Get On The Thomas Train

Fun at the Lake with the Fifers!

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Rob, Cobb, and Charly got to go to the Bowlin lakehouse to hang out with the Fifers on New Years Eve while the sickies and I stayed home. Here's a little video that Rob edited from their time together.

New Years Eve 2011 from Rob Thomas on Vimeo.

Conversations with Ridge: Are you an Elf?

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Well, our New Years started off with a bang yesterday with a broken dishwasher, high fevers, strep throat, and "hand, foot, and mouth" virus. But my sickie Ridge made it all better with his hilarious chatter and sense of humor. Here's a few:

We went to Acute Kid Care yesterday to get Ridge tested for strep.

Doc: Hi there! Ridge, what seems to be going on today?
Ridge: My tongue hurts when I eat.
Doc: I'm going to look and see, is that ok?
Ridge: No. That thing chokes. I don't like it. (tongue depressor)
Doc: Okay, well just open real wide, and I won't use it.
Ridge: AHHHHHH
Doc: Okay, it looks like strep.
Ridge: Oh man, seriously???
Doc: Yes, and your lymph nodes are like marbles.
Ridge: No I have those down with my penis.

There's an uncomfortable pause. Then the doctor and I start laughing out loud.

Ridge: What? It's true. Seriously!
Me: You're right Ridge.

The doctor starts telling me how we are going to treat the strep. Ridge keeps staring at the doctor, and then. . .

Ridge: You have pointy ears.
Doc: Oh. (laughing)
Ridge: Are you an elf?
Doc: Well, no, but that's funny b/c I always tease my wife for having big ears, and she teases me for having small ears.
Ridge: Your ears aren't small, they're pointy.
Doc: I really can't wait to tell my wife all that you've said today! Is that okay? (starting to walk out)
Ridge: yea, sure. Maybe you are too tall to be an elf. But Buddy is tall, right mom?

In the car on the way home, Ridge talks with a constant chatter.

Ridge: HALEY!!
Me: Oh, are you talking to me Ridge? .
Ridge: Yes, I've BEEN talking to you.
Me: I'm sorry babe. It's hard to hear you way back there.
Ridge: Sorry mom, I just really like to talk.

Here's one of my favorite clips that often remind me of Ridge:

Video Yearbook 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:44:00 +0000

This is one of my Christmas presents (my fav!)

Family Yearbook 2011 from Rob Thomas on Vimeo.

Rob shot this on his Canon 60D camera this year. He put it all together to make a video yearbook for 2011! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! (tip: if you click the vimeo button and watch it on vimeo, it's in HD and looks even better!)

Conversations with Ridge: I Just Want a Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Conversations with my sweet boy Ridge.

This morning as we were getting ready for school:

R: I’m so excited about my christmas program today.

Me: I am too. I’m sure you are going to sing so pretty!

R: You might see a girl and think she is really pretty.

Me: Oh there’s a girl that’s really pretty in your class?

R: Yes, her name is Jocelyn. She’s really pretty. She’s five, and I’m only four. But she’s in my class. She sometimes needs her mom to help her with her clothes. She has buttons that are hard to do. I have buttons, and I can do them.

Me: Yes you can. You’ll have to point Jocelyn out to me today so I know who she is.

R: If she’s next to me I might be shy. (dramatic pause ending with a sigh) Mom, do you think I could be her boyfriend when I grow up?

Me: Um. . .maybe

R: She’s really pretty. I’ll have to dress really handsome. You know, I just want to have a wife later.

Me: When you are much older, you will be a great husband like your daddy.

R: Yea. I am real handsome.

Later we got in the car, and I’m backing out the driveway. . .

R: Um, mom?

Me: yes?

R: I think we have a problem

Me: Oh really? What’s that?

R: Well, I don’t have my coat on, and I can’t get it on because I’m unbuckled (meaning buckled).

Me: That’s okay. You can put it on when we get out of the car at school.

R: Okay, but Mom??

Me: Yes?

R: Can we make sure that I have it on so no one will see my handsome clothes? I want to walk into class then take my coat off and surprise everyone with my handsome clothes. They might all fall down because I’m so handsome.

