Me and the Sorensen Men Folk

2009-09-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

Ronin got his first haircut.

It's tradition that we refrain from cutting the boys' hair until they're a year old. At a year, each of our boys got their heads shaved. Ronin took to it well but I must say that our neighbors and friends were in an uproar. People seemed to be shocked at how different he looked. I agree, I took a step back and shed a few tears just because he looked like a little boy and not a baby. They grow too fast!

Yesterday, I took a few shots of Ronin with his first popsicle. (One that he held himself)

He and his brothers enjoyed the 80+ degree weather with their fruit popsicles and I just got the camera as they were finishing their treats.

I love my boys. I am sad to see summer go. The boys swam, hiked, travelled across the country, shot guns, etc. This was a summer full with memories of family, friends, and fun. This is the essence of life.

8 Months Old Today...

2009-04-13T14:28:00.001-07:00

Not one day goes by and I don't realize how truly blessed I am to have my boys in my life. They are such a wonderful and welcomed distraction to my dissertation.

I have been asked, quite a bit, if I find it harder to finish school because of I had Ronin.

The answer is "School has always been hard for me to finish. Ronin and his brothers are such a light during an especially trying time."

Yup, still not finished with my PhD. but it will get done. In the meantime, loving this baby and all my men folk has added to my learning and loving.

Two weeks ago Xavier turned 5.

In 4 days Micah turns 7.

Today Ronin is 8 months.

Yesterday marked Eric's and my ten-year dating anniversary.

Time flies.

I really try not to blink too often.

UNC WINS BIG!!!

2009-04-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

Need we say more?

Look! Mom No Training Wheels.

2009-04-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Micah has moved on from training wheels and has never looked back. He now handles the rugged lake terrain and wants to ride everyday. He is his father's son. They both go off for hours at a time proving their heightened levels of masculinity through their completion of certain bicycle feats.

Notice, I only have this subdued picture. NO camera has gone where Micah and his father go riding.

Xavier and the Dirty South

2009-04-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

Xavier has just fallen in love with the Dirty South. He likes the music, he does not pass up the opportunity to sing along to a dirty south rap song.

He loves the food. He can eat hush puppies by the dozen but let's be honest, who can't.

And his latest cultural adaptation, the do rag. Here in the South, you can buy them at the convenience stores and he has been begging his Dad to buy him one. Early this week Eric finally broke down and bought his sons do rags. Xay was too excited and even wore it to bed. A few days later I made him take some pictures and he happily obliged. Wow, Xavier has to be my fairest child and yet the most down with the cause.

I Just Had to Take Some PICTURES!!

2008-10-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

The many faces of Ronin Salleh Sorensen!

Auntie Najah Is My Shoulder to Lean On

2008-10-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Today I took some picture of Ronin as Najah was trying to burp him. She spends so much time with him and we really don't know what we'd do without her.

The other day Ronin smiled his biggest smile at her and it warmed my heart.

It's nice to have family!

May we all be loved by wonderful aunties and uncles.

WELCOME RONIN SALLEH SORENSEN!

2008-09-14T00:44:00.000-07:00

A little late but nonetheless...

Ronin Salleh Sorensen, 7 lbs. 11 oz.

Healthy and happy.

August 13, 2008

Here he is on his first day home. Dad immediately took some pictures.

The Days After Grandma and A.M before Camp

2008-07-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Here are the boys right before summer camp. As you can tell they are revving to go.

On Sunday, Grandma Judith left after a 6-day stay and I have to say the day she left I cried my eyes out.

The boys were quite sympathetic of my breakdown. "M" empathetically said, "Mom, if you left I would cry too." "X" expressed his condolences and later threw a penny in the wishing well the next day and wished for grandma to come back. It's not often I realize how far we are from family and friends because when they leave I am astounded at the loneliness in the house. I also can't believe how blessed we are to have such low-maintenance and charitable family members.

Good thing, in a few weeks we will be expecting the baby and a slew of wonderful family/friend guests to greet the newest member of our family. They also will be here to get the boys ready for school since I will be a little busy. I am glad "E" seems to love my family as much as I do and just between me and my blog readers I think my family may, I repeat may like him better.

I love his family and can't help but sometimes think..."Umm, what was I thinking moving so far away?"

2008-07-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few past photos of the boys.

I love this picture because their faces tell everything about their dispositions in the mornings and sometimes the afternoons and sometimes in the evenings and well you get the picture...

Last Summer

2008-07-02T14:06:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of the boys on Lake Michael last summer. They have already been a number of times this summer and I will send more photos when I can get my pregnant body out there to snap a camera.

Watermelon Roots

2008-07-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

Micah has lost 4 baby teeth to date all in quite traumatic ways. Partly because he lets those teeth hang on to the very end and refuses to let anyone pull them.

But today he did me proud--with one front tooth gone and the other well on its way he entered the watermelon eating contest at his summer camp.

He won!

That kid loves some watermelon. (Call it a reenforcement of a wide spread generalization but hey, I couldn't help but slightly think that his 25% Black lineage had something to do with that win. )

Singing in Bed

2008-06-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Last night was a good night--not a typical statement concerning bedtime in our household.

I have started to separate the boys because they get too rowdy together. There's lots of giggling mixed in with fighting and it takes a good hour, no matter how tired they are, for them to settle down.

Bedtime rituals commenced which usually involves weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth but tonight was a bit more subdued with only slight protests and then they acquiesced.

We said our prayers---Micah always says closing prayer (night) and Xavier has opening prayer (morning).

Then they were off to different bedrooms.

I sat down to watch an encore presentation of the BET Awards and couldn't help but here singing on top of Chris Brown's performance.

I quickly put the TV on mute and listened.

Xavier was singing "I am a Child of God" with a few new lyrics mixed in and Micah was also singing and humming in his room.

Eric and I listened quietly for more than 20 minutes. Micah faded out first and then Xavier.

They successfully sang themselves to sleep and I have never felt so much peace.