Happy Birthday my sweet Nick

Family self-portrait of Nick turning 2. Don't tell Elvis only one ear and eye made it!

2 years old? My baby boy is 2 already? No way! But then again, watching him run around like a madman, count to 5, tell me my PJs are "rojo" and dancing along to any song he hears, well, it does seem pretty far away from that day two years ago when he rocked our world in the most awesome way possible.

Here is a little video from our morning as we kicked off Nick's birthday. We gave him a train activity table with a wooden train. Later in the morning, Nick and I headed to the library for storytime. After his 2 year check-up with the doc, we met Jay at Lupe Tortilla for birthday dinner and then headed to his school to for a little Halloween party.

We are gearing up for his big party on Saturday and then Halloween evening! Stay tuned!

Thanks for joining us on this wild, fun ride:)

Rock the Cradle for Johnny Romano!

Julie Romano, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, X-Games gold winner, Mike Romano

Me, Julie and Rhonda workin' it!

On Saturday, October 24th, Houston's Jamail Skate Park hosted the 2nd annual "Rock the Cradle for Johnny Romano", Texas' only World Cup skate competition. All proceeds benefit the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation.
The weather and vibe both set the stage for a great day. While I am a complete skating novice and found myself trying to sell T-shirts to apparent skating royalty, I was quickly schooled in the basics.
At the end of the day, the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation raised more than $15,0000! Now, in my mind, that's "catching big air"!

For more info and pictures, click here

Of course, remember to bookmark www.JohnnyKicksCancer.org

Cabo Wabo

Nick and Jay at the Sky Pool. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Los Cabos, Mexico

Dinner with the Driskills at The Office, Los Cabos

Tropical Storm Patricia joining us...

Excuse me, October. What's the rush? Why are you moving by me so quickly?

So far though, we have had a super busy and fun October. Last week, we were fortunate enough to spend some time down in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with our wonderful friends, the Driskills. They have a timeshare there at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach (great place!) and also a son a little older than Nick. The weather was a little uncooperative with Tropical Storm Patricia looming in the Pacific, but we still managed to have a great time. Not even Nick's ear infection at the beginning of the trip held us back to much although it did make for a rough plane ride to Cabo. Melissa and I enjoyed an AWESOME spa day and the guys found their own fun going out in town in the evenings. Apparently, Cabo Wabo was especially fun!

33 is gonna be good to me!

Last week, on September 30th, I turned 33. With such a great husband and friends, it was bound to be a great little celebration! Jay gave me an absolutely GORGEOUS watch and then we celebrated with our friends in the Dove (Dove Manor is our neighborhood), by going out to dinner on Saturday. Dinner turned into drinks in a rooftop cabana which turned into some SERIOUS dancing at Americas in The Woodlands. As I step into 33, I'm feeling a ton of gratitude for my life and the people in it. I've been working on refocusing myself physically, mentally and spiritually and I'm committed to continuing down this path this year. My uncle told me once we undergo major changes every 7 years. May sound crazy, but I think I can see that, feel that now.

September 23, 2009

One year ago today, Johnny Romano, 10, lost his battle to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Today, we invite you to join us as we continue to fight against childhood leukemia in Johnny’s name.

It gives me great pleasure to formally announce the JohnnyKicksCancer Foundation and newly launched website:

www.JohnnyKicksCancer.org

· Learn more about childhood leukemia

· Donate to JohnnyKicksCancer

· Find upcoming skate and surf events benefiting JohnnyKicksCancer and Make-a-Wish

· Buy the latest Johnny Romano decks, shirts, shoes and wheels

Our hearts still ache knowing we will never see Johnny skate again. When people hear childhood leukemia is ‘common’, they assume there is a cure. There is not yet a cure for the most common childhood cancer, leukemia.

Common Does Not Equal Cured.

Together, we can ensure JohnnyKicksCancer as we continue the fight in his name. Join me.

Julie Romano

Julie Romano

Executive Director

Julie@JohnnyKicksCancer.org

Rene Romano
Rene@JohnnyKicksCancer.org

Happy Grandparents Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Today, Nick started his first day of school! He is enrolled twice a week at a great Mother's Day Out program. If all goes well, he will continue at this school until Kindergarten - which seems eons away, but considering how quickly the past 22 months have flown by, I know it will be upon us more quickly than I can imagine. It is truly a privilege, especially in today's economy, to able to stay home with Nick. On most days, it's a blessing I wouldn't trade for any paycheck, title or perk of my former life. And then on other days.....well, those days I'll take a job at the 7/11 for a break from 24/7 Mommyhood. School for Nick twice a week seems like a much better option than making slushies at the 7/11!
Dropping Nick off this morning went really well. No tears...well, none from Nick. I had a moment. Mainly because I know that this is the first step of giving him over to the world - with all the joy and heartbreak that comes with it. I know, I know...you are screaming..."Get a grip! It's Mother's Day Out!". But hey, it's my baby and this is my blog;)