Spring Training 2013
Matt and I took Derek to a spring training game Padres vs Diamondbacks. Aunt Valeri watched Rylie so the game would be enjoyable for everyone! It was a gorgeous day for a baseball game. Matt took Derek last year (Rylie was a week old) and Derek liked the game, but was more excited about running up and down the grass hill. This year, Derek sat on Matt's lap and watched the game intently. He asked questions and listened to Matt explain what happened with each play. It was amazing to see his focus! Just before the 9th inning when the Padres were warming up in the field, I saw an outfielder turn towards the grass with a ball in his hand. I stood up with my hands out (suggesting that he throw me the ball) and he threw me the ball. I wasn't really even thinking he would throw the ball, but he did and I caught it and handed it to Derek. It was such a cool moment for Matt and I to watch Derek take that ball and look it over and hold onto it so tightly. Derek was in awe of the baseball. His face was so precious and I was overcome with emotion at how such a simple, dirty, beat up, ball could mean so much to a little boy. It was a memorable day for our family. I can only imagine how this event has fueled Derek's love of baseball even more. :)

 "Look Mommy, I got a real baseball from the players." 

 

 

The whole way home Derek kept telling us that he got a "real baseball from the players." 

Derek slept with his baseball that night. Here he is Day 2 with his baseball and it hasn't left his hand!

Rylie's Birthday Party

We celebrated Rylie's 1st birthday on her actual birthday, March 9th. The whole day I kept reliving the events of her birth and just felt so thankful. Rylie is such a happy, energetic, curious girl and brings so much joy into our lives. This last year was very busy, having Derek and Rylie 21 months apart, but we wouldn't trade it for anything. It was so fun to have our friends celebrating Rylie's 1st year with us. I couldn't help but think about the difference between Rylie's and Derek's 1st birthday party. Derek's 1st birthday party was a celebration of his 1st year of life, but also a way to say goodbye to all our CA friends as we were getting ready to move to AZ. Rylie's 1st birthday party was a celebration of her life, but also a celebration of how God has provided such amazing friends and community to live life with here in AZ! We are truly grateful for our life!
We had Rylie's party at our house and had some creative/fun outdoor activities for the kids to do (bubbles, foaming baking soda, vinegar and food coloring and balls). We were so grateful that the rain stopped right before the party started, so the kids played outside for most of the time. Party guests took home homemade play dough that Derek and I made.

 

 

Rylie was not very interested in the cake, which seems to be a trend with our kids. She tasted the frosting and was more excited about blueberries and strawberries than the cake. But I was excited about the cake for her!! :) I made a similar face with Derek's first birthday party too!! HA.

Derek and Bella having fun chasing bubbles (even though its blurry)

Rylie got lots of fun gifts. Derek LOVED playing with all of Rylie's presents.

We LOVE you baby girl! Happy 1st birthday!

A Few Random Pictures

I LOVE how Derek and Rylie's favorite toys are not their own. Rylie loves to play with Derek's trains and cars and Derek loves Violet.

 

Working together on some early morning scooter repairs.

 Early morning snuggles from Derek's Thomas tent!

Best Friends
Enjoying an ice cream treat with his best friend Zack after playing in the sprinkler all morning!

Rylie is 1 year old!!!!!

This year has flown by and I cannot believe that our sweet baby girl is turning ONE!! (Looking back over Rylie's monthly posts I seemed to have started each one that way...time is sure going quickly even though I am being intentional about enjoying each day.) It seems like just yesterday I was holding her for the first time and looking into those gorgeous big blue eyes! We have LOVED watching her smile, grow, learn, and discover things this year. She adds so much energy and joy to our family. Rylie learns things so quickly. She is a determined, tough little girl who always want to do what her big brother is doing. She is a climber with no fear, has beautiful big blue eyes, a sweet loving heart and a big bright smile. We LOVE you sweet Rylie. Happy 1st birthday. We thank God that He chose us to be your parents.
At her 12 month well check Rylie weighs 18 lbs 4 oz (6%) and is 29.5" (59%) tall.  At 1 year Derek weighed 22 lbs 11oz (49%) and was 30 1/2" tall (66%). At 15 months he maintained his weight, but shot up in height to the 93%. We'll see what Rylie does...She continues to stay on her own growth curve and is healthy. Rylie has met and exceeded all physical and verbal milestones for her age. The doctor was very impressed with her verbal skills and said Rylie was way ahead of where they expect 1 yr olds to be. Its so fun to hear her chat away. You can tell she is clearly telling a story. Derek is so great at talking to her and teaching her new things. Its interesting to see the difference verbally between Derek and Rylie at 1 year old. I think gender differences play into account here for sure. Both kids are incredible athletic.
This month Rylie has gone from walking (2 days after she turned 11 months old) to running! We bought her big girl shoes since she follows her brother all over the park (walking on who knows what). She has moved through the Frankenstein phase (walking with your arms out) to now walking carrying objects and even started running after Derek. Rylie's hair has begun to grow much faster and is really coming in in the back. Its been fun to watch how much Rylie learns from watching Derek. We have noticed that all the effort we put into training and teaching Derek how to act and behave has really paid off with Rylie. She wants to follow and do what he is doing. We are grateful that Derek is obedient (most of the time) and that Rylie has a good example to follow. Rylie is great at following simple directions such as "bring --- here or put --- there," "come here," "get your shoes its time to go." When we say, "Its time to eat," Rylie walks right over to her seat waiting to be picked up and put in. When we say, "Its time to wash your hands," Rylie rubs her hands together (as if she was washing them) and walks to the sink waiting for her turn. Rylie learned to sign "more" this month which is so helpful. She prefers to fed herself with a spoon (like Derek) and is getting better at using it. Rylie has started to repeat words and its hard to keep up with all the words she is saying. Some of the new words she learned this month are "backpack, truck, cup, duck, baby, thank, Der-dah (Derek)." She also knows the sound a sheep and horse makes. For the most part Rylie LOVES to play with Derek's toys (cars, trucks, trains, bikes, baseballs etc.). But she does have one toy of her own she enjoys playing with, a Little Poeple dollhouse. For the most part she carries objects around the house and things get found in random places!
One comment I received this month made me smile. We were at the park and Rylie was running down the hill, getting dirty in the sand, climbing up the stairs on the play structure, and going down slides. Another mom commented, "Wow, she is one rough n' tumble girl. You can tell she has a big brother!" Love it!  

Rylie LOVES to read books. Walks to you carrying a book and squeals with joy when you pick her up and sit her in your lap.

She has begun to sleep on back at night

caught her running in her crib

she LOVES my phone and cries when I take it away from her

watching Curious George together (Derek is more into the show than her)

Rylie LOVES to put things in and out of containers (especially markers)

 working on using a spoon

new big girl shoes

Rylie LOVES her big brother and he LOVES her!