Momma!

Over the past week I've really thought it sounded like sometimes when Ryder would cry he was crying, "Momma...ma ma ma ma..."  Well, this morning I heard it very clear!  He'd woken up and I could here him over the monitor moving around and starting to jabber and all the sudden I heard "momma!"  So I gasped and ran with the monitor to Daniel who was getting ready for work in the bathroom and of course the little stinker wouldn't say it again, so I have no confirmed witnesses, but I heard it!  (And I wasn't imagining it this time!)  :)  

Pumpkins!

I'm pretty much obsessed with pumpkins. It happens every year around this time. I wait as long as possible to start baking pumpkin pies, breads, cookies... I actually even fed Ryder pumpkin puree for dinner tonight! We always went to the pumpkin patch in TN, but really haven't had the time to make it to the closest one here. So today after lunch we went to a local place to pick out some pumpkins. Ryder was exhausted from the long & busy morning at church, but he appeased us for some pictures and loved all the bright colors - and then promptly conked out in the car!




~MY LITTLE PUMPKIN~

Lately...

Lately Ryder has started drumming on things - the high chair tray, our laps, the carseat, etc. And we have to admit, he's got pretty good rhythm. The main thing he drums on is the boppy if it's sitting in front of him. Here he is sitting on the couch having a nice little drum session...

He's also really liking his books - this is his newest night time book I got him called "I'll see you in the Morning."

Reading in the bath as well...

He LOVES bathtime now. We put him down in there so he can just kick all he wants and he loves the splashing!

Ok - so before you look at these pictures you have to let me explain. (I am aware that this could go on the warning label for a crib bumper!) He's of course started getting really wiggly and VERY close to crawling. (Let's just say he gets on all fours and rocks back and forth.) Anyway, the other night while I was at work Daniel put him down to sleep - or what he thought was asleep- but Ryder was fighting it really hard so he started wiggling and Daniel looked on the video monitor to see this...


He says he's sorry Mimi. :) Fortunately the bumper is still intact and just needed to be tied down on the ends. The funny thing is Daniel's mom said he did this same thing when he was little, but went as far as to chew the ribbon up and wrap it around his neck!

Ryder is getting lots of quality "daddy time" lately and it shows. He loves his daddy. The main things Daddy has been teaching him how to do is give high fives. And about a month ago he did it to a complete stranger at home depot, who was so amazed she called her co-workers over to watch! But this week Daniel dropped in at target (where we were shopping) on his lunch break. Ryder, sitting in the cart lit up when he saw his Daddy. Daniel walked up and said, "Ryder, High Five!" And Ryder reached up and hit his hand and squealed in the same tone and inflections what REALLY sounded like "High Five!" Daniel and I CRACKED up laughing and so did Ryder. We said, oh great, our child's first words are "high five!?!"
Here are my sweet boys Friday night enjoy some music outside at the domain after dinner...

Ryder's 6 Month Photos!

OK- they are here! While Ryder & I were in Nashville he had pictures taken (the day after he turned 6 months). My amazing friend, Hollie did them- and they are more than I could have imagined!! If you live in Nashville use her, she rocks! Her website: www.purimagery.com

She took several hundred and I got them on a disk from her yesterday, so here are our favorites...

Ryder the Who

Ryder's hair is finally growing out, so we've started fixing it up into a little faux-hawk for church and special events...and for when we just want a little laugh:) Once it's fixed though, he reminds me of the little creatures from Whoville in Dr. Sueuss' "Horton Hears a Who". I'll let you be the judge...

-Dan

HOOK 'EM

That's all I have to say after tonight's game: HOOK 'EM!!! And I have to add this picture. This was actually from last Saturday when we got into Dallas during the TX/OU game...


I made a pumpkin pie during the second half - the first one of the season... mmm!!! There's just something about pumpkin pie that makes it officially fall.

This one's for Papa.

I don't really even know how to put this into words, but I am going to try. On the drive home today I thought about the weekend and everything that happened in the past week and I thought I needed to share. We went home this weekend - it was not a planned trip to say the least... Papa went in for a liver transplant on Wednesday and then through a series of events over the next few days his body gave out and he didn't make it. Papa is Daniel's grandfather. Daniel would have different things to say of course, but here is what I want to share.

