Pics first, updates later

So crazy week. We returned from Colorado yesterday and Patrick and I are leaving today to head home for my Great-Aunt's funeral. She was my Grandma's last sister, so we want to be there for her. P and I will then stay for the week with my parents. So, I will be packing for a week in a 1/2 hour less than 24 hours after returning from the last trip! Yikes! wish us luck!

Sleeping beauty

I got a full nights sleep last night, Ryan got a full night and so did Patrick! This is our 3rd night in only 2 weeks.

I think things are finally doing better. Good thing too, because after 16mo, I am loving a full nights sleep!

Even when he does wake up it is typically around 4am and then he is out again until 6:30 or so with a quick nurse and back out until 7 or 7:30.

Going to bed is much easier as well. We are now able to read some stories, nurse, have a bottle, rock a bit and then lay him in his crib to fall alseep.

Makes our evenings much less stressful.

*I see nothing wrong about talking about sleep and showing park pictures. Matches perfectly right?

Fun with Friends

It is great to have friends that we can call up at a moment's notice and say "Park" and they just get it.

Anne and Grant are good for that. We can call and say that and no more words are needed.
We enjoy the time because the adults get to talk a bit and the kids get to run.

We have been trying out new parks around town lately. Someday I'll have to do an official review, for now we are having fun exploring it all.
oh, and I happened to snap the above awesome picture of Anne and her boy!

Date night!

Ryan and I had a date night on Saturday. This was very needed and a super good time. While we were away, Madison came to hang out with Patrick. We are super lucky to have her near by. I best be careful about saying too many good things or she is going to be too busy with other babysitting jobs to watch Patrick!

Ryan and I enjoyed a movie (Hangover), dinner at Green Mill and a walk in the park. A great and perfect evening to connect.

Here are some fun, random photos of Patrick.




Patrick wanted to help us give that "distressed" look to his faith chest.

Shoes! and a few tidbits

I think Patrick may have a new obsession.

I'm thinking we should find some shoes that aren't blue with sparkles though.


Some weekly updates as well...

Last night Shay came over to play. We went for a walk and part way in, Patrick leaned over from his stroller to find Shay's hand. They then continued to hold hands until we ran the strollers into each other because we were laughing so hard. It is so fun that they have each other as friends!

Patrick's latest trick is that he likes to jump. He hasn't caught any air yet, but he sure loves to try and looks hilarious trying.

Patrick is still a dancing fool. Ryan brought him by my office yesterday. He was feeling really tired and shy but the minute I turned on some music, he showed off his killer moves to all the ladies. So adorable!

Patrick peed on the Potty!

I can't believe I forgot to write about this. Last week, I was doing something in the bedroom and P was in the bathroom. He started to get really quiet, so I went to go see what he was up to. He was sitting on top of the toilet seat smiling with Ryan's toothbrush in his mouth. I got him down and then got him in the bath. After his bath, I set him back up on the toilet seat so I could clean up. I went to get him and he is sitting in a puddle of pee. Yep, he peed ON the potty!

Chicken and Corn

Sunday was such a fun day for us. After our Oxbow and playground adventure, Patrick took a nice long nap which allowed us some relax time. Then Ryan took Patrick to the playground so I could cook. The menu included BBQ chicken, rosemary potatoes and Corn on the cob. Yummy!

Patrick loved the meal.

And so did daddy!


The kid actually ate every bite down to the bone.

That night he also slept from 9pm until 6am!! Woohoo! That was one for the record books. We are convinced it was the awesome chicken. That will be on our weekly menu from now on!

Oxbow Park

We have this local park in our area. The funny thing is that after 10 years, I have only been here twice and Ryan only once. Did you know it is also a zoo? Yeah a zoo in our neck of the woods. Pretty cool.

Patrick thought it was pretty cool as well. He loved watching the otters and the hawks facinated him (I almost said birds, but my dad would kill me if he knew I referred to them that way)

They also had some farm animals. A small horse, a few goats, a donkey and a couple baby calves.

Patrick enjoyed watching the animals. We were told by the caretaker that the one calf was kinda dumb. I think he was just missing his momma. He was only a week old and already they made him wean.

We had a lot of fun just letting Patrick wonder. There aren't a lot of places that we feel like we don't have to watch him every minute.

After the zoo we ate at a local cafe. We ordered Patrick his own lunch (mainly because we didn't want to share!) and he ate almost the whole thing. This kid loves him some mac and cheese!

After lunch we headed to a playground and once again, Patrick got to roam around. It is amazing how much he can do physically now. He climbs on everything, crawls through everything and he evened hopped down a step with two feet (although I don't think it was intentional)

It was the perfect family day!

Family Fun Night

On Friday night we went to a family fundraising event. I think this may have been our first public "family" event. It is weird, but I am used to kids and families but not a "family" event. There is a different vibe there and everyone has the same agenda. Eat quickly, try to not loose your child, and have a little fun. We joined some others at this event.

We got through the "eat quickly" part with Patrick eating at the picnic table like a big kid. We didn't really have to worry about the "loose your child" part, because Patrick didn't want to leave the music.

In fact, this kid is obsessed with dancing and music.

I had never seen the kid dance this hard. He had a blast and got the other kids to join him on the "dance" floor.

I was lucky enough to get some snuggle time with Mr. Miles. (notice the side eye my child is giving me though!)

We had to drag him off the dance floor in order to get to bed. We definately had fun!

Cousins

Patrick is a pretty lucky kid. He has 3 cousins that live in the same town as him.

Madison is the caregiver. She watches out for dangers and takes Patrick anywhere he wants to go. Her bright personality is infectious to those around her and Patrick can't help but smile and light up when she is around.


Luke is the inquisitive one. He will wonder about the many things around him and carefully plot his next moves. He is the youngest and I think we just get each other the way only youngest children can. He likes things the way he likes them, and I understand.


Caden is a thinker. He appears to not pay attention to things around him, where in reality he absorbs it all. He quietly thinks through things and then when he speaks it is well thought out and prepared.


Yeah, Patrick is a lucky kid to have these cousins.

Rraawrr! *Insert Vikings horn here*

Apparently the first Pre-Season game starts tonight. I like football, I do. I just don't set my watch by it, or my activities or my life. I leave that up to Ryan.
I'll sit down and enjoy a couple plays, but I have never spent a whole day in one spot barely moving to lean over for another slice of pizza. Not me. I think I got a week off between softball and football. One little week.

Apparently my son is now being groomed for this football stuff. Complete with a jersey that my husband spent more on than I ever would for myself. RRAWRR! *Vikings Horn* it's football season folks.