creative {dance} camp

After taking Ryann to the creative camp at my childhood dance studio last year (ah! she looks so little!), she seriously talked about it on and off for the entire year.  "When do I get to go to camp at Grammy's dance again?  When can I do dance in Topeka again?  I like the dance where we eat snack and make crafts!"  Of course to that last one, she always said the snack and the craft were her favorite parts.  But hey, she was still dancing!

Anyway, I was happy to enroll her in a session of the camp this year.  The theme of the week was Broadway, with the days including Hairspray, High School Musical, Grease and The Wizard of Oz.  Ry absolutely had a blast.  The teachers do a great job with the kids and Ry just loved going.  And I loved dressing her up everyday.  And getting to watch her dance, of course.  But getting her all dolled up makes me happy :o).

Her outfits for the week:

And the videos:

The Grease dance seriously killed me.  Her little face, and that wiggle intro?  Dead.  Just plain dead.  So much sass in her little body.  Keep on dancing pretty girl.  It is so much fun to watch!

elsie - seven months

I am 100% in denial that Elsie is seven months old.  I don't know what it is about that age that is so hard to swallow (it was for me when Ryann turned seven months as well), but I just don't like it.  I'm cool with having a six month old.  A seven month old is practically one.  That's not cool.

Like babies do, Elsie just keeps on growing.  According to our oh so accurate measuring methods at home (HA) she weighs roughly 16 pounds and her length is a crap shoot. Chris was all "maybe 25.5 inches?"  In which case the doctor's office always measures her long, or she shrinks and grows between appointments.  So we will go with some where between 26-27 inches.  Haha.  She has pretty much grown out of her 3-6 month clothing, but since I don't really have any summer clothing in the 9 month or 6-12 month clothing sizes (how that is possible I have no idea), and it is a toasty 99 degrees in freaking September (get it together Mother Nature, I'll take maybe 75?  even 80 would do), I'm just squeezing her into the 3-6 month stuff anyway.  Thankfully the dresses just look like tops, so whatever.    We're still hanging on to the size two diapers, and just barely size two shoes.  I think she could keep some of the three's on, but again, it's hot.  Nobody needs shoes when it's hot.

headband

E nurses five to six times a day and now gets a couple of tablespoons of solids at dinner time.  I think she'd be perfectly content eating more, and more often, but I'm not sure her tummy would agree.  Even with just nursing and eating pears and prunes her digestive system is having a hard time keeping up.  Although it hasn't been quite as bad.  Elsie had her first taste of 'solids' (oatmeal) August 17th, and since then has tried peas, butternut squash, green beans, sweet potato, carrots, prunes and pears.  She hasn't objected to any of it, her mouth always wide open ready for more.  It is truly night and day compared to how solids went with Ryann.  Thank goodness.  Hopefully over the next month will continue to add new foods to the mix, and maybe next month Chris will let me give her some table foods.  Maybe...

I can't decide if sleep has really gotten better, or if I'm just so numb and indifferent to not getting consecutive hours of sleep that I just don't notice.  HA.  Elsie started fighting her third nap the last couple of weeks, so we're trying to make do with a two nap schedule.  The longer stretches of wake time are still pretty tough, but her naps are more consistently an hour+.  Unfortunately the loss of the second nap means bedtime just keeps getting earlier and earlier.  We really didn't want her in bed before 7:30, but she just can't hang.  So Elsie is regularly in bed between 6:45-7:00pm, and that is even pushing it.  Then, for the most part, she'll sleep until somewhere between 3:00-5:00am before wanting to eat.  Again, one wake-up doesn't really bother me, BUT if she wakes up before 5, then I am either up really early, or get an awkward amount of sleep before needing to get up and run so I'm back before she wakes up for the day.  Sometimes she'll wake up between 10:00-11:00pm, half the time she'll put herself back to sleep, the other half I wind up just going in and feeding her.

We introduced her lovey this month, a pink Angel Dear owl (like Ryann's, just a different color.  dumb mom move of course, it is going over really well with Ryann.  NOT AT ALL).  I'm trying to keep it just for bedtime and thus far it isn't an issue.  She definitely seems to love it, and now seeks it out if she wakes up in the middle of the night or something.  I love watching her snuggle it, I'm not sure why that really gets me all warm and fuzzy, but it does.

Over the past month Elsie has become much more mobile.  She doesn't really go anywhere fast, and isn't crawling, but she rolls more, turns around on her tummy, and scoots backwards like a champ.  E has been getting up on her hands and knees and rocking more and more.  She did it for the first time the day after she turned six months old.  Now she is trying to move her legs a little bit, but winds up plopping back down on her belly and flailing like a maniac.  Elsie is also getting stronger in the sitting department everyday, and can stay upright for long periods of time, but if I'm not going to be right behind her I like to leave the boppy there just in case.

