Ok, the past six months...

This blog may become frightening soon as I attempt to jam many moons into one post - we'll see how it goes.

It is now December, and between my last current post (April) and now, a world of things have happened in the Shea house.

The post about Alexa's 18th and graduation has about two sentences about her busy May/June period, with a few photos.

And the post about Kyan's first birthday in June has its own photos. Otherwise, it's all here - in perhaps the longest post in the world.

The summer went quickly and while relatively uneventful in the grand scheme of things, the house was busy as usual. Kyan started swim school every Friday in May (through September), Lex moved here at the start of June and spent almost the entire time under our roof, Kyan turned one in June, Matt was home when he wasn't out playing baseball or skating, and had friends in and out all the time, and he looked SO forward to starting 9th grade. He avoids cameras like the plague, so I have very few pictures of him from summer. We'll see what we've got.

Kyan continued to grow up by the minute. He started walking on his own about 5 days before his actual birthday, and in a flash began climbing running, then jumping and simultaneously talking, and talking... and did I mention talking? His first word on record was "poop" (thanks Chrissy!) but then BALL and DOGGIE started vying for "most used." I am kicking myself because I swore I wouldn't forget the things that are already a blur, but suffice to say he has stunned us time and time again with his new antics, new words (some not so pretty), his little monkey charm, his athleticism, and his cleverness. Yes, I'm completely biased. Thankfully, Lex, Matt, and their friends not only tolerate our goofiness over him, but they are all head over heels as well.

Here are a few shots from Quinn's May birthday - the boys love their little water toys at Grammy's...
... and they love being naked whenever allowed. They bring new meaning to the word "Sweet cheeks," don't you think? (Some day, this photo will be THE blackmail photo for both of them!)



Kyan at Swim School, in May.

Kyan's bday cake - see the other post from 12/10, devoted to Kyan's first birthday...


OK, so it is 85 degrees today, in December, yet this June day was FREEZING. This is the ONE shot I took at Pug Rescue's Pug K event, with Grammy. He had layers of blanket and a beach towel we found in the car.

For the 4th of July, we had Kelly, Lee, Dianne, Warren, and Nick over -- and after some killer fried chicken and all the fixin's, we headed to catch the Lake Elsinore Storm game, and the fireworks afterward. I think it was Kelly and Lee's first live baseball game, and Kyan's too (not including the Padres game we attempted back when he was a few months old - he lasted less than one half an inning that time!).

Kyan, being a little mischievous early in the day... he had discovered the rocks under our BBQ.


John & Lee, clearly enjoying the game...

Kyan's first fireworks - one of my very favorite shots

Cheyenne came out for a visit in July, which was nice and LONG overdue. (Hear that, Chey??) :-) We participated in the Pride Parade on behalf of Pug Rescue and hit tourist spots like Coronado, which neither of us had done in awhile.

Cheyenne on the bus, making our way from our parking area to the parade prep area... the looks we got with three pugs and a chihuaha on that bus were great, but everyone was wonderful!


Jacqui, being her diva self in her wagon waiting for the Parade to start


Me, Lex, Kelly and Elvis :-)


Group shot -- see Cheyenne (cowboy hat), James (white shirt), and Lex (with James, holding Bella) towards the left? We're just starting the long, hot walk!
Kelly with Rosie and Elvis, about to enter the parade route
Lex and me, and little Bella, at the end of the day on our way back to our car
Once we were on the actual route, it was impossible for me to get any pics -- good excuse this time, eh? ;-) But really it was a shame, it was Such an awesome day!!

The following day, Cheyenne, Kyan and I went to Coronado for the day. We at at Miguel's and walked across to the beach for a little while.

Kyan with Auntie Cheyenne
Sand is goooood!
Again, with Auntie Cheyenne. Nice grumpy mug! He wasn't too keen on the water rushing up over his feet and from the looks of his pants, it got him!


Later in July, Lola moved in with us at 10 years young... Kyan fell in love right away.

A few shots the day we got Lola, and the boys' play time.


Wherever there is water...
Oh, separate to Lola arriving, Kyan got a ball pit that week. Thinks he likes it?? :-)





The Shea-five went on vacation late in the summer to Palm Desert and Matt started 9th grade a few days later, in mid-August. Then Lex started college and moved back to Carlsbad about 60% of the time. A few pics from vacay...


My boys...

Once Kyan experienced the water slide, there was no going back to the kiddie pool.






In August, Lex, Warren, Kyan and I hit the road to visit Auntie Cheyenne, Gma 'Chele, and Grampa Monty. While there, we visited at the house, ate (as we usually do) and went to SF to catch a Giants game.

The other very important reason for the visit was to visit with my dear friend Matt Rose, whose mom Carole lost her battle with non-Hodkins Lymphoma after fighting bravely for many years. I had never met her, but through some IM's and many conversations with Matt about her, I felt like I knew her well. I'm sorry that I never made that trip to the bay area when it would have mattered more but from the folks who gathered in her honor at her service and from the stories that were shared that day, she was indeed a fine, fine woman.

