Happy Half Birthday, Ryan!

Hi Ryan,

Happy six months to you, my sweet baby boy! I cannot believe you are already six months. The time is going by too quickly. You are now able to sit up on your own for several minutes. However, once you hear something and turn to look, you topple right over. You sat up unaided for the first time on December 12. And you were so proud. You smiled and squealed. We were so proud of you. In fact, I think a 5K might be right around the corner.

Speaking of squealing...you LOVE to talk. Hmmm...I wonder who you got that trait from :) You like to mimic what we say to you, and you get such joy out of hearing yourself "talk." I cannot wait for those first words to be uttered. I am sure "mama" will be the first thing that comes out of your mouth.

And you are a little flirt. Again, I wonder where you learned (or inherited) that trait. You smile at all of the ladies at daycare, and then you quickly bury your head in my shoulder. I love it when you do that. I think you already know how cute you are!

You roll all over the place, and you love to be part of whatever is going on around you. You have already decided that you no longer like to sit in the bouncy chair, as it reclines too much for your liking. One of the things you love most is bath time. You kick your legs and scream with delight when the water splashes all over you. It is so fun to watch!

Charlie is still your number one fascination. You watch him and smile at anything he does. He loves to entertain you. And a few times he has hit you, and it makes you so sad (and us so mad!). Little man, with the way you are growing, I think Charlie might have to watch out when you get older...so, he better be nice now. Ha!

Christmas is in a few days, and Daddy and I are so excited for both of you. Charlie has asked for a bell (like in the Polar Express), a kitchen and a "fire" guitar. He wants for you to have some slippers and a baseball. I am not quite sure you are ready for a baseball, but you never know what Santa might bring to you.

I really think that 2011 is going to be a wonderful year for all of us. I cannot wait for the memories and fun times ahead. You are the most wonderful, happy baby. You bring so much joy to our lives. Thank you, Ryan, for a fantastic six months.

I love you, Little Bear Cub!

My very own SUPERMAN

Hi Dad,

I cannot believe it is 11 years today. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about you and wish you were here. It breaks my heart that you will never meet your beautiful grandsons, as they are such a joy and such amazing little boys. Sometimes I feel like you are talking to me through Charlie, especially when he wants to hear all about anything Peter or I have done that day. He always says, “Tell me about your day, Mommy” when I pick him up from school. I wish that Peter knew you, because I know you two would have been so close.

Peter asked me today to tell him things about you that he may not know, and I have so many memories that it is hard to narrow it down. I know I have told him so much already, but I thought I would share with him the little things that I will never forget and that will always remind me of you. I also wanted to write on the blog about you. We recently went to the viewing of our sweet neighbor Dwain, and his daughter had written him a letter years ago, and it was in a “Thank you” format. I liked it so much, that I would like to do the same…

Thank you for always having Tic Tacs in your pocket, so we always knew who was going up or down the stairs.

Thank you for playing “Mambo #5” each morning to try to wake Dominic up, as I know it annoyed him immensely. We will never not think of you when we hear that song.

Thank you for saying “it burns so good” every time you took that first sip of Coke. It made me giggle each time.

Thank you for giving me fluoride pills until I was about 15. I am convinced that is why I still do not have a cavity.

Thank you for always letting me talk the entire walk when we would go on walks at night. I think I miss that most of all.

Thank you for making me campaign with you and go door-to-door handing out flyers for Palmer De Paulis, Jim Bradley, etc. Teaching me about politics at a young age was smart of you.

Thank you for reading the newspaper front to back every day. I was convinced that you knew always everything going on the world, and that you could always answer my questions.

Thank you for the downtown walking tours of SLC. I wish I could remember all of the facts and all of the history of the buildings downtown. I would love to do the same for Charlie and Ryan.

Thank you for our date to the Capitol to see the Christmas Tree and then lunch at Snappy’s. It was amazing how you could make Maury smile. I am not sure anyone else was capable of that.

Thank you for having lunch with me once a week. I loved sitting in your office and eating a kay-sa-dee-yah from Scott’s or wherever you picked up lunch that day.

