A Boy and His Dog

Back in February Ryan "marked" Lucy as his on a road trip to Colorado.  Since then they've eye-balled each other, enjoyed each other's company from a distance, and may have even sneaked in some kisses.  He LOVES watching her romp around and it was just a matter of time before he got a little more hands on with her.

Yesterday I had him on my lap and we called Lucy over.  She came, layed in front of us, and rolled onto her back (a very good and submissive move).  We petted her gently and she let Ryan play with her ears for a good five minutes!  Then she couldn't take it any more and rolled into us for a better licking position.  Ryan was bathed in Lucy kisses - feet, hands, and even face.  This made him giggle so much!  I think this has been a good beginning to a beautiful relationship!

She may be his incentive to crawl soon.

Car ride friends.

She likes to be close.

Just hanging out, keeping an eye on things.

Peace and Not Quiet

Things have gotten a little louder in the Gilbert house...Ryan has learned to squeal with delight!  Scared me to death the first time I heard it, but he was happily bouncing away with a dinosaur in his mouth.





I'm soooo  haaaaaaaappppppppppyyyyyy!



This was a fun day!  This play session started out with a nicely layed out blanket with some toys and a baby on top.  I went from the living room to the kitchen and back (a total round trip of 20 steps) and found Ryan like this.  



3 Weeks Down

Well, 3 weeks and 1 day down - many more to go.  In all honesty, things are going better than expected.  On the home front, having Ryan this time helps establish a routine.  There's no time for wallowing.  I have a group of ladies I meet up with a few times a week for a long walk around the golf course on post, which means I get some adult interaction with people who actually talk back.  I chat with Ryan all the time, but all I get in return are quizzical looks or "ahhhhh, mmmmmm," followed by some spits.

On Keith's end, he has internet in his room and we've been able to Skype almost every day.  Sometimes as long as an hour or as short as 20 minutes.  This is AMAZING!  I feel like we've already had more "face time" with each other than the whole year he was in Iraq.  He also said this FOB is like a hotel compared to last time.  I can live with this. 

I'm so thankful and amazed at Ryan's continued recognition of all things Keith.  We have a DVD with Keith reading several stories and a few of the books with his voice recorded.  Ryan can be fussy or busy playing with something and will immediately turn his attention to the screen when he hears Keith.  It's really cool to see.  I also have Flat Keith!  Ryan is all smiles for Flat Keith! 



I get MAD when things don't fit into my mouth.



 



MMmmmm, dinosar tails.