WEEK IN REVIEW MOVES TO SUNDAYS :)

I will start posting WEEK IN REVIEW on Sundays instead of Fridays. Here is a a photo and video from today's Halloween themed day. Madeline had a party and mini-parade and loads of candy treats. The photo above shows the girls in their new winter ski masks. HA! Meredith is wearing the Halloween outfit from Dave and Mindy in the photo below.

H1N1 & Haircuts

Today was a busy day for Edwin. He woke up and ate breakfast (the normal cheerios and banana) and then played for about 2 hours. He took a nap for about 1-1/2 hours and then we met my old boss Jim for lunch. Of course Edwin was hamming it up and flirting with everyone at the place! Thank God he likes to color so I could actually enjoy my lunch as well!


After lunch, we both had dr. appointments. We both have a nagging cough and runny nose, so I decided we should get checked out before we travel north for Halloween. Thankfully, we are both fine...just seasonal drainage. But, while we were there...they suggested I give Edwin the H1N1 vaccine (the first part). He also got his seasonal flu booster. So, we went in for a general check up and left with Edwin getting 2 shots. As soon as he saw the bandaids with soccer balls, he was fine! He'll go back in 1 month for the 2nd part of the H1N1.


We came home, had a snack, and then he went back to bed for an hour nap. Once he woke back up we headed downtown. Dave had a haircut at 5:00pm and mine was scheduled for 5:30pm (with the same lady) so we can do a smooth transition. However, Edwin didn't like the idea of hanging out with dad while I got my haircut...so Dave had to keep bringing him in to see me! Afterward...I had our beautician help m convince Dave that Edwin was ready for his 1st haircut...it wasn't much of a cut - really a snip...goodbye MULLET/RAT-TAIL/WHATEVER YOU WERE...hello cute little man!!!! Enjoy the pics!!!

After the family haircuts, we returned home...dinner and playtime with dad while I went to help a friend...bath and bed followed. What a busy and fun (surprise filled) day!

Another Milestone in my Weight-Loss Journey

Yesterday I passed the 45lb mark...46 lbs lost since starting Weight Watchers on January 1st! So exciting!!!!

It is no wonder that none of my old clothes fit...looking like I'm going to have to go shopping sooner or later!!!! Darn! :>)

Edwin Braves Mud to Find Perfect Pumpkin

Grandma Nikki, Edwin and I went to the pumpkin patch yesterday. We took the hayride out to the pumkin patch and braved the mud to find Edwin his perfect pumpkin.

Bearcats 7-0

UC Homecoming Weekend. It is hard to believe how much has changed about UC football since we were in college. Back then, football seemed to be an afterthought. We might (or might not) go to a game on a Saturday afternoon. We never had to worry about getting a seat...or paying for them either. A quick flash of our student ID and you were in. The stadium was NEVER full - in fact, I would say it was mostly empty. At half-time we'd leave without even looking at the score...who even cared? Stand in a 20+ minute line for the bathroom? Are you serious? $6.00 for a beer and $3.00 for a water? Geez...times have changed, and I LOVE IT!!!!

UC (as of yesterday) is ranked #5 in the country. The Bearcats 7-0 start is the first since 1954. There were 35,099 fans in attendance for the game and the CATS won 41-10 over Louisville. CRAZY!!! Thanks to Grandma Nikki and Mike, Dave and I were able to enjoy the festivities - Edwin spent the night getting spoiled! I loved seeing our campus packed. It makes me proud to be an alum.

Don't worry, Edwin didn't miss all of the Homecoming events. On Friday night, we attended a Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS event. Most of our readers probably know that Dave and I both graduated from this program. It was a great event and everyone was so excited to meet Edwin.

Buh-Ball Sunday

WEEK IN REVIEW

Due to a day long seminar last Friday, I chose not to post (not to mention the little content I had for you HAHA). FYI, if you haven't heard about Meredith's sighting of a "guy who looks like daddy" in the closet , just email me. I will fill you in. :)

This Saturday we went to Pittsburgh for a visit to Papa and Deb's house. Matt was at his mini-reunion for his fraternity brothers. Off to the Ross Park Mall we went and Papa watched the girls the whole time !! Deb and I hit a bunch of stores at a fast pace. She knew where every discount section was located. I think she has done this before. We get a text message showing the girls eating ice cream cones. hmm. I guess the play area was littered with meanie boys who were "getting in my way", says Meredith. Dad said she started to cry so they left the area. After the ice cream he treated them to a trip to the Disney Store to pick out a doll. Mickey Mouse for Meredith and Daisy Duck for Madeline. Meredith tells me, "Me got lost! Papa left me at the store". I guess she was behind a rack looking at stuff as Papa and Madeline were checking out. Again she cried. Notice a theme. We had a tasty dinner at their house and off to Canfield we returned.

I bought Madeline a new dance outfit to keep her a bit warmer during her classes. She is so proud of herself. The costume that they will be wearing at the recital looks so hilariously cute. Can't wait to see it in person.

