Ryan and her Animals!

Grandma bought Ryan her Little People Zoo for Christmas and it was cute and Ryan loves the animals, but I wasnt really sure if she was too young to really understand the educational part of the toy. Until one day she came over dumping her animals on the floor, and on a whim I asked her where her monkey went, pointing to the letter "M" on the mat. She found it and put the monkey on the "M". Hmmm...fluke? Lets try this again, "Ryan, here is the dolphin. It starts with a D, where is the D?" She looks around the mat, finds the D. Oooookkkk...coincidence? One more, "Ryan, here is the bear. Can you find the B for bear?" OMG- SHE IS A GENIUS!!!!!!
Now granted she does get bored with this game after about 8 animals, and for some crazy reason, the poor flamingo can never make it to the mat (he ends up on the swing, or slide), and the hippo ends up in the rhino's spot (in her defense, they do look alike) but for those precious minutes my child is brilliant!!! :)

Here is PROOF (copy & paste this link):
http://www.youtube.com/user/Arjuna3131?feature=mhw4#p/a/u/0/vWUC-HLk1js

What Ryan, Leah is EASY?!?! Ok, you try!

I sit Leah in the recliner and let her try to "sit up" on her own. She falls over, and we try again, she falls again and this time starts to cry. Ryan comes over all "concerned" and pushes me out of the way and climbs up onto the chair. Fine Ryan, you hold her and try to calm her down. She sat next to her, put her arm around her, and within seconds Leah starts to get upset. Well, as you can see from the pictures Ryan is fed up, I mean she can clearly only take 30 seconds worth of caring! She looks like a 36 year old mother of two babies under two who is about at her wits end! Hilarious!
I decided to let Ryan off the hook before she did something stupid like push Leah off the chair or something. She had that look in her eye! :)

Eagles and Snakes and Frogs OH MY!!!!!

Took Ryan to the Wildlife After Dark party Sat night at Georgia Southern University's Wildlife Center. Not really knowing what to expect, the first thing we encounter-THE EAGLE! Crazy cool. Not sure how many of you have ever seen this magnificent bird up close, but they are spectacular! Ryan was, however, unimpressed. There were turrrtels near by and they are waaayyy cooler according to her. I got her away from them to try to again dazzle her with the eagle and its 90inch wingspan, but alas, she saw the snake cages. I didnt have the heart to tell her that the eagle picks up those sorry snakes and eats em like a snack-but again, whatever Ryan wants...we toured around outside and some nice men pulled out some snakes for Ryan to touch-HA-lets see how much she likes snakes now, now that they are not behind glass! Oh, wait, you want to touch them, you want to hold them, you want to SQUEEZE them ...uh oh..we are in some trouble. I personally do not mind snakes, but Jamey was keeping his distance for sure (he claims it was for Leah's safety...yeah right!).
After running from snake to snake to frog to porcupines (yup a porcupine), she was ready to go and we heading back through the gift shop (such smart configuration-making us exit through the gift shop). I showed her the cutest stuffed turtle-all I got was a head shake and a "no". Ok, how about a cute stuffed eagle, "No". I turn around and she has a handful of rubber snakes! Alright, but dad is NOT going to happy about this! As we left through the lobby, all the workers who were lined up welcoming people asked what Ryan had-she proudly lifted her fistful of snakes into the air...and said, SAKES!!!". I'm a lucky mommy! :)

Slip em on and Rock em Right, Ryan!

Grandma got Ryan the COOLEST shoes-ShellToe adidas! Just like mommy has! Now, back in the day (a history lesson for all you youngsters), RUN DMC (so cool, so fly) used to wear their adidas with no laces and the tongue hanging out. I heard someone ask Run one time how they keep their adidas on and he replied, "We just slip em on and rock em right!". BRILLIANT! So first thing I did when Ryan got her new shoes was take the laces out, so she could "rock em right." And you know what happened-she fell down....A LOT! And frankly, as cool as Ryan is, I wasnt totally convinced she could pull off this look-cardigan sweater, hippie flared jeans, and her gangster adidas?! Despite the scrapes and bruises (where did I put those stupid laces anyway?) these are still her favorite pair of shoes-she wears them daily. I think she "rocks em" in her own Ryanbug stylee-which lets face it, is cute as hell!

