Julia is 9 months!

Julia went to the doc a few weeks ago for her 9 month visit. Beautiful and healthy as always, but this time they exclaimed, "Julia, you're on the charts!". She has finally dropped down the the 90th percentile for weight :)


Now weighing 22 pounds and is 27 and a half inches tall. Julia enjoys crawling, kneeling, pulling up to standing, singing, dancing and clapping. In five minutes that girl can have all toys scattered across the room. She loves the mega blocks and basket of balls. She now looks at me and says Ma-ma. The sweetest sound in the world! And her hair is as wild as ever. I've started blow drying it and I plan to trim it soon. I'm also considering earings, any advice? Kale wants nothing to do with that!

My little man

Ryan has been so fun lately. I thought that I would tell of few stories of his cuteness. Everyone knows that I just love him, but here are a few reasons why.

Last week, Ryan woke up crying. So Kale went in his room, got him, and brought him to me. I was still in bed. Ryan snuggled up next to me, looked into my eyes, smiled, and said "I love you". I mean seriously! How precious is that?

The other day, I went into Ryan's room. Got my good morning hugs and kisses and then turned to get his clothes out of the closet. This is what I heard from behind, "mommy pretty". I was like, "awwh, Ryan! I love you!" He's just the sweetest!

Yesterday we went to the doc for Flu shots. Ryan went first and screamed. Crying now, the nurse asked if she could put a band aid on it. He asked her to put it on his nose. She thought that was really cute. He talked about the band aid he got on his nose all day. Not about the sticker or the lolly pop, but the band aid on his nose!

My last story, for now:

I started helping in the church nursery on Wednesday nights. So, Ryan and Julia come with me. Well, 2 weeks ago Ryan heard a 10 minute story about Jonathan and David and learned a song. Last night before church I asked Ryan if he remembered what Miss Dee taught him in church. He showed me 2 fingers and said "stick together". I think that was part of the song. How does he remember that? I don't know, but it was really cute!

And of course this post would not be complete without a picture of my little darling :

Here he is thoroughly enjoying his Thanksgiving meal :)

My Turkey's :)

While I was at work tonight, my husband decided to take the kids to the grocery store to buy our Thanksgiving turkey. So, he tells Ryan that they are going to get a turkey. Ryan says, "ok let's go to the farm and get a turkey".

They get to the store, pick out the turkey and Ryan completely insists that this turkey must next to him in the cart. One of those toddler seats in the front of the cart, not the baby seat on top. It's the kind where 2 kids can sit side by side, you know? So, Kale appeases Ryan and puts the turkey next to him.

That wasn't enough. Ryan then makes sure that the turkey is safe and insists that the turkey is strapped in! Oh, there's more. Ryan makes a big deal about it and keeps telling dada not to let the turkey get away. So, they're in line and the manager is laughing at them, the cashier thinks it's hysterical, and Ryan keeps telling everyone not to let the turkey get away. Ha ha, everyone thinks it's cute.

Then, Kale unbuckles the turkey, lifts the turkey by the plastic netting, when all of a sudden.....................the netting breaks, the turkey falls, and rolls on the floor, everyone is really laughing now! Ryan yells, "get it, dada!"

What are the odds?!?! All I thought was, did you ask for a discount? :)

Julia is 8 months!

Julia enjoys rolling and scooting all over the house, watching her big brother, bouncing, music, eating and sleeping!

my wild woman with the ultimate bedhead!

my precious little cupcake :)

Too Long!

Wow, time flies when you're having fun! It's been a while since I've posted. I've had a really busy month. So much to blog about, so little time!

The family is good. We've made a few weekend trips and I have tons of new pictures to post. We're currently enjoying the fall weather and time together.

Work is going well. I have a new group of students now until the end of the semester.

And Weight Watcher's has sort of been on hold. I haven't really been following my plan too well in all of the craziness. I've also just lost the desire to journal and count my points! I have been aware of my food choices though. I really hope to get back on track and continue to lose this week.

So, for those of you that actually read my blog, I'm hoping to get a few more posts in real soon with some pics!

So Excited!

I love the Biggest Loser and get so excited when it's on! I actually get sad when it's over and I look forward to it all week long. Pathetic, I know, but I really love it.

