18 months

Had our 18 month well baby visit today with Dr. Bies. Everything looked great and he wasn't too worried about Ryder's lack of vocabulary. He said that his understanding what we are saying is much more important, and that he hoped to hear more from him by his two year check up. He also had four shots today :(

What about Ryder

I post so much about Ella that I feel Ryde may be getting the shaft in the blog department, so I thought I would share a little about the cutest boy at our house. 

He started out life as arguably the most laid back baby anyone had ever met, but has now transitioned into a bit more whiny needy toddler. I attribute most of it to this very frustrating communication barrier that we have. The kid just flat our refuses to speak I tell you. So I might be a little grumpy too if you people just couldn't understand what I wanted of you. :) Ella was a pretty early and clear talker, but looks like Ryder will be a little late to that party. He totally gets what we are saying since he responds by shaking his head yes or no, walking to the person we are speaking of, or just screaming if he doesn't like what we have to say. We do get a few words though and I love to hear them when we do. Whether it is driving past them on the road, seeing them at the farm, hearing them mentioned, or simply driving past a cow pasture, the kid likes to "moooo". We also get "Mom", "Dad", "kiki" for kitty, and this week we got a "yeah" when we asked if he wanted to go outside.

He loves his big sister except when she gets in his personal space, but he thinks it's nothing a little shove and grunt can't fix.

He loves to be tickled, but laughs more at the anticipation than the actual act.

He loves his binky. They are nearly inseparable.

His new favorite way to fall asleep is while watching tv with Dad.

I've noticed that he likes to jabber and sing more when no one is around. Mostly through the glass door at the animals or while standing looking in his toy box.

He has been in a size 5 diaper for over a year now. Everything grows except that little baby butt.

He looks like a combination of Grandpa George and Uncle John with Brandon's eyes.

He is quite the daredevil and will climb on anything and everything he can manage. I see many ER visits in our future with this one.

If you are in a room with the door shut he will lay down outside and try to peek under it. Then he yells or sings until you come out.

He is in size 6 shoes, but still has quite the chubby feet.

I love how he tugs on his hair while he is falling asleep if he is over tired, and how he screams and giggles every time he sees my mom.

I love that he loves to cuddle when he is tired.

And here is his list of nicknames because he really only gets called Ryder when he is in trouble. :)
Ryde
Ryder Willie
Rydie Butt
Rydie Man
Rydie Dude
Baby Dude
It just depends on the mood. This week he is Baby Dude.

For all that she is and all that she does

My Mom is more giving of herself than anyone else that I have ever known,

and I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for all the endless love, attention,

and time that you give my kids. Thank you for always jumping in and helping

with whatever it may be without ever being asked. You could have had the

longest day tending to the needs of others, but would still give Ella and Ryder

just a little more Grandma C time if they asked. Or when my laundry is stacked

to the heavens and before I turn around it is done. (Sorry, I know how much dirty

laundry and not making my bed drives you crazy. I'm still a work in progress.)

I love how Ella starts asking for you if she hasn't seen you yet that day, and Ryder

screams as soon as he sees your car in the drive. I love how you are never afraid of

the mess that may result as long as it means smiles on their faces. I truly want to be more

like that and I am working on that one too. We haven't always gotten along perfectly and

we don't always agree, but the Lord knew I needed you as a mother to learn from.

On your good days and bad, when you felt like you were doing great and when you felt

like you were failing, He knew I needed you to guide and learn from. You are a saint

and a wonderful mother and grandmother. We love you!

Move in day

 Saturday was the big day. We got to see her room and helped her make it feel a bit like home.

We even got a nice tour of campus. It's small and I like that a lot! We took

some pictures, bought our UE shirts, and said our goodbyes.

Tay, we are so excited for all that is to come for you. That doesn't mean that I

won't still worry sometimes, but I know you've got this.

I'm actually more worried about Momma Mindy than anything ;)

Love you to the moon and back!

The oh-so-sweet note that Brittany left for her big sister above her bed.

Week One

The first week of kindergarten has been a big week for us with a

whole lot of changes, ups, and downs. She started each day with such

enthusiasm, and so far loves going to school. So it actually is much easier

getting her up in the mornings. I'm sure when the new wears off it might be

a bit tougher. Evenings are way different, she is putting herself to bed almost

immediately when she gets home and is way past grumpy. And it is

so cool how much improvement we already see in her letters and

phonics when she writes and recites them. Not sure if this is because she

learned all that much already or if she was just holding back on ole Mom and

Dad, and now that she has some healthy competition with other kids she started

trying harder. Either way, I will take it gladly. She did get in trouble for the first

time on Thursday for not keeping her hands to herself. With Ava being in her class

and how too comfortable they are with each other, I knew this might be a problem.

