Rylan's First Year

July 21, 2009

2009-07-21T09:19:00.011-05:00

We just got back from Abilene last night, and we all had such a good time! Rylan and his Grandma and PawPaw had a lot of fun together, while Jared and I had a great time in San Antonio!

Quick Update... While I'm writing this, Rylan is crawling in circles in the living room around the coffee table chasing his big blue ball. Haha. He's been doing this for about 20min, and hasn't gotten tired yet!

So Grandma and PawPaw had fun with Rylan, and I highly doubt he even knew that we were gone! He slept well for them, played hard, and ate twice as much as I told them to expect! I was so happy for them to have some good Rylan time. They played alot of 'hang' and had some great dinner conversations. He loved their HUGE exercise ball that Rylan learned how to push against the couch so that it rolled back. Its amazing how much it seems to me that he learned while we were away, because as soon as we came in the door, he started talking up a storm, and saying "MaMa!" We really enjoyed having time away from the little man, but Jared and I were both extremely happy to see him when we got back. Yesterday, we got to spend a little more time than expected with Jared's parents, and everyone thought it would be a great idea to take me out Shotwell Stadium and teach me how to drive stick! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! Poor Jared would grit his teeth everytime I made it die, and Mitchell set himself up to video tape the whole experience, and add his colorful commentary.... classic.

July 4, 2009

2009-07-05T00:17:00.004-05:00

Today was the Fourth of July! We celebrated at Katy and Tim's house! We had burgers, swam in the pool, and then played a new card game. Rylan was a very good camper.
HOWEVER, let me tell you...

LAST NIGHT, that little monster went to bed a 8pm (good!) while we went to bed around 12am. Rylan woke up at 1am for 30mins, again at 3am for about 30mins, and again at 4am until he finally went back to sleep at 530am.... awesome. It was a HORRIBLE night, and it was much worse than when he was itty bitty, and I was used to waking up every 2.5hrs and just feeding him for 15min before putting him back to bed, no problem. But I'll tell you what, last night was a BIG time test. We passed.... we all lived through it, and still love each other. But boy was it hard.

Anyway, Jared got off early today so we went and spent the evening with Katy, Tim, Joshua and Logan. Rylan LOVED playing in their pool, and laughed and laughed when his daddy would throw him in the air, and then land in his arms with a big SPLASH! We got a kick watching him watch people jump all the way into the pool, disappear, and then pop back up. He is getting to the stage where he knows that something still exists even though it is out of his sight, so it was funny to see him puzzled.
Logan is really good at holding Rylan, for the record :-P haha. And Joshua liked talking to him and showing him how to splash.

But before all this fun happened, Rylan has a few new tricks.....
He likes to crawl around the living room saying Ah Oh which sounds like UH OH! It's pretty cute. He watches these DVDs for baby first sounds, and they go over Ah and Oh, and every time he watches, he practices! What a smart boy!
He is crawling like crazy, going into the bathroom and pulling things out of the trash... ew.
And he likes to take things apart! Like our stack of DVDs on a shelf in the living room, and the books on his book case. He also thinks that his toys are more fun when they are neatly lined up in the living room after I pick everything up, so that he can go and tear it apart!
But I think the most rewarding thing about being a mom at this stage is when Rylan gets tired of crawling around and playing, and crawls up to my feet, and then tries to climb up my legs while saying "Uh Uh" :-) It's sweet that sometimes he just wants me to hold him and play with him to make his games more fun. He is so good at sitting in my lap to read a story. He is such a precious boy, and I am so very in love with him!
Now if he'll only stay asleep in bed!!

Sunday, June 28 2009

2009-06-28T17:06:00.003-05:00

RYLAN UPDATE!

He loves his book shelf. Everytime I turn around, he has crawled into his room and has pulled 4 or 5 books off the shelf, and is chewing on them, or hitting them, trying to get my attention to read to him! Well, the Smith family recently gave him a baby Einstein book that has musical buttons! Today I pushed the buttons for him, and he got on his hand and knees and started to dance to the music! As soon as it was over, he stopped dpancing (moving back and forth I mean) and looked up at me to push another button. When I did, he started dancing again! What a smart boy.
But today and yesterday he has had his first fever.... I hope it blows over, but I have given him some Tylenol, and he has had a few cat naps. Poor guy... he just seems a little drowsy.

