FW Zoo Trip and Telephone Video

This week we made another trip to the FW Zoo. I believe this was our 3rd trip for the year. Perhaps 4th? We became "members" this year because I knew it would be a good place to go and get out of the house and that Ryan would really enjoy seeing all of the animals. This week we got to see the white tigers for the first time. The last few times we had gone they were not yet out. This tiger was pacing back and forth by the window which was so neat to see them up close and I know Ryan wished he could pet him which was funny. Ryan also loved the monkeys and really noticed them as they were swinging around. There was a pregnant monkey in one section and also a little baby monkey which was super cute. We joined Lauren & Naomi, Melissa & Juliette, Angela, Elizabeth & Elaine for a picnic lunch followed by about 2.5 hours of zoo time. This was also the first time we have spent any money at the zoo as we splurged for some Blue Bell Cookies 'n Cream ice cream.  The lady actually gave Ryan a small cone with a spoonful of his own for free!! Isn't that sweet? I'm not sure if it's a normal thing or if she was just being nice, but it was his first individual ice cream ever and he LOVED it! Here are our zoo pictures.

Watching the white tiger

Ryan checking out the bird

Angela's oldest daughter, Elizabeth

Me, Ryan, Juliette & Mel

Me and Ryan

Lauren and Naomi

Ryan has become obsessed with telephones recently. It really doesn't matter what kind iPhones or landlines, but he loves pushing the buttons and holding it up to his ear and saying "hi." So, last week I was letting him play with our telephone and heard him saying "hi.... hi... DADA DADA.. bye bye" he was almost screaming like he was trying to get his Dad's attention and it was so funny. So, I ran and grabbed the camera and followed him around for some of the conversation. Ryan has also gotten really good at blowing kisses good bye recently which is super cute. So, feel free to check out the video at this link- it's about 2 and a half minutes long I think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSwbWhSr1ko

Ryan is 14 months!

These are photos of our cutie pie in the bluebonnets off of E Broad in Mansfield. Since bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas and so pretty I was excited to take Ryan's first pictures in them.  I had intended to last year, but he wasn't able to sit up on his own yet which would have made the photo session on my own rather difficult. Now, our little handsome guy is 14 months old! Here is my update on the past month.

Clothing: 12-18 month

Diapers: Size 4 (Pampers Cruisers are our favorite)

Naps: Generally twice a day, first one is about 2 hrs, the other around 1 hr. 30

Times: 10am and 3:30/4pm

If Ryan misses his morning nap (which has happened a lot lately) he will generally go down after lunch around 1pm for 2 hrs and that is the only nap he will take that day. He has done okay with this, but I still push for the two naps when we can. It makes for a happy Ryan and happy Momma!

We turned around his big boy car seat to forward facing this month (I was delaying due to safety, but finally decided it would be easier on us all only to see the news report the next day recommending waiting until age 2...of course... As always our goal is just not to get into any accidents!)

New foods: Homemade chicken nuggets (loves!), pasta fagioli and bread sticks at Olive Garden, Andres Mint, Honey (at Babe's), raisins, honey bunches of oats cereal (loves!), cinnamon toast, turkey sausage. Ryan is pretty much eating everything we do now, but is picky about temperature and how the food is presented. For example, he might not eat something cut up, but will eat it off of the big portion. (ie: banana, apple) Also, with warm foods as long as they are hot he will eat them, but as soon as they get cool/cold he will spit them out and if I warm it up again he will continue eating... weird I know! Since Ryan is eating what we do it really makes me watch what I eat in front of him because he will want some, so that's been pretty good for my eating choices as well.

