I'm HERE!

Hi everyone! It's official, I'm here and I have a name: Ryan O'Connor Steer. Quite nice. I've had lots of visitors and am expecting a few more in the next couple of weeks. I'll get back to posting more regularly, but I was quite tired from all public appearances and interviews.

Trick or Treat!!

It was a fun Halloween for us. My big sister Ellen was a spider and went out trick-or-treating with her neighborhood buddies (sorry for the blurry photo). She caught on right away and brought home lots of candy. I was a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch, mom being the patch of course. Dad... well dad isn't into costumes but did help take the kids out with the other dads. I stayed home with mom and helped give out candy. Hope you all had as much fun as we did!

In the Blind

Daddy took my big sister Ellen to the hunting trailers this past weekend. She got to ride on the 4-wheeler, help with the decoys and play in the duck blind. As you can see, she was quite helpful in putting out the decoys into the water. Our cousin Charlie was there too. It was nice of him to show Ellen the "ropes" of setting up for hunting season. I think her first trip went well, I know one thing, it sure wore her out!

Work, Work, Work

Good grief! We must have the meanest parents on the block. First they make my big sister Ellen help with the yard work, then help make supper. She had to help dad with the blower and then help mom make Grandma Lo's porcupine meatballs. I tell you, while other kids are out playing we have to work. What exactly am I getting myself into?? All in all I suppose, she is having a good time.

The Great Pumpkin

Hi all. Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch. There was a lot to do and see there. Ellen got to feed the goats, play in the "corn" box, ride a train pulled by a tractor (all by herself!) and pick out pumpkins. She tried to pick out pumpkins that were bigger than she was - a lot bigger. Silly sister. Anyway, it was really, really fun and when she got home she painted one of her pumpkins. Very pretty. I've been squirming a lot lately - it's getting pretty crowded in here but I think I'll hang out for a few more weeks.

Pony Ride!

This past weekend we went to the Louisburg Cider Fest. There was so much to do and the weather was wonderful. We had cider and apple doughnuts, and Ellen was very excited to pick out a big lolly pop. Most of all she really like riding on the pony. Her pony's name was Comanche. Very tough. She really liked it and did not want to get off. She didn't even want mom holding her on Comanche and kept pushing her hands away. Her friend Tanner was also taking his first pony ride. His pony's name was Christmas. Fall is so much fun in Kansas. We'll have to go to a pumpkin patch soon.

Fire Truck Fun!

We went to a birthday party last weekend and they had a real fire truck! All the kids got to "drive" and they even had the siren go off several times. It's super loud and with my keen senses I could hear it LOUD and clear. All the kids got fire hats and badges not to mention cake and ice cream. Ellen even wore a hair pretty for the event. She's sitting next to the Chief Birthday Boy Tanner as he has control of the wheel. In the final picture on her left is another one of her boyfriends, Jack.

Bubbles!

Here's my big sister Ellen playing in the tub with all the bubbles. She is quite fascinated by them and likes to scoop them up in her hands and then shake them off or blow on them or try to eat them. They look very fun and I'm sure she will teach me all about them. I'm doing well, growing more and more everyday. I know I make my mommy tired, but I've got to get ready to meet you all and that takes a lot of work on my part - you know - moving, flipping, kicking, the general calisthenics a soon-to-be-born baby must do. Anyway, I'll be seeing you all soon, so keep checking back for more updates.

Big Girl Room

Ellen now has a brand new big girl room and I get her old baby room. Mom and Dad promise to make it more "boy" with less dolls and more camo which is good. They are still in the process of moving Ellen's toys and clothes to make room for my stuff but for the most part Ellen is moved in. She doesn't sleep in the crib (my crib) anymore and likes to listen to music and play in her new room.

On another note, Ellen loves to ride the merry-go-round. She likes to pick out her horsey and then say "faster, faster" when it starts moving. She's quite a daredevil as you can see as she only needs one hand to hold on, I'm sure I'll follow in her footsteps.

Summer Fun - Part III

It's been quite busy for us this past week. We've been all over KC and went to Burlington for the long weekend.

We went to a kid's fun place called Paradise Park. It had a TON of stuff to do including a ball jump area, cooking area, pretend shopping area, face painting ... too much to list here. It was very fun. Ellen had a good time but her favorite thing was the automatic hand dryer in the water area. We also went to a Royals baseball game where SLUGGER and Ellen were pals. Too bad they lost. On the bright side, it's almost mathematically impossible for them to lose 100 games for the 4th year in a row. Goooooo Royals!!

While in Burlington she was in the jump house and got her cousins (all 6 of them) to play ring-around-the-rosie. She was quite bossy if you ask me. Anyway, we're happy to be home and getting back to "normal."

Summer Fun - Part II

While I was hard at work with mom, Ellen spent the week playing with Grandma Kitsie (GaGa) and Grandpa Dick. However, it wasn't all fun and games. Ellen decided to take off her diaper after her nap, then asked GaGa "what's that?" pointing at the poo in the crib. GaGa has some poo experience so it wasn't too bad. Unfortunately we do not have a picture of this, instead here is a picture of Ellen at our neighbor's birthday party. She's quite messy. Luckily she didn't play in the poo like she played in the dirt box.

Next week, summer fun part iii.

Summer Fun

Grandma, Grandpa Ficek and Great Nana came to visit Ellen and me last week. They were quite impressed by how much I have grown since June - mommy's clothes are getting tighter everyday.

As you can see, my big sister Ellen was quite excited to see them and do some fun activities despite the heat.
They went swimming and Ellen jumped off the ladder into grandpa's arms lots and lots of time. She even put her head under water. I, of course, am already a great swimmer as I live in amniotic fluid.

They also went to the petting zoo to feed the goats, read lots of books and played and played and played. She was completely wore out.

I, on the other hand, am very active and it takes a lot to get me tired. Just ask mom as I like to play late into the night. See you next week!

Still in the Oven

Hi everyone. I'm the baby boy waiting to be born to my mommy and daddy, Bonnie and Todd Steer. I also have a big sister, Ellen. She 21 months and can be loud, but she gives me kisses and rubs mommy's tummy to say hi.

Not sure why it took my folks so long to get this up and running. And they say the first child gets all the goodies.

Well, as I'm not ready to make a public appearance yet, I think I'll take a nap.


Be sure to check back soon, as I have lots cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas and even a Great Nana, and when we get together it's quite an event.

Here's a pic of my big sister Ellen. She may be the star for now, but not for long, so enjoy it while you can sissy!