Expanding Vocabulary

Ryane has really taken an interest in expanding her vocabulary. She is finally trying to say words when we say "Can you say xxx?". It seems like she is picking up and saying a new word about every 3 days. We've really been working with her on saying people's names. Two of the first names we were going over were Nana and Papo as we knew Matthew's parents were coming by later that day. Little did we know she would catch right on and Papo would become her favorite name to say. She repeats it several times a night...almost to the point that I feel guilty that I can't just make him walk through the door. Tonight, as she was repeating "Papo" several times to Matthew, we thought we'd video her. Well, as soon as she say the camera she wanted it, but we still managed to get some cute footage of her talking. Hope you enjoy!

First Haircut

Our big girl is growing up. *Sniff*sniff* After much discussing and debating over Ryane’s “mullet-do” she was growing, Matthew and I took Ryane for her very first haircut at almost 16 months old. We loaded her up, grabbed the camera and off we went like any other errand. We get there and Ryane is all looking in the mirror and watching another lady get her hair blow-dried – Ryane does like her blow dryers! Then, it was her turn. The young lady asked us if she was going to set by herself or on our lap. What? I never thought about it. We said we’ll try her setting by herself first….ummm…wrong! She wouldn’t set down and proceeded to do her own "arch the back and noodle-leg" dance. Fine! She will set on daddy’s lap then (mommy was there to run the camera of course)….ummm….wrong!! I was at the point of just calling it all off and trying again later. We did finally convince her to leave the cape on and that she could just stand in daddy’s lap and look into the mirror. She agreed. Yeahh—we were off! Once the lady started cutting, Ryane had a calmness and seriousness about her which was nice. Almost to the point it was so relaxing, she could have fallen asleep. Now, I will say we didn’t actually get a lot cut, just brought the back up to a shorter layer and evened it up with another layer that was growing in. When she was close to being finished Matthew mentioned how much older she looked and I agreed, which brought a little water to the eyes and lump into my throat.

Go ESU Hornets

Well, we finally made it to an ESU basketball game this year. We went to the Emporia State vs. Washburn game. It was fun to get out and get involved again. Ryane enjoyed watching the game for a bit, but it didn't hold her attention anything like it did last year. We watched all the girls' game and some of the boys' game. Ryane's bedtime of 8pm came and she was DONE! I actually didn't realize the time, but Ryane pretty much started crying like she was trying to tell us "Please, parents, JUST give me my milk and put me to bed already!!" Oh, one of the many times I feel like such a good parent. :)

Sucker for Hat Pictures

I've always been a sucker for pictures of kids in hats. Ryane is at the perfect age that she wants to play dress-up. Today, Ryane woke up from her nap in such a good happy mood and had those cute rosey cheeks. I took the perfect opportunity and set up my studio and took her down there. As soon as she saw the hat, she started patting her head and was ready to put it on. This HAS to be one of the best photo sessions with Ryane as she was all about being silly and smiling.

So happy that I now have my kid in her own cute hat pictures.

Ryane's First Family Vacation

We traveled to Greeley, CO the weekend before Christmas. It was combination trip of being my extended family Christmas on my mom's side and extended to make a family vacation out of it as well. My parents, Sherry & Lou and the girls, and my 12yr old niece Shawlisa and 8 yr old nephew Hunter went as well. Ryane did an awesome job with the 8.5hr car trip--we couldn't have been more pleased. On Saturday, we headed to the nearest ski resort which was Eldora Mountain, close to Boulder. The weather was crazy. If I remember right, it was 7 degrees when we got there and 14 degrees when we left. Not only was it SO COLD, the wind was blowing like crazy. We made the best of it though. Matthew went skiing for the day with most of the rest of the family while Ryane and I hung out in the warmness of the lodge. I did manage to bundle her up a couple times and take her out on the sled that I took. It was a fun trip all in all.

Sledding outside all bundled up

Hanging out in the lodge

Helping daddy return his skis

...In the beginning, lessons began


Click HERE to see the rest of the Colorado pictures.

Couple Favorite New Toys

With Christmas just behind us, Ryane received SEVERAL new toys from several family members. While Ryane is loving having all the new toy options, Matthew and I are struggling to find room for all of them and keep them organized. We rotated out some of her old toys to find the space. I'm including a couple pictures of just a couple of her new favorites.

Her new kitchen was from Grandma and Grandpa. I swear this thing came in 1,005 pieces that we had to assemble and actually follow instructions to do so as there we so many pieces. Ryane loves to pretend with it and judging from her reach, she still has some growing to do to use if fully.



Here's one of our noisey new toys that Matthew and I bought Ryane. She loves to create her own music and sometimes it doesn't sound so bad.


I'm including this "out-take" picture to give you an idea of the mood Ryane was in tonight. She was cracking me up with her silliness. It was a pleasant change from her fussy sick self we've dealt with for WAY too long. I say "Hey Ryane, look up" and I get this face!


This picture has nothing to do with her favorite toys, but this is one of Ryane's new "skills". She knows how to take her shirt off--fabulous! I'm still not sure where this skill will come in handy. I can only picture many situations where it won't be.


I realize I haven't posted for awhile, so I'm trying to get back into it. I have several pictures to catch up on including Christmas' and our Colorado vacation.