Still no mama or dada or any distinct babbling of that nature.  She has truly mastered the high pitched screech, among various other obnoxiously loud noises.  Oh but the cutest things this month have been her little wave (daddy always gets the most enthusiastic ones) and the scrunchy nose smile, see here:

Some of Elsie's favorite things to do are chew on toys, bang toys into stuff, watch her sister run around like a nut, pull my hair, snap my tank top straps (punk), watch anything with a screen and hang out in the jumparoo.  I'm trying to remember to read to her more, it doesn't happen as regularly as it should, but then again as soon as I try and read a book she just attempts to shove it in her mouth or zones out, so there is that.  She also likes trying to drink out of my cup, and her sippy, definitely hasn't figured it out on her own yet.  She doesn't seem to have a favorite toy, but does gravitate toward the cheap plastic stacking cups and a Fisher Price camera.  Oh and books that make the scrunchy sound.

No doubt about it, Elsie is still a mama's girl.  Especially if she is tired or the slightest bit hungry.  Those times she wants nothing to do with anyone but me.  Sometimes daddy is ok, but for the most part, she wants mama.  And the tiredness and general fussiness is happening more and more.  My guess is she is actually starting to teethe.  Ryann got her first tooth between seven and eight months so it's about that time.  She is constantly scratching at her ears, but she doesn't have a fever.  We shall see.  I'm scared for her to get teeth, we've already been through a biting while nursing phase, and I don't really want to know what that feels like with teeth...

Overall though, I would still say E is a pretty darn good baby.  As long as you keep your distance you'll probably get a smile :o).  And she is relatively content to just be out and about before like 4pm.  After that, well, your guess is as good as mine.  If she has had good naps, maybe, otherwise it is just best to stay close to home so she can go to bed.  I love to just snuggle her.  Granted sometimes that results in me getting pinched or what not, but if I have the chance I love to just sit and hold her and kiss her and squeeze her.  I'm pretty much infatuated with her.

Miss Elsie Jo, I love you to pieces.  I'm so thankful you're in my life.

elsie - two months old

written April 12th

And just like that Miss Elsie is two months old.  Somehow this month didn't go by near as fast as the first, but it wasn't slow either.  Elsie is growing and changing at lightening speeds.

The little miss didn't slow down on her growth at all this month.  She's got chubby cheeks and thighs to prove it!  At her two month well visit she weighed 10 pounds 9 ounces and was 23 inches long.  She gained half an inch on Ryann, but they still weighed the same.  How weird is that?  I'm curious to see if that trend will continue throughout the first year or so.  Overall the doc said Elsie looks great, very healthy, and to just keep doing what we're doing.  Of course the two month appointment meant shots, and they SUCKED.  Poor Elsie was doing the silent cry she was so upset, and even nursing didn't really calm her down.  She has been fussier the last few days, but I don't know if it is because of the shots, or just her age or what.  Poor girl.

For the most part Elsie is wearing all 0-3 month clothing.  There are some newborn dresses that I've used as tops, and I think a couple of other random newborn things that still fit, but that is it.  Even a few of the 0-3 sleepers look like Elsie could outgrow them before she hits three months.  And at the same time some of the onesies look ridiculous on her.  Baby clothes are so funny.  She is still wearing size one diapers.  E nurses 6-7 times in a 24 hour period, and takes roughly four naps during the day.

Just a few days after Elsie's one month appointment I made a trip back to the pedi.  We were pretty certain she had reflux and needed meds.  But we didn't yet have Elsie's insurance card and the prescription was pretty pricey out of pocket, so we opted not to fill it until her card came.  In the meantime I cut a lot of dairy and chocolate from my diet.  Over the course of the month her spitting up has slowed down and she doesn't seem to be quite as bothered by it.  I have no idea if it is the change in my diet, or just her digestive system maturing, but I think I'll keep trying to stay as dairy free as possible for another couple of months, and then see what happens when I add it back in.

Sleep still sucks.  I mean it could be worse for sure, but I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in I don't know how long, and it doesn't appear to be coming anytime soon.  For a while E was great about falling back to sleep after nursing in the night, and then it started to be tougher and tougher.  Part of the problem was that I would unswaddle her to change her diaper, and then not swaddle her until we were finished.  And the swaddle would piss her off royally.  Now I swaddle her between sides.  It makes her mad, but once I pop a boob in her mouth she gets over it.  We usually get at least one four hour stretch between feedings at night, sometimes a tiny bit more, but for the most part she is still an every three hours kind of girl.

goodbye knee wrinkles, now we're working on thigh rolls

If I wait too long to put her down for a nap she is a BEAR about going to sleep.  The last few days have been unreal with how difficult it is, resulting in a fussy baby, a lonely toddler and a tired me.  At this point I feel like I'm just waiting to sleep train her.  I know she is too little now, and lots can change in the next couple of months, but this resembles how Ry was SO much.  Hopefully after this month when Chris's schedule is a little more predictable and we aren't all over the place we can settle into a better routine and start trying to put her down awake.  But I doubt it will go over well.  Who knows.  I suppose I should think about transitioning Elsie out of the rock 'n play too, but I'm dreading it.

