One of those days. I'm

Ryan had a great day. Great naps and lots of fun. Me not to much. I'm so tired and have had several days where I haven't had time to breath let alone sit down. Im so tired that I 1) left my purse in the shopping cart at the store in the parking lot and drove away. Thank god I noticed right away. 2) left my phone somewhere and someone had to find me to tell me. 3) fell down the stairs bc I wasn't paying attention and and clumsy when tired and have really messed up my already injured shoulder. Of course on the side I hold Ryan on. 4) I need a root canal. So an awesome day. Thank goodness for my little ray of sunshine. He reminds me that no matter how crappy things can be sometimes that it is totally worth every moment. But man do i need sleep. Ryan went to Gymboree again today and climbed up a ladder that's for much older kids!! And did it well!! He also rocked the entire big boat by himself!! And at home he's started going down stairs by himself too! Unreal

Grandmas visit

Grandmas here! Ryan hasn't see her in ages so it's been fun having her here. Also she brought him super cute pandas from China! And a fluffy wooly for his bday. What a lucky boy! He crawled and rolled all over the wooley and has been showing off for her- laughing a lot and playing peekaboo and showing her all his toys. It is very sweet. He rocks the rocking horse all by himself really well now and stands alone a lot more and for longer. Cruising is a cake walk for him too! He understands lots of words and commands now too. Sarah asked him to get his duck and pointed and he grabbed it for her (it was far away under furniture) and then asked him to get his ball that was under the hall table and didn't point and he got it too! So amazing. He also has more words. He says bah for books now and a few others I've blanked on. Grandma got to see him at Gymboree too which was super fun. He is so good at climbing now.

Teething is the worst!

Ryan is still teething and instead of abating I swear it's just getting worse. Last night he needed to nurse four times and was up for 1-2 hours twice. It was awful. And today he refused to nurse a few times. This evening he just screamed when I tried to nurse him before bed. He wanted to drink the entire cup of cold water and chew on the cup before he was calm enough to nurse. Yikes. But it does mean that I get great cuddle time with him before bed while I sing him lullabies to help him feel better. Today his regional Center teacher came to work with him and he had so much fun! He loves her and even gave her a kiss which was his very own idea. He laughed a lot with her and I think was showing off :) he demonstrated great fine and gross motor skill and following simple directions and joint attention and parallel play. He grabbed a small pumpkin by its tiny stem and lifted it up and down easily. Dad helped him show off a new skill - stepping up into the couch when dad says arriba and sliding back down feet first when dad says abajo! So incredible!! I had no idea he could do that!!

Carving our first pumpkin together!

This afternoon Ryan and I went onto the back patio and carved our big pumpkin!! This is Ryan's very first pumpkin carving and Halloween experience and like everything else he just takes it in stride and loves every minute of it! Like yesterday when we gave him his first ever bite of pickle. He just ate it without any change of expression! And went back for more. Such a good eater!! Ryan loved helping scoop out the pumpkin seeds though he kept putting them back in after dad pulled them out which was cute. He loved it when I put the candle in and turned off the light to. He continues to ask for songs by starting to dance. He asks for books and games and repeats of things by pointing and vocalising. He kisses us when we ask for one which is the very very best ever. And he knows lots of other words and phrases. He even asks for hide and seek and peek a boo and chase me games by initiating them. He chats up a storm and is just a constant joy.

Sea world!

After Ryan's second nap we couldn't decide what to do. Should we go to the park, carve our pumpkin, or go to sea world! Well sea world won and we spent about an hour there. We got annual passes so we can go anytime we want! So exciting. We took Ryan to play in the reef pools which he adored, to see the Dolphins which he wasn't as into, to see the orcas, and then to some aquariums. He loved that the best. He cried when the sea lions barked for fish :( poor little guy. It was a very big day for a little boy.

More pumpkin patch fun

Ryan also loved looking through the scarecrows face, going into the petting zoo and petting the goats and chickens and eating his very own lunch of mac n cheese at Ruby's :) he's been super chatty and smiley today, babbling non stop and pointing at everything. His eighth tooth is coming in on the bottom left which has been bugging him but is almost out now!

Ryan's first pumpkin patch visit!