Me: They just might Ridge. They just might.

Throughout the Christmas program, Ridge sang while remaining quite serious. He focused on his teachers the whole time. Afterwards we went to Five Guys for lunch with the Parkers, and he was talking to his daddy. . .

R: Daddy? You know Mrs. Bartolone?

Daddy: Yes. She’s your teacher.

R: How come you don’t have her as a wife?

I’ve been told Ridge might have a slight crush on his teacher so my feelings aren’t too hurt. I know he loves his mama, but it appears he’d like Mrs. Bartolone to join the family as well!

He knows

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:33:00 +0000

We're at home, and I have some clean up to do. Tribb is not wanting to sleep so it hasn't been a great combo. I held Tribb tight and asked him what I was going to do with his cute self since he's now moving and into everything. He gave me a smile similar to the below picture. . . He knows he's in control of my time, and he likes it!

Our four piano players

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:56:00 +0000

Here are our four kids in a random order... all at six months old... all playing the piano.

Can you guess who is who?

What Were You Thinking?

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:40:00 +0000

I've slacked, but now I've just got to come back. There are WAY too many entries for the "What Were You Thinking" blog series. Here it goes:

1)Why Ridge? Just not sure of the purpose behind this one:

Can you see the actual toilet paper holder in the trash?

2)Last week, Charly and Ridge asked if they could have a root beer. I said, "Sure, but please split it by using cups." They did, and I thought all was fine. I was actually gooshing inside with pride at my well behaved and good mannered children. And then I found them in the garage standing on either side of Cobb's bike taking turns pouring root beer on the back wheel and spinning it. How fun to see where the root beer splatters! But truly, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??

3) Ridge only has one pair of tennis shoes. Yes, I know what you are thinking. . . buy him another pair! I will for sure, but in the meantime. . . We were running out the door to take Ridge to school last week. All are in the car, bags packed, seat belts buckled, and I look down at Ridge's bare feet. "Ridge, where are your shoes?" "Oh, I forgot" was the reply I got. "Ridge, go get your shoes and fast!" We run inside, look forever, only to find his muddy shoes from camping (I had forgotten to clean them). So we decide we are going to break school rules and send him in crocks, but we could only find one of each pair. Another 5 minutes of frantic searching reveals one lone crock under his bed. Finally, off to school. SO. . . I wash the tennis shoes to have them ready for Thursday. Wednesday afternoon, Ridge puts on his tennis shoes, goes out to the woods behind our house, and jumps in the biggest mud puddle he could find. Really?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

4)Frequent occurance: Ridge is using the bathroom. He hears something, but he's not quite done. This doesn't stop him from turning his whole body to look. You can imagine the result. . . WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

5)Tribb is lying on the floor happily playing. I look over to see my sweet four your old slinking over his baby brother until he is practically sitting on T's face. "Ridge, buddy! Don't sit on your brother's face! He doesn't like that." But as Ridge gets off his brother, Tribb starts laughing and smiling. Hmmmm I guess you knew what you were thinking! Just don't do it again.

Don't worry. . . I've got more.

Tribb is 6 months old!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Here is our little boy... he's growing up fast!

Tribb eats rice cereal for the first time!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:03:00 +0000

Bedheads

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:32:00 +0000

When Rob first went out on his own, his company was called Bedhead Productions. Here are two of my boys wearing a bedhead shirt. Can you guess who?

The shirt fits the same on both boys, but one is about 8 months and one is not quite 5 months.

Day 13

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Many of you at the were curious if Tribb ever pooped, and YES!! he finally did on Day 13.

Back story. . . my baby had not pooped for 10 days so we went to the doctor. xray was normal for his little tummy so we had to start giving him caro syrup 3 times a day and about 6-8 ounces of juice. Mealwhile Rob's company conference began the same day. The third day of the Echo conference was day 12 of no poop. Since Tribb was with me at the conference, many were curious, and I often got the question. . . "poop yet??" There were false alarms and stinky toots, but nothing substantial.