New Vocabulary: Baback (backpack), es pees (yes please), hot, and joos (juice)

Ryan can identify when asked by pointing to his head, ears, nose, hands and feet. He really prefers pointing to your nose though. Ha! He will bring many specific toys or books to you at your request (knows them by name). It's amazing the information he seems to be soaking up right now. Ryan loves stacking cups, blocks, and rings. He even stacks random toys on top of one another sometimes to see if he can. He stacks 2-4 blocks sometimes properly and sometimes not. He is just now really showing interest in his shape sorter toy as well, but doesn't get all the shapes in correctly- mostly just the circle and square currently. Ryan is enjoying refrigerator magnets and I'm hoping to buy him some of his own pretty soon. He has also figured out his corn popper pushing toy. Before this month he would just carry it around and hand it to you or throw it. This month Ryan started using a baby fork and spoon. He is better with the fork, but still has more work to do to master feeding himself with it, but he loves it and takes great pleasure in being handed his own utensils.

Ryan can be such a great helper to me when he is in a cooperating mood. He can help unpack groceries, load and unload laundry, throw away trash and other household chores. He is really into wanting to hold and carry things around especially items that are really too big or heavy for him, but it's precious to see him try. Perhaps this is a "boy" thing? Mike and I are pretty impressed at some of the things he can carry that we wouldn't have thought he could do. Wagon rides and trips to the park are still almost daily and one of his favorite things to do. Ryan in general just loves to be outdoors. He runs around in the backyard and blows bubbles with me and helps to water our flowers and herbs with his mini watering can. He also loves to go out and get the mail. If it involves getting to go outside you can guarantee when asked you will receive a quick, "es pees" and happy dance as he runs over to the door.

Overall, Ryan is such a happy, energetic, and funny little boy. We enjoy just watching all his energy in the evenings and he has so much fun with playtime and wrestling with his Daddy. We are still struggling with temper tantrums when things don't go his way, but I don't expect that to really diminish anytime soon. Typically around nap time or bedtime is time that he falls apart most easily, but he can certainly throw a fit during the day due to frustration and not getting what he wants. Often, the greatest task is just getting him to settle down and take a minute to realize what he is upset about and how much easier it is to fix with simply asking or gesturing to us "nicely" as we say. My biggest concern is he can get upset so quickly he will sometimes throw himself backwards or bang his head into a wall, door, or even floor and I'm worried he will seriously injure himself not intending to.  I am really not anxious for that first trip to the ER so I am prayerful that it is not soon.



Ryan is 13 months

Our busy little boy celebrated his 13th month in Fort Myers, FL meeting his Great Grandparents Bob and Betty Gaynor.  Ryan is lucky to have now met all 5 of his great-grandparents that are still living. We had a great trip to Florida and I will post just a few photos here.  At 13 months, Ryan is still wearing size 12 month clothes  and some of the pants are still falling off. Our favorites are the ones with adjustable waist bands. He is moving on to his 18 month pj's now and and all his spring clothes are size 18 months so he will be in most of them soon. He wore a few shorts and tops in 18 month this weekend. The tops fit great, but shorts are still too big. We started with size 4 diapers this weekend as well. Ryan's shoe size is a 5 and he has a new pair of sandals that his Daddy bought him in FL and some cute brown stride rite shoes for every day wear. We don't have an official update on weight and height until Ryan's 15 month appointment, but at his 12 month he was 23lb 5oz and 32 inches, so probably just a little over those. This year he won't be gaining and growing at the rate he did as an infant (according to Dr) he should only gain about 3-4 lbs this year unlike the almost 15lbs he put on from birth to his 1st birthday!! Apparently the average gain in the first year is 14-16lbs so he was right in the middle.

I don't feel like Ryan added very many words this month, but is still using most of the vocabulary that he already learned. The only words I could think of that are new are "ball" and "thank you" (sounds more like dain tu, but mimics our inflection when we say to ask for something nicely).   He still enjoys reading books and is starting to really enjoy some of the new ones he got for his birthday. Some that he has brought me more recently are: "Mommy's Best Kisses", "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo", "That's not my tractor" and his peekaboo books.

