love (bedtime reading) thursday

I love how Dylan loves our bedtime-book-reading-fest routine each night as a family. Neither Ryan or I have proved to be big readers ourselves (unless you count email, blogs, or science journal papers) and I'm tickled to watch how our son enjoys reading with us. I think he has figured out that reading more books stalls his having to go to bed. Therefore he requests passionately (as toddlers do with just about everything that is taken away) for more books.
And what could be more precious than a kid who loves to play peek-a-boo with you through the cover of his book?
Could you resist reading it again? Yeah, me neither.

"so big"

Three important things to note here: 1. this kid has been eating a lot these days, 2. I think he's going through a growth spurt - cause he seems to be growing taller overnight, 3. I love these PJs on him!

Cousinly love

We went to Briana's sister/parents for T-day this year, and Dylan played with his cousin Andrew the whole time. Here's a taste of what they were up to.

a thankful thursday

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm reminded of what I'm thankful for: My family. My beautiful son and husband and all that I've been blessed with. This past year has really proved to be one full of blessings. And as much as I think at times that this is a hard time in our lives, time and time again I pause and soak up these precious moments as a family, remembering what my mother in law has told me. "One day you'll look back on this time of your life and think of it as 'the good ol days'."

I think she's right.

here comes santa

Guess who got a new santa hat this year?
We've been trying to capture some "holiday" pictures of Dylan before bed each night and these are my current favorites.

(And for those of you wondering why we haven't been posting as often lately, you'd be surprised how much this little guy can move now! It is quite a task to capture him in one spot with the camera these days.)

TV night

Thursdays are TV night in our household. Survivor (after a several year hiatus), The Office (puhleez get Pam and Jim together!!), and Grey's Anatomy are on the lineup. We make dinner and hurry up clean up the kitchen. This Thursday Briana made cookies. Dylan has his bath early so there is no chance of missing the shows. We look forward to it all week and tonight didn't disappoint. Briana's is officially out of the office pool for the Survivor winner, Jim is back in Scranton, and Alex kissed Izzy (but she "can't"...).
Anyway, Dylan had fun too. He found the thing we mix our martinis in, and carried around his (several) toothbrushes which he calls "deeet!!". Cute.

Two lines = positive

So two years ago yesterday (Nov. 9th) was the day we learned that we were pregnant and going to have our first child. What an amazing feeling to realize that in your body is TWO souls. The responsibility I felt that day on my way to work that I was carrying my unborn baby and to drive EXTRA carefully. The shock that I was indeed pregnant. The excitement that in 9 months I'd be meeting my child for the first time. The look on my husband's groggy, sleepy face at 5am when I bounced into our room with the pregnancy test in hand, those two lines staring back at us boldly.
What a fun and wonderful day!

Love Thursday - Nov. 9th

Love is spending your life with your favorite people. I (Ryan), get to do just that and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I cherish my wife and child. Job, money, career...none if matters in comparison to time with your favorite people. Here is a picture of my favorite people. Happy Love Thursday!

Only in L.A.

On our walk at the park yesterday, we came across a lady with THIS DOG. The ears and tail were dyed PINK. Imagine that. Only in L.A., we thought to ourselves (and then had to take a picture because words just wouldn't paint a picture of this dog adequately!)

He's a pretty happy kid

Love Thursday: fall

This family loves the fall. Especially the fall leaves in St. Louis. This year we were lucky enough to get to visit our beloved midwestern town during the fall season.

The trees were ripe with beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves.

The laughter of our son as he ran around with crunchy leaves beneath his feet.

Breathing the fresh fall air. Snuggling under the trees for pictures together as a family, hoping for at least one with all of us looking at the camera. Gotta love the fall.




What do you love? (Post it on Karen's Love Thursday).