Overheard at breakfast...

While we were munching on our muffins, I was reading this article out loud to Ric. At various times during the article Ric would point to me. (You'll have to read the article to see why!)

Mom: I know - I'm reading this article because it applies to ME, but I thought you'd like to hear it too.

Ryan: But you're reading it to all of us Mom.

Overheard at dinner tonight...

Dad: Ryan, it's time to eat, come sit in your chair.

Ryan: What are we having?

Megan: Dinner.

(Yes Meg, you are correct!)

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Oh...and here's another overheard in Primary today, one of Ryan's classmates:

Christian: We believe in being honest, true, chasing elephants...

Overheard at the Dining Room Table...

Dad: What game is this? Pictureka? (Reading from the box)

Ryan: I don't want to play diarrhea, just build a house with the cards.

Just overheard...

Ryan: (wearing some big boy underwear) I call this a "weenie pocket"

a few minutes later...

Ryan: This hurts a little bit.

Mom: What hurts?

Ryan: My weenie.

Mom: Why?

Ryan: Because it's going up, and it's supposed to go down.

Mom: Oh...I didn't know there were rules.

Ryan: Yep, there are rules.

(Don't get too excited, I'm sure I'll be changing wet big boy underwear soon enough. I'm just hoping that one day he might surprise me!)

Mommy, I Have a Surprise For You!

Can you guess what it was? Ryan decided to climb up on a coffee table that's right under the mantle and throw my Willow Tree figurines on the floor. "Look Mommy, his head is off!"

This is the result.

Right now, he's locked inside his room so that I don't kill him. Yes, they can be replaced. Yes, they are just things. But they are special to me because they represent special occasions in our lives. (So if anyone was thinking about leaving a self-righteous comment about that...I am well aware that "all these things will pass away..." You can just keep it to yourself because I am beyond angry right now.)

Just when I thought things were getting a little better (trying a few new things) this happens. I sobbed. I guess I'm expecting too much from him to think he could be respectful of other people's things.

Good thing Ric is coming home at 3:30 pm today because Ryan just might be inside his room until then!

Overheard in the bathroom...

...while Ric was showing Ryan how to sink Cheerios in the potty...

Ryan: But how do you get it in the hole?

Overheard a few minutes ago...

Ryan: (From the living room) Daddy, I want to play Candyland (for at least the 20th time)

Dad: I'm busy right now...

Ryan: Daaaaaaaddyyyyyyy...

Dad: Ryan, what you need is an imaginary friend.

Our 'Rock Star' - 'High Fever' Weekend!

We had a crazy weekend . We were hoping to make the best of it since it was Ric's last few days off, but no such luck with two kids!

Ric was able to take Ryan to get his hair cut, flipped up in the front, and some fun color added to the "flip." A girl from Church works at SnipIts now, we they went specifically to see her.

When they got back, Ryan immediately got on to his tricycle and rode around like a "rock star" - how do I know?

All he kept saying was..."I'm a WOCK STAR" as he was riding around in circles in front of our house. Hysterical!

Megan - on the other hand was not so lucky. On Thursday, she ended up with a really high fever (103ish.) She's really lethargic and clingy. We called the doctor and made an appointment for the morning, and were told to just try alternating Motrin and Tylenol to control it.

This started a roller coaster of ups and downs. Down to normal, then back up to 101 or 102. Megan's doctor said that she was seeing a lot of her symptoms and it was basically the flu. We just had to make sure that she was drinking fluids.

We all ended up staying home from most of Church on Sunday - just in case. (Though I did play the organ for Sacrament meeting and then left right after.) I even bowed out of a FAB Girls night out on Saturday since I didn't want to take the chance of spreading any flu germs around.

Doesn't she look miserable in these pictures? Poor thing! Since the Motrin was bringing the fever down a little, but it would spike back up, we decided to let the fever do its job and kill off whatever virus was there.

One idea I found was to take her socks, soak them in white vinegar, and put them on her to hopefully draw the toxins out. I don't know if that's what did it, but finally today her temperature is back to normal! (Though her feet smelled like pickles! heh)

Today she's just coughing and sneezing all the gunk out - so hopefully soon, she'll be back to normal! :)

So much fun - hope your weekend was better than ours!

Today's Secret Word Is...

"POOP!"

We just heard this from the living room. I'm thinking that Ryan has been watching too many Pee Wee Herman episodes...what do you think?

For all of you who are not familiar with the secret word, Pee Wee doesn't use THAT word in any of his episodes...that was ALL Ryan.

Just Overheard in the Kids Bedroom...

As Ryan climbs over the crib railing...

Ryan: Ow! That hurt my weenie!

(Sorry if it's TMI, it was too funny NOT to share!)

Overheard this AM

Ryan: Mommy, I want something to eat (translation: I'm bored)

Mom: What would you like?

Ryan: Peanut butter crackers

Mom: OK, do you want square crackers (Triscuits) or round crackers (Ritz)?

Ryan: Round crackers, like the shape of Megan's head.

Whew! Good thing Megan isn't a square-head!

Overheard in the hallway...

As Ryan is using my double stick tape on the wall..

Mom: Ryan, what are you doing with my tape?

Ryan: Wasting it.

Mom: Why are you wasting it?

Ryan: Because I have to.

Piggies?

Today Ryan was saying..."this little piggy" and it went something like this:

This little piggy went to bed...

This little piggy checked email...

This little piggy had none...

