Our Pictorial Year in Review - 2009

2009

January 14, 2009

It's official... we are having a BOY!

February 15, 2009

Bob runs his first half marathon with co-workers, Mandy and Gabe.

March 1, 2009

Winston turns 4, and it snows in Birmingham!

April 24 - April 27, 2009

Bob and I head to Tacoma, WA to surprise Jeremy for his 30th Birthday. Little did we know, we'd be parents in 3 days!

April 30, 2009

Robert Jeffrey Ross, III is welcomed into our world six weeks early!

Bobby spends the first 12 days of his life in the NICU. He comes home on May 12th, his Grandma Ross' birthday. Mommy has to spend her first Mother's Day with Bobby in the hospital.

June 20, 2009

Bob participates in his 2nd sprint triathlon, Alabama Sports Festival - and places 3rd in his age group. His first one, the Buster Britton triathlon was held the weekend before.

July 4, 2009

Bobby strolls through our neighborhood in the annual Independence Day Parade.

July 31, 2009

Bobby meets all 8 of his SILLY cousins!

August 23, 2009

Bob hosts his first, Bob Ross First Annual Multi-Sport event at Oak Mountain, amongst friends and fellow triathletes.

September 5, 2009

We run our first family race together - the Ross Bridge 8k. It's my first race, postpartum.

September 18, 2009

Bobby visits the beach for the first time in Gulf Shores, AL.

September 19, 2009

Bob participates in the Alabama Coastal Triathlon, his first Olympic triathlon, with friend, Bart Wilder.

October 10, 2009

Bob runs in the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure, with co-workers.

October 18, 2009

Bobby, dressed as a monkey for his first Halloween, visits the Pumpkin Patch for the first time.

November 6, 2009

Daddy turns 31!

November 26, 2009

Bobby falls asleep during his first Thanksgiving meal at Grandma and Grandpa Ross' house.

December 7, 2009

Mommy turns 31!

December 13, 2009

Bob's big purchase for the year - a new Trek bike! This should help him with his TWO Half-Ironman races he has scheduled for 2010.

December 20, 2009

Bobby is dedicated to our Lord and Savior.

December 25, 2009

Bobby is all smiles for his first Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Lee's house!

Whew!

What an AMAZING year we had! 2009 has given us more love we could ever ask for in our lives.

Here's to 2010!

Happy New Year!

Love, the Ross Family

Eight Months Old

Guess who turned eight months old today?

Bobby is lunging into a crawling position, but has not quite taken the leap yet.

Bobby turned Eight months old on December 30, 2009.

Weight: 19.2 lbs.

Sleeping Patterns: Bobby has always been a pretty good sleeper, but now, he's just about perfect! He usually sleeps about 11 hours per night. He still goes to bed around 7pm. We are still on the same nap schedule (9am, 1pm), and it seems to be working out great. We tweak the times every now and then, but for the most part, we are pretty consistent. He usually has one longer nap (1 hr. 30 min.) and a shorter nap (30-45 min.). Occasionally, he'll wake up during the wee morning still, but will always talk himself back to sleep. Of course, it still wakes us up on the monitor!

Eating Habits: We are still doing 4 bottles a day, with three meals. He is eating Stage 2 jars now, and will usually have 1 - 1.5 jars per meal. He is a very good eater though, and enjoys pretty much anything I give him. I have tried to introduce some finger foods, but he is not interested yet. We may wait until he's 9 months for that. I've also decided that I'm waiting until he is 9 months to reintroduce the sippy cup to him. He can feed himself his bottle, but usually has to be leaning back. He hasn't quite figured out to tilt the bottle yet.

New discoveries & Accomplishments: Bobby, as seen in the above picture, will most likely start crawling soon. He's lunging forward a lot. He also has been up on all fours, and rocking, but has not actually crawled. He also said his first word on Christmas Eve. And, guess what?!? It was MOMMA! It is so cute to hear him say it. At first we weren't sure if it was the word, or a new sound. But, yesterday, he said it to me as I left the room. And, he was calling for me when he woke up from his nap. Bobby is really into checking out his surroundings. He loves to just listen to people talk. He plays great independently too. He is starting to notice when I leave the room though. It is getting harder for me to get stuff done around the house.

Places you love: Again, Bobby is still very much into his Exersaucers. We have two jumping toys - a Graco "Johnny Jumper" and a Jumparoo. He LOVES the Johnny Jumper, and is just so-so with the Jumparoo. We haven't taken too many walks lately, because of the weather. But, he loves to go on errands with me, and just absorbs everything in like a sponge. He smiles at strangers and gets tons of compliments all the time. People are always making comments on his pretty, blue eyes.

Special Friends: Bobby had a blast playing with all of his cousins over Christmas. He's also had some fun playtime with his BFF Drew Wilder.

