Happy 23rd Birthday, Jessica!

Jess, you lucked out!  My printer is angry at me, and won't let me scan right at the moment.  So no old school photos...today...

Happy birthday to my kid sis!  I love you and I miss you and I hope to see you again soon!  Have a GREAT night out with Jake!

Jessica & Amy

Sideshow Sean

As I'm sure I've mentioned a few times, Sean is now getting up and out of bed at the buttcrack of dawn.  Really wish I could turn back time and bring back the crib.  Anyway, this morning, I had a vague realization that he was in my room, but I didn't check what time, and then I was back to sleep.  So I woke up again, to the sounds of great laughter...and what sounded like demolition of some kind.

My bedroom door was shut.  

The room was bright.

I checked the clock, 7:10.  

I crawl out of bed, and hear the ruckus coming from Isabella's room, which is where Ryan is sleeping in his new crib.  I had visions of the bed overturned, Ryan trapped under something heavy, total "Lord of the Flies" scenario.

I peak around the corner to find....

Sean climbing up the side rail of the crib, then jumping off, to the squealing laughter of both boys! Climb, jump, laugh, repeat!  Oh, how I wish they hadn't seen me, because I half entertained the idea of sneaking back to bed to let them amuse each other for a bit longer.  Alas, Sean saw me, and squealed again in laughter, eager to show me his new trick.  And Ryan was, of course, in awe of his big brother, giggling like the Doughboy, and didn't want it to end.  But the fun was over when Mom arrived, apparently, and we had to begin the business of the day.  

In other news, it is my kid sister's birthday, but I'm desperately trying to find *the perfect* birthday photo to post.  Not easy, when it's 80 degrees and sunny, and the photos are in the dark basement.  So stay tuned.

Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde

Or, in Ryan's case, Mr. Smiley Gigglepants and Mr. Fussy Crankypants!

I wish I knew what ailed him.  Because he is the smiliest, giggliest little baby I have ever seen.  Yesterday, while Sean and a few others were playing on the playground, another mom (grandma, actually), asked me if Ryan was always that good.  It was a hard question to answer!  Yes, he is the happiest, smiliest baby you'll ever meet.  But when something is bothering this kid...holy cow!  Poor thing, he's so sensitive to pain and discomfort.  

Saturday and Sunday, he was nonstop cranky.  Monday, he was so giggly all day, I couldn't get him to sleep because he wouldn't stop laughing every time he saw me!  I need to video tape dressing him, because he leaves me in stiches....he laughs like the Pillsbury Doughboy!

Monday night/Tuesday morning, however, he woke up almost every hour, fussing, cranky, crying, needing the pacifier every time to go back to sleep.  And then happy as a clam all day yesterday and today.  Phew!  It's tiring!  

Right now, he sleeps.  Sean and I are enjoying the gorgeous weather.  Warm...sunny...perfect!  Let's hope Mr. Smiley Gigglepants will wake up...

Watch that poo coming off the fan...

Fun stuff always comes in multiples, and somehow the universe thinks it's hilarious when different forms of fun hit at one time.  Not unlike shit hitting a fan!

Take last week, for instance.  First, I was put on a medicine that made me nauseous and tired for the first half of each day.  Hey, it's the first trimester of pregnancy in pill form!  Add to that Trey being sick, and keeping both of us up half the night with his hacking.  I mean, I know I should feel sympathy for my sick husband, but really, I was forced to the couch most nights in order to get any amount of rest.  We were supposed to have a garage sale Saturday morning, but as the week progressed, I did not.  I did manage to get to the store to get those awesome stickers that are already priced for you.  And then I found my labeled stickers from last year!

Friday morning, I was feeding Ryan when I heard Sean's door open and the pitter patter of proud little feet coming down the hallway.  The day I had been dreading for almost three years had come - Sean realized he could climb out of his crib and leave his room on his own!  NO!!!  When Trey got home from work (because sick or not, he still went to work!), we converted Sean's bed to a toddler bed.  And with Ryan almost head to toe in the bassinet, we brought up the reserve crib (thank you Awesome Schniedermeyers!) from the basement.  So Friday night, both boys slept in New Beds!  WooHoo, right!?

