Happy Birthday Daddy

We just could not help ourselves. Ryan was making the face, so Bill had to make his too. Can you believe how much they look alike? Happy birthday baby.


Some things that were said around the house today...
Can you believe you are a whole quarter of a century older than our daughter
You are closer to 50 then you are to 1
You now have to say I am almost 30, not just over 20.

Success

Okay, I have three big announcements.

1. Ryan is sleeping through the night! It is amazing. I told some of my other mommy friends, you just feel like a different person once you get those consistent full nights of sleep. She has been doing this since she was about three months old, but I did not want to jinx it. She goes down sometime between 9-10 and wakes up around 7:30-8:30. One of the best parts about her sleeping so well is she wakes up so happy. We let her kick around for about 10-15 minutes when she wakes up and then get her ready. When we poke our head over her bed all we can see are smiles smiles smiles.

2. The hint to our all night success is Ryan is now eating cereal before she goes to bed. My mom had her going on cereal pretty good when she was here at the beginning of June, but I have been seriously slacking. Bottles are just so much easier and quicker and easier!!!! Anyways, we are giving her a bottle and rice cereal before she heads to bed and it is working amazingly. So now Ryan is totally on formula and cereal. That's right...

3. I AM DONE BREASTFEEDING!!!!!!!! Let me say, I am so glad I breastfed Ryan. It made her the chunko she is today and kept her very healthy these first 4 months of her life. However, I could not be happier about my decision to stop. During my time of breastfeeding Ryan I've had mastitis SIX times! Yes, that's right SIX times. For those mothers out there who have never gotten it, you are so freaking lucky, and I am jealous!

When I got it yet again the other day I just thought to myself, I cannot live this way in the fall when I am teaching and coaching. So my dear friend Katie told me I just need to tough my mastitis out and go ahead and start the weaning process. So I did. and so thankful for it. I just feel like I got a little bit of myself back. Caffeine has once again become my best friend- I'm talking there are four 12 packs of diet coke in our fridge. I can fall asleep on the couch without worrying about not pumping. I had my first glass of wine since March 08'. I can fit into shirts I could not fit into previously. Oh, and best of all Ryan is still 100% healthy on her formula. I told Bill I plan on breastfeeding all of our children; but next child I am only going through three cases of mastitis, then I'm out!

Not, an announcement, but a precious development. Ryan is throwing her head back and laughing now. Bill got a putter head cover in the mail today and was opening it outside on the deck with me and Ryan. Ryan was watching him very intently, as she does these a days, and just started cracking up. I mean throwing her whole body back and cracking up. She was laughing, Bill was laughing, I was crying, that's about right!

Brown Bear Brown Bear

Our daily reading was caught on camera. Ryan is really mezmorized by books. If she is getting all upset and hussy and fussy, whip out a book and she is a doll. What better book to curl up with than, "Brown Bear Brown Bear." I love these moments with her.

Also, I have been getting Ryan on the floor more instead of just on the couch or our bed. I know the dogs LOVE us playing on the floor because they get to play too. Kramer is pretty oblivious to Ryan's play, he just tries to stieal her toys. Radly, on the other hand, is constantly watching her, and he always wants to lay right next to her- very protective. Bill is still really nervous about the whole Ryan/dog intereaction; but we'll get him to come around soon.

Baby Blues

I really hope this child keeps her daddy's eyes. I could just stare at her forever.

On another note, we are having more success with tummy time. I think she stsayed like this for about 10 minutes before all happiness gave out and pissed off set in. We have found her biggest problem with tummy time is not so much the neck strength, but she wants to pull her little bottom up so high that it looks physically impossible for her to raise her head as well. What can I say I guess the girl likes to show off the junk in her trunk!

Tagged

I have been meaning to do this, it just slipped my mind. I love these things!

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To...
1. Putting the X on breast feeding (I am DONE)!
2. Bill's 26th birthday! (that means a trip to Provinos)
3. Spending the 4th of July weekend with the Koseks
4. Traveling to MO to visit Ryan's great grandma (GG) and her great great grandma!
5. Wrapping up all things involved with Auburn Thunder Soccer tryouts
6. Going back to work in August (I'm going a little stir crazy)
7. Being able to carry Ryan on the hip!
8. SELLING OUR HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!

