My Little Man

It seems like people who keep up with our blog ask me all the time why I don't post any pictures of Rylan and I together. Well...I'm usually the one taking the pictures so that's why I'm not in a lot of the pictures. However, Cody took this one of the two of us yesterday. We are having so much fun with our little man this summer!!

Bubbles...and Mommy's Random Thoughts

Lately I have been thinking about what I want for Rylan and his life. When I really stop and think about what an awesome responsibility we have been given by being parents, it sometimes terrifies me...I'm just being honest here. No other job in life could ever compare in importance to the jobs of simply being Rylan's mommy and daddy. We've got one chance and one chance only to get this right...no pressure huh?!! Of course we want to raise a little boy who knows Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior first and foremost. The following is a list of things that are also very important to teach my son.

1. There's nothing you could ever do to make mommy and daddy love you any less.
2. Saying "I'm sorry" is absolutely necessary when you hurt someone's feelings.
3. You have to be a good friend in order to have good friends.

I could go on and on, but I guess my point is that I know I make mistakes, but every day I pray for God's guidance in raising our little boy and I have to trust that Cody and I were given our son because God knew we were the perfect parents for him.

We've Been Busy, But Here's Our Update

We have been one busy family since the last time I posted on the blog. Last Sunday Cody had to coach a baseball game and then we loaded up, animals and all to go to Abilene to surprise Ronny since Father's Day was also his birthday this year. We got into Abilene at 9:00pm and I think Papa enjoyed his surprise. We stayed in Abilene until Wednesday and as soon as we got back into town Cody headed off to coach another game that night. On Saturday my mom and Cody's parents came into town to celebrate Cody's birthday and to attend the PBR event at the American Airlines Center. Rylan stayed home with his awesome babysitter Madison so momma and daddy could actually enjoy the bull riding. We had such a fun weekend! We are now trying to pack up and get ready to go work the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Camp at Baylor which begins on the 29th. We are staying in campus housing (apartments) but it is still like moving into a dorm...we have to bring sheets, towels, pillows, etc. so I am trying to get my list together to make sure we don't forget anything. I'm sure we will have a great time and we're really looking forward to it.

In Rylan news...he has started really wanting to hold the utensils and feed himself lately. This morning he had watermelon and yogurt for breakfast and he used the fork for the watermelon and the spoon for the yogurt. As you can see by the pictures he probably ended up with more yogurt on his face than in his mouth, but he sure did think he was a big boy. Also, tonight Cody got on the riding lawn mower to mow the back yard and our little boy wanted to ride with his daddy. I had gone out back with him to play with bubbles, but once he saw daddy on the mower he could have cared less about the bubbles. He's become daddy's little shadow lately and he seems to be very interested in everything Cody is doing. Right now in his eyes his daddy is his hero. I feel so blessed to have a husband that wants more than anything to lead by example and teach his little boy how to become a good man.

Eating his breakfast...such a big boy using his spoon!

Can you tell he's proud of himself?

(For the grandmothers...of course Cody was careful with him!!)

"Watch out momma, the big boys are mowing the yard."

"One more trip around daddy and I think it will be done."

Look closely at Rylan's face...he was crying when Cody set him down. He thought Cody was going to get back on the mower without him.

I'll Sleep Anywhere Momma

Thursday morning I was getting ready so I could go run some errands. I had dressed Rylan and put him in the Jumperoo thinking he would have a great time jumping while I got ready. Apparently, he wore himself out because the next thing I knew he was sound asleep...and his head was resting on the sound button so the music sounded like a skipping CD. I guess it didn't bother him though. After taking these pictures Cody picked him up and took him to his bed and he slept for nearly 3 hours! Thank you God for giving me a baby that will sleep anywhere...literally anywhere!

Family Fun With The Wii

Okay, my mom will probably be thoroughly embarrassed by these pictures but they were just too good to keep to myself! After getting back from Alabama Monday night we got Rylan into bed and it was time to break out the Wii. We had been sitting in a car for 12 hours and we were all ready for some action. We played several games of bowling and tennis. My mom really got into it as you can see by the pictures. Cody spent most of the evening in tears laughing at my mom and I but we had so much fun!!

Road Trip

This past Thursday we left for Birmingham, Alabama so we could see my cousin get married. My mom drove with us so it was nice to have someone "entertain" Rylan in the back seat during the 12 hour drive. However, I think Rylan ended up giving RoRo (my mom) most of the entertainment. She was his audience and that was all he needed to put on a show. The two of them laughed most of the way there.

Once we got to Alabama we had a blast. We got to see several family members that we haven't seen in over a year. Plus, we got to meet 11-week-old Madeline Taylor (my niece) for the first time! I was so excited to see her and hold her, but Rylan didn't appreciate mommy holding the baby. He also isn't use to sharing his RoRo so he wasn't too happy about her holding Madeline either. However, he was very sweet to her and he gave her lots of "mooches" while we were there.

Kellyanne's wedding was beautiful and one of the best things about the weekend was meeting Trey who is her 9-year-old stepson. He is absolutely the cutest little boy I think I have ever met! Rylan and Trey quickly became buddies.

The trip went by so fast, but it was so much fun. We are so happy for Kellyanne, and we can't wait for the next time the whole family is together!

Who knew toilet paper and a mirror could be so much fun?!

This was Rylan meeting Madeline for the first time. He though it was funny to climb up on the front step of her stroller and reach in to "tickle" her.

Rylan and daddy in the pool trying to cool off from the Alabama heat.

All dressed up for the wedding...and as you can see the red bat came with us to the wedding. Afterall, what outfit is complete without sporting equipment as an accessory?!

Cody and I right before the wedding.

I love this picture! My two boys roaming around.

Rylan has become Cody's little shadow. Anything daddy does, Rylan has to do too.

I realize I am bias since I only have a boy, but I don't think there is anything cuter than a little boy all dressed up!

This is my Aunt Pam's friend Maggie and she danced for the longest time with Rylan at the reception. Once the DJ started the music Rylan became a dancing machine!

The food at the reception was so good Rylan made sure he licked every crumb off his fingers.

Rylan loved to look at his baby cousin Madeline.

Giving Madeline "mooches" all weekend.

Rylan and Trey together at the restaurant.

Daddy feeding Rylan breakfast in bed at the hotel.

Our precious angel.

Rylan's First Swim

We actually got Rylan this pool a few weeks ago, but we just got a chance to let him use it this past weekend. He had such a good time in his little pool and I'm sure will be using it a lot this summer to get some relief from the Texas heat.

We are leaving Thursday for Alabama to attend my cousin's wedding so I'm sure Rylan and daddy will go swimming at least once at the hotel. It will be a 10 hour road trip, but we are fortunate enough to have the DVD player in the ceiling of the Durango so hopefully it will make the trip a lot easier for Rylan. Where was that invention when we were kids and it took twice as long to get anywhere because the speed limit was only 55 mph?! I'm sure it would have spared our parents from a whole lot of "are we there yet" questions.