Current Events: Attempted terrorist attack on plane on Christmas Day, BCS Bowls are in full-swing, Obama Care is still trying to get passed, Charlie Sheen arrested, Tiger is a Cheetah, and 2010 is just around the corner!

What We did This Day: Had a playdate with Drew and Cole. Pictures coming soon!

But, beforehand, take a look at these!

Christmas Trip Recap - Part One

Hello fellow readers!

I am finally back to blog land. We headed down to Orlando for Christmas, and then, upon returning my laptop had to be repaired. So, finally, I am trying to catch up!

Let me just say it is great to be home! There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed, having your daily routine, and having everything you need at your fingertips. But, we did have a great time visiting my family in Orlando. It was great to spend Christmas Eve and morning in the home I grew up in. We very much enjoyed our trip seeing family and friends, and lavishing the warmer weather. We left Birmingham on the 19th, and on the 20th...

Bobby was baptized!

I really wanted to have Bobby baptized in the church my family has attended since I was in middle school. It worked out perfectly to have his dedication while we were in Orlando for Christmas. My brother (the Godfather) lives there, and Bob's sister (the Godmother) was in Florida for a wedding.

Here's the church:

Isn't it beautiful?

Bobby had the church laughing because he was so vocal during the baptism. Here is the pastor holding him up for all to see!

My brother, sister-in-law, and us during the baptism.

Proud mommy and daddy!

Here we are with the Godparents - Jo and Michael.

Afterwards, my mom hosted a beautiful gathering to honor the munchkin. Here is a picture of the yummy cake!

Bob cutting the cake after the blessing. Notice Bobby is zonked out in my arms.

Opening the gifts! Look how happy that baby is!

I must give credit to my father-in-law for taking all of these great pictures. To see more of this special event, go here.

Overall, the day was great! Bobby was an angel for the entire trip, and momma did not stress out! Ha ha!

More details later, plus, Bobby's 8 Month post! I can't believe my sweet baby is 8 months today!

Congratulations!

Congrats to my very best friend Lisa, and her husband Dale! They welcomed Bryn Elise into the world on Wednesday, December 16th! She weighed 8 lbs., 6 oz. From what I've seen, she's beautiful! I can't wait to meet her next week!!!

xoxoxoxo

Congrats to my parents on their anniversary yesterday!!! I love how they always make each other laugh; and always make me laugh! Love you both!!!

Flashback Friday

It sure has been cold and rainy this past week in Birmingham!

Kinda wish I was doing this right now...

Honeymooning in Virgin Gorda, October 2007

Christmas Card Picture - 2009

Merry Christmas!

From our family... to yours!

Cute Overload!

Cute...

Cuter...

Cutest!

Still in Shock.

Ok, so Bob and I are junkies for most shows on HBO and Showtime. They are just so much more entertaining than regular network TV.

One of our favorites is Dexter. Well, last night's season finale was probably the best I've seen yet. I'm not going to say anything about it, in case you haven't seen it yet. But, WOW. Do you think Showtime should be held responsible for the anxiety I felt when the show ended?!?! :-) I think the darkest show, just got darker after that finale.

Seriously, if you have Showtime, or are looking for a show to rent - get Dexter!!! You will not be disappointed! It is SO good!

Flashback Friday

Who wants some pizza?!?!

This lovely pizza was consumed during my Bachelorette party weekend, in Savannah. Can you believe it cost $40.00?!?! It is to this day, the biggest pizza I have ever seen! Good times... good times.

Game Talk

Bobby and Drew had a very riveting conversation while watching the SEC Championship on Saturday.

I was lucky enough to overhear the entire thing!

Drew: Give me a high five! Alabama just scored again!

Bobby: Ugh...ok, fine. But, I'm not getting up to do this!

Bobby: Dude, I'm telling you! Tebow is my uncle! I swear. He taught me how to do push-ups. See?

Drew: Man, I just don't believe you. Sheesh!

Drew: There, there, Bobby.... It's ok. You guys will score again.

Bobby: See? My head IS bigger than yours! Just like Tebow's!

Drew: Bobby, Bobby! Look at this! I got your toy! Dang it Bobby, pay attention to meeeee!!! Stop watching the TV!

Snow!

Or, lack thereof...

Here is what was left of the overnight snow we had last weekend. I did happen to peek out my bedroom window around 4am on Saturday morning, and it was beautiful! The snow was still falling, and had not melted away.

I hope we get some more before Christmas. It's doubtful, but a girl can dream, right?!?!

Kitchen Helper

BoLast week, I made dinner for a neighbor who had recently had a baby. Bobby wanted to hang out with me in the kitchen, but wasn't interested in sitting in his Jumparoo or Exersaucer. Instead, he wanted to be my little helper!

Notice how I did not give him any pots & pans! Ha!