Bye Bye Bottle

I know what you're thinking (why is she taking a bottle at 18 months) but I dragged it out and now I will pay the price. Glenn & I have finally put our feet down regarding Ryleigh's evening bottle. NO MORE!!! We gave into her way too much and with our upcoming trip I finally needed to end her dependence on the bottle.
Yesterday morning we put her on the counter and had her take all of her bottles and bottle parts out of her cabinet and into a zip-lock bag. She even said 'bye-bye'. It was bittersweet. When 7 o'clock hit she went running to her cabinet pointing up (this was her means of communicating to us for the past few months that it was Bottle Time). We opened up the cabinet and hoisted her up to show her the bottles were gone. We decided that during this transition we would still allow her milk in a sippy cup. I even warmed it up. She drank about 1/2 of it and decided she was done. We took her up to bed at 8 o'clock not sure if she would wake up and thank goodness she didn't. I think it would have broken our hearts had she and we would have given in to her once again. Tonight will be more interesting because I won't be home to help. I hope she isn't much trouble for Glenn.

If I ever am looking for work...

The Happy Couple

I could become a babysitter! I just had a fun evening watching my friends' infant tonight. My friends, the Lundy's, were celebrating their 2 year anniversary. I thought this would give me some idea what it would be like if Glenn & I opt to have a second child. Needless to say it will be interesting...

When Brendan arrived the three of us went for a wagon ride... pretty uneventful. It was hot and sticky so when we returned we played inside. Or I should say Brendan played. Ryleigh got up on the couch and looked down at Brendan while he ran around the house. When she wanted some peace she decided to hop into her high chair and read some books. She wasn't much for sharing or playing. I had a blast with the little guy and realized how much I forgot about the 11 month old stage. He was a motion machine and orally fixated. EVERYTHING had to be tasted before it could get the Brendan stamp of approval!

I hope to do it again soon even if Ryleigh doesn't seem so interested!
The Not-So-Happy Couple

Here's hoping the mice don't strike again

They have cleared ALL the trees behind our property today. I guess that means the mice will be looking for a new habitat in my home again. I knew this day would eventually come. Now I have a great view of... well you can see what of below.

Now (2007)

Then (2004)

For all you moms

When you have a free moment check out this site:
www.inthemotherhood.com

Which episode do you like?

Hyperactive 1.5

I had an interesting conversation with my mom today. I was telling my mom how Ryleigh had a fantastic time at the 'Backyard Bash' we went to this morning. It is an annual event that one of the mom's in my MOMS Club holds at her home. All the kids run around in their bathing suits playing in kiddie pools, sprinklers and even a water slide. Ryleigh loved playing with the older kids. I am telling mom how she was running all around from this to that. I told her I thought Ryleigh was a bigger dare devil than the children in her playgroup.
My mom then informs me that she thinks Ryleigh is hyperactive! She said it very matter of fact.
Now I HATE this term. I dislike it for several reasons and most of it stems from my years as a day camp counselor than day camp director during my summers off from college. I dealt with too many kids who were diagnosed hyperactive/ADHD. The term just has negative connotations. I just don't take the word lightly.
Is Ryleigh an active child, yes... would I say she's hyperactive, no. I asked my mom to explain and she went on to say how Ryleigh is a constant motion machine and never sits still. She feels her constant action explain her long naps. I don't disagree with what my mother is saying, I just don't agree with the term she is using because others could infer that Ryleigh has a disorder. I know that term doesn't draw the same idea to my mom as it does to me. I knew that because the moment she said, "Well you were a hyperactive child".
I was an active curious child and so is my 18 month old daughter. I think that is fantastic!

Old Friends

Ryleigh & I took a zoo trip today to meet an old friend of mine and her 3 children. The last time I saw her was when she was pregnant with #1. JT is now 5 so it's been a long time. It was great and we had a good time.

We had a great time with the kids and hope to get together soon. Ryleigh had an incredible time. She had so much fun with all three of the her kids I wished we lived closer and could spend more time together.

Before we left the zoo we grabbed a cold treat for the kids. Ryleigh ate her entire Popsicle... although I did need to take her wet sticky shirt off when she finished.

Gifts

Alright another holiday is almost upon us and I have NO CLUE what to purchase my husband. My husband is a gadget man and it seems everything he wants is always over 100 bucks. Now I don't mind this but Father's Day. This needs to be a gift from Ryleigh... any ideas???

Ugh!

The new door we just had installed... need to get a new one. Reason: I am an idiot but more importantly, the guy installing it is a BIGGER IDIOT.
The storm door we purchased has a pull down screen feature. He installed the 'door opener' as he called it (I call it the door spring that is attached between the door and frame. It helps ease the door closed so it doesn't slam). Anyway, whatever it is called got installed at the top of the door. He asked me where I wanted it installed, at the top or bottom. I said the top b/c of Ryleigh... WRONG ANSWER. He screwed it into the top and it went through the screen. The handyman doesn't know he fucked up. Glenn and I realized it when we went to pull the screen down this evening. We looked at the instuctions about attaching the screen that is rolled up top. We got to step one, started on step 2 where you pull the metal piece down and I realized why it was so difficult... damn screen was attached by the screws that went into the door sping to attach it to the door. Now I know why my mom says to read instructions front to back before doing anything. THIS should have been done by Mr. Handyman. Now Mr. Handyman owes me a new door.
UGGGHHHH... I am not really sure if I am to blame for this. I feel some responsibilty but I assumed he knew that the door had a screen in it. The title of the install book mentioned it. I am so not looking forward to this phone call tomorrow.

All rotten

We're home bound today. A handyman and his ex-wife (she works for him... so strange) are tearing apart my entry way to repair the dry rot. Originally we thought it was just a portion of the front door frame.... nah... it's the sub floor too. There is also rot in the original framing but we're not going to replace it. He is going to put wood hardener over that portion... I am not sure what the tally will be now.

The upside is this is our excuse to replace the nasty linoleum in our entry way. I am thinking about tile...

The handyman and his ex have left the house to go buy supplies to fix everything. I am now collecting flies in my house b/c we have no door. Check out the photos:

Look at all that rot in the bottom portion of the door - that is staying! The stuff he took out was far worse.

All Smiles

I hope I have a moment like this everyday for the rest of my life...

Splish Splash

Summer has official hit my backyard. We've brought out the sprinkler, pool and bathing suits! Ryleigh has been having an incredible time and loves the outside. What kid doesn't though?!?

Ryleigh & I spent Memorial Day at her grandparents. My sister & family came over too. We had a really nice time and the girls got the chance to play together outside.

Playgroup got together today in the backyard. Here are the original three: Ryleigh, Grace & Sam. They had a great time playing and snacking. I feel really lucky that Ryleigh & I have these kids and their moms as friends. It has been fantastic to watch them group up over the past year.