Fall Sure Did Blow By!

Wow! Fall blew by so fast! Our family has been crazy busy! Here is a recap of our Fall 2012 in pictures.

Right after school started, we took Rylan to Universal for the first time! He liked the rides, and loved running around with his dad in the dino area.

Before Halloween, we went to the Heartland Maze with Heath, Uncle Drew, Aunt Steph, Case, and baby Tyce! The boys had a blast digging for fossils!

For Thanksgiving we went out to my big family lunch. When I say big, I mean big! Here is a shot of Rylan walking up 

Look at all that food!!!

Rylan loved playing with Gigi!

As usual, Rylan LOVED playing with his friend and cousin Kane! These two boys are so adorable! 

Fall is a time of Thanksgiving, and our family has SO much to be thankful for! The Lord has blessed us beyond measure!

Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever

Two Months!?

Has it really been 2 months since we last posted? I would feel guilty, but between work, sickness, church, new family members being born, and chasing Ry around, I have been busy!

I thought time flew by during the first year of life...I was wrong. It speeds up even more after they turn 1. After one, the new words, milestones, and changes blur together. While we celebrate Rylan's new accomplishments, each time he does something new I feel a small twinge of sadness. Each new thing he learns means he is one step farther from being that sweet newborn I once held so close. (insert tears from mom here)

At 14 months Rylan now:
-Runs....everywhere!
-Climbs constantly. It is as if every piece of furniture in our house is Everest, and he MUST make the expedition.
-Pushes every button or switch he can reach. Our dishwasher seems to always be running...
-Blows kisses like no one's business! I love it!
-Can tell each morning which one of us will be leaving the house first (I am guessing by the way we are dressed) and will cling tightly to that person in fear of getting left.
-Is still a picky picky eater :( Dinner time proves to be quite the challenge. Some of the only foods he will consistently eat are: chicken, french fries, bacon (he really likes bacon), gold fish, apple sauce, yogurt, and the squeeze pouches of veggies from Gerber.
-Although he doesn't show a ton of interest in TV, he loves Jake and The Neverland Pirates. When the theme song comes on...he stops what he is doing and starts dancing. He never makes it through an episode, he usually moves on after 10 minutes max.
-LOVES being outside, especially if he is riding on something. Bike, toy truck, golf cart, pirate ship, fire truck, turtle...it doesn't matter to him. If it has wheels, he is all about it.
-Has quite the vocabulary...some of his newer words are:
  yucky
  stinky
  piggy
  yay!
  sippy
  thank you
  baby
  up
  bath
  chick
  more

Our sweet guy is growing so fast!

Our Little Squirt Is One!!

Rylan's party was quite a splash!! Here is is in pictures!

the invites...

Even our kitchen chalkboard (hellooo Ikea!) got festive!

You made it!

Dear Rylan, You are growing up way too quickly! It seems like you were born just yesterday and your mom and I were bringing you home from the hospital. Having you has definitely changed our lives. I thank God daily for such a blessing. You have changed my life in so many ways! First, I have to get up earlier in the morning. Second, I now have detailed knowledge of which stores have changing tables in their men's room. Finally, because of you, I now have an extra (stinky) garbage bag to take out. What a difference a baby makes! Honestly though, you were an amazingly happy infant. You slept through the night almost immediately and you were rarely sick. I don't know how or why mommy and I got so lucky, but we are super grateful. (And, haha to all you other parents and especially my parents!) I love you very much, son, and I am excited to see what your next year will bring to our family. Love, Daddy

My Sweet Baby...

Dear Rylan Walker,

I can't believe it has already been one year since you came into this world. Before you were here, I knew I loved you, but nothing could have prepared me for how much.

You bring so much joy into the lives of others. Your Grandaddy has said before that you are "soothing". I could not agree more. Your little smile or your ever elusive kisses can turn my day around in an instant.

Watching you grow this past year has been such a blessing. That first smile, first giggle, first time rolling over, first time sitting up, those first wobbly steps...all sweet moments that I will cherish forever. Now you are one, and have had your first birthday. So many firsts have come and gone, and it makes me a little sad. I miss my little baby, but am so exited about all the new experiences to come.

God blessed your daddy and I more we ever deserved by giving us you. I know He has BIG plans for you little love.

