sick... he'll have fun anyway

It's official everyone in this house is sick. We missed a Christmas party last night and it looks like we'll miss my office party tonight. Being sick doesn't seem to slow Ryne down much. He was going full blast, all the way up until bedtime. He enjoyed a juice box, made some phone calls, modeled his new winter cap & Christmas shirt - he & April made, and played football with Alan. Being almost 9 months pregnant, exhausted, and sick I laid on the sofa while the boys ran around. Alan asked me (I am half asleep at this point) to keep an eye on Ryne while he got Ryne's bath ready. Sure, but do you really have to ask me to keep an eye on my own child? Looks like you do...... I started dozing again when all of a sudden I felt a cold wet little hand on my face. I open my eyes and see ryne wiping his mouth and tongue with his hand. "Oh no, where did he get that water he is enjoying so much?" You guessed it, the bathroom! Usually the door is closed or the toilet lid is down. Not the case last night. This has NOT been my week.

How cute is this little Christmas onesie? The head & bells are Ryne's footprint and the antlers are his handprints. Thanks, Ms. April!

could of happened to anyone... right?

I took Ryne to see the doctor today. He has been coughing, running a fever, and his nose is leaking like a faucet (total yuck). Turns out he has a virus, poor guy. The appointment was quite uneventful. Checked his weight (27lbs), checked his temp., his ears looked good... the usual. As we got ready to go I asked him to hold my keys. They always make a good distraction when I am doing things, such as paying for the visit. He really enjoys playing with the mini skinny that is attached. We headed to the car and I proceeded to load him up. He was enjoying himself so much I decided to let him continue playing with the keys and just use my spare set to drive home (note: the spare is in the middle compartment). For a moment life is peaceful.... grand even. I said for a moment! The minute I shut the door I hear it lock!!!!!! PANIC! If this were a Jeff Foxworthy video this would have been the point where he handed me "my sign".

It's funny how fast thoughts can race through your mind. Like 'can I get him to press the unlock button', 'should I call a locksmith', or 'would I look stupid if I started crying right now'. I quickly raced inside to find a phone. I feel my face turning red hot. A lady who had seen me leave with my 17 month old son gave me a strange look when I entered the office without him in my arms. How embarrassing is this?! I asked the receptionist if I could use the phone. Of course, there is one hanging on the wall around the corner near the lady, who is wondering what I am doing without my son in tow. Knowing that Alan has my valet key on his key ring I quickly dialed his cell praying that he would not be in a meeting or on a conference call. Just a few rings and he answers - Yea, I am saved! In my lowest possible inside voice (just above whispering) I tell him the situation and he responds with "I'll be there in five minutes". Ok cool, so my husband didn't sound too mad. I quickly race back outside (why did I have to park so close to the front door?!) where I see my flashers blinking in sync with the sound of my horn as my child is constantly pushing the lock button. I rush over to his window to make sure his is ok. Of course he is! He has a huge smile on his face - almost laughing. All I could do was laugh at myself and beg him to push another button. Then a little bit a fear came over me. What if he pushed the panic button? What new level of embarrassment would I reach? Luckily, I am a friend of God... I hear angels singing 'Hallelujah'. Ok, it was really the sound of the doors unlocking, but it might as well have been angels. I whipped open the door and grabbed the keys out of those chubby little hands. What a relief!!! Fortunately, Alan hadn't made it to his car yet when I called him back. I mean the whole thing from the time he locked the doors probably lasted 3 minutes - at the most. Note to self: Don't give Ryne the keys! Buy him a fake set.

ryne's favorite things

Wearing his red chuck taylors

every kid needs a pair of converse.

Drinking bath water

sure it may contain some soap and pee, but that just gives it flavor. yum.

Talking on the phone

We have no idea what he is saying, but he has some pretty serious conversations with his grandparents. I learned my lesson... I don't let him "play" with the phone anymore since he called China. That cost us $20! I've seen things "become" a phone i.e., my shoes (just imagine Maxwell Smart, Agent 86), a toy block, the remote control (another favorite item)... you get the picture.

Playing outside

no problem getting him out there just be prepared to D-R-A-G him back in.

Driving his cool blue car

We (Alan really) had the bright idea of bringing the car inside. I thought we would be pushing him around all night. Turns out he has no problem with just sitting in it while watching his 'toons.

Dancing

Ever since this kid was pulling up and cruising he has been dancing. It started out as bobbing up and down, but now he has some pretty mad dance moves. His favorite CD to rock out to is the Bee Gees greatest hits.

Wheels

What can I say he is truly ALL boy.

Pushing (insert any item here) around

He loves to push anything he can possibly maneuver, around the house. I think the first thing I remember him moving was our office trash can.

