Lunch date and a prayer request

I am happy to report that Ryan is still sleeping til at least 8:30 in the morning. The past 2 nights we have put him down at his usual 7pm bedtime. He plays in his crib for a while then falls asleep. His eating schedule is changing. He is drinking less formula and more table food. This afternoon he took a nap from 2:30 to 5 so I skipped his 4 pm bottle and he was just fine. He ate great at dinner.

This is one of Ryan's favorite things to do. He LOVES his thumb and usually will grab his sleeve with his right arm at the same time. It's funny and adorable. I know it's cute now but I think we need to ask the doctor about when we should start trying to wean him off the thumb. For now it's what soothes him and I'm ok with that.

This afternoon we met Anissa and Elizabeth at Mimi's for lunch. I LOVE Mimi's. I can't wait to go again when my family comes in town. It was yummy and the kids had a great time. I can't believe how big they are getting. I love having sweet friends to do lunch with, such a blessing!

My heart was pricked a couple months ago when I read Megan's story HERE. I want to tell you about Megan's sweet baby Cohen who needs your prayers. At 22 weeks Megan and Brent found out they that their sweet little baby boy has CHD, Congenital Heart Defect. He has four defects to be exact; four defects that individually are manageable, but that together are very rare and very dangerous.

Megan gave birth to Cohen yesterday and both did well. Cohen has a long road ahead of him with many heart surgeries. The first of which is tentative to take place on Wednesday. Please pray for Megan and Brent as they walk this unfamiliar journey and especially for Baby Cohen. We serve a God who is the Great Physician and He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Good Day

We've had a good day today. Nothing special or outstanding but just a good day. This morning when I dropped Ryan off at the gym nursery he lost it. Last week was the first time he cried when I left him. It totally broke my heart. I kept thinking about him during my class and praying he was doing well and having fun. I am thankful he hasn't been like this for the first 12 months of his life but lately he loses it when momma goes out of the room or leaves. He has always been so great with strangers and loves everyone. I hope this new "phase" doesn't last long.

He's not always a happy baby! (But 95% of the time)

He is looking like a young toddler more and more every day. We went to the grocery store this afternoon and he did so good. Everyone comments on how cute and good he is. This boy likes his snacks. He repeatedly reached into the basket to get the cheetos. He even tried to grab them off the conveyor belt when we checked out.

It's so much easier taking pictures of Ryan outside, ha! I put a blanket down and he won't crawl off it. When we are inside he is ALL OVER THE PLACE. And he isn't even walking yet. I use some of his toys to block off an area of the family to contain him. He tries to escape and I block him and he gets so mad and throws a fit. I think we need a "baby jail". Have you seen these? They are basically baby gates that are connected to create a play area for your child. I think we might look into it.

Our Weekend

We had a nice and relaxing weekend. I was in a list mood so here are some highlights of our weekend.

1. Friday night we had dinner with our sweet neighbors. They grilled out and we enjoyed a great dinner. We had fun and enjoyed hanging out with them. Saturday night we enjoyed a cookout with our family.

2. Ryan has slept past 9AM the past three days! Praise the Lord!!! He has been going to bed later the last couple of nights. I am a big on a schedule but sometimes that's just the way it goes.

3. We tried to go swimming at the outdoor pool on Saturday after Ryan's swim lessons but he was just too tired since he didn't get a morning nap. Bless his heart. He took a forty minute nap in my lap instead.

4. The weather was just beautiful today. Finally the hot humidity is gone and it was just lovely out. We got out and enjoyed a nice walk this afternoon.

5. I have gotten lots of stuff done for Ryan's party next weekend and that makes me VERY happy. I am looking forward to a busy week and a fun visit from Ryan's granddad, nana and uncle Matt.

Fashion Friday

Today Ryan and I went to the mall to do a little shopping. I needed some new sunglasses since my old ones were being held together with a safety pin. The salesgirl was baffled by my improvising and I got a little embarrassed. She thought it was hilarious and wanted to take a picture of it, ha. Anyhow, I found this pair of sunglasses. I like them but I'm used to the lens being solid black and these have a bown-like tint. What do you think? You like?

I also tried on this ADORABLE dress at Macy's. Oh how I wish I had somewhere besides church to wear it. I wanted to snatch it up immediately. I LOVE summer dresses!

I purchased this cute bathing suit from Macy's. I already have one swimsuit but a girl always needs two swimsuits. You know, in case one is wet or dirty, ha!

We are really looking forward to hanging out at the pool this weekend! What are your plans for the weekend?

PS. Thanks for the ideas and info about our beach vacation. We are still looking at Plan B and haven't made an decisions yet. I have a good friend going to Gulf Shores next week so I'm thinking we will wait until they get back and get a full report.

Swingin and such

This morning we were planning to go to the zoo with our MOPS group but we decided against it because of the rain. We ran a couple errands then came home for nap time.

