Baby's Got His Blue Jeans on.

So today Ryan was able to wear his jeans for the first time.  He was such a ham from the moment he put them on.  Enjoy!

 

Life as a Stay at Home Mommy

This is the week that I was officially supposed to return to work.  I really think it would have been one of the hardest things I could have ever done.  I know that if I had to do it, I could, but I am very happy with the decision we made.  

Ryan is not on a real schedule yet.  I am not upset about that either.  I can't expect a two month old to be ready for that.  I just don't see how other people, working moms especially, find time to do it all.  By the time I have done a couple of things around the house (laundry and dishes), found a few minutes to brush my teeth and possibly take a shower, Jeff is home.  I guess my point is that whether you work, stay at home or whatever, time just goes by too fast.  It seems like the minutes just fly by.  Ryan needs me a lot.  I love the fact that he needs me too.  He does not seem to like taking naps during the day though which means that I am almost always trying to do something while holding him.  

I am trying to soak up every moment of all of this.  I know that all too soon Ryan won't need his Mommy near as much.  

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Ryan.  He looks so innocent.  I have become one of those people that always has a camera in my hand.  I am always looking for the perfect Kodak moment.  

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Our trip to visit our friends and family in Texas was wonderful!  I have always been a somewhat nervous flyer myself (maybe due to the fact that I did not fly for the first time until I was 18), but I knew that in order for things to go well for Ryan I would have to be calm.  It was our lucky day at the airport I suppose...both coming and going.  The lines for security were quick and we had no delays!  Ryan did so great on both flights.  He slept the majority of the time, which I was quite happy about.  It looks like our next airplane ride won't be until August.  I hope Ryan enjoys it as much as he seemed to this past week. 

We had a lovely time in Texas.  He loved staying at Aunt Jenn and Uncle Alex's new house, seeing his Uncle B for the first time ever and meeting the rest of his extended family.  Ryan was spoiled by all of his Grandparents.  He was also able to meet SIX of his Great-Grandparents and his Great Great Grandmother!  WOW!!  

2 Months!

Happy 2 month Birthday to Ryan!!  I can't believe 2 months have gone by since Ryan made his big debut in the world.  It has been truly amazing. 

Today was Ryan's 2 month check up.  He is doing great!  He is in the 75th percentile for weight 12lbs 12oz.  He has grown 3 and a half inches since he was born (23.5 inches).  He is right on track and the doctor said that he is looking great!  YAY!  Ryan did get 3 shots today.  I think it was harder for me than it was for him.  He has been asleep ever since we left the doctor's office (only a couple hours).  

Ryan is getting excited about his trip to Texas.  Just a few more days until Ryan gets his first ride in an airplane and gets to meet all kinds of new people!!  

Big Decision!

After lots of thought, consideration and back and forth, Jeff and I have decided that I am going to be a Stay at Home Mommy!  Ever since I was young I have wanted to be able to stay at home and raise my kids.  Jeff and I were back and forth on the whole idea until this past weekend. 

Up until Sunday I kept saying that I wanted to go back to work and see how things went.  If I couldn't stand being away from Ryan then I would leave my job and stay at home.  As we got closer to the actual date I would return to work, I became more upset about having to go back to work.  Several factors played into our decision.  If we lived closer to home and had family there to help care for Ryan then I probably would have gone back to work.  

Anyway...I am really happy about our decision and I have lots of fun stuff planned for Ryan and me this summer.  We will start a Mommy and Me Yoga class in mid-June.  I can't wait! 

Happy Mother's Day

I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a Mommy yesterday. It was quite memorable but not that different from every other day (not that there is anything wrong with that). It was great to spend the entire day with my wonderful husband and amazing baby! I could not be any happier. I received two great cards and a couple thoughtful gifts from Ryan and Jeff. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to spend the day with our Mom as well.  I will attach a picture of Ryan and me celebrating Mother's Day once I load them up on the computer.  

In honor of all Moms here is a great little story that many of us have probably seen before.

 

Before I was a Mom 

"Before I was a mom, I made and ate hot meals, wore unstained clothes and had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a mom, I never worried about how late I went to bed because I could sleep in as long as I wanted.

Before I was a mom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth everyday.

Before I was a mom, I enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee while reading the morning newspaper on a Saturday morning.

Before I was a mom, I slept the whole night through.