Let's see, more random stuff about Miss E... both her tear ducts are still clogged.  She has some blonde hairs growing in on the top of her head.  Woot woot for no more baldness.  Even though she still looks a little bald.  Her eyes look like they're starting to turn blue.  She seems to be turning into a real mama's girl.  Flattering and annoying all at the same time.  Seriously, when she cries sometimes it sounds like she is saying 'want mama'.  I'm not lying, ask my mom!  And she has one of the best pouty lips I have ever seen.  She doesn't really like her paci, even though when she finally gives into it, it seems to calm her down.  We still need to add more tummy time into our day.  Elsie's head and neck control kind of sucks.  It is definitely getting better, but I remember Ry being much stronger by this age.

Over the past month she has had her first St. Patricks Day, her first Easter, visited Grammy and Papa's house in Kansas for the first time, been on an airplane, visited Grammy and Papa's Georgia house and the beach for the first time and probably some more firsts that I can't remember.  But the absolute best thing from this month?  Smiles.  Ohmygawd the smiles.  Elsie's smile is just plain adorable.  Especially when it gets all big and her tongue sticks out.  Those smiles can fix almost anything.  If only they could magically clean the house too...  And the cooing.  That is adorable too.

Oh I almost forgot!  To celebrate her two month birthday Miss Elsie rolled from belly to back for the first time.  I thought it was a fluke, but I put her back on her stomach and she did it again.  It hasn't happened since, but I was impressed that she did it twice in a row.  I was surprised that she rolled over so early.  I think Ry was 11 weeks before she rolled over.  Thanks to the iphone I managed to catch Elsie's first roll on video:

Elsie girl I love you so much.  Can't wait to see what the next month brings!

And because I get asked about it a lot, my mom made Elsie's quilt using this tutorial.  Most of the fabric came from Joann's.  Her little flower headband is from here.

week in iphone pics + a video

I'm aware I'm totally failing at blogging these last few weeks.  But I'm over it.  And I figure anyone who is really upset about it can just move on anyway, right?  If you love me you'll stick around :o).  Here are my iphone pictures from last week...

lazy morning.  plasma cars.  mini sun goddess.  making dinner complicated.  going bonkers.  worn out.  blanket overload.  "take a wake up picture."  world's most annoying and attention starved cat.  sad about the mess.  hiding from bath time.  first trip to Tad's.

And as promised, the 'Grand Old Flag' video.

Pretty cute, right?  :o)

this kid.

Seriously.  Ryann is something else.  She is so much fun.  AND SO much trouble.  Really I'd been writing this post in my head all morning, how adorable she is, some awesome things that she has done or said lately, etc etc.  And then there was the 30 minutes before naptime that she just wouldn't do a damn thing I wanted, and she thought it was the funniest thing in the world.

Shoot me.

Actually don't.  Because I'm going to pretend those 30 minutes didn't happen and go back to remembering how adorable my kid is.  Just a few things I want to remember...

::  She is starting to mimic me like crazy.  Every time I have the slightest cough... "Mommy are you ok?  Do you need a drink?"  If I mention I'm cold she'll ask if I need a blankie.  If I say I'm not feeling good she offers me medicine.  And if I get a boo boo... "Oh no mommy!  Do you need a hug?  Would a buddy make it better?  I can get you a buddy."  The sweetness kills me.

::  And yet again, this kid doesn't miss a beat.  The Lorax is a new favorite book in this house.  But Chris and I have been changing a couple of the lines, we try not to say stupid or shut up.  Well apparently someone read it to her with the correct words cough cough Grammy?  Papa?  cough cough, because now every time we read that line... "Oh mama.  We should say 'you poor stupid guy'.  It doesn't say silly."  Well you know what kid, you're right.  It doesn't say silly.  But I'm going to keep reading it that way ok?

::  Every time I call Ryann something other than 'Ryann', say, oh I don't know, princess, sweetie, honey, dude... she quickly responds with, "Mom!  I'm not princess!  I'm Ryann Elizabeth!"  Every single time.  I've tried to explain that sometimes I call her honey or sweetie because it is just another way to say that I love her.  She isn't buying it.  Ryann Elizabeth it is.

