Trick or Treat!

It was Quint's first trick or treat experience. We went to a few houses in our neighborhood. Quint was a little apprehensive but got the hang of it really fast! Russell came too but he did not trick or treat this year:) It was extra fun because Grammy and Papa were here for the experience.

Play group Halloween!

We are in a fantastic play group on Wednesday afternoon. This Wednesday all the mom's and children dressed up to celebrate Halloween/Delaney's 1 year birthday:) It was crazy but fun to see everyone dressed up. Russell was not thrilled with his bat costume...I think he wanted to be the lion...haha. Getting a group picture was challenging, this was the best I got:)

Russell Rolls

This week Russell learned to roll over stomach to back. He doesn't do it all the time, but BK caught the moment on video when they were having some bonding time. He is changing so fast!

Family time at the park

What a great day at the park:)

Not an SAHM. I am a FTM.

I have been thinking about it and I dislike the term stay at home mom. I feel it implies that we sit around eating bonbons and watching soaps.
Recently, I was reading in one of my guilty pleasures (chick-lit books) and one of the characters was a self-defined FTD (full-time-dad). It instantly occurred to me...that is a much better title. Full Time Mom, that describes my current profession much better. BK prefers domestic manager, which is what he wrote on our taxes last year. But, I think from now on I will refer to myself as an FTM with pride. It is definitely the hardest job I have ever had.

No TV...and surviving:)

A few weeks ago the cable man came to turn off our free cable. It was a sad day, especially when we realized our bunny ears did not pick up any channels. We decided to try to live without conventional TV and we are loving it. We stream some news, and our favorite shows on the Internet. Honestly, most of the time I don't really miss it. I don't like waiting till the next day to see the latest Gray's Anatomy but it is a small discomfort. I have found I read more, blog more, and get more done. What I don't miss...commercials. It is great to not be bombarded with ads constantly. I am sure at some point we will go back to TV but for now, we are loving our TV free life.

Who needs a crib?

Russell is easy going, fun-loving baby. He loves his jumper but this afternoon it got the best of him. Before I could realize it was nap time, Russell fell asleep in mid jump:) We took a picture and then moved him to the crib. What a cutie.

Quint bakes cookies

Gross, licking the spoon with egg and flour on it.

Yummy!

Don't miss a morsel!

AASP

On Saturday Sept, 20, 2008 my research was presented at the American Association of Sport Psychology conference! (Only six years after I started my masters but who's counting!) I couldn't attend the conference but Dr. Butryn presented my poster for me. It feels so official now that it has been presented. Dr. Butryn said he had a lot of visitors to my poster, and it sparked some great conversation. I am so happy that more people may look in to the emotional stress that can occur when athletes retire from collegiate athletics. Thanks to my participants, Dr. Butryn, and my family for enduring this process.

C'mon Russell lets play!

Quint is so eager for Russell to grow. Today he tried to get Russell to play cars with him. Its a little early but Russell loves any attention from Quint. It was a cute moment.

BK's Birthday Party!

On Friday BK got home early after his exam and we headed to Sam's club:) It was a wonderful evening of warehouse shopping and extra cheap dinner. Eight dollar large pizza and 89 cents soda. When we got home we had cake! Quint and I had fun making a crown for BK earlier that day. Once he saw the finished product he wanted one too. So we made one for him too. I made one for Russell so he would be left out:) It was a very fun evening. A great family birthday party. I love this picture of BK and the boys with their crowns and Quint sneaking a chocolate chip:)

Its 8 am...lets make birthday cake:)

Quint, Russell and I have had fun preparing for BK's birthday. We decorated with punching balloons, a sign and made ice cream cake. Quint loved making the cake...and especially since I let him eat some of the icecream at 8 in the morning. It was a special day:) We are looking forward to celebrating friday night after BK's anatomy exam!

Come Out and Play

Russell is reaching a very fun age. He can play in the activity center and bounce in his bouncer! I love that he is interacting, laughing, and smiling. Quint always tries to love on Russell but today he played with him a bit. It was so cute to see him trying to play around Russell. Here is a short video we took:) I hope this is the beginning of lots of fun play times together.