Before I was a mom, my house was clean everyday and I didn't worry about whether or not my plants were poisonous.

Before I was a mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, peed on, chewed on or pinched by little fingers.

Before I was a mom, I had complete control of my mind, thoughts and body.

Before I was a mom, I never held down a screaming child while doctors and nurses did tests or gave shots. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces because I couldn't stop the hurt.

Before I was a mom, I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

Before I was a mom, I never got gloriously happy over a toothless grin.

Before I was a mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never was up in the wee hours of the night just watching a baby while it slept. I never knew that something so small couldn't effect my life so tremendously.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I could love someone so unconditionally and completely.

Before I was a mom, I never knew how satisfying it is to feed a hungry

child. I never knew how fulfilling it is to soothe a baby's cries.

Before I was a mom, I loved my mom, but didn't understand her.

Before I was a mom, I never knew the warmth, the joy, the heartache, the wonderment, or the fulfillment of being a mom.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I would love being a mom."

- Sharon L. Twitchell

Ryan on Film

Last night we played with Ryan for the longest time. He was filled with smiles and coos. Enjoy a couple of moments with our 8 week old!

Caught Ya...Red Handed

The past few days, I have found the coolest thing, my right hand.  I can't quite figure out how to get the whole thing into my mouth yet, but I am learning.  I can get my thumb and first finger in my mouth most of the time.  Mommy laughs because I try to put my entire fist in there but there is no way it will fit.  I know one thing....this hand sure is tasty! 

And finally...Mommy caught me smiling on camera! 

It's DONE!!!

This post has nothing to do with Ryan.  :)

Many of you are aware that Jeff began a master bathroom rennovation project back after Thanksgiving.  He didn't have a lot of time to work on it because I was constantly wanting him to run me out to get more baby stuff and he works a lot of hours.  Well the bathroom has been done since right after Ryan was born with the exception of the shower.  We had to order custom shower doors from Lowes and it took 6 weeks for them to be delivered. 

Today the installation man came from Lowes and made my day.  I cannot wait for Jeff to get home to see the great work.  I am going to break in the new shower as soon as the caulk dries. 

FYI...we are going to repaint the room.  We painted it this color when we first moved into our house but now the yellow does not quite match the tile so this summer I will take on a painting project. 

Uggh...I found out that Lowes messed up our order and the door is not what we wanted...I am not sure what is going to happen now but I 

want that bathroom back!!

Who does Ryan look like?

I have never been really great at determinig whether babies favor their Mommy or their Daddy. It seems that lots of people think that Ryan looks like his Daddy when he was a baby and then just as many people think that Ryan looks like his Mommy.  Jeff and I think that Ryan favors both of us in different ways.  He is a good mix.  Here are a couple of pictures...you be the judge.

The pictures below are Mommy at 2 months, Ryan at 2 months and Daddy at 2 months.   

Here is another picture of Jeff as a baby.  I think that Ryan has a lot of the same features as his Daddy...but definitley a chubby wubby baby like his Momma!   

Catching Smiles

Ryan has been really smiling at us the past week or so.  I always make sure to have my camera ready, but has proven difficult to catch that smile at the exact moment for a perfect picture.  When I do get a smile, the picture is blurry or part of his head is cut off because I am trying to go fast with the camera.  

Here are a few pictures of my happy baby this morning.  I know that he is just waiting for the perfect moment to give Mommy a big smile for the camera.  

Adventures of a 7 week old!

Ryan is 7 weeks old!  I cannot believe how fast this is going by.  I looked at some of his pictures from when he was  born and I cannot believe how big he is already. 

Friday evening we went out for our nightly walk and found a small block party at the end of our street.  The neighbors were all out with their little ones.  Having a baby is an instant conversation starter it seems.  Jeff and I were able to meet several of our neighbors that we had not spoken to before and we found lots of new playmates for Ryan!  

Saturday was Ryan's first trip to the park.   It was a beautiful spring day and the park was in full bloom.  We thought we would be able to get some great pictures of our little family.  Ryan decided to sleep instead though.  My philosophy is to never wake a sleeping baby, so we just let him sleep.  Of course Ryan woke up about 20 minutes after we left.  

On Sunday Jeff's co-workers held a Welcome Baby Ryan party.  Ryan got to meet some of the people that Daddy works with and was given tons of great gifts.  We are restocked with diapers and wipes (woohoo) and we received lots of great baby toys.