Catch up!!!!!!!!!!!

Well...the month of May is just about over and we have updates galore!! 

Daddy--softball is in full swing...practices were after Spring sport practices...which meant very late nights.  We had a rough two weeks...but things are getting better as school is done on FRIDAY!!  They had their first game...JV won and varsity lost, but they learned a lot and Scott's philosophy is that you always move forward.  He has a new teacher starting in English with Scott in the fall...it is one of his former students from when he coached baseball in college.  Makes us feel old!  Scott is moving to social studies and is excited for that to be consistent!  Our yard is in full growing mode...and of course he doesn't have time to do it...we look crazy on our road!  We also have a totaled roof and some of our siding on the back...which means we are going to have to totally re-side our home.  ANd...not to sound cranky...but NOT the summer to have this happen!  Scott has a tournament every Saturday.  It is going to be nuts...but when is our life not:)

Noah...still a roaring toddler!  We took our T-ball pictures...that was an overwhelming adventure!  He did great...I was beyond overwhelmed...lots of kids...I had no idea what I was doing or where he was supposed to go.  But, it all worked out.  He is LOVING being outside...so we are ready for Ryder to walk so we can be outside more!!  Noah is not pumped about doing letters at night...trying to think about how we can be creative in getting him into it.  We are still loving to read at night and he is usually excited about reading.  I am nervous about school in the fall...glad we are just doing the three year old stuff.  There is a teacher who has girls on the softball team...I am going to ask her about some things to do with Noah.  We did try riding his bike that Papa Tom and Nana Lisa bought him...not a fan.  He would much rather ride his big wheel.  The bike is pretty heavy...so I can understand, but it is the next step!  We got Noah a new Spiderman bike helmet and he was PUMPED!  Excited for our pool pass (that we still need to get) and some bike rides and double jogger time!

Ryder...what a crazy fast month.  I quit pumping two weekends ago.  Much harder for me to do than I thought.  I miss my snuggle time and the bottles are NOT fun.  Ryder on the other hand has been sleeping better...so I think he really was hungry through the night.  I am officially done...no more pumping to relieve pain and everything is washed and packed up.  Ryder has also started throwing GIANT fits when he is mad.  Like...on the floor...hitting his head on the floor...rolling around, etc.  Wowza!  I don't remember Noah doing this at 12 months!  I read in the baby week by week book that it is normal.  Ryder has also become a walking machine!!!  We have watched him take 2-3 steps and then today...it was like almost across the room!  I can't believe it.  It is hard to know what to feel...first excitement for how proud of himself he is...second for relief that he is learning how and will be able to do it outside...and thirdly sad because he is a big boy.  He is still a great eater...doesn't always want to stop playing to eat, but we are putting him at the table with us for routine and so far (not always) we are doing okay.  He loves bananas and cheerios the best!  The fruit packs are hit and miss...I think when he is more reliable he will snarf them down like Noah.  Ryder has his 12 month check this week...I am hoping he has gained some weight!!  Still a giggling and kissing machine!

Mommy--I survived my conference!  In fact...I got an award!  Not gonna lie...it was pretty awesome.  I had no idea I was even nominated...so to get voted by my peers was pretty great.  I got the Rising Star award for the IACAC state conference.  ANd...my friend Michelle for the Admissions Counselor of the Year award.  It was a pretty fun day!  I got to drink for the first time in like 2 years...gotta bit crazy (not really by most people's standards!!).  Presented and had a good time.  The nights were hard as I really missed the kids.  Scott did a great job...I totally would have gone to my parents...he is a TROOPER!!!!!  Big time issues with anxiety lately.  So...back to running and needing to eat better.  Better run...pictures tomorrow!

A fast month!

Scott and I knew this month would be a whirlwind...so we had to take it day by day!  We have survived multiple doctor's office trips...tubes for Ryder's ears...the start and end of 8th grade track...the start of softball...SNOW in early May...crazy stuff!  I will post pics the next post which WILL be this weekend.

Ryder is not walking yet...still holds onto things...can stand up and down all by himself, lets go of things...but no desire to walk!  He also uses the walker...and will walk with you holding hands...but not on his own.  If one more person asks me why he isn't walking...I might just punch them:)  Moms are the biggest culprits of this...come on!!  Ryder is also smaller than Noah was at this age...I do think it has something to do with his ears...it was uncomfortable for him.  But...he is fine and is an eating machine!  Speaking of eating...I am going to quit nursing this weekend.  I have to be at a conference next weekend starting Sunday and I don't want to pack my pump...Ryder will be 1 in less than 2 weeks (which also breaks my hear) and will continue to have breast milk.  I have a TON in the freezer...as do my parents and daycare...so no worries there.  I am struggling with this...I have really enjoyed it...my time with Ryder and snuggling.  I do think he might eat better and get more from a bottle...I have really decreased in the last week (no pumping at work)...so maybe he will sleep better.  We went to the doctor twice in 24 hours because he was FREAKING out...he cried for 2.5 hours on Sunday night.  NOTHING was wrong we found out!  Probably his eye teeth which are super super painful.  Cross your fingers that is all:)  He is still a very happy baby...and going through an attachment phase...kind of wary of strangers.  His giggle and funny noises from his mouth are hysterical.  Ryder still loves to give kisses...full mouth kisses...LOVE LOVE LOVE:)

Noah is more and more independent every day.  He is doing great at day care with listening and following directions.  Now...listening at home is a different story.  Some days are great...some days are not so good.   Last week he lost privileges twice for listening skills.  On Friday as I was explaining to my mom we asked Noah what would happen if he didn't listen and his response, "I lose all my toys...FOREVER" which was hysterical as he looked to the ground when he said forever.  My mom and I just burst out laughing...what a drama toddler!  We did decide to sign him up for t-ball in Dike (totally behind the boat on this...luckily the guy in charge I have known forever...so he was super nice about it).  I am really nervous about it because Noah does great with adults and a few kids...but has never had this experience before.  I worry about him crying or getting picked on and not standing up for himself.  Totally anxious about this...if Scott takes him, I think he will do great...but with softball it won't be all the time.  Cross your fingers!

More updates and pics over the weekend!