Year 2 Day 346: Slow Down...You're Moving Way Too Fast!

People really aren't joking, and I cannot emphasize enough how quickly this time goes. I find myself purposefully pausing and taking the moments in as much as I can because I don't want to miss a second or forget how it all felt.

Ryan was in his Jumperoo this afternoon and after a while I noticed he wasn't jumping, but instead just staring back at me with a puzzled look. I soon realised it was because I was the one staring at him first. I was just sat there staring at him with a goofy grin plastered across my face and it wasn't until I felt tears welling up in my eyes that I noticed him noticing me noticing him.

Then he smiled back at me as if to say, "It's okay, Mommy. I know. It's because I'm growing up."

He is such a smart little cookie -- or would that be a cookie still in England, or a biscuit?

Hmm...Matt says still a cookie.


Okay then, moving on...

He really is SO bright, and I'm sure every parent feels that way about their kids. I just love his innocence -- right down to the innocent way he tips all of Mommy's things off the end table, having no clue that it's about to make a big mess.

I still love him.

Even so innocent that he will bash his head with a plastic toy he is shaking. Stop for a minute. Look at said toy that just inflicted pain...and go right back to shaking it over his head again.

I also love the way he is so curious now about everything around him. Matt and I jokingly say he's nosy...but it's like every day his curiosity grows and he just wants to get right into and involved in everything! His latest obsession has grown from tapping two objects together, to tapping one of those objects against another surface to hear the sound it makes; like his sensory bottle (with curly pasta inside) against a cardboard box, his toothbrush handle against the wicker chair in the bathroom, or even one of his stacking cups against Mommy's face (which doesn't make any real sound, by the way -- outside of Mommy occasionally saying "Ow...ow...ow...ow...").

It's as if from his birth we have been watching a new feature film that has started out with a slow plot and has only just started to pick up with some really good action. He's learning so much, SO fast and he's honestly SO much fun!

Don't get me wrong...there's niggly bits I could do without. The night waking due to painful teething. The wiggling and flailing about when I'm trying desperately to change a dirty nappy. The general crankiness when it seems that even Magic Mommy or Daddy cuddles are just not enough -- and those just break your heart. But it is all just so worth it!

This little person is the absolute BEST thing I have ever done, without a doubt -- and I don't think I'm the only one in this house that feels that way.

Year 2 Day 345: This is What Happens...

...when your eyes aren't ON him for a split second!

Matt has a habit of taking his jeans off downstairs so he won't wake Ryan with the noisy belt when he comes up to bed at night. Because of this, they can be found usually draped over the back of the sofa. I've gotten so used to this it's like part of the living room furniture until he returns home from work.

I have recently arranged things in a "baby-safe" manner so Ryan has full run of the front room when in the walker. Certain things are blocked off, like the fire and small end tables, so he can scamper back and forth without worry of pulling something onto himself.

Apparently I forgot about the jeans.

When I saw him I could only laugh because he jets around the room now like a crazed lorry-driver and it seemed as if the jeans were as much a casualty as would be an innocent bug smashed against someones grill on the motorway.

This photo was a last minute addition as I didn't start reviewing photos for the blog until after he had gone up to bed. I took it because he was using me as a climbing frame and he was so truly ticked by the fact he was pulling himself up and then the camera would appear.

Upon closer inspection...(besides the bogies)...

I didn't notice anything throughout the day, but the more I look at this photo it seems his fourth has cut through as well. That's only about a week from his third!

But hey...I'll take that. No huge change in his temperament this time. Could this be a sign that he's just used to it by now? I doubt it...but hey!


Roll on toothy-peg number FIVE!!

Year 2 Day 344: Thursday In the Park

We were blessed with some decent sun today as well as a decent morning nap from the boy, so I didn't hesitate to pack up the push-chair for a lazy afternoon at the park. When we were leaving the drive a few sprinkles threatened to ruin our plans, but the sneaky cloud quickly passed and we were on our way.

