Balloons

We had balloons for Beatrix's birthday. Owen thinks they're pretty fun. And, we like making his hair stand on end! Pure joy.

So tired last night, he crawled onto a blanket, balloons in hand and said, "nigh, nigh". He slept well, and had good dreams of the fun he had this weekend!

Beatrix's First Birthday.

If Thanksgiving was Thursday, Jill's party Friday, it only made sense to celebrate Beatrix's first birthday on Saturday. This time, 14 adults to 6... an even better ratio. AND, since everyone, adults and kids included, are pretty laid back, we had a great time! We love having family at the house.

Here's the happy Ryerson family. Another of the Ryerson's opening presents.

Owen didn't care about opening the presents, but sure did like looking at and playing with Beatrix's new toys.

Another attempt of Grandma and Grandpa and the six grandkids. This time we used Clementine oranges as bribery.

Same shot, just Owen is looking and Kate is looking away. (again, impossible to get 8 people looking in the same direction!)

Just a sweet shot of Owen. He did have his spells of crankiness... too many people playing with his toys. But warmed up to everyone there. When he was tired enough for a nap, he waved goodbye to everyone "bye, bye" and slowly crawled up the stairs, still saying "bye". Such a sweet host. We even got serenaded by people to "So long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music!

JIll's Birthday

On Friday, we celebrated Jill's 36th birthday. (official birthday was on the 26th). We had seven adults and six kids... a good ratio. It was great fun to have everyone running around. Even better that mom supplied the food!
Multiple attempts were made to take a grandparent and six grand kid photo. I think it's mathematically impossible to get eight people looking in the same direction, eyes open and smiles on. This is close. Officially, mom and six grandkids...just the top of Beatrix's head.

Mom and the girls. (and Seth's torso in the back)

Auntie Jill and Owen.

All the cousins. All the monkeys. The monkeys are from Hawaii from Grandpa and Grandma.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had another wonderful Thanksgiving at our house this year. To celebrate with us were both of our parents. Lucas did 95% of the cooking. Mom brought the pies, and Bob brought his famous "it takes two days" cornbread stuffing. I boiled water and peeled potatoes and yams.

Here's a quick self-portrait from yesterday... yes those are wrapped Christmas presents. Not that I'm that organized, just trying to get free shipping of presents back to Boise for my sister in her car! Here's our bird... after sitting in brine for 15 hours, and then being thoroughly dried, she's ready to enter the oven.

And here she after only three hours of cooking. Yup, she cooked an hour faster than we thought, but tasted delicious all the same... and just look at that golden browned skin!

The proud chef carving up the goods.

And the feast: yams, mashed potatoes, giblet/apple cider vinegar gravy, "it takes two days" cornbread stuffing, brussel sprouts with fried shallot, beet salad, celery remoulade, Jerusalem artichoke salad, olives, rolls, and of course turkey.

Owen was ready to eat (and wear) every bit we gave him.

The most entertaining were the olives that fit right on his fingers!

It took a few attempts to get the picture, but here is the proud olive fingered boy. Also, if you look close, olive toothed and olive nosed boy.

After all that food, Owen and Lucas took a quick rest on the floor to watch some football. We had a great time. I am so thankful to have both sets of parents so close for us to celebrate with. I am thankful for a wonderful husband who loves to cook yummy, wonderful food. I am thankful to have a sweet son. I am a lucky girl.

my helper

Owen had "learned" to sweep. Maybe he doesn't actually sweep UP the dirt, but he sure can push it around. And it wasn't just a one time occurrence. Today, he found the broom in the closet and dug it out himself. He went to town sweeping the carpet and kitchen floor.

But... when he hit a cat, mean mommy took the broom away. Here he is knocking on the door, trying very hard to get it back.

Tooth Health

Owen found my "prize bag" from my visit to the dentist. He was so proud to find my toothbrush and floss. This is just more proof that he may follow in his Great-Grandpa's future and become a dentist. He has always enjoyed putting his hands in your mouth and feeling your teeth. He also sat "patiently" with me for over 20 minutes at my dentist appointment. I could have a dentist as a son...