And last, but not least the boy loves to SNACK

Big Cheez-its (one for each hand), yogurt, fruit, Cheetos natural white cheddar puffs (we all love those), and just about anything that is sweet. Oh, don't worry when he is ready for whatever he will bring the bag/box to you.

happy halloween

Last Wednesday night we took "Dr. Ryne" trunk or treating at our church. He wore his scrubs (that are monogrammed with 'Dr. Ryne') and a stethoscope around his neck. Instead of taking a stroller we let him "drive" his new car. We were thankful to have it. He loved being in that thing and never wanted to get out while we were there. People put candy in the storage compartment under the hood... pretty funny. We enjoyed dinner at Panera Bread where Ryne discovered how much fun it is to eat a french baguette. I'm not sure if he liked the taste or the challenge of pulling it apart with his teeth (it's some tough bread). On the way home he had his first few pieces of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup. He loved it... so did his shirt. Friday (Halloween) Ryne and I met some friends at Aldridge Gardens for "Scarecrows in the Gardens". We had lunch in the Lake house and then strolled around the gardens to see the many scarecrows. My parents came into town that evening... free babysitters!!! Ryne entertained his grandparents while Alan and I had a date night. You know you have become parents when your date consist of dinner, the bookstore and grocery shopping. Needless to say it was nice to have a peaceful evening.

At the Lake house trying to feed the geese his lunch.

it's the great pumpkin, ryne

On the most beautiful Saturday in October we visited The Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch. We enjoyed lunch under a pavilion while listening to live southern gospel music. Ryne enjoyed the freedom from his stroller, making new friends and watching the helicopter (you could pay for a quick ride) take off again, and again, and again. After lunch we took a lovely hayride to the field where Ryne picked out just the right pumpkin. Our little pumpkin picker was pooped out and fell asleep shortly after we headed home.

Once we got home it was time to paint the pumpkin. I had thought about letting Ryne paint it, but a 16 month old and paint sounded like trouble to me. Plus, after a long day at the pumpkin patch I really had no desire to clean up a big mess. Maybe next year...

Here is our Great Pumpkin, he will be on display Halloween night for all our trick-or-treaters.

a weekend in pictures

playing in the car

Ryne loves playing in the car. He will stay in there as long as we will let him. He stands in the drivers seat pushing every button, turning every knob, and steering the wheel. Last week while Alan was washing his car Ryne played inside it. I looked out the window to see the flashers on and the wipers waving in the air while Alan was frantically trying to get them down (he had pulled them back from the windshield while he washed it). I couldn't help but laugh. Shortly after He brought Ryne back inside. Ryne watched his daddy from the window, but was easily distracted.

ryne has been...

Feeding himself with a spoon.

It's not always pretty...

Totally obsessed with our vacuum cleaner...

If Alan is vacuuming he wants to be right there with him... helping. It's not only ours, if he sees one in the store he immediately wants to check it out. Last weekend we were in Home Depot, they have like 7 or 8 vacuums on display... you would have thought he was in a car lot checking out the merchandise. Alan asked me the other day if I would take him somewhere so he could get the vacuuming done. What?! Is this normal? Oh, and if you are wondering why my husband is vacuuming it's because I didn't want to purchase a carpeted 3-story townhouse. He won... or did I?

ryne's ms april

It's been a year since April started nanning for Ryne. She has been here just about every Tuesday and Thursday since Ryne was 11 weeks old. Ryne absolutely loves her and Alan & I don't know what we would do without her. She has become forever a part of our family... nanny or not.

waiting for autumn

Ryne has enjoyed the cool mornings this past week. After breakfast I open the back door so he can play out on the deck. I think he is going to be an outdoorsy kind of guy. He likes to collect acorns, watch the little jumping spiders, and "talk" to our neighbors walking their dogs. I can't wait until autumn is here... picnics at Aldridge Gardens, trips to the zoo and swinging in the park. It may be a little while before we see those breezy days so for now we'll enjoy our mornings on the deck.

bébé numéro deux

This past week I had my monthly OB visit. I am about to be in my 24th week! This pregnancy seems to be flying by much quicker than the last. I had to have an ultrasound to make sure the baby's kidneys had developed. We couldn't see them last time because he/she was curled up. Unfortunately the baby was curled up AGAIN so the technician could only see one of them. That means I will have another when I go again in two weeks. She did say she saw what the sex of the baby is. Funny, half the time I had no idea what I was looking at.

See the peace sign? It's the ONLY thing you can make out. Isn't that funny? Yes, those are some long fingers.

snack time silliness

Ryne had Ritz crackers today for his afternoon snack. I guess smashing them on the floor and rubbing your legs in the crumbs makes them taste better.... yum.