WHAT IS THAT?!

I am going to try to tell this story as delicately as I can without being totally grotesque. But it is one of those stories that has to be told, and one I can hopefully use against her one day!
She usually tells us AFTER she has gone poo...She explains, "I go poo-poo!?" Usually phrased as a question, sounding almost french...weird. Anyway, just prior to her bath, she said, "I go poo-poo?!" So I went to change her and she was clean-weird-she never proclaims a dirty diaper unless she IS dirty. Being the wonderful, perceptive mom that I am, I ignored this and put her in her tub for her bath. She was fine for about 15 minutes...coloring happily, blowing bubbles, what-have-you...when I noticed something floating in the tub. Using Ryans words, "Awwwww man!"....its poo. She wasnt telling me she HAD gone, for the first time she was telling me she NEEDED to go. So as gross as that lesson was, it was a step in the right direction! :) Somehow I am thinking there is a more sanitary way of making that point-but whatever! :)
Why is it that everyday I feel like I should be teaching my daughter life lessons, when as it turns out, I am the one who is learning-daily!

"But Ryan, You're a Big Girl!"

Not to brag, but I think Ryan has done exceptionally well with adjusting to Leah. We got rid of the bottles that she was so fond of, she never tries to take Leah's paci's (even though she is a paci fiend!), there has been no hitting or kicking (on purpose) of any kind. And I was warned, I was warned that in the worse case scenario, Ryan would abuse her new sister, and in the best case, she would revert back to "baby" like activities. Ryan, in her infinite coolness, has done NONE of those-until yesterday. Since we brought down the bouncy chair for Leah, Ryan has climbed in it a few times, probably more out of nostalgia, or curiosity more than anything, but never full on chilled out in it. Well, it was nap time for all (fingers crossed) and I put on Elmo in an attempt to get Ryan to take a nap. Which worked, but sadly, she fell a sleep in Leah's bouncer. Now, in her defense (why am I always defending my children?) it looked fairly comfortable to me, even though her feet didn't even touch the floor! I was, not under any circumstance, about to wake this child up to take her upstairs to her crib to nap! My motto of the year...maybe 2 years...hell, maybe even a lifetime-WHATEVER WORKS!!!! Lets just keep our fingers crossed that I dont do any permanent damage with that theory!

All Smiles!!!!!

I am such a weirdo when it comes to naps. If I were to happen to have an afternoon off with the girls in daycare, ALL I can think about is getting home and taking a nice long nap (ahhh, it pleases me to just think about). But inevitably, once I get there and get into bed-I CANT sleep. Maybe my mind drifts to all the crap I have to do, and CAN do with the girls away, that my body betrays me and gives in to my brain (wimp). Now here is where it gets weird-if I do happen to fall asleep, even a little bit, and I am woken up-I am a TERROR! I will stomp around the house like Godzilla. You are probably asking yourself why I am telling you this odd piece of my persona.Well, because it leads into this story:
All three of us got to sleep (Remember Ryan in Leah's bouncer chair-same nap)-which is a miracle in and of itself. Only after 20 minutes Leah started to wake up (in her defense, she was probably a sleep long before Ryan and I went down). But she was stirring and it woke me up from my blissful slumber. I was so upset, so angry, so very very tired. Once I opened my eyes, this is what I saw-a beautiful, smiling, happy, well rested baby and I instantly became at ease. I double dare someone to look at that gummy grin and NOT smile!!! Come on-I TRIPLE DOG dare ya!

"I dont care WHO started it!!!"

So only after 11 or so weeks together they are so over it! Is this a sign of whats to come?! As long as they are quiet-AND injury free, they can fight (ignore)each other all they want!
Honestly though, I wasnt expecting this so soon! Can you say, "Attitude?"

Deja Vu!

I just so happened to have gone back to look at old Ryan's older posts and low and behold I found a post talking about how one weekend in February it was 18 degrees, and the next was 82. And just like that, the exact same pattern emerged-last weekend it was snowing, this weekend it was 72 degrees! Weird southern weather! Anyway, I have been complaining, and begging for a weekend like this one-anything to get these poor kids (and myself) out of the house! It was lovely, however, Leah, living like a bat for the past 11 weeks, wasn't sure of this whole "sunshine" thing! But Ryan remembers, and had a great time blowing bubbles, playing on the playground and riding her bike! Hopefully this was simply a glimpse of whats to come!

