"To mafinity aaaaaaand BEYOND ..."

The Holidays are upon us. Fall is here and so is the first of many busy months. With Halloween just around the corner we've had big decisions to make in the Hill Household. Like -- what to wear for Halloween and which day to you go Trick-or-Treating when Halloween falls on a Monday? You know ... the important stuff ;) Recently we received a couple of costume catalogs in the mail and Ryan has had a field day deciding which would be spook-tacular for Halloween. First he thought he just might want to be an "enja" [enja- (in-juh) n. An awesome costume that means you get to carry a sword or possibly get to do cartwheels and tumbles while collecting your Halloween candy, all while staying completely invisible to everyone around you. That is until you WANT them to see you! Note: This should not be confused with a "Karate Kid" they are definitely not the same!!] Around the third day of carrying around this catalog and looking through it constantly Ryan, very briefly, decided the Cowboy costume was the one for him. Until he realized of course he is ALWAYS a cowboy, so where was the fun in that? Then he found THE costume. The one that really spoke to his little heart. Buzz Lightyear!! He is SO excited and has asked every single day when the "box man" (AKA FedEx) was going to bring his costume. This has been so much fun for me as a mommy. For the first time in 3 years Ryan has picked his own costume. I love it. The excitement on his face is absolutely priceless. I can't wait to see him open the box and put it on for the first time. I'm sure he will be wearing it long before Boo day and that's just fine with me. Why not get my moneys worth right? I'm excited for Brynlee's first Boo as well! She will be a little witch this year. She will be precious. I look forward to many more Halloween memories with the two of them. I know that these memories will be the sweetest. Right now. These are the most fun. Where Ryan's imagination lets him run wild and get lost in the moment. Sweet memories to cherish and it's just the beginning ... 

The Fab Four!

We just celebrated two months as a family of 4! :) What little blessing Brynlee has already been so far. We just had her two month check up this passed week {Boo for shots :( , it was a sad day}She is a happy and healthy growing baby girl. Her pediatrician says that she is in the 50 percentile for weight at 12.1 lbs and just slightly above average for her height at 23 inches. I was also advised not to get too excited about her being "tall" since I am a lil shorty and Mark isn't above average in height himself. More than likely her height will even out before too long and she will likely be average in that aspect. She had to drink yucky meds for the RotaVirus, which she made slight faces at but drank like a trooper, and had 3 shots with 4 vaccines. They combines two vaccines into one needle, which I was thankful for. One less poke sounds good to me and I am SURE Brynlee would agree. I could tell she was a little tender for a couple of days but she never ran temp and hasn't been fussy. {For anyone wondering, Yes! Mark and I have both of our children vaccinated as recommended by their pediatrician. I absolutely think it is so silly to have a child get measles or some other disease simply because you refused to vaccinate. There are more and more outbreaks of viruses due to this and it is sad that your child would have to suffer such a disease that was easily preventable! In my opinion the pros MORE than out weigh the cons!!} Ryan was not a fan of the nurse who administered the shots. He gave her the stink eye the entire time and continued to ask her questions like "Why are you making her cry? Hey! Don't make my sister cry!" I cried when she did. Ryan just stayed angry with her!! It's heartbreaking to hear your baby hurting. I know without a doubt it's best for her though. When the Dr came in before her shots, he and Ryan had great conversation as usual. ;) He was impressed with Ryans vocabulary and was surprised with how much he talked. I, on the other hand, was not as surprised with how much Ryan talked. It's when he is quite that I am surprised!! HaHa. The Dr told me not to be alarmed when Brynlee doesn't speak until she is three. It comes with having such an expressive big brother. He talks enough for the both of them and she probably won't get a word in edge wise. His exact words were "You're going to think she is delayed." I believe him. She is completely content on observing! He is completely content in speaking for the both of them. I find myself thinking back to when Ryan was this size. Their personalities at this age are night and day. Ryan was my "little old man" stuck in a baby's body. Brynlee is much more smiley and giggly than Ryan was at this age. When I would make silly faces at him to make him laugh I would end up laughing because his face would be so serious and he would be looking at me like "Why are you doing that? You are so strange!" Brynlee laughs and thinks it's funny. He is such a nice helper and is very excited to do little things for us all the time {we call them big brother favors} like bringing a diaper or the wipes from her room, putting her diaper bag in her room when we get back from somewhere or helping me put away burp rags and receiving blankets. Ryan is learning which "big brother favors" he can and can not help sister with. Examples: Feeding Bryn cheez-it's, because she hasn't had a snack all day, is not a "big brother favor" Only mommy and daddy may feed sister!! He is allowed however, to help mommy put her bib on before she has a bottle. He is not allowed to drive hot wheels on sister because he wants to play with her! He is allowed to lay on his tummy beside her during tummy time and talk and make faces with her. Ryan is always learning new ways to help ... and not help with Brynlee. He is so excited to do anything he can for her. We are growing every day as a family. Mark and I love watching our babies grow and learn. What a wonderful gift life is. I know when we are older and in our little home all alone we will cherish memories of these crazy days.

