A DECADE later and she is a surrogate Auntie (3 x's over)

My recent trip to the sunny state of Arizona was two-fold: meet my new "nephews" and "niece" and attend my 10-year high school reunion.  A broad statement, but let's just say I enjoyed myself entirely. 

Three of my best friends from back-in-the-day (and now, too) all decided to have babies one after another.  3 babies in 3 months--I must have missed the memo.  This is super fun for me because for the last 4 1/2 years, I have been the only one with kids in that circle of my life.  We are back on the same page in a way.  So, meet the babies (I'm not trying to sell these munchkins, just giving their mini bios :)

Kellen Ronald, Ashley's baby, was born August 17th, our anniversary, so 2 1/2 months old.  He is a happy little guy, a smiler and cooer.  Kellen has great cheeks and thighs that scream out "squeeze me"!!  Don't worry, I did. 

 Julien James, Lindsey's baby, was 

born September 26th, almost 5 weeks old.  Cute little munchie with more hair than Cruz.  Julien is a little squirt that likes the football hold and can hardly keep his little eyes open at least when I'm giving him snuggles.  I cuddled him as much as possible!

Giselle Faith, Amanda's baby, is the newest addition, born October 20th--she wasn't even a week old when I met her.  She was at the point where you say to yourself, "My baby was never that small!"  Giselle was swimming in newborn clothes, but even so, she was dressed to the 9's (what does that mean anyway?), matching her onsie all the way to her burp cloth--from what I've heard, girls are kind of like baby dolls--playing dress-up.  What a sweetheart.

If you can't tell, I'm a proud auntie.

The coolest part about all of these babies was their parents.  It was fun to see them all in action and every one of them beamed with immense love for their little miracles--and that is no joke.  (These 3 babies have the craziest birth stories I've EVER heard...wowza.  My labors look like a cake walk on the freeway compared to theirs.) 

Saturday night was my reunion.  I don't think I had seen anyone there since our actual graduation day in May 1998 (give or take 2 or 3 people).  It was just as I hoped it would be.  Everyone was so happy to see each other and people had grown up just enough that there were no dividing lines or bad memories--at least that I saw.  We all had a fabulous time sharing the latest and greatest, eating, reminiscing, dancing, hugging & talking some more.  It was really great to hear all the wonderful things people have done and are doing.  I am so glad that I went and I can't believe its already been a whole decade--I still feel 18!

I returned back to Cali to be hazed back into Motherhood this week.  Crazy little men (that seemed HUGE compared to the little babies) tried to work me daily, but I still love 'em.  Especially the biggest one--thanks for always supporting me in things I want to do--not need to do.

Jealous of the J's

Oshyn got 'the talk' recently.  No, not that 'talk', the talk about keeping your Jordan's free from any dirt, scuffs, or marks of any kind while you're wearing them--and then keeping them in the box when you aren't.  We have seen a few repercussions from this father/son 'talk'... 

A few months ago, after 'the talk', Oshyn kept talking (that part's not new)--sounding a bit envious--about Cruz's Jordans. (Little does he remember, they were 1st bought for him)  Next thing I knew, he came out in these.  They may not be Jordan's, but they ARE Daddy's old basketball shoes.  Almost as good in his eyes. 

While driving...

H: I just saw some shoes in the street. 

O: Did you run over them?

H: No, I didn't want to run over someone's shoes.

O: Were they Jordan's Mom?

In awe of the J's, but more realistically in awe of anything Daddy SAYS or DOES--you better watch yourself B!

P.S. I just figured out how to email myself pictures from my phone--hence the slight blur.  Well, now that I figured something out, I got a new phone to learn--anyone want a verizon razor (pink) phone?  Let me know.

My Laundry Sidekick

Avantouinti

Q:  What is Avantouinti?

Avantouinti is the Finnish word for "winter swimming". It may sound to many like masochism taken to ridiculous lengths, but it is becoming increasingly popular in Finland (and Lodi) where 10% of the population have tried it and there are more than 80,000 regular winter swimmers who tout the therapeutic benefits of winter swimming.  The typical swimmer is not some grizzled macho-type, but a middle-aged woman with a clerical job (or crazy Nobmann boys). 

