Wide-eyed in Wonder

Here she is...

2012-01-19T21:45:00.004-06:00

It's been 3 1/2 weeks since we met Hailey face to face

and these pics were taken almost a week ago.

What else can I say except...we're in LOVE!

pictures....

2011-08-18T18:44:00.002-05:00

So, random pictures are better than not blogging at all, right?

a daddy built fort the best zucchini brownie batter ever!
the infamous "b" after 4 years of love

the trouble maker

i swear i didn't put him in there!

play

2011-03-26T16:15:00.003-05:00

We play a lot of Winter/Spring Wipeout around here these days. Upstairs, downstairs, on the beds, outside...it doesn't matter. Today I thought I should document it. :)

I'm thankful for little boys and their imaginations.

A few pics from Ryan

2011-02-12T10:08:00.005-06:00

Ryan got two cameras for Christmas this year and uses them both often! Here are a few that have been uploaded so far. :)

Cut-cut

2011-02-12T09:55:00.005-06:00

We've already done the first hair cut! Well, kinda. Really it was just to shave off all those "old man hairs" (sorry old men!) but you know the ones that grow longer and crazier than the rest?! So, he did really well. The last pic is my fav...LET ME OUT OF HERE!

Snow Bliss

2011-02-12T09:46:00.003-06:00

A Robot kind of day.

2011-01-25T15:37:00.003-06:00

To preface this post, yesterday we made a trip to the library where we picked up a book on robots. After reading it last night and finding the neat instructions for making your own robot, Ryan asked if we could make one. Of course!

So, we present to you...Ryan's robot. :)

the new kid

2011-01-10T08:21:00.005-06:00

Well, he's not exactly little anymore. Tyler Reid was born in June, the 7th to be exact, and has fit perfectly into the Mayo house. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make us smile...what a happy baby. And what does Ry think about him? It's quickly turning into brotherly love vs. just some baby who cries a lot.

We just recently moved them into the same room. It hasn't provided that many obstacles. Occasionally he'll wake Ry up or if they go to bed at the same time Tyler may lay there and laugh at Ry until I go in and get one of them.

Of course I'm amazed at how quickly both boys are growing up! And it never ceases to amaze me at how much and yet how little I can get done in a day. ;)

enjoy life

2009-01-13T12:43:00.002-06:00

what makes me smile

2008-09-15T22:45:00.003-05:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything. A tad bit has been going on but I'll comment more on that later. It's time for bed but thought I'd share a little of what makes me smile. The first and third pictures I had to run for my camera because they were so precious and unplanned. And the second...can you see that his lips are blue? Wonder how that happened? :)

Walkin!

2008-07-06T23:02:00.001-05:00

He wore himself out pretty darn fast but enjoyed every minute of it. And, yes, I know I'm a cornball (once you watch you'll know why I say this).

Best $25 spent in a long time!

2008-07-06T18:53:00.006-05:00

We've been letting Ryan push around our hamper which is fun for him since he's learning to walk but not super practical. So, we decided to take the plunge and buy a "large" toy for him and below is the enjoyment that we've been having the last several minutes.

Happy Birthday little Ryno!

2008-06-24T11:44:00.006-05:00

We celebrated Ryan's birthday a few days before his actual birthday and it turned out great as he started teething the very next day...but that's a whole other story. I wanted to pass on some pics of our little man enjoying his birthday party. We kept it small with just family. It was themed to "balls" because he's obsessed with anything related to a ball...its his favorite word, he can spot a basketball hoop a mile away, he asks for it first thing in the morning and its usually the last thing he says before going to bed. We ate cheese puff balls, melon balls, grapes, meatballs and a giant chocolate chip cookie decorated like a basketball. It was a fun time had by all...especially watching him eat dessert!

I can't believe a year+ has already passed since the day we first met Ryan!

Swing

2008-06-07T22:08:00.004-05:00

Ryan was a lover of the swings from the very first time he experienced them. Now he's getting wiser and knows when we're preparing to leave the swings. It's so hard to deny them of that simple pleasure. We stay as long as we can but if the dogs are with us they get restless. Happily I found a swing for Ryan at a garage sale that we can have in our backyard! Gotta love garage sales!

piggys

2008-06-07T22:04:00.003-05:00

I love these little piggys!