Straightaway we noticed a big tractor/lawn-mower cutting grass down on the football pitches, so we fanned out our blanket and set up our camp under a nice shade tree. We watched the mower go back and forth a few times and then settled down for some fun with the stacking cups and a touchy-feeley story.

It wasn't long until Ryan wanted to eat-- I mean, explore the grass. I had to be careful to allow him the freedom to investigate, but still keep a close eye on when he was about to plop a leaf into his trap so I could intercept it.

But I do have to admit...I love his curiosity!

We had a snack of cucumber and carrots and he successfully devoured two whole cucumber sticks! We're still working on raw carrots since his resources are limited right now at two-and-a-half teeth, but he still likes to suck on them.

Before leaving we made a bee-line for the swings before the kids from junior and secondary school arrived and took over. Then we headed home and sir had a lovely 2-hour kip before Matt returned from work.

I'm hoping that all this outdoor time will help with his sleeping tonight...although I know deep down that he is just a baby and they don't always sleep how we would like them to. All I know is he napped like a Champ today -- and I can dig that!

Year 2 Day 343: Don't Stop Me Now -- I'm Havin' a Good Time!

He's climbing (or attempting to climb) EVERYTHING! There's no stopping him! Gone are the days of placing him on the floor and even just watching him flop around.

Now he gets placed on the floor and he's off! Crawling at the speed of light --erm, I mean speed of Ryan across the room and over to the rocking foot-stool (which, I might add, looks like it could be training for Most Extreme Elimination Challenge). From there he then manages to scale the edge until he reaches the empty car-seat box...and just look at him. Ever so proud of himself!

Year 2 Day 342: Everything in the Gob!

I wish I could take full credit for staging this photo, but my clever boy did this all on his own. Mhmm...no mommy is more proud than when her child tries to eat his own feet.

If you look closely in this photo (or click on the photo itself to make it larger) you can see the newest of toothy-pegs. It's the first time I've been able to capture a photo since it's arrival last week.

Nothing too exciting today. It has been gloomy and thunder-stormy outside so we have spent the day indoors and pretty much in our jammies! (Although I did change into my jeans.)

We played "Mommy-chase-Ryan" all over the front room and the very popular game of "No" and "Keep Out" where I get to pry the TV and telephone leads out of his sticky little baby hands. I'm telling you, he's QUICK!

When Matt returned home, Ryan was sat on my lap and we were singing along to some songs with cute little videos on You Tube. I learned the real lyrics to 'Teddy Bears Picnic' and discovered that no where in that song does it mention "see them in their underwear" as I previously thought. I used to think that song was hilarious when I was a kid for that very reason. I guess it just goes to show how silly I was and that I probably made up my own version and believed it to be the true one.

At one point, Ryan even dozed off on my shoulder for a bit, which surprised me as he was boycotting naps today. I guess the fatigue got the better of him. But he still went down at his normal bedtime, which his body has set to be about 9 o'clock. We start his routine around half-eight and by nine he is dried off from his bath, lotioned, dressed and happily nursing while Matt or I read him a story.

Year 2 Day 341: Ahoy, Me Hearties!

I met up with a fellow American expat today. We went to Merry Hill to get her daughter some shoes for school and then eventually ended up back in Kingswinford at her friend's house -- which is ironically close to the old flat on Beech Road.

Ryan was having a blast on the floor trying to find new things to shove in his gob while I did my best to keep them out.

Do you think pirate suits him?

Year 2 Day 340: Long Time, No See

We haven't been to my in-laws' to visit since Matt's birthday in August, so I was telling Matt all week that we really needed to find a good time to get together since they hadn't seen Ryan. When we arrived it didn't take long for Ryan to end up snuggled in his Nan's lap to look at his new book. He was very curious about this book as it had a clock on it with movable hands that made "clicky" noises.

Grandad then took the opportunity to get out his new camera for some photos and even gave Ryan a little peek of a video with his cousin, Amy.

Of course, Ryan didn't mind showing off his newest developed skills and strength for his Grandad. He even nearly took some supported (wobbly) steps toward Daddy at one point.

He's really looking forward to visiting them again very soon!!