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!

Ko`u Aloha ~ (My Love)

 August was a busy month for my little adventurer …

To start the month off right, Scott, Ryan and I went up to the wine country for some nice family time.  We had lunch at our favorite spot downtown.  Scott and I enjoyed good food and great wine – it was a great way to end the week!  Ryan enjoyed the lunch stop in a high chair … he spent most of the lunch talking to and watching 3 flies that were buzzing around on the table near us.  (this may make our favorite lunch spot sound questionable I know.  You’ll just have to trust me that it’s amazing!)

Here’s Ryan having a nice time with his lunch buddies:

 

After lunch, we had some time so we did some wine tasting.  Ryan helped us select some wine to share with Grandma Cec and Grandpa John over the weekend. 

Here we all are enjoying the winery:

After our relaxing afternoon, it was off to the races!  We went to our near by hotel – where we stayed with my parents and our Faster Farms friends!   This weekend is the car club’s biggest track event and it’s a blast.  Scott and I thought it’d be more fun and relaxing to stay both Friday and Saturday night – and it proved to be both!

Saturday was a great day for playing with cars.  It wasn’t too hot or cold.  Ryan had a blast watching the cars and visiting with his track friends. 

Our hotel had an awesome indoor koi pond!  Ryan loved watching the fish swim around!

 August 5^th was my parents’ 40^th Wedding Anniversary!   Talk about a great inspiration.  They are an amazing couple and I admire them for maintaining such a strong bond through all the years.  I know that if we take good care, Scott and I can have the same thing.  I am such a lucky girl! 

We had a wonderful celebration dinner at a great Italian spot near the race track.  Everyone got cleaned up really nice and my brother and his wife were even able to join us! 

The 2^nd week of August was a busy one.  I am still patting myself on the back – I survived being on my own with Ryan for 3 days!  Talk about having to be organized – good thing I’m pretty meticulous when it comes to lists and schedules … And to make it even more of a challenge, on top of Scott being out of town, our nanny was on vacation that week also.  So I also had to get my substitute daytime help lined up and ready to go also!  Ryan got to spend some quality time with his Auntie Diana and also his Great Aunt Sheila and Faster Farms friend Susan!  What a lucky boy!

We are still trying to get Ryan eating finger food … we got him some silken tofu – nice and soft and mushy ... at first he was very intrigued by the tray before him complete with a mysterious substance for poking …

Then we tried a small piece … that wasn’t much of a hit!  Poor guy is having a tough time - even with small soft chunks of food … he gagged and got really upset with us!

… well, it’s something to get used to … maybe he’ll like finger food better next time …

Our biggest adventure of the month was our trip to Hawaii!!!  This was Ryan’s first vacation – what a wonderful week we had!  In celebration of their anniversary, my parents took everyone – Scott, Ryan and I and my brother Sean and his wife Leslie on the most amazing vacation. 

We flew direct – and after a 2 hour plane delay (on the plane!) we were off!  Ryan actually did really well on the flight – we had fantastic seats thanks to Grandpa John – we were in the front row so we had plenty of room to put Ryan on the floor.  And thank goodness for those ear tubes – he was probably the only happy child on the plane during the descent! 

Our condo was simply amazing.  It had a suite for each couple – and ours had plenty of room for Ryan’s crib – we might have had plenty of room for it in our closet … and we might have put it there … I’m not going to say!  :)  The living space was just gorgeous – overlooking the ocean and the great room was perfect!  My dream house has a great room like this.

Here we are getting settled in the condo:

We all had plenty on our agenda’s – Ryan’s “to do’s” consisted mostly of naps, eating and sleeping – with a little exploring and swimming mixed in!  Here we are on our adventures …

And here we are back to reality … and it’s already time to finalize Ryan’s FIRST BIRTHDAY party!  I can’t believe that my baby boy is turning a YEAR old in one month!  Time has FLOWN by! 

Here’s my adventurer at 11 months:

… on to the next adventure!