Ready for Fall

We are finally getting a taste of gorgeous fall weather- crisp mornings and low humidity- time to open all the windows! One afternoon we packed a picnic and met our friends at the new park downtown. Even Ryan seemed enchanted- he tolerated his car seat for longer than 15 minutes!
I decided that this is the perfect time to raid Mom's closet and start wearing all of her hats (ponytail out the back like Mom, please). This pink one is my favorite. It's mine now. Ryan has his own baby hat, so I told him he can wear it and look like Dad.
We celebrated Dad's birthday this week by giving him the weekend off from mowing the yard, and one day off from unloading the dishwasher. Then I made him a card with a drawing of our family. Mom was impressed that I was careful to give Mag and Mox 4 legs each!

Game Day

Saturdays just got interesting. Our soccer team has advanced to playing matches against other teams. There are some competitive 4 year old boys on the Green Team, but they don't stand a chance against me in my rocking new socks!Lately I have become obsessed with what it means to grow up. The ability to snap my fingers has catapulted me into the Big Girl category, but apparently I'm still not Big enough to chew gum. Luckily, as an elder, I am still very loving. Recently I climbed into bed with my parents and declared "I love you two guys". Of course, I maintain my attitude, even when I'm in trouble. Dad was scolding me for something the other day, and when he asked "Do you understand?", I replied "When we're done with this, can I have the game back?". I'm also gently bossy with my little brother when he's flipping out crying in the car, asking "Buddy, can you turn it down?".As part of my developing authority, I keep track of my Girl Time with Mom (going to the grocery store, cooking, and painting our nails), while making sure Ryan gets Boy Time with Dad. They watch college football together, and he seems to like it. Dad is already teaching him to make the Hook 'Em Horns sign!He is more fun every week, cooing, smiling, and "talking". He watches our every move from his throne (the new awesome swing), and loves for us to talk to him. Mom says before we know it, he'll be snapping his fingers and chewing gum!

Little Talker

This video is just a tiny glimpse at our little man's new voice and quick smile:

Smiley Boy

We Love This Swing

Today marks a MAJOR breakthrough in our quest for a content baby... For 12 weeks, Mom has spent most of her day cuddling, rocking, and soothing Ryan at nap time to get him to sleep. She accepted it as her full time job, because she had to do the same for me as a baby. As young infants Ryan and I both love to be held and cuddled. All The Time. We don't like swings, cribs, or car seats. The concept of "crying it out" is lost on us, because we are both persistent kids who will cry nonstop for 45 minutes in the car or in the stroller, getting more frantic with each passing minute. Mom spent 8 years studying this stuff for her job, then tried for 2 days to teach Ryan how to "self soothe" at nap time. Didn't work. Then fate (or an angel) showed her the sideways swing. Mom started going to the gym and putting Ryan in the daycare while she works off the baby weight. The first time, the girls put him in the sideways swing and told Mom that he fell asleep. She didn't believe them. The second time it happened, Mom thought it was a lucky coincidence. The third time, she drove straight to Babies R Us and bought this magical swing!
Dad put it together, and 30 minutes later, Ryan was asleep in his new ride. It was the first night in 82 days that neither Mom nor Dad were holding a sleeping or fussing Ryan in their arms after 7pm! He is happy now, and that means everybody is happy! What is Mom going to do with all of this new free time? Probably type extra long blog posts... We also love our WubbaNub. It's a paci and lovey, all in one! We were hoping to skip the pacifier this time around, but no such luck. Ryan likes to squeeze WubbaNub while he falls asleep, and it holds the paci in place perfectly. Almost 3 months old, and we're making progress!

Mickey and The Snow Whites

For better or for worse, The Disney Store at the mall is a destination as special to me as The Playground or The Water Fountains. On my first visit to this magical place a year ago, my parents let me pick out one toy- I chose Snow White. When Aunt Julie took me to the mall a few weeks ago, she let me pick out one toy- and again I chose Snow White. When we got home, Mom had a good laugh. But I argued that now I can share with my brother! Aunt Julie and Kalyn also got the adorable Mickey Mouse suit for Ryan, which was too fun to wait until Halloween. Ryan and I are discussing our options for costumes this year. He wants to be Mickey, and said I can be a princess. I just love the way he looks at me when we're having our talks. Mom says he really likes me!

Soccer

Experts advise parents not to schedule too many activities for their children... They have obviously never spent the weekend with an active 3 year old. To keep me happy, my parents have signed me up for a full athletic program on Saturdays. The morning is devoted to soccer (a bunch of adorable 3 year olds running aimlessly up and down the field kicking any soccer ball that crosses their path). Ryan gets to come along for all of the excitement, looking sharp in his baby carrier. This was my first day at soccer, and I was a little apprehensive at first. Mom says I get that from her- we both need a few minutes in new situations to warm up. She's also noticed that I touch my ear when I'm out of my comfort zone. By the end of the morning, I was perfectly at ease with my new friends and our fruit gummy snacks! After soccer, we go to brunch, then to swim lessons- all with the goal of the coveted nap at 1:00. Ryan is a great sport during our busy weekends, he has no problem grabbing power naps any time, any where!

Labor Day Weekend

Since Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer, we thought the best way to spend it would be a trip to the beach. Of course, it will still be 90 degrees and 100% humid at our house for another month, but we can dream about the crisp fall nights our families are enjoying in Boston and Georgia. It was a great day to be outside in the fresh air. Even Ryan enjoyed his first glimpse of the ocean- he said it sounded exactly like the noise machine Mom plays at full blast for him at nap time. Dad was ready for a day off, and spent the time perfecting his Custom Rocking Technique. It works like magic!

Ryan at 2 Months

This is how our little buddy greets us in the morning, with big smiles and coos. It is a masterful strategy- he knows he can keep our exhausted Mom and Dad up all night, then melt any of their frustration with just one of these sneaky grins! Two months old, and he's already making moves like Ferris Bueller. Lucky for him, he has a big sister who also knows how to wrap our parents around her little finger... Mom and Dad should watch out- we are going to be a terrific team!