Fall Festival

This past weekend we went to a local Fall Festival.  They had excellent food, pony rides, a petting zoo and a pumpkin patch.  Ryan was able to see some different animals for the first time, including a llama and a miniature pony.  He seemed interested in the animals.  We didn't let him pet any of them because he hasn't learned to be gentle yet and would have grabbed onto their fur and yanked.  

Daddy...there are pigs in there!!  

Umm Mommy that thing looks silly.  

Baby it's cold outside...

This past week it has really started to feel like fall.  We have turned the heater on and I even went out to buy Ryan a winter coat.  I started pulling out all of the little hat and mitten sets that I bought for him at the very end of my pregnancy.  Ryan seems to love the hats.  It is so funny to watch him when I put the hats on his head.  He just starts giggling and grinning.  The coat is another story.  It is very cute and hilarious to see Ryan bundled up in it.  That said, the coat is VERY difficult to put on and he can't ride around in the car seat with it on...I am starting to think that there may be very little purpose for the coat. 

Better late than never...

While we were in Texas a week and a half ago, we celebrated a major milestone in Jeff's life!  He turned the big 3-0!  

In celebration of Jeff's 30th birthday, here is a list Ryan gave me of 30 things he loves about his Daddy:

1.  You loved me before you ever met me. 

2.  You are happy every day when you come home to see me.

3.  Your whiskers are fun to pull. 

4.  You roll around on the floor for hours with me. 

5.  You gives the best baths.

6.  You make me laugh with your funny faces.

7.  You love playing peek-a-boo with me. 

8.  You tell me cool stories about your life. 

9.  You picked out a really cool Mommy for me. 

10.  You make funny noises at me.

11.  You teach me really neat stuff.

12.  You smile at me even at 3 AM.

13.  You buy me cool stuff.

14.  You protect me.

15.  You are my super hero.

16.  You think that I am the coolest kid ever.

17.  You would do anything for me. 

18.  You have cool hair to pull. 

19.  You take me fun places. 

20.  You let me make a mess with all of my toys.  

21.   You read the best stories.

22.  You like to build stuff. 

23.  You are proud of me. 

24.  You always smile at me. 

25.  You sing me to sleep. 

26.  You give great hugs and kisses. 

27.  You act silly. 

28.  You will never stop loving me. 

29.  We love the same things, eating, sleeping, laughing and Mommy.

30.  I get to be like you when I grow up. 

Happy Birthday Jeff!! My wish for you is that the next 30 years are even better than your first 30!  I love you!!! - Shannon

This doesn't look like a nap to me...

This morning we were trying unsuccessfully to get Ryan to take a nap.  Usually we can lay him down and he goes right to sleep.  Today I could hear him in there laughing, talking and making lots of noise.  So I peeked in his room and discovered the reason he was awake.  Ryan has discovered how to pull up on just about everything, including his crib.  Don't worry...we lowered his crib mattress this evening.  

Look at what I can do Mommy...

Ummm I still need a little help figuring out how to sit down.

Rainy Day

Saturday was a very rainy day here.  We had the blinds open on our windows and Ryan crawled right over so he could look outside and see what was going on out there.  

Trying to touch the rain...

Watching the rain

It's OK Mommy, we can still have fun inside

Lots of Pictures!

I have created a Shutterfly Share site that I would like to share with you all.  My main purpose is to allow family to print out high quality pictures of Ryan as he grows.  I will try to upload our favorite pictures each month so that you can have current pictures.  Right now there is only one album on the site but it has pictures from pregnancy up until today.  

If you are interested in the pictures, click here.

Going private

Jeff and I have been debating whether or not to make our site private for a while.  Well...we have decided that it is in the best interest of our family to go ahead and do so.  If you would like to continue reading Three Abbott's, please send me an e-mail and I will approve you.  It is one extra step, but it is worth it for the safety and well-being of my family.  

Thanks! 

New Tricks

Ryan is now crawling.  Our first day in Texas, Ryan was given a rideable lion from Jeff's Mom (we still haven't figured out what Ryan will call her).  Anyway, Ryan wanted to pull the lion's mane.  He was fascinated by the lion.  We moved the lion all the way across the room and Ryan was bound and determined to get there.  

Ryan's Lion...

A mere day or two later, Ryan was figuring out how to pull himself up on things.  He now enjoys standing at all times.  Forget laying down, Ryan is constantly on the move.  Jeff and I are in the process of baby proofing our home.  My job this week is to purchase baby gates and outlet plugs as well as those cabinet stops.  My child is into everything now.  

Here are a few more pictures from our visit to Texas.  

Ryan's chair, it's just like PaPa's..

Ryan playing with his Great-Great Aunt Doe (she is 91 and gets around better than most 40 year-olds!)

Ryan's Jeep Walker (he could only make it go in reverse)

Mommy you said put the key in the ignition, right?

A Texas-sized pumpkin patch

Ryan was trying to steal the loot from the pirate

Ryan loved the train ride around the pumpkin patch

Crawling with the pumpkins

Future Gamer?

Our first day in Texas, we went to lunch at a restaurant that had a small arcade inside of it.  We ended up sitting at the table right in front of the room because that was the only table available.  The lights and noises really got Ryan's attention.  When we finished eating, Jeff and Ryan played a racing game.  It was Ryan's first time playing any type of video game and he was a natural.  He immediately grabbed onto the steering wheel like he was born knowing what to do.  Good thing he still has many years to practice driving, he ran into the walls a few times.  

Texas Wedding

Jeff's sister got married this past weekend!  She looked stunning.  Her husband, Alex, didn't look too bad either.  We are so very excited for Jennifer and Alex.  They were giddy both giddy the entire day.  We pray that they are able to have that same excitement and joy for one another throughout their lifetime.  Their wedding was fantastic.  We had so much fun.  My wonderful Mom watched Ryan the entire night so we were able to celebrate without worrying about our baby.  

