Science museum

Sunday was a weird sleep day. Ryan was up a few times and took forever going back to sleep in the early hours so slept in super late. Until almost 8! So his naps were all screwy. He is a solid two naps a day man so when he only gets one it's no fun for anyone. But we went to the farmers market for all the samples and snacks. Ryan loves it there and rides in his chariot, lording over his food palace. He gets fruit samples and juiced veggie drink samples which he loves. Such a good eater! I was not nearly as adventurous as he is in terms of food. He also got to sample some organic ice cream. Lucky little boy. His first ever ice cream taste! And naturally he signed for more straight away. The ice cream man kept commenting on his handsome Ryan is and seemed quite taken with him. He also said he looks just like me. Which is always nice to hear :) later we met Andrea and her two cute kiddos at the science museum in balboa park. Ryan loved it there, the kids play area and all the exhibits fascinated him. He enjoys new things so much. And he loved playing with Kai-Lynn (Andrea's daughter).

Zoo baby

Saturday we took Ryan to the zoo. It was a rare beautiful and sunny day out of mostly rainy cloudy dreary days lately. Ryan loved his zoo outing as usual. We saw the gorillas up very close and he was riveted by their faces. He loved the gondola rides of course - they are his absolute favourite. And we saw a lot of beautiful birds with all manner of songs. He loved that too and kept talking to them. He calls to the crows outside our condo here too. And he barks at dogs and yelps at sea lions in pictures. He walked around a lot on his own at the zoo that day and even got to cuddle a wiggly service puppy. After those outings he is always chattier and giggles more and is sillier. It's nice to see him so happy. That night he demanded a bite of my green olive and I was so surprised to see him immediately sign for more and more and more. Go figure! He also adored the sautéed shiitake mushrooms we had with breakfast the next day. Wow

Three musketeers

Well after the crazy weather yesterday (tornado warning in San Diego!! And flash floods) today was beautiful. Still rainy and stormy but lots of rainbows and blue sky in between. Ryan loves to be hung upside down now and signs for more over and over again :) last night was stormy and Ryan struggled with his sleep a lot maybe because of his teeth or because today he woke up taller for sure! He towers over other kids his age and even older ones too! He had such fun today with his Physio session and then at Gymboree. He loves to climb and slide and run and balance. And he loves to study what is going on all around him. During his Physio session he independently started turning in circles (not something we are working on) and when we clapped and said circle he did it again and again. Takes him no time at all to connect words to actions and objects. It blows my mind. I feel so lucky every day to be Ryan's mommy. Also remembered that Ryan's gym teacher told me that she had to choose between a few classes at work and she chose our slot because she loves Ryan so much and thinks he's so sweet and fun and would miss him. I thought that was so incredibly kind and special. We would have been devastated if she'd switched! 

My beautiful boy

Yesterday Ryan went to swimming after a two week break over the holidays. He had a blast as usual and even started blowing bubbles in the water!! So exciting! He is changing daily now...his vocabulary growing exponentially. He's so smart. He now has quite a few signs he uses independently: more, all done, open, on, eat, milk. He has a few of his own too :) he jabbers more every day as well and "sings" to himself in his oh so sweet little voice. A few days ago, while I was changing him after he woke up for the day, he looked up at me as I was singing his good morning song and signed eat! When I asked if he was hungry he grinned and signed eat again. When I come home to nurse him he immediately runs to the stairway gate and signs milk feverishly. It's very cute. He's so tickled that we know what he is saying. He says da for down now too. He can follow two step commands these days (when he wants to) and is just such a delight. How I love being a mommy to such a loving, sweet and smart little boy.

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.