Ryan Has a 'Hasselhoff' Moment

I made Ryan a new toy - it's very very clever and I'm sure no one has ever thought of it before. Blankets in a diaper box. I know, right? I figured it was perfect for her since she can't sit up on her own for extended periods of time without toppling over. Mike got some good pictures of her - the first thing I thought of when I saw these pics was that infamous video of David Hasselhoff on the ground drunk as a skunk eating a burger. I am not sure if that makes me a bad mom or not, but it's funny so according to my husband if it's funny you are not in trouble. So back off. :)

Thanksgiving in Champain

We drove north to Bill (Mike's bro) and Karie's house for the holiday. They prepared a wonderful meal that we inhaled. Here are some pics - I really didn't take enough. Between Ryan, the twins, and their new puppy Lady, I was too distracted! Ah well, there is always next year...

Some Fun Fall Pics

It was such a beautiful day today! We had some fun taking pics in the back yard.

I wanted to get her Halloween costume back on and take some more pictures. As indicated in the previous post, she wasn't in the best mood on Halloween, so we took this opportunity to get some happier pics.

Ryan's First Road Trip and Halloween

We took our first road trip with Ryan to Champaign on Halloween weekend. We headed north with Jane to see Bill, Karie and the twins for the holiday. Ryan was excited for her first night away from home.

She even wanted to take a leg...
Once we arrived, Aunt Karie found a nice walker for her to hang out in. You can tell she felt right at home.


Mike got her costume on, but sadly she didn't last long trick-or-treating.


Here are Anneka and Will all dressed up as Snow White and Darth Vader. They had a great time trick-or-treating. When they got back to the house and were going through their loot, Anneka asked everyone, "What would you care to have?" and they shared their candy with us big kids.

Rolling Over...

Ryan started rolling over a few weeks ago. Putting her on her tummy always meant a lot of drooling and screaming, so I only did it once a day. She finally figured out one day how to flip back over without me helping. We are just so proud. Here she goes!!

"Great. On my tummy again. Thanks. Thanks a lot. And you are taking pictures. Fantastic."

"uuuuuhhhhhh"

"Nope. Hang on. One more try."

"Oooooooohhhhhhh"

"SUCCESS!!!"

Sitting, Standing, cute cute cute.

Thies Farm

We decided this Sunday afternoon to head out to Thies Farm to pick out a pumpkin or two. It was a beautiful fall afternoon! We got a few little pumpkins and saw some cute animals. The scene below was strangely familiar to me...

By the look on her face I don't think she really knew where we were or what was going on...

Ryan's First Trip to the Zoo

I can't believe that Ryan is almost 4 months! It's amazing how much she has already changed and grown. Just today she told us that she believes in a public health care system but hasn't seen a bill that she likes yet. Haha

She slept practically the whole time we were there so she really didn't see any animals, but I took pictures for her. She did manage to wake up while were leaving for some pictures.

Oh ma ga Ryan - LOOK OUT!!! Why would her Daddy put her in such peril?

And here's an Asian Elephant.

Grandparent's Day & Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary

I bet most of you didn't know about Grandparents Day. Well I did. (In your face Jay!!!) My parents were up from Florida. Not specifically for that day - Mike traveled out of town to Baltimore for business, so they came up to help with the baby in his absense. We had a great time and they were a huge help!

Above are Ryan's two Grandma's (biological anyway - she really has about 18 Grandma's - lucky girl!!). Grandma Neukomm on the left and Grandma Self on the right. Below is the devilishly handsome Grandpa Self with Ryan! A cute pic of Grandma Self making Ryan giggle. Too cute!

September 22nd was our 2nd wedding anniversary. Two years has gone by too fast. We went out to dinner at Annie Gunn's - a St. Louis institution that neither Mike or I have ever been to. It was the most expensive dinner either of us has ever had. It made Melting Pot look like a drop in the bucket. Grandma Neukomm and Granny Helen watched Ryan for us while we were out. It was the first date that Mike and I have had since Ryan was born. We really had a great night - but we of course missed our little girl. As soon as I walked in the door I had to go snatch her up and love on her!!

How cute am I?

I mean c'mon. It doesn't get much cuter than this, does it?