8 Months

Dearest Ryan,

Today you turned 8 months old! You continue to be such a happy little guy and Daddy and I love you so much! You're growing up before our eyes and mastering all the "tricks" you learned to do last month. You crawl faster, you stand more easily, you feed yourself like you've been doing it your whole life, and you babble constantly! You now say Mama & Dada and it is clear you know what you're saying. It melts my heart every time you say "Mama Mama!!" You interact and play with toys more and more. You try to put the right shapes in the correct holes on your shape sorter, you take your animals in and out of the Ark, and you snuggle stuffed animals. It is so much fun to play with you!

This past month was a month filled with new and exciting experiences/changes. Perhaps the biggest change is that I started watching your two cousins Julia and Caitlin 4 days a week and working one day a week at "Dr. Bob's Place." You are adjusting very well, but it is very hard work! Nana is helping me A LOT and I am very nervous about the days when she doesn't help (which will be soon, since Nana has to have a surgery). Most of the day it will be OK, but feeding time and nap time will be a challenge. But, I know we'll figure it out and you and Julia will be OK. You may cry more than you do now (as you'll be learning to wait your turn) but that will be a good life lesson.

You also did a lot of other new things this month. You went to the beach for the first time, and you had a blast! (See previous post I wrote about our trip to the beach).

We also went to the State Fair with Grandma, Grandpa, Great-Grandma, & Great-Grandpa. You went on a Merry-Go-Round (you didn't seem to love it, but you didn't hate it either), you won a GIANT puppy dog just for being cute, and you got to pet a baby goat which made you giggle. It seems you love animals!

Because you seemed to like the animals so much we decided to take you to Clark's Elioak Farm where you got to pet goats, a donkey, a horse, chickens, bunnies, and pigs. Pop-pop went with us and we all had a blast! It is so much fun watching you explore the world! You are so curious! You love to experience new things which makes doing new things with you so much fun! Daddy and I cannot wait to take you on even more outings as you get older!

In accordance with all previous updates, I have to at least mention your sleeping. But that is all I am going to do. Let's just say that your sleep habits leave much to be desired lately....but we're blaming this on teething (your top two teeth are coming in) and this has made you somewhat miserable at times. We love you to pieces, but we don't enjoy seeing you at midnight, 2:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m., AND 6:00 a.m. when you wake for the day. Let's get back to the one time a night wake up schedule, OK? Or, even better yet, how about you actually sleep through the night!?!?! There's a novel idea!

But truly, Ryan, aside from you're sleeping, you are a joy! Daddy and I love you to pieces and we are so glad that you're a part of our lives. We were meant to be your Mommy & Daddy, and you were meant to be our son. I'll love you always and forever, no matter what!


Love always,


~Mommy

The AC Guy and the Dirty Diaper

Ryan is currently going through a stage in which he REFUSES to stay still during a diaper change. I am not just talking about squirming or kicking his legs. I am talking about full out flipping over and trying to crawl away. Fortunately, he usually stays still for the first few seconds, allowing the diaper changer just enough time to get the dirty diaper off, and clean up any areas needing cleaning. He seems to have mercy on you for these most offensive moments, but from there on out, you're on your own. Getting the new diaper on, putting on Desitin, and then getting his onesie snapped or his pants back on is a full on wrestling match.

Today this wrestling match lead to a rather humorous scene.

A few days ago Matt and I noticed that our house was getting progressively warmer, despite the fact that the AC was running non-stop. So, we called in BGE Home to have someone look at it. A lovely gentleman came by today, and checked it out and fixed it (at least temporarily). We chatted while he was here, and I learned that he was a dad, with two boys, ages 17 and 19. Ryan woke from a nap midway through his visit and as soon as I picked up Ryan I had a good idea of what woke up Ryan. Let's just say it wasn't the smell of roses coming from his bottom!

While the gentleman was heading out to his truck to get some paperwork, I asked him if he would be a few minutes or if he would be right back in, because I needed to change Ryan's diaper, but didn't want to hold him up, if he would be right back. He said, "Oh, it will take me a few minutes. Go ahead and change it."

So, as soon as the AC Guy headed out to his car I began the task of changing this particularly foul smelling diaper. (With a greater intake of solids we have bid farewell to the non-stinky breast milk only diapers...oh, how I miss those days!)  I previously mentioned that Ryan typically has mercy on the diaper changer for the first few minutes. Well, NOT TODAY!

