Ryan learns about rain

Saturday evening we decided to walk to the park across the street from our house. We knew that it was probably going to rain and that we didn't have a whole lot of time, but we didn't know how hard it was going to rain. Ryan had a great time at the park and for the first time kept doing the slide over and over all by himself. After about 20 minutes he decided he had enough and started walking home.

On the walk home it started sprinkling pretty good. I took shelter under a tree to protect the camera and just watched as Ryan stood there amazed. Ryan stopped in his tracks, held his hands out with open palms and just watched as the rain hit his hands. He looked up at the sky with his hands still outstretched, trying to figure what was causing it to shower on him. It was the first time I have ever seen Ryan really take something in like that and understand such a big concept. He LOVED the rain. We played outside for about 10-15 minutes. We all were soaked by the time we got inside, but it was so much fun. I don't think I have taken time to enjoy the rain like that in a very, very long time.

Children are such wonderful and amazing little people. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is simply amazing. :)

A little blurry but I love the excitement in his face...

Cheese --- I'm such a big boy!

So proud of himself...

Running around in the rain.

Stomping in the puddles...

Airport Open House

On Saturday my friend Annie told me about an airport open house not too far from our house. After a busy morning and afternoon nap, we decided to take Ryan to see all the air planes. Ryan loved the planes. Some of the owners even let the kids climb inside of the planes, take pictures and play around. We had a wonderful time and look forward to doing it again in the future.

Cool Daddy, look here...

My future pilot...

He loved being in the airplane and kept saying more after we took him out...

Taking it all in...

Ok Daddy I'll close the door and then we'll take off...

What do you mean I have to get a license first?

Ryan's First Hair Cut!!!

After a couple of weeks of debate, Jeff and I finally decided to take Ryan in for his very first hair cut. Ryan didn't have a TON of hair (especially on the front) but the back was getting really long, unruly and scraggly. We decided to take him to a local barber shop where Jeff gets his hair cut. The barbers were so excited to see a little boy come running into the shop. To say Ryan hated the cape they tried to get him to wear would be an understatement. After about 20 seconds he started crying so I decided to take his cape off and hold him instead. Ryan was given his first ever lollipop, which he devoured, and quickly forgot about being upset.

I didn't really get a good shot of the back of his hair afterwards, but it looks great!! He looks cleaned up and his hair doesn't get as out of control any more.

They cannot be serious, I will not wear this...

Ok that lollipop is yummy...I think I can handle this..

Mommy looks nervous in this shot...

Not sure how I feel about that place..

Texas Trip

Here are some of the picture from our last trip to Texas. As I have stated before all three of us were feeling a bit under the weather. I didn't take near as many pictures as I normally try to take, but I still managed to get a few good shots.

Jeff loves this shot I took at Kid Kountry in Coppell..

At the wonderful AnaMia's with two of my favorite little girls, Sydnee and Shelbie

Sitting in the rockers at Cracker Barrel...

Ryan and Papa

Family time at Great Aunt Doe's (Doe, Penni, David, Charlotte, Jeff, Ryan, Paul)

I used to make the same face when I was a baby..

Ryan enjoying his first ever Shaved Ice...mmmm soo yummy. For the record - I have been craving one of these ever since our trip and haven't been able to find a place that sells them!

He preferred to drink it with a straw...

My favorite picture...

Back in the Saddle

We are back from our trip! We had a good time despite all three of us being under the weather. I did a fairly horrible job of taking pictures as I was not really feeling all that great and due to the fact that my boys weren't feeling well either, we didn't do a whole lot of anything. This week I will get some pictures from our trip uploaded, a new belly picture and pregnancy update posted. Just give me a couple of days. :)

Ryan and I are getting back into our usual routine. I am also trying to get things prepared for the arrival of our little October baby! :) Can't wait.

N is for National Aquarium

On Sunday we decided to go on a spur of the moment trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. We had a bit of time to kill since we were not able to get into the aquarium right when we got out there. We walked around the Inner Harbor for a couple of hours and had a wonderful lunch.

They do not allow strollers inside of the aquarium and it was unusually hot inside. Ryan did pretty well for the first 30ish minutes while riding in the Ergo carrier with Jeff. After that he got really hot and since it was his nap time by then he was really tired too. He was such a trooper though and did great. He loved the looking at all the different kinds of fish. He enjoyed pointing out different turtles to us. We walked by the sting ray area just as the scuba divers were feeding them. We tried to leave that area and Ryan kept saying and signing more so we let him watch a bit longer. We finished up the day with the dolphin show. Ryan didn't want to sit in his seat so Jeff stayed with him up at the top of the auditorium. Ryan clapped for the dolphins every time the audience clapped. It was very cute.

The moment we retrieved our stroller and got Ryan buckled inside, he was asleep. An entire morning and early afternoon of running around Baltimore and the aquarium really tired him out.

Would have been the perfect pic if Jeff was looking up...

Big boy Ryan walking down the steps..

So cute...

Chasing birds...

Checking out the sharks & sting rays...

Hello scuba diver...

He thought the sharks were funny when they would swim past...

Dolphin show..

So tired...

17 Months!

Ryan is now 17 months old!!! I guess I could basically just start telling people that he is a year and a half when they ask. I cannot believe that he has been in our lives for 17 months already, but at the same time it is hard to remember life without him in it.

Ryan is turning into such a big boy. He is running all over the place. He is doing a much better job of actually staying with us now though. He has started going down the stairs walking -- don't worry, we are right there with him every step of the way. He repeats pretty much everything we say to him. I am sure that Jeff and I probably understand more of what he is saying than other people do though. He now eats off of a plate with a fork and typically doesn't make TOO big of a mess. Ryan love love loves Mickey Mouse (aka-Ma Ma). He will walk to the tv and say ma-ma over and over because he wants to see the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Up until the past couple of weeks he would not sit still for more than 2 minutes to watch tv.

Ryan has started calling Jeff Daddy and me Mommy most of the time. He loves to give hugs and kisses. He is still very friendly and outgoing. I don't know if Ryan will ever meet a stranger. Ryan loves to go bye-bye and will find our shoes for us, bring them to us, try to put them on our feet and say bye bye.

Ryan is testing his independence and letting us know when he is not happy about something. He has entered a new phase complete with temper tantrums when things don't quite go his way. We are working on learning how to share, but we have a very long way to go on that one.

He is the greatest joy and blessing. In two months time, he will be the most wonderful big brother! We are trying to teach him to say brother but every time it comes out "bubba" so I guess for now B2 is "Bubba".

Oh and tonight at dinner a woman who had two small boys herself approached us and asked, "is this a little girl dressed in blue?" I looked at her like she was crazy and said politely no. I guess that is our clue that we FINALLY need to get Ryan's BLONDE hair cut!!!

Yes, I'm cute...

look at those eye lashes...

So big..

Ok..enough pictures already...

Taking his car out for a spin...