The only problem is that I joined a Woman's Bible Study this fall on Tuesday nights and I love it even more than the Biggest Loser. So, I will be taping the show. I know that I will probably have to stay up late to watch the show because I will not want to wait even one day to watch it!

That's exactly what I did last night as I tried to remember all of the new contestants. I only wish they would do a mini biggest loser, for people who have less than 50 to lose so that I could go!

Happy Birthday Kale!

Happy Birthday. We love you and pray that you have a wonderful year ahead.

Love,

Robyn, Ryan and Julia

Julia is 7 months!

I am still amazed everyday at the wonderful kids God has blessed me with! Julia is as precious and pleasant as can be. I can't believe it's been 7 months!

Politics

If you know me, you know I hate politics and discussing politics. Partly because I don't feel that I know enough to discuss issues in detail. Partly because I'm a lover not a fighter! I feel that everyone deserves to have their own opinion. I like discussions, but I don't like arguments. And I feel that many people just can't handle discussing politics respectfully. So, this will probably be my first and last blog on the subject, but I thought it was worthy.

This is a direct quote from my friend Marci's husband Sean. I totally stole this from his blog because I completely agree and couldn't have said it better myself. So, thanks Sean!



"As usual during the elections I have been receiving lots of "forwarded" email smearing Obama, calling him everything from a communist to a terrorist to the antichrist. The watercooler talk at work resounds the same (on both sides). Some of us in the church have latched on to Sarah Palin like she is the God sent messenger here to fix everything wrong with the country. Its amazing how everyone else has decided on her behalf that she is now an evangelical christian. Funny, she actually has not come out publicly with her faith since she was asked to accept the nomination for VP.
My point? There seems to be a lot of hype, and lack of informed people willing to throw their vote to a candidate based purely on emotion. The freedom, and power of a democracy is only effective when you make an informed decision, and use your vote based on the facts. What will a candidate do when in office? How will they vote on any particular issue?
I asked someone the other day who they would vote for. The answer, "Oh for Obama, because I just hate all republicans" Great. I have no problem with someone voting for Obama, that is their right as an american. But surely there has to be a better, more informed reason than that?
So, know the facts.
For your convenience, here is a link to each candidates website. Check them out, get rid of the spin, and you decide."

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/

Wedding Memories

"and the two shall become one"

Pastor Tom

The girls

Galen Jr., Marci, Shelbie & Kale

Karen & Kale

Galen & Kale

Granny :)

Michele, Robyn & Craig

The Bridal Party

Sarah, Mandy, Me, Krista, & Michele




Dad & me

Mom & me

Michele & me

Mr. & Mrs. Stone

4 Years!

Happy Anniversary Honey :) What a fun wedding day we had and the honeymoon in Hawaii was incredible. Man have we been busy since then, a new house and 2 kids later.....4 years flew by!

Bedtime Prayers

Ryan has a bad habit of scratching his nose at bedtime. It's a comfort thing I'm sure. He's been scratching his nose for more than a year now, and at times it's very red and sore. I think I've tried everything to get him to stop. Mittens, tape, band aids, liquid band aid, talks, threats, & alternative "feelies". You name it, we've probably tried it! Nothing has worked, he says "it feel good". So, you may have noticed a red nose or band aids in pictures, this is why :(

I have prayed about it many times, but last week I started to consistently pray with Ryan at nap time and bedtime that Jesus would help him not scratch his nose. He's so cute and I know he's listening because the other day Ryan "put mama to sleep". He likes to pretend and when he put mama to sleep he tucked me in, brought me turtle and prayed that Jesus would help mama not scratch her nose! How precious is that? And the best part of this story is an answered prayer! Ryan hasn't scratched his nose since we started praying together. Praise God!

I've been holding off on Ryan's 2 year pictures because of this nose, that was literally bleeding at times. So, this Tuesday we're finally going for those pictures. It will be Ryan and Julia's first professional pictures together :)

One more cute bedtime prayer story. I also started asking Ryan who he would like to pray for each night. Usually it's a family member and we'll pray for that person. Sometimes all of them, but a few days ago I asked Ryan who he wanted to pray for. He responded, "garbage truck". He's so cute, loves the garbage truck. The nice guys always wave to him and smile. We prayed for the garbage truck and the workers. The last two nights it was tractors and choo-choo's. You just gotta love the mind of a little boy! We went to see the steam engine and tractor's at William's Grove last week, so I'm sure that has been on his mind.

