Ducks, Turkeys and Fish ... Oh My!

Already the holiday season!  It’s been a busy month as usual – lots of wonderful happenings to share!

We concluded October with Halloween of course.  Ryan’s 2^nd Halloween – though this time around he was definitely a bit more alert!  Since Ryan is a big fan of his yellow rubber duckies, we  couldn't think of a better costume. 

Here he is reading his Halloween card from his Auntie Diana and Uncle Tim:

And here is our little ducky all ready for Halloween:

It was a low key Halloween since Ryan isn't quite ready for Trick-or-Treating … but Scott and I explained it all to him so he’ll be ready next year!

November began with another business trip for Scott – and some solo time for Ryan and mommy.  It was a 3 night trip so Ryan got to have some quality “girl fun” with Grandma Cec and mommy!  Though the weekend wouldn't be complete without the USC football game!  Ryan wanted to send daddy a picture of us all ready to watch the game!

Ryan went from pulling himself up to cruising in a matter of minutes!  He is hanging onto anything to get a better look and to move around!  It’s so much fun watching him explore and feel so independent!  Here are a few recent “action pics” …

Here he is checking out the coffee table …

…working on his very own car just like Grandpa John can do!

… playing at our new “station”!

… and looking for something in particular in his toy basket …

And before we knew it, Thanksgiving arrived!  It was a busy weekend, but full of fun!  We had two Thanksgiving events – one with Scott’s side of the family and another with mine.  That’s a lot of turkey! 

Here's my favorite turkey ...

Although Ryan’s favorite part of Thanksgiving weekend wasn't the turkey … it was the fish!  But not what you would think!  Scott and I thought it would be a good weekend for a little family adventure to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!  What a great day!  Ryan was beside himself – the exhibits were beautiful and larger than life!  Ryan couldn't get enough of the movement, colors, sounds and smells! 

Here we are enjoying the amazing kelp forest!

.. and here’s Ryan exploring on his own ...

It was a fantastic day!  We can’t wait to go again soon!

Lastly, the end of November brings us to a special announcement.  Ryan is just overjoyed and couldn't wait to show off his new shirt!

On to the next adventure …

It's My Party I'll Smile If I Want To!

Is it already the end of October?  It’s been a busy and wonderful month! 

First, at the end of September on the 29^th was Ryan’s 1^st birthday!  Ryan got to celebrate his birthday with loads of new and old friends in Virginia City NV.  This special trip is one of my favorite car club events.  Virginia City is a neat old gold mining town and is so pretty.  The car club hosts a few dinners after each day of “playing” with cars.  On Saturday the 29^th, Grandma Cec and Grandpa John had arranged for a beautiful birthday cake to celebrate Ryan’s big day!  The car club sang him Happy Birthday and he tried some cake … he’s getting the hang of finger food – especially when the food laid out in front of him is chocolate!   

Hanging out and playing with cars:

A nice view from the restaurant where we celebrated Ryan's birthday ... it's such a beautiful place!

Happy family:

Ryan's Birthday cake:

Make a wish!

We were pretty tired, but still made room for some cake!

We started October by celebrating Ryan’s first birthday with a big party – celebrating Ryan’s first year and our first year as parents!  We went “big” since we felt that the three of us deserved a good celebration.  It was an eventful year – but one worth celebrating as we wouldn't change a thing!  And in addition to celebrating his birthday, we loved that it was also Dwarfism Awareness Month!  Hooray!

  

Ryan’s party was such a great day.  We held the party at a park in our area.  We reserved a fantastic picnic spot and set it up with our awesome race car theme!  From checkered flags to a Cars themed cake to race car “rubber ducky” favors – we had a blast creating this party.  Ryan is a lucky boy – he had tons of friends and family come by to celebrate his special day!  We caught up with friends, enjoyed loads of food and drinks and just enjoyed ourselves outside in the perfect weather!  And Ryan got more cake – he made a rather large chunk of cake disappear so looks like he’s getting the hang of finger food … and chocolate! 

Here are some nice views of the party ...

Cake time!  

Yummy!

What a lucky boy!!!

Last Halloween was Ryan’s first Halloween technically, but since he was just a month old we didn't do much to celebrate.  This year, we decided that Ryan would appreciate the pumpkin patch!  We found one in our area that wasn't overwhelmed by the blow-up slides and jump houses – it is just a classic pumpkin patch full of pumpkins, hay and scarecrows!  We let Ryan explore some of the pumpkins … though it seems he liked the hay most of all!  I think that Ryan could literally find a needle in a hay stack!  He just loves piecing through bits of paper, dirt, etc.  Such a critical thinker already!

Here we are at the pumpkin patch ..

After enjoying the sites, we picked a few pumpkins and brought them home for our porch!  Looks so cute! 

In addition to chocolate cake, we have been working on Ryan’s finger food skills … here are a few recent experiences …

Yum Yum avocado!

Tofu just like mommy!

The last few weeks of this month were big weeks for Ryan!  

He is able to to sit himself up from crawling!  This brought on a wonderful sense of freedom that he had been wanting so badly!  

He is also pulling himself up and cruising!  Time for me to learn how to hem pants!  Walking will be here before we know it!

And in addition to these big motor skills, we have at least SIX teeth coming in!  Whew!! 

 And with all of these big events, we couldn't miss rooting for the Giants and their big World Series win!  Every time the crowd cheered, Ryan would clap along with!  ... we still have to work on differentiating between our team and the team we're playing!  

More to come soon … on to the next adventure …

Happy Birthday Baby!

Where did September go?  Or even more accurate … Where did that YEAR go?!  My baby boy is ONE year old tomorrow!  When did that happen?  I swear I was just telling people we were expecting yesterday! 

What a year it has been.  If you told me a year ago that we would have done the things we have done, I would not have believed you.  Ryan has made our lives even better than we could have imagined.  It’s hard to put into words having a son who at first is your worst fear embodied: a genetic disorder!  When we found out that Ryan has achondroplasia, at first I could only think about medical hurdles, social difficulties, and physical limitations.  All things that were completely on the opposite end of the spectrum from what I had envisioned for 9 months!  It didn't take long to fall for Ryan.  And as Scott and I learned about achondropliasia and about Ryan’s specific case, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised that little people have perfectly normal, happy, healthy lives!  Of course we have had a few extra doctor’s appointments and/or minor  issues … but they are just that.  Minor.  And to top it off, Ryan has risen above everything that has come his way.  It’s hard to explain, but I am overwhelmed with pride when I think of Ryan’s past, present and future.  He’s more than just “normal” – he’s my Ryan: perfect in every way.

Here are a few pictures looking back over this first year …

Here I am at one of my showers … I’m 33 weeks here!

Happy family:

Homecoming!!

First time meeting his feline brother Tobey:

Helping mom and dad find the perfect Christmas tree for his first Christmas!

Yay for Holidays!

One of our “less fun” adventures …

Say cheese …

My little bunny and his first Easter Basket …

First time at the race track!

First birthday party!

Go Giants!

First time at the family cabin …

First swim class!

Fight On!

First vacation … what a vacation it was!

First Snorkel ...?  

It’s fitting that Ryan’s birthday is at the end of September … right in time for October - which is National Dwarfisim Awareness Month!  Ryan has opened my eyes, my heart and my mind.  I can’t wait to learn more about dwarfism and to help make a difference.  I feel lucky that today, people are more accepting of differences, but we still have a long way to go!  Thankfully, Ryan has a massive support group in our friends and family. 

Here’s to Ryan! … the most amazing, perfect, lovely boy – I couldn't ask for anything more. 

... On to the next adventure!