Boob o'clock and Sunday zoo day

Today was lovely. It all started when Ryan slept almost 10 hours straight!!! Wow. From 6:20pm to 4:10am. Then slept another 2.5 hours until 7:30am after a nice long nurse. When I heard him coo at 4:10 I woke and could sense my breasts were full and thought to myself...feels like 4am based on fullness. And I was right! Too funny. That's happened before too. So I have a boob o'clock. Pretty handy. We went to the farmers market first thing and enjoyed a greens shake and lots of fruit samples. Got veggies for the week. Then after his first nap we went to the zoo and rode the gondola twice, saw a polar bear, snow leopard, mountain lion, gazelles and lots and lots of birds. Birds are his favourite! Then took a stroll this afternoon after his second nap. Lovely day.

Stop to smell the flowers

That must be Ryan's New Years resolution. We took an afternoon stroll around the block, his favourite, and he wanted to stop and smell each flower we encountered. I love that he enjoys little things like that and notices the world around him. Happy new year my little fox. I hope 2016 brings you joy, health, peace, love, and new adventures. My resolution is to practice gratitude and mindfulness every day and cherish every moment with my beautiful son.

Happy 2016!

Last nights celebration for me included a bit of bubbly after Ryan fell asleep, some hot noodle soup and a piece of cake. I then blissfully slept right through the ball drop as did Ryan. Jose went out and partied though so at least one of us got out! Today we had a very lazy morning and then went to hash house a go go for a late brunch. It was Jose's first time, and Ryan's obviously, and they loved it! Ryan had a ball sitting on mommys lap getting rare treats like juice and pancakes. It was awesome. Ryan is getting so good at signing these days. He can sign more, eat, all done and open and loves that we know why he wants. His face lights up when he gets his point across. He learned to stomp at Gymboree yesterday and did it all day today. When I nursed him today I sang him a lullaby, I see the moon, and when I stopped he signed for more while still nursing. It was such a special moment for me. That he can communicate and that he enjoys my lullabies. Every day he gets more and more communicative. He understands everything we say now and follows commands so well. This morning we walked in the courtyard and I said lets get the watering can and he went to get it. Then I said ok water the plants and he did that. Then I said ok let's put it away and go to the gate. And he did that too! No gesturing help either! It's pretty magical watching him grow up.

How is it almost 2016 already???

Where has this year gone!? Seriously this year has gone by in a flash and seems like such a blur. I'm sure it's because it's been such a busy year with so many major changes and because we are so unbelievably sleep deprived. But despite all the challenges it has also been a wonderful year. We spent half the year in Australia and the other half on California. Ryan has gone from being a sweet cuddly smoosh of a baby to a walking talking toddler with a great big personality of his own. We started the year with a 2 year old and are ending it with a 14 month old. We got Australian citizenship, sold our Australian house, moved across continents back to California, watched Ryan learn to roll, crawl, walk, talk, dance and enchant :) we spent time with family and friends, started a trekking company and explored San Diego with our little one. Even though we haven't gotten any sleep and have been very busy it has been such a pleasure to explore the world with Ryan. I love being a mommy and will always treasure my first full year of being one! Thank you Ryan for joining our family and for your sweet and loving spirit. I love you my little fox.


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Lunch, goats and hats!

Jose and I got to go out for a lunch date sans baby for the first time since Ryan came along! It was weird being out without him. We ate at the Prado which is one of my favs. Then later took Ryan to the zoo but it was soooo crowded we just went to the little petting zoo and saw the flamingos and tried on hats. He loved it anyway. The goats were so cute and a few were just Ryan's size. Tonight I discovered he is getting 3 molars at the same time! Poor baby.

Thank you grandma!

Thank you nanna for the amazing Australian animal prints! Ryan and I love them so much. There is a dingo, koala, kangaroo and wombat. They are so precious and perfect for my little Aussie boy. And he truly is one since he happily eats vegemite toast :) what a wonderful keepsake and chrissy present.

My smiley son

And my never smiling husband... I can't stand how unbelievably cute Ryan is in his little Patagonia down jacket!! It's been freeeeeezing here lately. Much colder than I recall it ever being in winter in so cal. So we've busted out the down gear. It's been fun actually. Ryan doesn't seem to care as long as he gets to go outside still. He's such a good walker now. He balances well and walks backwards and on uneven surfaces. He's pretty fast too. He's babbling more and more and using more words and signs. He uses more and all done signs a lot. And is so delighted that we know what he means. He points to things when I make them, including my nose. Today he touched my legs and his hands were freezing so I squealed. He thought that was hysterical and kept doing it over and over, finding new ways and places to touch my skin so I would shriek! What a funny boy. He is such a delight. I feel so very lucky to have such a smart, funny, kind, and beautiful spirit in my life. I Love you Ryan.