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!