Fun weekend!

This past weekend, John and I headed up to Utah for a two-day seminar at DRA. Day 1 (Friday) was the parent workshop piece at the hotel's conference room. Day 2 (Saturday) was a half-day on the ranch with Matt. We did various activities, two of which were some of the activities that the kids go through when they go through the "homeless" phase of the program. It was so nice to see him and do these activities together, but four hours flew by! It looks like we get to see him the weekend of the 6th (November) for his 48 hour off-ranch visit. Can't wait!! He may be eligible for his 10-day home visit in early December!

Kyan was rather entertained in the hotel on Thursday night, after we checked in and had a few hours of R&R. (He loves to be naked.)



When we left DRA, we drove the two hours to Vegas to meet up with friends Kelly and Lee (and six of their family members), all on holiday from Manchester, UK. We have never had such fun in Vegas. I guess it's all about who you're with. :-) We just wish they didn't live so far away.

Saturday night, at a little cafe in Caesar's Palace. Kyan was really laughing it up, and as you can see on John's face, laughter is contagious.


Kelly, Pauline (Kely's mom, in case you can't see that they're identical!), me, and a sleeping boy - at the Wynn.


John, Lawrence, and Lee - at the Wynn. Lots of laughing this weekend!...

About eight years ago, Pauline and Lawrence got married here, on a whim while on holiday. Coincidentally, John and I renewed our vows here in the middle of the night a few years back. Britney Spears started a 40-hour marriage here, and Michael Jordan (now divorced) married here, too... I hope those aren't indicative of anything! Anyway, we thought we'd saunter down memory lane and returned to this classy establishment for a few brief moments. (aaaaawwww) [And Kyan was stillllll sleeping. This town wore him out!]

In case anyone is interested in a drive-thru wedding some day... oh, and Elvis was in the house when we were there! So much for working at Burger King. He hangs out at the Little White Chapel in Vegas.

A few new videos... and four months old

Here are some random videos from the past couple of weeks.

For the record, Kyan turned four months old on the 15th of October. His four-month doctors' visit was Friday, October 16th. He weighs 17 pounds, 6 ounces, and is in the 90th percentile for chub... err, I mean weight. He is 25 1/2" long, and is in the 75th percentile. The noggin is 16 1/2" inches around, which is normal. Hair status: Still bald as a billiard ball.

Smiley boy, glistening with slobber. Niiice.

Cute, nakie baby. No, he is NOT wearing leggings.

His best pal - the two of them are up to no good.

Talky, mumbly baby. He coos himself to sleep now, just like this. Makes me want to curl up and go to sleep with him and shut the rest of the world out. Sweet, lovey boy.

Down with the paparazzi!

Matt Update

It has been a LONG time since I have posted an update on Matt. To be honest, the reason is two-fold, with neither being a particularly good reason. First, I have just been exhausted and busy. (Lame, I know.) And second, Kelly and Alexa visited him the week after we did way back when, and let's just say that the visit wasn't such a good one and I was so livid that I didn't have ANYTHING nice to say. Since it seems that the internet is eternal, I decided to live by the old adage: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. So I haven't. 'Nuf said.

We have continued to talk with Matt every other Wednesday for 1/2 hour, along with this therapist. He has been doing really well and has reached the Manager level. Other than the week after the lovely visit (see? the sarcasm creeps in - can't help it), he has had 100% "successful" weeks, meaning he has earned a very small number of cites, he has done all that he has been asked to do, and he has met all of his school goals. With this level, he has been able to get a 'job' on campus -he is a photographer now. The photos I have posted before (not including the ones of us with him, but the ones of him on-campus either by himself or with other kids) have been taken by school photographers. This job is especially important to the parents waiting every single week to see photos of their kid -- trust me on this one!! He has also earned added priveleges and is definitely learning to appreciate the little things.

We were able to visit with Matt on the 9th and 10th - so we enjoyed his 14th birthday with him. FOURTEEN! Personally, I am thinking back more than ever to when I met him at age two. Oh, what a pistol!! What a ride these years have been, but he looks fantastic and we were so grateful to have this time with him. Given that he couldn't receive gifts for his birthday, we just hung out and visited, the boys fished, and he opened birthday cards that he received.

We can't help but whistle the Andy Griffith theme song to this picture... hello, Opie!

Pretty, huh?

Matt has also taken up guitar, which he is pretty jazzed about.

Matt took this shot. :-) I wish I could nap out in the grass, under beautiful trees!

This coming week, we're packing up again and will be heading back to Utah! There is a two-day parent seminar that John, Kyan and I are attending. Day one (Friday) is just for parents. Day two (Saturday) involves the kids from 8am - noon. Even for four hours, we'll take any time with him we can get. And we are excited to learn whatever it is that they have to offer.

Little Man -- just more pics :-)

As I have been so delinquent on picture-posting, here are a few random ones. I am running on SO LITTLE sleep these days, so forgive the absence of witty banter. But enjoy the cutie pie.

Enjoying his little bouncy toy.


Umm, hello little Gramps!



This kid is becoming such a flirt! Translating his shrieks: Hello Ladies! Check me out in my little Halloween Jams! And check out my double chin! Oh, yeah!!

This is just a sweet picture. He is big on chewing arms and shoulders now. He digs his football days with Daddy and has the shoes to prove it.

It was actually cold enough for a beanie - for one day.

John and I took Kyan with us on a double-date with Jen and Scott. How nice of us, huh? Well, Jen didn't mind!! :-) We hit the Padres game after dinner. I'd love to share a picture of Kyan all decked out in his Padres shirt, Padres hat, Padres blanket, and baseball shoes - but once we got there, the noise scared Kyan so badly that we LITERALLY made it through ONE PITCH. I guess he's just not ready to date yet.

Ok, so you probably know that John and I attended a 10-week Bradley Method birthing class (and for those of you who know me so well, we made it to six of the classes out of ten) to prepare for Kyan's birth. This picture is from our 'reunion', which was a couple of weeks ago. Kyan was the last of the group to be born, by far. The first was born in February (the baby on the far left). The FATTY FAT baby in red and gray was next-to-last, born in April. Fatty baby was 20 pounds at his two month check-up! (To have a point of reference, if I remember correctly, I think Kyan was ~13.8 at that point and was in the 75th% percentile.) Anyway, this picture cracks me up. And the behind-the-scenes shot of twelve parents hooting, hollering and whistling, while hoping th babies didn't take a tumble off the couch, was friggin' hilarious.

Kyan visiting with cousin Ryan. He thought he was really something up so high!

Just a sweet photo. :-)