The Rose Bowl

I know that I touched on the TCU Horned Frogs trip to the Rose Bowl in Ryan's 11 month post, but I decided it probably deserves a post of its own.  This year for Christmas, Mike and I decided to gift each other a vacation to see TCU play Wisconsin in the 97th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.  We flew direct from DFW-LAX on Dec 31st and then returned home LATE Monday Jan. 3rd.

Ryan did great on the flights! We were both very nervous about this part of our trip and it was kind of a test run before our trip in March to Florida.  He napped for about 45 minutes on the flight there, then stayed busy looking out the window, talking to his 18 month old "friend" in the row behind us, and just being passed from Mike, to me, to my Mom the whole time.  On the flight back, luckily he slept!!

We stayed at the Hollywood Heights hotel and had a corner of 3 rooms all together- my parents, us, and James & Jerry Hamon.  The guys hung out the first night after our flights got in and we checked in, while I unpacked, put Ryan to bed and then turned in myself.  Unfortunately, due to the nature of it being New Years Eve in Hollywood, it was a rather rough night of sleep for all of us. Around 3am a few fire trucks came roaring down our street (we had a window to the main road from our room) honking their horns loud and with sirens blazing! It was so loud and woke all of us up.... including Ryan. He started screaming because I think it scared him so bad and then he looked around and didn't know where he was. Luckily, he was still snuggling in bed with me when we heard a key card in our lock then loud banging on the door, to a drunk girl who confused our room with hers. Mike "politely" let her know it was not her room. So annoying! I swear if Ryan hadn't already been awake and she had been the one to do it, I would have found out where her room was and knocked on it every hour for the rest of the night... or at least at 7:00am the next morning when we had to get up for the day!

The rest of the nights weren't great, but never as bad as that one. Ryan slept decently, but woke up each night at some point which we are not accustomed to him doing anymore. I think it was due to the fact that he would wake up and look around and either not know his surroundings, or realize that I was right there and want to be held. The restless nights on top of very long days being on the go from wake til bedtime made for a very TIRED momma.... After the trip I think it took me the rest of the week to really "recover" from the trip and feel a little more energy resurface.

The day of the Rose Bowl, Mike dropped off the Hamons and Mom and Dad at the Rose Parade and then shopped at Ralph's and Subway for our tailgating stuff.  We drove and parked in Lot 7 and tailgated for a few hours before gametime then went in to the game in time for the fly by.  We were in the tunnel during the parachuting of the game ball, so we didn't actually see it. Ryan did great at the game and was constantly smiling and laughing at those around us. The first half he wouldn't go to anyone but me, which was pretty tiring for my arms and shoulders. At halftime Mike walked him around and then he was good going to anyone for the rest of the game. One funny thing was towards the end of the 3rd quarter, my Dad pointed out the blimp that was floating around the game. Ryan then became OBSESSED with that thing. He really wanted it! He would go from person to person as it circled depending on who was closest to it and point and then as it went the other direction would go from person to person to the end of the row to who was closest once again.  He literally did this probably close to 100 times! It was sooo funny and amazing his persistence. I told his Grandaddy Roberts that now he knows what he needs to buy him for his birthday. ;) haha!

The game of course ended with a wonderful TCU VICTORY!!! :) 21-19. And we will continue to believe that Ryan is their good luck charm.  The game was very exciting and the crowd was very spirited! We are so glad that we got to experience it!

The next morning we went to where the Rose Parade was held and got a chance to walk around the floats and look at them up close.  Every float is made up entirely of flowers or other plant-life only.  It was incredible the detail and intricacy of each of the floats. I only wish they had been more fragrant. I thought we would be able to smell them better, but really couldn't.  We walked around for about an hour then left because it had started raining and we didn't have an umbrella, only ponchos and couldn't be out with the cold and rain with the baby.  Later, we went to the Ronald Reagan Library which was pretty fun. (Also still rainy and cold) We got to go on the former Air Force 1 and walk through it. It was pretty neat, but we were kind of disappointed thinking it would be a little fancier.  I guess looking back at 70's-80's era plane it was nice... think really OLD TIME-Y looking computers, etc. just wasn't quite as cool.  I imagine the one now is pretty high class, but even if it's not it's still like 1st class throughout and not coach as we travel. ;) That evening, we met up with the Falcone's and visited in their room at the Renaissance (where the TCU people stayed) and then went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood for dinner.

