Almost 3 weeks old!!

We've made it passed the two week mark, and he's finally been cleared of all the jaundice craziness. I wonder if they will even figure out a way to predict, or even prevent that horrible illness in newborns. Anywho, we are at 10 solid pounds now, and he fills every ounce of it :) Eats every 2-3 hours, on the dot... and loves to cuddle now. He will actually scream til he gets held. Oh, and don't bring up diaper changes... i've never met a kid who doesn't like to be naked. Joel does now like to have his clothes off, nor have his diaper changed. LOL He is starting to recognize daddys voice when he's in the room, will actually turn his head in Jerrys direction to look for him. Makes this cute one eyebrow raise to me when i talk to him, and maybe almost cracks a lil smile. (it may be another week or two before we get a full smile.) Loves to stare at brothers when they coo and aww over him. Hard not to keep those two right out of Joels face, but they love to shower him with kisses.

Getting ready for our first Christmas here in Oklahoma. Gonna be a lonely one, but the sacrifices we must make to get ahead unfortunately don't take a backseat at the holidays. Spring time will be here soon enough, and it will become easier to travel and visit everyone again. LoVe to All our family and friends back home. May you have a splendid Holiday, and fabulous New Year!!

Joel Ramon

November 24, 2009 Our 3rd son arrived in our lives. Joel Ramon was born at 11:50am 9lbs, 13oz, 20 inches long. After 6 short hours of labor, Jerry and I were happy to tears that we did it yet again... The joys of another child are indescribable. Although he was born a healthy size, they wanted to monitor his blood sugar levels and his jaundice level. At which we conquered the blood sugar in less than 12 hrs, his jaundice levels did go on the rise. After spending Thanksgiving in the hospital without Jerry, Jacob, and JT, we were finally able to come home friday afternoon when his jaundice level came down to a safer number. Being in the hospital with your sick child, and theres nothing you can do to fix it, makes battling post-pardum depression an even harder battle. BUT, we made it thru, we are all healthy, happy, and settling into a schedule that all 5 of us can adapt to. Jacob and JT just can't get enough of their new lil brother, and Joel is starting to recongnize their voices and turn his head in their directions. He looks at everything with such interest, and at 5 days old he amazes me everyday :) So trying to keep up with everyone back home in California, we are hoping to enjoy a break to California come next spring. Settling into our new ranch (pics coming soon) makes it hard to get away for the holidays, but definitely looking forward to a road trip next year. Hope everyone is happy, safe, and healthy. we miss our family and friends dearly, can't wait to introduce everyone to our newest ray of sunshine.

We're still alive!!!

WOW!! Oklahoma... kinda different... and yet still so many more surprises in store for us to experience. We have ventured around a bit, but not quite as far as oklahoma city, yet that is... it is in the near future. But we are doing well. This pregnancy is kickin my ass this time around, maybe my body is reminding me i'm not as young as I once was. Just hoping it doesn't drag on forever. LOL!! I don't have any pics up yet (sorry Ash) But i have taken A LOT!! We've had two brandings already, each exceeding the amount of 200head, and I have a bunch or before, during, and after on the finishing of our house. I have tons of pics of the beautiful ranch, and a few goofy ones of the boys of course. (can't leave those out) So very soon, I'll get back into the routine of updating all my stuff weekly, with pics and fun facts that happen. Fighting with AT&T is never fun especially when they're holding out on our internet.... grrrr!! I miss everyone terribly, and hope everyone doing well.
** Jessica

We're Moving!!

Although most are not happy with this, and i must admit its not the highlight in my life right now, but Jerry has been offered 5 different jobs in Oklahoma. While stressing about being able to see him while working in Seattle, we were then given another scenario. Its hard think about life in another town, let alone another state. Most friendship the i endure here are going on 15 years. How do you make new friends? Its almost like i've forgotten. And then to still stay positive about everything so not to worry the boys, I break down every night after they go to bed. There is no doubt that i wouldn't follow my husband and his goal to better our lives, i just have soooo many doubts and fears. And even though I love and adore my in-laws; Laura, Gustavo,Erin, Anival, Suzie, Alex, Leslie, Nacho, Ramona, and Jerry... I could really care less about leaving them all behind. Who i will miss is all of the nieces and newphews. I have created a bond with each and every one of them, and it rips my hert out that I won'y be able to see them whenever I feel so. And with Easter right around the corner, i feel so bad about y kids not celebrting such a child based holiday with all of their cousins.
This is suppose to be a newbeginning to our lies. and not to mention, a way to financially better our lives. But why does it have to be so damn hard.

