My Baby Takes the Morning Train

All this economic downturn talk must have Ryan concerned about his future in the job market. He has been spending a large amount of time practicing his workforce skills.

He checks his e-mail and portfolio each morning.


Stays abreast of current events



Practices commuting to work

Wagon Trails

I finally decided Ryan was ready to sit in the wagon and go for a ride. He loved it!

Nana: Snake Slayer

My mom came by for a visit Monday. We had a good time playing with the boys and hearing about her recent vacation. When it was time to go, we walked her to the car. We said our goodbyes and headed back into the garage when I saw something slither past my foot. There was a snake in the garage. I went running back to my mom's car and beat on the windows - "Snake! Snake!" She jumped out and after we clung to each other in the driveway for a moment, we decided it needed to die. The complication - we were both in sandals and the snake was parked in front of all my garden tools (or "killing tools" as I kept calling them for some reason). The only other thing we could find was a hatchet. She grabbed John's work gloves and the hatchet and charged towards the snake. She lifted it in the air, horror movie style, and stood there hovering over the snake for what seemed like an eternity. I just knew that thing was going to strike her bare and vulnerable feet. Crikey! She let down a swift chop and off with his head! We jumped up and down and celebrated in the driveway. It was pretty grizzly, but she had cut the snake right below the head. Very impressive! So, our thanks to Nana. Snake Slayer and our hero!

Ryan: 7 Months

Another month full of growth and milestones. More teeth, more foods, more hair and more mobile. Ryan has figured out how to get up on his hands and knees, but when he goes to take that first step out, he crashes. He gets closer to crawling everyday and I fear our days of limited mobility and trouble are numbered.

Chewing on Cheerios

Chewing on fingers

Chewing on toys

Wanting to chew camera

Showing Nana his new hair

Looks like Daddy's hair genes won this one...

Trouble Starts with "T"

Last Thursday I went to pick Reagan up from school. As I approached his hook and shelf where they keep their lunch bags and backpacks, I noticed a large ziploc bag full of wet clothes. Not just a pair of shorts - the works - shirt, pants, underwear and socks. Down the hall I could see Reagan at the water fountain in his "extra set of clothes" outfit (see photo). Terror! I hated to think of what might have happened. Wet his pants...or worse?? DREAD! I saw one of his teachers and sheepishly approached her. I just knew she was the poor thing that had to wash out my child's soiled clothes and would from now on refer to Reagan as the "dirty one" during dinner time work stories with her family. I asked what happened - if there was an "accident".

Much to my relief, she said when it rains the sandbox outside gets wet and today at outdoor play Reagan and a few of his buddies thought it would be fun to play in it. I was SO glad to hear my kid had wallered around like a pig in his sty at recess. My next distress came when I went to collect Reagan and noticed his BRAND NEW school shoes were soaking wet and brown. (They had been dry and grey).

On the way home I tried to turn it into a teachable moment, remembering that the letter of the week was "T". I added two more words to his list: terror and TROUBLE.

Sunday Morning Fun

Reagan helping Ryan smile for the camera.

Are we done here?

The Jolly Green Ryan

Check out the tooth. The top two front teeth made an appearance this week. Guess he could be the Cheshire Cat for Halloween...
(Just for the record - I DO make my bed each day!)