Ryan seems to be a very picky eater lately. I am still trying to get him to try new foods and give him opportunities to self feed, but he would be happy to just have milk, apple juice, a whole apple, peanut butter sandwiches, gold fish and graham crackers every day. On our Florida trip he mostly got his way unfortunately. Occassionally I still try to sneak in some baby foods to supplement his eating, but he's not a fan of that anymore except sometimes yogurt. He loves any kind of potato so I generally try to have those a few times a week. He is still not a big fan of pasta, but we can occassionally sneak some in. He is more open to eating ground beef than any cold lunchmeat or grilled chicken. Avocado, edamame and pees he will go for, but green beans, not a chance! Hopefully we will discover new favorites soon that he will enjoy. At least I know he's getting his grains and protein no problem! It's the fruits and veggies that we need to increase.

We have had several visits to our area park this month and even a visit to Lakes Park while in Ft. Myers.  Ryan also enjoyed his first visit to the FW Zoo this month and really liked the jaguar walking around and various birds. Ryan loves stroller rides as long as you keep moving and is loving walks in his new red wagon from his Great G&G Gaynor. Ryan is walking very fast these days and yet still hardly notices things around him so he will trip over toys, books, shoes, etc and we are still getting several scratches, bumps and bruises. I hear it's the mark of the 2nd year... injuries... Let's hope they stay minor. :)

While Ryan is a turning into a very sweet and loving little boy who loves giving hugs and leaning in for kisses, he also is developing quite the temper and attitude.  This little guy knows what he wants when he wants it and has trouble showing patience for food or things he desires. He has started this yell/scream that Mike and I already find rather annoying when he is wanting something he is not getting. We are trying to teach him to ask for things nicely and that we don't respond to him when he speaks that way.  Also, when throwing a temper tantrum Ryan tends to hit his head/face with his hands in frustration or bang his head on a wall or door.  Ryan even sometimes throws himself backwards, which always worries me that he will bust his head open on the tile floor.  Most of the times he has been on carpet or I've been right next to him to catch him, but it's a little challenging.  I know this is one of those things he will grow out of, but we are currently trying to make sure that we are picking our battles and disciplining appropriately.  We do however welcome any advice if you've experienced the same things. 

Lastly, this month Ryan's Daddy celebrates his last birthday in his 20's so be sure to wish him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY on March 10th!!  Two of Ryan's uncles (My sisters husband and fiancee) also had birthdays this month so happy belated birthday to Uncle Christopher and Uncle Phillip!! 

Ryan checking out his new "crib" at our hotel

Ryan enjoyed playing around after we set up his crib

Ryan's first day at the beach- Ft. Myers, FL

Ryan checking out birds, boats, and waves at the beach

Gaynor genes run strong from G&G to Mike and Ryan

Playtime with coasters at G&G's home

Group auto picture at the Gaynor's home

Ryan with his Great G&G Gaynor

Last group photo of our trip after lunch

Father and son- We sure enjoyed our visit to Florida!

Ryan's getting tubes

After almost 3 months of off and on and continual ear infections (otitis media) and 3 rounds of oral antibiotics plus a 3 day series of antibiotic injections, our pediatrician referred us to an ENT. We had an appt with ENT pediatric specialist, Dr. Palmer in Fort Worth last week. He has recommended bilaterial myringotomy (aka tubes) for Ryan in both ears.  I had really been unsure up until seeing the ENT about Ryan getting tubes and how nervous I would feel.  However, after speaking to him for all of the 5 minutes we had during Ryan's appointment (which we waited an hour past our appt time to see him...) I really felt very confident and that it was the right decision for Ryan. 

He explained that at this point the antibiotics are only clearing up the infection, but the "hardware" is still not working properly which is why fluid is staying back behind the ear drum and not draining out properly. By inserting the tubes it will allow proper drainage which will also allow him to hear better, be less cranky, and have better balance.  Mike and I had just mentioned to one another the week before how he seemed very off balance lately and would be walking and then either stumble over his own feet or seem almost dizzy and fall.  After talking to Dr. Palmer I wondered if this wasn't part of his problem.  I haven't been very concerned about Ryan's hearing because he responds to the smallest noises and has always been very sensitive to sound.  However, our Dr pointed out that his vocabulary may take off even more after surgery as he hears words more clearly. (Only time will tell) Other interesting facts were than boys are more likely to have tubes than girls and that it often times clusters in families. Mike also had tubes as a baby, so perhaps it was inevitable? Like father like son...

