Pretty in Pink

Ryan has a new blanket. A pink and white one. Pink for a boy?!

In talking to my friend Kathleen about Ryan's consistent nighttime wake patterns (the 2 o'clock hour and the 5 o'clock hour right on cue!) and his restless naps (with arms breaking out of my failed swaddle in a flailing motion), she asked if I had heard of the Miracle Blanket. I had heard the name, but didn't know anything else about it. Kathleen said that is what I needed, and she would lend me hers (she ended up borrowing from our friend Lisa who has a girl, hence the pink). I watched the demonstration on the website, and found it hilarious (and maybe cruel?!) how the babies arms are pinned down, but I was open to trying anything. On Friday afternoon I headed over to Kathleen's, desperate to start the weekend off on the right foot. In addition to getting the blanket, it was nice to get some girl and mommy talk in. That night, Ryan slept until 3:45, woo hoo! So far, the pattern has continued. Next step, moving his cradle into the study/nursery attached to our room and eventually doing away with the swaddle. I remember joking with Russ that we would be swaddling Kyle until he was 17!

The miracle blanket and the sleep sheep...our current saviors

Slumber Party

Last night Ryan joined Kyle as he was getting ready for bed. Flash forward a few years and this may be a reality. I asked Kyle if he wanted Ryan to sleep there overnight and he said yes. I told him he would have to come get me for Ryan's 2:45 feeding, and I'm sure that changed his mind!

All set with blankets, milk, and friends

Holding hands (almost)
Brushing teeth in bed...whatever it takes!

The Big Texas Chill

That is what the newscasters are calling our recent cold snap. I always have to laugh when they hype everything up on the news, especially the weather, while most of the country is buried under snow! Ryan was ready for the chill, however. Here he is all bundled up this morning in preparation for our jaunt to drop Kyle off for school.

All Smiles

Ryan has been smiling officially since January 2nd, but today I got the camera out to capture the moment. Because of my angle, his face looks huge (although he does have chunky cheeks and a double chin since he is a big boy!). He also giggles quite a bit, which is really cute.

You are hilarious mom!

Stunned by the flash

Happy boy just chillin'

Pictures by Kyle

Kyle often grabs our camera and takes pictures, mostly of the ceiling, the floor, or his feet, but these 3 pictures he took made me laugh. They are of his "friends" and they came out pretty good, especially the last one of his frog doing a backbend.

Bear Bear and Froggie
Other Froggie poking his head in the picture

Other Froggie doing his backbend

Special Visitors

A few weeks ago, my wonderful coworkers, Vicky, Stacy, and Stacey, stopped by to visit me and Ryan. They had decided before he was born that they would skip the company "holiday party" and come have lunch with me. We had a great visit and they doted on Ryan and took him off my hands so I could eat and relax. They even changed his diaper! I am so fortunate to have such great coworkers...it sure makes going to work everyday more bearable!

Vicky, Stacy, and Stacey

Vicky loving on Ryan

Want a 4th one Stacy?

Big Boy stats

At his one month checkup yesterday, Ryan weighed 11 lbs. 6 oz. (90th percentile) and is 22.5 inches long (80th percentile). Russ and I guessed he was between 11 and 12 pounds, so we were right. He looks huge to me, probably because Kyle was only 10 pounds at one month. Dr. Crane-Storey said Kyle better eat his Wheaties because Ryan is catching up to him at only one month old!