Daddy bath time!

BK and Russell bonded over a bath today. BK got home early from school and was able to spend some extra Dad time with both boys. This included bath time:) It was a special treat! We know he is working hard at school but it is a great surprise when he gets a little break:)

One month Iowan

On our one month anniversary of moving to Iowa we set up the camera to get a family photo. We don't have too many with us as a family of four:) After a few tries we got a decent one. Its far from professional but it records the time. One month into being Iowan. Thank goodness its not snowing yet!

Grammy comes to town!

Mom said that she came to see our new town, but we know it was just to see Quint and Russell! We had a great visit. I think Quint truly missed Grammy. There was a lot of play time, and in the end Mom tried to pack Quint in her suitcase. Luckily, he didn't fit so we got to keep him:) We look forward to when Grammy and Papa come for a visit in October. It was great to have her around again. What a blessing both the Grandmas are to our boys:)

Grandma Richardson comes to Iowa!

Our second week in Iowa City, Sylvia came to visit. It was a very exciting visit. Russell met Grandma Richardson for the first time! We were also able to explore Iowa City together. It was a very fun week. She was also here to share the white coat ceremony with us. She was a huge help especially when Russell started fussing during the ceremony:) We had a wonderful week of visiting and are very excited to have the whole family together at Thanksgiving.

The Journey Offically Begins

We have been working toward medical school since a fateful conversation with Mr. Gagnon in May 2005. Since undertaking this challenge, God has provided in amazing ways. Even though we have been working toward this goal for three years, it officially began today. All this week BK has been orientating, and on Wednesday he was fitted for his "short" white coat. The students get a white coat but its a short one...ha ha. So, if you are ever at the doctor and they have a short coat...be suspicious...they might still be a student! They have a ceremony to officially start school where they get their coat and recite the Hippocratic Oath. Sylvia was in town to see BK start school, and we arrived early to get a good seat with the babies. Russell is typically the most easy going baby, but he started fussing during the keynote speech! I was "that mother" leaving with the fussy baby. Just my luck the door was jammed so I was holding Russell and trying to slam into the door to get it open! It was a scene. I was able to get a few pics and a video of Bk and his classmates reciting their oath. It is a little cheesy but after working toward this for three years it was exciting.

Moving!

We packed up Saturday and left early Sunday morning. It was a sad goodbye, but exciting to be on our own again. I was driving Chuck with Russell and BK and Quint were bonding in the moving truck. Although we are loyal U-haulers...the Penske was much cheaper so we took a chance. We drove 8 hours the first day and stopped in South Bend IN over night. After some delicious Subway we went to bed with the boys around 7:30. We were all in one room, and we were exhausted so even though it seemed early it worked out. After a tasty continental breakfast (with an extremely tall Chinese basketball team) we were back on the road. Only 5 more hours to Iowa City! It was exciting to enter our new state and even more exciting to see our new town. We picked up our keys where I lost my flipflops because they fell out of the car and I didn't notice. We entered our new apartment and it was fabulous. The town was cute, but surprisingly hilly and it had a lot of trees. Both things I did not expect in Iowa. Let the adventure of living in Iowa begin!

Why are you from 4 states?

It seems the police find you at the most inopportune times. We are moving tomorrow and we are driving back from Super Walmart with the boys. About 1/2 mile from home the lights came on! When he came to the window I could not believe what a mess I was. I don't normally drive when BK is with us so I didn't have my wallet. For some reason I drove home, and I did not have my license. So first question: Why are your tags from Tenn? well we bought the car on Ebay and we are moving tomorrow so we are going to register it when we get there....Next question: Do you have your licence? No...I forgot it...but I have one. Do you have insurance? Yes! Here it is....Why is it from Iowa? We are moving there tomorrow. Ok.....so if I look up your license it will be valid...Yes...is it from NY State? Um...no...CA.....but I memorized the #. (That redeemed me a little but not much). The cop...so your tags are from Tenn, license from CA, insurance from Iowa...and you live in NY? Um...yeah.... Cue Russell....thank goodness Russell started crying! I think he just felt bad for us...and the best news he did not give us a ticket!