8 Things I Did Yesterday...
1. Got mastitis (6th time while breastfeeding)
2. Officially signed Ryan up to attend the Growing Room for daycare
3. Had a lunch meeting at Panera to revamp Auburn Thunder's website
4. Read a People magazine
5. Wacthed Ellen and The View ( I am hooked)
6. Bought Bill a set of golfclubs for father's day
7. Took the dogs to PETCO
8. Wacthed, "Confessions of a Shopoholic" (so cute)

8 Things I Wish I Could Do...
1. SELL OUR HOUSE
2. MOVE TO AUBURN!!
3. Open up my own doggy daycare facility, "Radly's Roost"
4. Live in the same city as my sister and her family
5. Get back in shape!
6. Lose my baby pooch
7. Sleep on a cloud (I know weird right, it is just something I have always wanted to do)
8. Go on a date with my hubby bubby

8 Shows I Watch...
1. LOST
2. Desperate Housewives
3. The Office
4. My Name is Earl
5. Better Off Ted
6. Friends ( I could watch it every day all day- I love this show)
7. Sex in the City
8. House Hunters

8 of My Favorite Foods...
1. Angel Hair Pasta with vodka sauce
2. Mashed Potatoes
3. Mac & Cheese
4. Lean Cuisine pepperoni pizza
5. Key Lime Pie
6. Weight Watchers cookie dough sundae
7. Corn on the Cob
8. Salad

8 Places I Have Traveled...
1. New York
2. Las Vegas
3. Germany
4. Cancun
5. Playa Del Carmen
6. Norway
7. Australia
8. Holland

8 Places I Would Like to Travel...
1. Italy
2. Spain
3. Hawaii
4. Costa Rica
5. Brazil
6. Scotland
7. South Africa
8. Washington DC

People I Tag...
1. Kim
2. Eason
3. Kristi
4. Jenny S.
5. Tracy
6. Katie
7. Dan C.
8. Sarah A.

A Father's Day Wish Come True

Bill, Ryan and I traveled to Birmingham this weekend for the Alabama Sports Festival soccer tournament. Bill's parents made the trip too and watched Ryan all weekend so Bill and I were both able to play on the team. . We actually ended up getting second place in the tournament, and made it home with two medals. I like to think of this is as my welcoming back from the world of pregnancy! We had such a great weekend and Bill was able to play soccer on father's day and then teach his little girl how to play as well. Enjoy these adorable pics.



Yes, yes, it is true; at the age of three and a half months our daughter has learned how to effectively kick a stuffed soccer ball. I mean this girl had her toe pointed and everything, we were so proud. I think those of you who really know Bill's obsession for soccer can only imagine how proud he was. He said it was a father's day wish come true.

In all seriousness, watching Bill with our little girl has truly been amazing. He is so gentle, caring, nuturing, and loving towards her. Sometimes when he is playing with her at night, I will catch him just starring at her and he will begin to tear up. I ask him what he is thinking about and he just replies, "I love this little girl!" Bill is a very passionate person in every aspect of his life. If he is going to engage in something, he puts his whole heart into it- God, work, school, marriage, construction, painting, and fatherhood. Bill has responded to fatherhood better than I could have ever imagined. Before Ryan came into our lives he had never changed a diaper or fed a child, and now this guy is a pro.

I really cannot say enough good things about Bill. He has always been there to take care of my every need as a father and husband. He is the ying to my yang, the peanut butter to my jelly. When I met Bill I was not at a happy place in my life. Being a student athlete had turned me into someone I was not proud of, or totally happy with. Then God put an amazing man in my life, who I fell in love with very quickly and everything was uphill from there. I love every minute of our amazing relationship. He continues to amaze me with his delicate balance in all of his responsibilties. At this point I just want to quote Salt & Peppa, "What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man- A mighty mighty good man." I love you baby! Happy Father's Day!!!!

Baby in the Mirror

Melts my heart!

My Hero!!

