Ryan -- 21 Months

Dear Ryan, you are now 21 months old!! 

The beginning of this month was tough as we went through night-weaning. You were regularly waking up between 2-3am for a milk snack, and Mommy hadn't had a full night's sleep in too long. So for a week and a half I did my best to snuggle and be with you while you screamed, cried, and tantrumed for your nightly snack. You have a stubborn streak just like your Mommy, so some of these sessions were 20-30 minutes long. It was really hard for both of us! But then you got it and started sleeping "until the sun came up." And Mommy started getting some nice, long nights of sleep. Sometimes you still wake up and want a snack, but after a few minutes you go back to sleep.

 You definitely have a sense of humor. You love to laugh and make us laugh. The best is when you and Jake laugh and laugh and laugh together.

 And you love berries. And melon. You could eat those things all.day.long.

 Sense of humor. And you frequently love to take markers and color the underside of your nose.

While you didn't have any other big leaps this month, you are doing very well. You weigh 22 pounds and are of average height and weight. Just right. And all your teeth have poked through except for your bottom canines, we're still waiting for those.
As always, we love you so much.

Jake - 6 years old

Dear Jake, 

Six years old. Time has flown. Just yesterday I was holding a tiny baby in my arms. It's been an honor to watch you grow and to be your mom (and dad). These past 6 months have seen lots of new things: lost your first tooth, learned to play on a team with t-ball, finished your second half of Kindergarten, starting to have official chores around the house (setting the table and picking up your own toys and clothes), new glasses, the ability to walk up and back from Skylar's house on your own, and learning to read and write.

You are such an amazing team player and good friend. You're the kind of kid who gets along with anyone, and everyone enjoys your company. 

At school you participated in learning about Mexican culture and dressed up to dance in a performance. You were so excited about it and Gramma, Ryan, and I loved watching you.

You've definitely turned into a boy!

Graduating from Kindergarten was pretty awesome. 

You were sad about leaving Sra. Lagos. Each day that you arrived, you would greet her with a hug. I'm so happy that you have liked your teachers.

The day before your birthday we decided to go get your hair cut. Originally you were thinking you wanted to try having long hair, like Daddy, but as it grew you started to realize that it wasn't as much fun as you thought. For one thing, it made you hotter and sweatier when the temperatures rose! 

Before.

After, a new style that the cool guy did for you. Short on the back and sides, a little longer in the front.

One of the biggest changes that you've made in the last few months prior to turning six is that you can now fall asleep on your own. No longer do you need me or Daddy to stay by your side until you fall asleep. Since school finished, you have been getting into bed and reading Calvin and Hobbes using a red-light flashlight, and then going to sleep when you are ready. This is such a big milestone and incredibly sweet.

We love you so much -- you are such an amazing, sweet, loving smart, inquisitive, happy boy.

Jake's 6th Birthday!

The night before Jake's birthday (when I had been laboring with him 6 years prior) I labored to collect and organize ALL his Legos into his new Lego organizer system. And yes, this system was just as much a present for me as it is for him. My friend Nadine made the t-shirt with the number 6 on it. And then there was the Lego Ninjago Fire Temple set with almost 1200 pieces!

 Jake walking into the room the next morning to see his birthday presents.

 Yay!

 He kissed the box. Lol!

 Checking out his new storage system.

 Each box has a different minifig head on it, with a different facial expression.

Jake spent most of the day working on the dragon that came with the Fire Temple. He managed to finish it and it was very, very cool.

Later that afternoon, it was time for his birthday party! In a departure from all previous parties, we hosted it outside our home, at Playdate PDX. This mama was grateful to make it easy this year. I loved how our party room had a cool dragon painted on the wall!

 The only picture I took of inside the playstructure. It was a very, very cool place to play. I even donned some socks and went inside myself and played for a bit. Very fun!

 Papa and Gramma were there.

 Getting ready to eat pizza!

 Opening presents.

 It was fun chaos!

 I'm on my phone, trying to type in who gave what present as fast as he was opening them.

 Top row, L to R: Ari, Luna, Diego, Jake, Finley, Skylar. Bottom row: Luke, Thalen, Luna, Douglas, and Isaac.

 And the littles -- Ryan and Kathryn.

 Yum... cupcake.

 Jake spent the whole time we were singing "Happy Birthday" joking around with Isaac. His cupcake had a number 6 candle, which is what he wanted. I made vanilla cupcakes with vanilla icing that had diced Oregon strawberries mixed in. Really yummy.

After the cupcakes, they went back and played more. Then as they were leaving, I gave out the party favors -- little surprise packets of Lego minifigs. They didn't know what minifig was inside until they opened the package.

Jake had a fabulous time, and went home with a big smile on his face.