pumpkin patch and halloween

a few days before halloween, we went to the pumpkin patch in moorpark with my mom, dennis’ dad and step mom, dennis’ step-sister-in-law and cousin jagger...a good time was had by all!


and we ended up staying in CA for halloween...rj and i surprised my sister laura and her family (she thought we flew home the day before) and spent the day with my family in pasadena. we had a great time!

7 months old...and counting

OK, i’m SOOOOOOOOO behind on my blog, it’s not even funny. so i’m going to update it now so we can be ready for the fast-approaching holidays!

ryan has been enjoying his rice cereal and any and all fruits and vegetables that he’s been introduced to...although he’s not a huge fan of squash and green beans.

our little guy has also been enjoying the company of family and friends as well as some new friends he’s met through a mom’s club i recently joined. i’m enjoying it more than he is at the moment, there are some very nice women who provide me with a wealth of “mommy knowledge.”

here’s a smattering of photos from the past couple of months...enjoy!!

fun with daddy...

sweet little hands...

rj loves his auntie aimee

would you look at those CHEEKS??!

rj and sherman rolling over with joy!

watching a baby einstein video in the morning

good eats!

five months old...

it’s hard to believe our little guy is now five months old! not only has he eaten rice cereal, he can hold his own bottle (as long as it’s not too full and heavy!) and cracks up at the strangest things!

here are a few videos to demonstrate...enjoy!


big boy and his bottle...


this cup is half full...of ice!


kickin’ it in his swing...

first experience with rice cereal

rj was introduced to rice cereal on his five month birthday. over the previous few weeks leading up to it, he had been very interested in food and watching it go into our mouths. also, he stopped sleeping through the night so i thought it might be time to give him a little more nourishment! plus, a book i'm reading said to start rice cereal at five months, so there you go!

he liked it OK and i have since given it to him before bed (a whopping tablespoonful) for the last few nights. well, he’s back to sleeping 9-10 hours each night (thank goodness!) and he seems happier, if that’s possible!

here are a few pictures from that day and a short video too.

...now WHAT exactly is this, mama??

hmmm...not bad...

oh yeah, i’m totally getting the hang of this “spoon thing...”

that was fun and tasty...thanks, mama!

oh no...i think i got some cereal on this adorable bib...

another CA roadtrip...

we went back to CA for another week-long visit. rj got to take his first boat ride on westlake lake on the “who’s your granny?” thanks, granny sylvia! we saw family and friends every day we were there and had a lovely time. dennis flew back to AZ early for work so my mom graciously agreed to drive back with ryan and me...thanks, mom!

my dad drove out to AZ on his own (and took our dog sherman back with him...thanks, dad!) and hung out with dennis. and since my parents bought a vacation home right down the street from us, they needed some time to pick out furniture, etc.and get it all ready for the next time they come to town. their place is adorable...brand new, bright and happy! looking forward to seeing them in AZ on a regular basis!

here are some pictures from our week in CA and my parents’ new place!

rj is spent after our 7-hour drive from AZ to CA.

rj with granny sylvia

first boat ride!

my dad, the perry’s and some good eats!

captain gooey and his beautiful bride!

my mom and me!

ryan really wants to get his hands on that steering wheel!

nice nap in the fresh, clean air...

playing the piano (with his feet!) with his auntie aimee.

getting some love from auntie laura and uncle mark.

another special visit with GG!

spending time with grandpops and grandma glenda.

cousin davey reading to rj.

nana and baby boy

auntie sami came out from the OC to spend the day
with rj and me!

a fun visit with uncle david and auntie anita
on our way out of town.

unpacking and settling into their vacation home in AZ!

rj relaxing on the comfy couch...we think he thought
someone was holding him!

rj's 4-month doctor visit

yesterday, august 7, was ryan’s 4-month doctor’s visit. he now weighs 15lbs, 3.5 oz, which is in the 55 percentile and he’s 27" long, which is in the 99 percentile...long little guy! overall, the doctor was very happy with what he saw in ryan and heard from us. we need to give him a little more “tummy time” since he should be about ready to start rolling over, at least one way.

he got his second round of vaccinations...one oral (rotavirus) and two shots. he did really well this time...only cried for about 45 seconds afterwards. and he wasn’t really fussy last night like he was with the first round AND he slept for 10.5 hours!!!

this morning he seems happy, as usual. although he did throw up (not spit up!) all over our bed after he ate this morning...that was something new. and not really fun...needless to say, i’m currently washing our bedding!

here are a couple of videos from the day for your viewing pleasure!


daddy entertaining rj before the “tray of misery” arrives.


four month vaccinations...oh boy!

four months old

today is august 3 so that means little rj is now 4 months old...the time has flown! he loves to grab and hold things like rattles, stuffed toys and mama’s hair....and what a grip he has!!

friday is his 4 month check-up where he’ll get measured and weighed as well as receive the continuation of his 2 month immunizations. i'm sure we’ll have pictures and videos to post after that one.

in the meantime, here is a photo and video of rj at 4 months.

ryan in his ”louis spitton” onsie.

ryan playing on his mat and squealing with delight!