Just put something on Ryan!

As an experiment, as we were getting ready to head to the store, Ryan followed me upstairs and so I proposed she pick out an outfit. She reached into her t-shirt drawer and pulled out this green t-shirt. This was fine, it went well with her white sweatpants and sneakers...good job Ryan! I head into the bathroom to finish getting ready, when I come out Ryan has found a red hat and a brown & white scarf to complete her ensemble! I didnt even know I owned that scarf. But ok..just when I thought she has decent fashion sense, she tries to pull this look off! NOT HAPPENING!
I suppose I should applaud a decent effort. :)

Snow in the Boro?!

It wasn't long ago that I posted about Savannah trucking in snow and us taking Ryan to see it...well this time-it was for real. I am always skeptical of snow in the forecast, in particular when it is in the deep south, so I didn't get my hopes up. Plus, Jamey was in Jacksonville with my mom buying a mini van and I had other priorities. But the weatherman was consistent and persistent, so I thought at the very least I could "see" snow. But now I had to worry about Jamey and my mom getting home in this weather(I mean really? It doesn't snow for like a decade and it snows when my beloveds have to travel? AND with our new car?-really?). I was hoping it would start in time for Ryan to see it before she went to bed and that wish was granted-but she was NOT impressed. She ran to the back door, looked out, got excited, ran to get her coat & shoes, and I happily took her out back. That child, so excited, took two steps outside and proclaimed, "COLD!" and ran to my arms. 2 seconds in the snow and we are back inside! Wuss! Maybe tomorrow will be a better snow adventure. Thankfully, mom and Jamey made it home safe (not without issues-but for another time, another place) and I went to bed anxious to take Ryan out in our newly fallen 4 inches! Poor thing-I literally drug her out of bed and threw some clothes on her (not even close to appropriate clothes) she was wearing a pj top, a hooded sweatshirt, a spring lightweight raincoat, a pair of socks, jeans and boots (refusing to wear her mittens). After dragging dad out of bed as well, we were outside maybe 15 minutes, running around, Ryan spending most of that time trying to figure this stuff out. She eventually jumped in daddy's arms (who was more than ready to get back into bed) and our fun in the snow was over! Let me tell you, if all snow days are like this one-snow overnight, wake up to a beautifully covered town, melted by noon when the sun comes out-I will definitely want to move north!!! This was certainly my kind of snow!!! I find it very cute that Ryan's first experience with snow wasn't in Ohio for Christmas, or a trip to Aunt Judy's in South Bend, but here in the deep south! Good times!

My Funny Valentines!

Oh my sweetness-my teeth hurt just from looking at my sugary Valentine girls! I swore once I found out I was having another girl that wouldn't be the mom who dresses them alike or be too cutesy with them-but-shucks-it is just soooooo sweet, it is hard NOT to!
Both girls had a party at daycare and we had to bring cards for all the kids. I could be like the normal moms and go to Walmart for the little cartoon cards, but noooo, that would be too easy. I often find myself wondering why I am so self-destructive, why do I tend to make things more difficult on myself? Anyway, not to get too reflective and introspective on here-the point was, I did it again! I chose to make my Valentines cards for Ryans class (a group of 1-2 year olds-just to remind you who my audience is). I started out thinking it would take an hour of my time (an hour I really didnt have btw) 2 1/2 hours later I'm done and they are GIGANTIC! I'm feeling pretty proud, I drop them off at school along with some cookies and didnt really think much more about them. Well, that was until I pick Ryan up and she has her goodie bags full of candy and Valentines-all of them were the cute little cartoon cards that had either candy, or a sticker or something much more appropriate than my boring lame handmade card that wasn't a hologram, or a bookmark, or a sucker...it didn't have the Incredibles, or Snoopy or Elmo on it....it didn't play music or pop up...and now that I am thinking of it, it really wasn't even that cute or creative at all...RATS!!! Lesson learned....I say that, but Ryans birthday is right around the corner, and I see handmade invitations in my future! My mistakes are just history repeating itself over over again-now....

