Winter Park

We headed up to Winter Park over Memorial Day weekend to spend the night with the Haces and enjoy the some cool mountain air. Given Ryan's recent fascination with slides, it was only natural that we would head to the city playground and give it a whirl.

It turned out to be the perfect slide - the steps were low enough that Ryan could climb up on his own; the slide was not too steep and the lead out at the bottom was shallow enough to stop him before he hit the amply padded ground surface. He must have made 50 laps up up the steps and down the stairs (with Daddy spotting him).

Will was not convinced that sliding was worth giving up his snack cup...

But I think Ryan's perma-grin and giggles and shrieks finally convinced him to give it a go (though he held onto the snack cup!).

Cousins

My cousin Amanda was passing through town and we decided to get together for a photo shoot with her son Liam (14 months), Ryan (18 months) and my cousin Aaron's son Sam (26 months). Surely three toddlers would sit perfectly still and smile all at the same time...

Tiffany and Sam, Amanda and Liam, Ryan and Mama

Ryan on the trampoline with Aunt Jane in the background

Ryan with my cousin Tyler and Liam

Tiffany with her daughter Hallie and Liam

It was a long drive from Lakewood to Centennial

Friends

We hung out with Eli for a few hours tonight while his parents went out to dinner. He's not moving much yet, but he was fascinated by Ryan's non-stop activity.

Ryan was not thrilled to share his parents' attention with another child, so he quickly figured out how to get Mama and Dada to notice him:

Fearless!

Boys Will Be Boys

We had a playdate at Jena's house this morning with David, MacKenzie, Rowyn, and even little Valyn. I only got photos of Ryan and David, though, because they were being SUCH boys - climbing on and in boxes, rolling over each other, knocking each other down. The girls played so quietly and politely, smart to stay out of the way of the toddler tornado.

Well Hello There

We met Jack William this afternoon, and he is gorgeous, just like his big brother! I'm officially 20 weeks 6 days pregnant, but he's measuring at 21 weeks 4 days, so he'll probably be another big'un. Ultrasounds are the coolest technology, EVER. Yes, they were measuring and examining organs and fingers and blood flow, but we were just excited to see him (and to learn that he is a he!).

He's sitting cross-legged here, which is why his legs look a little strange.

If he was a frog, the French would be salivating.

Spine and heart

Profile shots

Fat little feet, just like the rest of Mama's family

And there's what we came to see!

17 Months

Dear Ryan,

I know I say this EVERY time, but honestly, where did the time go? How is it that you are already SO BIG? I was sorting through your baby clothes last weekend, and I find it hard to believe you ever fit into those tiny sleepers and onesies.

Your language skills have just exploded in the last couple of weeks. On Sunday morning, I wrote down everything you said:

eat
yo-yo (yogurt)
kitty
die-die (diaper)
no
nana (banana)
wa-wa (water and watermelon)
down (this is by far your favorite word)
ball
spoon
snack
bye-bye (said to your crayons when you covered them with the paper)

You also learned the word "steam" when you had a head cold and we ran the ultrasonic humidifier every night (you say “teem!”). Sometimes I have to pay close attention to differentiate between words you use – “May-May” is Maisie, Grandma and Grandpa Fleming’s cairn terrier, but “may-me” is music, which you say while swaying back and forth and bopping around. You say "Hi!" and "Bye-by" almost without being prompted, and when I hand you something and say "Say 'thank-you'", you usually say something like "Ta-doo".

I didn’t realize Daddy had taught you a new word until you brought me your big stuffed turtle, proudly proclaiming “Nu-nu!”. Honu is the Hawaiian word for green sea turtle.

You're showing signs of being ready to start potty-training, though I'm not sure I am (but I will be glad to be done with diapers... for a brief moment, of course!). When I ask you if you have a poop or need a clean diaper, you run into the nursery and grab a diaper. You love sitting on (and in) your potty seat (fully dressed), and you're staying drier longer.

Now that the weather is getting warm, you love playing out in the yard and the garden, "helping" me and Daddy get ready to plant our vegetable patch. Bubbles are a favorite (pronounced "buh-buh"), as is pea gravel. You love the slides at the playground (you say “wheeee” every time), but aren't a big fan of the swings. The one we have at home is okay for a few minutes, and only if Daddy is pushing you.

You have no concept of the impending arrival of the new baby, though you will oblige when I point to my belly and say "Ryan, what's in there?" "Baby!" you say with a grin, and then poke your finger into my belly button, saying "bay-ee buh".

You love books, and will page through them carefully, jabbering away the whole time. Reading together is a big part of nap- and bedtime routines - your favorites are Dr. Suess' There's A Wocket in My Pocket and Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? as well as Goodnight Hawaiian Moon and all of Sandra Boynton's cute little board books.

I could go on an on about how fearless you are, how friendly and charming, and how you are on the move from the moment your eyes pop open until it’s time for “nigh-nigh” again, but I think I’ll close here.

I love you and love you

And love you and love you.

Mama