The purpose of this blog is to let you know that Ryan is getting the tubes on Thursday, February 24th in the morning at Cook Children's Hospital FW.  It will be an outpatient procedure and we will be assigned a time the day before, but likely early morning. While I feel very at ease at this time about the surgery and not nearly as anxious as I was for his surgery at 3 months old, we still covet your prayers.  Here are ways you can pray specifically:
- Knowledgeable surgeon, Dr. Palmer for steady hands as he performs the BMT
-Anesthesiologist to administer proper doses and help Ryan to be comfortable and feel no pain
-Quick and pain free recovery for Ryan and no lasting negative side effects
-Calmness and peace for Mike and I as we feel we are making the best choices for our son that we can with Dr's professional opinions.

Thank you! We sure love and appreciate all the support of our family and friends.
~Emily

Ryan's "Baby" Timeline

This is Ryan's "Baby Campbell Timeline" that I kept on the side of our blog while I was pregnant.  I wanted to publish it so I would have it to look back on and so I could delete it from the wall of the blog.

• 6/9/2009- Found out we were pregnant!
• 6/9/2009- 1st Dr's appointment in San Antonio, TX
• 6/20/2009- Told our family and friends
• 6/26/2009- Appt with our new Dr in Bedford, 1st sonogram
• 7/24/2009- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 168bpm)
• 8/4/2009- Felt my first flutter of movement
• 8/24/2009- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 157bpm)
• 9/2/2009- Mike got to feel the baby move
• 9/15/2009- Dr's appointment- 2nd sonogram "IT'S A BOY!!"
• 10/15/2009- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 161bpm)
• 11/7/2009- Prepared Childbirth class at Harris HEB
• 11/10/2009- BabyCare/CPR class
• 11/12/2009- Dr's appointment & glucose test (heartbeat 154bpm)
• 11/17/2009- BabyCare/CPR class
• 11/12/2009- BabyCare/CPR class
• 11/19/2009- BabyCare/CPR class
• 11/30/2009- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 153bpm)
• 12/8/2009- 3D/4D sonogram done measuring long and a week or two ahead! (heartbeat 158bpm)
• 12/14/2009- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 161bpm)
• 1/4/2010- Dr's appointment & LDR visit due to my high blood pressure (heartbeat 158bpm)
• 1/18/2010- Dr's appointment (37 wks-no dilation just yet!)
• 1/24/2010- Braxton hicks @ 4am for a few hours
• 1/25/2010- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 145bpm- no dilation yet)
• 1/29/2010- Braxton hicks all day long...
• 1/31/2010- Semi-painful contractions for about 4 hours, then lessened over
  the day
• 2/1/2010- Dr's appointment (heartbeat 137bpm- 1cm dilated) Experienced some loss of the mucous plug or what they call "bloody show" around 5:30pm
• 2/5/2010- My water started leaking around 5pm followed by contractions, then
  water broke about 9:45pm and we headed to the hospital- checked in 10:50pm
• 2/6/2010- Ryan Alexander arrives! 10:43a.m. 8lbs 8.6oz 21.25 inches (They told us he was 22 inches long at birth, but that it was probably due to the conehead, so 21.25 is what was written on his hospital card so we decided to go with that)

