Trick or Treat!

Well, she did it.  Ryan put on her costume (with a little coaxing from her neighbor friend Ameila and maybe a Skittle bribe) and actually got into the hang of it.   She and Ameila hit a whopping 6 houses before they called it a night to return back to the firepit to check out their loot.   Lucky for us Ryan was more interested in the glow sticks than the sugar so her Halloween hangover should be minimal.   Reese was a trooper her first time out seeing as 6:45 is her bedtime; a few tears, a few laughs and our cow was out cold early.

Discussing strategy with Ameila

 These husks are getting old....

 An elephant loose in the wild

An unhappy cow

 Working the firepit

 Pre-Halloween meal for energy

Practicing for the big day

After a few dry runs, Ryan has the whole 'trick or treat' thing down!   Now we're just taking bets on whether or not she's in the mood to put her costume on tomorrow.  If all else fails, we'll go with our backup costume:  an opinionated, stubborn toddler.

Another day, another head band...

We have lift off!

So Reese has been crawling for awhile now but as of the last few days, she is really crawling - across the room style...  And if that's not enough, my not-so-much-a-baby-anymore is pulling herself up in her crib, furniture, people, anything she can get her precious little hands on.

Not only am I saddened at the speed in which my baby is growing up, I'm also very saddened that I will really need to amp up the floor cleaning, and man, do I hate cleaning floors.

WWF wannabes.....

These two sure do like to wrestle.....that Reesey is going to be one, strong chick - she can hold her own.

It's always a proud, special moment for a parent when your toddler perfects a quality choke hold.  Kleenex please.  

 Gotcha Reese - you're not going anywhere! 

 Is it bad that Dad just kept snapping away despite Reese's pleas for parental interference?  Even Ryan has that look "really dad, you're not going to jump in here?  Mom would be all over this."

Bye Sugar!

So this tempting little dandy is prominently displayed on our staircase.  Of course the Skittles were purchased back in '07 (remember that when visiting), but this is besides the point.  The point is that Ryan, of course, has discovered this gem and likes to try and sneak a handful while unattended.   Suffice it to say, the last thing Ms. Ryan needs is a mouthful of sugar so she is not allowed to touch the 'candy'.  Occasionally, when all is silent in the world for a tad too long, you might find her rushing to get a fix.  Nothing says 'busted' like a handful of Skittles bouncing down the stairs for the house to hear.  The other day I found her here and all I had to do was give the infamous parent look for her to promptly say in the most angelic voice created "bye candy, bye sugar"

 Those evil people have thwarted my plan once again.....

Cereal junkie....

Ryan has been digging cereal lately and of course not the healthy kind --- she has a penchant for Golden Grahams and Captain Crunch (can't say I don't blame her).

 I can only imagine this was my daughter ordering around sweet Ella - god only knows the specific instructions she was giving.  

While we're at it.....a special thanks to Ella for coming into town for a weekend to keep Grant sane company while mom was out of town for a week.  

It's Saturday, that means FOOTBALL!

The Stiff's won't be doing too much today other than watching some college ball.....The girls are in the fighting spirit:

School Photos

So a few weeks ago, it was picture day at school - since we are always taking pics of the girls I wasn't really caring about school taking Glamour Shot style pics of Ryan.  So Ryan chose her outfit, she dictated her hair style (two ponies with a mis-matched clip) and off we went to school.  We just got the proofs back and they didn't disappoint.   Prom style, Glamour Shots.....hands placed akwardly so on her little knees, head tilted, ill-fitting khakis and tennis shoes in one shot, etc....judge for yourself:

Dinner Date!

What could possibly be cuter than a little daddy/daughter bonding time while Mom is out of town and Reesey is hanging with her grandparents?  Ryan and Dad enjoying some pizza at Deweys.  Ryan called the shots on her big date and got dinner, some fun at the Pumpkin Patch and then capped it off with a little Yo Gabba Gabba - what could be better in the eyes of a two year old? 

