Pictures

I have a few pictures that I have been meaning to post.  We have been really busy lately and trying to get outside every day - weather permitting.  

these are supposed to be shorts...

Peek-a-boo in the tunnel..

Such a big boy playing all by himself..

Ryan and his very first friend, Emily...(it is impossible to get a picture of these two where they are both in the shot and looking at the camera)

Showing us the lights...

M is for March for Babies!

On Sunday Ryan and I participated in a local March for Babies event, supporting the March of Dimes.  We were walking in honor of Alex, one of Ryan's friends who spent time in the NICU early in his life.  We had a wonderful time and joined many of Ryan's friends and my mommy friends for the walk!  

I didn't take too many pictures so I am hoping that one of the other Mom's will share some of their pictures with us! 

Ryan during the walk...I think we were around mile two...

Some of our team members...

After the walk...refueling...

Stick a Sock in it....

The other night after we took Ryan's shoes and socks off he started doing the funniest thing....sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.   Oh and the mess on the floor is Ryan's favorite past-time, taking everything out of the diaper bag. 

B is for Ball Game!

Last Friday night we decided to take Ryan out to his first baseball game.  A friend of mine told me about a nearby minor league baseball team that I had never heard of.  We decided to go ahead and try out a game since getting down to National's Stadium is quite a feat.  

Ryan really seemed to enjoy it.  He was more interested in the hot dog and playing than he was in the actual baseball though.  We purchased tickets directly behind home plate but after one and a half innings decided that a grassy hill would be a better place to sit.  Ryan did not want to sit still, he wanted to explore!  

We had a great time and are looking forward to going to many more baseball games in the future!  Ryan was happy through 6 full innings and then we decided to hit the road before he got fussy and tired.  

Daddy showing Ryan the field. 

My boys...

Watching the pitcher warm-up

Ryan and Mama...

Family picture!

Week 13

I can't believe we are in the last week of the first trimester already!! Time is flying by!  

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

My Little Climber

Perhaps one of the cutest pictures ever...

Ryan's new favorite thing to do is climb.  He likes to climb on top of or over just about anything -- nothing can get in his way.  His Leap Frog learning table has gotten put away because Ryan thought it was a stage to stand on top of.  Ryan also loves getting behind our sofa and playing with the plants.  I have tried just about everything to block the small area where he can fit.  Up  until this week the pack & play was working...but he has figured out a way to get around it.  

I think I can, I think I can...

I did it!

Uh-Oh...Mommy caught me. 

B2

We had our 1st trimester ultrasound today and got to see B2 moving all around!!  B2 would not be still.  The technician had a very hard time getting a good picture because B2 was kicking, waving, bouncing and flipping all over the place.  You would have thought I drank 8 Red Bulls today...but I didn't.  :)  

B2 is measuring well and looks great!  According to B2's measurements we are now due on 10/31 but will still be induced approximately one week early.  B2 has a very strong heart rate at 170 beats per minute.  There is an old wives tale about heart rates and gender.  Ryan's heart rate never got out of the 160s.  They say girls heart rates are typically higher.  Who knows for sure though.  

We go back for our next ultrasound in 7 weeks on June 8th.  We may or may not find out if we are having a boy or girl then.  We have time to decide.  :) 

The blob at the top is a hand...B2 was waving. 

In case you are wondering...that is the leg tucked under the baby, not boy parts. 

Move Over Cheerio...

There is a new favorite cereal in town.  This past week I decided to venture out from the Cheerios and Corn Chex and try a new cereal.  Well...Ryan has been going absolutely nuts for Kix!  He gets excited when he sees the box and mad if I don't give him the Kix within moments.  He does still love the Corn Chex too though. :) 

Nobody better lay a finger on my butterfinger --- I mean Kix. 

Happy Birthday....again.

This weekend our Mom's group had a birthday party for all of the babies born in March and April 2008.  I believe there were 16 babies we were celebrating but not all of them were able to make the party.  We decided on an outdoor venue and the weather could not have been better.  The only bad part was because we were outdoors and at a park, I really did not get any pictures of Ryan with the other babies.  

We had a great time and Ryan LOVED his cupcake.  He actually got really upset when it was gone.  

