The Texas Roadhouse Curse!!!

Let me first give you some background before I tell you about tonight. About a month ago Cody and I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We of course took Rylan with us. We all had a nice dinner, but when it was time to go I got that surprise every mother fears...the COMPLETE blowout diaper! By the time I realized what had happened I had already pick him up and put my arm under his bottom. So...I am standing in the middle of the restaurant, poop covering my arm, poop covering the back or Rylan's legs, and poop everywhere in his chair. To top if off the wonderful aroma of Rylan's surprise was beginning to spread. I grabbed the diaper bag and headed to the bathroom as fast as I could. Then another fear became true once I got to the bathroom...no changing table! Come on people!! Why would you not put a changing table in a women's restroom at a restaurant?!! Would you rather us change our kid's diapers in the booths next to your other paying customers?! Anyway, I did the only thing I could think of...I put him on the floor of a public restroom and kept telling myself he would get an extra long bath that night. After I was done in the restroom I had to carry my baby out in only a diaper. I felt like I needed a sign that said, "No I am not white trash!" So, that was our last visit to Texas Roadhouse.

Well, tonight we decided to give it another chance. We thought surely that couldn't happen twice at the same restaurant. That must have given God a good laugh tonight! We were finally done with dinner and we had paid our ticket. I'll give you one guess as to what surprise I got when I picked Rylan up to leave. You got it...poop, poop, and more poop! You'd think I would have learned my lesson and brought an extra set of clothes along with a pad to put down in the bathroom floor. But...I didn't. Oh it gets better though! This time not only do I forget a change of clothes and a changing pad, but I also forgot the wipes! So tonight I made my trip to the bathroom wondering what does a good mother do in this situation. Well, I realize I'm not getting the award for the most organized mom in the world today, but I again went into the big stall and placed him on the bathroom floor. I took his clothes and diaper off and began wiping him off with the high quality toilet paper that you always find in public restrooms. While I am doing this a little boy is standing outside the stall and squatting down looking under the door to see what I am doing. He was very excited to tell his mom that "the baby made a big poop!" Could I possibly be anymore embarrassed? I got done as quickly as I could and I bolted out of the bathroom and back to our table to get Cody. And, once again I carried my baby out of the restaurant in nothing more than a diaper. It's official...we will forever be known now as the white trash family from Texas Roadhouse.

So here is a picture of Rylan in his car seat on the way home....

Oh What Fun!

Rylan has become quite the little monkey lately. He has figured out how to climb up on just about anything. Tonight he had a great time climbing up on his cube. He would get on top of it and then fall off the other side and laugh like crazy! And...I have to say that there is nothing more contagious than a baby's laugh! Needless, to say we played hard and laughed even harder tonight. Life doesn't get any better!

I found this picture on the computer tonight. The date on it is 5/29/07...one year ago tomorrow. Where did a whole year go?!

Volleyball Anyone?

Saturday Cody and I joined some friends to play in a grass volleyball tournament. Most teams were made up of girls who play volleyball for the high school and their high school friends. I think it is safe to say that we were the "oldest" team in the tournament. It was a double elimination tournament so we figured we'd play 2-3 games and be out. However, we just kept winning our games and we ended up winning the whole tournament! We literally played volleyball games nonstop from noon to 6:00 Saturday and we were all so tired and so sunburned by the end of the day. We had such a good time though! Thanks Stacey and Madison for inviting us to play!

Left to right: Mike (Stacey's husband), Madison (Stacey's daughter), Heather (Madison's friend), Stacey (secretary at my school), Liz (receptionist at my school), Me, and Cody

Daddy's Big Win!!

Last night Cody coached his first game as a head coach. His summer select team had their first game and they won...BIG!! They beat the other team 15-3. We always knew Daddy would make a terrific head coach!!

I have to be honest though...I didn't see much of the game. In fact, I had to ask one of the parents if we won when the game was over. I know, I know...what kind of coach's wife doesn't know the score? I'll tell you what kind of coach's wife...one who is chasing a 1-year-old around the ball park!! Rylan had a great time playing on the empty baseball field next to Cody's field. And as he played I had to just keep telling myself "It's only dirt Ashley."

"A whole baseball field all to myself!"

"Oh wait Momma! I need a snack first!"

"So much dirt, so little time."

"Boy am I gonna need a long bath tonight!"

Mr. Mom to the Rescue

Tuesday afternoon Cody picked Rylan up at the babysitter's so I could workout after school with the girls. I didn't get home until almost 6:00. On my way home I just kept thinking of all the things I needed to get done...Rylan's dinner, Rylan's bath, etc. Well, when I walked in the door I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Cody was in the bathroom giving Rylan his bath AND he had already fed Rylan dinner. But wait, it gets better!! Cody took care of Rylan all evening long while I went to get a shower and get in bed. I was in bed at 7:15 and asleep by 7:45! It was wonderful!! Don't get me wrong...I ADORE my precious little boy, but I was also in desperate need of a little break. I've never left Rylan overnight with anyone (I know, I know it's time Ashley) but he is just such an easy baby that I haven't had a need to leave him. However, I did need an evening to myself and Cody came to my rescue. THANK YOU CODY!!!

A Little Boy With His Baseball Bat...

Everyone who knows Cody knows that his heart swells with pride every time Rylan plays with his baseball toys. Well, this morning Rylan made his daddy's day (probably his whole year actually) when he walked up and grabbed Cody's real wood bats. For a good 20-30 minutes our little boy held onto those bats like his life depended on it. Of course we feel that our job as parents is to raise a son who knows Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior first and foremost. However, if along the way we also raise a little boy who loves baseball as much as his daddy does, then I'll be that mom in the stands cheering louder than anyone while his daddy stands in the dugout (as his coach of course) waiting to give him a high five and a pat on the butt...because that's what guys do.

I love this picture! It's almost like he's saying "Well momma, are you really surprised that I'm playing with baseball bats?"

Random Picture Update

I don't know where the past 2 weeks have gone, but here is a little picture update...

This was Rylan's last bottle. I had such a hard time with this night because I felt like his bottle was the last thing that made him my BABY. Without the bottle he seems so much more like a little boy. Giving up the bottle was definitely harder on me than it was him. The next night we put him to bed after just a sippy cup of milk and he didn't seem to mind at all. Let me just stop right here to say thank you Lord for giving me a baby who has given up the pacifier and the bottle with NO FUSS AT ALL!! I'd say that deserves a hallelujah!

Crazy hair!!!

"My momma always tells me I have to sit down to get my drink...does squatting count?"

ACU class of 2029!

Rylan with Patrick (one of the baseball dads) at Cody's baseball banquet. Rylan and Patrick have become pretty good buddies this season.

"Okay momma, I think it's past my bedtime."

Tonight Rylan went to the toy box and pulled out this baseball and the glove. You can't even imagine how proud his daddy was!! He still doesn't quite understand what he should do with the glove, but he does know that the glove and ball go together.

"Oh wait, let me get my ball..."

"...so I can put it in the microwave!"

It's hard deciding whether he should play baseball or cook momma a nice dinner. Apparently we have a Nolan Ryan/Emeril in the making!

Okay grandparents I know you probably don't like seeing this picture, but there really is a funny story with this picture. I was trying so hard to get a good picture of Rylan from the front. These days he is on the go and most of my pictures are from behind. Well, he kept putting the glove in front of his face so I tried to take it away to get my picture and well...you see the result! Sorry Nonni and RoRo!! And yes, I gave the glove back!

Our little family at Cody's baseball banquet.