Ryan's 1st Bday Parties

For Ryan's 1st Birthday he actually had two parties.  The first was a joint party with his cousin, Naomi, who shares a birthday with him. We did this in order for us to celebrate with our families. (Which if you know our family alone, is huge) We had almost 40 people there, so it was just too big to invite any friends.  This party was a pink and blue Noah's Ark themed party. In addition, so Ryan would get a party all of his own and a little smaller, we hosted a 1st Bday party at our home with some of our close friends.  We had 12 in attendance plus Ryan and baby Riley. This party was a teal blue owl theme. Everything was blue including blue margaritas for the adults. Both parties were a lot of fun and Ryan was blessed with some wonderful new toys, books, clothes, etc.  For Ryan's "friends" party, I attempted my "crafty" side by making my first "creative" cake.  My Mom came over the day before the party to help with assembly and decoration and we used some ideas generously shared by my cousin, Susan Cates. It was a lot of fun and I think his owl cake turned out super cute! Here's hoping I keep it up every year for birthdays, what a fun tradition that would be! (Also way less expensive than buying a cake from my favorite bakery) However, props to TX Star Bakery in Hurst, TX for doing a beautiful Noah's Ark cake for the babies' joint party! I'll post photos of both! Here's a few party highlights! Enjoy! :)

1st Birthday Boy

1st Birthday Girl

Excited about his new wagon (or that people are clapping so he claps)

1st Birthday Babies

Noah's Ark 1st Bday Cake- from TX Star Bakery

Yummy Cake!

Enjoying his first cake "icing" anyways

Ryan got a little messy

Naomi got VERY messy! Yummy cake!

Family Birthday picture

Homemade cake for Party #2

Ryan's cupcake

Happy Birthday to Ryan

Mom still helps to blow out the candle

Headed right for the chocolate pieces on top!

Dad helped him take a big bite!

Ryan is ONE!

It is hard to believe, but the day has come that we can now say our baby boy is ONE! This past year has absolutely flown by. I remember so much so clearly and yet so much is already fuzzy. It is for the later reason that I have tried to keep up with this blog at least with monthly posts so that I can look back and remember certain discoveries and accomplishments of our little man. I find it harder each month to find time to sit down and actually write on the blog, but I keep up with dates and ideas for it all month long on a note in my IPhone. What would I do without that? (paper??! Ha!) So, here goes month 12 for Ryan:

Ryan had his 12 month well-child visit with Dr. Wallace on Tuesday, Feb. 8th and was 32" long (90th%) and 23lb. 5oz. (50th%).  He has stayed pretty consistent all year between 90-95th% on height and between 50-75th% on weight. Ryan gave up nursing the middle of this last month (Jan 18th) while he was sick.  He was randomly not accepting nursing right before bed every couple of nights which I thought was strange, but I honestly thought that would be the hardest one for him to let go of, so was kind of thankful.  Then, a few days later he tried nursing and couldn't breathe because his nose was so stopped up that he just turned away after a minute or two and cried so I fixed him a bottle.  The next day I tried again just to make sure and he rejected it, so I knew he was through. I gave him expressed milk through Jan. 21st then called it quits. I am glad that I went slow with weaning because it was something I was terrified of how painful it might be.  I really didn't notice any discomfort until about day 5 and then had to hand secrete a few glands that were swollen to make sure I didn't get mastitis again.  After about day 11 it seemed to be all gone without any problems. (Sorry for the personal info, but for Moms who might want to know how that went...)

Sleep schedule: 8pm-6:10am was pretty normal during the past month although after moving his bedtime up closer to 7:30pm we've had more nights of sleep until 7:30am and an occasional 8am or later.  Each night is always different as ear infection and teething pains seem to control how the nights go. We have an appointment scheduled with an ENT to look at his ears on Feb. 14th (it was rescheduled from the 2nd due to the ice storms). Ryan is still napping twice a day. These also vary, if he is up early then the morning nap is 2 hrs and the afternoon nap is about 1hr 15 min. However, if he slept in later then sometimes the morning nap is only 1 hr and the afternoon nap is the longer one between 1hr and 30 min to 2 hrs.

Regarding food: Ryan is taking approximately 18-21oz of whole milk each day. (We started whole milk Feb. 1st) He takes closer to 21 oz when I let him have it out of a bottle and less when it's out of his sippy cup. I am currently sticking with the bottle first thing in the morning and right before bed to make sure he gets enough milk that he needs for the day. He likes to take a few sips then do something else during the day so it's hard to get him to drink enough. The Dr. said he should be having close to 24 oz of milk a day and about 30 oz of liquid total when you add any water or juice. (We definitely never hit 30 oz) I am trying to get better about just having it available for him and I know he will drink what he needs. Ryan eats 3 meals a day and usually one snack.  If he has a day of short naps then we usually have 2 snacks instead of just one.

