Atlanta Aquarium

While in Atlanta we took a day to get out of the house and visit the worlds largest aquarium. Ryder loved the fish. Some of the exhibits were awesome. The crowds were really bad since it was the weekend. Wish we had a little more time too look at them, but with packed place and toddler that is near impossible. We did not pack a stroller either so we all had to hold Ryder.

Love this pic.

Getting tired.

He is out!

Dearest Sandy

This past week we have been in Atlanta, GA visiting Kevins father and family after losing Kevins step-mother Sandy to a long, and couragous battle against Multiple Myloma. Sandy was diagnosed with this awful blood cancer in approximately 2002. Sandy fought until the end. She was still doing treatments a month before passing.

Sandy was an amazing woman. She had many interests and hobbies. She and Tom actually met in high school in Crystal Lake where they grew up of all places. Sandy was a Delta airline stewardist in the 70's and 80's. This was one of the hottest and most glamorous jobs outside of modeling back then. Sandy attracted friends everywhere she went. It was evident by the number of woman that attended her memorial this past week. They all spoke of her positive energy and beauty. My pictures in this post do not do justice to Sandy's beauty inside or out. I do not have pics from before she was diagnosed. I met Sandy the day before Kevin and I married in 2005. In less than 5 years, I rapidly grew to love and admire her so. Although we lived miles away we cherished each visit and communicated by e-mail, phone and skype. The cancer made travel for Sandy very difficult in the past few years.

In this post I wanted to honor Sandy and pay tribute to her sweet sweet soul.

Sandy loved flowers.

The day I met Sandy 9-22-2005. She immediately won my heart with her smile and charm.

We celebrated Tom's 60th and watched the bears SuperBowl in 2006. Sandy & I are not big sports fans. We felt lucky to have each other during football season.

Sandy loved her red couch. Of course she was never on it until she grew weaker. She always kept busy.

Sandy loved to garden. She spent hours and hours outside with her flowers and plants.

On Lake Lanier in the fall of 2007.

Our Wedding Day.

Sandy was always a blond, but after one of her rounds of chemo it grew in dark.

Sandy sitting in between her sister Denise on left and sister in law Kathy on right along with a couple of Sandys nephews. Sandy loved her sister, nieces and nephew very much. She always talked of them and their adventures.

Ryder 1st day home from hospital. 10-30-2008.

Tom and Sandy flew up the day after to greet their 1st grandbaby.

Sandy wanted Ryder to use the name MiMi

Our last visit with Sandy in July 2009.

Kevin was able to visit in October without us.

Dear Sandy,

I know we did not get to say our last and formal goodbyes before you left. I wanted to let you know we will miss you beyond words. It was odd to be in your house without you all week. Your presence was missed. It will take us all a while to get adjusted to life without you here. I know you are in a much better place where we will meet again someday. I wanted to thank you for all your positive advice and comments over the years. You always made me smile with your compassionate words and wisdom. You gave me so much in the short 5 years we knew one another. You have left a lasting impression on everyone you have met. I am sad my children will not grow up knowing you, but they will know of you for sure. We will make sure to talk of you and show them pictures. Your legacy will pass on. Your friends have been wonderful to us over the past week, as they have in the past years. They shared many wonderful stories about you. Many of your friendships reminded me of mine with all my friends. It was awesome to see part of you in each of them.

Don't you worry about Tom, we will take good care of him. I am sure you will continue to shine your light from up above. I thank God for the time we had. We love you and miss you so.

Love Anneliese, Ryder & Kevin

"Sometimes people come into our lives and quickly go, while others stay a while and leave footprints in our heart...and we are never the same."

1st Haircut

We finally made it to the salon for the 1st haircut!

Overall, he did well. He got a bit antzy when the scissors got close to his ears.

Before

He got to sit in this cute little seat.

His hair turned out so cute, but it looks a little crooked in this pic.

Not the best pic.

He loves his daddy.

We keep looking at him in amazement at how different he looks. I miss playing with all that hair.

What's new???

Not a whole lot has been going on here. Of course Ryder has been busy as usual making messes as fast as he can to move on to make another. He loves to dump his full box of legos over his head and all over the place. He picks a few up and then gets bored and dumps them out again.

Meal times are interesting. We are trying lots of healthy foods, but most do not pass the test.

He has been feeding himself. When he gets tired of using his utensil he throws it and then tries to drink the food out of the bowl.

When all else fails and the toys get old....he cooks.

Ryders BFF "Sonny"

He is also excited to be a BIG BROTHER this September.

Yes, I realize my son looks like a hippie, and the hair is getting too long. It seems like someone has been sick every weekend and we have not made to the barber. Hopefully this week it will happen. He currently has been nursing a cold for a week, and his nose has been running constantly.

We have been enjoying our little 16 month old tot. He is full of personality and makes us laugh daily. We are anxious for spring to turn him loose out in the big backyard with Chubs.

Playdate with new buddy

Superbowl Sunday we had a visit from our friends Amy & Stacey from WIU. They brought Ryder's newest and youngest girlfriend Madeline. She is 2 months and watched Ryders every move. Ryder put on a show as usual.

He was not sure what to do with Maddy.

With Uncle Stacey.

After I rocked Maddy, Ryder started rocking his Elmo doll. I did not get a picture, but it was too cute. He needs a baby doll I guess.

We have been watching the snow fall today. Ryder loves to look out at the snow. I let him go out for a little bit, but he does not have the best snow gear. It is beautiful by the river when it snows. I might have had more energy to play in the snow today if Ryder did not wake me up twice last night with a terrifying cry. Not sure why he was crying, but it was not one I could ignore. He may be cutting yet another tooth. He already has too many to count.

So what does one do on a snow filled day?

Play with Elmo of course. Ryder has been getting more affectionate and loving to us and Elmo. He holds Elmo like a baby and kisses him.

He hammed it up for the camera.

I Heart Pigs

So for those of you who know me, know I love pigs. These days I have a few live ones running through my house. My favorite is this little guy below. He gets messier with each mealtime, and it seems like I will never see polite table manners in him.

"The Look"...when he purposely does something he shouldn't.

So I realize I have been on a blogging haitus. I have been very busy with working an extra 12 hours a week. I can barely keep up with cleaning laundry, toilets and myself. I hope to get adjusted and find a balance soon. Ryder is adjusting very well to going to the babysitter 2 days a week. He loves it there and does not cry anymore. I did not think I would miss being away from him an extra day now that he is active and sassy. However, I find myself sad and missing him when I venture to work that 3rd day of the week. I feel for those mom's that work everyday. Of course some mom's like it that way. Everybody has their own take on it I guess. I have been feeling pretty unmotivated and blah. I feel the weather is contributing to this. I have not seen sun in days and am sick of this weather. Having a little one makes me want outside even more. Hoping for an early spring!