Here is a shot of Cheyenne and me, on the train heading to SF for a Giants game.


Septembers in San Diego tend to be very nice and very hot, and the boys didn't seem to mind. Here they are in Quinn's little pool at Jeff and Alex's house.
Umm, Quinny?? :-)

Here is Kyan, on that same visit

We made a nice little trip to the Zoo in September and actually met up with my old friend Ann Moore and her boys, who were in town for a visit. Being the awesome photographer that I am, I snapped this ONE shot that day when Ann was off at a different exhibit. I don't take my camera out much!
Later in September, the Sheas and the "Smiggles" met up with my old high school friend Scott Stergios at a Padres Game. A few shots...

Lex and Jolie
Me and Scott
Auntie Kelly, chasing the little man around the lawn
John with the little batter

About a week before Halloween, the Shea's, the Houston/Moore's, Grammy, the Smiggles, and Lindsay and little Ryder met up for a wonderful day at Bate's Nut Farm. It was so nice to see Lindsay and meet Ryder for the first time, and we all enjoyed a picnic and some pumpkin picking. Kyan got lost that day for maybe 10 or 15 minutes(???), which were certainly the longest moments of my life. But aside from that scare, it was an awesome day. Forgive me for having a million photos of this one - the camera was out in full force for a change!!

Kyan dug the goats
Kyan really wanted to join the donkeys, or at least become a little taller to see them better...


Kyan loves his Grammy!

Lex with little pumpkinhead Ryder. Little Bella joined us in her Halloween Costume
Me and my baby boy :-)

Cutest shot of Quinn, ever!!! (Alex took this one - I snagged it from her.)

Arrgghhh, it didn't look this heavy... "BALL BALL BALL"
The Shea's, in what may be the first photo of the five of us???

Alex and her pumpkin climber
Kelly and Lee, preparing for their first US Halloween. Much bigger here than in the UK, we've learned.

Me and Kelly :-)

Linds, Ryder, Kyan checking out that funny little baby, and Matt (humoring me with the camera)

Linds and Ryder. Such a cutie!!

The cousins on their pumpkin quest
The first one Ky got to - he had to climb up!
Cousins going for a ride, interested in who-knows-what on their right


Jeff, giving the boys a lift

Early the following week, Matt, Jolie, and I hit a nearby pumpkin patch, just for a little afternoon adventure. A few cutie pie shots...


Kyan's little pumpkin

And now actual Halloween day/night...

The boys in their wagon (and matching Halloween tees) before the Halloween festivities commenced
Jen stopped by with Audrey, her little mermaid...
... and Ava Jane, as Jack Sparrow (looking fierce)

Once the boys got ready, there was no stopping their fun. :-)

Quinny, the cutest horse in the world...

And my little cowboy

Good times on the steps at Grammy's! Holla!

Aunt Alex has her hands full!

Early in November, Alex and I took the boys to the Wild Animal Park one day and Sea World another day. The boys had a fantastic time at both and we're enjoying their increased interactions, as opposed to just playing near one another.

Wild Animal Park





Other than the tram ride, I swear this is the only animal we saw that day! We had fun but weren't terribly focused. The boys were bigger fans of eating lunch and the playground, above, than hitting any exhibits. (Although there was one attack duck that kept going for my feet...)

Here we are at Sea World...

Alex, petting a dolphin



Kyan, in front of the belugas. I love the belugas!!!

Quinn, in a reconstructed Polar Bear cave. Raarrrrr

Kyan, with a few walrus friends

Creepy eels!!!

The boys checking out the rays

Quinny petting a ray

Now we're up to Thanksgiving (moving right along!!)... in true Jaime-fashion, I took out the camera ONCE and took these few shots (the turkey was taken with a phone later). There were about 15 people there and I just got a few of the fellas... Alex did much better, so check her blog out for more pics. ;-)


Bruce, Art and Lee

BTW, it's Lee's and Kelly's first Thanksgiving. ;-) I think he digs it.

Lee, John, and Matt

Great shots, huh? :-) We hung out, ate, ate, and hung out some more.

OK, I snaked this shot from Alex from Tgiving because it's so darn cute. :-)

Fast forward a little and it's already December... (and of course I have zero photos! HA!)

John has started and finished his first term at ASU, Alexa is in the middle of finals and is about ready to put her first college semester to bed, and Matt has finals next week. We had our Christmas yesterday (12th) because Matt leaves the 17th for Austin and won't be here for Christmas - he will be spending it with Jolie at her mom's house instead and Lex will be with her mom. (Nope, no photos from yesterday but I thought it would be kind of lame, since we have zero Christmas decorations up this year. And I do mean ZERO.)

