Rice Cereal Day

For almost a week now, Ryan has stopped sleeping through the night and wants to eat constantly.  It could be a growth spurt, but I am having a hard time keeping up.  I had the go ahead from the doctor at 4 months, but really wanted to wait until he was 6 months.  5.5 is close enough I think.

Ryan loves the stuff!  It was like I couldn't get it into his mouth fast enough.  Once we were done, I was treated to what could only be described as a song of appreciation to rice cereal from Ryan. 

Here's the aftermath:

Cereal was on his chin (as you can see), his hands, feet, and behind his ears.  I felt like I had a smart mom moment by feeding him just in his diaper and a bib...I've heard a few stories about early solid foods and clothing disasters.

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.









D Day 2012

Deployment Day 2012.  It still doesn't seem real, though I know it will sink in eventually. 

This will be different - not better or worse - because of having Ryan.  One positive is that communication should be much improved this time, and having a fancy-pants phone means I won't miss Keith's IMs/e-mails/Skypes if I'm out and about. 

We spent the days leading up to D Day preparing.  Love notes, honey-do lists, pics, and videos were exchanged.  My favorite thing is that we recorded Keith reading books to Ryan, so now we will incorporate story time with dad into our go-to-bed routine. 

I've been impressed with what's out there to support the children of soldiers who are deployed.  Operation Gratitude provided a bear in uniform with a place for a pic of Keith to go for cuddles during these next months.  We also got a backpack filled with goodies for Ryan, namely a Daddy Doll.  We also sent in a pic of Keith to be made into a Flat Daddy.  This by far will be my most favorite thing.  Once Flat Keith arrives the adventures will begin!  (http://www.operationgratitude.com/ and http://flatdaddies.com/)

I do have an address, so if you're interested in sending Keith something let me know! 

Reality Stinks

Watch as Ryan realizes he only has two hands...that he won't be able to hang onto a giraffe, a teething toy, and a foot all at the same time.  (And how cute are those football leg warmers?!  Keith is not a fan.)

By this point he had TOSSED both toys to the ground and pitched a fit.  I feel like this shouldn't happen in 3 months of life, but Ryan is making his own choices about that.  Clearly.  A feeding and a nap soon followed this little episode.  :)

New Gilbert Family Pics

Posts have been a little lacking lately. We have been spending time with family a lot before Keith leaves for Afghanistan.  While I wait to post more things, here are some of the pictures we took over Easter Weekend!