Long time, no blog

It was brought to my attention recently that this blog is suffering from neglect, and that the legion of Ryan's fans are wondering if he's gone into hiding.

If he has, don't worry. We can find him by following the trail of destruction he leaves in his wake now that he's 1.


This is one of my birthday cards, sent by thoughtful friends of my parents.



Look! I ripped it in half.


I am wicked strong.


This post will be somewhat Lazy Blogger style, with lots of photos and little narrative. Try to hide your disappointment. But first, we have some updates:

• Ryan has been walking confidently since Christmas. He walks best while holding something, especially if it's something he's not supposed to have, like my cellphone or a knife he's plucked from the dishwasher while I was loading it. (That's only happened once. Hunter is learning about it here for the first time.)


I can drive and text, just like the big boys. Beep! Beep!


• The LG likes to play "I'm gonna get you" as one of us chases him around. He squeals with laughter. He also finds fake burps and armpit tickles hilariously funny.


• I'm pregnant, and due Aug. 1.

• Ryan can say "uh-oh," which is what Hunter said when I told him I was pregnant and due Aug. 1. Well, let's be honest: He said a few other things that aren't fit to print in a family blog.


I'm calling Mimi to tell on you, Da-da.

• Ryan can say "Da-da," which means both Daddy and Mommy and kitty and, well, OK. Maybe it doesn't have any meaning to him yet. So "uh-oh" appears to be his first word, though he clearly understands almost everything we say and is babbling like crazy. Most recently he's messing around with his tongue, so he sounds like Steve Carell's possessed TV anchorman in "Bruce Almighty."

• The LG loves books. Watching him crawl to the shelf and pull out his books and sit quietly turning them over and "reading" them is one of my greatest joys. No kidding.





• Ryan has only now started holding his own bottle, and he eschews finger foods that aren't Cheerios, Cheerios, rice husks or Cheerios. He was an early walker and an early picky eater. These are Hunter's genes, I'm sure. I even had to force some chocolate icing into his mouth from his birthday cupcake before he could be convinced that it was good.

Of course, once the chocolate was in there, there was no stopping him. (See: George, Hunter: Life Story.)




I don't do hats.


I don't do sticky things on my fingers.


I'm reconsidering my policy on sticky things.


I've run out of wit, so now I present more recent photos from dear Ryan's life. We had a great birthday party for him, where he was surrounded by family both here and via Skype! He's a lucky boy, to be so loved. Thanks, y'all.