In a nutshell...

Sorry, our camera is still in the shop.

CAUTION: The following update may contain copious amounts of bragging.

Well we have jumped on the sickipoo bandwagon. Gotta keep up with the Reynolds and the Mussellams dont'cha know. Ronan is sick with a fever, bad cough and a tummyache to boot. He even had to miss his pirate-themed preschool Christmas party today after buying a cool pirate costume for it and everything. Poor kid has had a rough week. I know he is o.k. though because he is continually asking for his favorite treat saying, "chocolate will make my tummy-ache feel better".

RONAN At 3 years, 3 months, Ronan is really blossoming emotionally, verbally and mentally. His imagination is limitless, he is so creative and maybe a bit eccentric too. Recently he made a "dinosaur jail" out of a towel rack and has taken to "shark baths" in which the bathtub is filled with 100% cold water! When music is playing, he says "Don't see me dance Mom" while dancing wildly. He is having a great time at pre-school. His favorite activities include going on fieldtrips to the nearby library and the garden center and being cuddled by the pretty Pre-school Director Vanessa. Every Wednesday he hangs out with his bigwheel gang at the Miramar Playgroup we go to. He and 2 other boys race around much too quickly and have a lot of fun together.

It has been pretty windy lately. When we are outside and a particularly powerful wind strikes, Ronan grabs my hand and says, "Fold my hand Mom and please don't blow away" ! (Ronan says "fold" for hold). He has also been "reading" us books at bedtime! Yes, much of his "reading" is derrived from his amazing memory and a little help from the pictures, but we are very proud nonetheless. Ronan knows the entire alphabet and is really good with his numbers too. His artwork is wonderful and so is he.

LIAM has reached a stunt-man in training milestone of sorts...he is now climbing onto the kitchen table instead of just standing and dancing on the chairs. Chairs are so 5 minutes ago. Ah, boys. At almost 15 months, he is still a gourmand and has yet to meet a food item he doesn't like. The Reynolds gave each of the boys an advent calendar and first thing every morning little Liam walks out to the living room and points to the calendar on the mantle. He wants that chocolate! He is very social and loves making new friends at the park or playgroup. We fear he may follow in Ronan's footsteps as he seems to completely lack the fear gene.

He loves waving, pointing passsionately and flirting with the ladies. Some of his favorite words are "soft", "raisin", and "socks", "dis and dat" (this and that) and "yes". The other day he gave his first ever kiss to Daddy! Followed by more kisses (for Daddy that is). Now Daddy gets kisses on demand. Yes, I'm envious of those kisses, but I get a whole lotta warm and cuddly hugs. Liam and Daddy do have a very special relationship... About 6:00pm every weeknight Liam starts doing his "da-da" chants. He goes to the front door, points at it and says "da-da"! He knows it is almost time to go pick-up Daddy from work. On the drive to work he sings his "da-da" song and is SO excited when he sees Daddy emerging from work.

Our STUFF has finally arrived in Wellington from Vancouver. We've been without it since September and, I for one, really miss our belongings. We are hoping to receive our shipment before Christmas, which would be great because it contains our Christmas stockings. We'll also be receiving the boy's beds, their books, toys, trucks, picnic table, push-car, bike, scooter, high-chair (hallelu-yeah!), our clothing and my beloved shoe collection. Hello Fluevogs, Diesels, Kenneth Coles, Fornarinas, Campers, Danskos, Mags, Donald J. Pliners, and ooh, those tasty Italian numbers from Gimme Shoes in San Francisco....it won't be long now my pretties, we will be reunited soon!