Emerged Personality.

I learned something somewhat new during our vacation...our daughter has a huge personality!

During the past 15 months, Brian and I have really bonded with Rylie and have spent a lot of time learning her behavior, attitude, her likes and dislikes. We have proved to her that she will be well taken care of, loved, and protected; and because of this, she has gained a sense of complete comfort in "her world." Before our vacation, her behavior was telling me that she could have a bit of an ornery side to her. And often times, I selfishly felt a bit insecure because she didn't necessarily have to be right under the legs of her mother. But because it's normally just the three of us, Brian and I seldomly get the chance to see her interact with others. However, during our vacation, a lot of time was spent with a house full of people...young and old(er). :) And Rylie was making an impression that could not be forgotten.

She is not shy. Not timid. Not bashful. She is full of energy. She is funny. Smart. Bold and daring. She likes to be the center of attention. She doesn't mind getting "dirty." She prefers high speed races in cardboard boxes over the gentle ride and prefers building blocks over babies. She has an unusual infatuation for car seats and strollers. Rylie can hold her own and was once described as the "cool kid!" I was proud to watch as she revealed such a confident demeanor. My baby girl may not be the snuggler; the quiet natured Miss Priss; or the shy one who only wants to be held by her mommy...but her personality is such a joy to be around! And honestly, we're fortunate that she has that personality because unfortunately, she doesn't get to spend a ton of time with her grandparents. And the fact that she doesn't soley rely on mommy and daddy to make her feel comfortable is kind of necessary for them to have the kind of relationship they already have with her. She warms up to them extremely quickly and doesn't require us to be with her at all times. She is confident enough and trusting enough to allow them to visit as many times as they can and act as if she hasn't gone one day without seeing them. I love watching her grow into her own and Brian and I can't help but discuss what we think she might grow up to be like. WHATEVER it is...we'll gladly accept it!

~Home Sweet Home~

After being away from our house for 10 days, traveling to and from a few different cities, living out of suit cases and bags (a lot of them!), visiting lots of family, meeting best friend's 7 week old baby, spending quality time with those that we love, celebrating Christmas four different times, watching Rylie get spoiled by all of her grandparents, comfortably accepting that Rylie's routine got a bit muddled...we are home!

And after 10 loads of laundry, an entire day spent reorganizing, deep cleaning, packing up Christmas decorations and being reminded by my husband that "seasons must come and go"...I feel settled again!

This Holiday season was, once again, BUSY! But I really wouldn't be able to accept it any other way. The weekend before Christmas, my mom, step-dad, sister and niece all came for a visit. I bought Taigen and Rylie matching Christmas pajama sets, Brian made a delicious prime-rib dinner, and we settled in by the fire and opened gifts...ma-maw and pa-paw sure do know how to spoil their two grandbabies. Rylie quickly went from having zero "little people" sets to having four different sets! We had such an amazing time with them!!!



The following week, we left Oklahoma and headed to eastern Kansas...where we stayed for over a week. We spent several great days with Brian's parents and were able to get together with both of his brothers and their families. Brian made another prime-rib Christmas dinner and we had a heck of time trying to get all four grandchildren settled for a nice picture! Rylie was spoiled with lots of gifts; in particular, she was given one special gift that was put together by her Grandpa Tony...a wooden rocking horse!



Then it was off to central Kansas, where we spent the rest of our vacation with my dad, step-mom, brother, sister and Sky. Rylie is so blessed to have so many wonderful family members who absolutely adore her. We basically relaxed with the family, cooked, baked, played games, enjoyed another Christmas dinner, and had a fun time watching Robert push Rylie around the house in a cardboard box! The ground was sparsely covered with snow but we made the best out of it and dad pulled Robert and I on a sled, behind the four-wheeler. We had a blast!! On New Years day, dad and Peg hosted their annual "Game Feed" and had over 60 people at their house. They made BBQ duck, pheasant noodle soup, deer something or other, bacon wrapped dove and duck...and much-much more! My list does not do them justice for what they prepared for that day.

But all good things must come to an end...and we were homebound on Saturday night. I included today as part of my vacation and I'm so thankful that I did. It can be a bit hard to go back to work after staying up late and sleeping in for 12 consecutive days. But it's all in the attidude. And with Rylie already back in her normal routine and with my house clean and orderly again...it's time to start working on my goals for 2010!

Thank you, everyone, for letting us overwhelm your house with luggage and for allowing us to turn your home into our vacation spot! We enjoyed seeing all of you very much and look forward to the next visit.

Oh, and thanks for making it imperative that we get Rylie a toy box...SOON!

Sending Our Love!

Say "please!" Now say "thank you!"

Disclaimer: yes, I realize this is a terrible habit but it's ALL Brian's fault.

You see, I have the terrible job of dropping Rylie off at the babysitter's house each morning. And Brian has the awesome and rewarding job of picking her up! Not fair. But to top that off...he has started this new "thing" during their drive home that makes Rylie love her daddy even more. This new "thing" is Brian's attempt to help teach Rylie manners; more specifically, he's teaching her to say "please" and "thank you." Sounds cute and innocent and, well...very parent-like, right?! However, he's teaching her this by using COOKIES, a.k.a. animal crackers! If she says "please", he hands her a cookie and makes her say "thank you." See how that works? But he does that every day. As a matter of fact, one day he forgot the animal crackers at home so he stopped at a convenient store just to purchase another bag for their ride home. Crazy, I know!

But it gets "worse." Now, every time Rylie gets buckled in her car seat, she thinks she gets an animal cracker throughout the entire trip and constantly shouts, "coo-oookie" in the most adorably high-pitched squeal of a plea. Thanks, daddy!

Second Disclaimer: even though Brian is teaching our child "please" and "thank you" by bribing her with animal crackers...she doesn't sit around eating cookies all day long! We are also trying to instill healthy eating habits. Not counting the Holiday season, of course. She has a weakness for puppy chow.

My Daughter, the Genius.

Mommy asks, "Rylie, do you want to take a bath?"
Enthusiastically, Little Missy responds..."Bath!"

Mommy says, "Here's your ducky," purposely over-emphasizing the "d" sound.
With bright eyes, she shouts..."Ducky!"

Mommy hands baby a diaper.
Baby repeatedly utters..."Diaper, diaper, diaper."

Mommy quizzes, "Rylie, where's your nose?"
Within seconds, she is gently pushing on the tip of her adorably perfect little nose.

Mommy quizzes, yet again, "Rylie, how big are you?"
And as she smiles from ear to ear and screams in delight, her hands go up above her head and we shout, "SOOO BIG!"

Mommy turns around to watch Rylie Bug take a scrap of paper over to the trash can, lift the lid, and proudly throw said paper away. Mommy glistens with pride and wonders how on earth she knew how to do that.

Harvard, Yale or Princeton...which one of you wants first dibs on my daughter?!

Puppy Chow.

Here's what my kitchen looks like when I attempt to make puppy chow...with help from Rylie Bug, of course!

Oh! but it's worth it!

Come on in...

Santa Baby...