Rain, Rain, Go Away...

It has been raining a lot lately...which spells trouble for Mr. RoRo. He is fan of the great outdoors, so rain tends to impede his fun. A huge storm hung out all morning on Friday, but ended up blowing through by late afternoon. As soon as the sun came out, we rushed outside for some fresh air. It all started so innocently on the porch. We were having a nice chat and just commenting on how the grass was pretty wet and nasty.


Roanin decided he wanted to take his truck to see how it actually FELT on his bare little feet.

Ahh Haa! A mud puddle! What an interesting discovery! "Mommy...did you see what I found?!?!? Look how this brown stuff sticks to my hands! I love it!"Please note the WHITE onesie that Roanin is wearing. You can only imagine what is coming next... It turns out that the mud sticks to WHATEVER body part you put in the mud puddle.
Dirty bottom or not....I gotta MOVE!

It got so bad, I had to strip the little booger down to his birthday suit, and true to form: the boy just kept cruising with his dump truck. Gotta love boys.

Two little peas come out of their pod...

Congrats to Amy and Kyle! They welcomed Ripley Finn and Nixon Campbell into the world yesterday. Both little girls are healthy and beautiful. They weighed in at over 6 lbs each. We are so happy for you guys and can't wait to meet the little cuties!‏

Bye, Bye Baby.

Well...it is official. Roanin is growing up. Two nights ago, Roanin had his last bottle. We have been slowly tapering it off, kind of putting off the final bottle. He has been down to one bottle after dinner for about a week. I think the end of this has been harder for Mommy and Daddy than for the baby. Giving a bottle is such a bonding experience. There is nothing more special than having another person totally relax in your arms and be dependent on you for food. But true to form: Roanin handled it like a champ. Just like when he stopped nursing, he didn't skip a beat, but his parents went through a little grieving process. How crazy to watch your little one grow up right before your eyes. But we are now trying to live by my dad's (Papa) philosophy on the subject: "so long bottle...bring on the steak!"

Roanin's 1st birthday gift

We got a swingset for Roanin for his 1st birthday, thinking he wouldn't be that into it quite yet. As usual, we completely underestimated him. He loves to slide, even wanting to do it independently (with Mommy close by). He also has a sandbox down below, which provides hours of endless playing. He likes to swing on Mommy or Daddy's lap, and if all else fails, he simply drives his dump truck around and around the swingset. Thanks for all your hard work on this Daddy!

Sliding with Daddy...his favorite.

Random pics...

My little explorer in his new little "old man beachcomber hat." Roanin playing in his new sandbox.

Roanin has really been practicing his walking with the help of his dump trucks. He pushes them around (one inside and one outside). He is getting pretty fast.

Roanin's favorite...ROCKS! He has an obsession with them. Loves to pick them up, lick them, and collect them in his dump truck.

RoRo giving Professor a light massage.

Uncle Josh flew in for the weekend and we got to have lunch with him and Papa. Notice Roanin's glee after just wolfing down an oatmeal raisin cookie with Papa in Fudrucker's.

8 years

So much can happen in 8 years. We have seen our nation under attack. We have seen the split of Brad and Jen and the merge of Brangelina. We have seen the rise of American Idol and the fall of Saddam Hussein. Love for Hummers has turned to love for Hybrids.

For me, so much has happened. I have lost the sweet grandmother that I could always depend on to light up in delight when I called or stopped by. I have watched my brother be called to fight in an actual war. I have become a mother to an amazing little person who blows my mind every single day. I have witnessed my two best friends experience love, loss, and motherhood to multiple children. I have gained nieces, nephews and sisters and brothers. I have watched my sweet father get more and more grey and watched my mom get more beautiful. I have moved and lived an adventure in 5 different cities and 2 different states. Almost every morning of the last 8 years, I have been accompanied on a walk by the most loyal and loving four legged best friend a person could imagine. I have started jobs and quit jobs. I have loved pets and lost pets. I have gained friends and lost friends. I have felt Jesus by my side and sometimes wondered where He was.

