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.

Daddy's Last Game

Last night Cody's baseball team played their last game. My plan was to take Rylan to the game and get some really good pictures of him and his daddy on the field together after the game. However, my plan fell apart when Cody's game lasted 14 innings and ended at midnight. Rylan was such a trooper, but we left after the 11th inning when it was nearly 11:30. He had fallen asleep on my shoulder and I figured he really wouldn't be in the mood to run around on the field at that point. Luckily though I had been taking some pictures of him playing by Cody's dugout during the game. As you can see by the pictures there is a common theme...he has a baseball. He spent the entire game going to the green buckets to get baseballs so he could throw them everywhere. He had so much fun and he got so dirty! I kept dusting him off every time he fell and then it hit me...I have a BOY, and he is going to get dirty so I might as well relax! Anyway, we had a good time at daddy's last game and we'll be ready for Cody's summer team to start up in May.

Rylan with the green bucket full of baseballs...I think he emptied them completely several times!

I love the look of concentration on his face...daddy would be proud!

"This is my fast ball!"

"Should I throw my curve ball or my change up this time?"

My poor baby was absolutley exhausted!

I love watching him sleep!

When we got home from the game I finally got Rylan changed into his PJ's and into bed by about 12:30 (that's a.m. folks) and he slept until 9:30 this morning. He had only been awake for about 2 hours when he started acting really sleepy again so we put him back in bed at 11:30. We thought he would just take a short nap, but we were wrong. We had to wake him up 3 hours later. By 7:00 tonight he was so sleepy again so he was off to bed at 7:15 tonight. He loves his sleep...he is his momma's baby!!

My Two Monkeys

I have to brag on Rylan's daddy for a minute. As most of you know, Cody often works 12+ hour days because of his coaching. However, I can't ever remember a single day when Cody has come home and said he was too tired to play with Rylan or help with bath time and bed time. Our little boy may not be old enough to realize it, but he got the world's best daddy hands down! I couldn't imagine a more perfect man to be my husband and Rylan's daddy. Thank you Cody for everything you do for our little family! We love you...more than you'll ever know!

Enjoy the pictures of my two monkeys playing together!

Happy Birthday Angel!!

Rylan's first birthday party was a blast. I have been planning this party for a good two months, and I freely admitted that this party was more for me than it was for him. I went a bit overboard, but there was a time just a couple of years ago when I didn't know if I would ever have a baby to have a first birthday party for. So...I came up with the "barnyard bash" theme a while back and I had so much fun preparing for the party. We had so many family members and friends share this day with us, and we couldn't have imagined a better way to spend Rylan's big day!

The party favors for the little kids were wrapped in the red bandannas which were tied with raffia ribbons and had cow bells on them. AND...Cody helped me assemble these a couple of nights before the party!

I fell in love with the pig balloons when I saw them and just had to get a couple for the party.

This was the main table set up with the punch bowl (metal bucket) and the cake

The art teacher at my school decorated this metal bucket for me. I just gave her a general idea and she created this incredibly cute farm scene.

I searched and searched for the PERFECT barnyard birthday cake for Rylan and I think I got it!

Happy birthday Rylan!!

Some of you may not know this, but I have been that mom who has never let my baby have anything sweet...no cookies, candy, ice cream, etc. So this was big when he got his first taste of cake! He didn't know what to think of the first bite, but after a couple he had a death grip on his spoon.

It was definitely time for a quick bath after he had his cake. Maybe a cake with black icing wasn't the smartest choice...but it sure was fun to see him dig into it!

It's time for presents!

My sweet ONE YEAR OLD!!

Once we started opening presents he got excited about everyone gathered around.

The bows and ribbons are still a big hit.

All dressed in his PJ's, but checking out his presents one more time before bed.

Rylan with RoRo before she left this morning.

Rylan, momma and daddy have had such a fun first year with you!! The three of us have made some pretty good memories and we know that this is just the beginning. Your little laugh and smile completely lights up our lives! We love you angel!!