Bye, Bye Paci Round 2

As parents, we like to count our successes with our children. Taking away Kaelyn's paci was easy as pie. Success! Taking away Rylan's paci hasn't been quite that easy. However, we are now a paci-free family once again. A week ago today, we accidentally forgot to send Ry to bed with his paci. But, we were ready to take it away anyhow, so it worked out just fine. I did feel a little guilty that first evening and the next morning because he was feeling a little under the weather, but Robbie assured me that he'd be able to breathe better without it anyhow. So after several rough bed times and nap times, we've now been without the beloved paci for a whole week! Rylan is still adjusting and figuring out what he's supposed to do while riding in the car, when trying to go to sleep, and just any time he needs a little soothing, but it's better each day. As hard as it is to say goodbye to something that kept him as a baby in our eyes, we are thankful he's not toddling around with it and putting it back in his mouth after dropping it everywhere. We love you Rylan!

Easter 2012

On Thursday, April 5th, Kaelyn's class at SPP (Stonebriar Preschool Pals) had their little Easter party. Kaelyn absolutely loves her school and her wonderful teachers. Ms. Shelley, Kaelyn's new teacher, recently joined their class and helped throw a wonderful party complete with a playground egg hunt. We are going to miss SPP next year, but I know we will make great new memories at our new school.

Our Easter Craft (with a cheesy smile)

A Yummy Purple Glittery Marshmallow

A Bunny Juicebox

(what more can a girl ask for?)

Ms. Shelley reading a book to the class about

the meaning of Easter! 

Can hardly wait for the egg hunt...

Kaelyn and one of her best buds, Lucy

Kaelyn with Lucy and Avery (her bff's)

We spent our Easter weekend in Longview with all of our family. We had our annual Easter lunch at Papacita's (thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law) and then continued on to Nana's house for the egg hunt with all the grandkids and great-grandkids. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time.

The Annual Dying of the Easter Eggs

(Kade and Kaelyn had a great time)

Rylan was a little sleepy from all the birthday party action

and decided to give Daddy love instead. 

Here are the three boys at play with Ry's new grill

(T-R-O-U-B-L-E for the future)

Kipton, Kooper and Rylan

Rylan decided to use Kooper as a walker to get around.

Our Family Easter Portrait 2012

Add Mimi and PawPaw

Add Pop, KK, Karlene, Keeton and Kylen

All the Grandkids and Great-Grandkids with Nana and Grandad

"Picture time is over finally...Now when do we hunt eggs?"

Rylan was too small last Easter, but he loved finding eggs this year! 

Kaelyn showing off her football egg to Daddy!

(Such a daddy's girl)

Rylan with his namesake, Cousin Brice

(The matching colors wasn't even planned)

One more family picture with Grandad Killian

The Birthday Boy

Rylan turned 1 year old on Wednesday, April 4th and I'm still trying to figure out where the last year has gone. Our sweet little baby boy is now a toddler. We had a small party at our house on his actual birthday followed by a big family party in Longview over Easter weekend.

Rylan's 1 Year Old Stats

Weight: 22 lbs. (40%)

Height: 29 3/4 inches (50%)

Rylan:

• Enjoys playing upstairs in the gameroom (he can't wait for the baby gate to open so he can crawl up the stairs)
• Climbs anything and everything (definitely more adventurous than Kaelyn was at this age)
• Loves to play with Kaelyn's kitchen; although, he just got a new grill that is putting that theory to the test.
• Is constantly climbing inside the Cozy Coupe car and enjoys being pushed around in it
• Eats just abearout anything put on his plate and even some of the food off our plate as well
• Adores his big sister; he gets so excited when she gets in the car from school each Tuesday and Thursday because playing with mommy isn't near as much fun.
• Waves hello and bye-bye to everyone he meets and occasionally "blows a kiss"
• Is walking now (got to love delayed blog posts; he wasn't walking when I first started writing this post, but officially took first steps on Friday, April 13th)
• Works puzzles (works might be the wrong term because he likes to dump them out on the floor and play with the pieces)
• Hasn't discovered of a love of reading yet, but loves to dance and sing to music.
• Says the words: "da-da," "uh-oh," and "hi" clearly (still working on "ma-ma")
• Has the sweetest disposition and will usually go to anyone who wants to hold him
• Is independent...Wants to try things out on his own even though big sister tries to help
• Has a contagious smile; smiles with his whole body just like Kaelyn does
• Is so very ticklish; Ry laughs hysterically when you rub his back.

Here are some pictures from the small party at our house on Wednesday, April 4th. Rylan wasn't feeling his best that evening, but he was a trooper! We are thankful for being able to celebrate with friends from church who love us and our children so very much.

Right before opening gifts... Not really feeling it! 

Ripping into the bag

(although he preferred all the other kids to do this for him)

Our friends who were able to join in on the fun.

Taking a taste of the cupcake icing

(I love his face here)

Rylan decided he liked the icing and wanted to dig in on his own!

(Thank goodness for Mommy)

Yummy! 

On Friday, April 6th, Robbie, the kids, and I drove into to Longview for Easter weekend and to celebrate Rylan's first year of birth with all of the Perry and Hudson family. Nana graciously hosted all of us and we had a great time on Saturday afternoon eating lunch and enjoying the beautiful weather outside. It's just too difficult to pick just a few pictures.

Birthday Table

I've vowed to make the first birthday cake for each of

our kids; I'm pretty impressed with the way this one

turned out (Thank you for the instructions Allison G.)

A Pinterest find...Individual Veggie Cups

The handsome birthday boy!

The Cooks of the Day (Robbie, Kirk, Keeton and Kylen)

All of the kids playing afer lunch

Everyone watching the kids play

Our twin cousins, Kipton and Kooper

Taking a little stroll...

Part of the birthday gifts for all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Nana and Grandad is a new swing set. Each kid will get to unwrap the picture of the finished product on their birthday. Rylan is the first birthday boy, and Pop got started building it right away. It already looks great and we only enjoyed the swings and the slide over the Easter weekend. We can't wait to see what else is installed by our next trip to Longview.

Big sister enjoying the swing...

The happily engaged couple, Ben and Bre (my cousin)

Opening the first of many presents

(Grandad Killian got Rylan this little grill and he

absolutely loves it)

Head inside the grill trying to get all the accessories out.

The beginning of the swing set (swings ready to go)

A special birthday surprise from Daddy

Digging into the cake

"Who wants to clean me up?"

Look at that mouth! 

Rylan Brice, you mean the world to us! This past year has been so joyful and you warm our hearts with all you are and do! We can't believe what a little boy you're becoming and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for you! We love you with all of our hearts.

-Daddy, Mommy and Kaelyn

Video of his first steps