Thank you for going to the Daddy-Daughter night for Pi Phi even though it was at the dreaded Olive Garden, as I know you hated the meal!

Thank you for always driving on the fieldtrips at Cosgriff and for always being a “lunch lady” with the other moms. I always knew I had the best dad!

Thank you for letting me drive the new Jaguar home from the dealership, while you drove my car. I will always remember you saying, “It is just a car, and that is why we have insurance” when I said “but it is new and so nice, and what if I crash it?. The meaning of that has always stuck with me…and I drove about 20 mph that day, but what a great car to drive!

Thank you for teaching me the value of the dollar by making pay you for my first car and then revealing, years later, that you put all of the money back into my savings account. And also, for making me believe that if I had less than $200 in my checking account that the bank would call and yell at me. Poor Dominic never got to learn these lessons. Ha!

Thank you for the trips to Fred Meyer. We still laugh about how Dom and I would rather go to the grocery store with you on a Friday than out with our friends at times. You always made every experience fun.

I think I could go on and on, but you always knew how I felt. Thank you most of all for being the most amazing dad, for loving me unconditionally, for teaching us what it means to be truly altruistic (and some do not believe that can exist), and for always listening. You will always be my hero! I love you si, si.

And thank you, Peter, for helping me remember all of these wonderful things.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

Charlie,

Today Grandma Lynn and I took you to your first play (actually, it was Grandma Lynn's treat to us). We went to see "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" at Salt Lake Acting Company. And, I can honestly say it was one of the top moments I have had in life. The play was really cute, but watching your reaction was sheer joy--indescribable. You were so excited all day to go, and when we got there you were in awe of everything you saw. Not to mention, you were so happy that you had your own seat.

I think Grandma and I could have watched you the entire time. There is something so incredible about the innocence of a child. You were the first one to start laughing, and you have the most amazing, infectious laugh. In fact, you made the people in the theater giggle as they heard your wonderful sounds of joy. Everyone who knows you, would agree that you have one of the best laughs ever heard. And your big, beautiful eyes were shining the whole time.

Grandma and I talked after the play about how we both were moved to tears, just by hearing you laugh. It made us both realize that it is the simple things in life that make a child so happy, especially you. I thought about how you were laughing so hard, and people were probably wondering why I had tears in my eyes. But they were tears of joy! What a fantastic time it was!

So, Charlie, thank you for reminding us what it is like to be a kid--without a care in the world and finding humor in the little things. This was the most perfect way to kick off the holiday season. I cannot wait until our next adventure, and I cannot wait for Ryan to come with us when he is a bit older.

Sweet Pea, I love you too, too much!

A quick update…

Ryan is not QUITE as big as we thought…we had an appointment with Dr. Rachel today, and she thought everything looked great and could not believe how strong Ryan is. He is actually 15 lbs. 8 oz. (diaper must have been wet at the PCMC appointment). He is 85% for height and 60% for weight and his head falls into the 89^th percentile. Keep growing, little man! You are awesome!

Happy four months, my sweet baby boy!

My Sweet Ryan,

We cannot believe how this time is flying by and how big you have gotten. I love how each morning you wake up with a huge smile on your face. You have such a sweet disposition and are always so happy and content. In fact, last night Uncle D said that he has never really heard you cry.

My heart melts every time I look at you. You are just an amazing little guy! You definitely look like a Fratto (even daddy has to admit that). And you are so big and so strong! Tomorrow you will go see Dr. Rachel. Last week when you had your appointment at Primary Children’s, you weighed 16 pounds and were 26.25 inches long. I cannot wait to hear what percentile you fall into. Wow! You are a big boy!

You are doing a great job rolling from your tummy to your back, but I think that is because you do not love “tummy time.” And you love to talk! You were telling Grandma and me all about your day the other night. You would babble away and then look at us for our response.

Lately you have been drooling up a storm and chewing on things! I do not see any teeth coming in, but we will probably know more about that tomorrow.