OMG, at 3am in the morning, those same proud little tootsies arrived at the side of my bed, with a loud "Mommy!  I did it!"  I actually remembered what all the experts tell you, and I took him back to bed.  What the experts don't tell you is that doesn't work.  In the end, we compromised with me setting up camp on the awesomely hard floor next to Sean's bed.  After about an hour, I was sure he was asleep, so I got up, and moved to the couch.  Trey had his own sinus symphony going in the bedroom.

Wasn't long after that that Ryan started fussing.  Not awake, but not able to get himself back to sleep without the paci.  Next thing I know, it's 7 o'clock, and both boys are up for the day.  So I go in to Trey, hoping for a little love and support (read: Hey, buddy, you get up and let me go back to sleep!)  But all I got out of Trey was a bunch of moaning.  Apparently, working all week while sick will eventually kick your ass.  He was nauseous, head pounding, weak, aching all over, couldn't breathe.  And I hated every living cell in his body for it!

Luckily, our neighbors are saints, and let Sean play almost all day at their house.  Because something was up with Ryan, too.  Fussy doesn't describe it.  More twisting around, lots of tooting, spitting up.  I don't get it!  I was starting to think it was too much cereal, so I have backed off a bit.  But both Saturday and Sunday, this was not a happy kid.

We did have a really awesome moment with Joe (awesome neighbor guy), when all the kiddos were playing on their playroom floor.  Ryan and I have been practicing sitting up all week - and the kid sat up for at least 30 seconds, holding himself up with his hands!  So Cool!  He still frequently falls over after about 1 second, but Joe can vouch that the kid was rockin' it there at his place Saturday afternoon.  And then Ryan spit up and started crying, and I had to bring Sean home for not cleaning up his toys, and he screamed  and kicked the whole way home while I had him in a football hold, and Joe carried the spitting infant....through the rain.  To a passed out, sick husband.  

So the weekend didn't go any way as planned - it was our weekend with Isabella, but she was in Hannibal for her pageant on Saturday.  Granted we wouldn't have had much time with her anyway, but we had none at all with Trey too sick to travel and Ryan, well, whatever was up with Ryan.  The garage sale fell through - so we still have a house full of stuff, and not the extra money we were hoping for.  

To be fair, there are bright spots in the past few days.  After a terrible Friday morning, Sean and I spent the afternoon, outside, laying on a blanket, in the sun, for four hours - watching bugs, killing bugs (him, not me), playing Superman, playing catch, tickling, laughing, lounging, snacking.  Pure joy.  It ranks up there in the top five.  And Trey felt "that much" better Sunday morning, and let me sleep while he fed the kids.  I got a good 11 hours!  Of course, he was wiped the rest of the day, but at least I was easily able to tackle the day.  

Alas, it is now Monday and life goes on.  We have Isabella again this weekend, Ryan is somewhat better, Trey crawled out of bed back to work, and Sean was up at the buttcrack of dawn.  But it's all good - once you realize that you can't control anything, and just learn to deal.  And Hey, gotta go, cuz that's not poo, but a wiffle ball flying at my head.  Who taught that kid to throw?  Oh, and The Spitter is awake.  This is my life.  :-)

Congratulations to Izzy B!

Congratulations to Miss Isabella!  On Saturday, she won Miss Pre-Teen Northeast Missouri Tourism at the Cave Hallow Pageant in Hannibal.  

We're so proud of you, baby girl!  We Love You!

Shoulds vs. Needs

So I should be catching up on my Easter posts.  I have at least two full posts worth of Easter - from the weekend before with Isabella, to Saturday's egg hunt to the big Easter Sunday.  I should make everyone happy by posting what they want to see.

But instead we need to get out.....the boys and I are going outside for some fun in the sun.  Let Sean chase Sophie around the yard.  Let Ryan see what a warm, sunny day is all about.  Let Momma soak in some Vitamin D....and more likely than not, get a pink nose.  

We have a busy weekend (as always!) ahead of us, and right now seems a perfect time to rejuvenate ourselves with some down time in the sun.  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Is the music too loud, or are we just getting older?

