Softball Time

Tonight Tyson has class, and I am sub-ing on a co-ed softball team in Ladera Ranch with some friends. I am bringing Ryder with me to play with all the other kids. However, feeding him dinner, playing softball, and keeping an eye on my son at the same time will be quite interesting. Any tips from all your multi-tasker moms out there?

One Year Ago

One year ago today...Ryder was four and a half months old, and this is where we were...CHOC Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Ryder was having some scary episodes of not breathing, turning blue, and being completely non-responsive. After 3 episodes in a two week period, he ended up having 4 in one day and we were told to go to the ER immediately. We got to HOAG right away, and after getting checked and Ryder having more episodes in the ER they sent for an ambulance to take us to CHOC. He ended up having 7 in that one day, and since then has not had another.



[We were smiling because we were in good hands]

Those were by far the toughest and scariest four days of our life. I am so glad that we have not had to go back to the hospital since then, and thankful to have a very healthy and thriving little boy. Ryder is such a blessing to us, and we love him so much!

Swinging the Days Away

Ryder's Grandpa (who he calls bopbop) recently hung a swing in the back yard. It is in a perfect spot, and Ryder absolutely loves it. He points at his swing from inside the house as a way of asking us to go out and play on his swing. He loves to look around while swinging to point out all the items he knows and loves...airplanes, clouds, moon, trees, birds, lizards, etc.

Ryder is thankful for the warm spring weather, because that means more time for swinging.

Party at Chuck E. Cheese's

To start, I have to say my whole life I thought the name of this restaurant was Chucky Cheese, not the correct version that is indicated in the title. I learn something new every day!

Ryder has been to Chuck E. Cheese's twice in his life. Once for Laila's 4th birthday which he was about 4 months old, and once this weekend for Lila's 5th Birthday. Ryder is now 16 months old and is able to enjoy this experience much more. It was a mother and son outing, as Daddy was out shooting and having fun with family and friends.

Ryder cheering and dancing to the Happy Birthday song.

I have to say we had a great time. Ryder loved the little car rides, he loved them so much that he wouldn't even stay seated, he jumped right up and was banging on the cars or trucks to go faster or do more. He also loved the games that have mallets to beat little things that pop out of the boxes. In fact he didn't really care if the games were going or on at all, he didn't know the difference, he just loved holding and playing with the mallets. Why am I surprised?

I have to say that taking a 16 month old to Chuck E. Cheese's by yourself is like running a marathon with a 27 pound weight on your hip. Both exhausting and rewarding. The 45 minute car ride home gave me just enough time to regain my energy. But really, we have to thank the Martin's for having such fun birthdays there, or we would never be able to have such a nice outings together.

Wishing...

I am having one of the busiest days ever and I am wishing that I was home with my boys pushing Ryder on his swing, playing outside in the nice warm weather, and having some homemade lemonade. Just enjoying a nice quiet day with the family. Hopefully soon!

Ryder at 16 Months

Ryder is 16 months old and growing up so quick. He is saying more and more each day and we are all understanding each other more and more each day as well. He is such a sweet boy, and loves being held and giving kisses and hugs. Ryder loves being outside, riding in his car, watching Shrek, and playing with his toys (especially his trucks). Ryder's Grandpa (who Ryder calls BopBop) just put up a swing in the back yard and he has so much fun in that. The weather was so warm this weekend (80's) that we were able to enjoy the outdoors all weekend long, and we look forward to many more warmer outdoor months ahead. This weekend Ryder had his 16 month photo shoot. Here are some of the pictures from that session.

Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I love how Valentine's day this year falls on a weekend, it makes for a lot of special time to celebrate. We had a great night out having dinner at the Irvine Spectrum and saw Avatar in 3D IMAX. Such a great movie!

We hope YOU are having a wonderful Valentine's day as well.

Ryder's First Haircut

Ryder will be 16 months old this weekend, and his hair is getting a little long in some areas. My mom has trimmed his hair once before, but today he got the full treatment.

