A Difficult Week

This has been one the most difficult weeks with Ryan.  We're not quite sure what is going on with the little guy, but he's just not content.  Every little thing sets him off into a tantrum.  And he just cries and cries and cries.  We're trying to be patient even though we are at our wits end.  We have been giving him lots of extra hugs, kisses and snuggles.  And he just continues to whine and test our limits.  We know this too shall pass, but it really isn't fun.

We've come up with lots of theories but of course we don't know what the actual reason for it is.  Perhaps he's still trying to figure out the strong emotions he felt when he got lost at the Mariner's game.  Or maybe he's still not feeling 100% since his ear infection.  Or is it that he is just acting like a normal three year old? Whatever the reason, we hope we can help him get back to his sweet self very soon....because he really is sweet.  And we are both really tired.

Kendall @ 8 months

Dear Baby K,

You are the sweetest baby ever.  We love you to pieces.  You are so happy and content nearly every day, and even a bad day is pretty great.  You had a couple weeks of not sleeping well, but you still woke up so happy and smiley.  You bring so much joy to our lives.  We are so lucky to have you in our family!

You started clapping this month.  It is my favorite trick of yours.  Your face lights up every time you do your little sideways clap.  It is just precious!  You also started crawling, which is such a big feat!  We are so proud of you!  And we love that you are so proud of yourself!  We loved watching you get to your knees and rock back and forth.  Then you mastered moving from your belly to sitting, and then you started crawling.  It really is amazing how quickly it happened.  Your brother wasn't quite sure what to think when you started chasing after him tonight.  He really doesn't have a clue what he's in for!

Speaking of Ryan...he is finally starting to share and play with you.  The two of you sat for such a long time playing with the toy barn.  I loved watching you interact.  He even started singing to you!  I know he doesn't show it all the time, but he loves you just as much as Daddy and I do.

We have lots of silly nicknames for you already; Jo-Jo, Josie-Joser Bean, Special K, Baby K, Sissy Poo and the list goes on!  You LOVE when we sing songs that include your name, so we do it all the time!

We are so in love with you baby girl!  We can't wait to see what you accomplish this month.

Love,
Mommy

...And She's Off

Kendall on the go

Kendall officially started crawling last Thursday.  She's still a little unsure of it all, but definitely gets what she wants.  It's amazing how quickly it all happens.  It seems like she just figured out how to move from her belly to sitting, and now she's crawling.

It's such fun to watch her develop and grow, and just as much fun to see Ryan's reaction to it all.

The one thing I didn't realize was how much harder I'm going to have to work to keep the floor clear of small objects.  When there is only one child you can control that so much better.  And Kendall seems to find the smallest of small objects. AND her little fingers can pick them up.  Crazy!

Cousin Andrew

My cousin Andrew stopped to visit us as he was making his way to Sitka for the summer.  He wasn't here long enough, but we enjoyed every minute he was here. 

He got here just in time to watch the kids for me while I attended a meeting.  Kendall was asleep before I left, so he just had Ryan to deal with.  As many of you know, getting that kid to bed is not an easy task!  Ryan ended up crying for quite awhile, and never did go to sleep...but thankfully he did stop crying!  Andrew seemed to handle it just fine.

On Tuesday, the crew just hung out while I was at work, and I'm sure they played a little baseball in the yard.  When I got home we visited the Ballard Locks and then headed to Palisade for dinner.  It was a beautiful day, and fun to show our awesome city off to Andrew. 

I certainly hope he enjoyed his time here as much as we enjoyed having him! 

Popcorn Hog

Ryan's favorite snack these days is popcorn.  He begs me to make popcorn for him almost every night, and he insists that he gets the big bowl.  If David or I even think to go back for seconds he holds his hand up and says, "no, you're done".  What a little popcorn hog!

The Escape Artist

Ryan's new favorite pastime is baseball.  He would sit and watch the Mariner's every night if I let him.  And every time I let him watch the game, he asks if we can GO to the game.

We took the opportunity to go on Friday while Grandpa Ken and Grandma Sue were visiting.  It was a beautiful evening, so it was meant to be!

