July Pictures

I started a new job at Children's Mercy Hospital a couple weeks ago and have been preoccupied so I apologize for the lack of posts this month. The wonderful thing is, I only have a 20 minute commute and am able to spend more time with Todd and Ryan every morning and after work. I'm loving my new job and that it keeps me closer to home.

Ryan continues to be an active little guy with a sweet side and an ornery side, it just depends on the moment. He's doing a lot more babbling and trying to say words but we're still a ways from talking. He amazes us though with the words that do come out that we didn't realize he knew. We've been doing a lot of swimming and he thinks it's fun to put his face in the water for a second which is great. This last weekend he actually did a little kicking so we're glad that he's learning some basics and there's still a couple months of water time left this season.

Every night before bed, he gets a huge burst of energy and runs around the house like a naked mad man. His favorite thing of late, is to "crash" Daddy's clothes hanging in the closet. So long as they don't get a yellow shower, it's hilarious to watch.

just enjoying bath time

loving on Papa and Mimi

this is the ornery look

crashing Daddy's clothes

wearing Papa's shoe - he has a bit of a shoe fetish at the moment

playing IN the toy ottoman rather than WITH the toys

4th of July

Ryan got a special visit this weekend from his Aunt Ali who came up from San Antonio to spend the holiday with us. When we went out to a restaurant Sunday afternoon he opted to lounge on her lap the entire time instead of using his highchair. We took Ryan on his first (and second) jet ski ride this weekend and went for more swims in the lake and the pool. He loves the water (which is pretty key to be a member of our family) and seems to prefer swimming in the lake more than the pool. He played hard all weekend long and was pretty much the center of attention for 4 days straight. Friday night he enjoyed being chauffeured around in his new cozy coup by Ashley Lutz who, unlike the rest of us, had the stamina to keep up with him.

His favorite thing as of late is pretending to talk on the phone. Although we have several fake phones and real ones we no longer use, he’ll put anything to his ear, including his food while he’s eating dinner, and have a conversation. If only we knew what he was saying. He also loves our dog to pieces and gives her the sweetest hugs and pets. Ryan continues to be one active little guy who has now mastered crawling up on the couches and chairs and loves to run circles around the house.

Hanging out with my Aunt Ali

I sure do love my new ride

Getting a little help from Ashley Lutz.

Ryan hugging and petting Callie.

New Babies and First Lake Swim

We've been keeping busier than normal so I've fallen a little behind on our posts so sorry for lumping so much together. Several friends welcomed new babies recently so we visited them all last week. Monday we met Harrison Seymour, Tom and Amy's precious little boy. He's such a happy baby and Tom and Amy are wonderful new parents! Wednesday we met Emily Fitzgerald, Matt and Katie's new little girl. She is adorable and her big sister Abby is taking great to her new role. Thursday we saw Anna Collins, Zach and Meghan's little girl. She has a head full of hair like her big brother Charlie and is a little doll. Collins's got a new swing set which Ryan was more than happy to help break in and he had a ball following Charlie around and playing with all his toys.

We then headed to the lake to celebrate Father's Day and had a great weekend. Our little monkey figured out how to crawl up on the couch and also over the ottoman. Since blocking the living room opening with the ottoman was our way of containing him, we're now in trouble. After lots of playing hard, he did relax to watch his favorite cartoon, Jack's Big Music Show, and found a great pillow in Callie. They were both so incredibly cute laying together!


While we've been going boating for months and Todd and I have gotten in the water, we were waiting to let Ryan swim until the water got warm to make sure it was a good experience for him that he'd want to repeat. As the picture communicates, he absolutely loved it and was a little fish. Luckily, he likes his life jacket and has a positive association with it so we will take full advantage of that until he changes his mind.

About a month ago, Ryan started the phase where he doesn't want to leave Todd or me and takes about 10 minutes to warm up to everyone and everywhere else. It makes day care drop off difficult and requires us to plan ahead more but it's a phase and I'll enjoy our little guy wanting to be near us while it lasts.