Among other things that piggies did. Such the comedian!

Overheard in the bathroom...

Ryan: Mommy, I don't liked you anymore. I just liked Daddy. Never mind you.

*sigh* I hope that means that I'm doing something right!

Overheard in the kitchen...

Dad: Hey Ryan, there's a Red Sox game tomorrow at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Ryan: Woo Hoo! (He gets that from me I think.)

Dad: Are you going to watch it with Annmarie (our sitter) since I'll be at work?

Ryan: Maybe they will cancel work and you'll get to watch it with me.

Just overheard...

Ryan: Marnellllll....

Mom: What?

Ryan: Marnellllll...

Mom: You can call me "Mom"

Ryan: No, I can't - I want to call you Marnell because I love you!

Overheard...catching up!

Overheard just a few minutes ago...

Mom: Ryan? What are you doing? (As he's standing behind me on the chair)

Ryan: I'm putting your hoodie up.

Ryan: sings "Dum Dum Dum Dum-de-Dum Dum-de-Dum" (Darth Vader Theme)

Mom: Nice...

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Overheard outside the bathroom door...

Ryan: Megan? Will you give me a hug?

Megan: No.

Ryan: Megan? Will you give me a high-five?

*slap*

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Overheard at dinner the other night...

Dad: Ryan? Did you just lie to me?

Ryan: I have to lie Daddy.

Dad: Why do you have to lie?

Ryan: Because I did bad things.

Mom: (laughs to herself in the kitchen)

Overheard this morning

Ryan: (Looking out the window at the melting snow) Mommy! I see grass!

Mom: Yep - the snow is melting!

Ryan: That means it's almost time for baseball season!

Hmmm...remember the movie Fever Pitch? I'm a little scared!

What did YOU do on your Snow Day?

So everything is canceled since we've gotten snow overnight.

I'm doing my best to be productive - and here's the result.

While I'm trying to organize closets, Ryan decides to measure the house - in hangars.

The result? According to him, it's an EVEN 100. He even counted twice.

(I know...I need to vacuum, that's next. After the blog post that is!)

Overheard the other night...

We're starting to feel better here at the sick house (aka Chez Levett) ... a little bit anyway. There's so much to update here, especially the special surprise guest we had last week, but that will have to wait until my energy returns and I have a few more free minutes. Until then, enjoy something that I overheard the other night.

Dad: *coughing*

Ryan: What are you doing daddy?

Dad: Coughing my brains out.

Ryan: Are you sick?

Dad: Yes

Ryan: I don't want you to be sick daddy, and I DON'T want you have anymore frogs!

A Letter to Our Neighbors

...if you happened to be looking outside this morning at about 10:00 am, while the snow was falling to the ground (sideways). You might have seen a 3-year old in just his diapers on the porch.

Before you pick up the phone to call DCYF or you wonder what Ric or I were thinking, please know that our 3-year old knows everything.

Ryan was begging that we blow up the pool in the back yard so that he could go swimming. He was even putting his swimming suit on! Because he wouldn't listen to me, I sent him outside to see if it was swimming weather.

After standing there for about 10 seconds, he came back in and stated that "it's too cold to go swimming outside."

There you go.

Overheard last night....

Ryan was sitting on the couch with Dad, this is what we heard:

Ryan: Daddy? Why aren't the Simpson's on TV?

Dad: Because there's a special two-hour '24' show on instead.

Ryan: Or maybe '25'?

Dad: Yeah, 24, 25, whatever it takes.

PS - no comments from the peanut gallery about the fact that we let Ryan watch The Simpsons once in a while! :)

This Kid is TOO MUCH!

Right now, Ryan's little friend Michael is over here while his mom runs some errands. The living room and everywhere else all three of them run (because Megan can't be left out) is just chaos. I'm grumpy from getting up at 3:45 against my will and Ryan is constantly begging for something.

He just asked me for some chocolate milk and I told him I'd get it in a minute. The next thing you hear...

Hey everyone, Come on! Chocolate milk and candy in the living room! Come on!

Um....yeah...

(PS - I told them to leave the kitchen as I was getting it ready, they ended up in the chair - all three of them. We'll see how long that lasts!)

Overheard EARLY Saturday Morning

Last night, Ric and I went on a "date." It wasn't all that exciting except that we didn't have kids with us - woo hoo! We came home with some things from Home Depot, including four 5-Gallon buckets with lids.

Ryan instantly turned them into "Blue Man Drums." This morning, here's what was heard...

Ryan: Mom, can I use your drumsticks?

Mom: (Too tired to argue because she's been up and down since 3:45am, that's another story) Yes, let me get them.

I hand him two of my marimba mallets, thinking first, that he wouldn't know the difference, and second that it wouldn't be as noisy.

Ryan: No, those are for the marimba! I want your drumsticks!

(I give up.... at least he knows the difference! That's my boy! We'll see how long this lasts until someone gets hurt!)

It's Doing Something Daddy

So I know that Ryan will probably die of embarrassment if he ever reads this 10 years from now, but it's too funny not to record.

Overheard after dinner...

Dad: Ryan, what's going on? Keep your hands out of your pants.

Ryan: I can't Daddy.

Dad: Why not? Is something wrong?

Ryan: My weenie is doing something Daddy.

Dad: Doing something? What's it doing?

Ryan: It's moving.

(Pause)

Mom: (Bites lip to keep from laughing out loud)

Dad: Get blogging Mommy...