::  Whenever we talk about being big, or strong, or nice or kind, Ryann always says, "Like Jesus?"  I'll say something to the effect of "oh we are going to drink milk at lunch (as opposed to water).  We have to drink our milk so we get big and strong!"  "Like Jesus?"  Or "It wasn't very nice for the boy to push you was it.  We don't push because we want to be nice to others."  "Like Jesus?"

::  Lately I've been turning on the radio in the car more.  I tend to keep it off (and I'm terrible about having any other music available) because after 8:30am, the stations I listen to aren't always toddler friendly.  And yes she is 100% listening to everything they say.  Today the ads were playing and she kept asking questions like "Did that man just say facebook?  Did he say Kansas City?"  Anyway, she really loves the songs and asks me what they are all called.  Which of course I almost can never answer because I don't listen the radio regularly and don't know what a lot of the new stuff is.  But a couple of her favorites are Good Feeling by Flo Rida (which she refers to as the never never song), Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO, and Rumour Has It by Adele.  Well today Rumour Has It was on so I turned up the volume.  When I glanced back in the mirror she had the biggest grin on her face and was just bobbing her head along to the beat.  It was awesome.

I also have to include a couple of videos, just as a little evidence that my kid never stops singing.  About the first one... her songs are usually the first thing I hear when she wakes up, and the last thing I hear before she goes to bed.  And I know I've already posted a video very similar to this first one, but I just love hearing her little voice so much.

And this one.  Well I know pretty much know one can understand what she is saying.  I can catch quite a bit, but unless you know what she is saying before hand, it is tough to get.  Ryann really just busts out a stream of conscience in the form of a song when she is doing things.  This time I asked her to try and put some shorts on so we could go outside and have a snack.  I went to the kitchen to get the snack together, and she just started singing.

Somewhere in there she says she will be softer than a Muffy (anyone remember Muffy the bear?  she has played with it at my parents house.).  She also talks about swimming in the swimming pool, having a tasty treat, and other various things.  But by far my favorite part is the claps and cheers she gives herself when she gets a leg in.  It is just too cute.

See?  Even if you couldn't understand her it was cute, right?  And I know that was a whole lot about my kiddo, but that is what my Grandma likes to read, and I think she is the blog's biggest fan.  :o)  Love you Grandma!

this and that

::  Yesterday I let Ryann played itsy bitsy spider on my phone while we wandered Super Target.  It was fantastic, except for the part where I found a million things I wanted to buy.  I wanted to link to a bunch of it, or make a big collage of all the stuff, but the Target website and I weren't getting along.  I did take a picture of some storage bins that are pretty much made for my house.  I'm just not sure where to put them...

::  I'm sure I've been living under a rock or something, but I recently came across the whole 'project life' business via here via pinterest.  I love how seemingly easy it is, and the scrapbook feel.  I also like that the pictures are actually printed out.  This is probably a stupid thing to think about, but I randomly thought, what if Ryann needs to bring in a picture to school or something, and all I have is digital photobooks?  I mean obviously if I have all the digital files saved I can print a copy, but it would be nice to have some printed copies preserved as well.  I'm sure there are several other good alternatives to full out scrapbooking too.

::  Have you heard of plasma cars?  I of course hadn't until Shawna mentioned them (because she seems to know about all the really awesome baby/kid stuff :o).  And then they were on Zulilly for $40.  So 'Ryann' got two for Christmas.  Come on as soon as I saw they could hold up to 220 pounds I was all over it, so was Christopher.  Ryann can work them, but the video I have of her doing it includes my sister and parents talking about how her New Year's Eve went... yeah.  So here is a video of Christopher and Auntie Lorin taking them for a spin around the kitchen.  I also have a video of my dad taking it down the ramp in front of their house, but the stupid thing won't upload to my computer.

::  Speaking of videos, here are a couple of Ryann.  The first is just an incredibly awkward laugh that I captured.  Seriously.  She freaks me out a bit.  The second is her attempt at jumping along with some spinning.  Whenever she counts before she jumps it is never to the same number.  Love it.

::  Trying to make good on my resolutions, I started deleting photos from my computer.  I hope to delete an average of at least 100 a day until I've really paired down my files.  Obviously I won't always be in front of my computer everyday, but I figured if I intentionally sat down and deleted 100 photos each day that I could, that would make a decent dent.  As long as I don't average 100 photos a day that is... which can happen.  Oy.  Today my total went from 49,739 to 49,286.  That is progress right?  I suppose the responsible thing to do would be to delete my 100 photos a day, plus the non-keepers from any I upload that day right?  :o)

::  I'm pretty sure I've declared my love for nutella more than once around here.  I don't know why but I can't get enough of that stuff.  I've done a pretty good job limiting my intake, but did you know that February 5th has been declared World Nutella Day (you should, I've mentioned it before:o)?  We have got to do something to celebrate folks.  I will most likely have a peanut butter, nutella & banana sandwich for breakfast, and bake something with nutella in it (possibly these, they are perfect for February right?).  But I think I need to do something for the blog that day... possibly a nutella linky party?  What do you all think?  Yes, I understand this is teetering on the edge of ridiculous, but come on :o).  And you all think I'm totally weird now...