Tyson took Ryder in for his first big-boy haircut today. Here are is the sequence of events...

Flowers

I just got the most beautiful purple roses delivered to me at work. Im so lucky to have such a wonderful and thoughtful husband.

Weekend Outlook

Tonight is pizza and cards (mostly Pinochle). Yes, we love Pinochle, and yes, we are probably the youngest people to play this game. I would love to start a weekly or monthly Pinochle club.

Tomorrow morning I am taking Ryder to a Play & Learn class at Gymboree. This will be our first time doing anything like this, and I am very excited. I'm hoping they let me take pictures in there, so I can show you his first Gymboree class. Then I am taking Ryder home to Daddy, so I can meet up with Megan to get a much needed manicure and pedicure. That night Tyson and I will go out to dinner and a movie, while my parents watch Ryder, in celebration of Valentines Day.

Sunday (Valentine's Day) we are meeting friends for a lovely breakfast, and then we will be taking Ryder in for some very overdue toddler/Easter pictures. I will post the pictures here as soon as we have some, so keep your eyes peeled.

We are off on Monday so that will be a nice relaxing day with fun and games at home. I am really looking forward to this weekend.

One Green Balloon

As I mentioned yesterday Ryder was so happy when he saw the balloons that Shrek and Princess Fiona had, but was so sad that he couldn't reach the one on the TV. So, on my way home yesterday I stopped to get him this one green balloon, and he loved it so much. One little balloon has brought lots of smiles.

Shrek

Shrek is Ryder's favorite movie. He loves to dance to the songs and he loves the bright cartoon colors they use. He has watched that movie so many times in the past couple weeks, he now can anticipate what is coming up. He knows when a song is approaching because he gets off of our laps, or up from whatever he is doing to prepare for the dancing. He knows when a fire scene is coming up, because he holds out his little hand and says hot...just like he does to the fireplace at home, or any of our lit candles. He really wants the frog and snake balloons when Shrek and Fiona are walking through the meadow, which makes me think, today I need to get him a balloon. He sings with Princess Fiona, and he sings with Donkey. He cries when the songs are over, so we rewind them and play the songs over and over so he can keep dancing and singing, and he really cries when the movie is over. He never wants to see it end.

I just realized this today, because when I went to wake Tyson up this morning, I sang the "Welcome to Duloc" song in its entirety, as a good morning wake up call. I always just listened to the song, but never realized I knew the words until today. It is quite a catchy little tune, and Ive been humming them all day.

It may be time for us to venture out and get Shrek II and maybe Shrek III. It may bring some surprises and delight to the whole family after watching the first Shrek so many times. But of all the movies to be addicted to, its not that bad. We all love watching it and are now busting out the Shrek one-liners. If this goes on for a while, I foresee a Shrek party for the big number 2.

Superbowl Commercials

So, here is a list of the "Top 10" Superbowl Commercials, ranked by MSN. They are not listed in any specific order.

a. Snickers - Betty White
b. Coca Cola - The Simpsons
c. Hyundai - Brett Favre
d. TruTV - Punxatawney Polamalu
e. FloTV - Spineless Man
f. Bud Light - Stranded on an Island
g. Kia - Toys Fantasy
h. HomeAway.com - The Griswolds
i. Google - French Love Story
j. Audi - Green Police

Ryder's favorite was the Coca Cola Simpsons commercial. And MSN did not have any of the E*Trade commercials listed, but the E*Trade Two-Timing baby commercial was by far mine and Tyson's favorite. What was your favorite?

Ryder sitting all by himself like a "big" boy during the "big" game and playing with a new magnadoodle toy that the Phan's got him. As you can see he got very excited.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Today is the Superbowl and we will be celebrating a bit with my parents and a bit at a friends house today. We are definitely looking forward to the festivities.