On the 26th, John, Kyan, and I will be heading out with Kelly and Lee for a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. So help me if I don't have pics from that trip when we return! ;-)

Because a one-year-old develops quicker than the rest of us (thankfully), here is a blurb on what Kyan is up to now (again kicking myself for NOT keeping this blog updated, for my own record-keeping and nostalgia as much as anything else.

At this point, Kyan runs, CLIMBS, jumps (including takes flying leaps off of the couch), and dances like a fiend. No idea where he gets his soul groove, but he's got it.

He is completely opinionated about everything from which water cup to use (he likes our glasses over his sippy cups any day - and don't forget the ice) to which fork, book, or ball he wants.

He has a CRAZY obsession with his shoes (but only certain shoes). Seriously, it's not natural! He loves his converse and his crocs. (Oh Lordy, those crocs!) He is not a fan of his cowboy boots but enjoyed his rain boots for all of two days. And forget about putting socks AND shoes on his feet simultaneously. He'll wear his shoes without socks, thankyouverymuch. He's ok with his raccoon slippers but not his Elmo ones, and the crocs stay on - all night long.

Kyan has a pretty good vocabulary, from what I understand. He only signs "more" and "water" at this point, but says a ton of words, including doggie, kitty, Matt, ball, bat, juice, milk, water, "HOLD YOU!!", each of the dog's names (Lola = "Lala"), Dada, Mama (or MOMMMMYY!!!! when he REALLY wants something), fork, hot, pretzel, pizza, popcorn (do we see a trend here?), poop (and he means it), elephant, zebra, monkey, banana, orange, pineapple (huh?), "I love you"... and a few choice words that we are trying to un-learn. He is starting to string two words together on his own ("ouch head" when he bonks his head - which happens a lot), and of course my favorite bears 2nd mention ... "I love you." Melts my heart. He gives high fives and fist bumps and Quinn and Emily taught him "Peace" (holding out two fingers) last week. Today, he started saying something along the lines of Lessy (Lexie+Sissy??) while pointing to her door. She is SO excited.

It's fun to see his little routines as he comes into his own. My favorite is his routine for greeting Elvis, Lola, Jacqui, and Rosie in his own specific order, starting with "Hey guys!" and then making his way around the room, saying each of their names, giving them each a hug and a kiss. He is presently trying to disturb his bedtime routine, sitting up every minute to ask for something else to stay awake. But when he looks up at me every single night when we're in bed and asks for "Lala" and Elvis, for some reason it grabs me and I hug him tighter. I love that he loves our animals and that they are on his mind, and I think it's so funny that those are his two favorites of our zoo.

Ky has very definite food preferences (and is a big fan of Starbucks), and thankfully some veggies and fruits are at the top of his list. Sadly, so are sweets and salty snacks -- anything in those categories. He also loves chips, but only if you let him dip them in salsa. And pasta and Mexican food are pretty darn cool.

Ky has some serious people preferences -- I am pretty sure that his favorite person in the world besides his mama is Matt. Matt was the first of all of us to get an "I love you." He may dig his brother even more than Daddy, but don't tell him! Lex comes in pretty close behind and is the only one to regularly get kisses, and Grammy is pretty close after that, and she ALWAYS gets phone-kisses and hugs when he sees her, but man! Matt is Kyan's best friend.

He loves all things ball-related and has a genuine wind-up and batter's stance. He also LOVES Matt's skate board and skates up the street on foot with Matt skating on the board with him. When Kyan wants to start throwing his balls around the room, duck! (or blocks in Quinn's room... sorry, Aunt Alex.)

Watching Kyan and Quinn interact more and more is so cool for all of us. They used to play in the same general vicinity but didn't pay attention to each other at all. Then they'd play near each other more (and would switch back and forth on taking each other's toy), and now they play more together. We love it!!

The list can go on, but instead I will TRY HARD to just keep the updates a little (or a lot) more frequently. It's so fun to watch each new action, new song he loves (Itsy Bitsy Spider, anyone?), new word (usually), and every little milestone, so I will try harder to share better... And one day, I hope to report that he is actually sleeping through the night - but we're not even close on that one. :-/

A couple of pics, taken the other day. (Very current photos!!!!)



And for anyone who regularly follows Alex's wonderful blog on Quinn, be aware that we are a long, long, lonnnngggg way off from that first hair cut. But seriously, Alex does an amazing job and all of Quinn's loved ones are better for it. That blog is something to aspire to... ;-)

Random shot with Daddy, May, 2010

He loves this phone! And this thing has survived ALL KINDS of abuse. Highly recommended if you have seriously destructive monkeys in your house. ;-)
And here's the pitch! Winding up back around May or June, 2010
July, 2010
October, 2010 - he just received those balls that day and wasn't about to part with them, even in his sleep.

If you made it through this whole thing, I don't know whether to thank you, applaud you, or apologize. ;-) See you soon! xo J