::  This is day seven of attempting to take a photo a day of Ryann.  I can already tell you it is going to be TOUGH, and for a few reasons.  One of course, is not forgetting.  I mean I usually have one between my cell phone or my big camera, but I really want one a day from DSLR.  Two, it is tough for me to always get a shot that I love, as well as not always taking pictures of the same thing or in the same location.  I really really REALLY hope I can keep it up though.  I do love the photos that I've gotten.  At some point I'll figure out how I'm going to share them on the web.

::  I decided that a project 52 and a project 365 (366 this year!) might be too much.  Especially considering that I rarely keep up with anything that long, let alone two things.  And I just haven't settled on a theme that seems like something I would want to focus on for an entire year, or that I would be completely happy with.  But I thought about compiling 52 images similar to the one below (but you know, not always the happy smiling one).  I am always taking pictures in that spot because it has the best light and the blankest wall in our house.  That way when I fail at my project 365 I have something to fall back on, you know?  :)  I think it would make a cute little 5x7 photo book, 52 faces of Ry.

That's all for now.  Have a good one!

where are your pits?

Just a couple videos to brighten your Saturday (that feels like a Sunday to me) night.  Really I'm sure you're doing way cooler things than sitting around playing on the internet, but just in case :o).

Where are your pits?  This video makes me smile so much my cheeks hurt.

And ok, this one is a little long, and random, but my kid is such a spaz.  I LOVE her, but she is so goofy.

Have a good one!

just a few videos

I've got a few videos of the wee one that I wanted to share.  If you're not a video loving reader I suggest just moving on.  (Except you should probably check out the LR2 Designs giveaway if you haven't done that yet!)  First up, baby (toddler) laughs, just because they make me smile...

Next up, I got this hat and mittens set out to try it on when the weather started getting colder.  We decided to take the set back (ear flaps are a bit more flattering for Miss Ryann :o), but she was so amused by the mittens.  She asked to have them on and off millions of times in the three or so days they were sitting on the counter waiting to be returned.  Really the best part of the video is hearing her say mittens.  And I'm pretty sure she is saying 'sad choice', because she was going to take them off or something.

Another video in which really, the beginning is the most important.  I have no idea where she came up with this, as far as I know my father is absolutely NOT a cross dresser.

Ryann loved this 'five little pumpkins' book throughout October.  It is more cute/understandable if you know the words, so here you go...

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.

The first one said, "My it's getting late!"

The second one said, "They are witches in the air."

The third one said, "Good folk beware!"

The fourth one said, "We'll run and run."

The fifth one said, "Let's have some fun!"

Woooo went the wind and out went the light.

And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

And lastly, this little trip to Target made me so freaking excited for the holidays.

Happy Saturday!

lr2 designs {giveaway}

**  this giveaway is closed  **

Remember when I mentioned a special little package that I was excited about?  Well, it is finally time for me to share it with you!

Earlier this month I was contacted by one of my sorority sisters, Lauren.  She told me that she started her own jewelry line this year, and was wondering if I would be interested in having a pair of earrings for myself and giving a pair away to my readers.  I checked the link she sent me and quickly responded with ABSOLUTELY!  The earrings were right up my alley, simply and sparkly all in one.  I'm going to assume it was the 20 some years I spent in the dance world, but show me something sparkly and I get all excited.

note to self:  seriously, STOP trying to take self portraits, it never works like you want it to

This pair of earrings are absolutely wonderful.  They seem very sturdy and well made, and also very versatile.  I think I've worn them at least every other day since I got them.  When I first tried them on, Ryann wanted to wear them so badly!  "Ryann wear sparkles?  Ryann wear earrings?  Pease?!?"  Poor girl, I'm regretting not piercing her ears, and my mom is cringing while she reads that... moving on!  Really, I am in love with my new sparkles.

A little excerpt from the LR2 website, "LR2 Designs seeks to provide attainable luxury creations to a discerning clientele.  LR2 Designs' products blend timeless style with superb craftsmanship and materials."  Personally, I'm an earring girl, and there are definitely several pairs of fun and galmourous earrings available.  I'm partial to these and these.

I am thrilled to be giving away one pair of LR2's signature earrings.  How do you go about entering?  Why there are several options :o).  First, please visit the LR2 Designs website and leave a comment stating your favorite piece of jewelry on the site.  For additional entries you can do any of the following:

like LR2 Designs on facebook
follow LR2 Designs on twitter 

like the domestic wannabe on facebook 

Please leave a separate comment for each entry!  I use random.org to pick my winner, meaning I just have the site pick a number between 1 and X, X being the number of comments on the post.  If you leave all of your entries in one comment you didn't really get any additional entries!