This is probably weird for most people to hear, but we are not huge sports fans. Yes, we love to see a game here and there like the playoffs or the Superbowl but is mostly for the social activities that accompany them. We just don't have sports on that much to really follow whats going on. Actually this year, I haven't seen one football game, or any other game for that matter, but that will change today.

Now to clarify, we do watch some sports, just not the most mainstream sports. We love the Dakar race, Super cross, and Motocross. Now we switch our gears today to watch FOOTBALL! Good thing friends and food come with it.

Saturday Fun

Yesterday was a very fun day for us Remmerts. We went to Baylee's 2nd birthday party and had a great time. There was lots do do, but Ryder mostly enjoyed the yummy garlic bread that was part of the lunch, and the cute little chocolate ladybugs that were placed all throughout their house. When we left the party we stopped by our Uncle's house who lived down the street from where the party was located. Ryder fell asleep on the way home, and then him and I went to a mommy and me dinner at Megan's house. Mommy got to hang out with her girlfriends, and Ryder got to see some of his little friends.

On another note, Ryder just said his name for the first time. He was copying what I was saying and it just popped out. I cant believe it. It is so exciting hearing your little one say a word for the first time...especially when it is their own name.

Job Happiness

One of the little reasons my job makes me HAPPY, is that we get fed breakfast and lunch everyday for free. When I arrive to work there are pastries, bagels, croissants, and egg croissant sandwiches (my favorite) to choose from, along with tons and tons of fresh sliced fruit (also my favorite).

We have a hot lunch everyday that is always yummy and always on time. The catering service provides, utensils, napkins, salad, bread, some sort of main dish and sides to complement. Yes, this is what I get every day, and it sure makes me HAPPY. I am very spoiled now, due to this nice little perk. Have I mentioned how much money this saves us, this also makes me HAPPY.

Once a month they step it up a notch and provide a very nice hot breakfast that includes pancakes (with toppings), eggs, sausage, potatoes and bacon. Today was that day and I just had the most delicious strawberry pancakes with all the fixings, boy am I HAPPY. It is such a treat to have such a full and delicious breakfast even if it is at work.

Here's wishing you a little slice of HAPPINESS today!

Hints for My Husband

Valentine's Day is two weeks away, and my husband always spoils me by sending me flowers, which I absolutely love. Yesterday, I was just ordering flowers for a couple special ladies in our life, and ran across some of the most beautiful bouquets ever. So here are my favorites. I am not really into the traditional red roses and if you can't tell by all the bouquets pictures... I really love the color purple!

Happy February

Happy February!

Yesterday the Groundhog saw his shadow which means that we have 6 more weeks of winter. However, reports say the groundhog is cute, and he is furry but little Punxsutawney Phil is not the most accurate of weatherman (or weather-animals). He is actually right only 39% of the time. So that could mean and early spring after all...only time will tell.

15 Month Check Up

First, I have to say I definitely have been slacking in the "Blog Posting" department. Things have been super crazy this week, and I just have not had much time for anything.

Ryder had his 15 month well check appointment this week and I'm glad to report, he is doing great! He is right on track. Ryder measured in at 35 inches tall (90th percentile), and 27 lbs (100th percentile). What the percentile means is that out of 100 other children his age, he is the 10th tallest and the 1st in weight. I have a feeling he is never going to be a "little guy".

The doc was very impressed that he was already starting to use a spoon and that he has quite a few words in his vocabulary. Ryder was also showing off in the office by posing and running around with just his diaper and socks. Such a funny kid!

Here are some pictures of Ryder this weekend, in his favorite toy...his car!

Chili Cook Off

This weekend the family went to the Dana Point Chili Cook off. This was the first time we did anything like this. There was free chili, hot dogs, sodas, beer, tequila, and music. Ryder was dancing to the music in the middle of a large crowd and everyone was clapping and rooting him on. He sure was loving the spotlight. It was pretty neat, especially since we were supporting my sisters fiance, Daniel's team "Trailer Park Spark". They did not win, but it was a good time for sure.