Overheard tonight... (a.k.a. JC.com)

Mom: (Fixing dinner and singing while Christmas Music Plays) ...the Little Lord Jesus lays down His sweet head...

Ryan: No Mom! It's Jesus Christ DOT COM!

(This kid spends TOO much time on the Internet!)

Overheard during a diaper change...

No, Ryan has not been potty trained yet. In fact, we think we figured out that he just doesn't want to stop playing long enough to go! (At least he's not saying that he's scared of the potty anymore!)

Yesterday, Ryan climbed up on to the changing table (I know...it's TIME when he can climb up himself!) and started to lay down the opposite way he always does.

Here's what was over heard...

Mom: Ryan, turn around so I can change you.

Ryan: I want to lay this way.

Mom: Well, I'm right-handed, so you need to turn around.

Ryan turns around...

Ryan: Then Daddy must be wrong-handed.

HUH? Last I checked, Daddy isn't wrong-handed OR left-handed! At least he knows his opposites!

Overheard in the office...

Ryan: (Banging on the empty plastic trash can he turned upside down)

Mom: Ryan will you stop banging please?

Ryan: I'm not bangin', I'm drummin'!

(Hmmm...wonder if that's why MY mom thought all those years when I was "practicing" my drumming! hehe)

Overheard at 6:30 am

Megan was crying. She woke up early and was probably cold or something...usually she lays back down and goes back to sleep for a little while. She was only crying for about 2-3 minutes when we heard from Ryan...

MEGAN! GO TO SWEEP!

I Weally Wuv You

Overheard today as I was brushing my teeth...

Ryan: (Sitting on the edge of the tub) I weawy wuv you Mom. (Yes, he said Mom, not Mommy)

Mom: I really love you too Ryan! (trying not to choke on the toothpaste because he was being so cute!)

Ryan: (after about a 20 second pause) Can we play a game now?

They learn to manipulate at such an early age! hehe (Kind of makes these "terrific Three's" we're experiencing right now worth it! Kind of...)

Overheard from the kitchen...

Ryan: Mommy? Do you want some candy?

Mom: Nope

Ryan: OK, just checkin'

The Sweetest Prayer

As we were gathering for Family Prayer before Ric left for work today, Ryan said that he was going to say it. He's said it before, but just plays around. Today was different, he actually said his first prayer - by himself! It was the sweetest prayer - and I think both Mom and Dad were a little teary-eyed!

Because I don't want to forget it - I'm putting it here:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for today.
Please bless Daddy.
Please bless Mommy and Megan.
(Something we couldn't understand.)
Please bless GiGi.
Please bless Sister Keith because she teaches me about Jesus.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I guess we're doing *something* right!

PS - Sister Keith is the Nursery Leader at Church - she loves being in there with the little ones and they love her!

Bwog

Just overheard...

Ryan: Can I look at the "bwog?"

More Cow Bell

So there's a story behind these pictures. But I'm afraid it might only be funny to us. (One of those "geographical" jokes - you had to be there? You know?) Here it is anyway!

Anyway... a while ago as we were driving to Church, we were stopped at a stoplight. The car in front of us had a bumper sticker that said "More Cow Bell." Ric and I laughed because we know it refers to one of the best SNL sketches with Will Farrell and Christopher Walken.

Ryan, not wanting to be left out from his car seat behind us asked what was so funny. I just told him that the sign on the car in front of us said "More Cow Bell" and that we thought it was funny.

So we turn the corner on to Warwick Avenue and drive a little. On the left side of the street there's a seafood market. Out on the sidewalk, was this life size cow with a sign on it advertising that they had milk inside the store!

As we drove past, Ryan said "Look Mommy, more cow bell!" It couldn't have been more perfect! (OK, yes, you did have to be there.) We laughed all the way until we got to Church. Anyway... that darn cow is outside every Sunday, and guess what Ryan says? Yep. Every Sunday. :)

Polar Bear Polar Bear

I'm sitting in the office, catching up on some last minute emails before I have to go to class. All of a sudden I hear...

Ryan: Hippo, hippo, what do you hear? I hear a zebra makin' noises.

Megan: 'sat? (What's that?)

Ryan: A ZEBRA Megan! A ZEBRA!

First, it touches my heart to hear Ryan "reading" to her - and the fact that they can communicate with each other is the best!

Just overheard...

...as Ric is getting dressed.

Ryan: Daddy, I want to see your weenie.

Dad: No, you don't need to see it, you have one of your own.

(By the way...we're thinking that we are at the beginning of the "Why's" - WAY too many questions all of a sudden!)

Ta-Da! NO MORE BINKY!

Which means.... a NEW Tricycle! YAY! Look how big our little boy is!









We found the COOLEST trike for him. It's a Radio Flyer Twist Trike. Once he's old enough, we can twist it around and it's a "chopper" (big wheel) style trike. Cool huh? (It also comes in pink, so Ryan wanted to know if Megan was getting one too! Not right now. By the way, the pink one is more expensive, what's up with that?)

Right now, he barely reaches the pedals, and doesn't really get the idea of one foot at a time, but watch out! He'll be pedaling down the street at record speed within a week! (or less!)



We're so proud of him! It was rough at first, going cold turkey, but within a few days, he didn't ask for it anymore. (Megan didn't really care either since she wasn't as attached.)





So...all the "b's" are gone (except the Red Sox one that I'm putting in his keepsake box, but he can't read yet, so he'll never find it - heh.)






