Back to school

It's back to school time for me. My students start on Thursday, but I have been working on my classroom for the last few weeks. I absolutely loved spending the whole summer with Cullen. We had the best time hanging out at the pool, going to the zoo, listening to story hour at the library, etc. As fast as the summer went by, it's amazing how much Cullen changed over the last few months. It's hard to believe that Cullen is almost 1! Though I'm going to miss our little guy like crazy when I'm at work, I'm anxious to meet my new class and begin the new year with 22 eager third graders.

Cullen's latest and greatest...standing completely on his own, clapping (which is so cute- he claps for himself when he stands), eats all regular food, waves buh-bye, first experience with bubbles (he tried to eat them), gives kisses (slobbers), and loves to pull Ritzy's tail.

Cullen's hair is growing so fast; we are going in for his second haircut this weekend.

Little Traveler

We have been extremely busy over the last few weeks. I can't believe that I need to think about going back to work soon! I have really enjoyed spending time with Cullen this summer and trying out new things daily! We traveled to Milwaukee to see my parents over the fourth of July. It was great to see my parents. Cullen even had his first trip to the zoo! He loved looking at all of the animals and strollering around the park! He also loved watching the fireworks! Last week we went to Michigan. We were in Ann Arbor visiting Rob's parents, traveled further north to Mackinac Island and then even further up north to the Upper Peninsula to visit Rob's grandma, aunt, and cousins. We attended a wedding of one of Rob's friends from grade school, Andy Howson. While at the wedding, Great Grandma O'Brien, Aunt Janet and Cousins Cara, Anna, and Cali babysat Cullen. He was a real trooper during all of our travels! Our traveling is over for awhile! I haven't listed Cullen's "stats" recently so here you go. These are from his 9 month visit.
Height: -28 1/2 in.- 75th percentile
Weight: 19 lbs. 8 oz.- 50th percentile
He has cut 2 teeth (bottom) and one of his top teeth are coming in now. They don't really seem to be bothering him. We continue to learn more about our little guy daily.
1. Loves ice cream!
2. Loves any kind of water and loves to splash!
3.Hates peas and green beans!
4. Loves to nap in his new convertible car seat.
5. Throws the spoon when he is finished eating!
6. Crawling and pulling up like crazy! He is a man on the move!

So much going on!

From the top:
1. First Haircut
2. Baptism Weekend (not baptized in the pool but it was hot!)
3. Someone is crawling!
4. Father's Day in Michigan
5. Busy rest of the summer...

Since our last post, a month ago, so much has been going on. I guess that means summer is here! Cullen got his first haircut and was a very good boy. We think he actually enjoyed it. Cullen was also baptized recently.

We had a lot of family in from across the country and truly appreciate everyone who made it and those who sent notes/called thinking about the big day. Rob's brother Dan is the Godfather and Jackie's aunt Claudia is the Godmother.

Cullen is now mobile! He's been on the move for over a week now and that changes everything! He's very curious and goes after anything that catches his big brown eyes! Jackie did a great job of "baby proofing" the house! Keep your fingers crossed for us!

We also just got back from MI visiting Rob's mom and dad for the first father's day. It was a great weekend with some shopping, dining, and golf. We capped the weekend at a family favorite Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor for lunch on Sunday. For anyone interested we drove by the Big House on Sunday and the renovations look GREAT! I don't think I can say the same for the upcoming season....

Upcoming, we have a busy next few weeks, might be coming to see YOU? Rob will be in Huron, OH (Lake Erie) for work this weekend. Next weekend (4th of July) we'll be in Milwaukee visiting Jackie's parents, the following weekend we'll be in Mackinac Island and Sault Ste. Marie, MI with Rob's family for a wedding, and the weekend after that we'll be in Augusta, GA with friends for some golf and jet skiing!

Last, but certainly not least, we will be celebrating our 4 year anniversary this week on Thursday; where does the time go?? So much has happened in four years and we feel very lucky to have shared it with each other and all of you.

Rob, Jackie, Cullen , and Ms. Ritz

Memorial Day Weekend

At last the summer season has kicked off with Memorial Day Weekend! We've had a beautiful spring here in Cincinnati but the warmth and humidity finally arrived. With that the O'Brien family had a great long weekend.

The weekend was kicked off on Thursday with a farewell gathering at RP McMurphy's for our friends Chris and Rachael Palermo. They are moving to Columbus as Rachael took an in house counsel position with Abercrombie and Fitch. We wish them well and will miss them in Cincinnati but sure to see them in Cbus too!

We spent the rest of the weekend in town with friends and also found time to just relax as a family and slow our busy lives down...that was great! On Friday evening, we relaxed with dinner on the grill, the Red Wings deep in the playoffs, and a good nights sleep with the A/C on for the first time.

Saturday morning we ran some errands, got in workouts, and enjoyed family time. Our friends Joe and Ashley Rozier came over on Saturday night for a cookout. Good conversation and some cocktails later made for a great evening on the deck.

Sunday morning we took a family walk around Mariemont with Ritz. We stopped at Starbucks and read the paper and Cullen entertained everyone with his smiles and chatter. We headed home to pack up the car for a day on the lake! Some of Rob's coworkers have lake houses and boats about 45 minutes outside of Cincinnati. It was a VERY warm and humid day and the water was the place to be! Cullen got a new life jacket and really enjoyed the wind in his hair and also splashing water on the back of the boat. We were exhausted after a full day but came home and had neighbors over for drinks on the deck.

Monday we slept in and took Cullen to the Mariemont pool. It was another warm day but cloudy, Cullen didn't mind. Jackie thinks Cullen will be doing the butterfly by July! He absolutely loves the water! It was a great weekend around here; everyone is rested up and refreshed. Jackie only has 8 days of school left before she and Cullen will be pool bound for the next few months!