a few more pics

OK, I'm becoming a blogging fool... but what do you do with cute pictures??

Earlier today, my mom came up to visit and we hit the new Super Target - finally open! And it's just down the street! We needed to find clothes for Kyan (yes, more clothes!) that might fit him since he has outgrown newborn size but he is too wee for 3 month clothes. Here he is - wearing one of the few onesies that fit him (fighting AIDS in Africa with his (RED) wear), along with his little red bucket hat and his swanky new flip flops. Grammy, whom he adores, was holding him -- he was giddy with anticipation of (yet another) shopping trip!!

I have said how Elvis is such a little gentleman and protector when it comes to me and Ky. Here they are, sleeping practically nose to nose. The pic is kinda lame because I didn't want to get in there and wake Kyan with a big flash in his face. But I think it captures the spirit! I am so in love with my little men!!

My best boys!!

Look who is making his way into the next clothing size :-)

MJ's Visit

Last week, John's mom (aka MJ, for Mama Jean) came out from New Jersey to meet her new little grandbaby. During her visit, we hung out mostly here at the house - but she got her Grandma fix with Kyan, and Lex came up for a couple of days to see her, too. My mom also drove up to spend some time so the Grandmas could do some Grandma bonding. We took Kyan on a few field trips - to the mall, out to dinner... - and MJ (or should we call her GJ??) and Lex watched the little monkey one evening so John and I could have our first date in a long, long time. (Harry Potter was great!)

Matt Update

We talked with Matt on Thursday. He has been gone for 9 weeks, as of today. He sounded really good and the 20 minute call went really fast. He has hit his goals every week since he got out of the first level, which was three weeks in. And he goes up for his next level this coming Wednesday. We were told that after he has two successful weeks on his next level we get our first visit with him, which will be in Utah for two days (seven hours each day, with four of those hours spent on campus and three hours off-campus).

On our calls, we are still at the point where we just talk about general stuff - nothing too heavy just yet. So we get the updates on school, football, and general life at DRA. School is going really well and his grades are good. He loves football and is proud that he is holding his own against the bigger, older kids. Football camp was great (in 100+ degree weather every day... no thanks!). And as a reward, he was able to join in DRA's 'Summer Celebration' and see Harry Potter the day it came out - which was a surprise for all of the kids.

We are counting down to our visit, which will be early/mid August if he stays on track. He sounds very motivated for that visit so I have every confidence that he won't goof off and we'll see him in just a few weeks!!

Kyan's first videos

I finally pulled out the camera to take mini videos of the little guy. He was talky and smiley all morning and I figured it was a good time... but of course as soon as I turned it on, he became a little more shy. But he was still sweet and wiggly, and he even shared a little milk with his fans.

Matt Update

We spoke with Matt on Thursday. He was in a really good mood and said that the past few days had been really good, too. The call seemed to go so fast, as they always do, and he was really looking forward to football camp this week. We aren't really clear on how the camp works - they definitely take a road trip on a bus as a team to wherever it is that they go, but it seems that they leave DRA really early each morning and return late each night. He was concerned about getting schoolwork and program work done at the same time but this will be a good challenge for him - learning to use his time wisely and plan so he doesn't lose too much program time or get behind on his schoolwork. Otherwise, he has two program-weeks left in his current level, and as soon as he hits his goals for the two weeks and then has two successful weeks in his next level, we can visit him! We learned that we get a weekend visit and Kelly gets a separate weekend visit, so we'll have to coordinate who goes first. BEST case scenario, we'll get to see him the weekend of August 7th, but again, it will depend on his progress as well as coordinating with his mom.

Yessss! He sleeps!! ...



...and he is learning to just hang out when NOT in someone's arms!

Kyan met his friend Conner this past week.

Thanks, Auntie Carrie and Uncle Jason! He'll grow into it soon (even if he isn't allowed to become a Sox fan)... as for the Skype action in the background: I'm sure I'm Skyping with Alex!

Anyone else see Gramps in that face?! I think we now know who Kyan looks like!!

Kyan's big day out

Kyan took a road trip with Mama to San Diego on Sunday.

First stop: Ryan's and Mireille's new pad (formerly Gramps' house). I wish I took pics of the house, and for those of you who knew how Gramps' house looked inside and out, the difference is AMAZING! I am so proud of Ryan for the work he has put in, and for the vision that they had for that house. I don't think ANYONE could have guessed how beautiful it could be with a little - well, maybe a LOT - of TLC (and sweat and muscle)!

Kyan enjoyed meeting Ryan and Bruce, too.

Then, we headed to Casa Adam's to meet Grammy, Anne, and Robert for a lovely lunch. Kyan was awesome in his restaurant debut.

And finally, over to Grammy's for some much needed and much-enjoyed down-time. (Anne and Robert: Thanks for bringing the Cold Stone!)

Here is just a cute pic from the past couple of days - finally awake and alert with Daddy. Such a big boy, apparently deep in thought in this shot. :-)

Jungle Pug

You may know that we have a few fruit trees in the backyard - peach, pomegranite, plum, almond, fig, blood orange, lemon, and key lime. (You also may know that the citrus trees are useless in our yard and don't produce anything, but that is another story.)

And if you know that we have a little black piglet, errr puglet named Jacqui, then you know that she would murder for food if given the chance.

Jacqui's favorite time of year is summer, when we have fruit on the peach, plum, pomegranite, and fig trees. And even though only a few figs are ripe here and there (so far this season), she LOVES to head outside and go for whatever fruit she can shake down, whether it's ripe or not. Glad she can't get to the apricot tree in the front yard, or we'd have some problems!!

So here is the little queen bee, in action... she got herself a very green plum after an impressive hunting expedition in our very tall grass!

Starting off innocent enough... so she wants us to believe.

Closer view of Jungle Pug

VICTORY!

She is so camouflaged, isn't she?? Happily chomping unripe fruit...

Naptime to aid digestion - quite the lioness (in spirit)

New Pics, overdue...

OK, without further adieu, here are some more photos, for Kyan's fans.

In his swing - thanks to Auntie Suzi, Auntie Anne, Uncle Robert, and Jessamin... he is getting used to it, five minutes at a time.

Another bath - he loves to be naked in big towels!

[Reading Kyan's mind] Ooh, might be a good time to poop...

With Daddy, in his favorite position.

With his Grandma, wearing his duckies...

I think he is content.

Mama's two best boys -

Elvis wants to BOLT, thinking "Mama, what the heck?!?!" - not liking the wee babe so much right now. I don't think the wee babe likes Elvis much right now, either.

OK, friends again...

Thanks, cousin Quinny, for the kickin' outfit!!