Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year everyone!! Hope you all had a great Christmas.  We enjoyed our tours of Hollowayville and Dwight.  Ryan was a little under the weather with an ear infection but after our trip to the Urgent Care facility on Christmas Eve, he seemed to rebound a bit.  He was spoiled by everyone and enjoyed every present. 


We celebrated New Years by having an awesome home-cooked dinner with Drew & Erin (elastic pants required). Our compliments and thanks to the chefs!! 


We had so much to be thankful for in 2010 and are looking forward to a great 2011!! Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Years!!

Rocking his Illinois hat from Uncle E and Aunt Carrie

Matt took a good picture :)

Ryan and Mia - Friends and cousins

Crazy guy playing with his new car from Aunt Erin and Uncle Drew

7 Months Old

Today Ryan is 7 months old!!! We cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  We have enjoyed every minute with our guy.  We are excited to celebrate his first Christmas and spend time with our families.  We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!! Merry Christmas!!

Just for Fun

Check out Ryan practicing his jumping and getting ready for Santa!

Busy busy busy

We have been really busy lately with Christmas shopping, play groups, baby showers, day care, etc.  Last weekend, we helped host a baby shower for Baby Eder.  Everything went really well and Erin & Drew received some great gifts including an amazing handmade quilt!  During the week, Ryan and I did a few dry runs at day care.  I left him there for an hour on Thursday and was proud of myself for not crying.  I was only about 3 minutes away at Target during that hour but still... 

Yesterday, I took a photography class while Matt & Ryan had a guys day.  Today we bunkered down and stayed out of the wind and snow.  It was a great family weekend!!

Hanging with Dad

Making a mess

Ryan's serious look

Example from my photo class

6 month doctor visit

Ryan went for his 6 month doctor appointment yesterday. He is doing great!  He weighs 17 lbs 12 oz and is 27 1/4 inches long.  We've recently started him on some solid foods.  So far, he hates rice cereal, peas and peaches but likes bananas, pears and prunes.  In other news, my work has approved my flexible work option plan so starting January I will be in the office 3 days a week.  I'm lucky to have a job that allows me to spend time with Ryan during the week.  

"Enjoying" some green beans

Ryan loves sticking his tongue out

Ready to go out

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Since today is Thanksgiving, I just wanted to take a second to give thanks for all the great things in my life.  I'm grateful for my husband, my son, my family and my friends. I'm especially thankful that I was able to take an extended leave from work to spend time with Ryan.  I've enjoyed every second we have been able to spend together.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!! Love to you all!!

What kid doesn't love a box?

Having fun

Happy Thanksgiving

Straight in the mouth

Lately, everything Ryan gets his hands on goes directly into his mouth.  Everything that is, except for his teething rings. For some reason, he does not enjoy any toy that is meant to be chewed on.  He would rather improvise with other things.

Loving his pig

At least his foot is clean

Mickey must taste good

Time to visit the Dentist?

It's hard for us to believe but Ryan cut two bottom teeth in the past week.  He actually did ok dealing with the pain.  He wanted to sleep a little more and eat a little less but overall he did fairly well.  I tried to take a picture of his teeth but he keeps sticking his tongue out when I try.  Both Matt & I think he's growing up a little too fast for our liking.  He's even getting much better at sitting up by himself.   

Over the weekend, Ryan met his newest friend Clara Flott.  She is so cute and tiny! Congrats again to Jeff & Steph!

Also, a very happy birthday to my dad!!

Laughing Out Loud

We were having dinner yesterday and started making a grocery list for Target.  Matt said he needed some Raisin Bran Crunch or RBC as he refers to it.  Matt started to chant "RBC" which Ryan thought was the most hilarious thing ever. 

Happy Halloween!!

Ryan with his pumpkin

Silly Monkey

One Sleepy Monkey

Play Dates and Pumpkins

Ryan has been very busy the last few days. On Thursday, we had a play date with Lola and Carol at Brookfield Zoo. Ryan was doing his best to flirt with Lola but she was mostly interested in the animals (especially the goats!!). On Saturday, we headed to Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen. After watching some pig races and spending time at the pumpkin patch, we headed to La Grange and had a late lunch with Erin, Drew and Drew's mom Chris!! 

Ryan flirting with Lola

They did have fun regardless of how bored they look in this picture

Spending time with the pumpkins 

Becki & Ryan

Bears Game Video

On Sunday, Michael, Drew & Erin came by to watch the football game and have some wings.  During the game, Michael made the below video (which may have brought someone to tears).  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

Day with Dad

Matt & Ryan had a father/son day yesterday while I took a trip to Hollowayville to spend the day with my mom and sisters. The boys had a great day including a trip to Einstein Bagels and Scooters, and a U of I victory.  Ryan and Matt also made a trip to the farmer's market where they met Rahm Emanuel.  While the boys were busy shaking hands with the potential future mayor of Chicago, my mom, Gina & I were helping Kaylee get ready for her first Homecoming dance.  She looked beautiful and had a great time!

Getting ready for a day with Dad!!

Ryan loves farmers markets, the Baby Bjorn and putting fingers in his mouth

Ryan and Dad

Kaylee and Blake

October Fun

Morning conversations

Enjoying Aunt Kaylee's volleyball game

New Cousin

Ryan is going to have a new cousin in February!  Erin & Drew are expecting and we are so happy for them. They will make great parents and we can't wait to meet Baby Eder!!

Back when...

We were in Hollowayville this weekend and I took this picture of Kaylee & Ryan. Seeing it brought me back to when I was a freshman in high school and Kaylee was a little kid who loved Barney and sharing her meals with the dog.  Now she's a beautiful young lady who loves watching Glee, cheering, playing volleyball and spending time with her first nephew.

4 months

Ryan had his 4 month appointment today.  He weighs 14 pounds 12 ounces (50th percentile) and is 25 1/4 inches long (50-75th percentile).  He is starting to roll over from his back to his stomach all the time.  The only problem is he seems to have forgotten how to roll back onto his back. He's becoming more and more social everyday and we are having so much fun with him!! 

First....

Ryan has had a few "firsts" lately.  

First time in his bumbo.  He wasn't quite sure what to make of it and kept leaning slightly to the right.  

First Cubs game.  Ryan was really good.  He just stared at everything and drooled all over his hands. 

First time rolling over from front to back.  

Busy Bee

Great weekend full of family, friends and fun.  Here are some pictures from August.

Bath Time Fun

Future Wilco Fan

Future Illini