On the Naughty List

Roman is officially on the naughty list this year. A few weeks ago my dad sent gifts for the kids, and they've been sitting wrapped and undisturbed in a box in the family room, until today. Shamus was napping and Roman was watching one of his shows, perfect opportunity to take a quick shower. Well it must not have been quick enough because when I got out I found this...

He decided that he couldn't wait any longer and dug into the gifts, unwrapping Marissa and Shamus' gifts but leaving his undisturbed. I couldn't help but to laugh, it's something I'm sure I would've done. He's just like me, he can't wait until Christmas either! This just goes to show that you should never leave any gifts unattended when Roman is around, lesson learned.

Getting Bigger and Smarter

So everyday Shamus is becoming less baby blob and more mover and shaker. Today we went to his six month check up. He is very quickly reaching the milestones for babies his age and older. Right now he can follow object when they are dropped out of sight, move objects from one hand to the other, turn when he hears voices or sounds, bang two objects together, pick up small object using a raking motion, moves to get objects out of reach and is also starting to sit up unassisted. He still uses his hands for support but is doing it on his own. He's not crawling yet but boy can he move. The nurse also said that the way he curls his leg under when he's sitting is a precursor to pulling himself up. His height and weight today was 22 ¼ in and 17 lbs 15.5 oz. He's getting to be such a big boy! We're still working on the solids, he just doesn't seem as interested in them as Roman was, but we're still trying! My how they grow!

Here is a pic of Sha learning how to sit up on his own.

Oh Christmas Tree

So you've seen the before and after of the Christmas tree but you haven't seen the process of getting it to the after stage. Joan and Bill came over to help out and we had quit a bit of fun. I couldn't get the hooks on the ornaments fast enough for the kids. Roman had the entire bottom of the tree covered and the ornaments were all just about on top of each other. After some rearranging it looks really good. Marissa and Roman had a great time and Shamus... well he just watched this year but I'm sure he'll be in the tree trimming action next year. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait to fill the bottom with gifts to open on Christmas morning.

This is before the chaos...

Marissa and Roman trimming the tree...

Roman's handy work...

The kids putting their ornaments on the tree...

Shamus watching all the action...

Patiently waiting for their ornaments...

Group photos!

"The best tree we've ever had!"

OH Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree........ yeah its pretty much not like that but its close.

I bought a real tree this year to keep a tradition i love. A real tree for Christmas. Jessica and i had a few rough goes at getting the tree up straight but we got it done and wow does it look good. I will say the smell of a real tree does a great deal to up ones Christmas spirit. I do believe that this is "The best tree we've ever had!"

"Pee pee in the potty"

Oh yeah another milestone for my oldest boy. Roman was in his room for nap time. No he didnt sleep a wink but he did something even better. With no coaching he took off his pants, his diaper and peed into the potty. Yes my son went like a MAN. Now im not saying this has been a regular occurence but it happened, it counts.

Milestones in a young mans life

Well it has been a while since i posted and many milestones have occured. Shamus is now able to take baby food. Yup mashed and semi liquid peas. Sounds yummy doesnt it? Well i guess to him it is. Now i apologize for the photos but action shots are what i got. Next step cheeseburgers!

How fast they grow

Alright we had a somewhat milestone last night. Shamus in his drive to be first at everthing took one crawl forward. Yes he is crawling...... sort of. I can remember when he was barely able to hold his head up or stay awake for more time than it took to feed. Now he gets mad when we eat and he doesnt..... just like Roman did. He has gotten so big i cant believe he is only 6 months old...... almost. If you havent seen the progression here it is.

Wedding fun

Well,

I see Jessica has told you all how i tried to dance and how much fun we had but i thought you might like a taste of what we looked like. I must say Jessica was beautiful. there will be more later.

Dancing Fool

This weekend we went to Cleveland for Sgt. Horner's weeding. We had a lot of fun but were very anxious to get home to the kids by the end. It was great seeing everyone and meeting people that have been very important to John. This video is just a taste of the fun we had at the reception. Its John's buddy Sopczak trying to teach him this dance called the Soulja Boy. At one point John starts Irish Jigging! Watch and see for yourself.