This is the serious expression I was talking about! 

Brynlee Grace

Ryan's first soccer practice ...

Ryan had his first practice yesterday with his team. He did really good. Most of the time I didn't even have to stand by him  ... most of the time! ;) He was completely fine while they were doing individual drills with their own balls, but when it came time to play a "game" {boys against girls} and Coach tossed all but one ball to the side Mr Ryan was NOT so happy!! He wanted HIS ball. Little toot. Once he got over that he did great. It was fun watching him play. He seems like such a natural to me. I guess every proud momma feels that way. I felt terrible at practice when I realized that we had left his water bottle on the counter at the house. We had extra water there for Brynlee's bottles and he was able to use that. OOPS! I will have to double check before we rush out the door next time. With a newborn in the house and a diaper bag to pack, it is so easy to lose track. It seems like we forget something every time we leave the house. Luckily it hasn't been anything of extreme importance!! We plan on playing a little in our yard everyday. Nothing serious, just have fun together kicking the ball around to get him use to it. He talked about it all day today. His first game is two Saturdays from now, I can't wait to see how he does in a game. :) I'm sure he will do GREAT! That's my baby boy ... growing so big. I am excited for the season and for him to make sweet memories on this team with his little cousins. Below are some shots of his very first practice: 

UPDATE: Since posting this Ryan has quit soccer. I realized he wasn't so into soccer when, after the second practice, he asked "Do we have to come back to soccer?" Mark and I had a talk with him when he said he didn't want to play anymore. We both wanted to make sure that it wasn't for a reason that we could fix. His reason was quite simple... "I haaaaate soccer. Mommy? When does T-ball start?" Mark and I have agreed that we will never force Ryan to play or participate in anything just  because we think its "fun" {Yes, for those of you thinking it ... this includes FOOTBALL! ;) heehee}. If he doesn't enjoy it and doesn't want to play -- that's that! Ryan seems to be {to me at least}a natural little athlete. He seems to love most sports. Soccer, for whatever reason, just wasn't for him. Thanks to all of our family who supported him in selling the Cokes and getting ready for the season. We are so blessed to have such wonderful and supportive family. 

Brynlee's Newborn Shoot with Debbie Harrison!!

A while back I had talked to a good friend about doing a photo shoot for Miss Brynlee! I was SO excited and could not wait to have her pictures taken. I have always thought there would be nothing to taking a newborns pictures. Boy was I WRONG, this lady definitely earns every dime she gets!! She makes it look easy but it is a lot of work! Debbie was absolutely great, she was so professional and had no trouble just going right along with the pace that Brynlee set. She was very patient with Brynlee and she took some beautiful shots. I met Debbie at her home on a Sunday around 3. Brynlee ate as soon as we got there ... and then of course we needed a diaper change!! While getting ready to begin the shoot we first needed another diaper change! {She went through the diapers while we were there!}While attempting to get a nakie shot of her Brynlee peed all over the blanket we were using. She also tried to eat the fuzzy blanket. Unlike her big brother I don't think she enjoyed having her clothes off!! {Ryan is our little nudist! He runs around the house in his undies constantly!}Brynlee's shoot was a lot of fun though and I enjoy having those memories of her. Miss Brynlee was 6 weeks old when we did this photo shoot and I would suggest to all new mommies wanting new born pictures to have them taken earlier, while they sleep the entire time and stay in any position you put them. ;) We were a little passed this point for her. It turned out so great though. I am so thankful to Debbie for taking these sweet sweet shots of my precious baby girl. I can't believe how fast time is flying by. I just want to savor these little moments with her and always remember how teeny tiny my baby girl was. Thank you Debbie, you did an amazing job and I couldn't have been happier!!

Here are some of the awesome pictures we received ---

Soccer Mom!