Oh... and in case you weren't aware, there's nothing better than a blue "paw-sickle" while riding your new trike!





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And this was the scene this morning...Tricycle and YouTube. Life is good!

It IS all about me...

...because I'M the MOM!

Overheard...just a few minutes ago. Ryan was "I wanting" over and over again...

Mom: Ryan, it's not all about you right now, you can't have it.

Ryan: It's not about YOU either!

Mom: (speechless for just a second) It IS all about me, because I'm the MOM!

(Oh boy....the little stinker!)

Keep Your Prayers SHORT!

Picture this...

We're sitting in Sacrament Meeting. We've just finished the opening hymn. I'm sitting at the Organ, Ric is in our usual pew (the one with the crushed goldfish, etc.) with Ryan and Megan. The opening prayer is being said. It's quiet.

All of a sudden, FROM OUR PEW, we hear "Amen!" Apparently, Ryan has decided (for all of us) that the prayer was going on WAY too long! (Sorry Scott!)

After the REAL Amen was heard, everyone giggled. I shook my head. Ric wouldn't even look at me! It was pretty funny!

A question?!

While I was changing Ryan's diaper just a few minutes ago...

Ryan: Mom, when am I going to get bigger? (this is what I THOUGHT I heard.)

Mom: When are YOU going to get bigger? You're getting bigger every day!

Ryan: NO, when are you going to get bigger? (again this is what I THOUGHT I heard.)

Mom: When am I going to get bigger?

Ryan: NO, when are you going to get bigger? (I'm definitely NOT hearing this kid!)

Mom: When is Mommy going to get bigger? Mommy's not growing anymore, I'm already big!

Ryan: (takes the 'B' out of his mouth, because it's impeding his question!) NO!! When is my weenie going to get bigger?!?

Mom: (Pause) Like Daddy?

Ryan: Yes!

I don't remember the rest because I was trying to keep from laughing at him and spreading powder or whatever all over the room!

Where are Dad's drill bits?

Ric has said more than once that Ryan was put here mess with his tools just like he messed with his Dad's tools!

The other night, we were all outside. Ric was doing something with his drill, and the thing that holds his drill bits were sitting on a box in the garage. Of course, with everything going on, neither of us noticed that the drill bits disappeared!

Here's how the rest played out...

Ric: (holding up the thing that's supposed to hold the bits) Hon? Any idea where my drill bits are?

Me: No idea... (looking over at the most likely culprit)

Ric: Ryan? Where are Dad's drill bits?

Ryan: (without skipping a beat) In the hose.

At that point, I'm covering my mouth so I don't laugh too hard and encourage him even more!

Ric then picks up the garden hose, dumps it over and all the drill bits come tumbling out.

Ric: Why did you put the bits in the hose?

Ryan: (Again, not missing a beat) To wash them!

DUH! hehe

Overheard this afternoon....

Ric and I were talking about some music that he'd like to download...

Dad: Yeah, it's from the new Ryan Adams CD, I only want that one song

Ryan: (walking away from us down the hall) I'm not Ryan Adams!

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Before we left for Utah, I took these pictures. Ryan has to be just like his Daddy! I especially like the one where you can see our neighbor (Hi Aaron!) across the street mowing too! hehe

Da-Eeeeeee!

There are many days that I take a shower LATE in the day....sometimes it's because I plan to work outside, and why take a shower only to sweat again in the New England humidity?

Anyway, today was one of those days. I planned to stay off the computer all day long and work outside, which I did - all the wood is stacked! But I had to record this before I forgot - it's too good to miss! Just in case anyone is wondering, I put up the gates and plop the kids down in front of Blues Clues or whatever is on Noggin for the few minutes I'm showering...that way they are relatively safe - unless they go after each other! That Megan is starting to show some strength!)

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Overheard as I was drying off...

Megan: Da-eeeeeee! (Daddy)

Ryan: No Megan, Mommy.

Megan: Da-eeeeee!

Ryan: No Megan, Daddy is at work. Mommy is in the shower!

Megan: (laughs) Da-eeeee! (Now I KNOW she was just teasing him - that's my girl!)

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I think that this is the first official back and forth conversation I've heard - too cute!

Priceless...just priceless

I wasn't going to post any more today, but I'm sitting in my office right now. The kids are playing the living room. All of a sudden I hear:

Hello Daddy, what are you doing? Are you working?

Daddy, are you coming home soon honey?

Daddy, I have a message for you.

Babycakes is playing Daddy.

And on it goes....

First, I check the phone to be sure he's REALLY not on it, then I smile.

I LOVE that Ryan is starting to make up his own things - the conversations he has with his toys (i.e. a dead cell phone) are priceless!

Just overheard...

Ryan: Mommy, let's go to the store, honey!

Mom: (laughs)

Ryan: Don't laugh Mommy!

(I had told Ryan that we'd take a trip to the store for diapers after his nap. Apparently, I say "honey" WAY too often! hehe)

Overheard last night...

Dad: Hey Ryan, did Mom do a good job on the trailer, or what?

Ryan: (pause) What.

Did something spill?

Today, I was bringing in some things I picked up from Target. Ryan, Ric, and Megan had just woken up from afternoon naps. (Tuesday is Ric's day off.) After bringing in the last of it, I noticed a "wet spot" on the floor. Almost as if someone had spilled juice. (BUT, there were no sippy cups anywhere to be seen!)