I cannot wait until you and Charlie can really play together. Charlie loves you so much. He likes to sit on the couch with you and “hold you.” And he always asks where you are…it seems he does not feel like things are complete unless you are right there with us. I feel the same.

Thank you, Ryan, for adding so much joy to our lives and for making us smile!

Single Mommyhood

After five days alone with Charlie and Ryan, I have a huge respect for single moms. Holy Guac!!! How do they do it every day? Both Charlie and Ryan are really easy boys, but I was completely worn out. I still am.

Charlie had a tough time on about day two, and he would get up in the night crying for his daddy. Plus, he had a low grade fever on a couple of the nights. It would seem that just as I would get him back down to sleep and get myself back in bed, Ryan would wake up and want to be fed. I think I averaged about four hours of sleep each night.

Despite the lack of sleep and dark circles under my eyes, I still had so much fun spending time with them and having them all to myself. We made cookies (all of which I ate), we painted pictures, we danced, we sang, we went to the playground and we laughed and laughed. Ryan even had moments of giggling.

Ryan and Charlie, you two are amazing! I cannot wait for Ryan to be big enough for you to play together. You will have so much fun!

And Peter, I am soooo glad you are home. Not just to help out with the boys, but because I really missed you!

Potty Training and The Poop Strike

Well, it has finally happened…Charlie is potty trained. I really should not use the term “finally” because it makes it sounds as though we were working on it for ages, which we were not. It all just kind of happened over this past weekend. We even got through the nights and nap times without any accidents. Yay for Charlie!

I think the fear of peeing on “Tow Mater” or “Lightening McQueen” was the key – we do not want to upset them. Plus, the constant “we are so proud of you” helped out as well. In fact, on Sunday Charlie said to me, “Mommy, I am just so proud of myself!” As you should be, little man!

Ryan, on the other hand, is on a poop strike and has not pooped in seven days! Yes, SEVEN DAYS!!! Yet, he is still happy and smiling. I would not be happy after two days of that. All I have to say is that when it happens, everyone better move out of the way…and fast!

Happy three months to you, Ryan…our Little Bear Cub. I miss spending each day with you, but it makes it that much better when I get to see my two handsome boys each afternoon. Your two beautiful smiles make my day.

An example for us all...

Cancer...it is a horrible word. One that no one wants to ever hear in reference to their own body, or someone that they love so much. We recently found out that my sweet Grandma Fratto has cancer. It is lung cancer - not the kind from smoking, as she has never smoked a day in her life-but another kind and it has spread to her bones. It breaks my heart, as cancer is a horrific beast.

But enough about the beast, I want to talk about her. I want to talk about her because sometimes we wait too long to let people know how we feel about them. And after hearing the news of the cancer, I have thought a lot of my grandma and all of the people in my life who I love and care about, but this post is for her alone.

She is an amazing, strong woman. She has lived a wonderful life, and she has also endured a lot of heartache over the years - from losing her parents, her siblings, her husband, her son (my incredible dad), my cousins Ryan and Joe. With Grandma Fratto, the saying holds true, "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." She is living proof of that.

Over the past weeks/months, she has been in so much pain and has had to have so many tests run. And yet every time we would talk on the phone, she would never focus on how badly she felt but always wanted to know how I was, how the boys were doing and how Peter was. That is exactly the type of person she is. She makes you feel good being around her, and we would all like to think that we are her "favorite" because she makes you feel that way...always.

I have so many memories that I could never write them all down. She is the best cook...the best red sauce, zucchini patties, meatballs, etc. that you could ever have. And she loves to feed you. She is the most welcoming and gracious host, no matter who steps foot in her house. I remember when I was little how it was such a treat to go stay at Grandma Fratto's house. We always knew we would have the best time and be well fed, even if "there wasn't much food in the house," as she has been known to say. What true Italian doesn't have at least some sausage, cheese and bread in the house at all times!

I have posted pictures of both boys first visit with Grandma Fratto (Ryan is the top picture, and Charlie is below). She just adores them. She has always wants a grandbaby to look like a Fratto, and I think she is getting that with Ryan.

