WI Dells and Early Christmas Traditions

As our family gets ready to welcome our new addition, we give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. In the month of November, we are counting our blessings daily with a Give Thanks display hung in our kitchen. It is a wonderful reminder that we are truly blessed in so many ways. We are especially grateful for all of our friends and family!
We have had a wonderful Fall. Here are some of the highlights:

*Ryan is able to engage in full conversations and express his wants and emotions through words- it has been amazing to see his vocabulary grow

*He loved putting up the

Christmas tree- he wanted most of his ornaments "up really high"

*He points to the tree and the nativity scene and says "No touch!"

*He took a football ornament and bent down over it, said "Hut, hut", picked it up, ran forward and then chucked it- it was hilarious

*As he looked through the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue, he found "My chair!", "My stocking!" and "Baby's stocking!"

*He continues to look through toy catalogues and lets Gramma, Grampa, Nana, Ali and Steve and Dona know what he wants. He has also started pointing out toys in stores- "I want that!".

I tell him to let Santa or Gramma know

*If you ask him what he is going to tell Santa he wants for Christmas, he will answer "Trains!". We'll see if hetalks to Santa this year!*He uses a stethoscope to listen to our hearts- he's says "Play doctor. I listen to your heart"

*Ryan loves to pretend. He found a small cloth bag, put

his hand in it and said "I pick up poop" He then bent down, and said "ick"

I asked "What are you doing?

He said "I pick up Maddy's poop" (just like

Daddy does). Then he went to the kitchen and put it in the trash.

*He also loves to cook things for us in pots and pans. His speciality is spaghetti. Yum!

*When we drove by Gramma and Grampa's church at 8:30 at night, he shouted and pointed "Church" When he realized we weren't stopping, he erupted into tears and open mouthed, noise-less screams. Poor guy loves to go to church!

*He carries his stepstool around the house to turn on lights, wash his hands and brush his teeth

*Shows everyone his Clay Matthews poster in his

room "Cay Mafews"

*Responds "I love you too", "I miss you too"

*For a week prior to leaving for the Kalahari, Ryan

would tell everyone he was going to swim at the Dells. One day he asked "Mo

mma come to the Dells?, Maddy come?, Christmas tree come?"

He absolutely loved the hotel and water park. He is our little dare devil, going down all thew slides fearlessly. He even went down winding slides by himself. Joe walked him up while I waited at the bottom. There he came...not sitting up like all the other 4-10 year olds. No...there came Ryan, laying on his back, head first.

As I helped him out, he had a big smile on his face and said "Go on the green slide again."

Happy Halloween

Our little Elmo loved dressing up and going trick-or-treating in our living room and at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Although the outfit was a little small on him, once he tried it on, he insisted Elmo was the costume for him (despite momma offering to get a giraffe costume).

We went to Boo at the Zoo and rode the spooky train.

Fall 2010

Our fabulously fun and busy summer came to end, school started and now Fall is here. How quickly time flies! Ryan is busy chatting, becoming more independent and talking about his "baby sister" (only 2 months until she arrives!). Ryan has started including baby in his conversations- like when I told him we were going to the pumpkin patch to buy a pumpkin, his response was "Baby too?". Whenever we talked about the pumpkin patch after that, he always made sure we were getting one for "baby too! Here are some other small moments from the past two months:

*Ryan LOVES trains- he requests to play right when he gets up in the morning and points them out anywhere and everywhere he sees them. We ask what are you going to do at Dona's? "Play trains", What are you going to play at the Y? "Trains", What should we do? "Play trains" He especially loves to watch trains on YouTube

* A close second to trains is football. Ry loves to watch football on TV, watch practices on our walk past Milwaukee Lutheran HS and go to football games- he loves say "Touchdown" and "Hut, Hut" and help Daddy put helmets out for the games. He will even request football on the radio. He's daddy's boy!

*Ryan recognizes Taio Cruz's Dynamite on the radio- he instantly says "Hands Up" and dances with his hands in the air.

