Today

Well it's Tuesday...which is usually a rather dull day. Nothing exciting. Attie comes on Tuesdays so we usually hang around the house most of the day. Today I decided to get the boys out. We have an awesome park near our house that Rylin and I have traveled to many times before. The last time we were there, I noticed that the ducks were especially friendly. I have been growing a small collection of heels in my bread box, and every time I look at them I think about those ducks. So after lunch we loaded up the double stroller and hit the park. The boys loved all the ducks and their crazy quacking, though when I gave them bread to feed them, they ate it themselves!



After a long nap Attie's mom picked him up, and by then, the weather was turning dark. It wasn't long before it came a big downpour. For the first time, Rylin took note of the rain falling on the patio. When I noticed him standing at the glass door, I couldn't help myself. I pulled out the galoshes and let him go! I knew I was asking for a melt down upon bringing him in, but I figured it was worth it to let him have his first romp in the rain.

So worth it!!!

Every Boy Needs a Papa

...and we're glad you're ours! Happy Birthday, Dad!

Everyday Humor

Jordan and I used to say that Duke made us laugh every day. That wrinkled Bulldog face, well it's pretty funny looking, and he gives us more to laugh at when he cuts the cheese at unexpected moments, perches his head on anything in chins reach, and a million other side splitting antics. Nothing compares, though, to the laughter that is created by the surprising things your child does. Here are a few of my favorite funny moments from the last few weeks. Most don't need captions...you could probably make up your own!

fetching a paci...gone bad

push ups with Duke

first signs of becoming a man?

resourceful use of a plastic ring...anklet?

surprise stick horse sculpture when I got Rylin up from nap

and the original funny guy enjoying a peaceful drink from the sippy cup!

Better Late Than Never

And I'm not talking about blogging! I have decided that its time to go cloth. Yes, I said it, and no I haven't lost my marbles. Next week we will be 100% cloth diapering. (Well maybe 99%) It's been on my mind for a while now, and because of a little push from my buddy Bethany (who's also taking the plunge with Attie...no pun intended) and a recent bout with diaper rashes, I am really going to do it. Before I go on, I must say that this is a personal decision, and in no way is it meant to be a guilt trip for other parents reading this blog. In the last few weeks I have faced some criticism from those with whom I've disclosed, so I don't want any of you reading this to think I have it all figured out and my way is the only way. Be responsible and do your own research. BUT...I do think this recent change in our lives is blog worthy, so here's why we're ditching the disposables. Most of us know the impact disposable diapers have on landfills, and even how much money you can save cloth diapering (especially if you start sooner than me), but I have been recently more conscious of the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis by way of our skin. I know that some people can go uber crazy when they "think" something is potentially harmful, or they've "heard" that something is bad, so I tried to take a conservative and sensible approach. In my research of chemicals found in disposable diapers, I found a lot of inconclusive and vague information, but the majority is negative. The diaper manufactures basically regulate themselves when it comes to what they put in their products and they don't have to give all this info on the box. What I do know from my own experience is that those suckers can hold a lot of pee for a small amount of material, and that just ain't natural! I also know that sometimes money can come before being completely safe when it comes to a product as widely sold as disposable diapers. So, as I tend with most things, I'm going with "better safe than sorry". It might be an inconvenience, but I know I'll sleep better at night. So how did I convince the hubs...especially since he does all our laundry?! I tapped into his environmental planning side. It also helps that he's currently heading up a project at work for a solid waste master plan and had to tour a couple trash and recycle hubs last week! Now those of you that don't have little kids might be picturing those old prefolds that my baby butt was wrapped in. The cloth diapers of Rylin's generation have come a long way. We're talking adjustable, snaps, Velcro, removable liners, and no more plastic covers. I have personally decided to go with Fuzzibunz one size (meaning birth to potty training age). They come in all sorts of colors, have adjustable leg holes and waist, and use handy snaps that are a lot safer and easier than those giant diaper pins. We've tried them a few times this week and they have been super easy....and Rylin really put them to the test if you know what I mean. It is pretty hard to get a picture of him that isn't blurry these days, but here's my best attempt...

I will also be purchasing the handy sprayer that hooks to the toilet to avoid the "swirl" cleaning method. We'll see how long it takes Jordan to use it as a bidet!