Monday, it was still rainy in the morning and we went for a late breakfast at Roscoe's fried chicken and waffles. It was YUMMY!! Ryan enjoyed a 4th of my waffle and lots of fried chicken and even a few licks of whipped cream from the top of my hot chocolate. ;)  We then checked out of our hotel and drove to Long Beach to the aquarium as we were looking for indoor activities to kill time since the day was still yucky.  Ryan enjoyed parts of the aquarium. Some fish were more eye-catching to him than others. He especially liked the puffins as Mom and I were able to get one to chase our finger due to our bright colored nail polish.  Other than that, being pushed in his stroller outside to see the pigeons was likely his favorite activity.  He was extremely interested in those birds... and they would've been FREE entertainment. Haha.  We did go in a netted bird area and he watched them for awhile, but wasn't too sure about them and I didn't want any landing on him as they said they do bite if you try to pet them and he would have likely hit them or something. After the aquarium, we took the long drive back Highway 1 to LAX, had dinner at On The Border in the airport then took the flight home. 

It was a great trip and I wanted to make sure that I documented it before I forgot.  Thanks for reading! :) Now for some pictures!

 Ryan during the tailgate- LOVED that apple

 Yummy apple!

 Digging right in!

 His attention grabbing laugh...

 Group tailgating- Mom and Dad got there late

 Beginning of the game- family picture (Ryan needed his bottle)

 Getting his milk

 Hanging out with Nana and Grandaddy at the game

 Score should've ended here, but we still WON 21-19!

 At Rose Parade Floats

Air Force One @ Reagan library

Ryan is 11 months old!

 "Look at me go"

 saying "kitty"- he sees Toby

 Ryan's new "serious" face

Happy boy!

Well, I decided not to fight the "sitting in the chair" battle for the 11 month pictures because frankly there is no keeping this child still for one second if he doesn't want to.  Therefore, I chose an easier route that he enjoyed and I got several cute photos.  Ryan is 11 months old and it's hard to believe how close we really are to that one year mark! It's almost scary how quickly the time has gone by.  This past month has been a big one full of "firsts" for Ryan.  He celebrated his very 1st Christmas, 1st time to meet Santa, 1st GP Holiday Lights, 1st Holiday Hayrides in our neighborhood, 1st New Years, 1st plane ride, 1st time out of TX to California, 1st Rose Bowl!!! (GO FROGS!)  Ryan had attended all the TCU home football games this season and the Frogs were undefeated. He also attended all of last year's home games in my belly except the Fiesta Bowl which he and I both had to stay home for since I couldn't fly that late in my pregnancy.  Therefore, since that was the only game the Frogs lost last year, we felt like he must be their "good luck charm" and  it was necessary for him to attend the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA with us.  Apparently it worked as the FROGS had a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin.  It was a great game! In December, Ryan enjoyed many family Christmas parties and was blessed with lots of fun gifts from all our generous family and friends. Santa also visited Ryan this year (though he made a loud entry down the fireplace waking Ryan up around 4:30am so we had a chat and asked him to be more quiet next year).  Santa brought Ryan his new Britax Boulevard big boy car seat (which we've installed in my car already), a Fisher Price music activity table (which he dances to!), a music workbench with hammer, a new dinosaur walk/ride toy (he currently walks around the house and dances to this as well), a wooden puzzle, a "That's not my Teddy" book, and some new plastic bowls and plates.  He must have been good this year! Ryan enjoys the view up a little higher in his new "big boy" car seat and is so entertained as he looks out the window at the passing cars. He also now likes to hit the door with his rattle and I decided to go ahead and turn on the child lock in the backseat for his safety since he can actually reach the door.