Wha?! Soccer?! Behind my back!!

Let me be clear, first and foremost-I like the sport of soccer, I really do. However, I have been watching my husband be involved in one form or another of this game for the last 18 years (either playing, coaching, directing, etc...) So when discussing sports (we all know Ryan will be an athlete-no question-do you see her above catching a ball at 22 months???!!!) I was kind of hoping to avoid soccer for a while. Lets start with gymnastics, or dance, even alpine skiing was mentioned, anything but soccer. So when I caught them outside "practicing" when Jamey thought I was sleeping, I was...well...Grrrrrr!!!! It's fine, really, and I would like to not come across as the bitter wife of a coach who's life is dictated by a sport-but I am a bitter wife of a coach who's life is dictated by a sport-so is it any wonder I prefer alpine skiing?! :)
But she was enjoying herself and looked so cute I had to take some pics!
Now, where are my tennis racquet's-STAT!

What's up dude-whats the score?

What 22 month old stands like this to watch tv?! We were in the kitchen making dinner when my husband whispers to me, "get the camera!". Whispering to me like he wanted me to take a picture of a skittish tiger in the jungle (no sudden movements)-of coarse not being in the jungle but rather in the middle of cooking dinner my reaction was, "WHAT?!". Then he nodded with his head in Ryans general direction, so I felt obliged to look because of the effort Jamey was putting in, so I reluctantly took a peek, and I was so thankful I did-this is what I saw!!! Hilarious! She looked as if she had been walking by and noticed the game on tv and stopped for a gander. You can imagine another toddler walking by and saying, "Whats up dude-whats the score?". This picture cracks me up every time I see it! Not sure if was Ryans stance (which is very funny) or Jamey's gestures trying to get me to look....he is too cute!

Oh for the Love of all that is CUTE!!

Are you kidding me with this amount of cuteness...cant you see the scene-little toddler wakes up, rubs eyes. And without so much as a comb through her hair she waddles to the window and points. "Outside?" she asks. Slipped on my shoes, put on her boots (a good look with pjs) and we wandered out into the yard. As if scripted she grabbed a dandelion and started blowing it. My first question, "How did she know to blow those?" and my second question, "Where the hell is my camera?!"
I hope she made some good wishes and I hope they come true!

Are we really out of the house-is this for real?!

We bought Ryanbug a shiny new bike for Christmas and can you guess how many times in between then and now (Feb 15th) she has gotten to ride her new bike-10 times? 5 times? Try ONCE!!!!!!!!! I know this may sound like an exaggeration, but since Christmas (that is 8 weekends) in a row it has rained on a Saturday. Well, right after Christmas the highs were in the teens and it was just too cold to go out, but since then it has rained every Saturday!!! It would be to the point of being comical, if it wasnt making me so freakin crazy!
Finally, we had a Sat where it wasnt supposed to rain (the weatherman promised me)and we could get these poor children out of the house. *BTW-God bless you families up north who are stuck inside for months!!! I dont know how you do it!* But back to me and my misery. We packed up the bike and the girls and headed to the park. It was sunny and warm at our house and along the way we must have drove into some kind of bad luck weather time warp or something cause as soon as we got out of the car the clouds rolled in, and it dropped 30 degrees!! Is it really possible to have an actual black cloud follow you around? I thought that was only in cartoons. We walked around for maybe 10 minutes, took the few pictures you see above and then it started to rain. Listen, if for some reason someone hits you over the head and you forget what day it is-you would know it was Sat because it was raining here! It is that predictable and obnoxious!

The Many (cute) Faces of Leah!

So as I recall (and my memory should be good I JUST had Ryan) but as memory serves, not much happens in the first 2 months! Subtle changes that should be mentioned-she smiles, like all the time...which reminds me (and whoever answers this question correctly wins a million dollars) I'm baffled as to why gas can make babies smile in their sleep, but scream bloody murder when they are awake-WHY?! Anyway, back to my baby....smiling more, (that isnt gas), she has gained 4+ pounds and 4+ inches since birth (thank goodness cause she was scraaaaaawny!). She is eating great, sleeping great and is generally a great baby-did I mention she is great?! Any excuse to put her picture up! :)