Life With Two

It's been forever since I've posted. There really isn't a good reason why. Life I guess. I started writing so I could document Thomas' childhood and our experiences as a family. Tonight I was reminded why it is so important that I make the effort. Re-reading some of the posts reminded me how easy it is to forget. As life flies by, you tend to move with it and all those wonderful little tiny details of the past are replaced with the present. Our life has changed and been enriched by our beautiful daughter Emily. I would only be remiss not to document our life together.

Emily is four months old now, almost five. It has gone by way too fast. I hate how big both kids are getting. Emily is an amazing baby. She really is well natured, only crying when she is hungry or tired. She loves to be apart of the group, often sitting in her car seat on the kitchen table while we eat dinner because no other spot in the house makes her happy. She much prefers standing over laying back/down. Her saucer or jumper quickly quiets her whimpers. We are still working on sleep, definitely not getting as much as I'd like but there is a part of me that loves our 2,3,4 am feeding sessions. The house is peaceful and it's just her and I. I rub her head and watch her little hand move all over my neck. She has even started to press her little fingers against my mouth almost as if to be asking for a kiss. It is the one time when it's just the two of us and I can be present so I'm not anxious for that to disappear.

Thomas is a great big brother and Emily just adores him. He is always making her smile. Since she has been born he has always had a willingness to help whether it be grabbing a toy, another blanket or trying to put her pacifier in her mouth. Watching the two of them interact is one of my favorite things. Her eyes just follow him. Their admiration for one another is already visible and will be a great foundation for their relationship.

Thomas is almost 3 1/2 years old and in school two days a week. He is a gentle soul. His teacher told me today when I picked him that he was sitting down for lunch at a table with his friend Nate. His lunch box was unpacked and he noticed his little friend Lilly crying at a table across from him. She was sad, missing her Mommy and Thomas started to pack up his lunch. The teacher came over and said "Thomas you can sit here and eat" and he said "No I am going to go sit next to Lilly and make her feel better." She thought that was so kind of him. She said it wasn't prompted, just simply something he wanted to do. I was so incredibly proud of him. I hope he always carries such kindness.

Thomas is a car lover, anything with wheels. Fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, trash trucks passing us on the road make his day. He often sees them way down the road almost before they are even visible screaming for me to look. He loves to wrestle with daddy and play sports. He isn't discriminatory. He likes them all and is actually pretty good at them. He is learning so much. It is so fun to watch him discover the world.

Life with two has been a challenge. It has taken some time for me to figure out how to juggle and try to meet everyone's needs. Often times one has to sacrifice for the other. I feel guilty providing less than a hundred percent to each of them but I haven't figured out any other way yet. I feel obligated to be better, especially to Thomas. His life has changed the most and he is handling it so well. He really is a fabulous boy. Often my patience is short and he bares the brunt. There isn't much comfort in the fact most moms have these feelings and experiences nor is there any knowing they won't they won't remember this when they are older. I think it's because it's not the Mom I want to be. It's a standard I have for myself and finding justifications for giving less isn't something that makes me feel good. I know I am capable of so much more and they deserve to have the best mommy.

We are blessed to have such a great life to two fabulous kids. Everyday I look at them and am so thankful. There isn't a day that goes by that doesn't offer a moment that makes me stop and smile.

Emily has arrived!

Here's our newest addition to the family. Her name is Emily Anne Ryan and was born on June 4, 2010. She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and measured 20 inches in length. Everyone is doing great!

Turkey Day!

We had a great Thanksgiving and not just one! My sister had to work on Thursday so we celebrated a little early. The Saturday before we hosted 9 people at our house. This was my first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner. After a lot of planning and a few days of work it all came together. I have to say it came out pretty great! I was really pleased with everything and look forward to hosting for many years to come! We had lots of food and wine and enjoyed each others company!

On Thursday we went to my Aunt's house and spent some time with my Mom's side of the family. It is always a large crowd but that is what makes it special. I have so many fond memories of our holidays as a child. My Mom's seven brothers and sisters would gather at our house for dinner, with their children in tow. Often there would be thirty people in one house. Although, it could be chaotic at times I remember visiting, eating great food, sitting in front of the fire watching football, and playing with my cousins. I know it was a lot of work for my Mom but I greatly appreciate the sacrifice she made for the sake of family and memories. The location may have changed as my Mom passed the baton to her younger siblings but I am still able to experience this fabulous tradition and now can include Thomas. I hope he too will look back on these times fondly. He did have a fabulous time. I didn't see him the whole night. He played with his cousins (who are older but still fascinated with him) and chased the dog! I'm not even sure he took two minutes to eat!

The rest of our weekend was spent as a family. We didn't do much, got out some Christmas decorations, went to swim lessons, and watched lots of movies, leaving us with lots to catch up on. The holidays are quickly approaching and I feel myself scrambling already! I can't believe we only have three weeks till Christmas! T can't wait!