As soon as I started to unfasten the dirty diaper, Ryan started squirming. All my attempts to turn him back over, to distract him, to firmly but gently say "No! Ryan!" (which does sometimes work....he does know what "No" means) were all failures! Ryan soon had poop on his arms and legs and on my leg. I was desperately trying to keep Ryan on the changing mat (which is now placed on the floor for ALL diaper changes) so that the poop didn't spread to the carpet. I was again trying to turn him back over, but that only resulted in the offensive matter ending up on my hand. And yes, of course, the AC Guy was now walking back in the door. He looked at me, looked at Ryan, and said, "Oh my! Wow....Uhhh, I'll just finish up the paper work." And he politely pretended to be busy while I wrestled, wiped, and disinfected my son and myself. Ryan then happily crawled around in just his diaper with the biggest smile on his face, while I sheepishly signed some paper work and thanked the AC guy for his time.

I think that was a visit that neither the AC Guy nor I will be forgetting anytime soon!

My Dad

Today my Dad's place of employment held a celebration for him in honor of his upcoming retirement. As of next Wednesday, my Dad will be officially retired. And today, at this celebration for my very special Dad, I was more proud than I have ever been to be my Dad's daughter.

My Dad, Ryan's Pop-Pop is a pretty special man. (There's a reason why Ryan's middle name is James, after my Dad).  He is selfless and kind. He is humble and unassuming. He is giving and gentle. He is tremendously smart and wise, and has superb insight. My dad has had a truly impressive career. And I have always known that his co-workers, supervisors, and supervisees respected him for his wisdom, smarts, dedication, and insight.

But today, at this celebration, it was clear that the people he worked with for the past 11 years truly understand the man that is my dad. They respect him for the more subtle qualities that make him who he is. They love him for the way he is always so appreciative of the work that people do, from the person who cleans the floor, to the Human Resource manager who developed the orientation program. They appreciate the gentle way he can ask a challenging question. A question that makes everyone stop and think about what they do and how they do it, and makes them want to do it better. They appreciate him for the team-oriented approach he takes to everything. They will miss his friendly hellos and his love of chocolate. They will miss the way he seems to know everyone's name. They respect his inquiring mind and search for knowledge. While the know he is a tremendous teacher, they also appreciate the way he always wants to learn new things. They will never forget the impact he had on their hospital, and how in his wake, he is leaving it a better place.

Listening to many, many people get up and talk about my Dad made me think about how I can live my life better. It made me think about what I want people to say about me when I retire in 35 (oh, who I am kidding, it will be more like 45) years. It made me want to be like my dad. To leave an impact on the people I work with. To truly make them better people just by being who I am. It's a lofty goal. But I've had a great teacher and role model.

Dad, I can't wait to share in your retirement. I can't wait to watch you bond with Ryan in an even more special way. I can't wait to see the stress of meetings and presentations erased from your face. I can't wait to watch you enjoy this much deserved, and much anticipated retirement. No one deserves to enjoy these coming decades more than you!

I love you!

Moments Like This....

It was bedtime. Ryan had just had an unusually grumpy evening (I think the Gelato that I was told "is water based and contains no milk" did indeed contain milk, and thus upset the GI system of my milk-intolerant 7 month old) and after a typical bedtime routine (bath, Goodnight Moon, Nursing...) I figured he would go right to sleep. But Ryan had a better idea.

After nursing for a few minutes Ryan decided it was time to laugh and giggle. It's rare these days that Ryan doesn't go to sleep pretty quickly after his well-established routine. And on the rare occasion that he doesn't, it is not filled with tears, but usually laughter. And instead of wishing he would "Just go to bed!" I soak up these moments.

He laughs, I laugh at him, and he giggles the most joyful little laugh that starts way down deep in his belly and escapes his lips in a flurry of unbridled joy! He brushes his fingers gently at my damp hair (from the shower I took after our evening jog, while Daddy gave him his bath) and rubs his face against mine. He is so snuggly and loving in these moments. I love these moments. It is moments like this that make the middle of the night wakings (yes, we still have our fair share of those) and the early morning risings (will there ever be a day again when I can sleep later than 6:30??) and the spit up on my freshly washed shirt, totally and completely worth it.