Big bows are the new black.

It's 9:31pm...and that means that it's past my bedtime. Yes, I'm being serious. :) So, I'm making this short and sweet; but I just had to post a few pictures that I took tonight. Although big bows are definitely the new black these days, I have to be honest...I don't put Rylie in them very often (except for fun photo shoots). I'm a "comfy" kind of gal...and let's be honest, those bows are far from comfy. I mean...I had one on her for 5 minutes this evening and she had a big red mark on her head. I felt like the worst mother ever! She is usually in a soft onesie and sweat pants...sporting her bib as the "trendy accessory!"

But isn't she just a doll?!

And no, she isn't quite sitting up on her own yet. As you can see, she is very close...but I got this shot right before she tumbled over to her left.









This one is my favorite!

Larry, Mo and Curly

In latest Rylie Development News, she now has 2 teeth!! Is that even possible already? My baby has 2 teeth!!! I simply can not believe how fast she is growing and changing. She is a week and a half shy of 6 months and probably weighs close to 14 lbs. Her once shiny bald head is now thinly covered with blonde hair...and I'm secretly hoping that it turns curly!! I had RINGLETS when I was young (you wouldn't guess it now because of my ridiculously needed flat-iron)...but looking back at pictures, I wish I would have embraced those curls instead of trying so hard to get rid of them. Anyway...I'm hoping that she has those ringlets and selfishly, I hope she works with them opposed to against them. Her eyes are still blue...but I definitely see a touch of green in them. She still only rolls from back to stomach but is now following the roll with ambitious "swim-like" movements. She has yet to sit on her own...but her "balancing-act" is getting much better. And from what I have learned, things can change overnight...so maybe she will be sitting up by herself at Easter. We will introduce baby foods in another week or so...and per Daddy's request, we will start with peas.

My plan was to start having her sleep in her own room this weekend...but seriously, it's a very dramatic thing for me and I just couldn't do it. So, with each arm extending to the sides of her bassinet, she sleeps comfortably in our room, for yet another week...or maybe two- he, he!

Easter is fast approaching and we will be taking our first trip back to Kansas since Christmas... we can't wait! Maybe we'll see some of you then!

Well, it's Sunday and the majority of my day has been spent updating my blog...dang this "thing" is addicting!!! Sundays are usually spent cleaning, doing laundry, and preparing to go back to work in the morning...blah! I better get busy!!


Oh yeah, and for you "non-believers", here are a few pictures of my once-curly hair:

Tai-Tai.

This picture was taken about a month ago...but I wanted to show everyone how much Taigen has changed. Isn't she big?! She is 2 years old now and is just so beautiful!!! She is a very smart little girl and I have a feeling that she is going to be JUST LIKE her mom and ma-maw. In other words, she can be a little ornery, lol! Mom and Dani have both always "lived in the moment"...which I admire. They don't spend their time stressing over things they can't change and truly try to enjoy life to its fullest! They ride a little close to the edge at times, lol...but that is what makes them...well, them! Taigen seems so carefree and already likes to live on the wild side! Aunt Chas loves you, Tai-Tai!

Happy St. Patty's Day (yesterday)!

After my 3 month maternity leave from work, I went back to the bank at the beginning of this year. We were lucky enough to find a wonderful woman who runs an in-home daycare to watch Rylie. As much as I hate leaving Rylie during the day...Brian and I decided that it would be best for me to return to work this time around- only to start better preparing ourselves for me to stay at home when we have our second child (probably in about 3 years). It was never a goal of mine to be a "stay-at-home-mommy". But having Rylie has completely changed around my priorities in life. Plenty of things could change in 3 years, but at least I know I will have more of an option to stay at home next time, if I wish to!


Anyway...the point of this blog entry is to thank my step-mom, Peg, and my mom, Laura, for taking a week of vacation to come to OKC and baby sit Rylie (and Griff)! Our daycare provider was closed for 2 weeks and I knew the two of them would love the opportunity to spend some alone time with their granddaughter. Rylie was really able to bond with each of them and we were terribly sad to see them go!!


During Peg's stay...she found a bib that she had to buy for Rylie. The bib reads "I'm a McCutie!" And if you know my maiden name, you know why I love it so much!

Oh yes, I did!

You all just thought I couldn't get any cheesier, huh?! LOL! But if you're reading this, you probably received an email from me, telling you about my new "addiction!" I stopped updating my babiesonline website and will now rely on blogging to help keep my family and friends up to date in "Rylie's World." You all should create your own blog...it's a lot of fun and I would love to stay caught up on what's going on in your lives, as well. Come on...give it a try!

Let's play catch-up for a bit: Rylie is 5 1/2 months already! She is sleeping through the night (has been since she was 3 months old), but is still sleeping in her bassinet; and that bassinet is still by the side of my bed! I know...she really needs to make use of her beautiful crib! But I don't even like to think about her being clear across the house from me. Two weeks ago, I took a step forward and purchased a baby monitor. Baby steps, people...baby steps! She is rolling over from her back to her stomach but has yet to reverse it and roll from stomach to back. She cut her first tooth a week ago and is already cutting her second one. Honestly, I wasn't ready for that. Her little milestones are so special but are very bitter-sweet. Slow down, Rylie! You're growing too fast for mommy! She is full of smiles and giggles and is such a joy to be around. You all were right...being a mommy is the most wonderful feeling in the world! Just last weekend, Rylie ate her first bowl of rice cereal. Up to this point, her diet has consisted of breastmilk. But I could tell she was ready for "food" because the poor girl would follow my every move when I ate. I felt as if I were starving my child...but her ADORABLE rolls definitely say otherwise! She is reaching out for objects, grabbing and pulling them. I love to watch her "play!"

This past weekend, we purchased a Planet Jumperoo for her (courtesy of Grandpa and Granny)...and she LOVES it! I posted a few pictures of her in her new toy- enjoy!

Becoming a "blogger".

This is the first post in my transition to become a blogger. Due to the unfortunate fact that we live in another state than most of our family and friends, I rely on myspace and facebook to help keep myself somewhat "in the loop". I also created a website to help keep my family and friends updated throughout my pregnancy with Rylie. It was during the creation of that website that I became aware of my addiction and obsession to BLOGGING! I find myself reading complete stranger's blogs and truly enjoying what they have to say. So, since we still live miles away from our "roots", I figured...why not join the other bloggers and blog myself?! So...here goes!

A little more about me: I am married to an absolutely wonderful man, Brian. We have been together for eight years now and will celebrate our third wedding anniversary in August, 2009. We are originally from Kansas but discovered that Oklahoma is where God wants us to be, for the time being. But when that first door opens for us to move back to Kansas (I know it eventually will), we will run right through it...we terribly miss our family! We have a spoiled rotten dog who answers to Griffey, Griff, Griffster, big boy, bad boy, brother, or buddy. And most recently, my husband and I have become "mommy" and "daddy" to the most beautiful baby girl. Rylie was born in October and has already brought so much joy to our lives! I'm predicting that the majority of my blogs will be about her!

Well, there you go...my very first blog! I truly enjoy writing and like that when something "special" happens, or if I have something that I would simply like to share, I can post a blog rather than making 20 different phone calls. Let's face it...even having one baby takes up most of your time! So...I plan to try to keep this as updated as possible...but we'll see?! Between a full-time job as wife, mommy, and "career-woman"...life is busy!