 

During the middle of the 4th inning David decided to take Grandpa Ken and Ryan down to the play area so Ryan could run off some energy, and hopefully run into the Mariner Moose.  It was Friday night, and the play area was a lot buiser than they were used to.  We typically go during the middle of the week, when crowd is much smaller.  They were actually having the kids go in and out in 15 minute shifts.

When Ryan's shift was up, David waited at the end of the slide for him so he could help him get his shoes on.  David waited and waited and waited, and NO RYAN.  He turned to check the shoe area and Ryan's shoes were GONE!  Panic set in.  David regrouped and figured Ryan was with Grandpa Ken, but HE WASN'T.  He'd gotten past him, too.

Now the panic really set in.  David told an usher right away that he needed help, and she got on her radio instantly sending out a description of the little red head.  Ryan was no where in sight.  Grandpa stayed in the play area while David took off to search the concourse, and finally got word that Ryan was with another usher quite a few sections down.  Whew.

When David got to Ryan his face was white, so he was obviously shaken by the incident...which is not a bad thing.  He told David, "I got scared, Daddy and Match (we think that's what he's saying) helped me". 

 

All three of them were visibly shaken when the got back to our seats.  All I have to say is that I am so thankful I wasn't with them.  I would have been hysterical.

And thankfully, an important lesson was learned by all!

My theory on the situation is this:  When they were ushering the kids in and out Ryan got wrapped up in the commotion and didn't even think to look for David (hopefully next time he will).  He did this to me at swimming lessons a couple months ago.  The kids would sit in the hot tub for 5 minutes after their lesson. then all exit the pool together and head to the locker room.  Ryan just followed the crowd instead of waiting for me.  He ended up in the men's locker room...with me trailing behind unaware I was heading into the men's locker room (nice!).  After explaining to him that this was not cool, he got it and waited for me the next time.  Anyway, I think this is what happened on Friday...only on a much grander scale.  Thankfully we found him right away, but we are all still shaken by the incident.  

There is definitley never a dull moment with that boy...

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Mother's Day 2010

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my little monkeys, my parents, and a beautiful sunny day.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  I did my run in the morning with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.  And when I got home David had an amazing breakfast waiting for me (us)!  I'm so lucky to live with such an awesome chef.  After breakfast my Mom and I went shopping, and then we just hung out the rest of the day.  Ryan wasn't feeling well (ear infection) so we stuck close to home, which was perfect.  I didn't need anything more...and I was so happy to be able to spend the day with those I love most!

Skateboarding

We went to Carkeek Park on Friday to enjoy the warm sunshine.  Grandma Sue and Grandpa Ken had never been to "Train Beach", so we thought it was the perfect day to take them.  The wind was still a little cool coming off the water, but it was still beautiful.  The best part of the trip was that we got to see a Kite Surfer.  This is such an amazing thing to watch.  What great entertainment for us!  Ryan had fun watching the "skateboarder" go back and forth like a speeding bullet through the water.  So funny that he couldn't get it through his head that it was a kite surfer and not a skateboarder! 

Spirited

A few weeks ago someone described Ryan as "spirited" when I was venting my frustrations about him.  I would classify him as "difficult", but "spirited" sounds much nicer.  I've been thinking about that a lot this week as I'm dealing with my very "spirited" child. 

When I wasn't looking, someone must have taken him to a class on "how to push your mother's buttons"...and he must have passed with flying colors! 

Three days last week he had hour long crying fits.  Each one started for the same reason.  I told him, "No".  No, we can't go outside because it's raining.  No, you can not play your Leapster AGAIN.  No, you can not have a treat until you try what is on your plate.  So, the crying (more like screaming) continued for hours until he finally realized I wasn't budging.  Then he'd come out happy as can be, with a "sorry, Mommy" and then he'd decide to give it another try.  And then more crying...because I wasn't budging.. I don't know how many times I said, "No means No". 

I seriously do not understand how he knows how to push and push until he's gotten me to the same frustration point as he is....and I want to have a tantrum myself.  Seriously.  I can feel my hair turning gray.