All figured out

Cruz has the timing on the camera down to a science. These pictures with his eyes closed aren't an accident. He sees the orange light on the camera and squints and when the flash goes off he closes his eyes. It makes me want to take more pictures--it is that funny to watch the little squinter perfecting his work. More comic relief from the Cruz-meister.

Get Up, Stand Up

Marley would be proud of this little munchkin. Cruz has been pulling himself up and standing for the past 2 or 3 weeks. Everytime I turn around he is on his two little feet. Yesterday he was standing behind the chair I was sitting on and I thought he was on his knees. Not a chance...2 1/2 feet just isn't that tall.
(Did I mention I'm thankful for skulls? Well I am.)

The best CASE ever (and the glasses that came with it)

I don't know what was more exciting, getting the glasses or the case. I'm pretty sure Oshyn can see better with them on...although when we were picking out the frames a few weeks ago, he thought he could see better with all of the different glasses--and they were just plain glass. I'll let you know if he miraculously starts reading or something.

Mind reader

Ever since Cruz was about two months old, we have known what his thoughts are. Second child you say? Nope, that's not it. Let's just say he wears his heart on his sleeve...I mean his onsie.

A bit haughty for a 2-month old

Couldn't agree with you more

Already loyal to the fam

That's a no-brainer!


Speak for yourself

We love you Cruz! Is this the onsie you want for your birthday?

The Recent Specs

After playing "paper, rock, scissors"
for who had to sit on the left side of Oshyn at dinner, I figured a trip to the eye doctor (for the funky right wandering eye), was due. Neither Beau or I have had any eye problems yet in our lives, so we didn't quite expect this one. Off we went, last Thursday morning, to see--or not to see--the doc. The first test that was given was a bunch of stenciled pictures in varied sizes. It started with a huge jetliner. Oshyn immediately shouted out, "AIRPLANE!" Then it got a bit tricky. Up came a... bird. Well, for those of you who really know Oshyn, you know that the animal kingdom is not his best subject. He thought and thought and then finally said, "GOOSE"--I was proud, even though it didn't have a long neck (or any neck), at least he guessed in the bird family. Following the "goose", came a house, a birthday cake, a hand, and then a picture of a guy on a horse. We had quite a pause on that one before he said "FLOWER". Like I said before, they were stencils, but this is just classic Oshyn. Blind or not, he just isn't an animal guy. Period. Show him a wrench, a big rig or combine harvester---NOT ANIMALS! We were almost laughing at that point and asked the doctor if she could just put all of the pictures up big so we could tell him what they all were. After we had done that his answers were more accurate, but then he tried to be a little brainiac. If he really couldn't see the picture, he would just start guessing using all of the answers he remembered us talking about. Luckily they don't determine your vision using just one test. Following the stencils they dilated his eyes and did some measurements. The verdict was in, in less than an hour...Oshyn needs glasses! He is far-sighted, which explains his head turning when we read and silly eye at the dinner table. All a result of his poor little eyes just trying so hard to focus. He was pretty pumped for most of the day, saying he wanted glasses just like Dean (his cousin). I will post more pictures when the specs arrive. In the mean time, if anyone can let me in on some prescription info, please do. Supposedly +3.50 is only 1/2 of Oshyn's prescription so his eyes will still have to work a bit. Has anyone ever heard of being +7.0?

The Caged Animal

How I found Cruz this morning. He must have been listening to Oshyn's advice.

Pink Polka Dotted Pleasure

We've had quite the storm sequence in the Lodi parts these past few weeks. Both of these fallen trees are just outside our house. The one that fell in the street I actually predicted. This is how it went... (me)"Wow! That tree is really blowing! It looks like its going to fall down." (the tree) "Crack...Boom!" The tree split right in half and landed right on one of our neighbors cars. That tree, and a few others have had to be completely removed--leaving stumps as grave stones.
The wind has died down from the 50+mph that it was blowing, but the rain is still coming down, sometimes sprinkles, sometimes cats and dogs. The day after the first big dump, Oshyn went outside and said "Is my favorite puddle there?!" Then we proceeded to the outerside of our fence. It was there and boy was somebody happy! (...her little boy was too). You know what that means--RAIN BOOTS coming out of the closet. Probably one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Let the brawling begin

2 Pureed Peas in a Pod

Before Cruz was born, I was a tad nervous that the gap between the two boys would be too big for them to be buddies. Well, much to my delight, I have been proven wrong. Oshyn thinks Cruz is beyond wonderful, gets so excited when he does just about anything, and is already showing him the ropes. Cruz thinks that Oshyn is the best thing since pureed peas and lights up as soon as Oshyn enters the room. Buddies? Naaahh...better than that. BROTHERS!

Sharing the 'secret of a good time'...the laundry basket.