Roman really loves pizza

Roman loves pizza and thats all you can really say. Keep in mind this video is about 30 min into dinner and Roman didnt have a nap during the day. Turn up the volume because what he says is priceless. Enjoy

Everything is Always Changing

So here is just a quick update with the Buckley clan. Marissa will be getting a visit from the tooth fairy soon because she has her first loose tooth. Seems like just yesterday she was getting her baby teeth. She also got her first report card about a week ago. She's making progress in all of her subjects. Roman is getting bigger and smarter every day. Just yesterday John went into the kitchen to find that Roman had gotten a box of cereal down from the top shelf of one of the cabinets and was eating out of the box. His vocabulary has quickly grown. He attempts to say almost everything you ask him to and gets it right most of the time. He's also saying short sentences like "thank you, mom" "yes, please" and my favorite "daddy poo poo in the potty". He's learning how to say the name of the things that he wants instead of pointing and yelling. Shamus is also getting really big, he was 15.2 lbs at his four month check-up last month so it should be interesting to see how big he will be at the six month check-up. For as small as he was at birth (compared to his big brother and sister) he is quickly catching up. He is rolling over with great ease and gets around pretty quickly that way. He is quickly approaching the crawling stage. He can already get up on his hands and knees and rock back and forth. So it looks like he'll be crawling by Christmas! He is also, like John mentioned before, eating rice cereal which is giving us longer periods of sleep at night, but he still gets up to eat in the middle of the night just like his big brother! He won't be sleeping through the night for a while but I'm OK with that. He smiles and giggles a lot now and coos a lot also. John and I will be going to Cleveland this weekend for a wedding. We're really looking forward to have some time away from the kids and just be us. It should be a lot of fun. This will be the longest I've been away from either of the boys so it should be some really good R&R for me, but by the time Sunday rolls around I know I'll be ready to see my boys! I guess thats all a day in the life. Enjoy some of the Halloween pictures of the kids.

Happy Days

Okay so its been a while since I posted last and there has been a lot going on. Since my last post we have a new member to our extended family. Welcome Greta Hansbauer. She is a beautiful girl and I know Shamus looks forward to helping her create mischief at holiday gatherings for years to come.
We have had a major holiday…. In kid lives…. Halloween. Yes all three kids had costumes and all three went out to get candy. Shamus was more into the people watching then the gathering of sweets. Roman and Marissa enjoyed running from house to house receiving sugary treats. Then of course running to the next house as if in some sort of competition with every other kid in the neighborhood. Roman was an Indian, Marissa was in all to true form as a devil, and Shamus like his father was an ARMY man.
Roman and Marissa both made out with tons of candy. Of course some was enjoyed that night but with dental bills going up we will ration this bounty out over time.
Shamus and Roman, have grown in leaps and bounds. Shamus is eating Rice cereal now which has given him longer naps. Jessica is very happy about that.
Jessica and I are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. With so many little ones showing up everywhere it should be an exciting time. Pictures are abounding so please check back over the next few days to see more of the family.

Meet the newest Buckley

So here is something I thought would never happen in a million years... we got a cat. It took me completely by surprise. John has been telling me since the day we met how much he dislikes cats, yet it was his decision to get her. She is the cutest, sweetest little thing. She just loves to curl up in your lap and be petted. So here is how our newest edition joined our happy little family. John’s boss and his family were at his parents’ house when this little kitten came up to them. When they went to a neighbor‘s house trying to find where the cat belonged, they found the mother and a sibling on the side of the road. Not being able to take the cat in themselves because his wife is allergic, they put it in a carrier and left it by a tree hoping the owner might come looking for it. When they came back the next day there were two other kittens laying next to the carrier. After that they felt they had to take them in a find them good homes. At first, I have to admit I thought John was messing with me about getting a cat but he wasn’t. The kids love her. They are constantly looking for her and petting her. Roman is still learning how to be gentle, he keeps pulling her tail. He loves chasing her around and talking to her. She isn’t the most playful thing but she is very affectionate. She follows us around the house meowing and has slept next to me every night since bringing her home. We haven’t been able to come up with a name for her yet, so if anyone has any suggestions PLEASE share them. I’ve been calling her Kitty for the time being. Looks like our family just got a little bigger…

