The Rowan Chronicles: Recent Development!

Well, folks, its been so long since I updated that I can't even remember where I left off.  But in any event, Rowan is an amazing little guy - he knows his alphabet, is learning his numbers now, is very good with names, is putting together little sentences, finally has HAIR, and just cut his 11th tooth this morning.  Its been hard to keep up!

Just to give you a little example, I shot this video this morning.  It is a hoot!  It's a little dark, but you'll get the idea.  At the end, Rowan takes off running and you can't really tell what he's saying, but the phone had just started ringing so he darts off yelling "PHONE!"  Just in case you were wondering! 

We head to NY on the 14th of June for a whole month - look out!

The Rowan Chronicles...Day at the Park!

About a week and a half ago Rowan's godmother and godsisters met us at the park for a day of expending what seems to be Rowan's endless supply of energy.  After an hour of running around the park and another trip to a teachers store for some great educational posters to put up in Rowan's play room, Rowan succumbed to a deep and LONG sleep in the car on the way home. 

We thought you would enjoy some pics!

Rowan's godmother Tammy Rolle...we love you Auntie Tammy!  (and godsisters Kaya and Katie)...

Auntie Tammy's niece posed for Daddy Damian's camera, Kaya (pink & white shirt) and Katie (salmon shirt) share a banana...

Kaya loves babies!

These are mommy's favorite pics!!!

We're hoping to get back into updating more often.  Hope you enjoyed the pics!  Not much new to report, except that like cousin Ellie, we have begin potty training.  I'm not sure if I'm excited about this stage yet...  

A Day at Mommy's Old Stomping Ground!

The last 2 months have been pretty routine...busy!  Rowan has been learning like crazy and now even speaks in little phrases!  He called me into his room this morning and I asked him how he was doing.  His answer was (verbatim...) "Hungry - eat food!"  I couldn't believe it!  He is putting words together and has a substantial vocabulary including words like alligator, rectangle, elephant, etc (yup - he says all 3 syllables!)  He knows the whole alphabet AND has started counting!  We've got a ways to go with that yet, but we've started anyway.  The BEST thing though is that he SINGS Happy Birthday!  It is absolutely adorable!  He has 8 teeth now, 3 of which are premolar.  He is totally out of order in teeth growing and looks really funny.  He cut his 8th tooth (his 2nd top front) on Easter morning.  He had a doctor's appointment a few weeks ago and had a great report, so we were pleased. 

The main reason we haven't updated in so long is because we really haven't taken any photos lately!  But in the last few days we've had some opportunities to shoot some good ones, so here we go!

At a baby dedication a little while ago, I was trying to keep Rowan occupied, and I attracted a little audience!

Rowan's godfather has returned to the island and we he was showing Rowan a few tips the other night...

We wanted to get some shots of Rowan's current tooth status, and he willingly obliged this weekend...

Playing shy...

Rowan still loves his Mommy...

Yesterday we had a day off (the Bahamian holiday is called Easter Monday) and we spent a few hours at Mommy's old stomping ground - The Adventure Learning Centre! Rowan had a ball (literally) and didn't want to leave.  He threw a fit on the way out!  We were joined by Rowan's little buddy Aimee and her parents (our good friends) and the 2 of them were so cute all day!

Mommy met an old friend (above) while Aimee and Rowan explored hand in hand...

Mommies and their babies...

Braving the tires...

Rabbits, and chickens and turtles, OH MY!

Rowan played ball with Daddy...

And checked out the horse, but REFUSED to take a ride!

Then along came the Easter Bunny!  Wanna play ball with me?

And Mommy could hardly keep up with all the excitement!

  And that's a wrap!

The Rowan Chronicles...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, I have decided that I am a Xanga BINGER.  I can go for a month or 2 without updating, and then WHAMO - I do a major one that covers all the time missed.  I used to be so good - until this little fireball entered my life and burns up all of my extra time AND ENERGY!  So, in keeping with my new identity, here is an update on the last few months!

After our return from NY, our life was very busy with schooling and getting back to normalcy.  Rowan keeps growing and pushed out 2 new teeth in addition to developing an extensive vocabulary.  He also had some fun with his family and friends...

Loving life...

Hanging out with Christopher...

Photoshoot with Mommy...

Outing to the hotel to expend energy with Daddy...

More photos by Daddy...

Christmas day was exciting for Rowan (and for Daddy who got to do some ASSEMBLING and TOOL TRAINING)

 This year's family photo

Opening presents...

Christopher gave Rowan his favorite present...a BIKE!!!

Learning to use a hammer (GREAT...)

Rowan the foreman...

Thank you for my bike Mrs. Thompson!!!

Mommy turned 30 the week after Christmas, and Daddy took more pictures!!

Mommy on her birthday

Me and my Grammy...

Then Gramma Joyce came for a visit (and is still here!!!) and brought more presents from NY!