Protecting him already--notice the towel behind Cruz's head and also on both sides of him. (And by the way, Cruz can sit up by himself--these are a just-in-case added measure of Oshyn's doing)

And as always, cuddling--whether Cruz wants to or not...Oshyn runs the show for now.

Nearly heaven

It has been a while since I have written, ONE, because I was busy last week getting ready to come to Pennsylvania to visit family and TWO, I'm here now without a computer of my own. Many are sleeping for the time being and I have a moment on my mom's laptop to write a few sentences (plus she has great pictures that I can put with it all--which is the best part). It is a marvelous experience to be surrounded with so many that you love. I am so fortunate to be able to spend some great time hugging and loving those that so many times we only hear voices of--or fortunately a computer video call from. I am enjoying myself and the boys are being treated like kings, its too bad no one loves them here. This must be what its like in heaven when all of your family is reunited.

We will write of our adventures in the Keystone State soon. Merry Christmas.

*Cruz is being a techie with his Uncle Chad, my brother, and Oshyn being read to by my Grandma Miller, his GGma.

Here are some recent addendums to the previous post that I couldn't ignore...

After brushing his teeth, Oshyn asked where the toothpaste went. I told him it went down the pipes. He said, "Oh no! We need to take the pipe out! What if we don't have enough for our indoboards?!"

At Cruz's 6 month appointment, the Dr., whom has also been Oshyn's pediatrician since he was born, was talking about how smart Oshyn was (he was talking a bunch and asking her what she wanted for Christmas...). As she was checking Cruz out, Oshyn said something about what he wanted to be when he grew up. Going with the flow of the conversation, Dr. Yasrebi and I both thought he was about to say that he wanted to be a doctor. Oshyn said, "I want to work at In-and-Out Hangabur when I grow up!" (I'm not too worried, he has probably answered the same question with just about every profession there is--)

Oshyn was wanting to buy a bouncy ball out of one of those gumball-type machines. I said--well, don't you have plenty of bouncy balls? He quickly replied, "Well, I sold them all on E-bay". (WHO SAYS THAT KIND OF STUFF?) I was DYING and still am.

All I Need to Know I Learned in Preschool (where else could he get so silly?)

These types of goodies I refer to as 'Oshynisms'

I pledge allegiance to the flag...with Liz-a-bee and justice for all.
(I am actually a little bumbed that out of the WHOLE Pledge of Allegiance, which he recites at random times throughout the day, the only word he created was 'Liz-a-bee')

If you chew with your mouth open, you go to jail. (I admit, I do tell him off-the-wall stuff to get results, but I promise I didn't tell him he'd go to jail for that offense.)

I love you more than that...I love you all the way up to Jesus' hair. (pronounced HAY-ER...where DID he get that accent from?)

O-creepie-O (Star Wars--C3PO)

Did you know something SUDDENLY hurt my feelings? (This one usually shows up when he's supposed to be in bed)

Did you know that I love Curious George so much he's real now! (the story of The Velveteen Rabbit will do that to you)

Where do basketballs grow?

Did you know that when it becomes sunny again we can swim? That's good because we've been wanting to swim lately.

Many of his profound questions or statements seem to start with--Did you know that... or I realize that...

'Oshynisms' might not seem that funny on paper to just anyone. It is the cadence and the wording that does it to us. He just uses the vocabulary of someone much older, so to see a 3'4" little guy talking the way he does leaves our cheeks and bellies hurting! It is on a daily basis that Beau and I hide our grins behind books, pillows, anything to not disclose our mouths that are screaming to let out a crazy laughter. "Why hide?" you say--believe me it doesn't always work, but he is ususally dead serious about the subject he is conveying to you and if you laugh he might stop talking which = less 'Oshynisms' to write about!

Holiday cheer in full swing

We've been practicing hard. Our costumes just came in from the Northern parts and we're just about set for our winter performance. Click HERE to see what I'm talking about.

Rollin' with the incredible opposable thumb

The other day Beau pointed out to me that Cruz does this funky thing with his thumb. I never really noticed it or how much he does this thumb-roll, but when I paid attention to it...I realized he goes crazy with it all day--so I took little clips of it last week. I was a bit obsessed--well, you might say he is obsessed after you see this little video. Note: I took all of these bits in only ONE afternoon. These are the times I caught him on tape. Guarantee there was more.