Last week, both Trey and I celebrated birthdays.  Always a fun week!  Of course, by "fun" I don't mean the out all night, woop-woop fun of our younger days.  But I think we're doin' pretty good for a couple of Thirtysomethings!  For the record, Trey's 37 and I'm 35.  Oh, yeah, 40, here we come!

So Tuesday, the boys and I worked all day on Trey's birthday.  Sean sang him Happy Birthday on his voice mail, we sent a love text.  Sean spent hours working on Daddy's birthday card, while I spent hours on a made-from-scratch Mexican enchilada meal - that I was almost too tired to enjoy!  The Mexican rice was awesome, but the enchiladas were almost too flavorful.  Wow!  But the cheesecake washed it all down beautifully!

Poppa Latta surprised us with a birthday visit and he stayed for dinner.  And when it was time for presents, Sean dug right in!  I wish I had it on video, but he was hysterical - he wouldn't let Trey open the packages, and when it came to the second present (a softball bat), Sean could not figure out how to open it!  

Sean opening Daddy's presents!

Trey got the new Blues jersey from me and a new softball bat from the kids.

Friday was my birthday, and Trey and I went to the Blues game with some friends of his from work.  Grandpa Phil and Oma Annie watched the boys for us, and all four of them managed to survive!  Even with a poop incident from Sean and a spit up incident (or two or three!) from Ryan!

Me and Trey, and 20,000 other fans

And the best part?  They won!

They not only won, but they clinched a playoff spot for the first time in six years!  The place was Rockin'!  Hockey games are already exciting as hell to watch live, but this one was the best I've been to!

On Sunday, after our Easter dinner at Grandpa and Oma's, we were presented with a yummy-in-the-tummy birthday cake!  

Sean can't wait to help blow out the candles.

Which were trick candles, by the way, and both Grandpa and Oma claimed ignorance.  

Grandpa Phil:  "She bought them!"

Oma Annie:  "I didn't know!"

But the candles stood no chance with two windbags on the attack - Trey and I knocked them all out!

Mom & Dad & The Boys

So thank you to everyone for all the cards and well wishes!  Trey and I had a great couple of days!  Oh, and I'll let you know when my birthday present, a new flower garden, comes to fruition! ;-)

Pictures, Pictures Everywhere!

Trey and I had an amazing Birthday/Easter week and weekend, but I am now looking at over 150 photos, plus 10 or so videos from the past seven days!  And I'm not sure where to begin!  So they'll be coming in sections, but for right now - I hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend!  

We love Ceweal!!

We got the OK to start Ryan on cereal this week, and unlike his brother, I couldn't wait to get solid foods in this kid!  Maybe that will help with the reflux and we won't have to be on the meds so long.

Anyway, this is a crazy busy week around here, and while I really wanted the "first time" to be with Daddy, we have something going on every single evening.  So I introduced cereal at lunch time today, and took lots of pictures and a video.

And, wouldn't do you know it, it's pouring outside this afternoon, so Trey's softball game is cancelled and I actually could have waited until tonight!  Oh well.  Ryan loved his new food, even if most of it ended up on the bib, and not in his mouth.  And I'm sure we'll try some more this evening, and Daddy can actually enjoy it in person.  Actually, Daddy can do it, as Sean and I are getting hair cuts!

I have no idea what's comin', but I'm excited!

So many cute things to say about this photo!

Lookin' like a deer in headlights...

Food comin' out of his mouth...

He loves his Daddy...

He's riding the Bumbo horsey...

Yay!  I like this cereal stuff!

TaDa!  I ate big boy food!  

And for your viewing pleasure...

I can see the line, have I crossed it yet?

Seriously, I can't get enough of these two.  I could tape them every single day.  And I'm thinking I should relish this brotherly love now, before the wrestling matches of their tween and teen years begin.

So let me know when I get annoying with the videos.  Not that it will help - I'll keep doing it.  But at least it's nice to know when you're being "that mom!"

(And again, YouTube is taking forever with the video, but I'm publishing anyway.  We're getting close to Daddy's return - which means me running around as if I've been working on the house all day!  SAHM's, you know what I'm talking about!  If the video is not up yet, come back soon!)

Where's the Wood?

