My Baby is 1!

Okay, I think I am finally emotionally ready to blog about Rylan being one year old! For some reason my baby turning one had a much larger emotional effect on me than I had expected. It seems like yesterday that we were introducing are precious new son to all of our family in the hospital room. This last year has given Tyson and I a new outlook on each other and our inner selves. Becoming a parent is by the far the greatest gift that God has ever blessed me with. Each day I can't believe that I get to stay home with such an amazing person. I was just telling Savannah and Len how each day of being a parent is better than the one before it. Rylan makes us laugh either at him or with him everyday. Hearing his laugh is the most infectious thing in the world.

He is walking everywhere and finding new limits within our home. His new game is chasing Duncan & Winston. It is so nice for his Momma to see him at playgroup now, he actually plays and interacts with his friends. For some reason it brings me great joy seeing him be so social. We are nearing the end of swim class and he has really come along way. It was an 11 week course, and he can now hold on to the edge of the pool and pull himself out, close his eyes underwater, kick his legs, move his arms in a strokish motion, and blow bubbles in the water. Rylan has no fear of the water. I always tell people if he could be outside or in the water he would never fuss. He still continues to eat almost everything we give him, but if you give him a fruit of any kind (especially oranges or grapes) he will eat them over anything. However, he does tend to feed the boys from his highchair, a habit we are trying to break. There are so many new things that he does everyday, but it is hard to remember them all and record all of them.

On his actual birthday we were glad to be able to celebrate it with Uncle Kirby. Tyson was on vacation so we had a day that was full of activities and fun. For his birthday breakfast I made him Mickey Mouse pancakes. Then we played all morning and had our morning nap. When he woke up we went to eat lunch at a restaurant that has a sandbox outside for children to play in. Rylan and Uncle Kirby both loved it. Next we had swim class and after that we were pooped and it was time for his afternoon nap. When he got up we played and then got ready to go to Chucke Cheese's, a first for all 4 of us. Rylan didn't so much like Chucke, he was of scared him, but he loved playing ski ball. When we got home we had ice cream cake, Rylan loved it, and the mess he got to make with it. It was a great day! My baby is now a one year old, I officially said it!

Rylan, you are a blessing that brings me and your Daddy great joy. Without you my world was not complete, with you everything is perfect. When I look at you I see happiness and I can't wait to see what new and exciting things you will do tomorrow. I love you!

Birthday Bash

Well Rylan's birthday bash was everything we had expected and more. We had a fabulous time with all of our family at the Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch here in San Antonio. One great surprise for Rylan and Mommy was seeing Aunt Kyra walk up. Kyra, you are the sweetest, caring, loving, sister and aunt to Rylan and me. You being there made the weekend that much more special to me! Also adding to an awesome weekend was finally getting to meet our niece Sophia. It was so sweet to see Rylan and his cousin together.

The resort had everything we wanted and more. As you can tell by the pictures we took advantage of all the resort had to offer. The weather wasn't as hot as we had hoped for but we were there for the water. Rylan loves the water and so we got in any way. We played in the pool, the water slides, practiced Rylan's swimming class skills, rode on the lazy river, and played on the sandy beach.

On Saturday we celebrated Rylan's first birthday party with family, a few friends, presents, and of course cake. We set everything up while Rylan was taking his afternoon nap. We didn't decorate a lot seeming as how we were at a hotel. But everything that was decorated was of course Mickey Mouse. I have to give props to HEB for a fabulous cake. They didn't have the cake I wanted, but they were able to use figurines I bought and make a cake the way I designed it. Also for your child's first birthday if you by a sheet cake they throw in an 8 inch round cake for free (you know the one your baby gets all to themselves).

We began with presents because we knew the cake part was going to be messy. Rylan enjoyed the tissue paper and the bows that were on his gifts. We couldn't believe how much stuff he got. He got clothes, a sandbox, sand toys, a dolphin float, a mickey mouse lounge chair, puzzles, books, a frame for each year of his life, a personalized scrapbook (made by his Aunt Kyra), and so much more. Thank you to everyone who loves our son so much that you spoil him with your love and gifts. When we got home Rylan, Daddy, and Mommy cleaned out old toys to make room for the new ones.

Next was cake, oh my goodness. I didn't see this coming but when it was time to sing Happy Birthday to my son I began tearing up. I wasn't expecting to cry but when your baby is sitting their in front of his first birthday cake emotions over come you, well me anyway. After the big cake we stripped down our little man and let him enjoy his own little cake (Mommy had recovered by this point). He actually didn't dig in the way I had expected him to. I figured it would be a huge mess, but he was actually very slow and careful about tearing it up. Eventually the sweet taste of chocolate touched my boys mouth, now there is no turning back.

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate the awesome occasion of Rylan's birthday. It meant so much for all of you to be there.

I almost forgot to add that while there we also celebrated Mother's Day! My Momma, Cindy, and Aunt Judy went Saturday morning to the spa to get the Momma Mia Special. Then Sunday morning the men got up and cooked us Momma's breakfast. It being my first Mother's Day and Rylan's birthday celebration made for the best weekend!

Family Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago we had a Purdy family photo shoot. We decided to do it right before Rylan's first birthday. We found a lady here in San Antonio who did a great job! She is with Mustard Seed Photography for those of you interested. She was VERY reasonable and great to work with. We did them here in town at the San Jose Missions, beautiful, and exactly the rustic, springy look I was going for. Rylan did a great job, he was laughing and hamming it up the entire time. My most favorite ones are the pictures that captured his bold personality. These are memories that we will cherish forever. Tyson was dreading this shoot but once we got started both him and I, and the photographer were cracking up at our little man. We couldn't have asked for a better shoot. We got the pictures we wanted, a photographer we love, and memories captured. The only difficult thing is now going through and picking out my favorites, this will be the most difficult task.

Our photographer was so great and she must have enjoyed us too, because she put us on her blog and her website. Probably not for Tyson and I but mainly for Rylan. We are partial but who could resist a little boy who hams it up for you?

http://www.mustardseedphoto.com/