Not much of anything new going on here. It's been awhile since I've posted, during that time Ryan, Gizmo, and I went to Meema and Meepa's for 4 days when Dean was working long hours. Unfortunately I broke new mother rule number 1 and forgot my camera so I missed some photo opps of Ryan and Gizmo with grandparents and neighbors and the new Dixon Riverfront (it's beautiful!). I'll do better next time.



Anywhere Ryan and I go, he is complimented on his big, beautiful, blue eyes. I took this picture and thought it truly captured that compliment. Click on it for a close up and you'll see what I mean.





I promise I'm not going to be one of those moms who won't let their kid paint or use playdoh or play in the sand, water, or anything messy. BUT I do draw the line at Nibbler cookies. We won't be buying another one of those. This stuff is worse than trying to clean up peanut butter (don't worry I know not to give Ryan that until he's much older). He hates getting his hands and face cleaned and this takes about 10 wipes and only then I hope I've gotten it all. I should just lay Ryan on the ground and let Gizmo go to town licking him clean :)

Here is a very tired baby boy sucking on his fingers. Tooth Number 5 will be coming in soon.

Ryan has grown out of most of his pajamas. He's at that stage where 6-9 months are too little and 12 months too big. We're going today to get some more pajamas. Here is one of the few sets he has that still fits. Gotta love the slippers (thanks Meema!).

Call me cheap, thrifty, or too much like my father, but the other day I counted up the number of first hand, store bought toys I've bought for Ryan (excludes 2nd hand stores, garage sales, and gifts) and I only came up with 2! But why spend too much money on them when he's perfectly happy playing with random things like shoes, the patio door, and laundry baskets.

Party and Cookie

On Sunday, the Stoebers headed to Rockford to attend the party celebrating Cousin Ava's 3rd birthday and Cousin Caden's 5th birthday. Here's Caden with a gloop of mushy silly string in his hand.



Here Caden got the hang of how to spray the silly string. Aunt Marcia and Ava were in the line of fire.

Believe it or not, probably 3 or 4 times a year all 7 Lendman kids and Gramma Pat and Papa Joe end up at the same function. However this was one of those rare times someone actually took a picture. Standing left to right are Dan, Julie, Mark, Shirley, Marcia, Chris, and Bernie (aka Meepa).

Uncle Mark put his hat on Ryan's head.

I found these Gerber nibbler cookies at the store the other day. Supposedly babies like to knaw on them while teething. They dissolve pretty easily so there's little risk of choking. I took a taste (before giving it to Ryan) and it tasted what I expected Gizmo's dog biscuits to taste like. No, that didn't stop me from giving it to Ryan. He loved it!