The entire day was perfect!!  My only regret was not taking more pictures!  Although, I did make use of the cameras on the tables.  I did not seem to remember to use my own camera very much, and when I did the battery died.  Uggh!  Maybe my wonderful sister will let me have a few pictures once she gets them back!  

The Bride and Me getting pretty...

Jeff and I clean up pretty well...

This is a great family picture, but where is Jeff?

Father - Daughter dance

Jeff dancing with his sis

Their cute cake topper!

Five Little Pumpkins...

Today Ryan and I headed out to a local pumpkin patch with some of our friends from Mom's group.  A few of the Moms decided to be daring and attempt to get five tired little pumpkins smiling for the camera at the same time.  The results were not so hot.  The funniest thing is that instead of comforting our babies, all of us were trying to snap their pictures.  They were all fussing and mad.  Needless to say our efforts were not successful.  

After the failed photo-op, we headed down the way towards the hay ride.  I think the driver-lady was a little nervous when she saw the entire flat fill with infants under one (approximately 12 moms)!  We thought it would be a quick little hay ride but it turned out to be quite long.  All of the babies did seem to enjoy the ride.  Ryan played in the hay the entire time.  He was fascinated by it.  Luckily he did not try to eat too much of the hay.  When the day was done I think all of the Moms were in agreement that this might be more fun next year.   

Hop on Pop

Here is Ryan's version of a Dr. Seuss classic story.    

Mommy...this is how the story goes...

You hop up and down on Daddy..

Ok all done, that was fun! 

7 Months Old

Exactly 7 months, 4 hours and a couple of minutes ago, our lives forever changed when Ryan made his grand entrance into the world.   As I have said many times, the time has flown!!  Some of the best memories in my entire life have happened in the past seven months.  I cannot wait to see what each day has in store for us! 

Our nightly story time.  Usually Daddy is reading but tonight he was taking pictures instead!  

 

Almost Crawling

Ryan is still trying to figure out the crawling thing.  I am not really sure what to call this move, but it is Ryan's version of crawling for now.  He gets up on his toes, gets his rear end really high in the sky, then lunges forward.  

This week his big accomplishment was figuring out how to sit himself upright.  Before the only way he would sit is if you set him on the ground in the seated position.  Ryan gets really excited when he props himself up.  He loves sitting and playing with his toys.  After a few minutes of that it is back to his modified crawl.  He can cover a lot of ground even though he is not doing the traditional crawl as of yet.  

The cutest baby feet & thighs! 

Ah the Little Things...

Tonight I decided to make this recipe (which I highly recommend as it is delicious and makes your house smell wonderful) http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/nilla-apple-crisp-104482.aspx.  Part of the recipe calls for crushed Nilla Wafers.  In order to crush the Nilla Wafers, I put them into a Ziploc baggie and started banging them.  The second I started banging the wafers, Ryan started cracking up.  So, me being the quick-thinker I am, grabbed my camera and caught the following...enjoy. 

oh and here is one of Ryan's favorite new play toys...

Playtime

Ryan has a few new favorite "toys".  These toys aren't really toys at all but provide lots of endless entertainment.  He loves playing with Daddy's watch.   I think he likes that it is shiny and reflective and makes some noise when the links cling together.  Another new favorite is the plastic slotted kitchen spoon. 

Ryan is also fascinated by grass.  He likes to pull it and get a fist-full of dirt and grass.  He got mud under his nails for the first time yesterday during our family pictures!  I didn't freak out or really even care.  I think it is fun that he wants to play in the dirt.  We were wearing white though.  

Ryan is learning all kinds of new tricks right now as well.  He is learning how to give a high five, how to wave and how to clap.  Clapping is still tricky, but we are working on it.   One of his new favorite tricks is to get close to your face and then blow air.  We practiced blowing air a lot during swim class so I guess he decided it was time to practice!  

No matter how big the blanket on the ground is, Ryan finds a way to play in the grass...

See Daddy, not quite bed time..

Fall Festivities

This weekend we decided to take a little trip to a nearby apple orchard to pick some apples straight off of the tree.  Due to my inexperience with apple picking, I forgot to bring bug spray.  One thing I learned, bugs love fruit trees and love even more the fruit that has already fallen to the ground.  The orchard was beautiful and if I had been prepared with the previously mentioned bug spray, we would have found a nice shady spot on the hill to just enjoy the beautiful fall day.   

We picked a "peck" or bag full of apples and then headed over to their little pumpkin patch.  Ryan was fascinated by the pumpkins.  He didn't want to look up at the camera for any pictures because he wanted to touch and inspect those giant orange things.  We didn't purchase any pumpkins there because we have plans to do that in another week or so with some of Ryan's friends.  I am glad we are going back because Ryan loves pumpkins!! 

Ryan and me with the apple trees...

Daddy and Ryan

Scenery for the day...

Checking out the pumpkins

Still checking out the pumpkins

 

Piggy Back Ride

Last night was the first time that Ryan got a real piggy back ride.  He loved it.  We have attempted it before but he wasn't having any of it in the past.  He thought Jeff's hair was really neat and wanted to taste it (of course).  

I also got to thinking yesterday about the fact that Ryan is a really happy baby.  I told Jeff that he does cry here and there but only when he really needs something (food, new diaper, sleep).  Other than that, Ryan is always a smiling, giggling, happy kiddo.  I think it has a little to do with the fact that Jeff and I are pretty silly ourselves.  

Anyway, enjoy a few pics of Jeff and Ryan.  

Trying to take a bite out of Daddy's head...