Life with a 2-year old...

Amy has always checked on Ryan P. before we go to sleep. Lately, it's gotten interesting - he has started waking up and trying to have a conversation. Here are some of the more interesting conversation starters:

Night 1
Ryan P.: "There's an elephant down there."
Amy: "Where?"
Ryan P.: Pointing under his bed "Down there! An Elephant down there!"

Night 2
Ryan P.: Sits bolt upright from a dead sleep and (smiling) says, "Hello, mama!"
Amy: "Hello, Ryan."
Ryan P.: "I like my big-boy bed." He then laid down and immediately went back to sleep.

Night 3
Ryan P.: "Mama, I need to rock." Amy then rocked him in the rocking chair and he went right back to sleep. I added this one because it's the best line ever. Rock on, little man. Rock on.

A Musical Interlude

At first, Ryan's definitely singing "Yes, Jesus Loves Me." After that, your guess is as good as ours.

Also, if you're wondering what he's putting in his ear (and occasionally singing into), it's an old set of earphones we gave him so that he can imitate his iPod-addicted dada.

Without further adieu...

Riding Rody

Uncle Ronny, Aunt Jenny, Jake and Megan gave Ryan a pretty cool birthday present. Here is Ryan's first ride on Rody the Rodeo Horse....

The Stats...

According to our pediatrician, Ryan ranks as follows:

36 in. - top 95% for height
26 lbs. - bottom 25% for weight
Cuteness - tops 99% of his peers

No shots required and healthy as can be.

Making Room for Baby (Ryan's New Bed)

Since Ryan is now a BIG BOY, he gets a big boy bed. (Plus, we needed somewhere for Aberly to sleep.) Here is his newly organized room with his new Thomas the Train bed. Ryan was very excited to sleep in his Thomas bed; however, since we were transitioning to a new bed, Mama and Dada decided it was also time to get rid of the pacifier. Wow, this has been fun! The first night he cried from 8 until 11pm. Mommy was very upset, too. The next day, he just refused to sleep during his nap and that night, while he didn't cry, he stayed up playing in his bed from 8 until 12:45am. That's right, I said 12:45am.

I don't know if he is just plain exhausted or has finally adjusted, but for today's nap, he laid down and went straight to sleep. Say a few prayers that we get the same results tonight. (PLEASE!!!!)

Happy Birthday Ryan Patrick

Ryan Patrick turns 2!!!!

(We have more video of his B-day than pictures.... therefore, video will be posted any day... check back soon....)

Chuck E. Cheese

We celebrated Ryan P's 2nd Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. He loved it! (And yes, he can put his own token in every machine... all by himself)

Happy 4th of July

Yeah, that's right.... we let our 2 year old play with fire works!

WE'RE HOME!!!!!

After being on the road for about 17 hours total, (stopping overnight in St. Louis) we are finally home. The trip really wasn't all that bad. Ryan Patrick was great! (Thank the Lord for portable DVD players.) Big Ryan did all the driving and Mama just sat back and relaxed. (OK, I uncomfortably sat in the passengers seat until I thought enough time had passed that I could request, yet again, another potty break.)

Once home, Ryan Patrick went willingly to bed and mommy and daddy are sitting on the couch. We can always unpack tomorrow.

Can't wait for all our pals to get back too.