*I say "Ryan we're going to go get apples at the store" His response: "Ice cream too?" He learned that shopping with Gramma

*When asked questions, he usually responds "Yea...sure"

*He has started to pretend- eating food, playing trains, scanning items at the store

*Requests to go to the store- even right before bed

*We went to a Zoo Train class and Badger Family Fun Day at Camp Randell

*Ryan was reading a book about family- he said "sister"- I had him show me the page, sure enough it was the sister page

*When Joe washed his face in the bathtub without giving him a warning, Ryan turned to Joe and, in a very sassy voice, said "HEY!" It was hilarious- we tried so hard not to laugh

*Ryan doesn't like people talking around him without including him in the conversation so he'll talk very loudly or even scream over our words

*Sometimes tells Maddy, daddy, me...anybody "MINE!" if he thinks someone gets close to his food or toys...we're working on using nice words

*Our most recent favorite memory is getting the Farm and Fleet toy catalogue in the mail. I gave it to Ryan in the car. He loves to read magazines so he was very excited. He opened to the first page and said "I want that"- I've never heard him say that. When we got in the house, he showed me about 6 things he wanted...I $90 Big Foot (I have no idea why), a train, tractors, a bouncy house... When Joe got home, he showed Joe the exact same toys. I guess he knows what he wants! It will be a fun Christmas season this year!

Ryan Dancing in the Car

2 Years Old!

The 2's have officially begun! Ryan's age is no longer counted by months- whoa, this is going to be a big step for me! My baby is growing up! Ryan continues to talk more and more everyday. His happy demeanor, mannerisms and desire to be independent keep us smiling and laughing all the time. 's His favorite thing to say is "what's that?"- at the grocery store, on a walk, at the zoo...anywhere "what's that?". I think it the precursor to the repeating preschool age question "Why?".He is definitely very curious about the world around him. He still absolutely loves all forms of transportation. He loves to point out airplanes, big trucks, tractors, fire trucks and, the Ryan favorite...trains. He has become a train enthusiast- "ding, ding, choo, choo". He knows the difference between a highway overpass vs. a train bridge. He also knows all the books that have trains and will turn to the page(s) and just stare at them. He shouts "train, train" whenever he sees one while we're driving, on tv, or if he hears the train whistle at the zoo (this happens about every 5 minutes at the zoo). Needless to say, riding the train at the zoo is a must. When we visited our friends Anne and Pete in Rhinelander, they took us to the Lumber and Railroad Museum. It was a big hit- however, the restaurant where we ate lunch with the overhead train and tracks was just as exciting!

Here are some highlights this month:

• He says "bless you" after we sneeze- he even fake sneezes so we can say "bless you" to him
• After having chip and salsa at Chili's, he opened his mouth wide and screamed- the salsa apparently was a little too spicy for him
• Sets his 3 books up in the bed slats like mama does every night
• At Michael's, he chose to take off his shoes and put them in the cart. After moving them to check out, I guess I never book them back in the bag. When we got home, I asked him where his shoes were. He matter of factly replied "In the cart."
• He was playing with our video camera bag one afternoon. Then it went missing. We were asking him if it was in the den. He said "yes" After looking for a while, Ali and I started looking in his room. He came in and said "No, no, no". We asked if it was in the den closet, he said "Yea". Sure enough, it was in a basket under a baby quilt. He knew!
• At Ali and Steve's wedding, after the first formal picture, he loudly stated "All done!"
• At Maggiano's, the waiter asked which dessert I wanted for him: cookies, ice cream or sorbet. I chose cookies, then he said "Ice cream too!"
• When our friends, Jill and Brett, and their 15 month old son Caden came to visit, Ryan did a pretty good job sharing his toys. One time Caden was playing with his popper that Aunt Jenny gave him. He started to take it away- he said 'Mine". I told him yes it was his, but that he shares his toys. He looked at me, then walked back to Caden, took the popper from him and said 'Thank you" and smiled! I guess he has good manners!

23 Months

Our baby is almost 2! We can tell in energy and independence. He continues to be curious about the world asking: "wat's at?" and tries to use his words to communicate- he looks us right in the eye, talking on and on. We usually respond "I don't know what you're saying." Then he'll repeat the same exact sounds with the same intonation, but we still can't understand. It's quite humorous. He is getting good at showing us what he wants or what he sees. He has started pointing to leave the room and throw trash away. Ryan is also getting closer to the potty training stage. He asked to go potty so he sat down. When he said all done, I asked if he went pee. He said yea. I didn't see anything in the potty so I said "No you didn't". Then he said "Yea, see? and pointed. Sure enough- there was a teeny tiny bit in the potty. It was an exciting moment. Here are some of the other highlights this month.