"Pilgrooms" by the fishin' hole

The Monday before Thanksgiving, I told Oshyn about how Thanksgiving started--that the Pilgrims came over to America on big boats and became friends with the Native Americans...they got together and had a big feast with lots and lots of good food. Then I said that when we celebrate thanksgiving we also have a big feast just like they did. Long story short, as Thanksgiving was drawing near, Oshyn wasn't too concerned about the food, but wanted to know when we got to go on a boat. Lucky for us we went up to Redding where the houses all look out onto a lake. He told me that we could be the "Pilgrooms" and Dean and Isaac (cousins) could be the Native Americans. We did just that with the little paddle boats!
We had a fabulous time and were able to see Beau's oldest sister, Janaea, and her crew (Sammy, Ian, Zach and Jackson), the beloved Panttaja's (whom Oshyn secretly wishes he belonged to), Aunt Marianne, Roger and a plethora of dogs. Oshyn LOVES Redding and LOVES to be with his cousins! He asked Beau "When I get older, do I get to pick where I want to live?" Beau said, "Yep and you can live down the street from me and mommy". Oshyn said he wants to live in Redding. No offense taken here, I'm sure it has more to do with cousins, tackle football, running, paddle boats, scooters, fishing (should I keep going?) than if he wants to be close to us or not. I think all of the kids (and most grownups) feel that way--probably because summer or fall, Redding is always a good time. There are lots of fun things for everyone to do and we can be outside tons, which is what we love most.
One of the favorite activities we are able to do up at Aunt Marianne's house is going fishing on the lake. Oshyn caught his first fish--meaning HE cast the line into the lake, HE reeled it in, and HE pulled it out...all by himself. I don't know who was more proud, Oshyn or Beau, but it was indeed a good moment for all.

You can see more pictures of the weekend on flickr (when i get around to downloading them, i'll paste a link here...I gotta go to activity day)

Happy Little Boy and Fine

All grins, and a whole lotta chins!
Where is your neck, son?












Disclaimer:
I can say that kind of stuff
because I too had many chins.

BLUE-EYED BOTTLE-HATER

We have found a way around it. Its name is sippy cup. Now Beau and I can date without a third wheel. We mean that in the best way Cruz.

Not too big for kisses

The other day was one of those 'Oshyn days' where we went from riding bikes, to playing soccer (take note of the red soccer socks that must be worn when playing soccer), to climbing trees--all before 9am. He is 100% boy and that is an understatement. Now that my belly isn't as big as our basketball, I can share in the fun of Oshyn climbing trees. He thinks he is VERY cool and honestly if the trees around here were a bit bigger I would be up there with him because I LOVE to climb trees too. Climbing trees makes me think of my grandparents house in Meadowbrook Terrace and the great trees that I spent hours climbing in the summer. Oh the fun I had! I love it when Oshyn is wild about the things I love to do too. I was thinking this very thought when he was up in the tree and I started laughing out loud. Oshyn looked down at me and asked me why I was laughing at him. I told him I just loved him, that's why. He looked down at me and said "Love you Mom," very quickly, but seriously and then gave me a smooch in the air. 110% boy, but not too big for kisses...

*This picture above is a "trick". Oshyn wanted to make sure I took a picture of it.

A Night in the City

So let me tell you, I had my first experience in San Fran...
I was looking sharp and ready for a good time.

As you can see I am beyond thrilled to be there. I was going for the classy serious face since we were shooting a 4-generation portrait...I guess I'm the only one with class in this family.

My cousin, Milania, aka "Baby-sista-girl", and I were the only kids (from the Nobmann/Panttaja crew) at Jessica's reception. Probably because we are the only 2 that wouldn't (rephrase--couldn't) swing from the chandeliers...yet--that is.

I cut the rug with my Mom and LOVED it! Don't tell Oshyn, but I've already got more moves than he does.

By the end of the night I was one tired guy. Lucky for me, my Mom cuddles me with no complaints. What a night!

Tag--you're it JT

I've been what you call "tagged" by Stephanie. The idea is to write 7 random things about myself for everyone to see. Well, you see I only have one thing on my mind right now that I want to write about, so I apologize to Miss Peppy if I distort this game too far. Beau and I were soooo very fortunate to go to the James Taylor concert last night at the Arco Arena. It was beyond fabulous and my heart starts pumping just thinking about it!!! So, to fulfill my 7 random things, I am going to write about 7 random things about our James Taylor night. Bear with me...

1. My mom and I loved to listen to James Taylor growing up. I mean LOVED...I adored him so much, even then, that I told my mom I wanted to marry him. She informed me that he was already married, but that maybe I could snatch up one of his sons. I settled (I mean scored) Beau instead! So you might say that I was just a little excited to go see him live.

2. We went to dinner with John Taylor and his wife Kim. James Taylor is his father! That is not a lie...his father is just not THE James Taylor. Still funny though. John is the customer that got the concert tickets for all of us and also a scrumptious meal at a restaurant in Sacramento. I devoured 2 mouth watering, maple glazed, enormous pork chops with some red potatoes and cinnamon apple sauce. I have no idea what everyone else ordered...my food was THAT good!

