Random March pictures

Ryan and Gramma at Amy's birthday brunch.

 One of the only warm, sunny days in March -- fun to eat outside.

 Having fun playing.

 Hi.

 Hi again.

 Cute.

Ryan -- 17 Months

Dear Ryan, 

You are my little one, growing up. I like this picture because you can see how long and lean you are becoming. Just like your brother. This month you showed that you can definitely RUN, rather than just walk. You can also wrestle on the bed. 

 You are also an amazing climber and explorer. The things you climb sometimes make my heart stop for a moment, but you've had more successes than falls.

 You love your smoothies. Speaking of food, you very clearly tell us when you are finished eating -- you take ALL of the food in front of you and sweep it into the crack between the table and your clip-on chair, so that the food falls onto the floor.

 And the iPhone, when you can get your hands on it. (Even better if you can nab it and then hide.)

 Sometimes my blackberry is an okay substitute at the moment.

 You worked on your molars this month. That was exhausting for both of us.

You are so clearly going from a baby to a toddler. We love you.

100

Jake received his very first, official homework assignment in February. Since his school was celebrating their 100th anniversary, the assignment was to compile a collection of 100 somethings and display them. 

After much discussion, Jake decided to do 100 paper race cars. We figured this would be easier to carry and better to display than 100 actual matchbox cars. After googling images on the web, we picked 3 different images of race cars -- a set of 3, set of 2, and a single car. We printed them and then cut them out, leaving them in their original groupings of 3, 2, and 1. 

Then we took the posterboard and divided it into 10 'lanes.' Jake had to figure out how to get exactly 10 cars into each lane, then we glued them on and colored the cars in the groupings of 3 and 1.

It was a great project!

More February

I caught this double rainbow in our backyard one morning. 

 Aunt Jeanie came to visit and help care for the boys.

 Mike and Jake got these shirts from Grandma Vee awhile back; Jake finally fits into his. So cute when they wear them at the same time.

 Ryan insisted on getting into the picture :)

 More snow. This time with a paper airplane.

Mama's Hair

I went to a new hairstylist that 2 of my friends just love, and asked for a change. I was so excited, and it turned out to be even better than I could have hoped for.

Before. No color, straight, flat.

 After! 2 colors added, curly, and layered.

 When I first arrived home, Jake said "Your hair is different!" That's how much of a change I had :)

Another picture in the daylight the next morning, so you can really see the color more -- I went darker. 

It's been really fun having new hair!

Early February 2012

 Boys playing.

 We got the slide back out of my parent's garage attic. The boys were delighted and have spent hours playing with it. At first, Ryan could only go down the slide with help, but over the course of the month he figured out how to slide down on his own. Now he can slide on his bottom, his tummy, even head-first.

Ryan -- 16 Months

Dear Ryan, 

January was a busy month, and now I am writing this post in March, when you've already grown and changed so much. 

This month you started getting to know your new nanny, Abby. She comes twice a week to play with you while Daddy and I work, and Jake is in school. She's very sweet, speaks Spanish to you, and you love it most when she takes you out of the house on adventures. When it is not raining and not too cold, you two will go to the playground in the village, all bundled up in your stroller. 

 Your teeth began to come up in earnest this month. And this was exhausting.

But there were some great moments, like an unexpected, warm January day where you exercised your new ability to walk well in shoes, and therefore could easily walk around outside on your own. You thought that was awesome!

 You definitely have a silly side. You love to play with the brooms (we encourage you to use the smaller one that is meant for you and Jake, but sometimes the big one is more fun). In the winter time, we make smoothies every night after dinner. They are so yummy and the coconut milk in them really helps you sleep longer/more at night.

 My little love, full of life and curiosity. This extends to seeing what is in all the kitchen cabinets and drawers and pulling out pots and pans. This also included a fascination with the cat food, which drove your Daddy and me nuts for awhile.

Much love, my growing boy!