Friday, June 26 2009

2009-06-28T17:02:00.002-05:00

UPDATE!
This week Rylan has been crawling like crazy! He is catching on quick! He can get to where he wants to be pretty fast... He keeps me on my toes!
This past friday, I was in the living room doing some laundry (baby laundry never ends), and I saw him crawl into his room, and I didn't think much of it. I can see him for the most part, and was able to get up at any second. Next thing I know, I here a little whimper. So I walk in to check on him, and he had crawled into his bathroom, under his changing table where I have placed his baby bathtub that he's too big for now. He found the tub, and had managed to crawl inside! He was whimpering so I could come in a put some water in for him! Haha. It was pretty cute. He doesn't seem to remember that he wasn't a huge fan of that baby bathtub a while back.... he enjoys the big bathtub now though!

Sunday, April 26 2009

2009-04-27T11:42:00.008-05:00

On Sunday, my Dad, my Mom, KC, mr Rylan and I went to Milano for the day to visit my Oma and Uncle Matt. It was a 3.5 hr drive both ways, but it was completely worth it! Rylan did SO WELL in the car, of course with the help of his Nana singing songs until he fell asleep, but we didn't have to pull over for him once! Jared couldn't come because he had to work, but while we were gone, he surprised me by cleaning the apartment! I love that man!

Milano is a special place for me and my family, because it was my greatgrandmother's home, and it is filled with childhood memories of my Oma, my Dad, and of me and my sister! We used to put on plays and shows on the front porch, and hide Oma's fancy painted egg collection around the house, and to this day we can't find a few of them! It was great to bring Rylan to one of my favorite places to go as a kid.

Here is Oma with her favorite baby boy! She says that when she gets to Heaven, she wants to have the job of rockin' babies! She is pretty dang good at it! Rylan slept for a couple hours in the car, and yet she STILL managed to put him to sleep on that comfy shoulder!

We all got a kick out of this scene! Rylan and KC both chewin on their chew toys, about the same size, and both fans of the bellies!

Rylan didn't seem to mind Uncle Matthew until he realized that he wasn't his Grandpa! He was happy as a clam and then he turned his head to look at who was holding him, and POOF! Freakout!

Money's Worth

2009-04-25T22:07:00.004-05:00

Today we spent the day over at Nana and Grandpa's house to keep Grandpa company while Nana and Aunt Panda were in Abilene! We played with KC who scratched Rylan's face on accident :-(. But Ryman got over it pretty quick and to return the favor, pulled her hair!

When we got home, I tried a few times to get dinner right.... and then Rylan figured out the JUMPING feature of his Baby Einstein excersaucer! He would bounce bounce bounce.

We made a video, and I quote....

Momma: "This is what I call getting your money's worth!"

Rylan: *Bounce bounce bounce*

Momma: "Of the toy, I mean, not the baby... well I guess the baby too!"

Haha

Native Texan (new issue)

2009-04-24T21:19:00.005-05:00

Today was filled with your average baby essentials... spit up, giggles, baths, and jumping. My mom always said that she didn't truly understand the term "bouncing baby boy" until she met Mr Ry-man. He loves to jump. His new favorite toy is a monkey that I gave to Jared for Christmas last year. He sings "wiggle it, just a little bit, I wanna see you wiggle it, just a little bit, HIT THE GROOVE!" That monkey and the Ry-man really understand each other, and they bounced all day on the couch.

Also, he has a new found sense of humor! It just CRACKS me UP! His little gummy mouth with one bottom tooth WIDE open with a "GUH guh GUH!" just hits the spot.

P.S. Thanks for the Onesie, Renee! It's too cute!

Bath Time is Fun Time! I love the smell of a clean baby.

Just watchin' some AFV!

Wanna see you wiggle it, just a little bit, HIT THE GROOVE!

Month 4 Pedi Appt

2009-04-23T13:08:00.010-05:00

Today was Rylan's 4month check up at Doctor Cook's office!

He is 16lbs 11oz, 26.5in, and Dr. Cook says that he is ahead on his motor skills! He can walk, talk, drive, chew, and spit.... Just Kidding.

However he CAN roll over front to back AND back to front, he can hold him self steady when standing holding on to our fingers, he can hold his head upright when sitting and on his tummy, he can follow a small object with his eyes (like Dr. Cook's keys), and he can almost crawl because he will get up on his hands and knees and LAUNCH!

He is such a smartie, and we are so proud of him! Also, Dr Cook said that he gets all the nutrition that he NEEDS from milk alone, and I don't really need to start solids until he is 6months. Good news! I hear that solids are... messy. So we will stick to just nursing for a little bit longer. He is growing well without solids so far, so I'll proceed with the messiness when I feel that it's necessary.

Here are some pictures that we took at the Doctors office today!

We were in the Monkey room today! How appropriate!