DAY 13:
We went to Lifetime for Rob and I to play Wallyball. The kids were checked into childcare. After our workout, we picked the kids up to go swimming, but decided to eat lunch in the cafe first. We're sittting at the table waiting for the food, and Tribb was happy as can be in my lap. All of a sudden we hear a loud pop. And his diaper has exploded all over my lap, 13 days worth. Rob and I wiped a couple of napkins full off of me, apologized to all those eating around us, then I waddled to the bathroom with Tribb hoping to not dribble any on the floor.

We were cheering and grossed out all at the same time.
I think we are now back on an every 6 day schedule thanks to the continued once a day juice allotment. Continuing to pray for more frequent poops.

Chillin at the pool

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:47:00 +0000

(113 degrees!!! This is a pic I took of my car's dash one day!!)
The only outdoor place to go in this heat is the pool, and over the summer, we just HAVE to get out!!

I've dropped Tribb off once at the Lifetime childcare b/c I was able to get an appointment, but other times he just chills with us. Here he is getting dressed in swim attire wearing mommy's sunglasses:

He loves the pool, kicking his legs in the water and splashing. He shocks himself when he splashes water in his own face, but he gets over it quick.

Here's a picture of him taking a break from the water, chillin on a damp towel with a bottle of juice. . .

The big kids have had a blast. Unfortunately, I don't have pics of them b/c I'm hanging back with the wee one making sure he stays cool.

Our adventures at Kamp Kawaii (Kanakuk Family Kamp)

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:02:00 +0000

We had a great time in Missouri several weeks ago. Kanakuk started a family camp back in 2008 and it's a great place. The pictures say it all.

Happy Belated Birthday, Haley!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:03:00 +0000

We were out of town all week at Kanakuk Family Kamp... the next post will include some pictures from that.

During the week, Haley had a birthday! She's not 40, but she's about as close as you can get... next year will be a biggie!

I just want to remind the world and say publicly that I have the greatest girl in the world... and she's my wife! I'm a blessed man because Haley is such an amazing person. She's kind, passionate, beautiful, and wise. She is such a good wife and mother... I don't tell them enough, but I like to make sure our kids know we hit the jackpot.

We love you Haley. Happy Birthday!

Oh, Sweet Mama!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:06:00 +0000

I Love My Sis

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:14:00 +0000

Charly has been such a great help with the Tribbers. She loves to hold him, sing to him, and talk to him. She has a sweet & nurturing spirit.

He loves his sister!

What were you thinking?

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my second installment of the "What were you thinking" blog posts. I was going to make this an every Wednesday thing, but I have too many to wait until Wednesday!

GUM:
We were at a yummy local yogurt place in Allen with friends. I hear the girls make an expression of disgust, and learn that Ridge has just taken chewed gum off the floor and placed it in his mouth to chew. Realizing that his siblings didn't think that was so cool, he quickly spit it out. REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

BABY:
The other day (well actually quite frequently), I worked so hard to get Tribb content and happy. I had been holding him/rocking him/feeding him for 3 hours. Basically, I was trying anything and everything to get him calm. Finally, I got him content so I put him in the bouncy seat. Sleeping wasn't an option so I was settling for contentment. Five minutes into my serenity, Ridge jumped in front of the bouncy seat scaring poor Tribb to death. And the cycle began again. REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

My friend Sarah was over. We were talking in the kitchen, and Ridge was talking to Tribb in the living room. We hear Tribb grunting and struggling a bit. She goes to him in the bouncy seat only to find a burp cloth over his face. She says, "Ridge, why did you put a burp cloth over Tribb's face?" Ridge replies in a matter of fact tone, "I didn't want you to see him!" REALLY? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

PURPLE COW:
I took the kids to play in the fountains, then the beach park, then to purple cow for lunch.
I'm really not sure what Ridge was up to, but he almost spilled his drink 3-4 times. Then to top that off, he was sucking on the straw of his shake, bit down hard on the straw, then jerked his head around. Imagine a sprinkler loaded with milk shake. REALLY? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

FATHERS DAY:
We tried to take a picture of Pops with his 14 grandchildren. Take a look at Ridge's face:

zooming in:

RANDOM:
1)Ridge says,"I want this" as he holds out a gatorade from the fridge and then chooses to slam it to the floor. This was not out of anger, but just for emphasis??

