Traditions!

Every year the weekend before Christmas my mom, sister, and I spend the day making Christmas cookies. It is one of my very favorite days of the year! It's a great time for us to spend some quality time together as we make memories I will treasure for years to come. While we make cookies, my dad, husband, and brother-in-law to be spend the day making homemade sausage! This year was all the more special because we had Ryan there to share in this tradition. Some day when Ryan is old enough he will be helping out the guys make sausage! I'm so excited for Ryan to be apart of our family traditions and to make new ones with him! Everything is just so much more special with him here and I know this Christmas will be the most special one yet!!!

Cookie Making...




Sausage Making....





Other Random Pictures from the day...

Ryan with his Aunite Kati


Ryan testing out the cookies


My sweet boy...and dog!

Wordless Wednesday....Snuggled with a book

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Yesterday we had our first snow fall of the year and surprisingly, Ryan loved playing in the snow.....even Cooper joined in the fun!

18 Months!!!!

This past Friday Ryan turned 18 months! I can't believe he is already a year and a half. Crazy how fast time is going by and I know I I say this every month but it makes me a little sad that he is growing up so fast. However, he is so much fun and I love watching him transform into a toddler.
At 18 Months Ryan is....

*22 lbs. 6.5 ounces and is 31.2 inches long

*A very busy little boy who has discovered a new love for toys. He can sit and play with one toy for 30-45 minutes!!!

*He is starting to "pretend" while playing and reading.

*He is becoming very independent and wants to do everything himself....eating with a spoon or fork, drinking out of a cup, rinsing himself off with a cup in the bath, etc.

*He has a very special love for dancing and has a signature move.

*He closes his eyes when he doesn't like something or is embarrassed.

*Can be VERY impatient.

*He says many words/sounds. His newest are Hot (Ha T), Balloon (Bee-a), More (Mmmm), Makes the B sound for Berries, and says Baaaaaaa for Please.

*He walks into the kitchen and points the fridge when he wants his milk or water.

*He is very good at cleaning up his toys...does this on his own without me even telling him.

*Still loves books and will sit on our lap to listen to book after book.

*It's a toss up between Mickey and Elmo...I think Mickey is winning these days.

*He LOVES Santa Claus!

*He is becoming very social and loves being the center of attention.

*He is VERY loud and loves to be heard....we are working on this when we are in public.

*He eats like a grown man these days and loves his fruit! He is out of 12 month clothes and is wearing 18 months now.

Some Random Pics

Mr. Independent


My Little Buddy


Cheese!

Dinner for Two

My husband is out of town for work this week so it's just me and Ryan. Thank goodness he has been such a good boy! Tonight I prepared dinner for just the two of us and we sat together at the dinner table......just me and my silly little monkey! For some reason, I really took in this moment. I remembered back to this time last year when my husband would have to work late or travel and I would have to sit and eat dinner alone. It's amazing to me the difference a year can make. I feel more blessed each day having Ryan in my life and knowing that when my husband can't be here I won't have anymore nights of eating at the table alone. Instead, I get to sit and eat my dinner with my funny little boy. He always makes me laugh and tonight he was being especially silly at dinner. Every once in a while I take the time to appreciate moments as simple as eating dinner together.

Christmas Pictures

Ever since Ryan I have become photo crazy. Even when Ryan just sees the camera bag he will say "Cheeeeese"! I've been feeling a little guilty about not taking Ryan to have Christmas pictures taken some where so I just decided to do it myself. I have a nice enough camera where I can take a decent photo so for this year, this is my way of saving a few bucks!

Adoption Finalization!

Today we had our court date to finalize our adoption. What a very special day for our family. I'm so thankful that things are finally officially, official!!!! I've looked forward to this day for a long time and I'm happy that the adoption process is finally over and we can move forward. It's been quite the journey and I feel beyond blessed to have Ryan as our son. I still don't know I got so lucky. Happy Adoption Day to my sweet little boy who has brought so much love and joy into our lives!