New Job :)

I forgot that I never posted about my new job! I accepted a job as an adjunct faculty for Harrisburg Area Community College. My job is to teach OB clinical to the nursing students. So, I work every Monday and Thursday evening during the college semester. I meet my group of students at the hospital (where I currently work) and I basically supervise and teach in the hospital. I also have to read and grade all of their assignments over the weekend. So far I love it! The stress level is completely different than a hospital nurse. I still work hard and barely sit down, but it's nice. The pay and hours are a blessing.

I was a little worried about finding a babysitter, but I was praying for a Messiah College Nursing Student. I found one! Messiah is about 5 minutes from my house and they have a list of students who are looking for various jobs. So, I emailed nearly 200 students and the only prospects were all nursing students! My sitter will come at 2 and Kale gets home at 4. Ryan should sleep the whole time and well Julia eats, sleeps and plays on the floor :) Gotta love those kids!

It's about time!

Have you noticed my pretty blog design? Did you think that I was talented enough to do that myself?? No way! I'm totally clueless. I can post and add pictures. Someday I would like to figure out how to add a slide show, but for now...........that's it! I have to thank my buddy Diana for the pretty blog that you see! I met Diana in the 5th grade. She's one of the nicest and funniest people I know. She's super talented. So, check out her blogs to the right.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

6 months

Happy 1/2 Birthday Julia! It's hard to believe a 1/2 year went by already. Julia is rolling over, enjoys her exersaucer and bouncy seat. She can sit up with very little support and drink from a sippy cup. Still loves watching anything that Ryan does. I love her smiles, coos and giggles. She is just so sweet and pleasant and sleeping 10-12 hours a night! Am I spoiled or what?!?!

20 pounds 9 ounces and 25.5 inches

95th% for weight

50th% for height

:)

Funny Story

Last weekend when my sister was here to take care of me, she gave me a lottery ticket. I won a dollar! I tried to give it back to her, but she made me keep it. So, today I cashed it in. Here's the funny part. The nice lady behind the counter says, "Are you 18?". LOL, I simply said yes.

Here's the thing though. I don't know if I should be flattered that I looked 15 years younger or if I need a makeover!

2 weeks Post-Op

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks! I almost forgot. Well, here are today's picture updates. I'm still a little sore, but feeling great. I'm still a little worried about bumps, but I can breathe!! I thank God for that every night as I peacefully fall asleep :)

No power!

Ok, so most people would be a little upset if they lost power for 2 hours! Nope, not me. This is what I got for having no power! Kale was unable to do his usual building in the basement, so he took Ryan outside. I enjoyed 2 hours with Julia relaxing in bed and reading a book. Folded the clothes and put them away too. But the best part was when I told Kale the power was back on. He told me to come outside and see what he did.

Pretty rocks and landscaping along the side of the house. The craziest part is that Kale actually took all of the stones from a rocky riverbed up at his parents house. He transported them 3 hours to our house, cleaned them, and stored them for months. I love it!! Ryan enjoyed "helping" dada the whole time.

July Pics & Highlights

Here are the July pictures! A few of my favorites and the snapfish link if you want to see them all!

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=232707868/a=39577534_39577534/t_=39577534

This one is for Aunt Michele!

my big girl

my sweet boy

Ryan loves to water the plants :)

what can i say?

priceless!

Nose: one week post-op

I saw Freddy today. That's what I call my nose doc, actually it's Dr. Fred Fedock. The nose looks good and feels good. I can't remember a time in my life where I was able to breathe so good! It is very swollen and a little sore, but overall not too bad. I am a little nervous about bumps returning when the swelling goes down, but praying that it's all good. Here's a few self portraits:

Surprise :)

Today my honey surprised me with a new rocker for the front porch. Yes, he did get it on sale and even used a coupon on it! But it's the one I wanted and it was worth the wait! I love it :)

Before and After and Before and After

Here are a couple of the before and after pics! I apologize for the wait and layout! I have no clue what I'm doing here.

This pic on the left is the day before my first surgery.

And below is 2 weeks after the first surgery, looking pretty good!

Here on the left is a year and a half later, just days before my second surgery. Notice the bumps on the bridge of my nose. Also can't breathe on the right side very good at all.

And the last 2 pics here are the day of surgery pics. Big difference! The first one is the more recent and the last is from the first surgery.