2)Ridge borrows Cobb's water bottle because we couldn't find his. He takes the mouth piece in his teeth, and then decides to shake his head as a dog would playing tug-a-war. Of course the mouth piece breaks off, and Cobb's water bottle is forever broken.

3)Cobb and his friend were playing beyblades, and they had set up a tournament structure. They were down to the finals with 4-6 beyblades set aside for the final battles. While they were eating lunch, Ridge goes to their pile and mixes the losers with the winners. When the big boys are done and return to their game, I hear, "RIDGE!!!!" I look at Ridge and he gets a mischievious smirk on his face, tilts his head, and looks ups up at me while raising his shoulders & hands in an "oops" fashion. Hmmmm. . . guilty??? Wish I had a picture!!

REALLY?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!

Tribb's First Official Playdate

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

We had the opportunity to babysit sweet Erin Sandwick last night. We told the kids that Tribb's girlfriend was coming over to play. Charly said, "He's too young to have a girlfriend!" I totally agree Charly!

Erin is about 2 months older than Tribb, and so precious! The big kids loved getting to hang with her, and this morning were so sad to learn that she had gone home. Charly was a super helper by giving Erin her paci whenever she needed it. Here are some pictures of the two babies:

Strike a pose:

Playing on the play mat:

The above pictures remind me of Cobb and his first & best friend at this age. He had his two cousins Lainey(2 months older) and Abran (8 days younger), but he also had his best friend Abby Fifer (15 days older). Here's a picture of the two of them:

Cobb and Abby playing:

I told Cobb last night that he and Abby used to lay next to each other and play just like Erin and Tribb. I told him that's when Abby gave him that first kiss. He responded with "Ewww!" Here's that pic:

Tribb looks an awful lot like Cobb!!

or me (if he was chubbier):

Happy Birthday Sis!

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:50:00 +0000

Today was my sister Marlo's birthday. I am so thankful for her. Ridge and I were looking at some old pictures the other day, and it brought back some fun memories for me of time with my sisters. Marlo is my older sister, and it is fun for me to look back on our lives together to see how we have grown in our own individual personalities, but also in our friendship. Marlo is an incredible person who is creative and loving. I enjoy watching her with her boys and am inspired as a mom because of all the ways she helps them learn and stimulates their creativity. I enjoy watching her in how she uses her gifts and passions, and I am spurred on to use my own God given gifts in new ways. Thanks to the Lord and to Mom and Dad for giving me sisters with whom I share so much, and with whom I have a special bond forever.

Picture of Marlo and me in 1979:

Christmas card from 1982 that Marlo designed:

My bachlorette party:

Marlo's baby shower for Abran

October 2003 with 2 mo old Cobb and Abran

This past Christmas at Great Wolf Lodge:

Baseball Mania

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Cobb has had a great baseball season so far. His team is in a tournament right now, and he's really getting into the game. Here are some pics of him and his friend Tanner right after they realized their team was going to win the game.

In the last game Cobb did such an awesome job with a home run and a triple. He also made several great plays. As pitcher he was hit with the ball, grabbed the ball, and threw it to first to get the man out. Below is the coach from the other team giving him a high five for continuing with the play even after getting hit with the ball.

Below is the team with Coach Kyle. He really was such a super coach with great patience and passion for the boys and the sport.

Hoping to win our game tonight so we can continue on in the Tournament!

What were you thinking?

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:30:00 +0000

I'm going to start a new series on the blog called, "What were you thinking?" Why, you ask? Well, lately, I have thought that phrase or said it out loud so many times in regards to choices Ridge makes. He's four, and sometimes genuinely doesn't know any better, but some things he surely knows!!

MUD:
He found a mud puddle at the playground with his friend Luke. Now truly, what kind of mom would I be if I expected my 4 year old to NOT get into that mud puddle and play. And it was quite funny. I almost wanted to get in with them!

BUT, I found myself in quite a conundrum when I realized he was covered head to toe, and I somehow had to get him home in my brand new car.