Here's how the rest of this scenario played out:

Mom: Hey - what's this? Did something spill?

Dad: (coming into the living room from the kitchen) I don't know, it wasn't there before.

Mom: Ryan, do you know what this is?

Ryan: Uh huh... (his answer for everything)

Mom: (grabs paper towels and starts to blot it up)

Ryan: From my leg...

**a quick note... Ryan says things all the time that we don't understand. It might take a few repetitions for us to finally figure out what he's trying to say. OR... sometimes it's much later when we realize what he was saying and put it all together.**

Mom: (sniffs paper towels) Doesn't smell like anything.

Mom: (patting Ryan's bum) Ryan, do you need a diaper ... wait a minute... Ric, I figured it out.

Ric: What is it?

Mom: (pulls down Ryan's shorts - where he's wearing NOTHING underneath and standing there in all his glory!) There's your culprit!

At that point, I finished cleaning up while Ric took Ryan by the hand, led him to his room, and put a diaper back on him. We have NO idea when he took it off! He even put his shorts back on himself!

It took us a minute, but we also figured out what he was trying to say. He pee'd down his leg! That's why the floor was wet and from his leg!

hehehe - I still can't stop laughing about it!

Overheard today...

Dad: (in the kitchen) Who's ready for a nap?

Ryan: (walking down the hall) Somebody...


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At dinner tonight...

Dad: Hey Ryan, the Red Sox won last night.

Ryan: Uh Huh.

Mom: And guess what Manny did?

Ryan: Hit

Dad: What did he hit?

Ryan: A Ball

Mom: (laughs...)

Dad: You're just full of blog posts today, aren't you?

PS - Manny Ramirez, Red Sox outfielder, hit the 500th home run of his career - in case you don't follow baseball. :)

What's Your Sister's Name?

Ric and I had our annual eye appointments this morning. The kids usually tag along with us since I used to work for the eye doctor and the girls who work there like to see them.

While we were checking out, paying our co-pay, etc., one of the gals I used to work with was talking to Ryan. It went something like this:

Lelia: Are you a big brother now?

Ryan: Uh huh

Lelia: Do you like having a little sister?

Ryan: Uh huh

Lelia: What's your sister's name?

Ryan: Baby-cakes

From there Lelia has a strange look on her face while Ric and I laugh. That's what Ric calls her, and Ryan has picked it up too. hehe (We did fill her in on her real name eventually!)

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By the way...it's all FINALLY caught up with Ric...PRESBYOPIA! hehe He's been prescribed reading glasses! :) While, me, on the other hand...still no change since I worked there 5 years ago! (Ric had the feeling that this would be his year...and he was right!)

The boy can spell apparently!

This morning's discovery went something like this:

(Speaking to Mommy in front of Ryan)
Daddy: "Should I take the boy and go get some M U N C H K I N S?"

Mommy: "Sounds good, go ahead".

Ryan: "Dunkin' Munchkins Daddy! Let's GO!"

Kiss your...what?

Overheard in the back yard...

Ryan: Mommy...kiss my bum!

Mom: Kiss your what?

Ryan: My bum...I have a boo boo on my bum.

.....

Ummm...no kid, that's one boo boo I won't kiss!

Overheard Outside on Thursday...

...while the weather was so nice we didn't have to wear jackets!

Ryan: I have a problem.

Mom: You have a problem? What is it?

Ryan: I have a problem on my head.

Mom: What's on your head?

Ryan: Dirt.

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Ryan: What's this mommy? (pointing to the seeds and such that have fallen off the maple tree in the back yard.)

Mom: Seeds. They fell down from the tree (pointing up at the tree above us.)

Ryan: They need glue.

Organ Izing

Ryan asked me this morning what I was doing, I told him that I was organizing our food closet. The rest of the morning, he's been telling Megan that "Mommy's organ izing, Megan."

You know, it's HARD in such a little house to store 3-months of food we eat every day as we've been counseled to do! But...if I keep on "organ-izing" we'll find a way!

On the topic of preparedness...

I called the local Pepsi Bottling plant today to see if they sold their used 55 gallon barrels that held their syrup - I told him I just wanted to store water. They said they didn't, but they recycled them. They guy was kind of shifty in his answer...almost like I was going to have the barrel residue analyzed and steal the secret formula for their Diet Mountain Dew! Geeez!

So...I went one step further and called around, I found a company in Cumberland that picks up these used barrels from companies and recycles them (Hmmm... wonder who?) They've never sold to the public, but I asked if I could have 4 of them. (The guy probably thought I was crazy!) He called me back and said I could have them for $15 a piece - SCORE! Take that Pepsi! HAH! Looks like we'll be taking a road trip today or tomorrow! :)

Ooooo Taub

This is Ryan's new obsession. He's finally figured out that the videos that Dad shows him on the "e-may-el" is actually You Tube! BUT...the funniest thing is that he calls it "Ooo Taub."

I just crack up every time he says it! TOO FUNNY!

Just out of his mouth....

Ryan: (while trying to get past me to get something) Move it Mommy!

Mom: That's not how you ask for something...

Ryan: Pleeeeeze move it Mommy!

Overheard at our house...

What's dat makin' noizez Mommy?

What's-dat?

Over dey-er! (Translation: Over there!)

Mommmmmeeeeeeeyyyyyy? (Mom: Whateeeeeee?)

Megan makin' noizez Daddy!