Jeremiah 29:11-- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Love,
Mom (or as you say.... Ma ma ma ma no no ma ma)

Beachin' It!

On the 28th, Rylan and I left to spend a few days at Fernandina Beach with some of my family. The drive became quite the road trip! On our way we stopped in Jacksonville to celebrate both Sassy and Tate's birthday!

Rylan had a blast swimming with his big cousins!

After the party, we met Nanny, Poppa, and two cousins at the beach. Nanny quickly went to work getting Rylan to say "Nanny".... He did! Of course, she was also the one who gave him all the cheetos he could eat and would hold him and his blanky.... 

Rylan instantly remembered Poppa, and how much he loves him! 

Rylan spent a  lot of time snuggled with Poppa on that couch! Poppa even got to witness Rylan taking the most steps he has ever taken! Something snapped in Rylan while at the beach, and he walked everywhere!! See the evidence below....baby feet prints!

On Monday, Grandaddy and Gigi came. Rylan had fun practicing his walking with Grandaddy on the beach and playing in the sand with Gigi. 

Rylan had so much fun!! On Wednesday, his birthday, we headed home to celebrate with Matt when he got off of work. We decided to let Rylan "practice" eating birthday cake for his party.

At first he wasn't so sure....

....got it!

Gigi Time!

According to my mom, Gigi, there are not nearly enough posts about her on here. It is my fault, I just never think to grab my camera when they are around....mostly because it seems like they are ALWAYS around! (joke Mom!)

Shopping with Gigi is no unusual thing....over the summer we have made several shopping excursions. From forgetting a stroller (TWICE!), to shoving a box into a car the size of a pinto bean, to buying an umbrella stroller that you have to assemble...shopping with Gigi is always an adventure! 

While we were "resting" at Chili's on the last trip...I managed to snap a few pictures. Of course, Rylan was happy to pose ;)

Heyyyyy!

Giving Gigi kisses!

Rylan loves chocolate....and Gigi is happy to oblige. 

You mean I can't have any more chocolate?

We had so much fun with Gigi!

Mini Summer Trip

It's no secret that one of our favorite places to stay is at the Omni in Orlando. With great rooms, awesome service, pretty cool pools, and a lazy river and water slide....what more could you ask for in a hotel? Rylan took his first trip to the Omni last September. It is safe to say that he had way more fun this time! He LOVED the water! We sure do have a little fishy on our hands!

A trip to the Omni would not be complete without dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. These are the only pics I managed to take of our whole trip...

 Our little family. Mad props to Uncle Drew for the face......

Who brings Chick-Fil-A to the Cheesecake Factory? The kid that was NOT waiting 90+ minutes to get a table to eat. Ry was hungry! Also, I can not brag on his new highchair enough! We love it!! Thanks Nanny!

It's funny how life is so different than it was a year ago. On July 30th of last year, Matt and I, along with Rylan's Granny and Poppa, went to the Cheesecake Factory in Brandon to have our "last meal" before Ry was born. The next day I went to the hospital to be induced. While we were there that night we talked about how different our lives were about to be. We had no idea how much everything would change. Being a parent is the most difficult, confusing, rewarding, and natural thing I have ever done. I can't believe in just a little over a week our little man will be one. What a blessing he is to us.

Sweetness

While there are a thousand reasons why I hate that Rylan is growing so fast...there are also some pretty great things. 

Like this....

Please excuse the super unflattering position I am in. Normally I would never post this, but he is cute enough for the both of us!!

I have been begging for kisses since he was born, he now gives them!! Yay!!! Maybe growing up isn't so bad!

Another Picture Project

June 25 is my Nanny Janet's birthday. When I was 2 months old, I spent the night away from home for the first time with Nanny Janet. I was a peace offering. My parents forgot her birthday that year, so to make up for it, my dad offered me up. Since then it has been a joke that you NEVER forget her birthday.


This year, with Rylan, I was determined to be extra careful. While we were at the lake the day before her birthday I took a few shots of my cousins holding an empty frame. I did it right in front of Nanny, she had no idea what was going on. After a simple color change and added text from Picasa, I got these....

I put them in a frame to get this... not the most prof. pic, but it will do.

I think it is my favorite gift I have ever given her. In all the rush of that weekend...guess who forgot to call her on her actual birthday...

this girl.

As if she needed another reason for Rylan spending the night.