Good night!

A horse, a Saint, and a Stiff...

His wife is due any minute with their second boy, so we chatted* briefly about life with two.

*'chatted' is a total lie, really it went like this:
Me:  So I hear you're about to have #2
Drew:  Yeah
Me:  Congrats
Drew:  Thanks

I think he liked me, or at least he liked my cool namebadge... Just sayin'.

Reason 5,437 traveling for work sucks...

missing even just one second of this precious thumb-suckers life....

Free daycare...I suppose you can't be picky when it's free

Ryan and Reese have been hanging with Grandma and Grandpa and apparently anything goes....

What's missing from this picture?  Who doesn't go to Grandma's house, walk over to the freezer, grab some ice, demand (DEMAND) Grandma pound it up to make crushed ice, all while going commando. 

 Remind me not to let Reese near Uncle John again....

Lights out!

So I didn't win $5 the other night, but I was close....the first night for Ryan in her new bed was interesting to say the least.  She LOVED having a new room and a new bed but the second she caught on that she would have to sleep in said bed, she started freakin'.  We finally closed the door around 9pm, she fought a bit but settled into her new slumber rather easily.  A little after 11pm, I hear her crying/whining 'mama - mama' --- while tired as all get out, I couldn't leave my little devil to fend for herself.  I walk into the room and I can hear her, but can't see her little frame anywhere....until I of course look under the crib, only about 8" of clearance and that little rascal has somehow fallen off the bed and then rolled back underneath the damn crib.  Pitch black, hard wood floors and can't find her way out - are we torturing the kid or what?  Of course she promptly came to bed with mom and dad.  Duh. 

Night 2 in the new bed --- went down rather easily and woke at 2:30am because she fell off the bed "mama, I bumped my head" - of course she promptly came to bed with mom and dad.  Duh x 2.

At this rate we should get a full night's sleep in the new bed by Christmas.

The two little babes playing around, doing what they do best: 

The escape artist, part two

Last night, after Ryan verified for mom (and the camera) that she can, in fact, climb out of her crib with the talent of a skilled thief, we figured bedtime would be interesting. 

She didn’t disappoint.  Grant finally took her into her room for their usual bedtime ritual.  She got in her crib, snuggled up with blankets, he leaves and shuts the door.  When he comes back into our room he looks at me and asks “So, now what?  Do we just wait for a thud?”  Special, isn’t he.  He honestly hasn’t even spit all the words out when we hear the door open and the pitter-patter of little feet happily running into our room.  Ryan comes right up to me, grinning ear to ear, and says “I did it mama, I did it”. 

That you did child, that you did.

So tonight, a switch of rooms with Reese (long story) and a new, quickly modified 'big girl' bed....  It shall be an interesting night - if you've ever slept with this child you know what I mean.   I predict a few thuds, tears and the inevitable presence of a 2 year old in mom and dad's bed.  All by 9pm, I put $5 on it. 

The escape artist...

Ryan was put in her crib tonight for time-out....after some initial whining it got a little too quiet up there so I went to check on her and guess who was sitting at the top of the stairs, smug as can be....

Of course, being the good parent I am, I asked her to recreate the escape for the camera.....you know, to blog it for the world to see.

Headbands galore....

Because Ryan said so....and if Ryan says so, well, you know how the rest goes....

Happy Monkey....

 The jolliest little babe you ever did see.....

com·pro·mise [kom-pruh-mahyz]

Seriously, this was one of Ryan's words at school last week.

 A settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.   

If she ever busted that word out in conversation I'd be beside myself.   Anyway, I'm not really sure that lesson sunk in.   Here is she 'playing' with Reese.  Disclaimer:  Ryan got a few new headbands the other day and has been obsessed with them, she likes to demand Reese follow suit....

one more note - sorry for the unsightly pink 'potty' that is smack dab in the background of most of our pics....  We really need to move that.