Well we made it

Okay,

So we made it two years with the wrecking ball on two legs that is Roman.
I first want to thank everyone who came to Roman's birthday party and those who could not be there thank you for your cards and gifts. The party went off without a hitch and was a great time for all. I enjoyed seeing my son in the company of those who have meant so much to me for so long. Jessica and I loved having everyone over to enjoy our home and our children. What we didnt enjoy was cleaning it up. Did anyone see the living room after the presents were opened. Wow! I really am rethinking the gift giving versus the gift card thing. We loved the range of gifts Roman recieved. He got blocks tools music makers and puzzles and books. Which then in turn gave us all types of packaging and wrapping paper. I wouldnt trade anything but I would like to own the patent on wrapping paper.
Roman loves all of the presents. He has played with everything, which means we have stepped on almost everything. Each book has been read and reread. Each car or truck or submarine has been opened and rolled and smashed and the noises have been consistently played and replayed. Tools have been used to build and blocks have been stacked. I think that although i havent seen everyone in the world, i can still say Roman has the best family and friends in the world. Jessica and I are so very grateful to everyone.
Well now we have both Shamus and Roman and trust me with Christmas right around the corner we are just looking forward to giving our sons every oppurtunity to say thank you and to enrich your lives in the way only they can. Thank you to all those who brought food and gifts. A special thank you goes to Joan AKA "mom" you made the day.
Thank you to everyone

Getting smarter

Well,
Its official Roman is a genius. He has already spoken a whole sentence and can understand most of any statement made to him, especially ones regarding food. Roman can stand up his action figures so they actually remain standing. I know adults who have a hard time doing that. He has his favorite books, to include “The itsy bitsy spider”, “I crocodile”. He has his pajamas and knows what that means when they are put on. He will ask for more now when he wants extra of whatever he is eating or drinking. He knows where all his snacks are located, and even which cereal type he wants on any given day. He has his own show “Peep” which is a cute show about a small chicken, a small bird and a small duck. He loves to watch Peep and thank god for DVR, because Peep is always on hand. His intelligence has not only manifested itself in his “needs” like food and drink but he loves to go for a “walk” mostly he rides in his stroller but he seems to be at ease when he is watching the world roll by. He knows his; eyes,ears,teeth,toes,shoulders, and many other body parts. He even knows how to play catch. Yes we were playing catch this weekend. He didn’t catch anything but when the ball was ready to be thrown and in the air he held his hands up in the attempt to catch his football. He would then bring me back the ball and if told to go long he would back up further. If asked if he was ready he would say very distinctly “uh-huh” or “no” then he would back up and say “uh-huh.” I would say he is well on his way to playing football for Ohio State and majoring in either law or medicine.

Getting out and growing up!

Well,
This weekend was a lot of fun. Jessica and I we to a corn hole tournament held by an ARMY buddy of mine. Yes I did come in second. My team was second out of 22 teams. Yeah me! But the thanks goes to Joan and Bill. They watched Roman on Saturday night while Jessica and I went out and while mom was tired Roman and her were both alive. I know he had a great time and mom said he was a good boy. Big thanks to those two for giving us that time.
Roman on Sunday morning did something I have been waiting for. He said his first sentence. It was breakfast time, sun shining through the windows and Jessica and Shamus still sleeping. I took Roman to the kitchen and asked him what he wanted for breakfast. Well he said “I want erios” he meant cheerios, but it was his first complete sentence. He meant what he said. No grunting for yes, and no screaming and pointing. He is learning more words and there uses.
Shamus is holding his head us for much longer periods and Roman is talking with regularity. So I would say the growing up has really started.

In the beginning...

Okay,
So this is something I have read about and something I have wanted to do for a while. I want to share with my family the daily life that Jessica and I share with our children. We are by no means a normal family and we enjoy that simple fact. With the amount and type of children we have there is never a dull nor repetitive minute.
To bring everyone up to speed, Jessica and I have been in our house for about 3 months now and we love it. It is in the city of Hamilton, and not to far from where I went to high school, Stephen T. Badin. Our oldest is Marissa is 5 and next is Roman and he has one month left till he is officially in “the terrible two’s” then comes our youngest and thankfully quietest.... for now Shamus.
Roman has taken to understand everything we say but only wanting to say “cookies” yes that and Kool-Aid seem to be what he wants most in this world besides going outside to play. Shamus just loves to eat and spit up. It seems to be an overwhelming display of how much he can eat and then the different ways it can come out.
We would like to let everyone know to save the date of Saturday August 25. Roman is turning 2 years old and we would like to invite you all to his B-day party at our house. Yes he is getting large and powerful. Over the weekend he knocked over Marissa and held her down. I guess he is just practicing for the NFL.
Our house is coming along fine; we want to ask for ideas for a deck/patio. I know those who have been to our house have heard of our plans to build a deck, but we want some ideas from those who have decks. I don’t pretend to be an expert and I wont assume what I want is the best for my house. Please if you have opinions or options let me know.
I hope to keep this blog updated with fun stories and information about the crazy never normal life of the Buckley’s. I hope you enjoy.