My Buddy

Ry has been very into Charlie lately. He has been grabbing at his mouth and paws and giggling like crazy. Charlie doesn't mind, he always takes it in stride, unless there is a ball involved. Yesterday Ry was playing on the kitchen floor with a rubber ball and Charlie took it as a cue to play. He would grab the ball out of Ry's hands which Ry actually thought was quite funny. The only problem is that Charlie really does think it is a game and gets a little rough. He wouldn't ever intentionally hurt Ry, but when he is playing he does not understand limits! The final straw was when Ry was sitting on the kitchen floor with the ball and Charlie knocked him over to get it. It really didn't seem to phase Ry, but until he gets a little bigger, this is not okay! Ry doesn't seem to mind being separated as long as he can look at Charlie through the window.

Fave Pics

I came across a few photos from earlier in the summer that are too cute not to post:

Ryan could not have been any more pleased sitting inside this box. A look of pure joy!


Favorite pasttime: looking down the stairs, wondering what he should throw down next, and then
throwing it down!


Too busy crawling to notice or care about the loss of his pants

The Dickens

Ry is developing quite a little personality! It is usually cute...but sometimes not so much, hence his nickname "the dickens". He loves his bath when he can splash around and throw his bath toys. But post-bath is another story. He does not like to dry off and get dressed! The second I put him down he rolls over and starts grabbing at anything he can get his hands on, like this: I know that this is completely normal at this age; he is curious and does not want to sit still. But when I try to get him still enough to fasten his diaper and get him dressed, he fusses as though I am torturing him!

Something naughty that he really likes to do is throw his food on the floor. He is getting very selective about what he will eat (read: picky!). Right now his favorite foods are: yogurt, any fruit, cheese, pasta with marinara, mac and cheese, almost any cracker, and almost any baby food. There is not much else he will eat these days. We try new things almost daily and he will have none of it. I know that you can't force it. But when he won't even try something, then proceeds to throw it on the floor...it can be maddening. I get especially frustrated when I have spent time making something for him and it all ends up on the floor. I try to act cool with him since I feel like at this age, once he knows he will get a negative response it will only encourage him. So I try to approach it lightly while saying no and explaining how many children all over the world are starving (such a typical mom thing to say! But so true nonetheless...). He does still really like his baby food, which is many times what I resort to feeding him when he won't eat anything else...but I would like to get away from this since he is almost 1! Otherwise I resort to our staples of fruit, crackers or cheese slices which aren't the worst things in the world but he cannot live on them! I have heard from some people not to serve him anything special if he doesn't like what he is given...but I am sorry, I cannot let him go to bed without eating anything! Am I encouraging picky behavior??

Well anyway, it is hard to stay mad at him for any length of time, because then he looks at you like thisand all is forgotten!

Photo Shoot

We had Ry's photos taken on Sunday and I absolutely love them! We were supposed to meet the photographer (Sarah) at a beautiful park near our house, and it started raining moments before our appointment! Major bummer. We had timed Ry's naps just right so that he would be perky for his pics, and I had him in his cute outfit which was spit up free, so when Sarah asked if we wanted to reschedule, I said NO! Let's just go for it somewhere indoors. We went to my parents house since ours still has, shall we say, several unfinished areas due to our drywall damage, and it worked out fine. Sarah suggested taking photos on the screened-in porch which enabled us to have tons of natural light. We did get a few outside when the rain stopped, but that coincided with Ry getting a bit squirmy...well, a lot squirmy!
But all in all I am thrilled with the photos...they are exactly what I wanted. See what you think! Click on the link below and click on the collection of "Ryan" photos.
http://sjbphotos.zenfolio.com

HAIR

I am obsessed with Ryan's hair. I don't want him to ever lose these curls. I know someday he probably will, but I am going to hold off on any haircuts for quite a while. We are having photos taken next weekend and I want it to be a humid day so that his hair gets extra curly! It is the only time in my life that I have ever wished for humidity!

Ry and His Gals

Ry had a lot of quality of time with the ladies on our trip also! Here he is being doted on and loved by some of my gal pals....

with Amy,


Kathleen,


Laura,


Sheila,


and Sharon!

These ladies are all good friends of mine...Out of the 5, I met 4 at the good ol' C&B, and each of them has given me so much more than they know! The fact that they love my boy makes them that much more special to me!

More Colorado

Finally, miscellaneous pics of the trip. Ry really seemed to enjoy the travel and being in a new place. He just loves to look around and observe...people, places and things. We went for a walk one evening in the foothills near Red Rocks and there was a cool breeze blowing. Ry was in his stroller and as we walked he was smiling the entire time at the wonderful breeze caressing his hair. He was also reaching his hand out of the side of the stroller to touch the tall grasses on the side of the trail. It was incredibly sweet!




A nature lover already!

Play Time

We had many play dates during our trip. It was pure joy to see Ryan meeting some other little people who belong to people that we love. Some of the travel started getting to Ryan after a few days...it seemed like he spent way more time in his car seat or stroller than he would have liked. However, when we arrived at our destination and started playing, he was a new boy. He is always on the move and is all about discovering new things. Here are photos of Ry and some of his new buddies:

With Emma and Nick. I grew up with their Mom, Terese


With Raina Bleu. Her Mom, Cathy Jo is a friend and long time co-worker at the C&B


With "little Jack Caldwell". I could not stop calling him by his cute full name when we met him! Keith grew up with Jack's Dad, Brian, and our little boys are only 2 months apart. They are sure to be partners in crime someday.


With Emme and Ava. Keith and their Dad, Jon are long time golfing buddies


With Jamison. Keith and his Dad, Pat, went to college together. Cutie pies!!!

We loved visiting with everyone and had a great time showing off our boy. We felt so welcomed and embraced by everyone and I know Ryan felt it too.
More Colorado pics coming soon!

Family Time

Keith's parents, Bob and Berna, hosted a family party while we were in town to introduce Ryan to the Brown side of the family for the first time. Berna spent a lot of time preparing for it and it turned out to be such fun. Ryan got spoiled and was lavished with attention. He was such a good boy, especially considering that he missed his afternoon nap (which the nap nazi does not customarily let him do!!). Both of Berna's sisters were there with a couple of Keith's cousins and their kids. We had a great time catching up, since we hadn't seen most of them since our wedding 6 years ago!

The yummy cake...chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! Grandpa really wanted Ryan to have some, but Mommy was a wet blanket and said that he had to wait until his first birthday!


Cousin Lauren and Ryan. Lauren is 11 and was so helpful with watching, feeding and putting Ry to bed!


Cousin Mark and Ryan...instant buddies


Keith and Uncle Bob


The family...and much chaos!

So Much to Say

Okay! I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything. We had some house issues and were staying with my parents. Then we were on vacation in Colorado, and it was fantastic. Our first big "family" vacation! I loved all the time I got to spend with my little guy (well, both of my guys!), and it was much needed! I have a lot to say about our trip which I will work on this week, but until then, a few pics....


Family portrait! It was so nice to be in Colorado again, and this time...with our little Sunshine!


Grandma Berna with HER Sunshine!


Lap time with Grandpa Bob