I just hope she doesn't want to have to get up in front of the class again to move her

name. Oh and we knew that she was a bit clumsy, but this has got to be some kind

of record. She had to go to the nurse twice this week, and that's not counting the new

scrape or small bruise that she came home with each day anyway. For lack of a

better term, she racked herself Tuesday on the bars and Tiffany called me at work to

explain her pretty scary looking bruise. Then today she came home with a goose

egg on her forehead from the same bars accompanied by yet another note about

going to the school nurse. We have now told her to stay far away from those blue

bars! She rides the bus from Mindy's in the mornings and goes home with Grandma

Joni in the afternoon. This works well, but she is really missing her friends from Mindy's.

Praying it doesn't become too much when dance and religious ed get added to the mix.



Kindergarten potty breaks

So, Ella may someday want to kill me for sharing this, but I will just have to suffer the wrath later.
Since Grandma Joni works at the school in another kindergarten class, I usually get the inside scoop on Ella's daily activities and any issues she has at school. Last night when we went to pick Ella up at Joni's she had the latest Ella story to tell us. Apparently Ella has been not a bit shy to do #2 on her potty breaks at school and yesterday she must have noticed that she was the last one to finish up in the bathroom. When she realized that she was all alone in the bathroom she yelled, and it caught the attention of another teacher passing in the hall outside.

Ella: Hey, is anyone else still in here?
Teacher: (Comes in the bathroom) Who is yelling in here?
Ella: It's me Ella, and I'm pooping.
Teacher: (Something to the effect of) Okay, well when you're finished wash up and head back to your room.
Ella: Okay.

After we all had a good laugh, I explained to her that it may not be appropriate to yell while in the bathroom. Oh Ella, how we love you so!

Odon Old Settlers = wiped out but happy

Grandma Cindy and Grandma Joni took Ella and Ryder to the

Odon Old Settlers fair Saturday night. I didn't get too many details out

of Ella, but I was told there was lots of yummy fair food and that she

may or may not have thrown a small fit. Something about winning only two

dolphins but that she really needed four to have a dolphin family. Remember,

this is the evening after staying up most of the night before at the sleepover and not

getting a nap before the fair. I heard that she did ride lots of rides and even the big slide

with the potato sacks with Grandma Joni. She tucked her dolphins up beside her

and was out before dark.

Unlike his big sister, Ryder was very pleased with his small blow up Bugs Bunny

and the sugar high that he was most likely still on from all the fair treats.

Last girls sleepover of the summer

Aunt Polly tries to host a couple boy and girl sleepovers a year, and this past

Friday was the last girl sleepover before everyone went to school.
I'm apparently not considered a "girl" anymore and was not invited ;),

but I sent the camera along with the older girls to take pictures of all the fun.

I was told it included dress up, manicures, a dance party, lots of silly faces

sugary treats, and one late night.

Morgan even brought her boyfriend Ethan's kid sister Ava along,

and I think all the little girls were way excited to have a new friend.

And here's one of the whole motley crew.

I ♥ that these cousins are all so close!

Kindergarten sure wears a girl out

 I snapped the above picture as soon as she got to Grandma Joni's

from school. She was still riding the high of excitement and telling us all

about her day. She even asked that I take the below picture of her cool pink

hair that Aunt Brittany had done the night before. But the excitement soon turned

to grumpy and sleepy. She fell asleep on the way home and then again just before

her bath. I had to carry her into the bathroom and she woke up when I sat her in the water.

Grandma Joni said that the first thing out of her mouth when they left the school was

"Grandma, I'm really tired. I didn't even get a nap today."

1st day of Kindergarten

Ella was very excited this morning and quickly ate her

breakfast and began asking "is it time to go to kindergarten now?"

Part of the excitement was that she wanted to take her

gift to Mrs. Kidwell. It was a very rainy morning, so we

didn't get to take all the first day pictures that we wanted to

but we improvised with a few.

She talked to a few friends and Grandma Joni on

the way in, but then quickly found her room and was

ready to say goodbye. One quick hug and no hesitation.
I made it almost all the way to work before I cried,

but it was a great day and I know it will be a great year.

She showed so much enthusiasm and confidence in the past

few days leading up that it gave me the reassurance to not

worry so much as just be excited for her.

A Mother's First Day Prayer

Here we are, Lord. Her backpack is loaded, and her face is scrubbed
and her lunch account full. And I know you'll walk with her, Lord. You always do.

But a mom still has to ask. Will you walk with her? Will you whisper to her what

she needs to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it? Will you please, oh please,

cover her school with the protection only you can give, and will you keep harm

far away? Will you make her mind strong and ready to learn? Will you help her

understand that hard work honors the One who created her? Will you guide her

teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience?

Will you bless them for their efforts? Will you love all those children there,

the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone?

Will you teach my child to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are

different from her? Will you point her back toward home just as soon as you can?

Lord, I give her to you today and everyday, trusting her to your care.

In Jesus' name, Amen.