Staycation!

Patrick took a few vacation days this past week and was off this weekend at church, so we had a delightful "staycation"!!  We spent hours at the park, watched 24, slept in late and had brunch on the patio, worshiped at a nearby church, worked on a few projects around the house, ate really unhealthy food.... it was a wonderful week!  (except for JR's 4 month shots, but we rewarded him with In-N-Out)  Here are some pictures, mainly from one of our many evenings at Keller Park. 

 

little changes

 

4 days

 

2 weeks

4 months

From ink-covered and wrinkly to chunky and soft, I love his sweet squishy toes.

Better enjoy them now, because it won't be long...  

Those piggies will go to the market and head back home smelling like sneakers and roast beef ;)

4 months!

4 months already!?!  This month has been packed full of family time and park dates!  You are so happy when we are outside- as long as we keep you in the shade :)  We know you can roll from your belly to back, even though you haven't done it for 2 weeks, and you are starting to reach towards your toys on your side more and more.  When you are laying on your back and get really excited you fling your legs around and rock back and forth.  You are blowing bubbles and drooling like crazy nowadays... constantly chewing on something.  If its not your hands, then you are reaching for the closest toy, pillow, or shoulder.  You especially liked your new Easter tie:

Your sleep schedule is getting better at night.  Since a few weeks old, you were sleeping two 5 hour segments at night with a feeding in between.  You always did great going back to sleep and the more you grew, the shorter the middle feeding was (from 1 hour wake to sleep- then 45 to 30 minutes and a quick diaper change) but I couldn't get you to stretch longer than about 6 hours at a time.  Your daytime schedule was eating every 3 hours, playtime and then a nap, but now you are down to two long naps during the day (1 1/2- 2 hours each) and you have slept up to ten hours a night!  Some nights you wake up around 3am, but I just give you your paci and you fall back to sleep within a minute.  No matter when you wake up, you always have the sweetest smiles and coos!

You have been so giggly and vocal lately!  You say all kinds of vowel noises, "woooooow" and "gaaagaaa", occasionally letting out a loud yell followed by a laugh- it seems like you are sometimes surprised by how loud your voice can be when talking :)  You are definitely ALL boy because what gets you giggling the most?!  Toots and burp sounds... Oh my- I'm sure this is just the beginning.  Never thought I would be telling your daddy to keep making those noises, just to hear your sweet laugh!  While I love all your new noises, I think my favorite thing you do may be when you get really excited- you give a silent toothless grin with eyes all bright then tilt your head to the side bashfully:

You looked like a little man in your Easter photo shoot and even more so on Easter in your new tie, khaki shorts and big shoes.  Can't wait to see you in your new swimming trunks from the Easter bunny!

This past month we have spent countless days at the park as a family and meeting up with friends.  You spent afternoons on a blanket in the shade, asleep in the stroller and even playing in the bathtub during a tornado warning!  You celebrated your first Easter (your 2nd time in the nursery & your first time to make it through the whole service!) and we look forward to many more as you learn of Jesus' Resurrection.  You are becoming more interested in your books- reaching towards the pages and staring at the art.  You went to the doctor for the first time- other than a checkup- because you had some symptoms of an ear infection, but thankfully he said you looked great just starting to get some teeth!  You have started watching your brother and sister- Vali even gets a pat on the head occasionally.  We look forward to another month of more drooling, new noises and lots of springtime adventures. 

You get your next round of shots and 4 month check-up on Friday- can't wait to see how big you have grown!

3 months!

Wow!  One month I may actually get the post on time :)
John Ryman, you turned 3 months on March 24th which was the day of your dedication at church.  You were very quiet during the service, saving your tears for later at dinner  just looking around at everyone during the dedication.

You watched a lot of basketball and cheered for the Cards!  We will have to teach you to say "Go Cards!" before next year.

The weather started to get warmer and you helped mommy with a little gardening.

 You get so excited playing in your Rock n Play.  You used to fall asleep or stare at the striped shower curtain every morning while mommy showered, but now you sit and play.  Sometimes you let out a squeal or even flip the pages of your crinkly peekaboo book from your Aunt Cara.

 You are growing so much (I know I say that every month)... your cloth diapers finally aren't as monstrous on you and your tummy time is becoming more fun, not just an exercise:

Your biggest accomplishment happened the day before you turned 3 months.  After your morning feeding, I placed you in your crib for a little tummy time while I cleaned up your room.  I glanced over and you quickly flipped from your belly to back!  I thought for sure I was seeing things, so I flipped you back over and you did it again... 4 more times!  Of course, you didn't want to show your daddy for a couple days, but he finally saw you flip and believed me :)  Every time you landed on your back, you would give a shocked/scared look for a few seconds and then flash a huge grin of pride.  You're officialy on the move...Happy 3 months John Ryman!

Peanut Butter "Cheese" Ball

Last night we celebrated a few birthdays during community group!  I knew one of the guys liked peanut butter and chocolate (along with everyone else in the group!) so I wanted to try a recipe I had seen on {The Girl Who Ate Everything Blog}: Peanut Butter "Cheese" Ball.
(Check out her most recent post- Adorable!!  "She's Ready to Pop" Baby Shower) 

I forgot to take a picture of the dessert before everyone arrived, but clearly it was DEVOURED in just two short hours... so I'm guessing everyone liked it :)

Beat together: 1- 8oz package of cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, & 3 tbsp of brown sugar.  Form a ball and wrap in plastic wrap.  Let harden in freezer for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until it's firm.

Roll the ball in chocolate chips until it is completely covered.  (The blog says to use peanut butter chips too- which would be yummy, but I just used chocolate.)
I placed mine right on the serving plate and filled the plate with Graham crackers (Kroger brand Honey Sticks).  You could also make it in advance and store it in the freezer until about 30 minutes before guests arrive.  So simple and delicious! 

recent iphone pics

 love his sleepy eyes in the morning :)

 Vali enjoys bedtime stories just as much as John Ryman.

 Shopping and a picnic at Southlake Town Centre

 Reagan's favorite spot in the yard

 lots of fun days at the park

 yummy Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes from {here}

 chunky baby toes- nothing sweeter

playing at the Keller park this afternoon

John Ryman's First Easter

The weekend was gorgeous and we spent a lot of family time outside (except for Easter afternoon-crazy rain storm!)   

John Ryman's Easter Basket:

My mom sent him the big bunny in the mail- isn't it adorable!  The Easter bunny (smart bunny picked up clearance items last Easter just after finding out about JR) brought John Ryman some Easter books, a puppy with bunny ears and his first pair of swim trunks :) 

Sunday after the last service we headed over to the Sherman's house for a yummy Easter brunch.  Isn't her table beautiful!