Dahms Family

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Ryan is 4!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy! It was 4 years ago that our world was changed forever when this amazing little man was born. Joe and I are so extraordinarily proud of who he has become and love thinking about who he will grow to be. I pray everyday that God gives me the strength and support to guide him to walk in His footsteps and to become the man God intended him to be.

As a mom I worry about the phenomenal responsibility that is being a parent:

I worry that I may influence his behavior and future choices negatively

I worry sometimes that I am crushing his spirit

I worry that I dwell on his faults

I worry that my expectations are too high and unrealistic

I worry that I will impart my fears upon him

I worry that I am too critical

I worry I might push him too hard

I worry that my teacher's discipline style (high expectations and consistent consequences every time) will cause him to rebel

I worry that I will not know how to instill in him the confidence to stand up for what he believes in and what he knows is right

I worry that I might not recognize his destiny and lead him astray chasing my dreams for him

I worry that my fears will stand in his way of greatness

I worry that he may not always find the peace of the Lord in his heart

I worry that I will not give him enough opportunities to make mistakes

I worry that I do not spend enough time with him

I worry that I worry too much

I worry sometimes that he doesn't know how amazing Joe and I think he is

I see so many amazing qualities that Ryan possesses at 4 years old:

compassion-almost in tears in movies when someone is being mean

helpful- loves to vacuum, load the dishwasher, sweep- he's first to raise his hand in class at the Y

sensitive- crying when he wasn't picked 4 separate times at a magic show:( "mom, I was raising my hand and he didn't pick me!"

confidence- he exudes self assurance in social situations-never afraid to tell a story

friendliness- will strike up a conversation with anyone, "Hello, makes friends where ever we go

strong love for family and friends- talks about his family and friends all the time, prays for everyone

kindness-holds doors for others, picks up things people drop, "good Job" to others

sharing- shares treats, toys- he's always been really good about sharing

happy-smiley guy, loves to dance and sing

love for life-so excited about everything-especially trains and books

love of animals-loves the zoo and all family dogs

bravery-doctor and dentist are always amazed at his bravery

adventurous-Loves rides- Ferris wheel

photographic memory-remembers everything!, knew most nursery rhymes after reading a book twice

responsibility-"Mom, "I'm not buckled", dishes to the sink

sweet-"Daddy, guess what? I love you" "You're the best, momma" "Katers is so cute!"

empathetic-"Are you okay?"

silly-loves to make others laugh, silly faces and voices

imaginative-pretend boy, puppet shows, loves to do pretend play

smart-puzzle whiz, memory, knows all letters and sounds, counts to 30 (to 100 with support), so much knowledge in that brain!, whiz on the ipad, "reading" books(memorized)

polite-complimented on manners often, "may I be excused?

Ryan you are truly amazing. Your dad and I are in awe of you. We work hard every day to guide and support you on your journey to realize your potential in this world. God has amazing plans for you. You have brought so much joy, laughter and youth to your family in only 4 years. Your dad and I can't wait to watch you share your love of life with the world. As you enter preschool this Fall, you will begin to build friendships, adapt to academic structure, resolve conflict, be a citizen in a learning community, respect authority and challenge your mind- all foundations for success in your future. May you always know how blessed, loved and cherished you are! Love, Mom

Zoo Train Party

4 Year Old

Look out for the leopard!

Wild cake!

Zoo train

Happy Birthday To You!

Packer Practice

Watching Rodgers, Driver and Nelson up close

Bay Beach- Green Bay

Kate loved it too!

Favorite ride- the train

Birthday Dinner-Red Robin

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What a wonderful holiday season. We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends to share our lives with. Joe and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Christmas through our beautiful children. Ryan was full of excitement. We kicked off the holiday season with our trip on the Polar Express. While the experience was meant to sweep the kids up in fantasy and make-believe as we rode the train to the North Pole to visit Santa, when we arrived at the North Pole, our little smarty pants said "This isn't the North Pole, it's the train station." Ryan and Kate (poor Kate) got to visit Santa 3 times this year and Ryan will tell you that he met 3 different Santa's- for Pete Sake's kid- you're 3, not 10!. Ryan's wish list: "more trains."

Kate spent December pulling herself up and walking around furniture any chance she got. We celebrated her 1st birthday with a Ladybug Picnic Party- she LOVED the cake. She loved opening presents for both her birthday and Christmas. While she is still a happy baby, always smiling at herself in the carseat mirror, she has definitely become more independent- feeding herself, tossing her cup off the highchair, "yelling" when she wants more- screaming when you are not cutting her banana fast enough (we're still working on more, please in sign language!) We are still hoping this strong will is a phase caused by teething and getting over a cough, otherwise we are in BIG trouble!

While most of the season was filled with merriment, we did have some "naughty" behaviors, but the phrase "Santa is watching" didn't have the immediate effect I was hoping for. St. Nick even had to let Ryan know he wasn't making good choices with a simple letter and notebook in his stocking. We are working on taking care of our books and staying in bed. Maybe the Elf of the Shelf will have an impact next year!

