time with the cousins...

Yesterday we got to spend some time with two of Ryder's counsins... It was so fun! They are so good with him and they care for him so well...

We love them so....

these are a few of his favorite things....

Ryder is a funny kid. He has these incredibly dramatic expressions that, even when he is in trouble, I just want to laugh.

He is also very articulate about things that he likes, with baby blabber, pointing, laughing, the waving of arms... you don't have to wonder if he likes somethings.

So as a 15 month old, these area few of his FAVORTIE things:

~Kit

~Humus on crackers or carrots (first he licks the humus off, and then proceeds to eat the cracker or carrot)

~his extended family and friends (he goes particularly ape when he sees my dad...)

~being outside

~being ANYWHERE near or in water (our fountain, the hose bib, the hose, the bath...)

~Kit

~the vacuum cleaner (which makes me laugh because he used to be so scared of it but now he loves it when I vacuum. go figure.)

~going "bye-bye" (first you tell him he is going "bye-bye, then he smiles and waves at you and then he heads to the front door

~Kit

~reading his dinosaur books (if you ask him to go get his dinosaur book, he will go into his room and pull them off his book shelf and bring them to you...)

~stacking and then knocking down blocks. (This one could keep him entertained for hours!)

~watching "Sesame Street" or "Shaun the Sheep"

~Kit

~the game of chase and wrestling (generally combined)

~ripping my magazines... (He thinks it makes the coolest sounds ever, not to mention the huge mess of papers that it leaves.

~coming in bed with us on a morning when Kit is off and cuddling.

~Kit

~climbing on anything that will hold him.

~pushing buttons (Usually mine... just kidding, sort of), on our computer or Kit's laptop.

~Music videos on You tube by sesame street

~turning light switches on and off (this is combined with his love of climbing and my vintage kitchen step ladder...)

~music with a beat and he LOVES to dance!

~his bed (which he will point to when he is ready for Kit to put him down for the night.)

~Kit

I am excited to watch this little man grow, but I am loving where he is right now...

(Wait, where is he right now!?)

Oh right, enjoying his three hour nap time!

Thoughts on my job...

I find that I can fall easily into "complain mode" when I am at work. Which is so sad because I love my job and I am thankful for the flexibility that it allows for our family and that it enables me to be home with Ryder 99% of the time.

I worked this last Saturday and I was reminded of how great my job really is. I connected with new and growing families and got to encourage parents, specifically c-section moms that were feeling completely sleep deprived and overwhelmed by the daunting task of recovery and parenthood... No matter how many deliveries I attend, I always cry, it's that incredibe! I really enjoy my co-workers and I am so thankful to have some incredible women around me.

(My sister, a Surgical ICU nurse, loves to tell me that at my job, I hand out Motrin and stool softeners and tell breastfeeding mothers how great their "equipment" is. It can feel very true, but sometimes a breastfeeding mom just needs to hear that kind of encouragement♥.)

I have been challenged by Kit to remember how it was to do three years of oncology and work with hospice patients with palliative and end of life care. I am so thankful that the Lord has opened the door for me to do what I do now. Kit has challenged me to constantly invite the Lord into my day and so the very simple prayer that has become a habit (and almost a mantra) for me has been:

"Lord, be with me today, I invite you in to all that I do and all the people I will interact with. I want to do today with you."

Kit, thank you so much for your wisdom and encouragement!

You are an amazing man...

I hope you have a wonderful week and a very happy monday!

happy friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

like I need more fish in my life...

I have dusted off the old sewing machine and have made room for some more fish in the play room...

Before:

After:

Who'd have thought how much fun I could have from one 14 in napkin!

Over the last few years, Kit has played in a summer softball league with friends from college. (We did take a break last year due to the little man's birth) but every year, Kit has so much fun and it's a great time for him to have some time of play and then on the sidelines, there are several kiddos 5 and under for the cheering section while the mamas sit and talk. (While occasionally running to help some one on the playground or stop some of the little guys from eating dirt or handing out snacks...)

One of our best friends Mark and one of Ryder's best friends, Hank.

It really makes for an enjoyable evening...

Then you add a little Yogurtland after the game and you have some very happy campers♥.

(Ryder is a plain tart and fruit kind of guy...)

Weekend/party recap

It was a VERY full three day weekend!

On Saturday we went out to visit my parents and we pretty much spent the day relaxing in the pool and eating amazing food... It was one of those days that felt like vacation...

Pool:

Food:(Mom, you out did yourself!)

Then for the fourth of July, we spent the entire day at our house for a block party and we had our friends, family and neighbors come and go as they liked and we just relaxed in our front yard and BBQed. It was really nice...

Kit smoked ribs and they were incredible! Kit Rae, you are a phenomenal cook!

And at the end of the day, we set off some sparklers and watched fire works. It was a wonderful evening...

It's our second year and we are already making plans for next year... I hope you had a wonderful time being with friends and family