Our schedule has remained pretty consistent with last month I think with sleep schedule from about 7:45-8pm until about 7:15am.  Occasionally he surprises me and is up about 6:20am. He takes two naps during the day. One is between 1hr 15min-2hrs, the other is right at 1hr- 1hr 15min.  Starting the past couple of days after he turned 11 months old I am continuing the weaning process and dropped one more "nursing" feeding and added another formula feeding. I believe this will help the transition to cows milk next month and reduce pain on my part from any sudden stopping of breastfeeding. Now I am nursing only when he wakes up and before bed at night, almost exactly every 12 hrs.  Ryan is taking two formula feedings between 4-6oz each. I give them to him out of sippy cups, but occasionally he will get one from a bottle.  The pediatrician recommended going directly to the sippy cup since he was never really taking a bottle, but I like to offer it in a bottle every now and then because I feel like he drinks more milk that way and I want to make sure he's getting enough. From the sippy he usually takes about 2 oz then wants to go play, then back for another ounce, play then another ounce. So it's spread out more within an hour or two versus just sitting and drinking it all at once from a bottle.  Other typical meals for Ryan include: breakfast of oatmeal or cream of wheat with a 4oz container of fruit and occasionally toast or cheerios (rice and corn chex are new too!). Lunch is generally some of whatever I'm having (whole wheat toast and lunch meat/cheese, or dinner leftovers) and a 4oz container each of veggies and fruit.  Afternoon snack is typically puffs or graham crackers, cut up grapes or apple, and sometimes a yogurt. Dinner is usually whatever we are having plus any leftover baby food jars from the day and yogurt if he didn't have it for a snack. His favorite after dinner snack (while I get to eat) is cinnamon maple lil crunchies or arrowroot cookies. These are truly a treat for him!

Regarding Ryan's stats for the month, I will have to get back after Tuesday with the "official" weight since he has another ear check up then. As of Dec. 30th ear f/u appt Ryan was 22lb 7.5oz. We are assuming he's a little over 31" long, but won't get another height check until his 12 month well child which is Feb. 8th.  Poor baby unfortunately has had a recurring ear infection since the 2nd week of November. We have been through 3 rounds of antibiotics and can't seem to shake it. I am pretty positive it's still there as he's been putting his fingers in his ears a lot the past couple of days. Poor baby. He goes in Tuesday and we'll wait to see what the pedi says, but looks like we'll be scheduling a visit to an ENT soon. Boo! I do want him to feel better though bc I know it can't be fun.  We are also tired of the rounds of antibiotics, the Tylenol every night before bed for over a month, and occasionally numbing ear drops too. I just hate the idea of tubes, but perhaps it is genetic as my husband, Mike, also had them as a baby.

Luckily, the ear infections haven't seemed to have affected his hearing as he is understanding so many words these days and seems to be a sponge for learning! He has added several new words to his current vocabulary. I will only share the ones he added by Jan. 6th and the others will go to his 12 month post. This months vocabulary includes: "ouch", "uh oh" (his current FAV thing to say anytime he drops something or something falls down), "this" (as he'd like you to tell him everything you walk by- I think because he really wants to hear the words and it's a fun game), "yes" (actually in response to some questions), and "ho ho ho" (anything Christmas). It does surprise me so much at the words and phrases I say that he seems to understand such as: milk, night night, nap, time to go and bye bye (which he mimics), door, kitty, where's the cat?, can you bring me a book?, eat, snack, play, can you be sweet? (hugs), gentle, no bite, etc.

Ryan's major accomplishment this month though was his first 30+ steps in a row!!! It happened January 2nd and that's the date I put as his official 1st steps. The past month and a half or so he was taking 2-3 steps and trying it out, but I don't think they really count until now.  It was while we were in Hollywood, CA and were in my aunt and uncle's hotel room at the Renaissance at the time.  It was fun having a crowd around and we got several quick iPhone videos of him walking. Since coming home he hasn't taken more than 8-9 steps in a row and still prefers crawling as the fastest way to get around. However, he is getting more brave with taking steps on his own and gets so excited to try. I love the expression on his face when I can tell he is thinking about going from the coffee table to the couch or love seat and walks the 3 steps over and then basically lunges into the couch, but seems so happy that he did it.  With time and as his confidence grows I know he will be all over the place. For now his longest walking streaks are just between people with waiting arms.

