Ryanisms

While life continues to move at more than one hundred miles an hour, here are a few "Ryanisms" that made us stop and appreciate what we've got.  We thought you might enjoy them too!

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE
Last week was particularly tough between Mike's work/school schedule and many of us battling colds.  Some nights I think I saw every hour on the clock!  Early one morning when I was desperately trying to sneak a few more minutes of sleep before the chaos of the day descended I heard Ryan calling out, "Mommy, morning yet?"  I stumbled down to his room, pointed out that it was still pitch black outside and pleaded with him to go back to sleep.  He was completely uninterested in that so I suggested he stay in his room and read books for the next 15-20 minutes.  Thankfully he agreed, although he did note that, "me no know words; me just look at pictures."  I kissed him and practically sprinted back to bed to make the most of those precious few last minutes of shut eye.  Just as I drifted off to sleep, I heard him excitedly call out, "Mommy, Mommy come here please."  I asked him what he needed and he replied, "Come see pretty sunrise with me."  How could I say no to a handsome guy asking me to enjoy a beautiful sunrise?!  As I looked out the palladian window in the hallway, rubbing my bleary eyes, he said, "yook, Mommy, it so pretty.  I see blue, orange, and purple.  But me no see any yellow."  I kneeled down to enjoy the view with him and he nuzzled into my shoulder and said, "Me know you love pretty sunrises and sunsets, Mommy."  That moment with my son was far more invigorating than the extra 15 minutes of sleep would have been!

DIAPER DIARIES
We're making slow but steady progress with potty training.  We declare every morning a "dry diaper day" and commit to doing all of our "business" on the potty.  Most days, we're successful, although I still have to initiate all of the trips to the bathroom.  A few days ago as I was putting Ryan in a fresh diaper for the day he matter of factly states, "me don't want a butt and pickle anymore.  Then me no have to go pee pee or poo poo on the potty."  When Mike got home later that evening and I was recounting this story to him, Ryan laughed, slapped his hand down on the table and said, "me just kidding bout that, Mommy, me being silly!"

THE ART OF IMITATION
Mealtime with Ryan is always an adventure and often requires negotiation, begging, and bribery.  Yesterday we agreed to share hotdogs and pretzels for lunch.  Since the dishwasher was running and we only had one clean fork, I encouraged him to use it.  I would occassionally reach over and sneak a piece of hotdog off his plate, dip it into the ketchup and pop it into my mouth.  A few minutes later, I saw him using his fingers to dredge the hotdog pieces through the ketchup.  I reminded him that we don't live in a barn and we eat with utensils in this house.  Without missing a beat, he replied, "me just trying to match what you do, Mommy."  Touché!