Ryan Meets Santa

Ryan meet Santa for the very first time today. We heard the fire engine coming and everyone around these parts knows what that means at Christmas time. So we hurried Ryan into his coat and got his still ketchup covered face out to see Santa. He walked right up with the rest of the kids to get a candy cane out of the bag. Of course one of the fireman thought Ryan was too cute and wanted to get a picture with Santa. I wonder if people will see the ketchup covered boy in the local newspaper and wonder what kind of mother lets her child out of the house like that. I was happy Ryan didn't get scared or cry. He didn't smile mind you, but be did manage to wave and say, "Bye-bye, Santa" as he rode away on the fire engine. He always seems more willing to talk when other people can't hear him. Honestly I think he was more excited about the fire engine than Santa, but that's probably because we don't really play Santa up in our house. Now ask him about the Holy Family. He will show you baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in any manger scene and that's what's really important about Christmas. I'm sure as he gets older Santa will have increasing stock, but as long as he stays grounded in the truth about Christmas I think that's okay.

Oooo- A Candy Cane



Bye Santa

The Peace of Solitude

I went shopping today while Jay's mom watched Ryan. Somehow even Christmas shopping seems easier than any shopping with a toddler. I have to say I truly appreciate the Mom-to-be parking at the mall! With my leg hurting and carrying my current load plus 5 bags it was nice to be parked near an entrance. I still think there should be parent-with-small-infant parking, but I guess you can't have everything.

I went out to buy extended family gifts and one or two gifts for Ryan to even him up with Zach, but I ended up getting the boys more stuff and spending way too much money. Blast Target and their toy section! At least I had a gift card for a good chunk of it.

I rather enjoyed shopping by myself. It was easy getting in and out of the car. I could hit multiple stores and stay out for hours. I stopped and got some Chic-fil-a for lunch(mmmmm) and I didn't even mind sitting at the table eating alone. I used to always want people around, but I guess being a mom means I always have people around, so I welcome the solitude. I've noticed that even when I'm home alone there is a certain peace that only comes when I'm alone and it's quiet.

Little Einsteins

Ryan has a new favorite show, Little Einsteins. It's a great little show. He gets to learn about music and is exposed to art. Since I know nothing more about music than I learned in elementary school chorus class(which wasn't much) I can't teach him these things. Jay has lots of musical knowledge, but he has limited time with the kids and he doesn't tend to spend it teaching music lessons. By watching Little Einsteins Ryan and I are both learning. It really presents the music in a fun way. The 4 kids on the show go on an adventure every week- they follow the sounds of different instruments, help things go faster (allegro) or slower (adagio) by clapping to the beat and lots of other fun stuff. Did you like the musical knowledge I threw in that last sentence? I learned that from the show :-) Maybe every other adult out there knows these things, but like I said- no music lessons here. I can't even read music, but maybe I'll learn along with Ryan :-)
So how do I know it's Ryan's new favorite? He has not been going down easily for naps since his sickness. In a last ditch effort (I had tried everything I knew to do) to get him to nap yesterday I promised him he could watch Little Einsteins AFTER his nap. He laughed and said, "Little Einsteims!" I left the room and he went to sleep. Today I started with that strategy at nap time. He reacted in the same way. He went down for his nap with out a peep. Another reason I can tell he loves it is that he asks to watch it again as soon as it's over. He will sometimes ask for another show when one finishes, but he has never asked to watch the same thing twice in a row. This has been a consistent request when we watch it, so it wasn't a fluke. He also sings the theme song. So cute!

My Little Monkey is Back

Ryan had been sick for about a week and a half. He was like a different child. This was a miserable time for all of us, especially when he got an ear infection at the end. He was up several times a night all week. Most nights he ended up in our bed because he would just scream and cry unless one of us was with him. During the day he was impossible. I would ask if he wants milk or apple juice. He would reply, "No. Orange juice!" Okay, I can deal with that. "Here is your orange juice." Throws himself on he floor in fits and cries. Won't take the orange juice or anything else. This is pretty typical of all his behavior last week. He started getting better Saturday. He was great at Cookie Day even though he didn't get a nap at all. Well, he did sort of. He has been better during the days, but he is still waking up several times a night. I'll take it for now. Hopefully he will be sleeping better again soon. For now at least he is pleasant during the day again. That helps me not be as worn all day long. A full night's sleep would be better, but Sweet Pea doesn't seem to think that's a good idea either.

Cookie Day Pictures

Ryan and Zach decorating


Ryan decorating


Pop and Ryan


"Bwow"