Tons of Family to Love!!

I have so many pictures to share from my week at the beach that I am going to have to split them up into numerous posts so I can adequately cover everything!!! I will do it family by family- so stay tuned for yours if you do not see it today!

It was so fun to stay in Avalon with the whole gang- including Aunt Susan, Uncle Paul, Miles, Annie, Mommom, Poppy, Cici, Bud, Mommy and Daddy! (Oh- and Hoover and Princess too!)

We went on a lot of walks and had so much fun. CiCi's house is so nice for a lot of people now since her addition. Even Great Grandmom Grace, Liz, Lois & Steve came to visit. They brought me a cute stuffed horse and Mommy bought me a tiny little pair of Crocs that are still too big for me- but I can't wait to fit into. I met lots of new friends too, so I can't wait to back over the summer and play on the beach with them! I am still tired from the busy week- so I have to go nap now. I will continue with the families on Daddy's side in my next post!

Is Purple My Color???

I am so sorry for taking a break from my blog over the last week! I was in Avalon with my family and I was so excited, tired, hungry, happy, confused, overstimulated, poopy and extremely exhausted- that I just did not have the energy to post anything! My Mamma felt the same way- so we agreed to just say "HELLO" real quickly today and then compose an adequate post tomorrow when we regain some of our strength. So- until tomorrow, here is a silly picture of me in my cousins sunglasses!

California Cousins

My crazy California cousins are finally here!!!!!!!!!! Miles and Annie are their names and I like them a lot! They got here early yesterday morning and it was the perfect thing for me to wake up to! We have been having so much fun. We played in the back yard with a ball, we tried tummy time, I got to watch a DVD with them, and they helped give me a bath today! Later I want them to read me the books that they brought to me all the way from the West Coast. Tomorrow we are headed down to Avalon where CiCi & Bud and Mommom & Poppy are going to help Mommy watch Miles, Annie and me! I can't wait to walk (be pushed in the stroller) on the beach with them. We can put our heads together to see what other kinda trouble we can get ourselves into! I will keep you posted...

Realtor In Training

I got to go to work with Mommy for the first time today! We did a lot of Realtor stuff and I was not bored at all! I enjoyed seeing all the new places & faces. First we went to her office and I got to meet a lot of other Realtors. They seem like a nice group of people. Next we drove in the car to a place I had never been before and we showed a very nice couple a house. (I smiled at the lady right away- she was nice & I think she enjoyed my little smiling face.) I tried to tell the couple that I liked the house- but I am not too sure if they understood me. I hope they buy it because then I will feel like I had something to do with it!! Next we took some home informational sheets to one of Mommy's listings. This is when I was starting to get tired and fussy, so Mommy knew it was time to take me home. All in all, I did good today, if I do say so myself!!! I can't wait to go sell tons of homes & help out Mom!! Next I will have to go to work with Daddy to see what he does...

A Pack of Wolf's!

Mommy and Daddy's friends, Jack & Kerry Wolf, came over yesterday with their three kids Bridgette, John & Erin. The two little girls are twins and it was neat- even for me, a mere 7 week old, to see how different they were. Bridgette is the crazy energetic one, Erin is more reserved, and John is just cool! He plays t-ball and I was getting jealous hearing everyone talk about it. I can't wait to be able to play sports like a big boy! Mommy and Daddy don't get to see them very often- but all of the Wolf kids are great, so maybe we can see them more often. Please Mom & Dad...can we??? They are sooooo fun!!

Family Fun Cuddlin'

I know that when Daddy is not here during the day with Mommy and me, that he is thinking about me and missing me. He tells me that he checks out my blog a lot- so today I am posting this for him because I just want to tell my Daddy that I love him and that he is such a great Daddy!! I know Mommy appreciates all that he does to help her out and she is always giving him praise for how well he handles me in all different situations. She is totally impressed with him and so am I!! Can't you just tell by how she is looking at him in the picture that she thinks he is doing a super job?

Love ya & can't wait for our wonderful tummy/cuddle time when you get home tonight!!

I'm Smilin' Now!

I am totally getting the hang of this smiling thing!! At first I was very reserved with my smiles- only dishing them out every so often- but I am finally getting more generous with them. I see how happy it makes people- so why not!

I got a cool tummy time play mat in the mail from CiCi and Bud yesterday and I just love it. Mommy put me on it and I was smiling up a storm. It is making my neck stronger- but it is also just so cool and fun!! I lay slightly above the ground on what is basically a lazy susan and I can spin around and see different things on the mat below me like a lady bug or a mirror!! I never really minded tummy time before- but now I am going to want to do it all the time! Thanks, guys- for looking out for me!!!

Ladies Man in Training

Mommy says I am not allowed to date until I am 16 (although she would really prefer 30-ish) but I am trying to get a jump on my flirting skills!! I have recently had some visits from some really cute little ladies. Let me introduce them to you...Antonella Rose Taylor (daughter to Rob & Andrea Taylor) and Greta Maria Matias (daughter to Katie & Florian Matias.)

Antonella's mommy and my mommy were pregnant and going through a lot of the same issues together- so it gave our Daddies a lot to talk about. She was born 8 days before me and is a cute little fair skinned red head like her daddy. Hopefully we will get together for play dates. Antonella looks a bit scared of me here- but I will work my charm on her and win her over, I am sure!!