From the moment I walked into Nana & Papa's door as a little Sr High school girl dating their sweet little grandson (probably thinking I wouldn't be around long!) :) they embraced me and welcomed me in an almost unexpected manner. Papa loved me and treated me just as he did the others. See that's the thing. Daniel's father was taken in by Nana & Papa as a teenager and is not actually their biological son, but the funny thing is Daniel & I had been dating well over a year before I asked why his dad's name wasn't the same as his grandparents. But that's the kinda love Papa showed for everyone. People looking in would never know who married in or was born into that family. I told Daniel on the way to the service Monday, my grandfathers didn't get to meet Ryder or even know that we were having a baby, but I know they would have loved him, been proud and thought I was a good mommy... but Papa knew him, loved him and thought that, and I felt the love of MY grandfathers through him. Last night as I was sitting with my mom she said, "Today at the service I wondered if Papa had met your Grandaddy (her daddy) in heaven yet? I know they would have been good friends had they met on earth." And I think so too.


Even in moments of sadness I had the thought of how grateful I am that we are close and could just jump in the car (as much as you can 'jump in the car' with a baby) and go. You see one year ago this past weekend we moved into our house here in Austin. And so many things have happened in this short time that make even the days that I miss Nashville and our life there so worth while. I wouldn't have wanted to miss these moments for anything.



We love you, papa.

NASHVEGAS (with) BABY!

As I mentioned in the last blog, Ryder and I got to go to Nashville this past weekend! We had an amazing time!! We headed out Thursday. I was a nervous wreck Thursday morning running around trying to pack the incomparable amount of things that such a little person demands! Ahhh! Plus I was super nervous (for no reason) to fly with Ryder for the first time. He was such an angel. I didn't want to jinx it till we made it back home, but we had a layover in Dallas both ways, so 4 flights all together and he didn't as much as make a peep! He loved it all. The ladies in front of us on the last flight got up at the end and said, "Oh my, there was a baby behind us? We didn't even know he was there!" I said, "I'm GLAD you didn't know he was there!" :) Friends helped me get bags in both ways, but going through security was quite a feat. I'm not really sure how they expect you to hold your child while collapsing your stroller and lifting it and your belongings on to the security belt unassisted. Oh well, we made it.

We packed the trip full of running here & there. Kirsten & I dragged little Ryder all over creation and he was such a trooper! We did spend the nights at home relaxing and watching chick flicks while he slept! Here he is after we got there - happy to see his aunt Kiki :)

Friday we had lunch with Heather and her beautiful girls. Hadley has entered the world since we saw them last! Ellie is 2 and Hadley is 4 months.



Their daddies would love it if these two got hitch one day! :) Ryder was trying to hold her hand at one point and they look pretty happy together, huh?

Friday afternoon I got to see some of my sweet bible study ladies from Spring Hill. Our group went through captivating together a year and a half ago and they are still meeting- they are all amazing. Emily entertained Ryder & Riley...

Later Friday afternoon Kirsten & I shopped at the hill center and ran across these pumpkins in front of whole food and couldn't resist.


The $80 pumpkin... (I guess it was organic!) Glad the little chubbers didn't crack it! :)

Saturday morning we went downtown to cheer on some of Kirsten's friends running in a marathon - Ryder got to see the 'batman building.'


Saturday afternoon Ryder had pictures taken by my awesome friend Hollie. I have a seen a few and they are unbelievable! But I am saving it till we see them all... but get ready! We changed his clothes 4 times in the woods and he was great. She got some really, really great shots! Then Kirsten & I spent some time walking around downtown Franklin (one of my favorite areas) and ate some really unhealthy dinner at McCreary's! mmm.
Sunday morning we went to church in Spring Hill and got to see some of those great folks! Then met some old starbucks friends at lunch in coolsprings. Sarah & Ryan with Ryder -

And Ryder loved Sarah Willams of course...



Sunday afternoon we headed to Kara & Nathan's house. Sweet little Aiden was born in July, so our precious boys got to meet!

Me meeting Aiden - Ryder trying to figure out why I'm holding this other baby.

Baby swap...

the boys having a little chat...


So happy to see them.

Monday morning we went to meet Erin (who'd been out of town) at Bongo Java. Erin & I used to go there a lot during college. Ryder liked it too... THIS is how you make a beautiful latte, check out that leaf design in the foam.

LOVE these girls.

We were right across from where they were getting ready for the debate - go Belmont!! (now people here know where I went to school)! Then we headed over to Fruition where I stole Kirsten's appointment & Heather was so sweet to work me in and Erin was so sweet to hold little baby boy while I had my hair did! :) Erin & I spent the afternoon in Hillsboro village eating & shopping.
Rydie got a quick hug from uncle Toddy who was on the road most of the weekend...

And a last little picture before we headed to the airport...

We really had a PERFECT trip. Everything was wonderful and again, I felt so extremely blessed and loved. It was so great for everyone to meet & see this sweet little boy they've heard so much about. It made it hard to come home :( But Daniel was glad we did... and he was so happy to see his baby. As happy as I am to be in TX and closer to family and love the city of Austin, there's just something about Nashville...always will be I guess...