Ok, yeah, sorry, it's been a while

OK, so Ryan's 9 months old today. How did I wind up with a 9 month old??? When did that happen and where, oh where did my baby go?

So, quick and dirty, here's the update:

She's crawling, I think I blogged about that already.
She has 4 teeth, 2 top and 2 bottom. They came in one side at a time though, she looked crazy.
She stands. On everything. But not without anything yet. Thank goodness.
She babbles. Nothing sensical, though Michael and I are pretty sure we both heard woof in reference to Zoe, but we could be wrong.
She loves her piano and all music. I don't know if she's going to be a dancer, a musician, or what, but she bounces and smiles at anything with a beat.

In the last 3 months we've been to California, New Orleans, Mobile, AL, and Cali again. Weave got married, 'Lys got married, Mike got engaged, Julie's about to pop, we refi-ed the house, school started again, Michael got his new job at corporate, I started another business...damn it's been busy!

But, I love my crazy life. It's so fun!! I could do without school, but I'm almost finished with that, and this quarter is pretty good, so I'm ok. And it's fall, and we all know how I love fall, so again, I'm a happy girl. The leaves are a-changing, the weather is cooling off and it's time to break out the sweaters. I had butternut/apple soup for dinner and baked banana bread. I love fall.

Wish him luck...

Michael interviewed for 3 different jobs yesterday (all at Costco). One was for the corporate help desk and the other 2 are in-warehouse management positions.

I am so glad everything is finally falling into place. We've been so up in the air for so long that it's just great to know that things are settling down.

The refi has been started, our real estate agent is coming tomorrow to check out the house and give us a good estimate of value, and Michael's whole job thing is getting sorted out. It's like a huge weight has been lifted.

So, wish him luck and think good thoughts for him!

Movin', movin', movin'...

She's trying to get movin'....

So, yesterday, for the first time, she got her butt and belly up off the ground! She's trying so hard, it's so fun to watch. I wish I could post video on here...I'll have to find some way to host a video and get it up on here. In the meantime, pics will have to do!

We are SO babyproofing this weekend!

Roll Call...who's pregnant? Who's getting married?

I am so amused that I know so many people who are pregnant right now! It seems like my group of friends have all (or most) gotten married, and are now being fruitful and multiplying left and right!

Weddings this summer:
Jim and Annie
Ian and Jackie
Matt and Heather
Chris and Alyssa
Mike and Helen

Babies:
Julie and Brian
Annie and Mikkel
Leah and her hubby
Krissy and Keith
Tammy and Drew
Kami and Michael

Nuts!!! I think Michael and I started a trend. Ryan was just so cute, everyone decided they should have a baby too!

Crawling backwards...

OK, so RE is a very silly girl, and has begun to crawl backwards!! She tries so hard to get going forward, towards her toy, or Zoe, or whatever, but just can't seem to get moving in the right direction!

She has figured out though, that if she moves back, then pivots on her tummy (like a clock hand), she can access stuff! But usually, she just gets stuck under the coffee table. I'll have to try to snag a pic of that and post it.

Crazy girl.

Baby Bling!

Ryan has gotten her bling...we got her ears pierced yesterday!! She cried, I cried, Nonna cried, and now she looks too pretty! Not that she wasn't pretty before, but now she's got *BLING*! And she spent the better part of yesterday in tears, so of course, I feel terrible, because I've tortured my baby. But it's done, and now she'll never have to worry about having them done. Or be 6 and afraid to have them done.

Uncle Mike

Ryan loves her Uncle Mike...it's adorable.
I asked Mike if he'd mind hanging out with her while I showered yesterday and of course, he said sure. When I got out of the shower, I crept out into the living room to check on them, and Mike was sitting with Ry on his lap, reading his mountain climbing book to her while she tried to eat it. Too cute.
He's also totally fascinated with her behavior. He timed her in the car yesterday to see how long it would take her to fall asleep. 6 minutes. He took her for a walk at RTC while I ate lunch and showed her the big kids at the playground.
I think he's digging being an uncle. And someday, he'll dig being a daddy. No hurry though.

Thank you for the shoes Cousin Mimi!

Thanks Marissa! These shoes sure do taste good!

Ryan and her sidekick, Zoe!

Ryan loves Zoe. I don't know how many of you I've shared this with, but she truly loves this dog.

She watches Zoe everywhere she goes. She tries to wriggle out of our arms to get to her. She squeals in delight when Zoe licks her face (gross).

And Zoe loves Ryan too. Sometimes, I think Zoe's thinking, "Oh God, why do they let her pet me? All she does is grab my fur!" But other times, it seems as though she loves the attention. And the treats that Ryan gives her.

So, I walk back into the dressing area this morning, and find Ryan sitting in her boppy, hanging out, playing with that girl in the mirror, and Zoe, all curled up, head on the boppy, with Ryan's arm flung over Zoe's head. It was such a kodak moment...and of course, I have a picture!


In any case, though I still don't trust Zoe (14# baby v 80# dog? no.), I feel MUCH more comfortable about having her and Ryan in the same household. There had been some talk about whether or not we'd be able to keep Zoe, but I think it's all going to work out fine.

Besides, what would Ryan do without her sidekick?

The BIG 5 month Peanut update.

OK y'all, here it is...it's been about a thousand years since I've blogged, and here's all the great, fun, amazing new stuff that Peanut's been up to:
*She can sit up on her own now!
*She's trying to crawl, commando style (and getting quite angry when she can't)
*She has played in a swimming pool!
*Peek-a-boo is her favorite game
*Bath time is fun, but only on her tummy
*Love to pet the Zoe...well, grab at her is more like it
*Laugh maniacally when I tickle her. And she gets the hiccups (like mommy, like daughter)
*She shakes her toys and bangs them on whatever is handy (me, the highchair, Zoe, herself)
*Her bald spot is growing in (thank goodness)
*She is recognizing her own name and responds to it!
*She eats cereal and fruit and loves to make a disaster of it.

Well, it's a lot...and I'm sorry it's been so long. And I'll try to be better about it.

Oh, and I did finally add some more pics to the Afruma.net website, so you can all enjoy that too!