Hey everyone,
We spent this past weekend up at a cottage that my parents are renting at Canadian Lakes (an hour north of Grand Rapids). However, Friday we helped throw Kirstyn's surprise 30th birthday party...it's the year of the Kirstyn. In fact, the theme was "Merry Kirstmas" since she believes her birthday should be a month long celebration.

We head back up to the cottage tomorrow after work through Monday and cannot wait. Ryan had many first experiences that we'll share below in photos. He's developing so quickly. Today while I was at work, Max spent the day as Ryan's personal trainer. When I came home he did three barrel rolls in a row! Today he also figured out how to bounce the excerciser/playstation so hard that it sets of the muscial toys meant to be pushed and pulled on to produce noise. He's right on the cusp of crawling and he's squatting and pushing up to standing with very little help. Tomorrow is his 6 month check up and shots. We're excited to see what he's weighing these days. My back says a lot!

We'll check in via blog soon with our latest cottage adventures. Till then, take care and enjoy summer!

Courtney, Max & Ryan
Ryan took his first boat ride on the pontoon boat . At first he hated the life preserver, but soon got over it when he got to watch the sun set.

Ryan and daddy preparing for his first swim. He even has a rash guard like the surfers in California.

The build up to his first swim in his hippo pool was overkill as what we thought would be a fun adventure soon turned tragic. He barely wanted to get his feet wet. But he sure looked cute in his swim duds.


Ryan spends lots of time on his tummy these days. Here he is sporting his baby leg (leg warmers) that daddy makes fun of. For those of you that have asked, his hair is getting thicker and is still red. His eyes however are blue on the outer edges and dark brown in the centers.

Ryan was learning to multi-task in his new Bembo seat. This new seat helps his gain more core strength and served as his highchair this weekend as he ate 1/4 cup of food at each meal! His legs barely fit in the openings though...

Kirstyn getting crowned as Princess...25 friends came out for the themed surprise party. She was shocked—she had thought Eric was calling off the wedding when he nervously insisted they go for drinks just the two of them and then proceeded to order more rounds to time their arrival.

6 months, plus some!

So since our last post, Ryan has hit his 6 month mark like a stud. Yes, I'm talking trash about my kiddo. He rocks. Here's why:

- Today he sat up on his own (he was in his bouncy seat reclined and just sprung up to a seated position.) Talk about rock solid abs.

- He thinks he's talking to us...his babble consists of various syllables strung together with a variety of tones....and then there's the shrill shrieks out of no where. He has a red headed temperament (guess from who?)

- He'll push up into a bridge from his tummy and has what looks like "little guns" (biceps and shoulder muscles.)

- His second day of eating solids and he had 3 tablespoons...That's a lot for never having food before. He even tried to feed himself with the spoon.

- Ryan's fearless. He loves to stick his hands in the mouth of wild beasts (Cali) and pull on her ears. Secretly, I think Cali loves it. Today Cali came and lais on the floor with him, head to head. Too cute.

- Last week he was standing on his own while holding onto the ottoman.

- Wednesday he said Mama, though I am reluctant to call it the first word...it was so accidental!

Summer is off to a great start for us. Max is home with Ryan most days and I am working just short of full time. The next three weeks we'll be up at a cottage my parents are renting and Ryan will have a whole new set of fun things to do. Can't wait to see him on the boat! Hope each of you are having as much fun as we are this summer. Love to you all,

Courtney, Max & Ryan


Ryan and Cali chilling today. Ryan did his first entire back to front, then front to back routine. He's crazy about the dog right now.



Ryan sitting in his high chair for the first time...This is his second meal ever.

Ryan love to feed himself. He's a natural!


Ryan's very first meal. Already taking the spoon into his own hands.


I could barely eat my father's day meal. Ryan had to be wrestled for my ear of corn.


We treated the guys to a lobster boil in my parent's back yard. It is a new family tradition!

My three favorite guys on Max's first Father's day. And the first Father's day that my dad is a Grandpa.


Ryan looks like a little DJ here...His career in the club scene may be limited for his desire to always be naked now that summer is here.

Again, naked. We cannot keep clothes on this kid. We have A/C and he still has heat rash on his little back!