This giveaway will close Monday, November 21st at 10:00pm CST.  Winner will be announced Tuesday, November 22nd.

Because Lauren is my sorority sister, I figured it was a good reason to plop in this video.  A little background, I was wearing a fleece with the Chi Omega symbol on it and Ryann asked me what it said.  Naturally I broke out into song, and then she asked me to sing it over and over again.  Now she can sing almost the whole thing, but she won't let me get it on video.  No worries, this much is still adorable...

A long shot for being related to the giveaway, but a giveaway + an adorable video of my child made your day that much brighter, right?  Peace love and owls ladies, peace love and owls :o).
 
I received a pair of LR2's signature earrings for free, but all of the thoughts and opinions above are my own! 

i need a vacation

Oh wait, I was just on vacation wasn't I?  But please tell me you all feel like after a vacation you need another just to recoup?  I need like two days to get my life back in order and cross some things off my to-do list, but that isn't going to happen.  Especially when I end up going to bed at 9pm.  No joke.  But it felt great.

Since I went to bed early I didn't end up putting anything together to post today, so I thought I'd share this little video clip Ryann made while we were gone.  She is into making and then watching videos these days.

Also?  Something possibly terrible happened today.

Ryann discovered there is more than just one owl lovey.  I had a pile of dirty laundry hanging out in the hallway, that included an owl.  I meant to wash it last night, but um, as I mentioned above I went to be at 9.  I definitely didn't do any laundry.  She pulled the owl out of the pile, and then noticed the one in her crib.  Ruh roh.  She then preceded to find a blanket and lay on the kitchen floor while I made lunch.

I managed to convince her to go down for nap with only one of the owls, and have since put the pile of laundry in the basement.  But we will see what happens with that...

Other randomness... Ryann has started occasionally singing songs that I'm assuming she learns at MDO.  Something along the lines of "Time to sing songs.  Time to sing songs.  Everybody tap your shoulders, time to sing songs."  Today it was tap your belly.  It is pretty funny.  Last night when we were getting her dressed for bed, she was singing some gibberish we didn't understand, then we heard "thankful for friends.  AMEN!"

Followed immediately by "Lions and tigers and bears?"

Oh my.  Chris and I couldn't stop laughing.

Bah, I just got cut short.  The wee one woke up from nap, and is currently in her crib saying "Hey!  Why you do that?  Why you do that?"  I have no idea who or what she is talking about.

this and that + some videos

::  I snagged some new throw pillows for my family room couch at Pier 1 (including this, this and this.  I'll take pictures, eventually...).  I'm loving them!  I've been hating my family room, and feel like the walls were making everything look drab, but the pillows instantly made the room feel brighter and cheerier.  I think if I can incorporate a little more turquoise and teal into the room, plus a little white, that I won't hate it so much anymore.  I would LOVE to find some curtains like these...

via

::  I need to figure out a good carry on bag for traveling.  It has to be able to do a bajillion things, like function as a diaper bag, purse, laptop bag and camera bag all in one.  Any suggestions?  Oh, and it can't be too hard to carry because of course I'll be juggling a toddler as well.  Thanks for your help :o).

::  If I need a little pick me up, I generally just go stare at all my pins.  Sounds silly, but so many things I like in one place, it makes me happy.  Especially my decorate and celebrate boards.  Oh pinterest.  How do I love you?  Let me count the ways...

::  The other night I yelled for Christopher while in Ryann's room.  I can't remember what I needed, but nonetheless I yelled for him.  Yesterday my mom was hanging out with us, when I went to put Ryann down for her nap I decided I wanted her sweater because she was itching a bug bite like mad, so I yelled for her.  Ryann looked at me and yelled "Christopher!  Christopher!"  I died laughing.

::  Video dump time!  I'm sure mostly just the grandmas and great grandmas will appreciate these, but whatever.  Here you go.

Ok, generally, we don't listen to Kid Rock with Ryann.  But this is pretty funny.  It was mostly for my friend Kenzie, but I think it can be appreciated by many.

Don't you love that kids generally don't want to cooperate when you bust out the video camera?  Good news, I still think she is cute.  And apparently Donald is a number.

More or less Christopher was standing in the hallway and would jump into her room.  I just love her laugh so I had to share :o).

And lastly, we were trying to show off her ABC singing skills.  She gets pretty close to making it the whole way through.

::  I've got a batch of chili started in the crockpot this morning.  If it turns out well maybe I'll actually share the recipe.  Have a great day!

a video hello

My original intent for this video was to give a little shout out to grammy (my mom) for her birthday.  And then we got all random.  But I think Ryann is cute nonetheless, so I thought I'd just share it, all five minutes of it.  I'll forgive you if you don't watch it.  You're the one missing out.

