Sunday, May 20, 2012

St. George Trip

At the beginning of this month we took a quick trip to St. George.  Megan and Dan graduated from Dixie College and we wanted to be there to see them get their diplomas.  I'm so proud of them and wish them all the best as they move on to bigger and better things!  This trip was also an excuse to celebrate all of us girls' birthdays.  I love that we all share a birthday month!  I think this was the first time we had one big combined party.  I feel so old these days...I know I'm not old at all, but seeing my little sisters becoming beautiful young women makes me feel old.  Although, some would argue I don't even look like I'm the oldest sister.  No one believes me when I tell them I'm 25 and I hate it.  Oh well, someday I'll appreciate the fact I look young for my age.

Brody was so excited to go to St. George.  He talked about it for weeks beforehand and once it was finally time to leave, he was so happy!  He and Ryker had a blast staying at my grandparents house.  They recently had a pool put in their backyard, and they of course loved that the most.  Brody swam at least twice each day we were there.  He talks about going to St. George all the time now and I think we'll have to make trips down there more often.  He loves it there.  I love seeing my sister and brother-in-law, and my grandparents, but summers down there are way too hot for me.  Maybe we'll have to wait until fall...

Congrats, Meg and Dan!  We are so proud of you guys!




Brody playing on the bed...everything is more fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house.



My loves...



Brody being silly in the car...




Loving pool time!


The graduates.


Ryker and Brody did great during the ceremony.


I love the look on Ryker's face.  He's thinking, "why is his hand around me? I'm not so sure about this."



Ryker loved my great grandpa...



 Me and my beautiful sisters.



 Our yummy cake from Schmidt's bakery.


Brody only wanted to eat a purple flower.


Ryker loved the cake too!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

13 Months Old



This happened last month too...I guess he just really hates this chair.  He gets so sad when we sit him in it.


He's trying to smile.


"Okay, I'm really done now.  Please get me out of this thing."


Once we got him out of the chair he gave me a big smile.  He has a little cross bite like I did when I was younger.


Brody wanted a picture taken too.  Isn't he handsome?


Playing dress-up.  He put the hat on by himself.








I can't believe my little Ryker D. is 13 months old!  He is such a little cutie and I just can't get enough of him!  He is such a busy little guy and can't sit still for more than 30 seconds at a time, which makes it hard to get anything done...but I love how much energy he has.  He keeps me moving and I'm usually so tired by the end of the day, but seeing his happy face and smiles makes it all worth it!

Because of how busy he is, it's hard to get him to sit and read books with me, but I've been able to find a couple of books that keep his interest.  He loves "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Eric Carle, and he loves his word book that's full of pictures that he can point at.  He loves to look at the page with animals and also the food page.  Even though he doesn't like to sit on my lap to read books as much as Brody did/does, he loves to carry our little board books around and look at them on the move.  He also loves to play with Dexter and Brody and he loves to be outside.  

Ryker is becoming very independent.  He wants to be big and do things all on his own, and when he sees Brody doing something, he wants to do it too.  While he's walking, he does not like to hold anyone's hand...he lets you know he can do it on his own.  He wants to brush his teeth on his own, he tries to put his own shoes on, and he even tries to undress himself.  He likes to brush his hair and throw his diapers away...or anything else he thinks needs to be put into the trash can.  I've found many things in the trash that do not belong...haha.  It's hard at this age when they want to do things by themselves that just isn't really possible yet, but I let him try and he eventually lets me help...but I'm sure as he gets older it will be very nice to have an independent child.  Hopefully...

Some funny things Ryker is doing are: playing dress-up with Brody.  He loves to put hats and glasses on and run around with Brody.  He jabbers and "talks" to us and expects us to know what he's saying.  (The cutest thing on the planet.)  He does things on purpose to make us laugh...like chew his food funny, or dance.  And when he realizes he's being funny he'll do it over and over again.  He is a little goofball.  And he points at things with his pointer finger and thumb.  I love seeing his personality come through...he is so funny and everyone loves him..he's a charmer that's for sure.  Maybe part of that are his big, blue eyes.

He tries so hard to talk, but all he really says still is "dada."  Every once in a while he'll say "mama", but for the most part he's still just signing.  He can sign: milk, please, drink, eat, thank you, cereal, fish, and dog.  Sometimes he'll imitate and monkey or make a roaring sound for a lion or tiger.  He also makes car sounds while playing cars with Brody.  So cute!

For a while I was getting really frustrated feeding Ryker.  All he was wanting to eat was fruit and he just wasn't getting full and wanted to snack all day, but I think that phase passed quickly.  He will eat pretty much anything now.  Except green beans still.  He loves hot dogs, quesadillas, panini sandwiches, eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes.  He still loves fruit more than anything, but it is becoming easier to fix meals that everyone will eat.  


I love my little man so much!  He lights up my day and I'm so excited to continue to watch him grow.  I love being his mommy!