So naturally, I stripped him down to his muddy underwear and rinsed him off at a neighborhood house's water spicket. I then emptied the way back of my van, and placed my muddy boy on floor back there. You can't really tell how bad it is from the pictures. I had to scrub the mud out of his nose, ears, finger nails, & toe nails. Plus it was caked in his hair!

Field Day:
We went to watch the big kids during their field day games at school. Most (or all) were water games. I told Ridge, "Ridge, don't get too close because I don't want you to get wet."

Well, the next thing I knew, he was soaked. When I asked him why he disobeyed, he said, "Oh. I thought you said, 'go over there and get wet!'" REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

CAR:
Ridge was in his seat in the car in the garage when I realized I had to run back inside for something (a regular occurence lately). When I came back into the garage, I found Ridge with his pants down peeing on my car. REALLY??? In the garage?? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

ROCK:
My sweet friend was picking up the big kids for an overnight this past Friday. Ridge decides that it would be fun to throw a rock at her car. REALLY??? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
Thankfully, the car wasn't hurt.

Stay tuned for more. . .

Charly learns to skate!

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Charly went to her cousin Lainey's birthday party this past weekend. It was a skate party at Rob's old stomping grounds White Rock Skate. This was her first time on skates, and she absolutely loved it! I tried to skate with her only to fall hard a few times. I wish I had a picture for you, but I do have a mega bruise on my hip to prove it!! Skating is slightly more difficult when in your late thirties!

Anyway, she had such a great time, that she wanted to go out immediately to buy herself some skates. We went today to Academy, and she proudly bought them with her own money. Here she is in all her new gear!

Tribb is 2 months!

noreply@blogger.com (Haley) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:24:00 +0000

Tribb (Tribby, Tribster, Tribble, T) turned 2 months on June 7th! Time is flying by with our youngest boy. I have been an absolute horrible blogger, photographer, & videographer causing me to miss so many sweet moments on video & camera!! I do have a few though.

Tribb had his first official doctor's appt on April 13th where he weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz. He had already passed his birth weight at just 6 days old. At 2 weeks, he weighed 9 lb 4.2 oz! Growing fast!! Tribb rolled over from his tummy to his back at 4 weeks (mainly out of frustration I think). He's not a big fan of tummy time. Tribb has been such an amazing joy and blessing, however, I wouldn't rank him my "easiest" nor my "hardest." We've had our days of crying and/or no sleeping. But we've also had many smiley moments! I caught one on video as I had him smile at himself in my iphone.

On April 16th, he went to Nana & Pops' house for the first time to see all his Thomas family. It was a really fun first outing. He also got to go the very next weekend for Easter (see pic here). And then he also got to meet and hang with all his Cobb cousins over Mother's Day weekend (see pic here).

The greatest parts of the last two months have been watching T's siblings oooh and ahhh over their baby brother, especially Ridge. He is SUCH a great helper, almost too much sometimes. Ridge loves to put his huge paw hands on his brother's head or get right in his face to talk to him. Ridge loves him so very much.

Cobb is very protective and nuturing towards Tribb. He's always watching out for him, and usually the first to grab for a pacifier or anything to calm Tribb down (that's if he is able to beat Ridge to it!).

Charly can always seem to calm T-man with her sweet voice. She went with me to take T to get his 2 month shots. Sweet Charly rubbed his belly and sang to him. When the nurses gave him his shots, both Charly and I got teary eyed when we saw Tribb in pain.

Tribb's two month stats:
Weight: 14 lbs 3.6 oz (90th percentile)
Length: 22 1/4 in (24th percentile)
Head Cir: 16 in (62nd percentile)

My summary: Short & chunky baby! Love you Tribb!!

Here are the Thomas family cousins.

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:10:00 +0000

All the Cobb cousins...together in Houston

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Two weekends ago, we journeyed down to Houston to attend Haley's 20th high school reunion at Kinkaid. It was a lot of fun to see her friends and I loved watching Haley catch up with all of them.

We also got to celebrate mother's day in Houston and it was a blast for our kids to hang out with their cousins... Abran, James, and Ellie.

Here they are.