Fall 2009

Pile of Pumpkins

Taking Them Out

Putting Them In Someone Else's Wheel Barrel

My Bed

We have moved from the chair to the bed, my bed. He is almost two and half after all. I guess I can't expect him to sit on my lap forever. I have to admit it was becoming a tight fit. He is picking out more and more books and there just isn't room for the two of us and all that reading material! Now, books are read under the covers in my bed. I don't mind, it allows me to snuggle better. Most nights our heads are touching we are so close and I find myself in less of a hurry. I don't mind when he point to EVERY object on the page waiting for me to tell him what it is even though he already knows. After we have gone through the pile (and he knows if you miss one) I beg him to sleep with me in my bed. He always laughs and says "No Thomas' bed". Within seconds he is off and running, so proud that he can climb the rails of the crib and dive head first into the bed, literally. I give him a head start and then always ask how he got in. He grins from ear to ear. It's amazing how the little things give both of us so much pleasure.

I figure it's preparation for his big boy bed. Eventually, that is where we will read at night and this just gives him one less thing to adjust to. Hopefully, Santa will bring him a new room! As much as I hate to admit it, it may be time :) I just cannot believe he is growing up so fast. I hope to be laying next to him reading books for many many years to come.

First Day Of School

Today was Thomas' first day of preschool. Actually, it more like orientation but I wasn't allowed to stay so I think it counts. It was an abbreviated schedule, next week will be for a full two and a half hours. We have been talking about it for a few weeks now. Every time I'd ask him if he wanted to go to school he would say "no" so we stopped asking and started telling. We would talk about his teacher, how fun school is, the new friends that would be there, and all the toys that would be waiting. I went to the library and got a few books about preschool. Guess it did the trick because this morning he was so excited to wear his backpack and go to school.

On the way there he said "Mommy, bus, school". I smiled to myself as I realized he wanted to know why he wasn't taking a bus to school. I told him he was right, kids do go to school on the bus but Mommy wanted to take him today. He told me that was ok. I appreciated his understanding.

We got there a little early so I was just going to sit in the car with him for a few minutes but he was too anxious. He said "Mommy, park, keys." He was ready to get out. We walked across the parking lot holding hands, backpack securely strapped across his shoulders.

As we walked down the hall with the dark blue carpet on the floors, passing offices and other classrooms, I explained this was his school and it looked like a really fun place. He responded with "Mommy, hold you." I could tell he was getting a little nervous so I reminded him that I was holding his hand, we'd go to his classroom and meet his teacher together and he was doing a great job.

We got to the classroom and within a matter of seconds he had discovered the sand table with diggers in it. I put his backpack on the hook. Stayed for another minute then bent down to tell him I was leaving and to have a good time. Following expert advice (I did some research on separation so I would be prepared for any situation) I told him I would be back to get him as soon as school was over. He didn't even blink. Didn't even really want a kiss. He was busy.

I left and sat in the parking lot. I watched from the car as he played on the playground during outside play. I was so proud of him. It was the first time I had left him with total strangers. He was in a new environment and didn't have any friends yet seemed to be doing just fine. He climbed the equipment and discovered some toys to push around the perimeter (all of which he parked in the same area). He amazed me.

All of the children were sitting on the circle when the door open. Most of the kids ran to the door but T stayed in his spot with his legs crossed. I walked over to him and said "How was your day? I missed you?" He said "Mom, come". He took my hand walked me over to the door leading to the playground. I told him school was over and we couldn't go out there. This led to utter devastation. He was so upset that he couldn't play out there tears started streaming down his face and he laid on the floor. I picked up him and he quickly recovered. We said goodbye to Mrs. Mallon and told her we would see her next week!

I am thrilled he loved it as much as he did. I am surprised it went so smoothly and definitely didn't expect a tantrum over leaving but I'm pretty sure that is a good sign.

Happy Birthday Little Bug!

The house hasn't changed a bit, inside at least. We haven't had much time to get stuff done. Although, Brent managed to cut the front bushes and tackled a few trees in our backyard. We pulled weeds and sprayed enough for a landscaper to come and put wood chips under the playground. It looks ten times better and allows T to play there safely. Inside, well, we need to start tackling some projects after vacation. We have picked out some furniture and hope to have that ordered soon. It's time to get the TV's off the floor and make it feel like a home.

For the past eleven days we have been showing Grandma Donna around. We took a tour of the Naval Academy, went to Oregan Ridge Beach, played in Aunt Jen's pool, went to Kinder Farms playground, the National Aquarium, Thomas' little friend Annie's party, shopped for T's birthday, drove over the Bay Bridge, and celebrated my favorite boy's second birthday. In between we ate out at a few great places and played at our house. We have had a lot of fun and T has gotten to spend some good quality time with her.



T had a great second birthday! The celebration started early in the week and I think it has finally come to an end. We have known for a few weeks that we would be making a trip to the aquarium while Grandma was here. He is pretty interested in fish. We allowed him to watch bits and pieces of Nemo in anticipation and over night it became his greatest love. He asks to watch it first thing in the morning, throughout the day, and before he goes to bed (it's limited to 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes before bed, much to his dismay). A Nemo birthday was only appropriate! The cake was darling and he loved it. We had Nemo plates, napkins and a special Nemo cup just for him. He even saw "Nemo" and "Dori" at the aquarium and love the sharks.

I cannot believe that he is two. Time has truly flown. Each day I love him more. I am constantly shaking my head in amazement that he has accomplished a new task, learned to say something new, and is more animated. He is my greatest gift and I am thankful everyday.



We are off to the beach on Saturday for two weeks. We can't wait to put our feet in the sand and listen to the waves crash. I know Brent and I won't have much time to relax since T is so active but it will be fun to see how much he loves it this year.