Yummy cupcake

A few of Ryan's friends with their delicious cupcakes..

Ryan was not so happy when the cupcake was gone...

Curb Appeal...

This post is nothing to do with Ryan our B2....but all to do with home improvement.  Last summer we had some repairs done to our front bay window.  Since it was too late in the season to plant anything for the past 9 or so months our landscaping has been completely lack luster.  On Saturday we went shopping for plants.  I had some idea or vision of what I wanted the garden to look like.  Jeff was a bit skeptical of my "vision".  

We were going to plant the garden as a family but after seeing a few of the insects in the flower bed, Jeff quickly decided he would do the planting alone.  Ryan and I supervised from the sidewalk and played with his outdoor toys.  

Here is an example of the finished product.  The plants are a bit smaller than I had in mind, but they will grow given the proper TLC. 

Please disregard the grass...that is our next project.  

Play Date

This past Friday we went out with our friends Annie and Emily.  It was a picture perfect day and we had a great time having a picnic lunch, playing and looking at the farm animals.  

I could not get them both to look at me at the same time...

Yikes...I need a tan.  :)

Having fun on the tractor. 

12 Weeks

We are nearing the end of the first trimester.  This week we go for our 2nd ultrasound.  It is too early to find out the gender....not that we know yet whether or not we are going to find out.  :)  My belly is starting to grow.  It is possible that some of the pooch could be left over from Ryan but I am just going to say it is B2.  Plus, I am so short that it has no where to go but out.  I don't think I looked this pregnant until MUCH later with Ryan.  We are starting belly pictures this week!  My goal is to wear the same thing every week so we can really see the growth.  

With my regular clothes on the belly is still not noticeable...

Here is how B2 is growing this week.  

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

Walk This Way...

The process of making this video has likely given me my first gray hair.  Seriously though, this video was VERY difficult to make.  Every time I would have it complete the program I would use would crash or wouldn't save or would do something weird with the sound.  I almost gave up but in the end it is so worth it!  Enjoy!!!

13 Months

My little boy is now officially a toddler!  Today marks 13 months since Ryan was born.  I will say that this month seemed to be the longest to me.  Maybe it is because Ryan has decided not to sleep through the night for the past month and a half.   Yes, you read that right.  The past month and a half Ryan has woke up at least once every single night.  I am not sure if it is because he is learning a big new skill, walking, or if it is because of his teething and ear infection that he had.  

At 13 months, Ryan has learned to sign "all done" when he finishes his meal.  He is working on his own more and eat signs.  The signs make a huge difference and help him to be less frustrated when he wants something.  Ryan can say "bye".  Ryan can walk all the way across the room without assistance but still prefers to crawl.  Ryan loves all people and animals and even people in costumes!  Ryan brings so much joy to our lives.  He is full of energy and laughter.  

Ryan is beginning to learn the word "no" and even says it from time to time.  That said, he thinks that "no" is a game and likes to grin from ear to ear at us anytime we say the word.   

Please enjoy some pictures from last night's photo shoot.  I have not done one of these in quite a while because it is so hard to get Ryan to sit still.  Oh and thank you to Grandpa J for the cool shark shirt.  Mommy says I look great in it!! :)

Cool dude...he looks like he is channeling his inner Stevie Wonder.  

Sharing a snack with his favorite Mickey Mouse.  Ryan LOVES Mickey.  He laughs whenever he plays with him.  It is so cute! 

Nana, I know I said that I want to go to the beach but I think I would rather go see Mickey Mouse...

Mommy, more please.  

Wait a minute, that's where all the snack went..

Happy Easter

Today was probably the best Easter that I remember.  Last year Ryan was only a week old on Easter as Easter was very early.  Spending such an incredible day with my little family made it so special.  Hopefully one day we will be closer to family and able to spend more time with them.  

Our day consisted of church, lunch, nap time, tearing apart an Easter basket, heading outside to hunt for eggs, playing, reading Ryan the story of Easter from his Beginner Bible and finally bed time.  

Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures of the day below...more in the slideshow.  

Family pic..

Ryan and Mommy...

Wow...the Easter Bunny brought me all this??

I can get the eggs in my basket without looking! 

Week 11

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.