Doo Dads

We went to a local shopping area tonight to hear the children's band The Doo Dads with the Fitzgeralds who are expecting their second baby tomorrow! We had a fun evening and apparently it was the place to be because we also ran into the Gingriches, Cromwells, Walters and Allens. There are decorative fountains that kids can play in, and no shock, Ryan was quick to explore the water. He progressively got closer and more wet until he finally fully immersed himself and got soaked. Fortunately babies are even cuter when they're naked so he spent the rest of the evening in his diaper.

I'm taking some extra time off this summer and Ryan and I have been enjoying a couple mornings a week together which is special for both of us. We usually visit Loose Park and this week we visited a storytime at the local library which was a first for us. A certain somebody was a little rough with the other kids so we'll be doing more group activities in an effort to work on sharing, playing nicely with others and getting out of his comfort zone. He continues to amaze us and his new thing is needing to push buttons. Each time we go between the car and the house, he insists on pushing the garage door opener, then wants to turn the lights on and off and press the buttons on the security pad. You also have to watch him in, and near, the car because he'll crawl into the front seat to play with the steering wheel and push and turn all the buttons and knobs. He is 100% little boy!

Testing out the fountains before getting completely soaked.

Just chilling on the blanket with Abby Fitzgerald after a hard night of playing.

We ran into the Walters and Ryan kept playing with Jack's feet.




He couldn't stop giggling and flapping his arms he was so excited.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had beautiful weather at the lake and enjoyed a nice long weekend together. Ryan took a shot at coloring and he did pretty well at handling the crayons, but did a fantastic job of putting the crayons and water colors in his mouth. Luckily they're all non-toxic so it was safe while adorable, and we were able to just hose him off afterwards.

While on a Wal-Mart trip for flowers I spotted the toy that I always wanted as a kid, so I gave in and bought the Cozy Coupe for Ryan. He had a ball getting in and out, and in and out, and driving around occasionally, and I loved watching him have fun.

Unfortunately, he had terrible diaper rash; multiple types of rashes that weren't responding to heavy duty prescription cream. We resorted to letting him air out with naked time until that resulted in a major clean-up effort, so we put him in big boy underwear to help him air out but catch any business. It worked very well and oh did he look cute running around in big boy pants. Fortunately he's on the mend after a very long week so he's much more comfortable now.

Todd and I stayed at the lake for a vacation all week so Ryan had a great stay with Papa and Mimi full of spoiling galore.

Ryan got some great paints for his birthday from Jack & Olivia.
They're egg-shaped so they are the perfect for little ones just learning to grip.

His first masterpiece.

Sporting his temporary big boy underpants while getting in his new ride.

Ryan likes to double-fist his food and enjoys being a "piece of naked"
(as cousin Jon would call it) so naked, outdoor watermelon time
was quite the treat for the little guy.

Henry's Birthday

We had fantastic weather last weekend at the lake and Ryan took full advantage by sporting the birthday suit or diaper-only look as much as possible. He played hard, but took lots of book breaks to sit in our lap and speed read his book of choice. Since he's not a still child, we treasure those moments when he willingly snuggles with us.

We returned Sunday for Henry Koons's 4th birthday party, complete with a Sider Man bouncy house. He took a while to warm up to the bounce house but loved it by the end and had a fun time crashing Dad inside. When he wasn't eating cake or candy from the pinata he was in the swing. It's his new favorite activity of all time and he cries when you take him out; no matter how long he's been swinging.

Ryan's getting all four molars in and is not his usual pleasant self so we're looking forward to this bout of teething being finished. He has learned how to turn light switches on and off and likes to play with the one in his room which he can reach from his crib. He also feels so proud when we let him help feed Callie or press the garage door button to open or close it. We love seeing what new things he learns each day. He's a spirited little guy who keeps us on our toes but has stolen our hearts.

I was just so tired that I fell asleep on Mimi while still holding my puzzle piece.

Reading a book with Dad. I especially love "touch and feel" books right now.

I would swing all day if you'd let me!