Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Check out the newest website we are following:

http://blog.my55sports.com/

Matt's brother Michael created the site with a friend.  My brother Erik has written a few articles for it.  I guess you can say it's a family affair!!

March Madness

Things have been especially crazy around the Sand household lately.  Both Matt and I have been really busy at work and Ryan is still pulling himself up on everything.  I think he's seeing how soon he can give me my first gray hair.  I asked Matt if we could bubble wrap the entire house but he didn't seem crazy about the idea.

New neighborhood watch 

Playing in the tunnel at daycare

Bath time fun!!

Meetings and Museums...

Ryan recently met his new cousin Kate.  It's amazing to think that 9 months ago he was (almost) that small.  

Earlier this week, Ryan and I went to Navy Pier's Children's Museum.  We had a good time but I think in about 2 months Ryan will really enjoy going.  There are a few areas meant exclusively for non-walking babies.  Needless to say, he especially loved the area surrounded by mirrors !!

February Fun

Ryan is learning to do new things at a rapid pace.  We've recently introduced him to textured foods (like Cheerios and Apple puffs) to mixed results.  He has also figured out how to go from a crawling position to a sitting position as well as begun to pull himself up on anything he can find.  He has also developed a "diabolical" laugh which cracks us up. Check out the video below for a glimpse of Ryan's new developments.

Kate Conway Eder

Kate Conway Eder was born Tuesday, February 22nd at 4:55 am.  We are so excited to welcome her to our family.  She is beautiful and everyone is doing great. Ryan is already being overprotective of his favorite cousin.  Check out Kate's blog at http://theederfamily.blogspot.com/ 

Valentine's Day

Ryan made a Valentine's Day card for us while at daycare last week.  It is the cutest thing I have ever seen!! 

Blizzard of 2011

Because of the blizzard, we have been pretty much stuck at home since Tuesday.  The side streets in Chicago have been brutal and hardly any cars have moved.  We managed to get our car out yesterday (called dibs with a stool and a bucket) for swim lessons and a visit to the Shedd Aquarium with the Schwerhas.  Otherwise, we have been entertaining ourselves at home.

  jump jump jump

sleep time

ryan loves throwing his toys from his highchair

Snow day

Leaving on a jet plane...

We recently headed to Florida to visit Grandpa and Grandma Sand (i.e. Scott & Maureen).  We had a great time!! Ryan was so good on the flights and the weather was perfect.  It was nice to not have to put Ryan in a coat...I could definitely get used to that.  Matt & I were even able to have a date night while Ryan hung out with his grandparents.  Can't wait to head back next year!

Taking a nap on the plane

Enjoying the lack of clothes required

Ryan's first trip to the beach

Working Hard

Ryan has been working really hard at crawling.  Yesterday, he moved several feet while trying to get to my phone (Matt jokes that Ryan only likes things that cost over $100).  Check out his bear crawl, butt in the air, crazy moving. 

Swim Lessons

This week Ryan and Matt went to Ryan's first swim lesson. Ryan's class is called the "Shrimps".  There were about 15 kids (plus one parent per kid) in the pool.  Needless to say, the locker room and pool were both chaotic.  Ryan had a great time!  He spent most of the class looking at the other kids (while chewing on his fingers) but he did not cry at all.  He even practiced jumping in the pool (with Dad's help)!!