Monday, November 8, 2010

15 Months!

Ryan turned 15 months old on the 2nd. And boy has so much changed. We took him for his check-up and he weighs in at 24lbs 3oz (46%) and is 31 inches long (46%). Dr. Gillespie went ahead and did an x-ray of his hips to make sure everything was ok since he was still not really walking. Thankfully, that turned out well; however, he still wanted me to contact First Steps (a program that helps kids with development issues). But apparently Ryan did not want someone to come look at him because that very day he started really walking. He will walk from Jonathan to me and back several times. And is getting braver each day. He gets so tickled and thinks it is a fun game! We, of course, cheer and appalled to encourage it. I was so happy to see that he is catching on to it. This morning when we took him to daycare we had him walk into the room, everyone cheered for him and it was such a bitter sweet moment. Sad that he was growing up but happy that he is growing up, guess that's the motto of being a parent. Besides that, we are doing well. Ryan has two more teeth, molars. He is so funny, never does anything in the right order. So now he has 8 teeth; four on the top in the front/middle and four on the bottom, two in the middle and now the two molars. He is very vocal and more words are coming out all the time. He is still a big momma's boy and I am loving every minute of that. Below are some pictures of this past weekend.


Here Ryan is trying to walk and ride his toy all at the same time.




He loves Toy Story and wearing these pj's.




We switched his walker to a rider this weekend trying to get him to walk more, here he is enjoying it.




Ryan loves to play in the cabinets while I cook, he is literally in the cabinet.




And our proud moment, Ryan walking!!!




We made chocolate chip cookies Sunday, we both enjoyed them.



Playing in his play hut.



He is getting pretty good at working his puzzles too! And he gets excited when he does it too!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year! Ryan's first Halloween we dressed him up as a pumpkin but did not go anywhere because he was still so little (plus, he had a little cold). This year he was a dinosaur. We took him to our church's fall festival and trunk-or-treat. Thankfully the weather was beautiful out! We enjoyed getting to see the costumes and showing Ryan off. He was the cutest dinosaur ever! Below are some of the pictures that we took.
Mommy and the cutest dinosaur ever! (despite not having a nap on Sunday, he did really well at the festival).
They had pony rides! Ryan was very excited!
He wouldn't hold on though, made me nervous.
At home with his pumpkins.
He still isn't walking. We did get him to take 3 steps and then 2 steps this weekend though so hopefully it won't be much longer. Maybe I need to take his walker away.
He took his role as a dinosaur seriously and would roar and get you with his hand. It was so cute!! Here he is getting ready to roar and attack me.
He loves to attack his mommy!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Finally!!!

I am finally updating the blog. It's been way too long since I have but I just haven't had time. We have been super busy with just every day life. Ryan and I have been sick the past two weeks with a nasty cold/cough that I am hoping we are getting rid of. Besides that Ryan has been doing really well. He has adjusted to his toddler room at daycare and taking one nap a day very well. He eats almost anything now (except the few things he isn't allowed to have like nuts and shellfish) which makes meals much easier. I still try to keep his foods healthy so that we can teach him healthy eating habits though (now if only I could learn that lesson). And he finally took his first steps yesterday. Ryan never wants to walk when you are trying to get him to by holding his hands. He will pick his legs right up off the ground. But yesterday, Jonathan went to set Ryan down and Ryan stood up instead of sitting down. And when Jonathan let Ryan's hands go he took three steps towards me on the couch. We couldn't believe it and were super excited! We haven't gotten him to do it again but he has taken his time to get to this point so he obviously has his own plans. We were just happy he did it and we got to see it!


We turned Ryan's car seat around so now he is facing forward. He thinks he is such a big boy. But now he wants you to pay attention to him and does not occupy himself as much.




He is getting better at using a spoon to feed himself but uses the wrong end, lol.




He loves to help put the dishes in the dishwasher.


Here he is talking on my phone.



He loves it when we get in his playhut to play with him! It's a good thing this playhut came with a lot of balls because right now his favorite thing is throw them every where. He loves to play catch now.




One day while Jonathan ran into the store to get something, I let Ryan play in the front seat. He was so excited to get to "drive" the car.



Ryan's aunt Nikki is at Ft. Knox for some training and came for a visit. We went to a pumpkin patch with her and one of my friends; however, when we got there Ryan was asleep. Aunt Nikki enjoyed getting to cuddle Ryan.




He loved getting to hit the pumpkins. He kept trying to pick them up.