This is what he said when we told him that he was getting shots today!

Month 1 Pedi Apt

2009-01-15T22:53:00.003-06:00

Today we went to our Pediatrician, Dr Yuri Cook, who gave Rylan a shot! He wasn't a fan. But He is doing well on weight gain! He is now 10lb 13oz! And 5weeks ago he was 7lb 4oz!
After the Doc Apt, we went to Allen High where Grandpa should Rylan around the whole school. :-) Tomorrow a bath is in store.

5 Weeks Old!

2009-01-14T22:53:00.004-06:00

Rylan is 5 Weeks today! LOOK HOW MUCH HE HAS GROWN! :-)

I Love this picture. :-)

He loves to take naps during the day on the sofa, and he looks so small!

Got More Milk?

2009-01-12T21:52:00.002-06:00

Today we just had a hang out day. Everyone keeps commenting on how big he is getting! When we are all in a good mood, Rylan likes to sit in my lap and play Mario Kart Wii with me! He is my good luck charm :-)
And the eating hasn't changed. For the past week he eats like a pig... every two hours at least. But he is a grow'n boy! I'm just so thankful that he is healthy, and for the most part happy. And I can't wait till he starts smiling for pictures! Right here he looks like a drama model baby. pose. pose. pose.

Rylan's First Church Service!

2009-01-11T22:32:00.005-06:00

Today consisted of a nice morning at Church with our friends Mandy and Jack! They were so much fun, even if Mandy made Rylan cry. HaHa.
Rylan did good in Church, sleeping through the begining, waking up during the sermon (which was about lose... and he used Dallas Cowboy footage as an example!) spitting up on Jared and the chair, getting poked in the face with a pen by me... oops, and then dancing and singing with me during the songs at the end. It was a great service, great company, and a good baby day!
We then went to lunch, where we took this picture, followed by a nap with Jared on the couch, and lots of sleeping through out the rest of the day... which makes me think I have a long night ahead of me...

I forgot to update pictures yesterday! I didnt take one of Rylan (i think you will all live) but I did take one of Jared getting an insisted upon haircut by my dad! Haha. It looks good though!

Stroller Strife

2009-01-09T17:25:00.003-06:00

And yet another nap with Auntie Em :-) This was after an exciting almost trip to the mall! We got all packed up and in the car, when Mommy (me) couldn't figure out how to fold the stroller down to put in the car! Cool. We were pooped after that.

During Daddy's Break

2009-01-08T23:25:00.002-06:00

Rylan was amazed by the fan today!

And is getting some good tummy practice in so someday soon he can crawl!

And while I am typing this with one finger, Rylan is being held by my other hand and is watching the screen and my fingers type! cute

A Nap with Renee

2009-01-07T22:24:00.001-06:00

Rylan had a sleepy day, with lots of gasss. But Aunt Renee was nice to come over and hold him while Mommy took a nap!

The Best Part of Anthony Gibson's Day...

2009-01-06T20:53:00.004-06:00

I just took this picture, right before Rylan woke up from a two hour nap. And as Nana took him away, Rylan's Grandpa said "That was the best part of my day."

Wanna Bear Hug from Rylan?

2009-01-05T19:19:00.009-06:00

It was pretty cold downstairs today, so we suited up the boy in the bear onesie! He was so much fun to cuddle with!

Sometimes when he fusses, he just wants to sit up in his boppy! Gotta love the dragon onesie.

Rylan loved chilling by the fire today. He loves to sit up by himself. He is going to be 4 weeks on Wednesday.

Rylan and Grandpa in a screaming match!

And a little heart to heart... :-)

Time with Blane and Grandpa

2009-01-04T13:01:00.001-06:00

I was on Facebook today and noticed that my friend Mandy had a really cool website link on her site. It was a blog of 365days of pictures of her and her family. My response was that I needed to log daily pictures of Rylan, and how fast he grows! He is already so photogenic, and I want to store away all these memories, and the first year that evidently goes by too fast. Once he is grown up, I'm sure he will be embarrassed about this, but as a proud mother, I feel like this is my duty to do so. :-) Even though I might be the only one that reads this, it will be worth it.
My mom also helped with this plan, because just yesterday she gave me a devotional for mothers that she kept while Miranda and I were little. She journaled in the book, and it was so cool to read the little moments of our childhood. So thank you Mandy, and thank you mom.

Here is a picture of Rylan with 'Great' Uncle Blane and Grandpa! He was quite fascinated by the men that in the future, will teach him how to hunt and get into trouble! Blane was a lot of fun to have around, and we are so glad he got to meet Rylan!