• New Words: lawn mower, thank you, Donald Duck, ice cream, sure, our house, Sesame Street, "More please mama", pool, sorry, boat, train, airplane...and he'll repeat a lot of what you say like when grandma said "darn, darn, darn", Ryan repeated it with the same expression.
• We went to DisneyWorld- he loved the characters, night parade, fireworks, boats, trains, buses, waterslide, water fountains...it was a wonderful vacation
• When he tries to jump, he can now actually jump with both feet in the air
• Loves to run and play at the YMCA movement class with mom
• Shouts "Zoo" and "Y" whenever we go to the zoo or the YMCA- sometimes he ever throws his fists up in the air too
• After breakfast, he usually asks to "Go buh-bye"
• Said "Bapa" when he saw a Harley Davidson sign in the car
• Ali and Steve babysat- they were amazed that he just laid down in his crib and went to sleep at bedtime
• Lots of timeouts for screaming- his new favorite activity. We had to turn the cart towards the wall for a timeout three times in Target last week. After every time out, he says sorry and gives us a hug.
• He pushes the center console down in the car with his foot
• Remembers places- like our neighbor's motorcycle in the garage- he'll point and say momo, he also says "Bapa" when we get close to Grandma and Grandpa's house

22 Months

Ryan's vocabulary has grown tremendously this month. It has been super fun watching him communicate more. Some of his new words/phrases are: Hi Mama, I love you, towel, Minnie, berries, giraffe, plane, tight, Brewers, backpack, socks, Maizy, Grandma, Ali, van, bike, boat, Buzz, Woody... One of my favorite things he said was when he was riding his Tricycle in the basement. He started to whine while I was putting laundry into the washing machine. I looked at him straddling the bike, walking back and forth and said "You're fine". Then he said " I'm stuck!" Turns out he couldn't get off the bike. He is also becoming a comedian and appreciating humor more. For example, he will throw a blanket over his head and walk around laughing. Here are some of our other favorite memories this month:

*First trip to the zoo as a family
*Requesting Oso (Disney channel) when I turn on the Today Show every morning
*Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade
*Points to a section of his plate where he would like you to put each item of food
*Walked up the stairs holding the rail all by himself- I was amazed!
*I always read three books every night- he started counting with me "1,2,3!"
*Calls our dog Maddy, Madison and Moose (like Mama)
*Requests the ABC's - he says "C's"
*Helps sing Old McDonald-He adds the new animal every verse and How Much is that Doggie in the Window- he sings "Woof, woof"
*He says "ight" when Daddy straps him in the car too tight
*Knows elbows, knees, ankles and neck
*Responds yes or no in appropriate situations and also chooses milk or water at meals (he usually wants both cups)
*He insists on giving the baby a a hug and kiss every night- he lifts my shirt over my tummy and kisses and hugs the baby

21 Months

YES, I'm going to be a big brother! Baby is expected around Dec 11, 2010!








"Our lives have been changed forever with the blessing of this second baby! Our active 21 month old keeps us on our toes- we think this second pregnancy will fly by because we are so occupied with our ever changing toddler. His vocabulary expands by the second and his new discoveries and adventures keep us saying "He is so amazing!". We are totally, utterly and unconditionally in love with our son. We are thrilled to see him develop as a big brother. He already gives my tummy hugs and kisses. He even says night-night to the baby. Here are some of the month's highlights:

• Reads to stuffed animals
• Feeds Maddy his cup and puts a cyclinder block by her mouth like a microphone
• Signs more please- says "sss" for please
• Playing with cars- making noises
• Playing dog with mama- woof, licking, crawling on all 4's
• Climbing into his high chair and buckling straps
• Insists on Elmo everytime we turn on the tv
• Loves to fill the "Piggy" with coins at Grandma and Baba's house
• Insists that everyone in the room sing ABC's, dance, say "Oh Toodles", jump-he will point and say dada or mama until we do what he wants
• New words: stuck, bus, juice, truck, momo, cheers, Manny, Daisy (dog), Ash (Ashley), Buzz, Ste (Steve), Enny (Jenny)- still waiting on Ali

Scared of the Easter Bunny

20 Months

Our 20 Month old! Only 3 more months where we can count his age by months- what a big transition that will be. We are definitely seeing more signs of a 2 year old boy than a 1 year old. It is unbelievable how fast he changes. Here are some of his new discoveries and behaviors:

*Climbs up the stairs and goes down the slide at our neighborhood park all by himself. I was amazed!