Turn light ON. Turn light OPP (Off). Turn light ON. Turn light OPP. (The latest game when we're going to bed.)

What's-dat?

Ryan do it!

No Megan, No! (Or Mommy, Or Daddy, Or whoever...)

What's-dat?

Megan sleep! (Right outside the bedroom door...)

Megan WAKE! (5 seconds later after he woke her up!)

Mommmmmeeeeeeeyyyyyy? (Mom: Whateeeeeee?)

Goin' for a bibe Momeeey? (Translation: going for a ride?)

What's-dat?

Mommmmmeeeeeeeyyyyyy? (Mom: Whateeeeeee?)

Make cookies Mommy!

What's-dat?

And finally, the funniest one of all:

Dad: Don't put your cheese on the TV screen! (Mom: ahahahahahahaha)

(At least we're not to the "why's" yet! Whew!)

PS - Looks like the fever thing for Ryan was just a fever thing, no one else here has the flu! Woo Hoo! Almost back to normal now!

Mommy Mess

Heard today at breakfast...while Mom was eating toast with peanut butter...

Ryan: Mommy mess

Mom: (wipes off her mouth - apparently Ryan is now the "fashion police" and peanut butter on my face is just not fashionable!)

Ryan: Mommy mess

Mom: (wipes off her mouth again)

Ryan: Mommy mess

Mom: (AND AGAIN, wipes off her mouth)

Ryan: All gone now

Ryan's Version of the ABC's

Ryan Dean...

It's been hard this week to get here to post our adventures. Since Ric and I are hardly home at the same time, we're both usually taking care of the kids instead of posting! So a lot of things that I've been wanting to post are just a little late! Be patient...it will all be up soon enough!

There is one thing that was pretty funny.

The other day Ryan did something (dumped something out, made some sort of mess, etc.) and I said "Oh Ryan..." and you know what our little "parrot" said back to me?

"Ryan Dean..."

I guess he's heard me say his first and middle name more than a few times when I've tried to get his attention! hehe It was just too funny to hear him say it!

My kid can count...

...to NINE! I'm really not trying to brag about this amazing kid of ours, I'm just really surprised!

Ryan usually wakes up REALLY grumpy. We've figured out that it's usually because he's hungry. The problem these days is that he's so picky that he doesn't want anything that we suggest! Today was another one of those days where we wanted to just put him back to bed for a while.

Muffins to the rescue! :)

This is something that Ric and I can have Ryan help us make. He pours the Jiffy mix into the bowl, adds the milk, and the egg (after we've cracked it into a bowl for him.) He also tries to mix it, but needs help from us. His favorite part is putting the papers into the muffin pan.

While I was getting everything ready, I had Ryan do his "muffin paper" duties. All of a sudden I hear "one...two...feee....four...fibe...six...seben...ate...nine..." as he was putting 6 papers into the pan. Ummmm....is this normal? He actually understood as he put each paper in that one more meant another number (or two.)

WOW - the things this kid does every day is just amazing! :)

ps - when I asked him what came after nine, he said "two!" I guess we have a little more work ahead of us! At least he knows how old he's going to be on Saturday!

Giant Chicken

Dad: What's that Ryan? (After seeing the K-Mart commercial with the Blue Light Bulb riding a Turkey.)

Ryan: Giant chicken

Mom: (Chokes and almost falls out of her chair laughing!)

Munkin Boy!

It's his latest obsession? Dunkin Donuts Munchkins! Which one of us introduced them to him, we'll never know (dad), but now we're hearing all about them!

In fact, when they are all gone - THEN we hear "buy more munkins - big box munkins."

Hmmm...

Since there's a DD on every corner and in all the supermarkets around here, it's hard to get away from them! (At least buying a small box keeps him occupied while I'm shopping!)



But he can't just eat them....of course he has to play with them too!


(By the way, in case I haven't mentioned it before, Ryan wears his hats like that on purpose - I put them on correctly, but he turns them around.)

Overheard...

...while blessing the food...

Megan: ~squeal~ ~laugh~ ~bubbles~

Ryan: Fold arms Megan

Needless to say...Mom had to bite her lip to keep from laughing!

Red Sox Baseball Ice Cream

Since the Red Sox were still in the running, I bought some official Red Sox Ice Cream the other day. (It was on sale!)

I brought it home, and told Ryan that we had special ice cream for the baseball game. Now all we hear...

"Red Sox Baseball Ice Cream" over and over and over.

(OK, so it's not that clear, he can't say "red" yet, but the rest of it is pretty good!)

Personally, I like the Green Monster Mint flavor - mint ice cream with mint chocolate "sox" chocolate swirls. :)

Muffin Man?

Overheard at Breakfast...

Dad: (while grilling muffins in the kitchen) Ryan, the muffins are almost ready.

Mom: (in the living room - singing) Do you know the muffin man?

Ryan: (pauses) no

Updated: After baking your muffins and letting them cool (or taking them out of the package from Sam's club), cut them in half and grill them in a pan with a little butter (Yummmmyyyy!)

Ummmm....no

Overheard at lunch today...

Mom: What would you like for lunch?

Ryan: (blank stare)

Mom: Would you like cottage cheese?

Ryan: Ummmm...no

Mom: Would you like peanut butter?

Ryan: Ummmm...no

Mom: Would you like goldfish crackers?

Ryan: Ummmm...no

And so it goes...