Playing with my new boats in the bath..."They seem to be taking on water, Mommy."

Gramma lets me play with the hose outside!!!

Rowan also got his first haircut last Saturday!!!

He looks so handsome...just like DADDY...

Until next time! 

The Rowan Chronicles...

Ok - so it's been 3 months!!!

I know, I know, I KNOW!  3 months is a little long to go between updates.  I totally admire those Moms who manage their time better than I do!  Life has been wonderful, busy, ever-changing, and a master teacher over the last few months - full of excitement, craziness, amazement, as well as the regular ebb and flow.  Let see if we can bring you all up-to-speed without boring you to death for the next hour!

August found us preparing for the start of the next school year - which for us meant the start of small groups and Sunday School at church, and this year our 1st trip to New York in the FALL!!!  Rowan continued to master the art of walking, playing, and exploring.  He is the boy of 1,000 faces, and is a wonderful subject for pictures. 

  Ritz, anyone??

Mommy had to devise a new method of diaper changing due to a propensity to squirm uncontrolably on the part of a certain little worm...

No - there is no copyrite on this method, for all of those interested mothers out there who also have very squirmy boys...

We enjoyed several outings across the street to visit our neighbors (particularly Rowan's good friend Christopher) and to stretch our leg muscles.

Listen Mom - get with the program - I'm on the MOVE!

                          Mowing the lawn...Slow down Christopher!!!

ROWAN TURNED 1 YEAR OLD!!!

Mommy slaved over the cake, which was designed after Rowan's favorite book.  And it came out so well!  However, she stored it in the refrigerator over night and took it to Grammie Freddie's the next day - where she left it out on the dryer.  Needless to say, on a very hot and humid Bahamian day, water condensated on the cold cake and the frosting all RAN.   AAAHHH!!!

 MMM...Grammie - this cake is GOOD!

I love my godparents!

Then, after much preparation and a few weeks of mild stress, the Sands Family evacuated the Bahamas and invaded Upstate NY for just over 3 weeks!!!  It was the 1st time Mommy had seen her hometown in the fall months since she moved to Nassau 9 years ago.  What an amazing time we had!

We saw Gramma and Grampa Cook...

Isn't this a SWEET picture???

Gramma and Grampa taught me so many THINGS!

HOORAY!

Can you find Grampa???

We saw Great Gramma and Grampa Parslow...

     Rowan was fascinated by all the BIG BOY TOYS!!!

Let's motor, Gramps!

We saw Uncle Adam, Aunt Julie, and COUSIN ELLIE!!!...

Leaf, anyone?

Rowan's first romp in the leaves!

Rowan get so EXCITED about things...

Ok - did I do something wrong Mommy?  She's stomping away...

See the butterfly, Ellie?

Catch the leaves!

We had a visit from our good friend Brittanie Kemp, a lovely Bahamian girl from our church here in Nassau who is at Hartwick College in Oneonta NY.  We had a great time with her!

A trip to the park...picnics are FUN!

A great place to think...

Mommy went to 2 weddings, one of which was of a good friend Amy Molinero who worked with her at the ALC for several months a few years ago...

The Parslow/Cook/Sands families all gathered together for a mass birthday/anniversary party for the month of September.  Rowan got some belated gifts!

Rowan experienced some 1sts...

A) MOUTHFUL OF DIRT

Not sure about this...

Definitely not going over well...

    MOMMY!!!!!

B) FIRST TOAD

C) FIRST CAMPFIRE

D) FIRST COOKOUT

WOW!!!  Cookouts are COOL!

More gifts!

F) FIRST TRACTOR...The Foreman was on the job...

Mommy, Gramma Cook and Rowan took a trip to Deleware to visit Mommy's good friend Kathie and her family.  There, we went to an orchard - so COOL!

Very cool corn maze!

I see you Mommy!

Rowan loved the slide!

But the wagon was even COOLER.

Trying to get some paint on the PUMPKIN...

Kathie's boys were a wild bunch!  SO FUN!

Kings (and Queen) of the straw mountain!

For the most part, we just had FUN!!...

The fall leaves were absolutely breathtaking this year!

Hey!  It's 7:00am and I'm in my PJ's Mommy - you've taken enough pictures of the lake already!!!

I hate sun spots!!!  But Rowan loves his Daddy...

Life back in the Bahamas has been good - regular routine is always nice.  Damian continues to work hard on his Masters - the end is in sight!  Rowan is learning words like a little sponge - doggy, kitty, bird, car, hi, bye, NO NO, shoe, eye, teeth, rain, key, thank you, please, and toe to name a few!  He continues to be the life of the party, and Mommy and Daddy's biggest blessing in the world.  Still waiting for the third tooth.......

And that's a wrap for today folks.  Hope you enjoyed the update!  It's headlong into the Christmas season now!