Grandma, I know you will not be online reading this, but I hope you know how much you are loved and respected. I always say that you are the one person that Dominic would drop everything for to help, and that is definitely saying a lot, as we know how he can be at times (sorry, Dom!). Your strength, faith and love are admirable. Thank you for loving us all unconditionally...and thank you for loving me the most :)

Happy Two Months, Baby Ryan!

I cannot believe that it has been nine weeks since Ryan was born. The time is going by all too quickly, but I have enjoyed every moment of being home with him and getting to know him. He is a good baby. He loves to stare into your eyes and just smile at you. He also likes to "talk" to me a lot more these days. I am going to miss that when I go back to work in three weeks. It will definitely be a bittersweet moment, as I will hate to leave him, but I also know it will be good to get back to the office and have conversations with adults. I have missed the crew and our silly chatter :)

Ryan had his two month appointment today, and "holy guac," as Charlie would say...he is HUGE!!! Dr. Rachel said that he was about the size of a four month old. He is 13 pounds (78%) and 24.5 Inches (93%). I about fell over! Charlie was always tall and skinny, so I had to laugh when I heard the percentiles. No wonder he is already fitting into his 3-6 month clothes. I just love my chubby baby with his chunky little thighs.

And thanks to Alethia, we now have some great pictures of Ryan. Finally! The second child never has things done as quickly as the first. Now I know what it was like for Dominic :)

Ryan keep on staying healthy, happy and strong! You are an amazing little guy with so much personality already. I promise to enjoy these last few weeks home with you to the fullest.

I ate some steak

Every night since Charlie was a baby I have sung "You are my Sunshine" to him. It is a song that I remember my parents singing to me all the time. In fact, when I first started singing it to Charlie, I could never get through the whole song because I would think of my dad singing it, and I would cry, especially during the second verse.

So, the other night, Charlie told me he wanted to sing it to me, and he did not want me to sing with him. If you heard my voice, you would not blame him for making this request. He began the song, and it was so good that my heart melted. Then he got to the second verse, and this is how it went (minus a few words)..."The other night, dear, while I lay sleeping. I dreamt I held you in mine arms. When I woke up, I ate some steak. Then I hung my head and cried." It took everything in me to not burst out laughing because he was so serious singing to me. So, he heard "I was mistaken" as "I ate some steak." And why not? And I guess that steak was not very good because it made him cry :) Once again, my heart melts when I think of him singing. Grandpa Charlie would have loved that version as well!

"I am still a Big Brother, Mommy"

This phrase comes out of Charlie's mouth any time he does something he is not supposed to do and gets in trouble. It makes me laugh. I mean, how do you respond to that? "Yes, you are still a big brother, but you are also still in trouble!" All in all he has been great with Ryan. He loves to hold him and kiss him, but he also likes to try to take Ryan's hand and have Ryan "hit himself."

Peter was in Montana recently, so it was me, the boys and my mom. We had a great time. I am so thankful that my mom was here to help, or else I might be insane. Charlie is constantly on the go, and Ryan is constantly wanting to eat. He is a little chunk! Charlie said, "Grandma, Ryan is chubby like an elephant." I like to say that I have super milk. At least he is only getting up once during the night.

I am doing well. It is nice to be able to get out and walk several times a week. Yesterday we went to Park City. I thought it would be MUCH cooler up there. Silly me...it was 80 degrees at 10 a.m. I guess I will just have to leave the house earlier :)

Happy five weeks, Ryan! You are a joy to have and to get to know. I love that you are now smiling and cooing. And Charlie, you will always be a wonderful big brother. It will be so great to see you two interact when Ryan gets a bit older.

Welcome to the World Baby Boy...We're so Happy You're Here!

Ryan Patrick Bland was born on June 22, 2010 at 2:35 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. What an amazing day! Just to re-cap the wonderful event...