New foods this month include his new favorite: Peanut Butter! goldfish, a whole apple (won't eat it cut in bites...), blueberry waffles, pancakes, goulash, chili, rice cakes, cornbread, hot dogs, pulled pork, cake (at his party Feb. 5th) and whole milk (Feb. 1st).  Some of his favorites still include: graham crackers, Ritz crackers, cream of wheat, adult cinnamon/spice oatmeal, yogurt, sweet potatoes, and guacamole.  Lately, he is very finicky about food temperatures and the way food is presented. For instance, he will eat something that is hot then when it gets room temperature he will spit it out. Or, if I offer something cut up sometimes he won't eat it, but if I let him bite it off of the bigger piece he will. Also, some textures he won't pick up becausethey are "gooey" but if I put it on a spoon and feed it to him he will eat it... Continuing to prove how opinionated our little man is.

Ryan is a big fan of books! He loves for Mike and me to read to him and we probably read 20+ books a day (a few of them several times). I am so thankful that we have received so many fun new books for Christmas and now his birthday that are keeping us busy. He does have his favorites although it varies by week. Lately, the book favorites include: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Happy Friendly Dragonfly, Elmo's World Flap books, Trucks, and his touch and feel books ESPECIALLY Forest Surprises. (He likes to eat the frog's tongue...) I believe due to his love of books, he is continuing to add to his vocabulary.  This past month the new words were: "neye, neye" (night night), "bubble" (he has a bubble book where he learned this one and will bring me this book by name), "hi", "babow" (bottle), "go", "ah dun" (all done- after eating).

Ryan still likes to bite and chew on just about anything; books, crib side rail, teethers, blocks, toys, and sometimes Mom and Dad... I know some of it is teething related, but we are really trying to break him of the leaning over to bite Mom or Dad when he's tired or frustrated and giving him a teething toy which is appropriate to bite on. I'm amazed at how quickly he can ruin his books from chewing on them...

Listed out, here are some other discoveries and accomplishments that Ryan made this month:

• Climbing on fireplace
• Climbing in/on boxes
• Pulling up the corners of all the area rugs
• Running from one end of the crib to the other after nap time (very proud of himself about it too-usually giggling)
• Finds it entertaining to scoot himself flat on his tummy backwards on the wood floor
• Laundry basket rides
• Toilet Paper unrolling
• Walking with his Dino backwards instead of just forwards to get out of a spot when he's stuck
• Really took off all the time walking Jan. 12th (after 30+ first steps in Hollywood Jan. 2nd) just needed to build his confidence (which was also fun to watch)
• Began standing from the ground without pulling up on anything (Jan. 23rd)
• Started nodding his head 'yes' (Jan. 20th) sometimes just to move his head other times actually answering questions with the nod for 'yes'
• First time alone on the swings at the park (terrified) and on the slide with Mom and Dad (likes that!)
• Putting blocks into a box instead of just pulling them out and throwing them (still does that too!)
• Started dropping things behind his back/head and holding his hands or touching his fingers behind his head.
• 2nd and 3rd snow of his life- he was much more interested in the flakes falling! We were cooped up inside for 4 days due to the ice one week and then another day this week due to sleet and temperatures in the 10's. CRAZY TEXAS WEATHER!!

Overall, it's been such a fun and BUSY month with Ryan. He is developing a LOT of personality and isn't afraid to tell you when he is not getting his way or things aren't going as he had "planned". He keeps me guessing as he tries so hard to communicate and keeps me on the go constantly. I know it will only get more interesting from here. We are so blessed by every hug, smile, and laugh of our little man and will try to continue to focus on those moments during the discipline and challenging times to come as we approach the toddler and "terrible two" phase. Thanks for joining us in love, support and prayer during this journey!