Greta, on the other hand, loved me from minute one! She was so enamored with me that she just started sucking on my head right away!! She is an older woman (3 months older) and I am going to be looking to her to help me out with navigating this thing called life! Her mommy and my mommy are best friends, but she lives in New Jerzeeee almost in New York. I will still get to see her a lot, though. I like her- she has a gentle touch to her sucking...I didn't mind it one bit!

So, you better watch out girls!! "Thunder" Ryan is getting an early start with the women!

Here I come...

Mother's Day

I had quite a busy day today. Mommy and Daddy took me to Nana & Grandpa George's house and I met a lot of new people. Jolene & Bill and Denny & Sophie were there- as well as the guest of honor...my great Grandmom Priscilla- otherwise known as Nan. She held me for a long time and we really bonded! I got to sit with her in her wheel chair. I thought my stroller was neat- but this thing is way better! She is a cool lady and I can't wait to see a lot more of her. Of course my Aunt Courtney and my Uncle (and God Father) Jeff were there. Uncle Jeff fed me a bottle and burped me. He is getting ready for his baby that is due in a couple months. I can't wait to meet my newest cousin upon his arrival!!!!

Here is a video of me & Nan. This is the first time a camera has caught me smiling...I must really like her a lot!

Mommom and Poppy came to see us today. They said they were coming to celebrate Daddy's Birthday and Mother's Day- but in actuality- I know they were just coming to see me!! They are so great and I just love them so much! I was pretty excited because Poppy got to feed me a bottle of milk and he did a great job. You would not have known that the last time he had a little one in the house was 33 years ago when Mommy was a baby. Mommom brought me some really cool clothes that I just cannot wait to wear. She definitely keeps me updated in the most couture kiddie clothes. We had a very nice visit and I cannot wait to spend more time with them in Avalon over Memorial Day weekend when I get to see my Crazy California Cousins! (Miles & Annie I am counting the days until I meet you...)

Almost there!!

I REALLY want to communicate with Mommy and Daddy with more than just tears, crying and screaming!! I feel as though I am pretty close, as shown in the above video. I am just not quite there yet- but I have a feeling I am going to be "cooing" with the best of them any day now. I have done it on occasion- but nothing consistent quite yet.

Also- please take note in the video that I am indeed good at spitting up. You have to look closely- but there is a bit of milk that comes up that I am very proud of!! Just one cool part in "a day in the life" of little old me!

A Week of Firsts

This week has been very exciting for me...I have done a lot of new things! On Monday I took a bath for the first time without crying or even getting fussy and I did not even need my pacifier! I like the water now and can't wait until I can get into the "big boy bath," even though I know that is a long time from now!

I also smiled for the first time yesterday. Mamma was watching Oprah on TV and some actor guy Tom Cruise was on. They were showing a scene from a movie he was in and playing a song called "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling." Mommy started singing and was staring straight at me and I just thought she was so funny...so I decided that this would be the first time I showed her my wonderful toothless grin! I need to do it more often, because she was so happy with me!

Mommy also tried to take me shopping to Kohl's today- this was our first major shopping experience just the two of us- and I was having none of it! We were only in the store for about 3 minutes when I decided I wanted to leave and started crying- or should I say screaming. Mommy b-lined for the door and we were outta there! I am just not old enough for that, yet. Try back in a few weeks, Mommy!!

So- all in all a good week...and it is only Wednesday!

Doctor's Visit

I had a pediatrician's appointment today to check on the size of my head and all my squished features. The doctor had told Mommy and Daddy that we needed to keep a watch on these things just to make sure they were not an indication of something bigger...and today she gave me a clean bill of health! If only I could talk- I could have told the doc that there is nothing wrong with me weeks ago! I was just squished in Mommy when she was still pregnant with me! Doc Long, who I really like (despite her prodding and poking me while I am naked on a table) was happy with my weight gain. 10 lbs 4 oz!! I am not only gaining it in my cheeks & chin anymore, now you can indeed see it in my legs & arms too. Mommy loving refers to me as her little porker.

Avalon or Bust!

I recently went on an adventure! This past Tuesday, Mommy and I packed up the car and headed down to Avalon, NJ...or as Mommy likes to call it, Heaven! Unfortunately the trip got off to a rough start with us hitting 1hr 33 min of traffic. I was not happy at all! I only like the car when it was moving...so I cried a lot! (So did Mommy at one point because she felt so helpless.)Once we got to Avalon, though- it was great! I had my first walk on the beach and CiCi even "christened" my little hands with ocean water...boy, was it cold! I even got to stick my feet in some other cold, gooey stuff called concrete that left my footprint there forever! That was cold too! I was very well behaved and hardly cried at all the whole time we were there. I was trying to be on my best behavior so CiCi and Bud will invite me back this summer!

DISCLAIMER

OK, OK, OK...I know that I have the same name as the character in Tom Clancy's novels...but Mommy and Daddy honestly did not name me after him!! They just loved the name and thought it was cute, strong, simple and timeless! I guess being named after a character that has been portrayed in the movies by Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, and Ben Affleck could be worse, though- huh?? I am glad that my middle name is after my super cool uncle Sam and I love my nick name, "Thunder", coined when I was only 5 weeks old in-utero, by Bud!

Gimme milk, Daddy!!!

So I think that my Daddy was playing some kind of mean prank on me today...He stuck a pointy thing near my mouth, but when I sucked on it- no milk came out!!! I know I have only been alive for a little over a month- but I knew right away that there was something rotten in Denmark!! After Mommy got the black rectangular thing that filmed this video out of my face- she was nice enough to feed me a proper meal!! Next time, Mommy & Daddy- let's save the joke and just give the kid his milk, OK???