true confessions

When I started this blog, my main purpose was to create a way to share pictures of Ryan and the family with our friends and family across the country (and a few international friends as well).  What I have realized over the last few months is that...shall I dare say this out loud?...I have become a bit addicted to the blog.  Not just this blog, everyone else's too.  It's a great way to catch up with friends who live farther away than we would like, but I have found myself doing some "blog stalking" as my friend Katie put it the other day...peeping at other peoples' blog sites just to see how they do it.  Sometimes they're not even people I know!  I have been known to push that "next blog" button at the top of the screen from time to time, which links you to a random other person's blog.  It may seem creepy to some people, but I have to think that no one is putting things on a blog that they don't mind other people knowing.  I don't at least.  And it's kinda like looking in people's windows (from a good, legal distance away) and wondering what life is like on the inside for that family.

Anyway, the other night when I was up feeding Ryan at 4 am...it's when I get some good thinking done, believe it or not...I came up with a great idea for a blog post.  I have come across a few posts lately (from friends and from strangers) that have left me smiling, and have helped me appreciate more little things about my son.  I realized, as I read other peoples' thoughts about their little ones, that many of the things their kids do that make them happy, are the exact same things Ryan does that makes me happy.  And that fact, that so many kids have many mannerisms that are so alike, just makes me smile and makes me proud to be a mom.  So here's my list of a few of things that we LOVE about our little boy, and hopefully this will cause someone else (maybe friend or maybe stranger) to smile and think about things like I have....

• when Ryan gets excited, at something as simple as one of us walking in the room, he grins from ear to ear and starts to flap his arms and legs uncontrollably
• there is a mirror on the wall above our changing pad downstairs, and every time I change his diaper and then stand him up and face him into the mirror, he smiles at my face and then stares in awe as he realizes there is that "other baby" watching him, and then he tries to hide his face in my neck...as if this kid is shy
• he reaches for our cheeks, mouth, nose, eyes, and ears at every chance he can get...which sometimes makes me remember how often I need to trim his fingernails!
• sometimes Ryan is so excited to eat, that he forgets that he's supposed to nurse and sticks his thumb in his mouth instead, and then quickly remembers that's not what is going to satisfy him and he gets back to business.  even at 4 am, this is cute and makes me laugh.
• although we haven't gotten much from him in the way of true giggling yet, we've heard quick previews of his giggle when we manage to make funny sounds...which ends up getting us to laugh at him, and he just stares at us like we're crazy.
• there aren't many times that Ryan lets me just hold him and snuggle him anymore, unless he's tired, and then this is one of my most favorite times (again, usually at 4 am after he's eaten).  It's worth staying awake an extra 10 minutes just to rock with him snuggled into my chest, as I know all too soon this opportunity will be gone completely and he'll be embarrassed by his dorky mom.

Okay, if you're even still reading at this point, I'll save you any more sappy emotion from me.  But to those of you that have been here, are going through this now, or will be going through this phase of life shortly or a long time from now, I hope this made you smile a little bit and reflect on your own experiences.  Because really that's what this blog has become for me...a little bit like a journal, and a little bit like therapy.

Happy Spring!

p.s. I promise the next post will be WAY more pictures and WAY less words, as I'm sure the pictures are what keep most of you tuned in.

are we ready for this?

For the last week we've been letting Ryan play with his spoons and bowls, to get him excited about the thought of trying real food.  He seems to be having a great time, and seems to be getting very ready for the real deal.  When we're eating around him he stops what he's doing to have a look at our food, tries to reach for it, and tries to stick his hands all over it.  How many more signs can he give us?  It won't be too long Ry, promise. 

Aside from practicing with the highchair and utensils, Ryan's working on sitting up by himself....we've been trying this every now and then without much success, and then all of a sudden this weekend he decided it was time.  Or something.  Because here he is....balancing all on his own!  It's not perfect, and we can see that there are many more face plants to come.  But I'd say he's doing a great job of finding his balance point and holding it for at least 10 seconds at a time.  Toys help too, of course. 

And we officially have a boy that can roll from one side of the room to the other.  He's all wiggles, and now can put those wiggles to something more purposeful.  It's a riot to watch really, and he's having a blast.

still drooling, as you can see.....

Ryan loves to play with dad, and dad's facial hair (he's still not used to the kisses from the scratchy face, but we're working on it).  I love the expression on Ryan's face in this picture...he's in awe....

march madness

Here is what Ryan thought of the awesome Huskies win yesterday...

And this is what Ryan's wearing today, in hopes that he can bring good luck to the other team that this family cheers for...

Go Bears!