*Wearing our shoes - brings guests their shoes (I don't know how he knows whose are whose

*Loves his Elmo Potty- he had us in tears when he sat on the potty (with his pants on), got up and grabbed toilet paper, wiped his tush, put the paper in the potty and then said "wash hands". It was hilarious!

*Says "Oh Toodles!" with the Mickey Mouse Club

*Insists on lovies at nighttime

*He's starting to repeat words- pick up new words often

*I said where's the blanket in the book- he pointed in the book and then to his crib and said 'Right there." He was pointing to his blanket!

*He whispered his name after I did when reading On the Night You Were Born

*I picked him up from the daycare room at the Y and saw him pushing a pink stroller and 2 babies

*Loves to read- insists on books when he wakes up, goes in the car and always at night

19 Months

Our 19 month old is as active as ever- we even had to leave our friends, Jenny and Chris', house early (that was a first). Not because being naughty (at least not the whole time), but because he is on the go and does not want to stay in one room. This developmental stage makes it very difficult to watch American Idol with friends!

Our active little guy has also begun to communicate more- showing us love, being angry or just being funny. He gives everyone hugs and kisses, even book characters and toys. He lets us know when he's upset by saying "No!”, throwing things, laying down or even swinging his arms. We have just started an official time out spot. He amazingly sits there for one minute and then gives us a hug after the minute is over. I just discovered this month that if I ask him 'Do you need a hug?" when he's upset, he'll say yea, give me a hug and calm down. I am very grateful every time it works! He has also turned into a little comedian- he puts scarves or blankets over his head to make us laugh. One day at Donna's, she said he put his hand in his shirt and then pulled out a pacifier that he must have taken from home that morning and started laughing-little stinker.

He has just formed an attachment to lovies at bedtime. I forgot to tell Joe that he now sleeps with a lamb, dog and Pooh bear at night. So one night, Joe was putting him to bed. He gave him the dog lovie then laid him in his crib. Ryan had his head down, butt up and arm in the air. Joe couldn't figure out why he had his arm in the air. Then he gave him the lamb lovie. Ryan put his other arm in the air. Then Joe gave him his Pooh bear lovie. Ryan now has to have all three lovies before he goes to bed! What a funny guy!

Here are some more of this past month’s memorable events:

• Started paying attention to TV- Loves Elmo and Mickey Mouse
• Zips and unzips Pj's, coat, our jackets...
• Pushes bottom oven drawer in with his leg- just like we do
• Climbing up
• Insists on having books in the car
• Pulls up pants
• Can do puzzles independently now: 3D Shape puzzle, pop up doors and wood puzzles
• Loves building with Lego blocks
• Just started biting his crib:( We went 18 months with no problems teething
• Loves wearing his slippers "boots" from Pete and Andie
• Sharing with babies-church and daycare
• Working on being a good friend-not taking toys away or pushing and not hiding all Maddy's toys
• Gymboree class- loved climbing, sliding and rolling- he especially parachute time
• When asked to get the red bucket to put away cars, he went to his room and brought the bucket out to the living room
• Tough guy- got a big bruise around his left eye after falling on a toy truck. He didn't cry, but Donna did:)

Playing The Wheels on the Bus App on Mom's Phone

18 Months

WOW! 18 Months! He is growing so quickly. I had to stop and take in the moment this morning when I told Ryan he had to put away the toys in his hand before he takes a nap. He turned aorund and went back into the living room to put his toys away (in the correct spot too!). I leaned on the doorway as I watched my "baby" put away his toys. I smiled a smile of great joy and love for my amazing little man who continues to awe and inspire me ...while I also smiled a smile in memory of the time when that boy was a tiny baby, wrapped in my arms. Sometimes I feel afraid to blink in fear of missing a precious moment. Ryan is growing into such an amazing kid. Joe and I sit in wonderment most nights that this happy, caring, sweet, funny, silly, creative, smart little man is ours. Here are some of this past months highlights:

*Setting his cups on coasters

*Helping feed Maddy- brings her bowl to the closet, I pour her food in and he takes it back and sets it down for her. He even clears the food from the middle of the dish so she can see the painted paw at the bottom:)

*Understands a lot of what we say- put toys away, go downstairs, light on, give Maddy a hug

*Knows and points to head, hair, eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, mouth, chin, belly button, hands, feet, toes

*Stands with his hands in his pockets

*Says bye to Maddy every morning and gives her a treat and hug

*While getting over Broncchitus and a cold, he found Mr. Potato Head's ghost costume and blew his nose