As we counted down the days until Christmas on our advent tree, we celebrated the season with fun family activities and sharing how we showed someone we cared that day. Ryan especially loved shopping for other children and delivering toys to the Ronalad McDonald House "for all the good girls and boys." As we were leaving, Ryan looked around the parking lot and asked "Where's Ronald McDonald's car?" To which I replied "Honey, Ronald McDonald doesn't live here. He shares his house with kids who are sick and their families."

We ended the holidays with both Joe and I off from work, home with the kids for a week! We had a great time visiting, shopping, going to Discovery World, playing Wii and snuggling. We may have enjoyed ourselves a little too much- when I said "Okay it's time for dinner." Ryan replied, "Yay, where are we going?"

I look back at 2011 and see Kate grow from a 3 week old baby to an amazing, almost walking, 1 year old and Ryan grow from a 2 year old in diapers to a 3 year old who says "When I grow up and I'm 5, I'm going to Disney World!" As the wheels of time keep spinning (too quickly, I have begun to realize), I resolve to hold dear all the memories, cherish each singular day and always dream big for the future!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Happy Fall!

It has been a busy, but wonderful start to the school year and Fall. As our children become more active, we find ourselves out and about more and asking ourselves "Where does the time go?"

Ryan and Kate are both keeping us on our toes, but smiling while we do it! I think Joe and I both agree that our favorite thing to do is watch Ryan and Kate interact. Ryan is such a sweet big brother and Kate absolutely adores him (when she's not yelling at him- we are trying to minimize the bossyness already!). Today when I walked into the kitchen for lunch he was setting Kate's tray up with a baby doll, a book and a block for her to play with. It was the sweetest gesture!

Kate is officially an army crawler. She especially loves to crawl to remotes, the baby monitor lights and over to Daddy's mini helmets and bang them together. Joe and I were convinced she was going to be a terror after having such a chill baby Ryan. But she has proved us wrong thus far (I know her day will come). Dona, our daycare provider, said she would take 11 Kate's any day. Everyday I pick her up at Dona's she throws her hands in the air, flaps her arms and screams- my heart melts every time! I think the most amazing thing she does is go to sleep when we put her in her crib. Our wide eyed baby will stare at her glowing seahorse or aquarium, put her two fingers in her mouth and eventually fall asleep. People ask us how we do it; we have absolutely no idea! But, we are extremely thankful! She is continuing to be a vocal baby. She loves to talk and yell loudly for no apparent reason. We luckily found out that she loves to hear us sing. So as soon as she starts yelling, Ryan and I will bust into song. She seems to love everything- swim lessons, food, people...oh, everything but sippy cups- she is definitely not a fan of those yet! The thing that makes us laugh the most is her love of the baby in the mirror in the car. She has started to belly laugh at herself as she kicks her legs in her car seat or waves a toy. Every time we get in the car she squeals as if she is greeting herself. While she is extremely easy going, she is particular about some things.

1. She has become a puff snob- meaning she will eat all the puffs on her tray and not touch the Cheerios. She squeals in delight whenever the puffs container is brought out of the cabinet.

2. She is grossed out/disturbed by unfamiliar textures- rubber lizard, doll hair

3. She much prefers remotes and Momma's keys to baby toys- if taken away, she will let you know she is not happy

Ryan Edward amazes us every single day. He is a conversationalist and an attention seeker (as everyone who was at my Tupperware party found out as he modeled his engineer costume to everyone individually). One day as we pulled into Dona's, we noticed she had her Fall decorations up. His response was "Wow, I'm so proud of her." Then he walked into her and told her "I'm so proud of you!" What a funny guy!

His imagination continues to grow- he loves to work on cars like a mechanic, play restaurant, doctor, He loves to take in the world, asking lots of questions and making discoveries like "Momma, my heart is beating!". He has finally started singing on his own- singing was never something he did. Now I will hear him singing to Kate or himself. He has always liked music though and still does. The Script came on the radio and he yelled "I love this song"

Some other funny moments:

*As we drive by Miller Park- "Who plays there?" Ryan's response "Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Ernie (aka Bernie)"

*When my cousin's son told Ryan he was his best cousin, Ryan replied "My favorite cousin is Luke!"

*At the mall, Ryan saw a Bernie the Brewer pillow pet. Joe asked if he wanted it for Christmas. Ryan said "No, I want to get it for Fall Day" (He completely made up this holiday!)

*He the thinks jumping rope is literally jumping with a rope in his hand

*After he ran away from Joe and Hart Park and would not stop, Joe said "That was very dangerous." Ryan replied "No it's not. Look it's a park."

*He was upset that his car would not attach to the trailer so I said "Bring it over here and I'll help you." The Ryan said "No, I want you to bring you over here".

Pumpkin Walk