Beau wants me to call it the modified Polar Bear Club.  You have such wonderful suggestions for all of my random projects and they could be so great...but I'm keeping it Avantouinti.  Love you. :)

Bottom line...THE WATER IS TOO COLD FOR SWIMMING!!!

Cruzisms

With Oshynisms, at this point, it is all about WHAT he says, at this point in Cruz's life, it is all about HOW he says certain things.  All I know is that we can't get enough of this kid.  (Let me take that back, at meal times, I get enough...still love him to pieces though).

ike-lllll (motorcycle)---EVERY time we see a motorcycle or he sees one--then I look to find it myself.  He's got a good eye!

some and that--when he desires something we have and we say, "Do you want some/that?" He repeats "SOME SOME SOME" or "THAT THAT THAT" while pointing

loud (vacuum)--this is most often said with a pathetic sad voice.  He doesn't seem to enjoy the loud things in life, namely UPS trucks, blenders, etc.  For a while he would call all loud things "loud...vacuum".

shoe fly--obsessed with the fly swatter.  He LOVES to swat flies.  Hate to admit it but we have enough that he has had a lot of practice.  He likes books with flies in them--an animal book that has flies around a donkey and 'I know an Old Lady who swallowed a Fly' are two he picks out.  When he sees the flies in the books, he starts waving his hand around saying "SHOE FLY!  SHOE FLY!"  I don't know where he gets that from :)

cow...moon--when he says "cow" he usually follows by saying "moon"  I think he thinks that a cow says "moon" instead of "moo" because of 

Good Night Moon 'the cow jumping over the 

moon'

pounds--Cruz likes to give high 5's and recently someone taught him pounds.  He sticks his fist out and says pounds for you to respond.

What ever Cruz says he repeats over and over and over until we get it and repeat it back to him, showing him we understand.  He is cracking us up at this point and we are loving the interaction between the two boys (mostly).  

These pictures show his awe at the zoo, me finding him too quiet (reading a book under the table), wanting to play bball with Oshyn's team, hiding behind a certain bush for about 20 min...just standing there (and today reading a book behind the bush), 

and sneaking techie toddler messing with the computer any chance he can get.

  

Something critical to our beliefs

Anyone who knows me, knows that politics are not my forte. But when a Proposition is dealing with a moral issue, I need to stand up.

"In March 2000 California voters overwhelmingly approved a state law providing that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The California Supreme Court recently reversed this vote of the people. On November 4, 2008, Californians will vote on a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that will now restore the March 2000 definition of marriage approved by the voters."

"Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage."

Everyone I know either has friends or family members that are homosexual. We respect, have compassion for, and love them dearly. You can love someone while still having diverse views...I'm sure everyone who is married, a son/daughter, a friend, basically a human, knows this (and if not, start loving people who are not your clone--its wonderful). This Proposition will NOT take away their rights. "In California, the law provides for marriage-related benefits to be given to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Proposition 8 does not diminish these benefits."  THEY HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS...SAME AS MARRIED COUPLES HAVE RIGHT NOW.  They are just called "domestic partners".  This PROP is about the DEFINITION of MARRIAGE.

If you live in California, PLEASE register to vote and become informed to make your decision.

Here are some links to great educational websites:

www.preservingmarriage.org

www.protectmarriage.com

Here is a video with some Q & A:

A simple explanation for the crying "trickster"

me "What happened Oshyn?"

O "Cruz told me he wanted to do this, so I very gently helped him over the side and he wanted to try a new trick, so he closed his eyes..."

me "Did he fall off the couch?"

O "Yes." 

Friday night lights-Lodi style

The short guys and I decided to brave the rain and go to the Lodi vs. Tokay H.S. football game (rivals in this town). Cruz couldn't stop saying "boots." I think he was just a bit stoked to have boots like the rest of us and kept doing the jolly dance. And Oshyn thought it was "sweet". He told Beau to ask him how happy he was to go to the game. Beau said, "How happy?" Oshyn said, "I cried."