Seattle....

I was enjoying lunch yesterday with Sondra, when my phone rings and to my surprise it was Jerry. I get calls from him often during the day, but for some reason, this ring kinda shocked me. On the other end, I hear my loving husband telling me he has good news, but kinda bad news... From the tone of his voice, I knew what it was. "When are they sending you?" was my reply.

Jerry works for the family company Norogachi Construction. It's a good company, and its growing like crazy. Although the economy sucks here in California, you'd be surprised at the growth and work there is in Seattle Washington. The company has based on office up there, and they currently have 5 jobs going. All at different stages, its looking as thou Jerry will be a Washington resident for about 6 months.

We're not new to this. 2007 he was working out of town every week. He would leave Sunday afternoon, work thru til Thursday, and come home on the weekends. It was hard, and we had some difficult times, but there was always the weekends to look forward to. This time, not so much. Being 15 hours away, and 2 states inbetween, it won't be as easy to come home on the weekends. We have our videophone, and I'll be sending him with another one, so maybe that'll be the change that we need this time. The boys will probably take it harder than me. I can read emails, and hear his voice on the other end of the line.... But Jacob and JT have an unique bond with their daddy. We'll be planning road trips and talking a lot on the phone... but it'll be hard. We're strong, and very much in love. But this is going to be a long 6 months.....

Relay For Life 2009

I'm so excited for May. We have so much going on in the months before then, but May just sticks out in my head even more. I have taken on the responsibility of putting together a team for the Amercian Cancer Societys Relay For Life 2009. This is an awesome fundraiser for cancer research. Plus its a way to get out with a griup of people and get a lil exercise. So far, we have 12 people on my team, with 4 survivors joining us. I'm really looking forward to the efforts we bring and support we make. I remember walking in high school for the relay, and the energy of everyone around you is so contagious. Can't wait for it all again. I'm hoping on doing this every year... there has to be a cure for this horrible disease... and we have to fundraise and research til there is!!

Our team name this year is Ropin'&Hopin' its a catchy name, and it fits the western theme of our camp site. It should be a blast, and i'll have tons of pictures to come.

This year, I'm walking in honor of my grandfather who passed away in '01 for esphogial cancer, my mom, who is a survivor of skin, cervical and breast cancer, my father in-law who is a survivor of prostate cancer, for Stacey Hartmann, who just lost her almost 10 year battle with ovarian cancer, and Jane Anderson, who lost her battle 3 years ago to breast cancer. I know its a lot, but this ugly thing has taken too many people from our lives too soon.

I'm designing cool shirts for a team to wear, and making ribbons for our survivors walking with us. Even though this won't take place til May, I seem to be very busy with it everyday... not to mention the people joining our team everyday.

So let me know if you'd beinterested in joining our team for the walk, or if you'd like to donate to this great foundation :)

we're all sick....

What is going around?? I can't believe that it is friday, and I've literally been in bed ALL week!! and now, my poor babies have it. Both, who are not very good sports, have the old smokers cough and headaches. they've been in bed with me for the last two days. On wednesday, Jerry had to come home from work because I was passin out while laying down, whats that about? my ears were ringing so bad that I couldn't even stand up without falling over... it was a scary situation...

So here we are, Friday, Valentines day weekend... and nothing planned for the romantic holiday. Although Jerry hates secrets, nor does he hide them well... we exchanged valentines last night. He's so sweet. I got a western pearl necklace, with a silver heart pendant with rhinestones, and matching earrings. So beautiful. I was so impressed.

So now I just need to feel better long enough to maybe take my man to a nice dinner... and wear my new jewels. but for now, dinner and a movie 'in'. No going out..... I just hope we don't manage to pass this to him... hopefully he's the lucky one.

ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE: Last weekend, Jerry was in the Cattlewomans Ranch Rodeo Fundraisier, in Rancho Murieta. He, his brother and the Rodmans competted together in a branding event. They took 2nd place... which in all honesty was a joke, and should've been first... but they recieved nice headstalls. They will not be going back next year becuase the greedy women kept all the fees and had no pay out. So after waiting around for 7 hours, taking 2nd with 3:33 in the branding, and no pay out.... it wasn't all that worth it. BUT, Jacob took 1st place in the Jr. Dummy ropiun contest. He roped 6/6 loops... best out of all the kids. Lilly (my niece) took 2nd with 4/6 loops. They were both very excited. Jacob recieved a new buckle, new rope, and a new hat. All in All, it was a pretty good day out at the barn.