As I'm typing this, I am well aware that I should be knocking on wood.  Because, it seems, my happy, bubbly baby boy is back!  You saw that video from yesterday morning?  He was like that All Day!

Yesterday was like a new kid!  I'm sure it's the old kid, but after two and half weeks, I kinda forgot that my baby can, in fact, have a gloriously happy day!  So I'm definitely leaning towards the sickness hangover and not colic.  I'll keep that wood around for another week or so before I call it!

The only bad thing is his sleep is still off - his naps are all over the place!  So I think this a perfect time to reshape his nap schedule.  I mean, really, how am I supposed to leave the house if the kid takes four naps a day!?  I realize that I should not complain at all - my kid sleeps through the night, usually until 7 or 7:30.  But the 2nd time mom in me is ready for this kid to work with what Sean and I already have going!

And I think the Axid may be doing some good.  The doc clarified that it reduces the acid in the stomach, it does not keep Ryan from spitting up.  But Sean was a Happy Spitter for most of his first year, so I'm looking at a laundry problem, which I guess I can deal with!  Ryan is definitely less gassy and less fussy on this medicine.

So, all in all, things are good.  It was this time last year that I found out I was pregnant with Ryan - a birthday gift for both Trey and I!  So much happened this past year, and I am so blessed to be here this week, with my family around me, in a house full of love and happiness!

Happy Birthday, Trey!

Happy Birthday, Trey!  

Trey is 37 years old today, but I must say he is handsome as ever!  The boys and I are putting together a family dinner just for Daddy, and then they're hitting the sack early so Mom & Dad can have some Birthday Lovin'!  You know, snuggle up and then pass out on the couch while watching a movie!  What did you think I meant?

This weekend, we celebrated Trey's birthday with Isabella with a family outing to the Zoo.  We had The Best time!  These kiddos LOVE their daddy!

Sean, Daddy & Isabella

Sean & Daddy 

Wow, they are so gorgeous!

HaHa!  Isabella was the only one ready for this shot!  

Hangin' on Dad! 

Their favorite place to be!

It's still a great photo, even if the cranky kid is burying his head!

And not to be left out, Baby Ryan, who was in the stroller asleep most of the time, wanted to leave this birthday message for Daddy.  (I hope this is up soon - I've been waiting over an hour for YouTube to process this video!)

Four Month Check Up

Ryan had his four month check up today, but really it was more a follow up on all the crap that's been going on with the poor kid.  Long story short....Ryan is perfectly fine!  He's big and strong and thriving.  But that doesn't mean he's okie-dokie!

The stats....

He's 25 1/2 inches (75th percentile)

14 pounds (50th percentile)

16 1/2 inches head (50th percentile)

So he's good!  His ears are cleared up.  His stomach virus is over.  But the doctor is not surprised that Ryan is still crazy cranky.  I told him "Uh, I don't get it!"  Well, he said that after the kid is sick, I need to give him at least two weeks to get back to normal.  And it's barely been a week.  His sleep is all messed up, his patterns and rhythms are off.  And he's right, Ryan and I are a bit out of whack after two and a half weeks of sickness.  He is still sleeping through the night, though he's been waking up around 4am, cranky, and needing help getting back to sleep.  But he's still sleeping.  

The doc did say there was a chance that we have some late-onset colic going on.  That was not music to my ears, but he reminded me that it's not that terrible - it's not like it's a disease or something fatal.  He described it as a kid who does great all day and then just hits a wall and can't take the overstimulation anymore.  He told me to start loving the vacuum!  I'm not sure how the hell I'm supposed to cook dinner with a vacuum attached to my arm, but I'm also hoping that we're dealing with Sickness Hangover, and not colic!  It's not that terrible if it's not your kid that has it!  

So this afternoon has been rough - I don't think this round of shots is making him very happy.  Let's add in a crazy energy-filled Sean, running around the house, literally doing laps, banging his head into the couch, and actually bouncing off a door jam at one point.  At least I know that Ryan is healthy - even if he's not feeling that great.  Right now, he's worn himself out crying, rocking back and forth in the swing. I wish I could take it away for him.  I wish I could made him feel better.  No one this tiny should feel like poop this long.  I also wish it wasn't considered taboo to start drinking early in the day!  :-)

Happy Four Months!