Time to dust off the "old" (but still fabulous) boots

We had our first rain/drizzle of the season. Our neighbors broke out the umbrellas for a thrill and we dusted off our rain boots. Oshyn claims his still fit and I'm crossing my fingers he's not lying. Cruz is beside himself dancing in his boots--thrilled to be a "big" kid. Me, tickled pink (maybe its my boots), that everyone else thinks happy thoughts about rain because of their boots. This year we will have to get Daddy some boots so he can officially join the gum-boot gang...

So you think you can dance?

We went to see the top ten on tour in Oakland last night. I never wanted it to end. Made me want to dance again. Anyone want to sponsor me? :)

*FYI SYTYCD is a dance competition show on in the summers. We love to dance hence we love the show...and couldn't believe we were able to see it in real life.

Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!

Ever since this came in the mail, Oshyn has been a pirate for at least 1 to 2 hours a day. He'll announce, "I'm going to put on my pirate suit!" Then he gets out his sword and goes at it with all of the energy that he stores up...after that he just likes to play cars or watch a show with it on.

Cruz likes it too (I got him one also)--especially the hat and the yo ho pirates song...he sings ho!! ho!! Oshyn's favorite part is "Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads," What a sweet pirate. I want to drink them both up, they are so awesome.

'Tri' to win Mom!

That's what Oshyn said to me as they dropped me off at Julie's house to truck over to Pleasanton for the night (good thing b/c I was running out of ways to give intros to the triathlon blogs...can you say a-bit-obsessed-with-tri's?)  I'll spare you the details, but lets just say we had a good time before the tri even started!  

This morning Julie, Dena, Wendy and I finished the 'See Jane Tri' Triathlon in Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton.  It is such a good atmosphere and 'See Jane Tri' is the 1st triathlon I did--2 years ago--has a special place in my heart (or at least my hamstrings)!  My goal was to beat my last time here and I DID IT!  I beat myself by about 5 minutes.  Hopefully this will become an annual tradition for us and we would love to add to the group...you have no excuses--a WHOLE year to train!!

Thanks girls for making this such a rad day and I will be getting a fabulous nights sleep tonight!! 
 

Hard Core

I love this kid and the fact that if his Dad tells him to wear a headband and two wristbands...no questions asked, it happens.  I'm still laughing.  This should be an interesting "season" (aka 6 games).  

Independence

Oshyn has figured out a new way up...
(Where is Waldo with his striped shirt on?)

Trying to forget

This is about 2 weeks past, hence...trying to forget :) Labor day weekend, we had this fabulous idea to go to the beach. Beau and his Dad would go Abalone diving in the wee hours of the morning--catch their limit (3 each) and then the rest of us would meet them at Portuguese Beach (near Bodega Bay) for a day in the sand and sun. We had it down--bring the BBQ to cook the abalone, drinks in the cooler, side dishes for lunch, port-a-cribs for naps, swimsuits for getting in the water...you name it, we had it covered...or so we thought. Who would have thought that the 1st day of Sept would be SO DANG WINDY AND COOOOOOLLLLLDDDDD and the water would be CRAZY?
Well it was. Hawaii spoiled us.

This should have been a sign (it IS a sign, but I meant an omen).

Did I mention the boys only got one abalone? Enough for appetizers back at the Panttaja's.

But I'd be lying if I said we didn't still have a good time. Sweatshirts and all.

Football helmets?

Ever since Oshyn was a little baby, people (after looking at his build) would always comment to us..."He's going to be a football player!" or "You've got a line-backer on your hands!" I think he may have over heard...

What am I thinking? Of course he over heard, that kid doesn't miss A THING!!

He always has to wear his helmet when playing football (the bike helmet will have to do for now) and Saturday Daddy decided to join in on the fun...wearing a helmet that is.