Another new "obsession" you might say is climbing the stairs in our home. I had let him do this a couple of times before, once really early on I just put him on the steps to see what he would do. I was surprised even at like 8 months that he figured out how to get up them.  Then, at Thanksgiving his Grandpa Campbell let him climb the steps at his house and so it began.  Every time we go to my parents he wants to climb the stairs (theirs make me a little more nervous as they are spiral and all wood), and now he climbs up the landing on ours and stands at the gate banging on it and saying "Uh" as though to say "Come on Mom, I want to climb." So, I open the gate and up he goes. I did finally take one video the other day that is currently on YouTube. He does not know how to get down the stairs and is of course constantly supervised.

Other things that Ryan enjoys includes throwing ANYTHING, purely for his entertainment I think. He throws balls, cars, cups, wooden puzzle pieces, etc.  We have started controlling the throwing of his sippy cup by a game Mike started which we call "Don't drop it" where if Ryan leans the cup off the side of the high chair we will say "Don't drop it!" and he will laugh and then we ask him where his cup is and he holds it up and somehow it seems to distract him from just constantly throwing the cup.  Ryan is also finally clapping his hands together. He wasn't too interested in doing this until the last week of December. He always liked when I would take his hands and clap them together, he even flattened out his hands, but it wasn't until now that he claps on his own.  I can say "clap your hands Ryan" or "Yay, Ryan" and he opens his arms out really wide and then claps his hands together. It is soooo cute and he smiles really big as though he knows some big secret and I just love seeing that smile so I ask him to do it a few times a day!  In Pasadena, Nana (my mom) also taught him what a fish "says" one day while we were at the Long beach aquarium.  All afternoon when we would walk up to some fish she would say, "Ryan, what does a fish say?" then do her mouth up and down like a fish. I thought it was hilarious and didn't think he would get it. Sure enough, that evening he started doing his mouth randomly and I said, "Ryan, are you being a fish?" and he would smile. So, now I can ask him "Ryan, what does a fish do/say?" and he will answer by doing his mouth up and down several times then smile or clap. It is really funny and amazing to me that he picked that up so fast.

Lastly, we are already getting a taste of what the future might hold regarding temper tantrums. Ryan already seems to know all about throwing little tantrums. I have a feeling we might have some challenging times with him as a toddler.  He has this angry grunt/cry that he does and when he is mad or cranky and he will either throw himself backwards, bang his head into a wall (or person, toy or carpet) and sometimes will even bite to show his anger. So far he doesn't usually bite us, but the carpet or furniture. He has bit my clothes sometimes, but not usually during a tantrum just when he's wanting something or teething. We are trying to teach him patience and that he doesn't always get his way, but it's hard to know how to convey this to a baby. I've heard James Dobson has a book on raising a strong-willed child and I think I will probably have to read it as I know we will need some advice down the road.  We hope to curb this determined and strong-willed behavior in a positive way as we know it is possible.

So, month 11 was a busy one, but wanted to make sure I got in all of these memories for later since I seem to be forgetting things so quickly these days. Overall, Ryan is such a joy and a Momma's boy for sure and we love him so much! He absolutely lights up when Daddy gets home from work everyday and they have a very special bond through playtime and "rough-housing" already. It is so great to see our little family as we grow together. Hope you've enjoyed the update. All our love for a happy and healthy 2011. :)

~Emily

Ryan's 10 month post!

So, I've decided better late than never right?!? I have a confession too these pictures were actually taken December 16th not the 6th. :-\ Sorry for the delay in Ryan's 10 month post. As the holiday season is upon us, we have been going, going, going, non stop ever since the first week of December hit!! As you can see from the above pictures, Ryan is a busy boy and keeps me on my toes. I've finally finished all the decorating, Christmas shopping, wrapping, etc that I was doing in my free time and am FINALLY taking some time out during Ryan's nap to write his 10 month post. Here it goes:

Ryan has such a cute personality. He certainly has his father's humor and good-natured personality with the added stubbornness/hard-headed/determined side which comes from me (as well as my parents, Mike's Mom, etc.- could be from many of us!!) He continues to look mostly like his Daddy, but definitely has some Roberts genes that are starting to shine through. :) Ryan did not have a 10 month well visit so we approximate his length to be almost 31 inches as he's been growing between 3/4"-1" each month to date.  He did have an appointment to check his ears on Dec. 17th and weighed 22lbs 4.5oz, so he was likely right at/around 22lbs when he turned 10 months old. (He does have his second ear infection to date- all have been in the right ear, although the left was starting to get infected the first time, but we caught it early.) Ryan wears size 12 month clothing and still size 3 diapers.  He is sleeping through the night without waking (7:45/8pm until 7:15/7:30am) It's generally between 11-11.5hrs of sleep! Yay! If he does wake it's usually between 5-6am and he fusses for 5 minutes or so and goes back to sleep. This generally only seems to happen around times when he is sick or getting sick.

This month I decided to start the weaning process with one bottle of formula a day (he's taking 2-4oz) in addition to still nursing 3 times a day. I nurse him when he wakes up in the morning and before bed and then one other time during the day either before lunch or mid-afternoon depending on which time is more convenient for a bottle feeding.  Ryan is eating 3 meals a day generally 6-8oz baby food plus bites of whatever we are having and one snack a day (unless he's up early in which case he sometimes has a small morning snack).

Ryan is becoming such a little "lover" as of recently.  He has never been very cuddly, in fact mostly the opposite, but is starting to give hugs and will hold on to me and lay his head on my shoulder now before nap time or bedtime which is so cute! I love all his precious hugs and wet kisses! I just soak in all these little moments because they are so precious to me!

Here is a list of some of Ryan's current "likes"/accomplishments:

• All finger foods especially if we are eating it!
• Waving bye bye (says "dye dah")
• Opening and closing doors (while I say HI and BYE- he will do this for a LONG time before getting bored)
• Reading books (he brings his favorites to me and says "diss" this or "buh" book) He also gets mad if I finish reading one and move on to another book if he's not finished. He will throw a little fit and if I start to read it again he smiles and grabs his hands and gets so excited! (uh oh!)
• Playing peek-a-boo. This past month (Nov. 13th weekend) he started hiding under the coffee table and popping up to play (which thrills him!!) and then the end of Nov he started covering his hands over his eyes when we say "where's Ryan?" and then doing them down when we say "peek-a-boo". Sometimes I see him grinning while hiding his eyes and he is just so cute because I know he is thoroughly enjoying himself.
• Still being assisted with walking. He has taken 2-3 steps on a few occasions to Mike or me and has great balance and can stand for awhile if he chooses too. Overall, he is still too nervous to walk on his own just yet, but will push around laundry baskets, boxes, etc. and walk on his own that way.
• Cruising furniture and even sometimes walls just balancing up against it as he walks sideways.
• Drinks independently from his sippy cup and loves to do it his "big self" without help from Mom. (sound like anyone we know??)
• Loves new noises with his mouth such as clicking his tongue, bbbb- lips buzzing, "Indian" wawawawa noises, but with his finger in his mouth or toothbrush moving up and down rather than his hand over his mouth.
• Loves naps and bed with his lovey bear and sleep sheep and generally goes down without a peep now. (2 hour nap around 9:30am, and 1hr nap around 2pm)
• Still shys away at first when seeing family/new people, but then looks up and smiles so I think he does it to get attention and flirt because he likes the reaction he gets from people.
• Vocabulary so far: Dada and even just Dad (he def knows who this is!!), Mama (never just Mom yet), "diss" (this), "at" (cat), "oof" (for the dogs), "buh" (book), "dye dah" (bye bye), yeah, "nana" (my mom). He is so interested in words and is quite the jabber box lately. I am amazed at how much he already understands and responds to.

Current dislikes:

• Being put in his highchair (about half the time- likes it once he's in, but throws a fit putting him in by arching his back and crying)
• Being put on the diaper changing table laying down- another fit throwing time, doesn't mind if I put him on it sitting up to change his clothes, just diaper changing time. I almost always have to have a toy or Mike there to distract him.
• Certain foods he still doesn't care for: mashed bananas, egg yolks, pees, and most tomato based things.