So here's to being a little more Eco friendly. Green has always been my favorite color.

Spring Break

So we didn't really notice it was spring break last week except that Attie wasn't with us on Tuesday and Thursday. None the less, we DID do some fun things that are definitely blog worthy.

My niece, Shelby came to stay with us since she was on break, and she quickly became Rylin's new best friend. "Welby", as he called her, was a good sport in tagging along for a play date at Pump It Up Jr....

Attie & Bethany
Erin with Henry & Rylin

Adelay & Attie

LOVES Pump It Up!

A trip to the park...

Luscious lashes...wish I had them!

And sharing her iPod!

Adoption Blogger Playdate

Today, Rylin and I got the pleasure of meeting some friends that I feel like I've known for a while. Melodie has a blog that my other friend Allison introduced me to when Jordan and I were considering adoption. When I first started reading, she and her husband had just adopted their oldest son Holden, and just two months before Rylin was born, they brought home their second son Paxton. I have enjoyed following their story and been encouraged by reading about someone I have a lot in common with who has a family like my own. These two boys are soooo cute, and Melodie's blog is always inspiring and entertaining, so I don't know why it took us this long to get together! We had intended to meet at a park half way between us, but because of the cool weather and lack of playground, we ended up at a nearby Chick-fil-a. The boys had fun playing in the indoor play place and Melodie and I got to talk adoption among other things...all between "no-no's" and squeals! (Good to know someone else's boys are active too!) She was able to snap a pic of all three which I snagged since mine didn't turn out so well. They didn't sit still for long!




So glad that we found each other and I know we'll be hanging out again soon!

Crosby Cash

As I said before, I have been more than consumed this month preparing for the arrival of Rylin's new little cousin (designing the nursery, planning a baby shower, and quilting...yes, quilting). I'd like to catch you up on the last two weeks.

You may remember me blogging here about my cousin Crystal and her husband Rick who were expecting. Crystal, her sister Candyce, and I are all less than two years apart and have grown up very close to each other. I can honestly say they are two of my best friends and like sisters to me. So when Crystal found out she was pregnant, I was super excited (especially with the prospect of Rylin getting a playmate close to his age). Crystal doesn't have much desire for decorating or anything related so I was happy to take over when she asked me for some nursery help. We have had fun planning and shopping over the last several months, and as her due date was approaching (April 7th), we had decided that I would pay her a visit last weekend to help put everything together and deliver the funiture we bought in Dallas.

In the mean time, Candyce and I, along with some other family and friends began planning a shower. When I got married, my family made me a special quilt with squares decorated by different people presented to me at my bridal shower. I knew Crystal had liked it, so this ambitious girl decided I would round the troops and make her a baby quilt in the same way. Needless to say, it was a little difficult getting my family organized. The last squares were returned to me one week prior to the shower (one month past the deadline)! So I headed to my Mom's house to have my grandmother help me put it together while MiMi babysat. By Wednesday night, I had about quilted my fingers to the bone, but could see the end in sight...when we got the call. Crystal was admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure and they would induce in the morning. We were excited but scared and waited anxiously. On Thursday morning Crosby Cash was born happy and healthy, six weeks early at just 3 lbs 13 oz...but over 17" long! I finished that quilt just in time!

tiny and perfect

As you know from my own baby shower experience, my family believes..."the show must go on", and so, the shower preparations continued despite the fact our guest of honor would not be there! Saturday turned out to be a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed the quilt. I video taped the entire event for Crystal to watch, complete with well wishes from each guest and a full documentary of our parking lot cake cutting (because we got kicked out of the party room for running over time).

Cute as a Button theme

Our guest sign in...glue on a button "leaf" and write your name

diaper cake and my first attempt at a sock monkey

parking lot cake cutting

Proud Aunts and Grandmother

Those that stuck around for cake...

As planned, I headed to Crystal & Ricks the following Friday so that the nursery would be ready when little Crosby came home from the hospital. While Rick feverishly (more like ssslllooowwwlllyyy) painted the room, Candyce and I shopped, returned gifts, shopped, washed blankets and clothes, shopped, did a few "projects", shopped, and decorated the room. We had a big reveal for Crystal on Sunday afternoon and she was quite impressed. Crosby has the coolest room in the house...but that's not saying much since they are still waiting on me to get to decorating the other ones!