Visiting Santa!

Last week Latham, Ronan and I went to visit Santa. I didn't tell Ronan that that was what we were going to do, because I didn't want him to freak out; I just told him we were going to the store. When we got there, he saw him and said, "Santa!" He had no problem sitting on his lap, but didn't quite understand the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" Ronan answered by telling Santa all about our Christmas tree at home. Latham slept through the whole affair. As we were leaving he said, "Bye bye Santa, see you later". Ronan loved the candy cane that he got, so we bought a box of mini candy canes and he shares them with his friends and family members. This year's visit was so different from last year's, when Ronan cried the entire time so I had to be in the picture with him.

Ya, I don't like it!

I got Ronan a new winter coat last week, and for some reason, he didn't like it. I'd mention it and he'd say, "Ya, I don't like it!" I figured that I should get him saying that on video, since it was so cute. I also got him to talk about his little brother, "Baby Yay-kun".

Enjoy the short video!

Edible Art

My friends threw us a baby shower on Monday. Along with wonderful friends, food, fun and games, there was an absoutely amazing cake! Definately a work of art!

My favorite is the little baby and teddy bear made out of fondant icing - wow!

Bob the Builder...er, make that Ronan the Builder

Since we've started on the renovations, Ronan loves to help Daddy. Ronan finds his tools fascinating, and he can't keep his little hands off of them. When we were at Lowe's this past weekend we spotted a Lil' Helper kit, and we couldn't resist. Ronan loves it, but can only play with it when Daddy is working on renos.

I was taking a nap when these photos were taken; when I downloaded all our photos to the computer, I found these and was howling with laughter.

All ready to help, Daddy!

I love the miniature toolbelt, it looks exactly like Collin's real one.

My Boys

Ronan and Latham are doing great, and we have settled into a new routine now that we have two little ones.

Mommy and Baby Latham

Bath time - not very fun as you can tell by Latham's reaction, but it's over fast...

...and then he gets wrapped up in a nice warm towel.


Ronan studiously checking out a book that he got from friends, Kathleen, Olivia and Gavin.


100% Boy

This is how I see Ronan these days when I'm holding Latham - he is right in my face wondering what the baby is doing and how the baby is doing.

Mommy?!?

Latham's First Week

Four days old.

Meeting Grandpa McLoughlin for the first time.

Checking out a yawn.

Bundled up tight in a blanket made by Nana Holte.

A sort-of smile.

Hangin' out in the swing.

Nine days old.

He's already changed so much!

Baby Deuce is here!

Little did I know that a few hours after yesterday's bathroom reno post that I would go into labor. Ronan and I were watching our favorite movie "Ratatouille" and feeding each other popcorn. My contractions started and at 8:45pm Collin and I were off to the hospital!

Happy that this is the beginning of the end of the pregnancy.

Latham George McLoughlin

9 lbs 3 oz

20.5 inches

Born 10:03pm, two and a half hours altogether including labor and delivery!

Look at all that blond hair!


Ronan checking out the presents that he got from "Baby Yakum"

Kisses!

He looks exactly like Ronan did at birth (except for hair color)!

Paging Doctor Ronan! Ronan loved giving Mommy and Latham check-ups!

He was apprehensive at first, but he soon wanted to hold Latham himself.

This is all very interesting stuff!

A first new family photo.

Bathroom update...

I'd rather be posting about the newest addition to our family, but he/she has decided not to come out yet. :( Since Ronan was early, I thought that this one would be too...apparently, I was wrong.

So, instead of posting about our new baby, I thought I'd update our blog with a couple pictures of our bathroom reno since there has been some progress in the last few weeks.

Our new tub/shower is installed! The old one was against the outside wall; this one sits 90 degrees from that, along the right hand wall that is shared with our bedroom. We also took out the yucky old window that was in there and are replacing it with a window with glass blocks to let in some natural light.

A different angle to show the new configuration. The large white object on the floor on the left is the new window. It has glass blocks on the top and bottom, and a section in the middle that can be opened to let in some fresh air.

Collin and my dad also installed new insulation in the walls and demo'd the ceiling. Necessary, but not as fun to look at as the big things like the new tub.

The next step is the floor which DH is working on as I write this. He had tweaked his neck earlier this week so was going to take the weekend off, but now (Sunday) he's feeling a bit better so he decided to put in a few hours leveling out the floor.

And yes, we still have bed sheets as walls. :)

Hallowe'en Fun!

Ronan and I went into Fairhaven to trick-or-treat on the main strip. It was crazy, there were so many little ghosts, super heros and princesses! When I told Ronan that we were going to dress him in his pirate costume he protested until I told him that he would get candy if he did. When I said that he couldn't get his costume on fast enough!

He got into the swing of things pretty fast - by the end he was elbowing other kids out of the way to get to the candy bowls! We'll have to work on manners!

Enjoying his first piece.

We met up with Fi-fi (friend Violet) and trick-or-treated with her and her family.

Trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.

Look at my stash!

Pumpkin Pickin'

Collin and I took Ronan to the pumpkin patch last Wednesday to find the perfect pumpkin to carve. We went to Boxx Berry Farm in Ferndale. Ronan loved looking at all the pumkins...

...he also loved riding the little wagon out into the field.

Ronan helping Daddy lift the pumpkin - Daddy, don't strain too hard!

Proof that Ronan is 35 lbs (with clothes and shoes)!


Posing with our freshly carved pumpkin - he looks like such a big boy!
When Daddy cut the eyes and nose Ronan kept repeating, "Triangles, triangles!" He learned that one from Sesame Street.

Our finished masterpiece!

Shiver me timbers!

Yesterday was the last 2-yr-old class before Halloween so all the toddlers wore their Halloween costumes. Ronan is a pirate this year, and after a temper tantrum to get him into the costume, he had a great time.

Stay tuned...I'll post some more pictures from trick-or-treating in early November.

Monkey see, monkey do!

Last week Collin was stretching out for his run before Ronan had gone to bed. Ronan said, "Daddy, wad'u doin'?" When Collin replied that he was stretching, Ronan thought it would be a good idea to do it too.

Checking out Daddy's form and trying to imitate.

I'm doing it too!

Oh, this one looks harder!

Is this right?!?

A goodnight hug before Daddy leaves for his run.

Congratulations Daddy!

Earlier this year Collin finished a professional designation course in Statistics (Black Belt - Six Sigma) from the Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University. They finally mailed him his parchment which he received last week.

He said that it was the most challenging program that he's ever completed - he said that even his Master's degree wasn't as challenging as this one! Now we get to frame the parchment and hang it on the office wall.

Ronan wanted his picture taken too!