And please excuse my nasty hair.

And the Bert and Ernie Ryann is referencing is this one.

Happy Birthday Mom!

p.s.  I entered Ryann in the pediped photo contest or something.  You can go here once a day to vote.  I definitely wouldn't mind if you did :o).

getting spoiled + awkward zebras

Chris's schedule this week blows, yet again, so Ryann and I are spending a few days being spoiled rotten by Grammy.  For reals.  We got to go shopping at Target.  She cooks us lots of delicious food (get excited for the recipes I'm going to share on Friday!).  She keeps us company.  Grammy rocks.  Ry ry just loves her Grammy.

Grammy does have a tendency to frown, or talk the entire time I take pictures, and we all know taking decent pictures of an active toddler is never easy, so this is one of the best ones I got lately.  Whatever, we will go with it.

Since I'm too busy being spoiled to write up a well thought out post, I decided I'd just continue my recent trend of making a fool of myself.  Just watch this video.  You'll understand.

Ryann loves to ask me what various animals say.  Ducky say?  Kitty cat say?  Monkey say?  Sunday night she threw in zebra.  I have no idea what exactly a zebra says, so I sort of went with an awkward horse impression.  With some crazy head action.  Apparently it was pretty funny.  Before we got out the camera she was laughing so so hard.  It was great.

I may look like a fool, but I make my kid happy, right? 

she can count & other videos

I meant to put this post up yesterday.  But then I forgot.  So you get two today.  I know.  You're super excited :o).

I'm 95% sure that I forgot to mention this, but on July 3rd we discovered that Ryann could count to ten.  (That sounds really dramatic including the date and all, but of course I need it for memory keeping purposes :o).  The weekend of the fourth I had been trying to teach Ryann to respond to the 'how old are you' question with, of course, one!  She finally got it down.  So when we finally woke up her daddy a little later, I asked her, 'Ryann, how old are you?'  She eagerly replied 'one!!'  I said 'That's right!  You are one!'  And then she said 'twoooo'.  Chris and I looked at each other baffled.  So I repeated her, 'two?'  She said 'threeeee'.  This continued all the way to eight.  We were surprised and impressed.

Now she can make it to ten.  She still won't go farther than two all by herself, but she definitely knows her numbers!  She can also recognize one, five, eight and nine when she sees them.  The grocery store is an exciting place now :o).  Here is a video of her counting.

Ry can also recognize all of the letters.  She gets tripped up on E a lot, and sometimes a few others, but for the most part she has it down.  And she can get through almost the whole alphabet in the same fashion she does numbers, I repeat what she said, and she tells me the next letter.  This video is of her doing flash cards.  And sorry if these videos are choppy.  On my computer they look funny in firefox, but fine in safari.

And just a couple other randoms.  I tried to show Ryann how penguins walk.  Here is her version:

Bedtime at our house isn't calm and quiet.  For some reason that is when Ry is the most giggly, so we go with it.

I should be back soon with our week in iphone pics.  Depends on how long it takes me to weed them down.  I took several...

just some videos

Ok several videos.  I couldn't resist.  I've had some cute ones (in my opinion obviously) hanging around and decided it was about time they hit the blog.

First off, the water table turned out to be a success.  The video is a bit long.  Surprise surprise.

Chris got out the hose to do some watering.  My child who didn't like swimming pools at the time, loved being sprayed with the hose.  Ok well I'm sure if he full out sprayed her she wouldn't have been too happy, but I love her dorky little laugh in this video.

I think I've mentioned before that Ryann loves a book called Shake a Leg.  We got her on camera doing a pretty good job with all of the prompts.

Ryann loves animal crackers.  She is usually pretty forceful with her requests for them.

Oh you know, just trying to show off my little smarty pants.  Sorry I can't help it.  All of our kids are the smartest ones out there right?  Obviously.  :o)

One of Ryann's favorite things to do right now, is go to the park and swing.  She used to want out of the swing the second we put her in it, but now it is cool.  I missed her most excited moments when we asked her if she wanted to go, so I tried to do it again.  She was a bit peeved that we hadn't left the house yet...

And baby girl doing what she loves.

Wow.  Ok, I suppose that is enough videos for right now :o).

videos and more

Ok some of you out there have requested videos of the wee one.  So I'm finally getting around to posting some.  I had been wanting to upload videos off my nice camera, but I'm too lazy to get them in iMovie and edit them right now, and there are several videos on my iPhone, so that is what you get.  They are maybe a bit long and random.  But at least now you can get a glimpse at some of her chattiness and skills.  Unfortunately the one video where I have her saying a ton of words is corrupted.  Go figure.

