Ryen's Room: August 2008

August 25, 2008

The First Day

Well, it happened. Armed with a pink backpack and a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, my little girl set off into the wild blue yonder. As hard as it is for me, I have to say that I know she will be remarkable and brilliant and dazzling. I am so very proud of Ryen. She is amazing.

In other news, Ry has been begging me to cut her hair for weeks and weeks now. I kept putting her off, hoping that she would change her mind. She didn't. So, last night before her bath I took her outside and gave her a haircut. I was terrified that I was doing the wrong thing, but after I finished and saw the way Ryen just beamed when she looked in the mirror I felt reassured. I think it looks really cute on her. It's SO much easier to take care of and it fits her personality. And, as an added bonus, there is less hair for Maddie to pull when they fight.

One Month

Yesterday Ally turned one month old. I can't imagine our family without her. She has such a special little spirit and I feel so blessed to be her mother. She is growing and changing so fast. Lately, she has been waking up in the middle of the night to eat and then staying awake for an hour or two afterwards. I know I should probably be bothered by that, but the truth is that I really cherish that time with her. In those quiet morning hours it is just the two of us. I try to memorize every tiny part of her. In the blink of an eye she will be running around with her two older sisters. For now she is my baby though- and I am loving every single moment.

August 24, 2008

Happy Birthday Uncle Drew

Here's to a million more adventures!
I love you, little bro.

August 21, 2008

One of THOSE Moms

Last night we went to Ryen's kindergarten orientation. She was SO excited all day; just bursting at the seams to meet her new teacher and to see what her classroom would look like. Her teacher seemed really sweet ...and really young! Sonny and I both thought she would do a good job with our little Ry, but we both felt a bit nervous. All day school is so BIG. Will she be okay all by herself in that huge school? Will she be challenged enough in her classroom? Will she eat her lunch without me there to nag and bribe her? What if she gets hurt? What if someone is mean to her? What if she cries and there is no one there to hold her or say I love you? As much as I hate to admit it, I am utterly, totally, and completely one of "those" moms. I already miss my little girl.

The Trip

We recently returned from a trip to Michigan. We decided to drive, which was quite an adventure, let me tell you! We had to stop to nurse Ally every three hours and Ryen and Maddie needed lots of bathroom breaks in there too. Add in disciplinary stops, emergency car sickness and other various "accident" stops and I'm sure you can just imagine the time we had. What should have taken us 16 hours ended up taking 24. It was wild! I don't know what we were thinking. Oh yeah... we were thinking, "We need a vacation and we want to see our family!" As crazy as it was, it was well worth it. Here are a few highlights...

The Memories

Just being together

Going for lots of beautiful walks

Ryen catching her first fish at Grandpa Tracy's house

Playing ball at the park down the street from Grammy's

We made SO many fun memories on this trip that it would be impossible to list them all. It was really special to watch my children fall in love again with their cousins, aunts, and uncles. Taking them to the place I grew up feels like sharing my own world with them. It's really neat to see them fall in love with that too.

The Blessing

I think my favorite part of our trip was being able to bless Allyson on the beach at Lake Michigan. It was a memory I will cherish as long as I live- and probably forever after. It felt like the perfect end to a chapter in my life that has been a truly difficult, but sacred one. I am so thankful for our family that was able to be a part of that and equally thankful for our family and friends that would have been there if they could. We love you all very much.

The Cousins

What a truly spectacular thing to see your siblings as parents- and good parents at that! Ryen and Madelyn were in absolute heaven playing with their cousins. They whole-heartedly adore each one of them. I am so excited to see those relationships develop and grow. The heaps of unadulterated FUN they had together put a constant smile on my face. (Please note that "Invisible Rozlyn" was very much present- as was talk of all their other cousins.)

The Beach

I don't think I love any place in the world as much as I love Lake Michigan. Even though the water turned freakishly cold on us, we still had a total blast! It was fun to watch the guys become kids again and the kids become sand monsters. It's true what they say, you know. Life really is a beach.

August 8, 2008

Our Little Allygator

August 6, 2008

Tagged

Name/Meaning behind it: Ryen Olivia. Ryen just because my mom and dad loved it and Olivia after my aunt, Caitlyn Olivia.

Age: Five

Birth Date: May 3, 2003

Nicknames: Ry, Ryno

Favorite Activity(-ies): "I like to play games and spend some time with my mom and go on vacations and I also like to color and draw things."

Favorite Food(s): "Treats! I like cereal and tuna noodle casserole and pizza, but I like vegetables too even though Maddie just doesn't very much."

Least Favorite Food(s): "I don't like soup."

Favorite Music: "I like silly music. I like everything I think. I like to sing songs a lot and I am a really good dancer."

Favorite Toy(s): "My purple pony that has wings that come off of it and I think my favorite teddy bears that are named Hobbes and Snowbear."

Favorite Book(s): "I like fairy tale books and the books that teach me about Jesus."

Favorite item(s) of clothing: "My purple dress. I really like anything and everything that is purple you know."

What makes me happy: "When my mommy feels better. Getting prizes and going on dates with my mom and dad."

What makes me sad: "When I get in trouble at nighttime because I didn't go to sleep. I don't really like Time Out very much."

We tag Rozlyn and Emma!