Under Construction...

As you can see, our blog is under construction! I am not a very talented blogger, basically I only know how to add a post and some pictures :( And as many of you know, posts have become few and far between! So I will do my best to update our family news while I wait for my husband to add a cool header and show me how to be less boring in my format and layout. In the mean time here are some recent events worth noting:

1. I am 20 weeks pregnant (I know that's a biggy!)
2. We are having another boy! Samuel Braddock Romero
3. I am 11 working days away from being a stay at home mom! (another biggy!)
4. We won the lottery!

No just kidding on the last one! I felt like I needed a fourth item even though the first three are eventful enough. And in many ways we have won the lottery with a second baby coming, the opportunity for my to stay home with my boys, and being surrounded by the best family and friends one could wish for!
So keep an eye out for back-dated posts! Thank you for your loyalty in keeping us on your bloglist with so few posts these past 6 months...ok, this past year!
Amanda

The Best...

I know we have been awful about updating our Blog! I always plan to work on it and then opt for either sleep or mindless TV time. I honestly don't have the time, and have been feeling a bit more private lately. That said, I REALLY will update soon! But for now, here is a favorite pic of mine. We have been spending as much time in our busy schedules just being in love with our son. He makes us laugh every day! He is such an amazing joy! His personality is so full that we are shocked every day by his comments, sense of humor, talent, etc. He is truly the best! Here he is insisting on wearing a pair of pants that are too big! This was not a battle I really cared about, thus a great picture!

The Great Outdoors!

We went Camping!!

I say this in large text because as many of you know, I am not a camper!!! But, that doesn't mean I don't like a good challenge. So, when the Romeros (yes, all of the Michael Romero Sr. offspring) decided to go camping as a family, we were in!
I would like to take credit for the very awesome, roomy tent that we finally got to use! I bought this for Mike a few years back and it has been packed away the whole time. It sleeps like 8 people and has a special cove and outlet for a dog. Ok...I admit...the dog component sold me. And no, Chloe did not join us that weekend...as a matter of fact...where was chloe that weekend? Anyway, she survived and so did I.

I would like to also mention that I have gotten teased multiple times for buying such a large tent and I feel like it was the perfect amount of space! We have room to grow into it and you could easily separate smelly stuff from clean stuff.....a major priority for me when out of my element!

Here is little Michael looking about as thrilled with camping as I am! But really, he had a blast with his Nana, Grandpa Mike, and the rest of the family.

Now, this camper is a major factor in my willingness to go camping. We had running water and a potty that was not being used by everyone else on site.

Spending time with Nana

Going to the park with Jonathan, Aunt Katie, and Papa

Jonathan and Little Michael earning their keep...

Most of you know that Little Michael is one of MANY Romero grandsons. He loves all of his cousins, but I have noticed a particular kinship between him and his big cousin Anthony. It is always fun to watch them spend time together and bond.

I love the way they are looking at each other here! Buddies for life!

I can't believe you can almost see all the way to his shoulders beneath the car door!!! I love this pic!
I really was there!!!! I was a trooper, but did not desire to be in any of the pictures! Overall, we had a great time and I really look forward to our next camping experience. Preferably not in June heat and somewhere farther away than east county!

What are they waiting for?

COOKIES!!!!!

ok, so they stuck a bit to the cookie sheet...still totally edible and delicious!!

Guess who went pee pee in the potty!!!!....

THIS GUY!!!!!!

More details on the big event (and all the necessary steps that had to naturally occur and lead up to this moment) soon!

The Best Memorial Day Ever!!

It was a record Memorial Day weekend for our family! We enjoyed 3 BBQ's with neighbors and friends. I think it's safe to say that our summer has officially started! We had a great time with everyone, but I have to say that the best time was family time. We spent Memorial Day doing the most American thing we could think of....we went to the ballpark! Well, that's not really a stretch for us! But it was very American and put this Memorial Day at the top of the list!

As soon as we drove up to PETCO Park, Little Michael said "baseball! baseball!" I was so surprised that he would recognize the field! We quickly made our way to a sports shop to get him a new hat (he has been trying to wear his infant one which obviously doesn't fit) While we were at the shop we got him a new bat and ball to practice with. Little Michael had a great time practicing his swing! Even though he appears to be a lefty, he pitches and swings like a righty. He was a very serious observer of the other people practicing.

Watching carefully....

Not a bad stance for a 1 year old!

Michael helped Little Michael with his grip on the bat. Now whenever he gets ready to hit he says "elbows up!" I love it!!!

His first stand on home plate in "The park at the park".

My sunshine....

Completely exhausted from all the fun, Little Michael fell asleep almost immediately on the way home. We had to smile when we glanced back and noticed him snoozing with his bat securly in his hand. This really was one of my favorite days, just me and my boys....

Sweet dreams my little slugger, sweet baseball dreams....