We must of been making this video to send to my mom...  Ryann got this book called Shake A Leg from her Grandma Anita.  In it there is a page that says make a muscle.  We've been working on it here and there :o).  Please excuse Chris belching in the background...

This one is kind of random, and she obviously didn't really want to participate.  But oh well.  You get a little bit of Old McDonald (I know you appreciate my singing skills), some animal noises, and a short introduction to Pablo.  Somehow one of the Little People got named that, and Ryann will be walking around the house saying "Pabo Pabo!"

It has been a little chiller the last couple of days, and none of us really like being stuck in the house.  So we go to places like Target and Babies 'R Us and let Ryann wander the toy aisles.  Apparently hanging out with all the toys just makes her want to dance.

Ryann has a pair of pajamas that say daddy's girl, and yesterday I taught her to say it.  Unfortunately she was all done sitting in her high chair when I decided to take this video, but you can kind of hear her say it at the beginning.  And then she freaks out.  Oops.

A couple people have commented asking about how/why Ryann talks so much, if we do anything special, etc.  Honestly?  I have no idea.  I talk to her a lot, but I don't think it is excessive, nor do I purposely force myself to talk all day long just so she will learn words.  Really I believe that is counterproductive, because she would start tuning out the sound of my voice (which I think she already does on a regular basis :o).  She points at stuff and I tell her what it is, I name the objects I'm using or the things I'm doing.  Part of that is because I'm hoping she'll learn, and part of it is really, just because she is the only one I have to talk to, and I don't want to spend all day in silence!

I've mentioned before that I did spend three or so years working in childcare, with over a year of that being in a room to 1-2.5 year olds.  So I have picked up a thing or two about talking and teaching kiddos her age.  She loves books, me singing songs (why I have no idea :o), and when I tell her about things, so that is what we do.

I swear I'm not trying to brag, but I do think her language skills are above average.  So please please please don't freak out if your little one isn't saying as much as I say she is.  And remember, when thinking about the words your twelve to eighteen month old or so says, it doesn't necessarily have to be an adult word, and not everyone around them might understand it.  But if your kiddo is saying the same thing in reference to a certain item, that is their word for that item.  For example, whenever Ryann sees a vacuum, she says 'um'.  Obviously that isn't vacuum, but EVERY time she sees or hears a vacuum she says it.  So that is her word for vacuum.

Whew.  Ok Happy Sunday :o).

embrace the camera + she's walking!

I really wanted to get a picture of Ry walking to me, because as of this week I would officially consider her a walker.  But it didn't happen.  Are you surprised?  I bet not.  She enjoy a couple of awesome iPhone pics of the two of us, as well as a video of the wee one strutting her stuff.

Oops.  Cut off my face.  But oh those baby blues.  Those blue eyes get so much attention everywhere we go.  They definitely melt my heart.

This is 100% accurate as to how my kisses usually go over.  I lovingly go in for the smooch, she not so kindly rejects me and gives me the stink eye.  I still love her :o).

And the little missy cautiously playing today!!



I apologize for the awkward half scream in the middle there.  Who knows what that was about.  Isn't she cute though?  So timid.  But as long as she has been walking while holding my hand, I am pretty confident that she is sturdy.  I'm sure she will pick up speed in no time!

a couple videos

if you need a laugh, just watch a little bit of this one.  It is really long, and pretty much the same thing throughout, so really, just watch a little. 

She was overtired because she boycotted her afternoon nap.  Chris was in Subway grabbing dinner for us, and she wanted out of the carseat.  She was just a little bit slap happy :o).

Another video where she was a little tired.  But she recently started making her version of a fish face and a lion noise.  Pretty cute.

Happy Friday!

so big

You know that game that everyone plays with a baby, but you don't know why... you ask them how big they are, and get them to hold their hands above their head... yeah Ry would never do that for me.  Seriously, I have been saying it pretty much everyday since she was at least 7 months old, if not earlier.  And obviously she came mimic me doing a bunch of other things.  But she wouldn't do 'so big'.  Until two days ago.  She finally started humoring me :o).

And just for fun a few pictures of her eating waffles at breakfast last week...

waffles make her that happy :o)

again, rockin' the hat at breakfast

my mouse died

My wireless computer mouse that is.  And I'm too lazy to find batteries.  So I'll have to post my embrace the camera pictures tomorrow.  Because I have no desire to upload them on to my laptop, and I wouldn't be able to edit them at all.

Sooo....

I'm leaving you this ridiculous video of my child.  And when I ask her if her daddy slipped her something, I was completely not serious at all.  Just thought I should clear that up before anyone freaks out about it :o).

And for the record, my crazy baby finished an entire pouch of baby food for dinner.  Not half, not a little but, the WHOLE THING.  Obviously I would rather her eat more table food, but she ate something.  And a whole lot of something.  I'm super excited :o).