Halloween

We celebrated Halloween this year by visiting the pumpkin carving at the university. She enjoyed looking at the different pumpkins, but she liked the music even more. On Sunday, we went to our church festivities and participated in a couple of the booths. Unfortunately it was too windy and chilly to enjoy many of the activities. Ryn's friend, Bennett, and his mom invited us to dinner and trick or treating in their neighborhood. Both Ryn and Bennett were dressed as tigers and were adorable! Ryn walked around with Bennett's bucket and collected enough candy for both of them. She would knock on doors and stick her had in everyone's candy dish. She is learning early!

More

I have been teaching Ryn a few signs not only to communicate with us, but hopefully for her to learn sign language as she grows older. We had a breakthrough this week when she tapped her cute little fingers together asking for "more" Cheerios. Of course I got very excited and she and I both giggled about it. I kept giving her a couple of cheerios at a time and she continued to ask for "more". She seems happy to be able to communicate something to us and we are excited that she is learning. Keep it up, smart girl!

Cheerios

Ryn's favorite snack food is Cheerios. We use those O's for bribery and keep the peace when out in public :). Lately, she has learned she can feed us Cheerios and gets a kick out of doing so. Yesterday, she and I were sharing a snack of O's when she started feeding them to me and leaning in for kisses between bites. This was hands down the best part of my day. We love her so much! :)

Kisses

Ryn has learned that if she leans in toward our faces she will receive a kiss. She'll do it three or four times in a row and just grin. She is such a precious little girl!

Straws

Ryn is learning how to drink through a straw and she is so cute about it. She will reach for the straw, put her mouth around it, and suck as hard as she can. When the liquid comes to her mouth, she lets go and just stares at the straw then looks at us and grins. Almost like she is saying, "Look what I did!" Then she won't let us have any more, especially if there is a smoothie in the cup!! :)

First Visit to the Lake

Eric and I took Ryn to visit Aunt Carol and Uncle Bryan at their lake house this weekend and she LOVED it! Her favorite part was the ride on the pontoon boat. She would stand next to the sides and hold her hands out past the railing. Then she would stomp her feet with excitement and grin at everyone. Before we knew it, she was at the controls and learning how to blow the horn! She got so worn out that the she fell asleep on the porch between rides. Saturday evening she enjoyed bites of a yummy steak and delicious peach tart made in Uncle Bryan and Aunt Carol's new Dutch oven. Later she discovered a beautiful cedar cup that Uncle Bryan made and didn't want to let it go. Uncle Bryan graciously gifted it to her and she proudly carried it around. She is eagerly awaiting her next visit to the lake. And to see Uncle Bryan and Aunt Carol, of course.

Singing and Praying

Every night I sing you to sleep and say your prayers for you. I thank God for all the people that love and care for you. I sing mostly songs I learned from church and at Camp Sumatanga so that you will find comfort in them when you grow older. Lately, you have been doing your best to "sing" with me and it brings me to tears. Such lovely and touching moments. I love you!

1st Birthday

Happy Birthday, beautiful girl!!! You turned one on July 7th and we had your party at Grammy and Grampy's house in Birmingham. Your Nana; Papa; Uncles Manley, Bryan, Thermon, and Allan; Aunts Carol Mae, Beverly, and Jennifer; Cousins Jennifer, Amy, Lauryn, Caro, and Emma Madison; and Miss Angie were all there to help you celebrate. And, of course Mommy and Daddy! Butterflies were the theme and you had two beautiful cakes decorate with butterflies - one for smashing and one for the guests. We had fruit and sandwiches cut like butterflies and your cousin, Caro, passed out cute little butterfly stickers. Fun was had by all and you received some wonderful gifts!

I Agree!

Last week, Ryn discovered how to nod her head and it looks like she is agreeing with things we say. Does this mean I can start asking her questions like, "Are you a mommy's girl?" or "Is chocolate your favorite food?" :) She is so much fun and I am so blessed to be her mommy!

Photo Session

We had a spontaneous photo shoot after church this morning. Eric and I took Ryn down to the covered bridge and got some great shots of her. She was in a good mood and it was a beautiful day.

Talking

Ryn becomes more and more talkative every day. I think I hear a "mama" every once in awhile. I hope it isn't my imagination! Her little curls keep growing in the back and they are so precious, just like her :-)

Curl

Ryn's hair has been a little frizzy in the back lately. Then, yesterday it began curling upward into dainty little curls. So precious!

April 2012

A lot has happened in the last month. On Thursday, April 5th Ryn began crawling! She is so proud of herself and enjoys being able to get across the room to all of those wonderful toys without assistance from mommy and daddy. I hope to upload the video sometime soon. In addition, she began cutting her two upper incisors last week. She has handled it well and doesn't want it to interfere with playing and ride on daddy's shoulders! During this time she has also attended her first Easter Egg Hunt and celebrated her first Easter Sunday. She is such a little sweetheart and gets cuter every day.

Baptism

On March 18th, surrounded by close friends and family, Ryn was baptized by her grandfather, Rev. Jim Robertson, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika, AL. She wore a beautiful dress lovingly made by her grandmother, Mary Ann Haynie. The dress was detailed in lace from her great-grandmother, Mabel McFee, for her grandmother, Rebecca Robertson's, wedding. Another beautiful feature was a monogrammed cross near the bottom of the dress. Ryn was a graceful recipient of the baptism. She did not fuss and allowed her picture to be taken multiple times. Her endurance lasted through lunch where everyone wanted to hold her. She smiled and enjoyed all of the attention. We are blessed to have had such wonderful friends and family help us celebrate Ryn's first steps with God.

Blanket

Nana made Ryn a beautiful blanket with butterflies, pretty ribbon, and buttons. She has been very curious about the blanket and we hope she will enjoy it for many years to come.

Little Miss Independent

Ryn is learning how to hold her own bottle. I think she has enjoyed this new discovery. She is also talking up a storm and just grins at herself after each dialogue. She is so precious!

Happy Valentine's Day!! It's My First!!

Ryn celebrated her first Valentine's Day on Tuesday. She dressed in an adorable top with hearts on the front and made us a cute card at Miss Sherrie's. She also received a card from both sets of grandparents. Ryn is a perfect Valentine for Eric and me. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful baby girl!

Milestones

Last Wednesday, Ryn received a good report form Dr. Mayberry - corrective shoes only at night now! We were so excited that we went out and bought new shoes, but she would have none of it and immediately kicked them right off! Luckily, it was warm enough to be in just sock feet.
Meanwhile, she has learned how to roll from her tummy to her back on her left side. We are working on the other direction. Eric says she's showing signs of being ready to crawl. I tell him to bite his tongue because I am NOT read for that! I also suspect there is a little bottom front tooth peeking through. Slow down little girl!

One picture is in the doctor's office just after we get the good news and the other is her enjoying sitting up in her rocking chair.

Playtime

I just LOVE these squeals of joy and laughter! This ball is by far her favorite toy.

Christmas

Ryn was a really good girl this year. She was a trooper with her hip harness, multiple casts for her foot, surgery on her foot, and special shoes to correct her foot. Sounds like a lot and she handled it so well, just like a big girl. She was also willing to try new foods. So, Santa was really good to her. He brought her some of her favorite things - toys and lots of books! She loves them all! Thank you, Santa! And, thanks for leaving me a couple of cookies! :)