Today we took Ryan to the pumpkin station in mission valley. It was small but very cute and convenient for a quick trip with a little one. He absolutely loved the pumpkins and had so much fun banging on them. He wasn't a huge fan of his dragon costume because it was so hot but he sure looked cute in it!! I can't wait to take him to a real pumpkin farm next year :)

Swimming and funky town

Yesterday Ryan had his swim class and this time he had a blast! He was totally into it, giggling and splashing and showing off. It was awesome. He went on his back for the first time without crying and even let the teacher hold and submerge him without a fuss. He didn't cry when she screeched in his face either which was amazing. When she passed out kick boards he didn't like his and asked for the turtle one by pointing and yelling at it. Very effective. Once he got used to it he was totally into it and laughed all the way and watched for Jose watching him. So much fun! Then on the way home funky town was on the radio and Ryan starting really dancing up a storm. So now we know he likes retro 70s dance music. He also loves techno that he heard in the Apple Store.

Reptiles

Today was a difficult day. We're bit getting much sleep lately, the house is a total mess, my head neck back and shoulders hurt, and we are all just pretty shattered in general. Ryan's doing pretty well but Jose and I are about to fall face first in our cereal bowls! Anyway Ryan didn't nap this afternoon so we took him to the zoo and saw some tortoises and other reptiles, porcupines and then got to pet some very cute goats! One tried to nibble Ryan's toes. I don't blame him, they do look pretty delicious! I got a zebra dress and Ryan got a little stuffed snake at the gift store. The entire zoo was overrun with kids from schools today. It was mayhem! Ryan continues to practice standing alone with arms raised in triumph and doing calf lifts. It's so cute.

Kisses

Don't have a pic for today's updates either so I thought I'd post this old one from last week. My little lounge lizard has started smooching his toys and books!! His most favourite thing to kiss at the moment are the babies in his baby ways book. He kisses each baby on each page and then kisses himself in the mirror at the end. It is SO cute! And tonight at bath time be was so giggly and happy, playing games with me and banging toys together. Asking for songs and for me to put things on my head. Then at the end, post massage and pjs he put out his hand for me to wash clean of the oil I use! First time he's ever done that! He knows the routine and knows hand washing comes last. It was so amazing :) today he also had a PT eval via regional center with a lovely lady. He adored her and she's going to help him strengthen his right side a bit which is nice. All milestones on track!

Stam-up!

Sadly didn't get a photo of it but the sky yesterday was pretty stellar. Today Ryan has had trouble sleeping and difficult naps. He's been very rambunctious and happy though and into absolutely everything. This afternoon he stood up with one little hand on my knee and then suddenly let go and raised his hands into the air as if to say "I'm the champion!" And he stayed there for a few beats and then sat down and then did it again. He's done it several times today already and each time he looks surprised that he's standing alone and then so so proud of himself and filled with joy. It's so fun to watch. He's also been doing calf exercises- going up and down on his tippee toes.

Balboa park outing

We had an amazing outing today! After Ryan's second nap we went to balboa park for free museum Tuesday. We went to the mingnei museum that had an amazing collection of carved walking sticks and arts and crafts. Ryan loved it, especially the old toys and shiny Jewelry. Then we took him to the reflection pool, his fav, to play with the koi and duckies. He adores it there! Romped in the grass for a while and strolled the beautiful grounds. Listened to a didgeridoo artist. Then Ryan played in the fountain and we took him to see the rose garden too. He loved the roses so much! We sniffed each variety along the way and he kept pointing to the opposite side to make sure I didn't miss any. He'd take a deep sniff each time I put a rose up to his nose. It was SO cute! He's also now standing on his tippee toes and is stronger and more agile every day. Also more determined than ever to do what he wishes! He requests that we put sunglasses on at the dinner table and sing a song, to which he sways side to side. It is adorable. 

At the park

Took Ryan to the park after his last nap so he could get his wiggles out. He crawled all over the place and is so fast now! He also suddenly started trying to put things on his head. I do that a lot with him to get him to laugh and now he's trying to do it too. It was so cute. He also made his cute tiger noises and blew lots of raspberries. He also stood alone for quite a while which was super exciting!! Then we sang and danced to the Mexican hat dance and spun around. He loved that and kept asking for more! And today at dinner he copied my s sound over and over again! Correct tongue and mouth placement and everything! Wow!