(Coming a day late, as we had too much family fun yesterday to waste in front of the computer!)

Dearest Ryan,

 

The time is indeed flying, I cannot believe that it has already been four months.  You're getting so big, so fast before my eyes - there's a part of me that can't wait for you to be walking and talking and playing like your big brother, but then I know I will miss this time when it's gone.  You are my last baby and I should savor every moment of you.  

One thing that I've learned this past month is that, if Sean is my Sweet Boy, you are my Smiley Boy!  No one smiles like you, my love!  Every time you see my face, your Daddy, your big brother - you break out that ear-to-ear grin!  You light up rooms with that smile, and it will take you far in life.  It's so warm and welcoming, and people can't help but smile and laugh when they see you.  You radiate love.

You've gotten so strong, holding your head up high with no effort at all any more.  You roll all over the place, and really enjoy being upright to see the world around you.  Your favorite place is still in my arms, so you can examine my face and then turn to see the world from up high.  You love to know what's going on, probably because your big brother is running around at all times - you can't wait to join him!  

I've also noticed that your looks are changing - you no longer look like your Daddy's clone.  You are becoming more of a mix of your mommy and daddy, like your brother is, but with a different look.  You now look more like...Ryan.  You're a little more boy than Sean (as in Sean's prettier than you!), and something tells us that you're going to be bigger than him - I think you're going to be able to take your big brother in no time!

You also have this habit of holding your hands together, as if in prayer!  Or in deep thought, like your plotting your next adventure!  How I wish I could know what you were thinking!

I've also learned that you are a snuggle bunny!  Sean loves to snuggle now, but not when he was itty-bitty like you.  When you're hungry or tired or not feeling well, you will nestle into my chest, resting your head on my shoulder, and just lay there.  Like you know I'm your mommy, and I will make it better soon.  

But what I love most about you is not really you - it's you and your brother together.  That first week home is a distant memory - the one where your brother hated me and wanted you to go back in my tummy!  Sean loves you so much, and you love him just the same.  When he gets eye to eye with you and you beam that gorgeous smile at him, it melts Sean's heart - "Mommy, he's smiling at me!"  

I'm so sorry that this past month was defined by being sick - you made it through winter with no sickies, and then get a double whammy of an ear infection and stomach virus.  But you are finally on the upward swing.  Your ears are still hurting, and last night, you woke up in the middle of the night, fussing.  You're sleeping in your Sissy's room, and after giving you more Tylenol, I brought you into our bed to let you fall back asleep and finish out the night, allowing Isabella to rest.  You laid across my torso, on your tummy, head nestled into my shoulder.  I could hear your breathing, your sighing, your restlessness and then your peace.   I loved every second of it.  

And now, as I type, you are laying next to me, singing and cooing, smiling up at me.  You know that I am your mommy, and that I love with you everything I have.

With all my love forever,

Momma

March Birthdays

Around here, April and May are crazy busy with birthdays, but we also have a couple in March to celebrate!  My soon-to-be stepmom, Annie (Yay!), has a birthday on March 8, and my Grandma is March 10th.  We had two celebrations this past month for them - one on the 10th at our house, and one the 21st at my dad's house, with my sister, Jessica.  

Grandma cutting her Yummy cake from Heaven Scent Bakery!

Ryan & GiGi

Feeding Ryan at my dad's, with Aunt Jess happy to be close, but not spit up on (yet.)

Trey, worn out from all the excitement. 

Those are my sister's gangly feet by his head.

Oma Annie and Baby Ryan

Sisters!

Grammy & Sean

Aunt Jessica & Baby Ryan

Jessica and Amy 

Cuteness!

One Week Indeed!

Apparently, the week long stomach virus is just that!  Today would be Day 7, and it appears to be over!  Ryan has not been sick all day, and he is power sleeping - he took a three hour nap this morning, and is on his second three hour nap!  Holy cow!  

Phew!  I feel so much better, even though I am so mentally and physically exhausted!  He stayed hydrated, thanks to Pedialyte, and now we can concentrate on beefing him back up again!