Ryebread Turns One!!

Though this blog has only been around for a few months, our Ryebread made his debut to the world on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. It's mind-blowing how quickly a year can fly by. To commemorate his world debut, we had a party (of course)! Here are some highlights from the big day. He received a big red teddy bear from his great pop-pop and great grandma and LOVED it.

He couldn't wait to open his gifts, so he crawled under the table to inspect them (though I suppose there is an argument that besides the fact that the presents were under there, the table with the tablecloth made a pretty cool fort.

He got a Ryebread-size Tonka truck that he likes to stand on more than ride. I think he thinks it's his own little speaking platform. Oh well - it'll get used either way.

After the sugar high wore off and it was time for some real food, Ryan dozed off. Too much partying!!

First Birthday Bash at Gymboree! (Part 2)

After the playtime was over and the appetites had been worked up, it was time to chow down! The room was very nicely decorated and each baby how their own balloon and party hat! Here's a picture before the destruction began.

Then it was time to put the party hats on. I don't think Ryan was angry about the hat, I think he was angry that mommy accidentally snapped the strap on the side of his face :( I know...call the authorities...

Everyone with their hats on! Ready to chow down on some yummy cupcakes.

A picture of the poor cupcake as its about to meet its maker...this tiny package of confection didn't stand a chance against Ryebread and his Buddha belly.


"You talking to me? I don't understand what 'slow down and breath means.' Besides, I can't talk right now, I'm eating a cupcake!"

"I was born to eat."

First Birthday Party at Gymboree! (Part 1)

The day started off with all the little ones having full run of all the cool things Gymboree has to offer - slides, tunnels, bubbles - you name it, they had it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today is Ryan's first St. Patty's Day (although he found out this weekend what the parties are like)! Another first - we're going to try cutting out his morning bottle. He's been fussy about drinking it in the morning anyway, so rather than waste the liquid gold we'll just cut out the bottle and give him a good breakfast at home. That's the other advantage. During the week, Rye's breakfast has usually been dry cereal (cheerios or kix) and fruit. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but a nice fluffy egg or some warm oatmeal would be a nice change of pace, don't you think? So this morning - no bottle. Just oatmeal and applesauce. Once the magic milk switch has been flipped, he'll be able to have milk too and then it will be a nice balanced breakfast! :)

Baby Feet!!

Have to enjoy the baby feet as much as possible before they become stinky, sweaty boy feet. Although, now that Ryan wears shoes most of the day...I think our "cute baby feet" phase is quickly fading. What a way to teach your kid "poo stinky!"

Never too early

It's never too early to teach a child good habits. For Rye, one such habit is good dental hygiene! Whether it's the fabulous feeling of the soft rubber bristles on his gums or the yummy strawberry-banana "toothpaste" we use, whatever the reason - he loves brushing his teeth!

The Popper

It's fascinating, really, the number of toys for kids that have obnoxious sounds associated with them. Some are meant to be fun and entertaining (the ones that sing songs), but some are somewhat scary (the Leap Frog drum that yells "more, more!" if you stop hitting it) and others are downright irritating (the ridiculous whack-a-mole game and, of course, the Popper). Ryan got the Whack-a-mole game courtesy of his Pop-Pop and the Popper courtesy of his Grandma and Grandpa. He got a lot of use out of the whack-a-mole during his "bam bam" phase, but has since began focusing on the Popper now that he can walk. His turning radius isn't as good, but he gets around!

Movin' On Up

So we helped Mark and Stef move into their first place together this weekend! Ryebread was great - who knew he could lift a mattress above his head?! Just kidding...but he was able to lift the remote (such a boy)!

The cool thing about this trip is it has added another state to the list of places Ryan has visited! So far he's been to Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia - all before his first birthday!

While there, we had to find things to occupy Ryan's time throughout the move (which didn't last long anyway), so Stef and I took Ryan to the park! Last time Rye was at a park he was probably 3 months old and fell asleep. So this time I thought it would be really exciting - who doesn't like the park? Well, Rye was way more interested in the mulch than the slides or swings. We put him in the baby swing and his face was combination of fear and sickness. Hmm...may have to wait awhile before he goes on Space Mountain :) The slide didn't thrill him much either. Maybe in a few more months. Instead, he grabbed handfuls of mulch and studied them, leaving grit under his nails and dirt all over mommy's shirt.

On another note...here's a picture of the happy couple in their new place!

But enough about them...haha...back to the reason we're all here! More pictures of Ryan.

Vanity Sizing for Toddlers?

So we all know that women always have a tougher time than men when it comes to finding clothes that fit. For guys, it's simple - if you wear a 32W, 36 L in Levi's, you wear a 32W, 36L in everything. If you wear a Large shirt at Banana Republic, you wear a Large shirt at JC Penny. For girls, some stores have instituted vanity sizing to make women feel better about their self-image by downsizing their clothes. So you may wear an 8 at Old Navy, a 6 at Banana Republic or a 10 at Macy's! Ugh.

Apparently this vanity sizing has spilled over to toddler clothing - but instead of making your toddler feel better about their self image, such sizing makes parents feel like their kids are growing at warp speed or not growing at all!! Case in point - this morning was especially chilly out, so I wanted Rye to wear something warm. I found an Eagles sweatsuit outfit that was for an 18 month old, but it looked awfully small. I put it on my 11 month old child and behold! It fit like a glove. But he still wears (comfortably) his 6 -9 month bomber jacket. What gives!?!

Snow Days Rock

Gotta love snow days. We got about 8 - 9 in. by the time it was all said and done, so we weren't going anywhere! The day started off with Nate showing Ryebread the art of making fluffy pancakes for breakfast.

Ryan strolled around most of the day in his PJs (so did his parents...)

Then we finally ventured outside to let Ryan enjoy the snow! I think he's like his father. He enjoys snow when it's outside and he's inside :) But he was a trooper!