But one thing stands out as the most consistent, stable, enjoyable and enduring feature of the last 8 years. Shawn Patrick Dunsmore. Eight years ago today was the start of something amazing. Something beyond my wildest dreams. Eight years ago today I TRULY married my best friend. On that day, I never imagined that my love for this man could actually grow, but indeed it has. I didn't realize how lucky I was, standing there in my parent's yard surrounded by beautiful flowers, loving family and amazing friends. But as it turns out, I was the luckiest girl in the world. I found the man who has loved me through the good, the bad and the ugly. He has stood by me and supported me when I needed nothing short of being carried. He has celebrated with me and weeped with me. Out of all the insanity of the last 8 years, I have always felt safe in the beautiful shelter of my marriage. And today, on our 8th wedding anniversary, I want to celebrate the love that Shawn and I have.

Thank you, babe, for the most amazing 8 years. You truly are a dream come true. I hope that I have even come close to giving you half of the love you have given to me. I can't wait for the next 80 years.

Love you....

Cookie Monster

Roanin has fully accepted his Papa finally. I am thinking this is partly due to the fact that my dad has an agreement with Roanin that each time they are together, that they share an oatmeal raisin cookie. Roanin changed his disposition toward Papa quickly after this agreement. Here is how it plays out..." Hey...that is my half!"

" I'll take that..."

"Thanks Pops! This is fun!"

1 year checkup & a few updates...

Roanin had his 1 year check up today and I just wanted to give you an update. He was 25 and 1/2 pounds (75th pecentile), 31 inches tall (75th percentile), and 75th percentile on head size (he has the Ritzmann oversized head). He was NOT a fan of the 4 shots he got today, but is doing all right now.

I also wanted to update everyone and let you know that Roanin took his first steps about 2 & 1/2 weeks ago (1 day after his 1st birthday) and is now taking 8-9 steps on his own. He also said his first word (besides Momma and Dada) about 1 week ago (Dog) and now says hat, ball, cat, moo (for a cow), and tries to say balloon (not successfully). Congrats little man! We love you!

The Fishers come to visit

Our great friends Ashlee, Jason and Jackson Fisher came to visit for the weekend. Needless to say...the adults had the most fun just watching the two little munchkins play together. Jackson is about 7 months older than Roanin, so Roanin couldn't really keep up with Jack, but he had a ball with him anyway. This one is borderline wrong...but we couldn't help ourselves. Ashlee and I nearly peed our pants taking these pictures. Nice dimple butt, RoRo. The boys didn't even know they were naked, they were so preoccupied. What scares me is the pink gingham printed toy they are playing with. Maybe we will destroy these photos after this... Roanin's cousin Danielle came over and went to the river with us.

Daddy and RoRo living the river life.

The entire gang.

Jack explaining where the boogers are kept.

Cracker Jack, Ashlee (3 months preggie! She looks great!), Roanin and me (sorry...looking a litte scary. Not much time for fixing up). Shawn described this picture as full bars (at&t reference because our staggered height).

All the boys ganging up on Jackson.

Shawn and Jason went turkey and wild hog hunting (Jason got a hog!) and this is a shot after they got back.Jack describing how to draw with the sidewalk chalk.

Roanin showing Jackson how much more fun it is to EAT the chalk.

Jack showing off his latest find (a rock).

"I love having friends over!!!"

Big-boy Jack helping Roanin out when he is thirsty.

A few more birthday pics...

You didn't think you were getting off that easy did you? Of course I have more pictures of Roanin's first birthday party. Just humor me. Roanin showing his cousin Derrick how many he is. Congrats to Derrick who had just qualified for the finals at his track meet that day. Cousin Sophie telling us what she really thinks of Roanin getting all the attention.
Aunt Damaris and Uncle David finding Roanin's funny bone.

I know I already showed the cake, but I wanted everyone to see the darn ants that I made for the tables. After so many ours with styrofoam and spray paint, you have to show off a little...

The real kids of the party playing a little four square.

Amy, Steph and I taking our traditional threesome photo (with a handsome addition).
Another traditional photo for the three of us is to let the girl who is having a special day (wedding, birthday, etc.) get in the middle and take a picture of the others kissing her on the cheeks. Roanin got the honors this time, and didn't know what to make of all the attention.

Proud Pops and Uncle filming the birthday cake eating. Roanin will never be short on video memories.

The view of the guests watching Roanin dig into his cake.

Madison Marie (Stephanie's little darling) strutting her stuff.

Preggie Amy (with twin girls!!!!) and daddy-to-be Kyle.

Mommy and Daddy hustling to get the food ready....

I love this picture. Aunt Kritter holding baby Sophie with doting daddy Josh gooing at her.

The Dunsmores...Roanin maintaing his usual stern disposition.

"What the heck is in here?"