Ryan's first swim experience....there wasn't one.

Saturday we went to Phil's granma's to try swimming. The water was way too cold for her and she didn't like it. So we took some fun pictures in her swim suit. Maybe on the 6th when we go to my aunt's house the water will be warmer.

Rolled Over!!!

Our child is AMAZING. I can't believe it. She rolled over from her back to her tummy tonight. Once she figured it out, she kept doing it. When we would get in her face and say YEAH she would laugh.

Plus, she took carrots like it was no big deal. We normally give her a bottle at 5:30 and then at 7:30. That was a bit close for us, yet we still wanted to feed her right before bed. So we gave her carrots with a spoon at 6 and then fed her the bottle at 7:30.

AND.... why not top the night off with a self soothe moment. And no, she was not asleep when I put her down. She was completely awake, played with the pacifier, whined a bit and then went off to sleep. It was beautiful!!! :)

Thanks to all those who helped by giving advice and encouraging words. I know she will go back a few times, but we are on the road to putting herself to sleep.

Our baby girl is growing up!!

PS.....Happy Birthday Dad / Grandaddy!

This weekend!

This weekend was suppose to be my mom's side of the family....family portraits. It got rained out so I don't have any pictures. We are shooting for this Saturday. Update will be posted.

These other pictures are of Dorothy and Ryan playing Saturday morning. She stayed the night and had a good time.

Then we went to Ashley's shower for baby Isabelle. Ben was so cute holding up the little girl clothes. He held them up with two fingers b/c they were so little.

The cutest picture is Ryan gazing up at her Paw Paw.

The last pictures below.....yes....are Ryan and Colin. He is so cute!!!! He has already out grown Ryan, but he is a boy he can!!

Dad's surprise party

This first picture is Ryan with her Mother's Day gifts that she made for her mommy!

My step mom, Barbara, did an excellent job getting my dad's surprise party together. He honestly had no idea. We had a lot of fun telling stories and sharing funny moments. Happy 60th Birthday Daddy....May 20th is the actual day.

Aunt Hay Hay and Ry Ry

Aunt Hay Hay tickling Ryan last night.




The self soothe thing is going well. She has only cried 2 out of the 4 nights that I have done it....which has been every night. I really want routine to come in to play.

Tonight I'm having Hay, Dorothy, and Amber over for a movie. I am still going to feed her, bathe her and then put her down. She might cry, but once she is out she is out for the night or a bit at least.

I am proud of myself. (Toot Toot....that's me tootin my own horn)

It's been hard, but I know it will be good for all of us soon.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Self Soothe

Ok..... we all know that hearing your baby cry is awful. But when you do it on purpose, it's the most horrible thing ever. Phillip is the best dad in the world and makes sure that his baby girl is always happy. With that said, he picks her up at every cry. I am really wanting her to go to sleep on her own, who wouldn't??

This is the week that he works nights (meaning he wouldn't be there to pick her up :)). So, I decided that this is the week to really get Ryan to go to sleep on her own. She has been so young and we have justified holding her because of that.

I gave her 4 oz with a Tbsp of cereal in a bottle. She took it like a champ. After that she was sleepy and thought this was my chance. I told myself that she was full and dry and if she cried it was because she wanted to be picked up. I put her in the bed and BAM... there she was crying. I put the pacifier back in her mouth, rubbed her head and belly and walked away. I waited 5 minutes...to the second. I went back in there, gave her the pacifier, rubbed her and left. I did this quite a few times. It was hard, but I could tell she was getting tired and the cry was getting weaker and weaker. She was still crying, just not making herself sick.

It worked....she went to sleep without me picking her up. I was so proud of myself. I read that it takes a good 7 nights. By nights 4-7, I should only have to go in the room a few times. Once we conquer this, I will get the angel monitor and put her in her bed. I still like her in my room b/c when she makes noises, I put the pacifier back in her mouth to make sure she doesn't wake completely. She slept through the night.

Thanks to all moms who gave me advice and helpful hints. It's only the beginning and I am ready for the challenge. Phillip will be glad that by the weekend, she should be going down without all the crying. He is such the softy....which means GREAT dad.

Pretty Granma and Paw Paw

Paw Paw and Pretty Granma came over last night to visit for a bit. She just played with Pretty Granma and looked at her in amazement! Here are a few pictures.

Ryan has tried cereal now for about 4 nights. She really doesn’t get it yet. The first night was fun because she didn’t know what it was and we got some good pictures. The 2nd through 4th night she wasn’t happy. She could taste the formula and got upset because she couldn’t have it. It was like I was teasing her. So, we bumped her night bottle up to 6 oz. She did good Wed night, but last night she feel asleep and would not wake up to eat. I knew she was going to wake up for a bottle, but it’s nice to put her down at night and her not fuss at us. So we are still getting up at night to soothe her back to sleep or to feed her.

It’s a learning process and fun trying new things and seeing her grow, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t tired. It’s been especially exhausting this week and I don’t know why.

She is also sitting up. She braces herself with her hand in front of her between her legs. She did it for a few seconds last Sunday and then last night she sat there for about 2 minutes all on her own. She is doing so well.

Today is the Mother’s Day social at day care. It’s only 30 minutes, but I can’t wait. I think we get ice cream and get to see all of the mommies in Ryan’s class.
I don’t have many new pictures, but will definitely have some after Mother’s Day weekend!

Cereal........another milestone

Last night was the "first" night of cereal. You can see that she really didn't know what to do. She just let it fall out her mouth. She was so funny. It looked like she didn't really care about it until I took the spoon away and she turned into the little hulk. She was shaking the tray and looking at the bowl. I will get video of her the next time. We took a little bit, but it didn't do justice.

She slept more soundly, yet I don't know if it was from being so tired on Sunday night or if it really did help a little. I will always analyze it knowing that I shouldn't. She did wake up at 2am for another bottle, so who knows!

I think tonight we might put a little in her bottle. We have a bottle with a bigger hole, so we will see how that goes.

She has been holding her bottle lately when I place her hands on the bottle. She doesn't reach herself, but if I put her hands up there she will hold the bottle for a good period of time. I let her hold it at first until I burp her. Then I help her the rest of the way. Here is a picture with a little assistance.





















Firday night we went to dinner with Stacey, Alan, and Colin for Stacey's birthday. We went to Texas de Brazil. Um um good!!!

Here is a picture of our babies...Ryan 4 months-Colin 5 weeks. His is 1/4 of an inch taller and weighs about the same. I keep telling them that he needs to play sports so that he can be famous and buy his parents and us a house!!! :)!