2008-06-05T08:43:00.001-05:00

It's very fun to watch Ryan change and grow into a little man over this last year. We've been noticing little personality traits that he's developing that definitely come from Paul or I, but one of the biggest is his cute little body and how it's such a great mix of the two of us.

I often wake up with pretty crazy hair in the morning and today was no different for Ryan! I'm sure he'll love me posting these online when he grows up! Notice I didn't take one of the two of us! LOL

Outside

2008-05-03T09:25:00.004-05:00

Wednesday was beautiful outside! We played outside as much as we could. Ryan is loving sitting in the grass and trying to sneak some leaves or grass to eat.

Every other Wednesday we watch my friend Erin's daughter Brynn and so when she came over it was outside to play!

Photos taken by my friend Angie

1st Nebraska Game!!!

2008-04-25T17:38:00.003-05:00

We took Ryan to his first ever Nebraska game last Saturday. It was the Spring Red/White game for the Huskers...a record crowd or 80,149 people! Ryan had a great time...enjoyed popcorn and dip'n'dots and time with his friend Izzy!

Ryan and Mama

The FieldIzzy

The FamThe wooly'oserus'!

Grandpa and Great-grandpa Smith

2008-04-15T23:34:00.002-05:00

Two fabulous role models for Ryan...so thankful for the time he gets to spend with these God-following men!

Elvis has left the building!

2008-04-15T23:16:00.005-05:00

Let me just say that the first time your little man or lady gets their hair cut it seems to grow them up like five years in just a few short minutes. It might be enough to make a mama get misty-eyed.

About a week ago I decided that it was time to get Ryan's hair "trimmed". Paul had nicely been suggesting this for quite some time but it takes longer for the mom to give in some times. So, we were out shopping at a cute little kids boutique and relaxing at The Mill and Emily's new shop is sandwiched right in between the two so I thought I'd stop in and say hi. When I asked her if she did little man cuts she had me come back in a few when she finished a color. He was totally flirting with the lady getting her color done...she took half the pics cuz he kept smiling at her! I must say she did a fantastic job...way better than I would do for sure!

No more Elvis sideburns for Ryan! OH Yeah...my hair is different too! I'm totally loving having a style...Emily cut it too.

Ride 'em, Cowboy!

2008-04-11T17:03:00.002-05:00

Mid March we took a trip back to Broken Bow to see family. Ryan experienced quite a few firsts on the farm...see pictures below. First horse "ride", first time petting a kitty and a chicken, first with baby calves and fish, and the first time playing in the grass!

hamper fun

2008-02-27T13:04:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we were home all day and sometimes I think Ryan gets board so I try to do fun and new things for him. We happen to be folding some clothes and he was getting a little tired of being on the floor so I had an idea. I think he thought his mom was pretty cool. ;)

And there's the added benefit of pushing him around the floor in circles, back and forth, it does provide a little work out on your upper body!

splish-splash

2008-02-27T12:17:00.004-06:00

Everyday is full of new things for our little man. Just a few days ago it was the new found love of splashing in the tub. I love watching him and being reminded to enjoy the simple things in my own life.

We had a friend over, Hudson, who is about a year older and you could tell by the smiles and curious looks that Ryan is learning much from Hudson and anticipating the day he'll be able to do the same.

My friend Erin's little girl, Brynn, has been sharing her baby toys with Ryan. This ball toy is a big hit. It pushes the balls through and out with air and Ryan thinks that's pretty big fun.

8 months

2008-02-12T14:09:00.001-06:00

It is unbelievable how fast he's growing! He'll be 8 months tomorrow and I know, it's cliche, but it seems like only yesterday!

Cheerio!

2007-12-31T10:39:00.000-06:00

The first taste and experience of Cheerios! Oh, the joy of watching your child change and grow. I really cannot believe that he's almost 7 months old! He seems to change right before our eyes.

Back to KC!

2007-11-06T21:54:00.000-06:00

Ryan and I took a quick trip to Kansas City a few weeks ago. I hadn't been back since we moved over 10 months ago. We went to visit a friend of mine who moved to California but had a little girl just a few days after Ryan was born. They seemed to get along pretty well. They also have an almost 3 year old who was collecting acorns outside when I got there. It was so good to visit with Melissa as well as Cindy, Najia, Jeff and Leo whom I also saw while I was back there.