Eddy's birthday

Yesterday was Eddy's birthday, and for being a weeknight (and my first week back at work) I think we did a darn good job of celebrating.  The night before his birthday we had a great date night and went out to dinner, while Nonni & Nonno so graciously watched Ryan for us.  And then for his actual birthday, Eddy's family came over for dinner and, of course, cake & presents.  Ryan and I managed to bake Eddy a cake on Wednesday, from scratch none-the-less!  A lemon cake, made with real lemons, Eddy's favorite. Ryan loved all the celebrating, and loved seeing his grandparents and aunties. 

 we love this little guy, drool and all

 happy birthday Eddy!

 a man and his boy

 can't decide which is better...my toes or this cake

 the lemon birthday cake

 Celebrations aside, Ryan's been struggling with his 2nd tooth growing in, right next to the other one on the bottom, and this one hasn't been as easy as the first.  But he seems to be a bit less fussy today, so hopefully we're through the worst of it.  It's not fair that little babies have to deal with something this painful.   On a happier note, he's still all smiles and we couldn't be happier.  He has started to grab for his toes, and is continuing to master the "almost-crawl"...pushing up with his arms and legs and almost getting up into all 4's.  Needless to say, we've started child-proofing the house.

hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work we go

The day has come at last...my maternity leave is o-v-e-r.  And as hard as it was to walk out the door this morning (with a few tears in my eyes, not gonna lie), it did feel kinda good to enter back into the adult world after being gone for 5 1/2 months, and it seems like Ryan had a great day with our babysitter Tracy and her 2 kids. He was all smiles when we got home.  Our fingers are crossed that things keep working out well, it'd be great for Ryan to have 2 playmates a few days a week.  The nicest part about being gone all day today....I am home all day tomorrow.  I think this 20 hour work week is going to be perfect.  
As for Ryan...he's doing great.  He's developed a new sound...more like a squawk.  Not sure if it's a laugh or just talking to us, but it's hilarious.  He's curious about everything, has started reaching and grabbing for things while sitting on our laps (like he almost pulled my bowl of soup off the table while I was eating lunch this weekend), and he's beginning to wiggle about on his stomach so much that I fear crawling may not be that far off. 

 "what mom, you're leaving me to go back to WORK?"

he started off in the middle of the jungle mat, and managed to roll and wiggle himself into this position all so he could play with the Tucan.  of course.

Reading

kickin' around the house

Just a few pictures from the last few days...

"lil' heart breaker"...thanks for the outfit Jen and Tyler!

karate moves

why does my son tolerate me?  but really, how kissable are these cheeks?  I just can't stop

he seems like he's growing so fast, but just to give you a little perspective...he's still small compared to the couch throw pillows

although we still have awhile before we attempt real food, we figured we'd get Ryan used to the highchair.  And so far he loves it!

nap time...and our boy, who never really loved his pacifiers, has finally figured out how to suck his thumb.  we're hoping all those rumors about thumb sucking causing high orthodontist bills are just plain wrong. 

And the latest news from the Bayers, is that Ryan has sprouted his first tooth!  We figured it was close, seeing as how he chews on everything, and it definitely explains the drool factor.  He was chewing on my finger the other evening, and all of a sudden I felt something sharp, and sure enough....the beginnings of a tooth on his bottom gum.  So far he's taking it like a champ.  Let's hope it stays that way!

WWF moves

The Wrestling Match of the Century (or at least the match of the century on Carisbrooke Lane)....

Ryan Edmond Bayer  

vs 

fluffy white bunny

the stare down

that's it, trick him into thinking you guys are friends

yes, biting is legal

and when he's not looking, go in for the kill

hey mom, did I win? 
yes you did Ry, you absolutely did.

4 months old

Our baby boy will be four months old at the end of this week, and it's amazing how much he has changed in such a short time.  He's very alert, very interactive, is good at reaching for toys, and is mastering the art of pushing buttons -- especially when it makes a cool noise as a result.  We're enjoying our regular "conversations" with him, he's got a lot to say, and he sure does like putting just about everything in his mouth. As he's also more aware of the sounds around him, he makes us aware of the sounds he doesn't like (daddy's loud sneezes continue to scare him every time). 

He had his checkup with the doctor yesterday, and is doing great....16 lbs 1.3 oz (80th percentile for weight), 26 inches (90th percentile for height).  Ryan was so much more alert this visit that while he was laying on the table in the doctor's office, his feet were wiggling and getting tangled in the paper that was on the table beneath him, and he scared himself with the loud crinkling noise! It's hard not to laugh at the things I probably wouldn't have even noticed before.....ahhhh to see life through the eyes of a child.  It sure does make me appreciate the little things.  And we are loving each little experience with this little man of ours. 

mmmmmm, tasty

checkin' out the info sign with dad

 

it's tough work figuring out all these buttons....

  

 ...LOVE the exersaucer!

  

"look ma, no hands!"

"mmmmm, tasty"

 
MORE CUTE SHOTS OF OUR LITTLE GUY...

and the classic baby butt shot....he'll hate me for this when he's older

And yesterday, when Eddy got home from work, we realized just how much more interactive Ryan is becoming.  He has started reaching for things, dad's face in particular.  Ryan's way of getting back at all those prickly kisses dad gives him!