11 Months

11 months! Whew! Where has time gone? I feel like just yesterday we brought Ry home from the hospital, and now his birthday is less than one month away. Even though I have been planning and creating for a while, I doubt I will be emotionally ready on the day of his party. 

At 11 months Rylan:
-Is slowly weaning off of bottles in exchange for "real" food. The type of food varies on the day, but he in general prefers steak, hamburger, beef hot-dogs, applesauce, goldfish, potatoes, and pureed veggies.

-Is wearing clothes in the 12-18 mos range.
-LOVES swimming. He can stay in the water for hours. He recently has learned how to hold his breath and loves to dunk himself.
-Is all about cars and balls. Everything becomes either a car he can push around or a ball he can throw.
-Is getting in two more teeth, and has the attitude to prove it.
-No longer likes sitting in shopping carts or high chairs. He would prefer to face the other way and does everything he can to squirm.
-Is taking more and more steps. He randomly decides to take a step here and there. We are taking bets on whether or not he will be walking at his birthday party. 

Our friend Mrs. Brandy came over to snap some pictures of Rylan for his party invites. Between the shortened nap and the heat...Rylan was NOT having it. This shot sums up how much he enjoyed the session. 

Our Family Can Get Quite Twisted.

Don't worry. This post isn't about anything overly frightening. We visited with family during a tornado warning. I was attempting to be punny... (see? I tried again.)

Yesterday we went to visit part of our family at Lake June. Every year my aunt and uncle rent a lake house and we love to go visit. It is such a great time to catch up with family we don't always get to see. Even though they live in Jacksonville, with crazy schedules, we only see them a couple of times a year.

This time last year I was praying I would go into labor soon. My aunt Alisa begged Ry to come while she was down so she could hold him. No such luck.

This year, we braved the storms to go hang out on the lake to celebrate Nanny Janet's birthday. Even with the flooding rain, we had so much fun! So much, that we didn't even realize a tornado had hit several houses down from us. Here are some things we did to pass the time....

We played stack the kids.

    We looked adorable.      

     

     We played with Daddy (who was not mad, even though he looks like it...)  

                                                              

                                                        And we cuddled with our sweet Malia. 

Then....the rain stopped. So we headed outside.

 Uncle pulled Tate on the tube...while talking on the phone. Talk about multitasking. 

                                                       Tate wanted to go faster of course.

Rylan went on his first boat ride. He was not all that impressed at first. He is not a fan of the life jacket.

Definitely not a fan.

But then....Uncle let him steer....

He took this very seriously. 

As the clouds darkened. The older cousins played in the rising water.

And obviously looked adorable again. 

While Rylan hung out with Aunt Alisa. 

Grandaddy Dane showed up....

just in time for chocolate cake.

                                         With him came Bubba (Uncle Mikell). Don't they look alike?



  

                                                               ...and Jessie of course!

Even with the rain, wind, and tornadoes, we had a great visit! We also worked on some super secret stuff...that will be posted later.

Oh, and no, I did not use a camera from the 60's...I just L-O-V-E the coloring option on Picasa. 

How blessed is Ry that he gets to grow up in a crazy big family with full of crazy big love???

Pretty blessed. 

BIG Night!!!

Tonight was a BIG night in the Smith house. Aunt Steph and Cousin Case came over for dinner while the guys were at work (another plus to them being so close now). After dinner Aunt Steph was playing with Rylan on the floor. She really wants him to walk. Like REALLY really. As a precaution to make sure that she keeps cookin' Tyce a little while longer, I have put a ban on her picking Rylan up. Since he can't walk, this means she can't watch him by herself like she used to. Like I said, she REALLY wants him to walk. I grabbed my camera in hopes of catching him doing his crazy one legged crawl (which has now been renamed as the LT. Dan crawl...) 

I got it!

I also managed to snap this pic....

right before this happened....

AHH! Please excuse my laughs/sobs!! FOUR steps (if you count the backwards thing he did). Yes, they were tiny steps, so tiny that some may say they don't count.; but to Steph and I....they were HUGE!!!

In case you don't like those first four...

What do you think of those??? 

They count!

You may ask...aside from Steph, what was his motivation??

 

Her phone!! 

BIG night in the Smith house!

 I am off to cry in my pillow. Our little guy will be 1 year old in exactly 6 weeks. How can that be?