Peter and I went into the hospital at 7 a.m. on the 22nd. At 8:30 a.m. I was given petocin to start the contractions (this was after starting a does of antibiotics for Group B Strep). At about 10:30 a.m. I received my epidural. at this point my blood pressure dropped significantly, which caused the fetal heart rate to drop. So then I was administered ephedrine. Yes, this is all very similar to what happened when Charlie was born. All seemed to be going pretty well. We got to the "it is time to push part" and push I did. Thank goodness for strong ab muscles! We had some complications, as Ryan's head came out but his shoulders seemed to be stuck. Not to mention that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his head and chest. At 2:35 p.m. he arrived, but the poor little guy was not breathing. The NICU staff was called in to resuscitate him. I was an emotional wreck...in fact, I tear up when I think about it. My heart felt like it might just break. Thank goodness for the NICU team. They were amazing and had him breathing in no time. Both of my boys liked to give me a big scare after being born.

Ryan is absolutely perfect! He has lots of dark brown hair and these big, beautiful eyes. I am not quite sure who he looks like at this point. All I know is that he is truly perfect. I always wondered if I could love another child as much as I love Charlie. It almost seemed like an impossible feat, but as my friend Heather said, "Your heart expands to this huge capacity." I know mine certainly has. One night in the hospital, Peter came by with Charlie. I was sitting there with all of my boys, and I thought to myself that I was the luckiest person on the face of the earth. I really do feel blessed.

One week left to go, and I am ready (sort of)!

I am 39 weeks today, and I am definitely ready on a mental, physical and emotional level. The little guy, however, seems to be quite cozy where he is, and how can you blame him? I went to Dr. Y this morning only to be told that I am still 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced…no changes from last week. Then I find out that Dr. Y is going to be out of town from June 16 until June 20. Really? He did not clear his vacation schedule with me! So, my hope is that the little guy makes his appearance this weekend, or he waits until my mom is home.

Charlie is certainly feeling the changes, but at least now he does not keep saying, “I am going to shove Baby Brother and push him down.” Now he tells me that he is going to teach Baby Brother how to play basketball and baseball, and he hopes that Baby Brother will not try to bite him. Once again…the mind of a two-year-old!

Think good thoughts for me. June 12 would be a great day for a birthday, right?

Changes are Coming...

We went to the doctor today to see how everything is going with Baby B. And the first thing Dr. Y said was, “I hope you are ready because this baby could come any day now.” What??? Are you kidding me? I am just about 35 weeks along. What he meant was that if the baby was born now, we would not be in a “danger zone,” so to speak. Ahh, a sigh of relief. Although I still find myself to be neurotic and crazy at times and feel like I may never sleep again.

So, yes, I think we are ready. It is amazing how the time has flown by. I have felt great, and we are all so excited to meet the little man. Yes, we have a name. No, I am not going to tell you. We like to do this just to bug my mom…sorry, Mom! But it is a great name, and we are excited about it. More on that later…

Charlie, however, is going through a phase of being overly sensitive and acting out a bit at school. What to do? It is not like we can show him more affection and love – the poor kid would be smothered. I said to him, “I hope Baby Brother has hair like yours.” His response…”Nooooo, Baby Brother cannot have my hair, Mommy!” The trials and tribulations of being two!

Let’s Rock and Roll, Mommy!

Really? Is my two-year old really saying “let’s rock and roll” to me? Although he meant something else by it, I decided it was my cue to start up a blog – something I have been meaning to do for two years.

I am entering week 30 of my pregnancy and what a week it has been. I think my emotions are getting the best of me at times. A friend/co-worker told me two days ago that I have been rude all week. Hormones, right?

Anyway, life is good. Charlie is growing like a weed and keeps me and Peter entertained by the silly things he says and does. His vocabulary amazes us…and sometimes frightens us. Where did he learn that four-letter word? He is a sweet, good natured boy and will be such a good big brother.

Baby 2 is supposed to arrive on June 17, which means we have ten weeks to go. Oh boy! I have been feeling great, and I cannot wait to meet the little guy. Although, nothing has been done to prepare. At least we have the clothes already.

Peter is doing well. The Jazz are playing well, and we are looking forward to the playoffs. Amazingly enough, the season has flown by! Go Jazz!!!

What Charlie phrase will be my next inspiration??? We shall see…