So, Friday night our cousin Corey called and said they were making a soccer team in Hillsboro. All of  Ryan's cousins his age will be on the team. He asked if we were interested in signing Ryan up. A chance to make memories with all of his cousin and be included on a team sport? YES, PLEASE! I'm all for Ryan trying new things. Mark and I have never played (or watched) soccer. We honestly know NOTHING about this sport! I am so excited for him to play, this will be something new for all of us. His daddy was not as excited as Ryan was when we found out the team colors though. He will be playing on a team with boys and girls alike, and their awesome colors are pink and black! ;) Mark is not super thrilled about this! Ryan, on the other hand, loves it!! A favorite color of his has always been pink.Which makes me wonder what all the fuss is about with boys liking pink anyway?? Like a 3 year old saying "I like pink." somehow defines their sexuality?! Its just pretty people ... seriously!  When a little girl likes blue no one cares. It just irritates me. He's still a baby, and its just a color. I am kind of nervous with Brynlee still being so small when his season starts. Ryan's first soccer game is September 17th. Its still SO hot outside, and I'm going to have to find a way to keep our baby cool. His season goes through the middle of November so by then we should have some cooler weather. Bring it on! I am so ready for fall! This will be Ryan's second sport to try. T-ball was awesome for him! He learned to listen to coaches and someone other than Mommy or Daddy, he learned to share, he learned how to play on a team, and he learned to be just a tiny bit more independent. Any step, even a baby step, in the direction of independence is a good one! He has definitely become a mama's boy. I absolutely love that he wants me to be with him all the time and that he finds comfort in me being beside him. However I don't want that to hold him back. I'm excited for him to break out of his comfort zone and go out on his own. Anyone who saw our T-ball experiences knows exactly what I am talking about. There were times when I would have to stand on the field just to keep him out of the dug-out with me. I know the other parents didn't really have to go out on the field with their babies, but I really didn't mind it so much. He had just turned 3 and if he needed me there to gain confidence it was worth it and I am more than willing to help him with that. That's what Moms are for right? He was much more clingy in the beginning of the season. I would have to hold his hand while standing right beside him. By the end of the season he was where he needed to be on the field with me several steps behind him.... baby steps! Often times I would sit in the dug-out with him on the field and although he didn't stay, he went without me. This was HUGE for us. During the first couple weeks of practice and games ... this would have NEVER happened. So I definitely saw change in Ryan. I know that this season of soccer will only help him along that much more. At this time next fall, he will start all day Pre-K. I'm hoping that by Ryan joining and participating in team sports we will have an easier transition into school. I have always kept kids out of our home and stayed home with him, he's never had to stay with anyone other than grandparents occasionally. I'm sure we will both share separation anxiety that first week or two. A lot of the kids from our t-ball team will be in Ryan's Pre-K class or a class just above him. I'm hoping that him being familiar with his classmates will be a comfort to him and make it that much easier for all of us. I am so proud of the progress Ryan has made in the last year. He is growing so fast. From my baby, to a toddler and now a little boy. He is such a joy in our lives. I look forward to growing with him. Each time he accomplishes something, I feel like I have too. Isn't that what parenting is all about?

Below: Ryan's first season of T-ball! 

 

Our Story ....

I started this blog for a few reasons. For one, it's a way to record the fun things that go on with the kids. A way to be able to look back on how they've grown and what's new. Secondly, I have family that live all across the country and at times the world. This is also a fun way for them to be able to see whats going on in our day to day lives. And lastly, Well -- I'm a stay at home mom and sometimes I need a way to be creative and expressive. So why not blog? It looks fun, I'm very chatty {too chatty my husband might say} so this is right up my alley! So, for those of you who are on the outside looking in who may not know us, here is a little background info.

My name is Amanda. My husband Mark is my best friend and also my high school sweetheart. We started dating when he was just 15 and I was 17. We were married March 4, 2006 and settled down in our little hometown. I can't imagine any where else I would rather raise our children. We are so fortunate that our Parents and Grandparents live nearby. Its a blessing to have our families close.

 April 19, 2008 we welcomed our baby boy into the world . Ryan is such a little firecracker! He keeps me on my toes and brings me so much joy.

 Brynlee was born this Summer, July 18th. She is absolutely precious. When I look at her I see Ryan. When I look at Ryan I see Mark. That makes my heart smile!

 Ryan has been such a great big brother. He has really become quite the little helper around the house. His favorite thing about being a big brother right now is giving Brynlee "Kissies" He loves his sister so much! He asks us funny questions about Brynlee all the time like, "Why wont she follow me to my room? I said please ...." or "How come Bwynwee loosed her teeth? Does that mean she's a bigger kid now?" {Since he's seen his bigger cousins loose their teeth as they got older he assumes that's what's happening here!} He also talks to her. Whenever Brynlee is getting fussy and I'm fixing a bottle I will often hear him saying something sweet to her like "It's okay Bwynwee Mommy's going to get you a bottle, don't cwy. Big Bwother is right here..." I also LOVE when I hear him call her "my baby" I was so worried in the beginning of my pregnancy that he would have jealousy issues once she was here. I thought that he might not want much to do with her. I'm happy to know that's NOT the case. Ryan loves getting to hold sister. We set him down and put the boppy pillow around him and lay her in his arms. It's awesome watching Ryan take on the role of a big brother. He becomes protective and will sometimes tell me "Be careful with Bwynwee mommy, we don't want to break her!" We are all adjusting to the new routine slowly but surely. I am having the best time watching my family grow. I'm thankful that God saw it fit for me to be the parents of these two beautiful babies. I pray that He guides Mark and I in raising them. That they may grow in Him. As a mom, I'm excited to see my children develop their own relationships with Christ. To watch them as they learn to walk with Him. Feel free to follow us along our journey. I'm happy to share it with you :)

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7