Hooray for nostrils!

Well it had to happen at some point I guess. I think I figured it would be a lot later though. Ryan has found his nostrils and is thrilled by exploring their depths. It's so hard not to laugh when he does it. He's also been raising one leg way up high as he reaches for an item on the floor which is super cute. He had such fun at Gymboree today. He went up the ramp tons of times and asked for a slide down. He asked for the row boat and played with all the plastic balls he could get his hands on. He's so much fun.

Ryan's first bike ride!

Poor Ryan has been sick since Friday night. It was a tough weekend and though his fever is gone he has a lingering cough and runny nose. So as a pick me up we took Ryan on his first ever bike ride to balboa park this afternoon! He hated the helmet but tolerated it once he realised what fun he was going to have. He loved taking in the sites and sounds, moving fast and then getting to watch the ducks and koi fish at the park. It was lovely. Ryan is becoming more and more vocal about his wishes. He gets angry now when we do something he doesn't want to do which is a sign of emotional development and progress. He's also teething like mad so that doesn't help much. He is quite clear on his preferences these days (playing in the sink, turning things on and off, climbing, throwing things, going outside)! And his non favourite things (car seats, helmets and hats, being taken away from a toy or activity he prefers). Funny little guy

First visit to the dentist!

My adorable little snot bucket had his first ever dental check up today at Kensington Pediatric dentistry. They sure know how to cater to little ones! He made a beeline for the gigantic aquarium in the waiting room. He was mesmerised! Then in the little dental office he got to sit on a giant fluffy doggy and play with super fun toys. The check up itself didn't take long and was very positive! Nice to know his 7 teeth are good and healthy. I got a used bike today too so we can start taking baby for bike rides through balboa park! 

Bubbles!

Poor poor Ryan. He had a long nap on Thursday and I just knew it meant he was getting sick. I hoped i was wrong...but I wasn't. Last night he woke every hour or so and had so much congestion and a cough. And today he's got a fever too. Poor little guy. He's still in good spirits though and guzzled down some home made chicken broth and pumpkin soup. Hopefully that will help speed his recovery. It's so hard to see your child unwell. And it is soo hot here we can't even go outside for some fresh air. We played with bubbles today and Ryan loved them. He definitely says buhbuh for them over and over and got them stuck in his hair :)

Free play!

It was almost 100 today. Gross. So instead of the park we went to free play at Gymboree. Air conditioned acrobatics! It's taken no time at all for ryan to become a pro. He loves the ramps and asks for the sheepskin to sit on to slide down. He crawled around confidently to wherever he wanted to go next. He's loving the unstable movement activities now and putting balls in the buckets. He's really blossoming there. I'm so glad we have access to it. He's even getting used to all the noise and movement and other kids.

Kiwi clay yoga and frogs!

Yesterday we took Ryan to get his foot/hand imprints taken for a little ceramic keepsake. The girl ahead of us screamed bloody murder and I thought oh dear what if Ryan does that. Well he just put his hands and feet right in the clay and loved it! Took 15 min for her, 3 seconds for him. He is trying new food lately and absolutely adores kiwi! Black beans of course too as previously mentioned. He did some amazing yoga like moves today including downward dog (up on his toes!), cobra pose and one legged plank. Pretty incredible. And last and the best he heard a frog noise and pointed to a picture of a frog on several occasions! So unbelievable!!

Beans beans they're good for your heart...

Couple of mornings ago I made a breakkie burrito and Ryan got some leftover filling. I didn't think he'd be into the black beans but as soon as he had one taste that's all he wanted. He kept pointing and yelling at me until I gave him more and more. It was very cute. He is such a good eater. He likes everything and wants to eat what we have always! He loves broccoli, Brussel sprouts, rice, kiwi, loads of other fruit and veggies and fish and meat and cheeses. He's got a very refined palate. He also likes to have a soundtrack going when he plays. So he presses his little music box and selects the song he wants and when it's over he selects a new one! It's pretty amazing. He calls out if he can't access it too! He's so incredible.