We had some home improvements done including loading up the shed and painting the front door and pillars. What a difference. And we actually got 2 cars into the garage ... a first since 2 or more years ago. YAY!

A Few More Fall Edwin Pics

Fall Pics w. Edwin

Photo Fun

Most of you know that my family hates keeping secrets...especially when it comes to gift giving/receiving!!! So, you probably won't be surprised to hear that my sister gave me my Christmas present last night!!!! It is a G-Pen F610 Pen Tablet and it allows me to edit my pictures...it is pretty complicated and will take me a while to master, but so far - I'm having a ton of fun with it. I'll post some of my edited pictures for you all to see...here is the first - getting artsy with some fall leaves...

Thanks to my sister for a great gift!!!

Ross Experience Recent News

• Dave & Edwin survive their Mindyless weekend. (Facebook)

• Youngstown earns international press. (The Economist)

• Bearcats are #5 in the BCS standings!?! (The Enquirer)

• 12 straight, 18 out of 19, 25 out of 28. (Wikipedia)

• Jeff Reed, Steelers' and Dave's fantasy football team's kicker, drunk and disorderly. Again. (PFT)

• Manny Ramirez takes in the Dodger's 9th inning loss from an interesting spot. (Fox Sports)

Picture Fun

Just wanted to share a fun picture of Edwin.

BIG WINNER THIS WEEKEND!

This weekend I attended the Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park Fall Photography Contest. One of my best friends (Tracy) and I traveled to Dawson Springs, KY for a weekend of photography fun. I will post some more of my favorite shots this week, but wanted to share a couple of my winners. There were 4 categories and I placed in 3...not bad with a point and shoot camera...

This photo won 2nd place in the Civilization category.

This photo won 3rd place in the Wildlife category.

This photo won 4th place in the Lakescape category.

Edwin - 16 Months

Yesterday we took a trip to the zoo. Edwin was amazed by the peacocks. Edwin is now 16 months old. What's new?

He is really starting to talk - words include: BALL, BIRD, CAR, DUCK, QUACK, CHOO-CHOO, COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO, BAAAAAA, MOO, NEIGH, DADA, MAMA, TRUCK, DOG, CAT, FOOTBALL, HOP, BELLY, PEE, SOCKS, SHOES, CHAIR, and BOOK...

He can point out the following body parts: NOSE, EARS, EYES, TOES, KNEES, PEE-PEE, BELLY, HAIR, HEAD, FINGERS, and TONGUE...

In a book, he can find the following: COAT, UMBRELLA, GUITAR, CLOCK, SOCK, RABBIT, BALLOON, BANANA, DINOSAUR, RING, CAKE, ROOSTER, FLOWER, FEATHER, GIRAFF, TRAFFIC LIGHT, BABY, SHOVEL, CUP, BOWL, FIRE TRUCK, DUMP TRUCK, TRAIN, BUS, BUTTERFLY, WINDOW, DOOR, BOAT, BEAR, LION, MONKEY, SNAKE, FISH, ELEPHANT, PIG, HORSE, SPIDER, HAMMER, BASEBALL, PUMPKIN, TURKEY, and SNOW SHOVEL...

There are probably a lot of words/sounds that I'm forgetting...but this is a start! I'll try to get some new videos...

Things have changed. I don't have a baby anymore...I have a little BOY!!! and I'm loving it!!!

Reflection on the last 5 years

WEEK IN REVIEW

Saturday was our first (probably of many) classmate birthday parties that we (adults) will have to enjoy (endure). It is confirmed that I have been blessed with well behaving (in public :) ) children. It was a party at a bowling alley. The boys decided that body surfing across the bowling lanes and putting their faces into the ball return and jumping in front of others trying to bowl and throw their ball down first ... were all great ideas. **** Note: all children had a parent there*** Madeline had a blast of course ;)

Monday was a momentous occasion for Madeline. She had her very first official dental cleaning and exam!! She apparently was a very good patient for the hygienist, Illa. Hooray!! We asked Meredith if she would like her teeth cleaned and she emphatically said, "no!". We did coerce her into sitting in a chair for a ride. The both came home with a bag full of goodies which thrills them. They particularly liked the tattoos.

The shed has arrived! It has yet to be filled due to the crappy weather, but we have somewhere to put the tractor. YAY!! I am happy.

Here is a photo of Madeline in her fire man hat. The firefighters came to preschool on Wednesday to show off their truck and teach them the standard, "stop, drop, and roll".

Today Madeline practically had a private swim lesson since some of the boys didn't show. She was taken to the deep end. Madeline actually jumped in with no help and swam to the ladder!! She has improved tremendously from a year ago.

5 Years - Really???

Dave: Did you think we'd make it this long?

Mindy: I knew it was a long shot...

Just kidding...although we did actually have this conversation - totally joking around this morning. I am thrilled to be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary today! Dave makes me a better person...and for that I can't thank him enough.

Love You Dave!

E D W I N