Winter Wonderland

Winter has taken it's toll on us this year!  But we have come through with smiles as usual!  

Ryan decided to embrace the cold and flu season by getting both a cold bug and a flu bug – once the cold bug went away, he decided to give the flu bug a try!  Poor guy probably had more sick days than healthy days this month.  It was a challenge for us all!

But true to form, Ryan rose above the bugs best he could and took any moment he could to be the fun-loving guy he is! 

Here he is recovered from his flu bug - smiles and back to himself!

Not too many adventures this month with the illnesses spreading through the house – Ryan was generous with mommy and gave me both the cold bug and then the flu next! 

Ryan took advantage of the time at home and he mastered his walking toy and zips all around the house – complete with both left-hand and right-hand turns!  The only “driving” skill remaining is backing up, though he’s figured out a few ways around that problem of course.  One such way is to walk around to the other side of the toy and push it back in the direction he came from!  Pretty inventive idea!

Here’s my guy cruising around!

Ryan has also been working on some more “skilled playing” – putting toys through shaped holes, pushing toys, etc. 

Here’s his first impression of how to approach his new puzzle:

And here’s another method …

Working on our shapes …

We have “out” and “in” down pat with this toy!

Food is an ongoing adventure for Ryan.  He's getting more and more interested in finger foods as we expand his menu.  Though as he learns of new flavors, he's discovered that veggies aren't his favorite.  It's quite a challenge to sneak them in, but I try to camouflage them into other foods ... Here he is enjoying his mac and cheese ... I added peas in hopes of a tasty healthy meal ... but Ryan caught on really fast ...

... we already figured out how to separate the "icky" stuff from the good stuff!

Ryan is a big football fan just like his daddy.  He still throws his arms up in the air for “Touchdown!” whenever he sees a game on TV.  Sometimes he calls a touchdown just before it happens ... Just luck or does he know something we don’t?

Here he is ready to root for his team in the Superbowl!  

With the lack of “real adventures”, Ryan made the best of our weekend errands and chores!  He enjoys helping mom and dad get things done!

Here he is at the grocery store … he’s very good about pointing out EVERY balloon the store has on display!

We love helping load and unload the dishwasher!  Hopefully this continues for the next 18 years … but somehow I doubt that!

Ryan's big adventure of the month was another sleep study.  We had a few appointments because he kept catching bugs all month long!  Finally at the end of the month we did the full study and boy was it a long night!  

Here we are getting settled.  Ryan was having a great time exploring the new surroundings!

It was a tough night for Ryan - sleeping wasn't easy since he's older and more aware of things now.  All those wires stressed him out quite a bit.  He was having such a hard time that we opted to hold him for the night.  Scott and I took turns holding him while he slept.  And thankfully that got us through the study with enough sleep and data!  

Here's Ryan the next morning having some morning milk ... what a night!

That picture sure makes one feel sad for Ryan.  Clearly he had a rough time - but my guy is so tough - just look at him a few short hours later! 

He amazes more every day.  The things he goes through and how he handles it all!  I can't put into words how proud I am!

Now it's time for a new month of fun and adventures ... starting with the Superbowl!  

Go Niners!

... On to the next adventure!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

December was a fast and fun month!  Ryan enjoyed the holiday season and all that comes with it! 

We started out the holiday season by getting together with some friends for a holiday portrait party!  They did a great job - we had a nice visit, shared some good food and took some nice family pictures!

Here we are smiling for the camera!

And here's Ryan "hugging" his little sister!
Yup, it's a girl!  We're very excited!

Next on our list of holiday fun we had our LPA Christmas party!  We were very excited to catch up with our new friends and to celebrate the holidays!  

Here's Ryan all ready to go!

It was a great day of fun - there was lots of delicious food as usual and the turnout was fantastic.  Ryan got to see some friends that are just about his age and Scott and I enjoyed visiting with their parents.

The highlight of the party was Santa's arrival! 

Here is Santa arriving on his Fire Truck!  That was a big hit!

Next, Santa surprised all of the children by having a present for each and every one of them!  And he even took the time to sit down with everyone.  

Here's Ryan meeting Santa for the first time!

And here's Ryan and mommy enjoying their day!

Next on our list was Christmas shopping of course.  Scott and I braved it with Ryan in tow and he did GREAT!  We were able to get everything on our list - and then some of course.  And we all had a great time.  

Here's Ryan enjoying a break at the mall playground!

Our last stop before Christmas was a visit to see Santa!  This was Ryan's first time visiting Santa - he was really young last year.  We got to the North Pole nice and early ... we had a bit of a wait but we figured it easier to wait on the early side than be in a long line.  

Here we are waiting for Santa to arrive!  ... Ryan needed a power nap before his big moment ... or maybe he just couldn't handle the excitement!

And here we are with Santa!  Ryan loved him - we think Santa might have more nervous than Ryan!  He didn't really believe us when we told him that Ryan wouldn't be upset!  

And clearly he wasn't ...  :)

Before we knew it, Christmas morning had arrived!  

Up bright(?) and early and ready to see what Santa brought!

We had a wonderful Christmas morning together.  Scott and I made brunch and Ryan loved the goodies that Santa brought ... well, the paper and containers were a big hit!  Maybe next year we'll like the actual presents more :)

Opening a present with daddy ...

Enjoying a new toy under the tree!

After the holidays we spent some nice time together.  

Here's Ryan enjoying some of his new favorite activities!

We are cruising ALL around the house!  Clinging to anything and exploring everything!

Our new favorite snack ... Cheerios!

This is our favorite way to cruise around ... he's getting really fast!

And here we are helping daddy take down the Christmas tree!  Nice and easy this year with our artificial tree :)

We had a big day before the end of the year ... Ryan had his FIRST HAIRCUT!  True to form, Ryan thought it was a blast and had no anxiety whatsoever!  

The "Before" ... 

Doing our best to sit still ... good thing his stylist has quick hands!

Almost done!

A big boy!

What a year is has been!  2013 is sure to be a great year!

... on to the next adventure!

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 …