I know this has gotten long. I was keeping notes in my iPhone through the month and wanted to make sure I got everything. It is crazy how quickly I forget when he starts doing different things and I feel like it's been forever so I like to have these up to date with each month so I can look back on it and see when he started doing certain things. I hope to publish the blog after a year with all of his monthly updates. Thanks for stopping by to check it out!

Love to all of you from "The Campbells"

Tough November... Healthy December??

I'm happy that it is the first day of December and hope this month brings with it good health for our little boy as well as lots of wonderful times with friends and family.  November was really a pretty tough month for Ryan. From teething pain, a cold, his first real chest cough (from the cold), his first ear infection (probably also an aftermath of the cold), and his second (but longest) tummy virus. (2 sick visits and 1 well visit to the Dr- we've been busy!!) The poor little guy can't seem to catch a break!! Mommy's tired of the sicknesses and I'm sure Ryan is too. It's delayed my thoughts of switching to breastfeeding only part-time (twice) and formula (twice) a day because I feel like while he's sick is not the time to start something new.

All the sickness also makes for such weird schedules for him at night, although I'm happy to report that overall Ryan is sleeping straight through the night about 11hrs of sleep a night and sometimes longer.  He  wakes up and fusses occasionally and puts himself back to sleep now, but while he was sick I went in to tend to him just to make sure he was ok. (which one time he wasn't-tummy bug... yuck!)

During the days his mood seems pretty good and mostly his familiar happy self.  I can always tell when he's tired or not feeling well because he becomes pretty fussy and very clingy to "Mommy". However, sometimes I can't even put him down because he just wants to be carried around and point to things and say "buh" (for me to tell him what it is or let him touch it). During this most recent tummy bug he has actually wanted to fall asleep in my arms which is very unusual for him. I enjoy some of the cuddle time while I can get it, but just wish he felt better!

Please pray for good health through the holidays for Ryan and our whole family!!! We also will have a houseguest staying with us for the month of December. Mrs. Annabelle Hendrix is staying with us during her rotation at Plaza Medical in Fort Worth (she's in med school to become a DO). We are very excited to have her in our home and hope she enjoys her stay!  ~Emily

Ryan is 9 months old!

I realized sometime this past week that I only have two more monthly blog posts until I will be announcing that my baby boy is one year old!!!?? How did that happen?? People always say that time flies, well it's amazing how true that really is.  This past month Ryan has kept us very busy, Mom especially, as Dad has had lots of commitments (work, guys weekend) that has taken some of his time away.  Hopefully November and December will be filled with lots of family time as we enjoy all the holidays. (Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite time of year!!)

Here is some of the latest with regards to Ryan:

• Dr's appt (11/8) stats: Weight: 21lb 14oz (75th%) Length: 30 in (95th%)
• He now has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom
• Wearing size 3 diapers, clothing: size 9 month (2 piece, pants) and 12 month (1 piece, pj's, and most Fall/Winter clothes)
• Fits size 4 shoe (although he hates wearing shoes, unfortunately)
• Nursing 4 times a day (pretty routine- 8am, noon, 4pm, 8pm- variances by like 30 min)
• Sleeping varies still need to work on this, but to bed around 8pm and up around 7:30am for the day with a random wakening usually around 4-5am, but sometimes 3:30am :-(
• Enjoys games such as peek-a-boo, where's Ryan, knocking over stacking cups, chasing after Dad and Toby crawling, throwing balls (or really any toy), and banging things together or against the wall 
• He recognizes and seems to understand many words including his name, no, out, up, more, eat, nap, goodnight, bye bye, hi, kitty, Dadda, Mamma- some phrases: "come here", "let's go", "where is...."
• He continues to love music
• He loves to turn off light switches (he gets very excited about this, except is hesitant when he knows he's turning it off for nap time)
• Waves hi and bye (whispers words as though saying hi and bye, but usually comes out dada)
• Gives high fives and low fives
• Giggles when he is pleased at something he has done
• Still LOVES the kitty! (Toby is so patient with the hitting, tail pulling, fur removal, and "tasting" I'm so glad!)
• Recently he hates having his clothes put on, but doesn't mind helping you take clothes OFF! Especially over his head. Hopefully this is just a phase
• Helps on laundry day by handing me clothes to put in the washer and pulls clothes out of the dryer (to the floor-not as helpful!) I like trying to get him involved. I think he enjoys learning and the approval of being a good helper to Mom.
• He is much more interested in books this month- and will actually sit or stand to listen and pay attention most of the time- some favorites include "Goodnight Gorilla", "Knuffle Bunny", "Brown Bear", "Opposites", "I Love you Through and Through" (and still old favorites the Monster and peek-a-who books)
• He walks around furniture and in the past few weeks has mastered going from the couch to the table and back which he finds great fun!
• He is standing for longer and longer periods of time. In the beginning he would just let go and stand a few seconds, but when the Campbells were over last week he stood for almost a full minute alone unassisted. He seems to have great balance already.
• He has taken two steps for Mike and I on two different occasions, but we're not pushing him along with the walking because it would be nice for him to wait another month or so. I'm thinking Christmas we'll be out of luck though- only time will tell!! :)