3. The 2nd song he sang was one of my favorites "Everyday" and the 3rd Beau's favorite "Copperline". I have little clips if you want to see them... :)

4. JT (we're close now, and he lets me call him that) was a very entertaining performer. He not only had a wonderful voice--as good, if not better than on his CDs, but he was a light- hearted, humorist who told some stories about various songs. So, doin' his thang, James was telling a story about how a song originated, when some disrespectful lady yelled up to him "SHUT UP AND SING!" Talk about mad, I don't mean James, but Beau and I and probably over half of the audience. He took it with stride and didn't say a thing except, "Alright..." and started the song. I was a bit miffed about it all for a bit, but tried to follow his example and just keep going with the concert. In the 2nd half he was singing "Steamroller" and started doing some ad lib and added a line...'Shut up and sing!!" VERY smoothly... I can't explain it in words, but it was AWESOME and everyone hooped and hollered!

4. You know you're in the techie-age when instead of people holding up lighters...they hold up cell phones!!! Hilarious.

5. Cruz earned bonus-baby points last night. I fed him at 5pm and left him with a babysitter, knowing he would be fine, but still hoping for the best, since he is a bottle-rejecter. We got home at midnight and he was still fast asleep.

6. Beau took Oshyn to the bathroom before we went to bed and after Oshyn went to the bathroom he kept saying, "Fire in the HOLE! Fire in the Hole!" Random, but classic 'sleep-talking' Oshyn.

7. Beau's buddy, Rob, who also went to the concert, gave us a LIVE CD of James Taylor when we met him and his wife Lyn there. I am jamming to it right now, attempting to ingrain the goodness in Oshyn and Bella who are playing ever so nicely.

There we go...7 randoms about our JT night. Oh yea...did I mention that all of this incredible night was FREE??!?!? That is except for the ice cold Hagen Daaz that Beau got us to start off the concert!

Who does this stuff?

One of the many benefits of Pergo flooring

When you don't have snow, use the stairs

*Kids, don't try this nonsense at home...without responsible adult supervision.

got milk?

(and maybe a comb too?)

Super Sacramento Saturday

Fortunately, after every Friday comes a Saturday. Unfortunately, this Saturday Beau went dirt bike riding with some guys, neither named Oshyn or Cruz. Fortunately, he would have tons of fun (...and later come home safe, with only minor cuts and bruises). Unfortunately, I was stuck alone and didn't want to repeat the regular Monday thru Friday routine. Fortunately, in my eyes, the best way to have a fabulous day is to be self-less and self-fish at the same time, if possible. Unfortunately, Beau is great at this and I had to come up with it all on my own. Fortunately, Oshyn and I like to do a lot of the same things...I may have conveniently rubbed off my favorite things on him without him knowing. Unfortunately, my grand idea--A STEAM ENGINE TRAIN RIDE WAHHOO!!!! picked the month of November to take a break. Fortunately, Old Town Sacramento is going to have a Polar Express Train Ride. Unfortunately, it doesn't start until the end of November. Fortunately, Old Town is on the Sacramento River and Fortunately, they have boats. Unfortunately, it was a tad expensive for 3 people...Fortunately, Oshyn and Cruz are both 3 and under so they were FREE and Fortunately, they served an all-you-can-eat buffet as part of the deal. Unfortunately, I am having a really hard time thinking of any more Unfortunate things because we had sooooo much fun!! A day that could have been very unfortunate became SUPER SACRAMENTO SATURDAY!!! There were only 7 other people on our 3 story big river boat cruiser, so after we chowed down some food we took off to check the boat out. Everyone else (except the captain) stayed downstairs in the dining area. Why? Who knows, but we had the entire boat to ourselves that way. We went up to every level and went in and out of all of the doors, up and down all of the stairs, exploring every nook and cranny. We waved to all of the random fishermen (and women) and got some waves back. Then we danced for a bit on the bow to the elevator music that was playing. Oshyn even broke out with some cartwheels--that's when you know he's having a good time! I even squeezed in a group photo with the reflection in the front window, can you say "talented"? It ended up being a superb day for the short guys and their mom.

Days like these

Well I decided to buy some rain boots for the rainy Lodi winters. It has made my immediate association with rain turn from cold dreary thoughts to splashing pink polka dot thoughts (my boots are pink with polka dots). The idea of the "boots-perk-up-rainy-day" mantra I have started repeating came from last Christmas when Oshyn was given some fabulous green dinosaur boots--splashing in the water actually made rain fun! I decided to test out the principal on myself this year. I believe it is working and we can finally join Beau in his "I-grew-up-in-Seattle" excitement for rain. What I need help with now, is days like these (see picture above for example). FOG. What the heck do I do to get excited about days that I feel trapped in the dark fuzzy haze of about 5 feet in front of me? This is not a joke. I almost hyperventilate. I blame it on being raised in the happy, sunny, blue skies of Arizona. Seriously though, please take a moment and click on the "But Mom's" below to leave me an idea of what you would do. I'm just trying to get geared up! On a lighter note, BRING ON THE RAIN, WE'RE READY!!