Dear Ryan,
You are two months old now and we cannot believe how much you have changed. I find myself going back to first videos we took of you on my phone just to remind myself of these changes. You are no longer sitting in your vibrating chair staring intently at your hands as they move. Instead... you are kicking rattles that hang from your play mat and trying to fit your fist into your mouth! You are awake more of the day and you are settling into more of a routine.
Remember how you were smiling in your sleep last month? Well, you are still doing that...
BUT you are also smiling at us for real! You will give us a big grin first thing in the morning and the smiles continue all day.
Your smiles melt our hearts. You're also starting to "talk to us" through your coos and your sweet noises.
This month you spent a day at Nana and Papa's house while Mommy went to work for the day. It was much harder for Mommy than it was for you. You did great at their house- although we have to work on taking longer naps before Mommy goes back to work in a month! Your cousins Sophie, Ayla, and Patrick were there too... you are going to have so much fun playing with them two days a week.
You also met little Olivia! She is 5 weeks older than you. She will be one of your first friends since you'll be spending three days a week with her at Miss Cheryl's house.
This month you became a really good sleeper!
You started sleeping in your crib and you started going to bed around 7pm. It took Mommy and Daddy a few nights to realize why you were so upset in the evenings... you were just tired! Mommy also had to learn to trust Daddy when he said that you were ready for your crib. He was right. You like your room! You're still waking up two times in the middle of the night but you always fall right back to sleep after eating. There was one night when you only woke up one time. Whoa! We are so proud of you. Since you are going to sleep so early, Mommy & Daddy have been able to have quiet dinners together again and sometimes a glass of wine on the deck.
During the day, you spend a lot of time napping on your tummy because it makes your tummy feel better.
There are so many new things we are
loving this month. Of course we are loving your smiles and all of the littles
coos, aahs, and
oohs! You are especially happy first thing in the morning. Shortly after Daddy leaves for work and you are awake, I
love putting you in his place in bed. We will lay there smiling and talking together or sometimes I watch you sleep... it's the best way to wake up.
We love watching you play on your play mat. Your hands and feet move so quickly now. Sometimes you "play" on your mat for twenty minutes. What a workout!
We love your morning stretches! I would stretch too if I had been in a swaddle for 12 hours straight!
We love your double sneezes that happen a few times each day. We love even more the sound that you make
after your double sneezes!
We have loved some of the cooler summer days that we have had in the last couple weeks (days below 85 degrees that is...it's been SO hot this summer!). You love being outside. You love looking around and listening to the sounds. We took you to Nana & Papa's cottage one weekend and you spent lots of time outside. You laid in the hammock, wore your bathing suit for the first time and we even put your toes in the water! This is only the beginning Ryan.
Guess what? You are starting to love bath time... sometimes. It all depends on how tired you are at bath time! You don't mind being naked anymore and so that has helped with bath time too. We also bought a bath cozy cloth to help keep your tummy warm- thanks Aunt Jen for the tip!
You are giving us so many things to love, to cherish, and to be thankful for each day. We are still learning a lot too. We are learning a lot about "sleep"... we are both reading a book about healthy sleep habits (Thanks again Aunt Jen!). So far things are going pretty well!
We are learning that things change. all. the. time. Just because something worked last week with you does not mean it will work this week! You know what? Just because something worked an hour ago doesn't mean it will work now! My dear friend Cindy keeps telling me that as soon as you think you've got it figured out, it will change! It's true, Ryan!
I am learning that you may never fit into all of the 0-3 month shorts that I bought you before summer is over! What's the deal?
(Okay this picture is actually from 5 weeks but he still can only wear one pair of shorts.)
We finally have enough "binkies" around the house. Now, we are learning that we can never have enough burp cloths on hand. We have actually started using burp blankets for you. Every time we think you are done spitting up, there's more :)
We are learning that there is always laundry to do...
We can't wait to see what this next month brings and how you will grow and change. Your Daddy says you're addicting. Your Mommy says you're exactly what we have always wanted.
I have everything I want right here in this house.
Love, Mommy (& Daddy)