Nebraska City

2007-11-06T21:32:00.001-06:00

Recently we took a short afternoon trip down Highway 2 to Nebraska City and did a little sight seeing as well as spent time at the ArborDayFarm. To explain the pictures of the "whispering bench"...the bench was made so that if you whisper something at one end into the wall of the bench it can be heard by the person sitting all the way on the other side! And I know it actually works because we tried it!

I know I've been to the Arbor Day Farm before but it's been several years and it was a totally new experience being there with Paul and Ryan. The trees were gorgeous! That was the main reason we went, to see the trees. Nebraska City is home to the man who started Arbor Day or tree planting day. So, as you might expect, there are a lot of trees there! We walked a 2 mile wooded trail and saw a huge owl as well as lots of beautiful colors on the trees. Then we picked some pumpkins, got two free trees, and bought some amazing apple and cherry wines....oh, and a sooper-dooper yummy apple turnover!

2007-10-18T10:58:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd share a few pics of the adorable little man in our lives who's growing up so quickly. I think we fall more in love with him every day!

What a wonderful life!

Happy Friday!

2007-09-28T10:39:00.001-05:00

Put 'em up!

Yo! What up!

You lookin at me?!

1st hair cut...

2007-09-10T21:22:00.000-05:00

I don't think you'll be able to tell any difference but we had to cut Ryan's funny looking, extra long pieces of hair. He's changing every minute and we're loving it all.

still shots

2007-08-20T21:31:00.000-05:00

It's been so fun experiencing life with Ryan. He really enjoys interacting with people and with his toys. In the last few days I've been realizing that he really loves to sit up and be able to look around at his surroundings. He doesn't want to miss out on what might be happening.

- Little pooh bear -
- camo boy - learning to be like his daddy!

- dirt -
- lion -

- dreaming -

Painted

2007-08-19T09:35:00.000-05:00

Long time friends of both Paul's and my family are the Clarks. Bryan used to pastor the Berean church in Broken Bow, where Paul is from, and now is the pastor at LincolnBerean. Bryan's wife, Patti, is an extremely gifted painter and just really creative in general.

- Patti, Mom & Ryan -

She took this picture...

... and made a painting out of it.

She came over the day we got home and presented us this unique and amazing gift!

And the card that she made to go with it is pretty amazing too!

It's a pretty amazing thing to see your very own child painted like that. I will never forget that moment and will cherish this gift forever.

thrifty

2007-07-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

So, lately I've really gotten into being thrifty and looking for the bargains. Some of you could spend hours reading blogs about the environment and political views...me, I could spend hours looking for coupons and reading others ideas on being thrifty! LOL

Anyway, leading up to and having our first child has caused me to try and be even more economical and thrifty; especially since I'm staying home now with Ryan. Even though I'll be working PRN at the hospital and doing resumes from home we're still loosing my income which is never easy but it CAN be done! I've really enjoyed reading BabyCheapskate since I first became pregnant. They provide specific sales in their area but also list online sales and coupons specifically related to babies and children. Oh, and they have great ideas for entertaining your children; both places to go and ideas to get off the internet.

So, in honor of their site and my own desire to share the wealth...here's a coupon to use at Target for Luvs diapers...$2OFFLuvs!

Daddy's Love...

2007-07-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

My husband is one of the greatest men I know and now the greatest dad a little boy could ask for. Fatherhood came so naturally to Paul and sometimes I get choked up just thinking of how much Ryan is blessed to have a daddy like Paul. I watch Paul interact with Ryan knowing that his love for his son is unmatchable. Well, somewhat unmatchable. Having children makes you take into consideration what our heavenly daddy did for us by giving up his perfect and only son to die a horrible death so that we might choose to love him and spend eternity with him. The thing that gets me is that even though Christ's death guaranteed that all of us have the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven, not all of us choose that. How sad! For those of us that have chosen and have children...be reminded today as you think about your children, the love you have for them, and how much more our Father loves us!

Almost 3 weeks!

2007-07-03T17:12:00.001-05:00

It's hard to imagine that in less than three weeks time we've gone from this...

To this...

Tomorrow Ryan will be three weeks and it's already flying by! Paul and I are constantly amazed at how perfect he is and still just sit in wonder at all his preciousness. I do admit that I may be more of a baby-hog than he is but that's what mommies are for! :)

Life is wonderful and amazing...life with a baby just adds to what blessings God's already given us!