I think these are some of the highlights from the past month. Ryan has had a mild cold with some coughing which has kept him under the weather for about a week and with the addition of two more teeth last week it was challenging there for awhile. I know he wasn't feeling well, but it's always a balancing act trying to not over medicate, but make sure you're giving them what they need to feel better.  Ryan seems to be in happier spirits and back to his happy & silly self.  Some nights of sleep have been really good too, but others not so much. I am obviously hopeful that nighttime becomes more consistent with sleep for at least a little while before the next tooth presents itself. (please give us a break teeth!!) I'm also asked a lot about weaning and when I plan to do so.  I truly go back and forth about it, but everything has gone well so far although it is starting to be more tiring for me.  The AAP recommends going to 12 months, but I'm not sure I want to just start weaning in February. My thought right now is in the next month or so I will cut his nursing to twice a day so he is still getting the benefits of breast milk, but for me it's not quite as often and give him formula for the other two feedings, then slowly ease off maybe around Christmas time? If not, then at least pump and offer in sippy cup once or twice a day. Then in February switch him from formula to cows milk. I had hoped to go from nursing to cows milk, but just not sure I'm gonna make it. I'm proud of the amount of time that I've nursed and I think it's been beneficial for us both. We'll take it one day at a time and go from there. Sorry I've not been good at keeping up with the blog this month. Hopefully everyone can catch up with our family through facebook posts and pictures! Happy November everyone!

Ryan the Lion

Ryan was a cute little lion for his first Halloween! He had a cough and cold so he wasn't feeling 100%, but enjoyed trick or treating at Grammy and Granddaddy's before hanging out for the night with his Daddy while his Momma got to go to see the Rangers play in game 4 of the World Series. Ryan woke up in time for Mommy to come home from the game (11:30pm) due to him feeling under the weather and I was able to feed him and get him back to bed with Mike's help by 1am and he slept til 6am. Not his best sleeping night, but at least it was a night of uninterrupted sleep since I was home late from the game. The next night he surprised us with an 8pm to 7am uninterrupted sleep which we all needed! Enjoy the little boy's lion pictures!

1st Trick or Treat

Ryan loves pumpkins

Ryan the lion

Ryan the lion loves pumpkins

Little lion with grandparents

Family photo with our little lion

Ryan the crawling lion



Ryan is 8 months old!