Posing with daddy and showing off how he can touch his toes!

A what puffy toes they are. Ryan's feet are so "round" that they cannot fit in most shoes.

Here's Ryan practicing his standing. Cali is always at his side these days.


His favorite place to be!


We threw Kirstyn her first bridal shower a few weekends ago. Here she is with Eric at the event. Tons of fun to honor her.

New Videos

Just in time for father's day...a dose of Ryan Kerry! We'll be uploading more 6 months pics later. In the meantime, we hope all the papa's (and grandmas) enjoy our latest milestones!

Happy father's day to all you daddies!

http://www.youtube.com/user/maxandcourt

Hi from Ryan

To all my people,
You're probably tired of hearing from only my mom. so I thought I'd tell you how things are from my point of view. Things are generally ok. They know what they're doing 90% of the time. I just wait patiently for them to catch up to my advanced intellect the other 10%. Cali went through the same thing when she chose them too. Off to bed.

Luv Ryan

Almost 6 Months

Hi team Kerry,
It's been a big week for the Kerry clan of 109 Mayfield. Needless to say I think the craziness of the week is taking it's toll. Max is sick for the first time in 2 school years (head cold) and I woke up at 2am Monday morning with a stomach bug.

Friday we went to a friends home for a party with my ddm coworkers. You'll see evidence of how much fun Ryan had below.

Saturday Max worked the elephant ear stand for our athletic boosters at the Grand Rapids Festival. We returned later that night so Ryan and I could take in the sites too and enjoy the Northview Jazz band...and the son's of Italy sausage sandwich...and the dutch ice cream scooped by people actually wearing tiny vests, paper hats and wooden shoes. Only in Grand Rapids.

Sunday we held our first ever open house. It went great. The former owner of our house even stopped by to critique the place (she approved). We have two buyers that are very interested and one might be prepping an offer (their agent called us yesterday). Cross your fingers. The house we want is not being tended to, so we're convinced that new on-lookers WILL NOT be able to look past the 2 foot long grass and newly fallen tree...we hope.

Ryan is no longer an infant, but a full fledged BABY. His skin is no peachy and no longer translucent. His face has dimension in ways it never had before. He's got a personality and a natural curiosity. And he's starting to play with us (shaking his head to make himself dizzy or playing with toys that require stimulus to make sound). He's also completely standing when holding onto the ottoman or in the jumper. He watches us intently as we eat and is starting to mick the noises we make. We swear he's said "mom" once and "hi" a few times, though not intentionally.

Work has also been busy for us both. I am working lots of overtime (a great problem to have in this economy.) My client mix is really great right now. I am working on two non-profits that I feel passionately about (Court Appointed Special Advocates: helps abused and neglected children that are wards of the court and Health Intervention Services: a clinic that helps the medially uninsured). On the other end of the spectrum I am also working for an 80 billion dollar medical supply company, a Christian publisher, a Seminary, 2 medical practices and New Balance shoes.

Max's last class is this Thursday and he'll be golfing Friday to mark an end to the 08/09 school year! Baseball ended (not the best record so I won't mention it) and he's now able to spend more time at home. That's really helped with the open house prep.

So that's our update. I know I included too many pictures below. But he's doing so much and is so stinking funny, I cannot help myself. Enjoy!

Love Court, Max & Ryan

The first of many swings!



Ryan honestly grabbed Maria's glass and brought it to his mouth! He consumed no wine though...promise!

My aproned friends Liz with Ava, Jana & Maria at the ddm open house.

Ryan's first time holding his bottle all on his own.

And Ryan holding another type of bottle for the first time. He was a real party animal this weekend. Again, no alcohol was consumed...until he nursed later that night!

Ryan rocking his new shades and his Tiger's cap.

Ryan's first trip to the farmer's market on Fulton wearing his hat like uncle Brian.

He's figuring out how to push, though not completely crawling. Check out those chubby legs!

After a hard day of playing.

Cali and Ryan are now buddies.

Our sitter Jenny took this shot, pointing out that this is smile number two of his three types of smiles.

And this one is for the Tom's (papa and uncle Hilliker are Buckeyes)



Our little man sporting his new sandles.

Bath time.