Here's Owen ready to leave the house, toothbrush and floss in hand. CLOSE to brushing his teeth... the darn packaging got in the way!

If tooth brushing is good... is tooth "combing" better?!

Parenthood

There are things I expected as being a "newer" parent. I expected to see my child learn new things, new words, have new experiences. I expected hugs and kisses, tears and tantrums. There are things I expected, but would rather not have experienced, like getting peed on, getting pooped on, or learning that my sleeves are built in Kleenexes. There are things I see in him that I see in myself or Lucas. Things he does, his laugh, his expressive eyebrows that make me see his personality. There are things he does that remind me of my own childhood. Last night was one of those experiences. And while I thought it WOULD happen eventually... I didn't think it would happen so soon...or to me.

FLASHBACK: WARNING: the following experience is recreated from my own childhood memory. This may, or may not have happened this way... but this is my story, my memory. I am pretty sure this happened when we lived in Corvallis. So I was maybe 4 years old, which makes my sister Suzi 2 years old. We were taking a bath together, as kids do. Suzi pooped in the bathtub. I remember yelling to dad, "DADDY!!! SUZI JUST POOPED IN THE BATHTUB". (remember, my memory, my story). I also think this may have been our last bath together.

Now, fast forward nearly three decades. History repeats itself. Last night, Owen pooped in the bathtub. Lucas wasn't even here to help. (I'll spare you all the picture I sent him) I don't think I ever expected, as a parent, to clean poop out of a bathtub. My childhood memory stopped with Suzi's poop... not that Dad had to clean it out. Gross. But now I know to expect much much worse in my future!

Today was the first attempt (of maybe many) of trying to get a good photo for a holiday card. We tried many different places, but his favorite was the leafy pile across the street. He wouldn't actually look at me, but loved playing in the leaves all the same. His pant are currently in the wash... getting ready for round two tomorrow.

Happy Weekend

We had a busy weekend. We registered for the new baby, and found great deals on clothing at Baby's R Us. Lucas picked out a few new shirts and pants for Owen. Today was the new football shirt (since it's Sunday and all). Yesterday we also went over to Sara and John's house for a wonderful Asian feast. Hum Bao, pot stickers, edamame (Owen's favorite), tempura vegetables and sushi. It was fantastic.

The best part was their dog Misty (a beautiful 7 year old black lab) interacting with Owen. At first, we I was holding Owen, he said "dog... woof woof". But when I put him down, Misty went in for a kiss... it was too soon. Owen screamed, cried and screamed some more. But, over the course of the evening, Owen started to laugh when Misty would walk by. I don't think Owen ever actually touched Misty. And, Misty was good and never again touched Owen... maybe next time... Here's Owen, he climbed into his car. It's been too rainy outside to go for a "spin" but he loves it all the same. I love the little "sprout" of hair he has... another haircut soon?

Standing in a laundry basket with a comb...handsome young man.

Quote?

Quick background to story. Owen is starting to get much more independent. AKA: he knows what he wants, can't verbalize it, so he has taken up whining. While the whining is not fun, we are trying to get him to point to what he wants and say "please". This skill is really getting good. While the whining is still present, the pleases are definitely getting used more. Also of note, Owen never calls me mommy. I'm mamma.

So, the other day, Owen was in the kitchen with me. He was opening the cupboard under the sink where the fire extinguisher is kept (no it's not child proofed yet, a project for this weekend). I told him "no" then closed the door. I kept the door closed with my foot while I tried to continue to cook dinner.

Owen looks up at me, points to the door and says in the most cute voice, "mommy. please." He was so careful to sound out each letter. "mommy. please." So cute.

And while I still didn't let him in the cupboard. I was quite proud there was no whining!

Fact

Fact: Owen now has three freckles!