I'm about a week late in getting it together to even work on this post, but better late than never I suppose.  So, our little pumpkin is now 8 months old. Can you believe it? When people ask me in the store how old he is, I now find myself taking a minute and thinking, "how old is he now?" People say that when you are pregnant you have "pregnancy brain", well I think this extends into parenthood as a scatterbrained "mommy brain" as well. Anyways, Ryan is just as cute as ever and discovering his world in fun new ways everyday.  Not to say that he doesn't have bumps and ouchies, but so far nothing major from his new found love for independence. (Thank you, Jesus!) A day before Ryan turned 8 months Mike and I weighed him at his grandma's house and according to their scale he is exactly 22lbs. We tried to use a tape measure to figure out how long he is, but from what we could tell it still said 29 inches, so either we were off last month or off this month b/c I'm sure he's not the exact same. We'll get the official measure at his 9 month appt and update then! Ryan is still in size 3 diapers and is wearing 9 month and 12 month outfits with a few 6-9 two piece sets that still fit.  His pj's are all 12 month now and I finally bought a few two piece sets that hopefully last us a bit longer than the one piece footed pjs.  Now on to some of Ryan's latest accomplishments:

• Halfway through month 7 he finally decided crawling up on all 4's like a big boy is really fun!
• He is pulling up on EVERYTHING!! (couches, tables, chairs, bookcases, crib, window sills etc.)
• He's starting to cruise around furniture, primarily when there is something out of reach that he wants to get to. I'm still hesitant to let him do this much, bc I worry about him falling, but he seems to get stronger every day!
• As of 10/13 he now has 4 teeth with two more up top ready to come through anytime. We started brushing his teeth before bed at night this past month too which he seems to enjoy. (mostly sucking the water off the toothbrush, ha!)
• He loves to roar or make other loud noises, which my family (La especially) finds hilarious
• He jabbers often and tries new sound combinations that we love to hear
• He has learned he can talk into his plastic Halloween pumpkin and hear his voice louder/echo
• He enjoys feeding himself cheerios, Gerber puffs, yogurt bites, and cheese. I have been trying to find more things he can try that he can feed himself because for about 4 days I really couldn't get more than 2oz of food down him a day other than what he could put in his mouth himself. (grapes and bananas were rejected by him)
• The past few days he is back to his normal self with eating about 6-8oz of baby food a day plus some finger food snacks. Fav foods: sweet potatoes, squash, pears, apple/blueberry mixture and CHEESE! Dislikes: peas, bananas, sometimes yogurt
• His nursing schedule is now 8:30am (wake up), around 12:30pm, 4:30-5pm, then before bed at 8pm. He typically wakes up between 3:30-4am for a feeding then back to bed, but the past two nights has made it until 5am so we're crossing our fingers that sticks around!!
• He takes two naps a day, one about 2 hrs after waking up that is typically about two hours. The second one later in the afternoon (usually around 3-3:30) which is normally about an hour, but sometimes a little longer.
• He has varying days of separation anxiety being better/worse. He definitely likes when I am around and tends to look for me when I am out of sight. He's actually turned away from people wanting to take him from my arms a few times the past few weeks which is new. I am trying to give him opportunities to be away from me so that he knows he can play and have fun on his own and with others.

Last month we joined our church's MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group so Ryan goes to MOPPETS two Tuesdays a month from 9:30-11:30am.  He also spends Sundays in the nursery during the second service. It's a nice break for me and I feel like he is getting exposed to other children and adults. I have also joined a BUNCO group that meets the first Mondays of the month, so Mike and Ryan get some father/son time and Mike gets to bathe and put him to bed which I think is a good bonding time for them.  Mike has also joined a Men's Bible study through our church that meets on Tuesdays, which he is enjoying! Ryan absolutely loves other kids. We will be in a grocery store or shopping and he will hear a child's voice and turn in their direction and just grin and watch them everywhere they go. Sometimes he will even fuss when they get out of sight as though he wants to follow them! (He also does this with the cat) Ryan loves crawling around the house and chasing the cat and climbing up at window sills and banging on the windows.  He has a few books that are current favorites: Peek-a-Who?, That's not my Monster, Trucks, and before nap time- I Love you Through and Through. He used to never sit still for me to read to him, but when I read these books he jabbers along and pays attention excitedly and with the last book he actually let me put him in my lap and sat still to read!! Hopefully this continues, but maybe it was because it was before the last two nap times. He is such a sweet boy and loves his Mom and Dad and all his family around him! We sure love him too! We can't wait to see you as you grow and learn and become a wonderful loving Christian man! Stay sweet little boy!

Love, Mommy