Sundays

Sundays at our house almost always includes garden time. There are weeds to be pulled and roses to be pruned. Little Michael loves to help as much as possible. Big Michael does a great job of including him! There really is so much to learn out in the garden. One of Little Michael's favorite things to do is mow the lawn with his papa! He always stays far away enough from the big lawn mower, but on this Sunday he got a bit too close! I snapped a few photos before telling him to move away. He just looks too cute!

The hat just adds to the level of cuteness...

Here he is watching his papa. Notice how he has parked his lawn mower right next to him in case his papa needs his help!

What a life!

Landscaper Anyone?

Or he could also pass for a Mexican garden gnome!

Yum Yum Chocolate!

Little Michael has his parents sweet tooth! He is a big fan of ice cream, vanilla milkshakes are his fave!! He loves cookies, cake, and muffins....if it's sweet, he is usually a fan. We try not to give him candy, but lately he has gotten more than his share. So in the spirit of....well..."what the hell" we took him to Sees Candy to try his first true chocolate delight. Let's just say he's a fan!

Really, that face means yummy!

Priceless

First time out on the sand with buddies......

Fun!!!

Holding hands with Isla......

Priceless!!

Terry Lane Gang!

We have a blast here on Terry Lane! When we rented this house we were quickly informed that we were being adopted by great neighbors. We feel so lucky to be surrounded by families who love to celebrate everyday life. On most Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, sometimes Mondays, maybe Tuesday and Wednesday, and usually Thursdays you will see all or some of us at some point in our yards with our kids. It's wonderful! We all just love to hang out with each other. We swear that when it's time to move we will be interviewing surrounding families before choosing our home! We now totally realize what a wonderful difference it makes to live in a lively, friendly neighborhood. To be able to call your neighbors your friends. It has been especially wonderful for Little Michael! He loves to be outside playing with everyone!

Here he is with Olivia (who is one month older than him) sitting on our front step.

The kids are so lucky to have David!
He is the oldest and loves to pull and push them in the wagon!
We bought this wagon for Little Michael's first birthday. Good buy!!

Look at Little Michael's face in these two pics!
If you can, magnify the photos!
His face in both are amazing!

Noah, Olivia, and Little Michael enjoying the ride!
Thank goodness we got the all terrain wheels!

What I love about my husband #1

I was thinking about my husband and all the things I adore about him. No, I'm not trying to be mushy and annoying. I have just really been thinking about how truly amazing he is. And yes, there are many times that I get frustrated with him. But to tell the truth, I married a wonderful man and I really want to let him know how I feel. I want to raise him up. So, I've decided to start posting as often as possible "What I love about my husband #__" Now please note, if I get behind on posting that does not mean that he is in the doghouse or that I love him any less. Another words, if I've only posted "What I love about my husband #7" and it's been 2 years, it's for other reasons (see previous post of top 10 reasons why I don't post). Also, I'm really going to post from my heart and will try not to post anything sarcastic! I will be nice! So here goes......

What I love about my husband #1: The way he trims pretty roses for my vases and for our friends and family.

I feel so lucky to be standing in the kitchen and have Michael walk in with fresh trimmed roses for me. It makes me feel so loved. And the beautiful thing about it is that he always trims extra for our friends and family. Thank you babe, you are amazing!

Our beautiful rose garden! Great pruning job babe!

Such pretty colors!

More prettiness...

Blessed....

It's about time!

So, I have gotten a few frustrated requests to update our blog. Well, there are a few good reasons why I haven't done so as of yet.

Let me list the top 10:
1. I'm a perfectionist! I sit down to update and get so caught up in the post details that I end up with a million drafts that never get published.
2. I'm tired.
3. The evening time is when I could be blogging, but am watching Oprah episodes instead.
4. I'm tired.
5. If I'm on my computer for any length of time (even a matter of seconds) my husband starts playing video games.
6. I'm busy eating ice cream
7. I'm at Target buying some new exciting cleaning product
8. I'm on Facebook, which I somewhat despise but can't cut free from
9. I'm cleaning something (with my new cleaner from Target)
10. I'm tired.

That being said, I am now rededicating myself to being a better blogger. We are so blessed to have friends and family who love us enough to keep checking our sight, so I really need to deliver. And also my attempts at keeping a baby book are horrible and another epic failure in my record keeping life, so this is it for little Michael!!

Now, all the reasons I posted are true! Pathetic, but true! So, I will not over think my posts. I will watch Oprah while I blog. I will ignore the gun fire emanating from my husbands computer in the form of mouse clicking. I will cut down on ice cream. I will stop pretending I need more cleaning products from Target. I will redirect my Facebook energy to this blog. I will stop cleaning (???) And finally, I stop saying how tired I am and thank God more for a full life filled with love and friendship!!! So stay tuned for backdated posts (to catch us up from September!!) and new posts of our happy family!

Papa's Little Helper...

I just love these pics of Little Michael out mowing the lawn! He watches his papa so carefully and does everything he does. What a big boy he is now!

He's such a little man!