Ryan's 2nd Birthday

It's hard to believe our little man is 2!!

On his actual birthday, we celebrated by going out to dinner complete with a sombrero and ice-cream! Literally, the entire restaurant stopped eating to sing to Ryan. For being such a ham, he actually got a little shy with from all the attention! Ryan wasn't too sure about the sombrero, but he loved the shakers!

Then came the ice-cream, which he obviously loved! 3 scoops (a half scoop for him and 2.5 scoops for daddy)!
After dinner, we went to the train depot in San Juan to watch the surf liner stop to let passengers unload and load.
When we got home from dinner, we got the mail and Ryan had a special card from his Great, Great Aunt Desi! He was quite excited!
And even more excited once he got it open!

Date Night

One of my colleagues at work had a baby the same time I had Ryan. This baby was her second, and she and her husband were really hoping for a boy since they already had a beautiful little girl. She knows how infatuated I am over pink and all things girly, so she often joked before birth that she'd switch the babies once they were born. Well, we didn't switch, but now we joke that they are in an arranged marriage. Ryan seems to be okay with this arrangement, but unfortunately, Megan wants nothing to do with him!

My little golfer . . .

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Uncle Oobert, J.D.

We are proud of Uncle Oobert, J.D. who graduated from Michigan State last Friday!

Picnic

This grassy hill nestled below the Ritz is one of my favorite spots in Orange County. Kids can run freely on the hill, people fly kites, picnic, sip wine and watch the sunset.
On Thursday, Ryan and I enjoyed a picnic at this perfect spot. After we ate, Ryan ran freely during which time he worked me so hard I had to have ice cream when I got home. I imagine we'll enjoy many more picnics at our favorite spot come summer!

Easter

Spring Break - Maui 2011

We are home from our week in paradise! Highlights included stand-up paddle boarding where you could see the ocean floor, relaxing on remote Maui beaches, adventurous dining at a roadside hut, playing in the sand and splashing in the waves, teaching my little man to float, hearing my little man's first real comprehend-able word ("hello"), visits with one of my college roomies and my cousin, tropical drinks, and lots of great time with my two boys and friends!! Aloha!!

Family picture in front of of resort.

There was a coy fish pond, which drew the attention of a certain 18 month-old!Where are the fish?

Next was the Maui Marine Center where Ryan got to experience touching sea cucumbers.

There was lots of excitement over fish!

"Oh, please let me splash?!"

YES!Ryan spent lots of time collecting leaves that dropped from the big beautiful trees on the resort property.

Naughty!

Tonight, Ryan received his first reprimand! Normally this isn't a blog-worthy event, but this was actually the first time his behavior warranted disciplinary skill (a skill I've decided I have not yet mastered). After working, mommy-and-me music class, and making dinner tonight, I jumped in the shower to get ready for a MOPs meeting. My normal shower routine includes pulling in toys and closing the master bedroom doors so Ryan can play while I shower. This evening, I was in the shower, with shampoo in my hair, when I heard all kinds of laughing. I didn't think anything of it. Next, I heard what sounded like a bucket of water dumping. And just when I was wiping the shampoo suds off my eyes, to be able to see what Ryan was doing, I was blasted with scalding hot water. Ryan had learned how to turn on and off the bath faucet which sent scalding hot water through my shower nozzle. I nicely yelled from the shower, "Ryan, please turn the water off." He understood my command and looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. Naughty! The water faucet became more enticing. On and off the water went, all the while Ryan laughed with a "I-know-this-is-so-naughty-and-mommy-is-yelling-not-to-do-this-with-a-head-full-of-shampoo" kind of look. My shower ended early, I went off to MOPs with suds in my hair, but I certainly chuckled to myself all the way to my meeting! Disciplinary skill development is next on my list! I guess even the most precious children need boundaries.

The Beach in February!

We are lucky to live near the beach, and even luckier to be able to go dig in the sand in our bathing suits in FEBRUARY! Last Sunday, we spent Sunday morning digging in the sand with three of Ryan's buddies and their families. Ryan loved, loved, loved the sand, which I was very excited to see since we are heading to Maui in a month!
Ryan and Logan digging. Yes, that's a hospital ice container I used when I had Ryan. I'm so "green"!Ryan, Logan and Noah digging.

Sick

Here's how Ryan woke-up. Fever and serious bed-head!
I put on the Classical Baby video and look at his reaction!By the end of the video he was gnawing on his hand. I looked in his mouth and found two incisors. Ah-ha!

Birthday Party!

Our nanny's daughter turned 6 and we surprised her with cake when she got home from kinder! Ryan napped while Ana (our nanny) went to pick-up Johanna. I ran downstairs, set the table, put out the cake and gifts I'd wrapped the night before, and ran back upstairs to join a conference call. 5 minutes later, I heard the garage door open, footsteps running, and then a loud, "Mama, LOOK!" Johanna was so excited for her birthday surprise!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Special Visitors at Gymboree

Over Christmas, my aunt and cousin were in town from DC. We had a special afternoon at Gymboree with my Mom, sister, aunt and cousin. I wish I had a picture of my aunt and cousin with Ryan, but this will do!

Little Boy!

Our little man is turning from baby to boy.

Replica

Ryan loved this "toy" at Gymboree. We got home from class and I decided I could make this! I didn't have a plastic bucket, but I did have a box. Ryan plays with this box daily loading things into the box, dragging the box around the house, unloading the box, putting himself in the box, etc. What a hoot!

Gymboree pull toy. . . My homemade replica . . .