If you don't succeed at (getting) first, tri tri again

Saturday morning was a fun one!  We got together with some friends and had our own triathlon around the neighborhood 

(after realizing a supposed tri for the guys was a kids only).  

How many people have friends that would want to do this?! 

 The Schiess' set it all up with maps, numbers, and even yellow jerseys for all.  We were teamed up as couples and split the distances of the swim, bike, and run--so, 200m swim, 4 m bike, 2 m run for each person--tag team after each leg...double for total distance.  

Lets just say that the Nobmann team worked it and came in 6 m 40 sec before the Schiess'.  Sorry Webbs as hard as Justin worked, you were DNQ for your missing link (aka Dena).  Better luck next time to all 4 of you! 

Here's to the bragging rights!!  Cheers!

(my "for-the-photo" finish)

Denva and Koosherem solo mio

Wednesday night we headed off to Colorado to visit my Mom and Pete in what Oshyn used to call "Denva", sounding like his kiwi Grandad.  (Always a bummer when they realize things that you don't want them too--like Denva, Denver and bear hockey, air hockey...you get my drift.)  Fortunately the airplane was only 1/2 full on our flight and we got a whole row to ourselves.  Actually more like 5 rows to ourselves.  Thursday was spent at the park, not just any park but a Denva park, with an array of play equipment and huge climbing rocks out of our norm.  Then Grandad taught Oshyn how to sail--making sure he was ready..."Which is the right?  Which is the left?"  Lucky for Oshyn he knew/guessed the correct answers and was given the controls.  Friday rained, which opened the doors to the mall with a huge indoor smooshy playground.  I think everyone else had the same idea.  I have never seen so many kids with so many parents chasing after them in my life.  A GREAT people watching opportunity.  We ate pizza at Deby's restaurant which may seem like no big deal to most, but a gluten-free pizza that somebody else makes is HUGE.  Thanks Deby.  Here comes the kicker...then Pete dropped me off at the airport...BY-MY-SELF to go to my girlfriend's wedding.  I can honestly say my head felt lighter--not dizzy, but to only have to worry about myself--I almost didn't know what to do.  I would have to say that I only have a small amount, if no, sympathy for those who complain about plane rides when they have zero kids in tow.  As entertaining as the short guys are, how fun was it to cruise the shops in the airport, read my book and just sit.  I highly recommend it.  Maybe that's just it, when its not the norm, you appreciate it more.  I stayed the night with Beau's mom in Draper and just mosied on down to the middle of nowhere land arriving in a beautiful ranch, 3 hours south of SLC, in Koosherem, Utah.  My Meghan Marie Kennedy is now Meghan Marie Rickenbach.  What a fun wedding sitting on hay bales for the ceremony and listening to a blue grass band all night under a blanket of stars and white lights.  I think a few people felt bad for me, being alone and offered for me to bunk with them for the night...don't worry Beau, just girls--no lonely cowboys.  I reassured them that I WANTED to stay by myself, I actually finished my book for once!  Sunday I headed back north.  You know you are in Utah when it is 10:55am and you start looking for a church--find one at 10:56am (took a whole minute because like I said earlier--I was in the middle of nowhere) and go to Sacrament at 11am.  The gospel is alive and kickin' even in Salina 4th ward.  I caught up with Grandma Orchard, Uncle Robert, the Knapps, and Grandma Annie once again before I said Aloha to the Beehive state around 8pm.  Then yada yada yada-I-probably-should-have-slept-in-the-Denver-airport, we all arrived in Sacramento this morning at 8 am.  Thank you so very very much Mom and Pete for thinking our kids are as great as we do and loving them lots.  A good time for us all.  

Simple pleasures

I would go into Labor again for another day like this...
Sleeping in longer than 7am
Waking up to French toast (President's style)
Having my car washed by a tall dark handsome man, while I vacuumed his truck and then swapped
Reading my scriptures distraction-less
Going for a run stroller-less
Shopping and actually buying something I needed
Swimming with my 3 favorite boys
BBQ for dinner
Kiddos in bed by 8

I wish the Carwash guy had every Monday off