This is Ryan's first birthday outfit. I bought it on Etsy and I just love it. I think it's so adorable. He is going to look so cute! I hope he will be able to wear it the rest of the summer as well. I so wish I could sew like this. I could make so many cute things, especially if we are blessed with a baby girl down the road. Maybe one day I will find the time to take a sewing class or have a friend teach me.

Ryan loves to swing at the park so this afternoon after his nap we headed down to the park to swing. Ryan is getting more comfortable with the swings and really enjoys it. I love this age, he's so much fun. Except for when I tell him not to touch something and he has a total meltdown. Oh the joys of parenthood! Ha!

Tonight we were suppose to have our small group but everyone is either busy or out of town. The end of the school year is always crazy. I was scheduled to bring a snack so of course I had just put an almond pound cake in the oven when our small group leader called to tell me we weren't meeting. I had planned on cutting up strawberries and adding whip cream, yum! I guess I will have to eat the whole thing myself, ha! Well, that is if I could keep Matt's hands off of it. I'm actually going to take some down to our neighbors to enjoy!

Wednesday and Plan B

We had a great Wednesday. Matt went back to work today. It sure was nice having him around the last four days. We miss him when he's at work. This morning we went to the gym then came home for a good morning nap. Ryan woke up right in time for lunch then we headed to the grocery store. Since we had been out of town over the weekend we needed some essentials. Ryan is basically eating real food for lunch and dinner and only eats baby food for breakfast. I've been trying to think of things to feed him for breakfast, any ideas. He's not a big fan of yogurt but I might try it again.

I am in total birthday mode now and started a list today of all my 'to do's'. It's a long list! I am so excited about his party and can't wait. I can't believe it's a week from Saturday. I got his birthday outfit in the mail yesterday and it is just too cute for words. I'm also excited about my family coming in town next week!

I absolutely love Ryan's expression in the above picture. He does this all the time now. It's like he is trying to make a 'B' sound. He's just the cutest!

We have been following the whole oil spill ordeal in the gulf recently. We are scheduled to vacation in Gulf Shores, AL in August but I'm beginning to wonder if we should move to plan B. We are going with another family and they are ok with whatever but I'm worried the beaches will be closed. I'm thinking about going to Hilton Head. Have you been to Hilton Head? Do you have a good suggestions of places to stay? Or any ideas of a place to vacation within driving distance from here and oil-free? I tried talking Matt into going to Hawaii but we figured it might be a little too long a flight for Ryan, ha!

Memorial Weekend and Norris Lake TN

We loaded up the car and started our weekend on Friday afternoon and headed to Norris Lake in TN. Matt's uncle just bought a lakehouse down there and we were excited about a family weekend at the lake.

Ryan is a great traveler and did well on the way down there. It's abouta 4 hour drive down. His usual bedtime is 7pm but he didn't fall asleep in the car until after 8. He slept well until we got off the interstate then he wasn't so happy. We finally arrived after 10 and he went straight to bed without any problems. I was very glad that he slept well ever night we were there.

Ryan's first time on a boat. He didn't like his life jacket at all but once we started going he was tolerable. He actually just froze while we were going along. I kept watching his face waiting for him to turn white or green. On Saturday we went out on the boat during his morning nap and he fell asleep in my arms on the way back. It was so much fun and I think he enjoyed it.

This is the dock and back of the house. They have a beautiful place and are so lucky to be right on the lake. It's hard to see the house from all the trees but it's a beautiful house and land. They have a fire pit in the backyard and we sat around the fire and made smores every night.

Sunday we boated over to one of the marina's to have lunch. We enjoyed some good ol burgers and had a great time.

Matt's cousin Isaac, Kristy and Dawn riding the jet skis. They were having a blast driving these things. We didn't ride them this time so we can't wait to ride them when we go back. They are so much fun.

I even got to drive the boat! I did get a little freaked out though when the boat started going faster and I didn't touch anything and didn't know how to slow it down, ha. Needless to say Steve quickly took over!

Captain Maham

Matt and Ryan enjoying the ride. And yes, he kept his lifejacket on the WHOLE time on the boat but here we were pulling in the dock and about to get off.

Ryan chillin on the boat while in the dock.

We boated over to this cool community called "Stardust". They have these tiny houses right on the water. It was amazing to see all these houses just floating in the water. They were so cute. I can't imagine staying in one of these houses and waking up in the morning to see water all around me. Hope these residents don't sleep walk, ha!

Matt and Ryan. Ryan was pretty calm on the boat. I think it was all the wind and movement that made him so still. He did much better than I had anticipated. I thought it would be a disaster after the first time we tried on the lifejacket.

Steve, Isaac and Kristy in the back. (Isaac and Kristy are Steve's kids and Matt's cousins). We had such a wonderful time and can't wait to go back. It was such a great weekend. We are so thankful to all the service men and women out there who serve our country every day and make it possible for us to live in this free country. God bless them all!