Funny how quickly they pick up our "ummmm's"

Knuckles...

Ryan has unofficially become the Young Men's mascot. He goes with Ric to the activities a lot and the times that he "flunks" out of Nursery, he's there with Ric in their classes on Sunday since I'm in the Primary playing the piano.

A couple of weeks ago, Ryan made a fist with his hand and put it on top of my hand and said: "Knuckles." Actually it took me a few times to figure out what he was saying, but when I got it, I laughed and wondered which young man had taught him that.

Today...he made a fist, knocked it against Megan's fist and again, said "knuckles." Great, now my kids are doing some "hip" greeting that I never did when I was younger! hehe

Oooo Dirty...

SuziQ and ChiChi (cats) have been with me for over 12 years. Both pretty much sleep the day away now, but every once in a while I'll see them acting "kitten-like". Though they look alike, they couldn't be more different. SuziQ is a chunky 16 pounds and ChiChi is half her size at 8 pounds.

Anyway, SuziQ likes to eat, then puke up what she's just eaten. It's a lovely thing to find early in the morning. Sometimes we're lucky and we catch it! I'll spare you the details and just tell you the story...

I was following Ryan down the hall this morning when he stopped and said "oooo...dirty", pointing to the "kitty spooge" (as we call it). This was the 2nd time she'd puked today - yippee! I kept walking to the living room to finish whatever I was doing, but Ryan took a detour into the bathroom, grabbed the end of the toilet paper, and brought it out to the mess.

What, is he the janitor now? It was too funny - at least he knows that we clean up those messes! (Now...in a few years, I'll remind him of this little incident. Do you think it will encourage him to clean up his own messes? ha!)

Aren't you glad I spared you a picture and other gross details? hehe

B Back

It must be a full moon...

Ryan is just off the wall! His thing lately is trying to climb on top of me AND Megan when I'm feeding her. I know it's an attending-getting thing, but he's also trying to give Meg kisses and hugs. (By the way, he's actually saying "Megan" now!)

I was feeding Megan tonight, and Ryan was all over the place. Up down up down - trying to kiss Megan - trying to sit next to me - trying to crawl over the back of the couch, etc. Megan didn't like it, I was getting frustrated, and most of all, I didn't want him to get hurt - OR - hurt his sister.

So...I put him into his crib to "cool off" and settle down for a little bit while I finished with Megan. Ryan knows that if he's good, he can take his "B" (binky) with him to bed. It's the only time he can have it. We've started "putting the B back" every morning on the shelf - in fact, we hold him up, and he's the one who puts it back.

I guess I lost track of the time and left him in there a little longer than he needed to be there, because a little while later, I walked by his room and I heard..."Big Boy, B Back" over and over. He was telling me that he wanted to be a big boy and put his B back on the shelf, and of course get out of the crib.

It made me cry. He tries so hard, but he's also only 21 months too! How can I expect him to be a "big boy" when he's still so little?

Thanks for the reality check, Ryan. I love you too!

PS - two weeks in a row for Nursery! (Though he did cry for about a half hour for "daddy" to rescue him!)

I Love You

Ryan has been signing "I love you" for a while...

Last night he said it! :) This kid just melts my heart over and over again!

Monday's Word of the Day

Ryan seems to be saying a new word every day lately. Just a few days ago it was "hippo", yesterday it was "church" (which actually sounded more like "douche"...hmmm....)

Today? My dad would be proud...

Ehh-ooo-cop-ah (Translation...Helicopter)

I pointed to a picture of one and asked him what it was...I almost cried - it was so cute!

Hot Diggety Dog!

Those of you with kids (and cable TV) will know the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show on the Disney Channel. Ryan has been watching it ever since he discovered Mickey.

At the end of every show, they sing the "Hot Dog" song - actually sung by They Might Be Giants. Usually Ryan just sings "Hot Dog" over and over...today, he got the whole phrase!

Both Ric and I laughed today when we heard him sing..."Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggety dog". WOW - this kid is growing up so fast!

If you've never heard the song...here's a You Tube clip of it (not the best quality, but you'll get the idea!)

More Juice Please

The other day, I was sitting on the couch while Ryan was playing with some toys. He came over to me with his sippy cup, grabbed my hand and gave it to me, making sure that I didn't drop it.

Then he signed "more" "juice" "please" - HIS FIRST SENTENCE! In sign language too! Woo Hoo!

Of course...I got it for him right away, how could I refuse when he was so polite! He even signed "thank you" after I prompted him.

It made me so proud - and teary-eyed too! What a smart boy!

A New Obsession...

Introducing...."mi - mouwww" (aka Mickey Mouse...)

You Lose...

It took a long time, but we can set our clocks now by Ryan's schedule. He wakes up promptly at 6:30 every morning. Ric and I would rather get up closer to 7:00 or 7:15. (Yes, that extra 45 minutes DOES make a difference!)

When Ryan wakes up, he starts to talk to himself and then yell for us. Usually it's nothing we can understand. But as soon as he figures out that we haven't moved to get him from his crib, he starts calling us by name.

This morning, we were laying in bed, HOPING that Ryan would lay back down for just a little while longer. Nope.

He was yelling something we didn't understand. Then he yelled "mama."

"You lose..." was all the Ric said as he turned over! *sigh*

Noo....nooooo....noooooooo....

