taken on a bit of a different look.

Rykie has darker hair, eyebrows, and lashes. Kiki's lashes and brows have always been blonde.

Kiki has solid blue eyes, and Ryker's are beginning to look hazel. Maybe I will get my brown-eyed boy after all!

(Poor Rykie gets jipped a bit in the new stuff department)

Without sounding too redundant, can I just say that I love having two boys?!

I can see it now...

a lifetime of matching outfits

non-stop sporting events

boy scouts

monster truck rallies

skateboarding

begging them to trim their shaggy hair

begging them to do their laundry!

fighting over video games

bunk beds

action hero underwear

stinky tennis shoes

maybe even double-dates someday!

(did I miss anything?)

Change

I'm not one to wax all sentimental usually, but a lot has been happening here, reminding me of how the days are passing by and my babies are becoming boys.

Yesterday I packed up Kiki's 18-24m clothes along with RJC's 3-6 months. It was overdue but it was hard to part with some of our favorite items, especially the Baby's knowing it'll probably be

a long while before another baby wears it (or maybe never if we have all girls from here on out). On the bright side we got to open up the 6-12 month box and take in the baby Kiki smell. Love it. Also, all of K's 2T clothes are brand. spanking. new! (There's nothing like pulling off a tag from clothes for weeks at a time. {I know, I have an addiction.})

with his 2nd cousin, two weeks older, and his great-aunt

(she's super old)

Well, I've put the clothes in the drawers, and accepted this fact: Ryker is almost 6 months, sitting up, smiling, jabbering, and becoming our snuggle-bug, less newborn and more baby day by day. Kiki is kicking the diaper habit, and hooked to the adrenaline rush from our incessant proud praises. (warning, upcoming "mom moment") He talks non-stop, making us laugh with the phrases he comes up with. He is spunky and super cute.

Some days I think I have the best job in the whole world.

Our Lives, on Film

Nothing quite captures the essence of children like video clips!

Rykie is our smiley sweetheart, and Jared's trademark game with him is peek-a-boo

Nicholas is our chatterbox, who loves to reenact his favorite shows with his character toys.

Brothers

Having two little boys so close is going to be lots of fun...

Nicholas is already beginning to enjoy having a buddy. Up til recently Ryker just ate and slept. Poor Nicholas was dying just to get him to play with him. Now that he stays up longer Kiki is loving it. He loves to make him smile and sing "C is for Cookie". He tries to share toys with him, give him snacks, and even brush his teeth. He calls him "Ryker-friend", and he's the first person he asks for when he wakes up. He talks to him and tries to make him smile (and occasionally cry).

I can't help smiling when I see him give kisses and I think they will be best brother friends.

5 Things You May or May Not Know About Rykie

1. He loves to be held and will snuggle into you when you hold him. He even snuggles his blankets

2. He is a big time talker. He loves to jabber and giggle

3. He loves to grab onto everything and everyone, especially my hair. His favorite toy is a play gym he lays under where he can bat at the toys and try to grab them

4. He loves his hands. He tries to suck on all of his fingers and his fists, especially when he is hungry or cranky

5. He was the best "surprise" we could have ever asked for!!

If someone had told me a year ago that I would have a 3-month-old right now I think I would have been so overwhelmed and nervous about how I would handle it all. I found out about the pregnancy two days before we had a big Christmas party, a week before Nicholas turned one, during the rush of the holidays. I was nauseous while I traveled with Nicholas alone (Jared had to work for another week), and my mind was constantly filled with concern for how I would manage two babies so close. We knew Jared was going to do a master's program, but we weren't sure where, and I was aware that I would be on my own quite often.

I was at my grandparents for Christmas, and I was overwhelmed with anxiety and stress, and felt I couldn't share yet because it was so early. I eventually confessed to my parents so they would know I wasn't infecting everyone with the swine flu, but had my own non-contagious ailment. I was in a bit of shock, so I didn't really share the news for quite a while until I came to terms!

Its so funny to think I felt that way just over a year ago. Ryker has turned out to be such a wonderful addition to our family. He came at just the right time for our insurance, moving plans, and family schedules. Hs timing really was perfect. He is so happy and content most all of the time, and accomodates my busy schedule with his big brother's demands. He obviously wanted to come and be in our family, and I'm so glad each day that he did!!

I can't wait for our Christmas this year with two boys!!

Ryker at 6 weeks

Naturally as all really great parents do, we've already begun comparing our children to one another.

Last week was Ryker's 6 week check up. After waiting for 2 hours and begging Nicholas not to touch a thing in the filthy office (a doctor's office? really? come on guys, haven't we heard of germs?!) we discovered Ryker's stats:

12 lbs 13oz- 90%

23 in tall - 75%

16 cm hc- 60%

These stats are literally the exact same percentages as Kiki's were at 8 weeks. Crazy, huh?

We stumbled on some old photos and were looking for resemblances. I was actually surprised to see how different they look. Sometimes I think they are quite similar but depending on the photograph they appear to have few similarities. Of course, part of this could be due to having a crappy camera for Kik's and a better one now.

Me and My Boys

Things are almost back to our new version of 'normal' around here. Baby Ryker is 2 1/2 weeks old, sleeping 3-4 hr intervals and spending some good time awake during the day. His big brother loves playing with him, especially kissing him on the head, laying by him on the floor, and sneaking in an occasional eye-poke while mommy looks away.

This week was my first real taste of life with the two boys unsupervised; my mom went home to Holland, and Jared went back to work. Granted, they are my children, but it was still a bit of an adjustment to manage them alone! I was able to get some time alone thanks to Aunt Brittany, but it gave me a sense of how life will be the next years!

I love having two little boys!!