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

17 Months

Ryan has become much more vocal and interactive this month. He knows and understands more than I could have imagined. He responds to questions with "yea" appropriately, understands close, open , off, on, give hugs and kisses, where's the baby, go get your ball, coat, elephant..., bring to mama. He is also so perceptive- it's unbelievable. He put his cup in his Mickey car before dinner. We had to search to find it. A couple hours later, he says "bubu' and opens the car looking for the cup. It was crazy. He also found two clips downstairs on the futon that were usually in a basket upstairs. I had just moved the basket downstairs the previous day. He found the clips on the futon and brought them over to the basket in it's new place. I couldn't believe he remembered.

Ryan has also become quite the neat freak (uh oh- just like daddy!) He knocked over a bucket of shapes as he was walking by- he turned- looked at the shapes on the floor- then turned back to pick them all up and set the bucket back where it belonged. He also loves "vacuuming with his popper (even under the end table) and Swiffering. He had a small tantrum when I wouldn't let him Swiffer for me. He also gets upset when he can't take Maddy outside (We can't figure out why because we never let him before!) Although he has some small moments, he is mostly keeping us on our toes and laughing. Here are some of our favorite Ryan moments this month:

*He spotted his gifts from Gramma and Grampa early. He said "ooo", pointed and clapped for his new John Deere wagon and Cozy Coupe. The Cozy Coupe should have come out earlier in the evening we decided because he sat in that thing the rest of the night, driving his cup and mom's new water bottle around.

*While mom, Aunt Ali and Steve were playing Beatles Rock Band, we looked over to see Ryan sitting on daddy's lap with his ears plugged, then later his hands over his ears!

*Pulled a bowl of pretzels down from a table. Fed them to Maddy. I asked him if he ate any. He shook his head and said "No, No, No)

*He got a bowl and box of cereal from the cupboard. When I walked into the living room, he was pouring the cereal into the bowl and Maddy was eating it! Partners in crime I guess!

*He loves to climb on things now. He was standing on a box trying to get into his toy chest we said "Uh Un" so he put down his cup and tried to stand on that!

*Dad said he had Ryan's boat in the shower and made the "Hmmm Hmmm!" boat noise. Ryan quick opened the cabinet under the sink where his boat is kept to make sure it was still there. When he saw the boat under the cabinet he closed the door and left. Phew!

*Whenever he sees Bucky, a football helmet, motion W, a football game on tv, the Lee Evans poster we have, he says "Mmba". We think he is saying football. He is our son for sure!

16 Months

Our 16 month old has become very independent and helpful too! He loves to put his hat, mittens and coat on (one arm!). I am always surprised when he mimics our behaviors, like crossing his ankles. Since Joe leaves for work with a bag and I always have a purse on my shoulder, Ryan now finds anything with handles (reusable bags, purses, gym bags, a toy cd player...), waves and says "bye" while walking toward the door. We have also noticed he understands diaper change, high chair, downstairs, night, night time- he will go to that location. He remains a happy guy. He is always smiling and laughing. He is just a bundle of joy.

Favorite activity this month- having battles with daddy, making a surprised face.

Merry Christmas (Aunt Ali and Nana got a smile out of me!) Ryan loved receiving a gift in his stocking from St. Nick. He was so thrilled that he kept checking his stocking every morning for about a week. We think this has led to his new fascination with oven mitts and gloves!

Bringing out the Christmas decorations- Ryan loved the Christmas season. Every time he saw a Christmas tree, inside or out, he would say "ooooo!". He would make me laugh driving- I'd wonder why he said "mama, oooo!" Sure enough there was a house decorated with lights. At Dona's house, he would point and say "oo oo" until she would turn on the tree lights. He was good about not touching the tree- he would test us though. One time he walked by the tree slowly, took the remote he was holding and touched the tree with it. He looked at us a smiled- stinker. His favorite ornaments to grab quickly and run away with were The Little Mermaid, Two Snowmen and . Only one ornament casualty. The Nativity scene was harder for him to stay away from because of all the animals. The donkey and sheep were often missing. One evening he came into the kitchen saying "Rar rar rar rar" moving both animals up and down.

Mom and Dad didn't prepare me! We were so surprised at his reaction. He loves people- will give everyone hugs. We thought this reaction might surface next year- boy were we wrong! The ironic thing is that he was (and is) obsessed with Santa. Whenever he sees an ornament, decoration, plate or even a Coca Cola can with Santa, he shouts "Nanta, Nanta"! He has three Weebles (Santa, Rudolph and a Snowman) He loves Nanta, but insists on having all three on his chair (he will scream and point until he has them all!)

Happy Thanksgiving- what a wonderful time stop and think of how blessed and truly grateful to be healthy and happy!

Meeting Donald Driver- Ryan's favorite sport to watch is football. He loves playing with daddy's mini helmet collection.

Visit to Minneapolis- Visited Aunt Jenny and Jonathan, then got to see my best buddy Caden and his mom and dad for his dad's surprise 30th birthday