Chatter

I'm not sure when it happened, but it did. Gone are the days of 2 to 3 word sentences, baby talk if you wish. I'm pretty sure it stopped a long time ago, but I didn't notice. It makes me sad that I didn't realize it was coming to an end, that my little boy is growing up too fast.

But it is my favorite thing about Ryan right now - the constant chatter coming out of his mouth in full sentences. This is also the thing that annoys me the most at times. But mostly, I love it...even when it is annoying.

I love that when I ask him if he had a good day, he responds with an enthusiastic "I did". Or when he tells a story and over uses "because" and "so" to the point of ridiculousness. I love that he's telling stories, and really contemplating things. I love when I catch him having conversations with his stuffed animals. Like the other morning when I peaked in his room just as he was getting up and he was making sure his beloved Honu was okay because the turtle had fallen off the bed during the night. I love his sweet voice saying "Bless you, Mommy" when I sneeze. I love his sweet voice.

But I really, really love the random one liners that come out of his mouth. I love those moments when he's just said something, and I find myself thinking "did that just come out of his mouth?". My favorite one liner this week was while we were watching the end of the NCAA tournament game and he says out of the blue, "there goes my bracket". The one the week before when he was sitting in Kendall's swing and David asked him to get out because he is too big for it. He argued (of course) that "he's still little". David then turned to me and said, "yes a little S-H-I-T"...spelling it out for me. Ryan's response, "No Daddy, Q-R-S".

Some days I have to ask to keep his mouth quiet, because he can't turn it off. Questions are constantly coming out of his mouth. But I've noticed when he's not here my energy is so different. I've become so used to the chatter, that I'm not myself when he's not around. The quiet is too much.

Another Amazing Beach Weekend

We spent another wonderful weekend at the beach. The weather was amazing, and we all enjoyed relaxing and hanging out. We took Ryan into Long Beach one afternoon to experience the carousel and bumper cars. He said he had fun, but didn't even crack a smile. We also tried a short hike, but had to turn back due to flooding on the trail. Apparently, that happens in the winter. It's on our list to try again this summer.

On the bumper cars with Daddy!

On our way home on Tuesday we stopped at Subway for lunch. David took Ryan in to go potty, and he came out running when he was done yelling..."Mommy, Mommy, I pooped!". The entire place cracked up. I'm sure he made everyone's day, but David and I were a bit mortified. We did have a good laugh, though!

The Shoe From China!

Another funny story from the weekend has to do with "the shoe from China". We found this shoe full of barnacles on the beach one evening. It was the only unusual beach treasure we found all weekend. I just randomly said that it came from China, and Ryan couldn't get past it. He talked about the shoe all the way home, while he was in the bath, before bed and he was still talking about it when he woke up the next morning. David and I were ready to pull our hair out! I think he was upset that someone had lost their shoe. He's such a little thinker.

My Little Leprechauns

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Thanks to my dear friend, Sarah Houdek, I was reminded of my Mom's St. Patrick's Day tradition when she taught first grade. How could I forget that the Leprechauns come to visit on St. Patrick's Day? I loved hearing about the first grader's reactions after the leprechauns had been there.

My little plan worked out perfectly. The leprechauns came to visit while Ryan was at daycare, and left lots of surprises for him to find when he got home. I had a meeting, so wasn't there to see it which made me so sad. But according to David, he hopped from room to room unveiling each little surprise with such joy. The leprechauns left a glitter trail where ever they stopped and lots of messes along the way. So much fun!

Big Boy Ryan

Big Boy Ryan in the exersaucer

Ryan in Kendall's bassinet

Ryan has been doing amazing with the potty training. He goes when he needs to, and that's it! I'm shocked at how easy it was. We haven't even touched the night time thing yet, but I'm thrilled with what we have accomplished! He's turning into such a big boy.

And then, as you can see by the photos, I begin to wonder if we're regressing!

He's really taken an interest in all of Kendall's "toys". I'm sure this is a normal thing for older siblings. They are quite intriguing....a swing that plays music, an exersaucer that spins around in circles and a cozy bassinet that is the perfect size for a boy and his stuffed animals! It is quite funny to watch this big kid in these baby toys.

Boo! Did I Scare You?

The Ryan Bobsled

We've been outside a lot the last few days enjoying the gorgeous Seattle weather. We have also been enjoying watching the Olympic Games. This Ryan's take on the Seattle bobsled! He was zipping down the hill so fast that David and I made him wear his bike helmet for safety reasons. There is no fear in this kid...he's crazy and so funny!

Kendall @ 5 months

So 5 months have passed since Kendall's arrival. It really is hard to believe 5 months have come and gone. She is still so very sweet and smiley. We all adore her...well David and I adore her more than Ryan does, but he's getting there. And there is no one who adores Ryan more than Kendall. She is all smiles every time she sees him, and especially lights up when he actually pays attention to her. It is so fun to watch! Too bad it's not reciprocal.

She's beginning to roll back and forth from her belly to her back now. She almost instantly rolls to her belly if placed on her back. She sat up on her own for the first time this weekend with out support. It wasn't long, but she did it!

The weather has been beautiful, so we've been spending lots of time outside which she loves. She loves stroller rides and swinging at the park.

She continues to be such an easy baby. We're beginning to see that we're spoiling her a little. The last few days she hasn't wanted to sleep on her own. She much prefers to be snuggled, so we're going to have to work on that! It is so easy to snuggle with her, though!

She is generally a great sleeper at night, and so consistent. She eats her cereal around 6:30, has her bottle around 8 and is down for the night. She usually gets up once to eat, but goes right back to bed. Some nights she'll sleep on through until 7-ish. She always wakes up happy, and never eats right away...just like her Dad. It really is comical how consistent she is.

Giggling is another new trick! It just melts my heart!! We are so lucky!