Jonathan and I took Ryan to an orchard this past weekend. We really enjoyed our family day out.

They had a great petting zoo.

We got to pet a baby zebra, it was very soft!
We didn't get a picture of it but they had turtles at the petting zoo too. Ryan kept saying turtle over and over again, it was so cute! I'm not sure why he has always loved turtles but he has.
Here is Ryan sitting on a big pumpkin.
He enjoyed getting to sit in the wagon and hold his little pumpkin. However, he did eat part of the stem when we weren't looking.
Ryan absolutely loved crawling through the tunnel on the ground!

We realized that our make shift baby gate (aka, the pack-n-play) no longer works.
And this is what happens.
I would sure like to know how he learned to do this. Even though he doesn't go any where were he could climb steps he is pretty good at it and doesn't seem to have any fear of them. Needless to say we are going shopping for a baby gate with measurements this time (the last couple we have bought won't fit where we need them to so they have been returned).

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Routine

I don't have a whole lot to write about. Things have actually been fairly normal and in routine lately. We have been busy but nothing out of the ordinary. Ryan has been doing well for the last several weeks. He did get sick with a stomach bug yesterday but it seemed to only last a few hours. Even when he was sick he didn't stay down, he was up and playing. And thankfully he is feeling much better today. He is doing well and growing like a weed. He is out growing so many clothes so quick and right now is in between sizes (12 month pants are too short and the shirts and shorts are too tight but the 18 month pants are too long). Ryan is eating a lot more things; almost about everything we eat. He still isn't walking though. I guess he is just so good at crawling he doesn't see the point in walking. I know that is why he didn't crawl for awhile so who knows. It will come soon I'm sure because he pushes everything around (boxes and his wagon are his favorite). He is learning new words too. Last week we taught him how to say kitty and now he says it every time he sees our cats. He is also getting much more interested in them (which I am sure they are very happy about). He likes to pet them (well, actually smack them and this is why they don't like him) and thankfully they have been good and not scratched him. That's about all we have been up to. I am going to try to start taking more pictures but just haven't thought about it lately. Here are a few pictures I do have from the last couple of weeks.





Here we are at the zoo in the lorikeet exhibit. Ryan really thought the bird was neat.








Crazy hair after waking up. His hair has gotten long in the front and is usually sticking up in the mornings. I have to wet it down and brush it daily.



He loves his wagon! He pushes it all the time. Should have saved my money and not bought him that step start walk-in-ride, he never uses it.


We bought him some more blocks for his wagon. He just loves blocks! He likes for us to build something so he can destroy it, he likes building things and of course just loves to throw them.




Here he is pushing a box around. I bought diapers one week and couldn't take the box up to his room because he was having so much fun with it.




Sunday, August 22, 2010

Fun times!

Ryan is so much fun! As he has gotten older he has become more vocal and more mobile (as kids do) and we are having so much fun with him. Yes, all this brings new challenges but it also brings new rewards too. Lately, he has been talking more and more. Some things we can understand but most is still just gibberish. He says hello and bye, uh oh and of course da da and ma ma (and Jonathan thinks Ryan can say baby but I haven't heard it, lol). Plus, we have gotten him to say Disney twice! This settled an argument we were having about our vacation too. We are going on a cruise in January and Jonathan told Ryan if he said Disney we would go the day before our cruise leaves. Ryan said it and Jonathan and I looked at each other and said "no, that didn't happen". Ryan then looked straight at us and said it again clear as could be! He hasn't said it since then but Jonathan said he only had to say it once. So, I guess we are taking Ryan to Disney World in January too.

We took Ryan for his 1 year checkup on August 6th. He weighed 22lbs 2oz and was 29 3/4 inches long. Once again that puts him right in the middle. Doctor said he was doing great! Ryan still isn't walking but is getting much better at walking while pushing things so it won't be long before he is running all over the place. We have also moved him up from the nursery to the toddler room at daycare. So far, he has done pretty well with this but you can still really tell when he doesn't get a good nap in that day. That transitioning from two naps a day to one has made for a few rough evenings. I think he really enjoys playing with the "big" kids though. He is eating a lot more table food now too (mostly because he needs to at daycare but I guess I need to let him grow up too). He really seems to enjoy most of it but when he is tired he does not want to feed himself, he just doesn't seem to have the patience for it. Overall, Ryan is such a fun baby and we are really enjoying getting to play with him and watch him grow.


Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks. Most are of us playing at home. Two are of Ryan at our church SS class cook out. They had horses and Ryan got to sit on top of a horse for the first time. He loved the horses!! He thought they were so neat and intriguing.



Here we are at his doctor's appointment. We had to wait for awhile and I had forgotten all the toys in the car, this was my attempt at trying to entertain him.



Ryan has developed a bit of an obsession with phones lately. He will pick it up and say hello. He has even started putting his hand to his ear and says hello. Surprised he doesn't try to text on it from watching his mommy, lol.




Here he is trying to share his blocks with me. He is so great at sharing! One big plus I think he has learned from daycare.




Ryan loves pushing his wagon around. He is getting so much better at standing and walking while pushing something.




Ryan has begun another phase of clapping about everything. But it's still cute (to me at least).



Jonathan and Ryan playing in his playhut.



Pushing his walker. It won't be long before he lets go and starts walking.



Crawling under Daddy's legs.



Ryan really liked seeing the horses. He got so excited watching the big kids ride the horse so we let him sit on top of it. He loved it!




He was even brave and touched the horse without anyone telling him to.




Jonathan was pulling Ryan in his lego wagon. It was a bit small for him but he enjoyed it.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Ryan's 1st birthday!!!

Wow, I can't believe a year has passed since Ryan was born. Looking back through the pictures and blog posts I am filled with memories (and tears). I am amazed at how much my life has changed and how much I love my beautiful son. It was amazing watching him grow and learn through out this first year. Jonathan and I both feel so blessed to be parents to a wonderful sweet baby boy (yes, I will still call him my baby). I thank God every day for allowing me to be Ryan's mommy.

Now on to the party. We had Ryan's birthday party on Saturday and it went so well. We had the party at my brother Kenny and sister-in-law Jennifer's house (thanks again!). We had a small party with family hoping Ryan would feel comfortable with a crowd (he doesn't usually do too well with crowds). As a big surprise my twin brother Chris, sister-in-law Nikki and nieces Aubrey and Hayden came down from Illinois for Ryan's party. It was so nice to have them here and to see them. We opened presents first and Ryan did well with this. He didn't understand but with some help from his cousins he figured out how to tear the paper and enjoyed the excitement (the girls were so happy to help too). I had to stop him from eating the wrapping paper a couple of times. He enjoyed the boxes, of course, and now that we have the toys home and he can play with them he enjoys them too. Next was cake and ice cream. Ryan has never had cake or ice cream nor any sweets really (besides just the Gerber puffs and wagon wheels) so this was a big shock for him. He did really well and dug right in. It was so adorable!! He would take a bite and say "mmm" and take another and say it again. By the end he was a huge mess and ready to get out of the spot light. After a quick bath we swam in the pool. Ryan loves water and swimming so this was a great way to end his party.

On Monday (Ryan's actual birthday) we took him to the Newport Aquarium. We all enjoyed looking at the different kids of fish and spending time together. Ryan got to see a big sea turtle up close and personal (well through the glass) as we walked through the glass tunnel. Along with some sharks and big fish. We got to see Jonathan's favorite, the penguins, and many other water creatures as well.

We had a great weekend celebrating Ryan turning one! And while I am sad that he is not a small baby any more I am excited about what God has in store for his future. Each and every day brings something new and it is so neat to see him grow and learn.

Here are a some pictures from Ryan's party and of his birthday.



Opening presents!




He enjoyed pushing this box around.




Trying to figure out this wrapping paper thing.




His great-grandmother got him a card that sings happy birthday. He really liked it. At home he would open and close it trying to figure it out.




Ryan's cousins were helping him open his presents and figure out his toys, they were big help for a one year old who couldn't open his presents quick enough.


Here is trying to eat the wrapping paper.



Getting the hang of it.



Pushing a box, he loved that part.


His dinosaur cake that I made him. It turned out ok (not as nice as I had hoped) but it took much longer than I had anticipated. Next year I think I will order his cake and save my time for playing with him.




I made him a cake shaped as a 1 just for him (minus the food coloring, didn't want to have to scrub his skin clean).




Singing happy birthday to him.



His first bite. He dug right in.



Enjoying his cake.




And the after math. Any time he is done eating he starts pulling at his hair and this day was no exception as you can tell.


Playing in the pool with Daddy.



He loves being thrown in the pool.



Playing in the pool with his cousin Brandon. He had a lot of fun playing with Brandon.


This was the day of his birthday. Here he is playing in the Playhut we bought him. He loves playing in this!!!



The only picture we took at the Newport Aquarium.