Well today it happened, the moment I have been dreading since Ryan was born. I convinved myself it would not happen because I am an attentive, cautious mother; however, I simply could not prevent it. Yes, yes it is true- today Ryan rolled right off the couch! My mom has been warning me for weeks, "You be careful Ryan is about to roll right off that couch." Of course my response is, "Yeah yeah mom, I got it."

I was sitting on the couch perparing my delicious salad from Panera while precious Ryan was kicking and babbling beside me. As I poured the second batch of dressing on, I heard a small squawk. I glanced over my right hand and saw two feet straight in the air. Now this could have been a really horrible situation; but little did Ryan know her hero was born at that moment. Ryan did not fall on the ground, she fell on a peacefully sleeping Kramer. Ryan was head first on the middle of Kramer's stomach with her mom holding onto her back legs- all while balancing my cobb salad on my lap. It was a slow process but after holding Ryan's legs, then stomach, then flipping her around backwards, I finally got her back on the couch. Once I laid her down she just stared up at me and started smiling. At least I know she is a tough little muffin.

Even though Kramar has his faults, he came through HUGE for his little master today. Good job buddy!

More beach & FIRST SWIM!!!

This week at the beach my little girl had her first swimming experience. SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Oh, we have also decided we need to get a pool because she swam for 20 minutes and slept for 4 hours after she got out! Amazing! Ryan had such a great beach trip. She hung out with Grammy all day while mommy and daddy baked in the sun and then chilled with everyone at night. She loved the ocean and was mezmorized by the waves. She also had a great time meeting baby Jack, he is so freaking small I could not believe it. Here are some pics.

The first time I saw Kate. I am head over heels for this child!


With the babies!

Ryan hanging out with Grammy



About to dive on in at the indoor pool


Loving it!!


Daddy having the time of his life as well!


I was a little nervous, but still loving it!

Beach Trip

We had our classic white/khaki picture on the beach last night. On our camera alone we took 450 pictures. I will just post a few.







Oh and here is an adorable non beach picture...these two beach bums were just worn out.


Oh and the picture of the week. Here were the instructions, "Kate just let baby Ryan and baby Jack lean up against you." Here was the result!

Laughing & 3 month pics

Tonight Bill and I heard the most precious noise in the whole world- Ryan's laughter. She has been laughing for the past couple of weeks, but it has just been these teeny giggles. Well tonight she was laughing so hard she was gasping for air. It was the most adorable noise I have ever heard. Of course I started crying! Anyways, by the time we figured out how to work the camera on Bill's phone her laughter had subsided to the small giggles again, but it is always fun to hear the parents make fools of themselves. Once I figure out how to post this video, I will.

Also, I have been meaning to post pictures of Ryan for her 3 month birthday, but it just kept slipping my mind. Here are some pictures of the little chunko.

Updates

I feel like such a slacker since I have not blogged in so long. But, I have an excuse, last week was extremely busy. I had my first soccer camp of the summer and my mom and Aunt Barbar came in to town to watch Ryan so I could work every morning. Not only did these two worker bees watch my child, they also did touch up paint throughout our house, cooked every meal for Bill and I, went grocery shopping numerous times for us, painted our kitchen cabinets, fed Ryan her first cereal, and much much more. We were very sad to see them go, not only because they were such a help, but because it was so great to see them with Ryan. The picture below is the only documentation I have on my camera from the week (and I look absolutely disgusting), but it really is a cute family pic.


Since we are going to the beach Wednesday, Bill has a lot to do this Monday and Tuesday for work and school. So he spent his entire Saturday reading, only to take a break and mow the lawn. Since he was a bookwork all day I felt the need to let Ryan rescue him for a couple of minutes. These are precious.



Notice her little hands reaching out to daddy. She is so "handy" these a days. She grabs onto everything, including my hair, and has quite a grip. She will hold her toys for extended periods of time, now whether she realizes it or not that is another story. She is smiling like crazy and starts kicking like a mad woman when Bill or I talk to her if we've been away from her for a little bit. What a precious doll baby!

I guess they say...

Some kids can fall asleep anywhere.



Lately, when Bill holds Ryan he holds her away from his body- to work on her neck strength. Well, no lie he was swooshing her back and forth in front of him and these pictures are the result of that action. She is so freaking precious.