Why is "NO" one of the first words a baby learns to say? Is it because we parents say that to them just as they are learning to talk AND get around? We're usually trying to keep Ryan out of trouble most of the day. Unfortunately, I say "no, no" more often than I would like to, but how else am I going to keep Dad's bathroom magazines from taking a swim in the toilet? :)

Yesterday at Church (see previous post about the 3-hour wrestling match), we had decided that it was going to be a good Church day. Ryan was going to be cooperative and pretty much behave. (I say pretty much because he's still going to act up a little - that's what he does!)

My newest calling is Church Organist, which means that Ric has the job of sitting with and controlling Ryan most of the meeting. The meeting was actually pretty quiet and uneventful until after we sang the Sacrament Hymn. The Deacons and Teachers are passing the bread around and all of a sudden we hear: "Nooooo...... nooooooooo...... noooooooo...." Of course I know who it is right away. (Isn't it funny that mom's can pick out their kids voices, even in a crowded room?)

I look over to see Ric with a dumbfounded look on his face. He's looking at me for help, because he has no idea what Ryan is complaining about. Neither do I - I'm not sitting with him! Well, Ryan doesn't stop! This goes on for what seemed like a really LONG time - only to stop briefly when the bread came closer. Then it started up again. "Noooooo..... nooooooo...... nooooo....."

Of course, everyone else can hear this and the people who sit around us were giggling. There was nothing I could do - just smile, shrug my shoulders and shake my head.

Oh well...at least Ryan provided a little levity. (At the most inappropriate time!)

Ball...

To Ryan... EVERYTHING that comes close to being round is a BALL. (Except of course, the plastic eggs he got for Easter. Those...are "Bapples" -- See this post for a translation!)

Yesterday he found the Stop and Shop ad that we got in the mail this week. He carried it around for a little bit saying "Gaaa" over and over again.

It took me a minute to see that he was talking about the Cantaloupe! Yep - I'm going to have to chain up the fridge the next time I buy cantaloupe! Ryan will likely want to use it as his newest ball!

Words...

It seems like Ryan is learning to say a new word every day. We understand what he's saying, but usually we have to translate for others. So...for those of you who need a "Ryan to English" dictionary, here you go!

Ryan -->> English
Ma Ma -->> Mom
Da Da -->> Dad
Tee-Tee -->> Kitty
Meoooo -->> Milk -OR- Meow
Doh -->> Dog -OR- Doh! (Depending if the Simpson's are on!)
mm-Pubbie -->> Puppy
Cah -->> Car
Baa -->> Bath
Boh -->> Bob (as in Bob the Builder)
Sheeees -->> Cheese
Shuuuus -->> Juice
Bee -->> Binky
Ticka-ticka -->> Tickle - OR- Chicken (as in Chicken Nuggets)
Booo -->> Spoon
mm-Boo -->> Balloon (forget it if he starts saying this one...that's all we hear for an hour!)
Memo -->> Elmo (we think!)
Chee Chee -->> GiGi (his word for Mariann, his adopted gramma here in RI)
Bebe -->> Baby
Kee kee -->> Cookie (as in Cookie Monster)
Ka ka -->> Cracker
Toe -->> Toast
Gaaa -->> Ball
Me -->> Me
Bye Bye -->> Bye
Hieeee -->> Hi!
No -->> Nose
Nah -->> No
Toe -->> Toes -OR- Toast
Babble -->> Apple
Tee-tee-tee -->> Tweet tweet (whenever he hears or sees a bird)
Do Do -->> Jo Jo (as in Jo Jo's Circus on Disney Channel)
Pee-ka -->> Pizza (if the Pizza Hut commercial is on TV) -OR- the first half of Peek-a-Boo!

I think that's it - but we'll update you when we remember others!

Poor poor Elmo

One of Ryan's favorite books is "So Big" - if you haven't seen it, it talks about Baby Elmo and what he can do because he's SO BIG!

Unfortunately, Elmo has required a little bit of surgery over the last few months. If you can't tell from the pictures, there's a TON of scotch tape covering the part of the book that pops up. I'm surprised and happy to report that Elmo has almost made a full recovery!

Maybe we should buy stock in the scotch tape industry for just this purpose!

Even funnier, though, is Ryan's "Dog" book. It's a fun book we found a Sam's club a little while ago. Parts of it move, like the dog that wags it's tail or scratches itself. Ryan LOVES this book and is always talking about the "pubbies!"

I was out one night and Ric was reading this book to him (for the ump-teenth time!) when Ryan reached out for the doggie that shakes his head because he just took a bath. He tore the head right off!

Ric said that the look on Ryan's face was priceless! He told Ryan that he "hurt the puppie." Ryan's little bottom lip came out and all he heard the rest of the night was "mmmm pubbie, mmmm pubbie, mmmm pubbie..."

The next day, Ryan didn't waste any time telling me all about it too! Even though we've fixed the book (Glue dots to the rescue!), we still hear the same "mmmm pubbie" every time he sees that book!

New England accent already?

Ryan sits himself down in his chair with a car, spelled C-A-R. As he's playing with it we hear...


Mom: What do you have there Ryan?

Ryan: Cah

Mom: What is it?

Ryan: Cah




Don't you just love this face? (Notice that the bucket isn't too far away!)

Overheard at breakfast...

Dad: Do you want toast for breakfast?

Ryan: Na

Dad: Do you want yogurt?

Ryan: Na

Dad: Do you want a million dollars?

Ryan: Na

Hmmm....I hope he's not speaking for all of us!