Ryan - 19 Months

Dear Ryan, 

You are now 19 months old -- all of a sudden I realized you are on your way to being 2 and it made my heart stop for a moment. I can't believe my baby is growing into a little boy. 

In so many ways it feels like you are on the cusp. Still nursing but also wanting to be independent. Needing our snuggles and cuddling but capable of playing in the backyard with us checking on you. 

 And you are sweet, and so much fun to be around, and you make us laugh.

 When we go to Jake's school to pick him up, sometimes we meet up with your friend Silas. Silas' brother is in Jake's class, and the two of you will be in kindergarten together!

 So much fun to play on the playground.

 We had Easter this month. You loved seeing the bunnies and you LOVE jelly beans. You ask for them every morning but we wait until after lunch or dinner before you can have one.

Eating is going so-so. Some days you are a gung-ho eater and other days not so much. However, if anyone can get you to eat, it's Gramma and Papa, you'll try anything for them. 

In a 6-week period, Mommy was gone for work all day on 4 separate days, and you didn't like that very much. But we both got through it. 

 Your favorite thing to do right now is read the 'Bear' books, such as Bear at Home, Bear on a Bike, and Bear at Work. They are such cute books and you point to all the pictures on the pages and have us name what you are pointing to. You and Daddy read almost every night while Mommy cooks dinner.

My little love, it's so fun watching you grow. We got Jake's old bike out for you this month and every day you want to ride it (right now we just do it in the garage until we can find the helmet!) You also ask about going to school -- you love doing Jake's drop off and pick ups. It will be way too soon for me before you are happily off to school, yourself!

I love you, Ryan.

Run for the Arts

At school, Jake had a Run for the Arts event to raise money for art programs at the school. Thank you so, so much to all of our family members who donated! Jake loves art class and he also loves running, so this was a great combination. 

It was raining that day so they ran under the covered area. The laps were small, and Jake ran 72 laps! Which translated into 18 big laps. He was very proud of himself and got a t-shirt for his efforts. 

First t-ball game!

First game! There was some sun, yay! 

Home plate! The way t-ball works, for those of you not in the know as I so recently was, is there are 3 innings. All 14 players on each team bat once per inning. Everyone runs to the next base each time there is a new hitter. It doesn't matter if the ball is actually caught/base tagged before a runner gets there, the runner is still safe. Jake was actually "tagged out" at second base because he took his sweet time running from first to second base, while waving at his friend Cole on the opposing team who was in right field.

 What do you do while waiting for the next kid at bat? Chew on your glove.

 Titled "Four Kids Attempt to Get One Ball."

 And there are lots of adults on the field helping the kids learn what to do next.

 At bat.

 He hits!

 He runs!

Easter 2012

We went to Gramma and Papa's house for Easter and the 6 of us celebrated with an outdoor (!) (it was actually sunny and warm!!) egg hunt and yummy brunch.