Honestly, it's difficult to write a post about our blessed lives when in contrast you read the news about what's happening in Haiti. Both Max and I are so troubled by the situation. It's not like Katrina where we could go and actually physically help. Today was as close as I think I will actually get to the crisis outside of supporting charities. (Aside: check out World Vision if you're looking for a reputable place to donate. We're continually impressed with how our sponsorship dollars are spent with our child in Rwanda and these people are already mobilized and aiding survivors in Port-au-Prince.) My client, Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan, has three doctors in / leaving for Haiti and they plan on sending a rotation of 2 docs every two weeks for as long as it takes. It was so great to be able to assist them today to get the word out and solicit community support. ddm donated our time as did our copywriter for the press release. It's so inspiring to see how people (doctor's) can use these amazing skills to help in times like these.
So in light of such horrors, we definitely are even more acutely aware of our blessings. Ryan is growing so big, so fast. Honestly, he's shot up about 2 inches in the last month. He's got a great sense of humor and is so independent. He wants to do everything on his own. He's pointing and mimicking words. Today he was even copying a U2 song that has a yodel in it! And he love's to do this understated dancing. He'll hear a song across the room that I can barely hear and he'll be doing this sort of bop with his head and bouncing at his knees. Hilarious.
Our family is struggling to stay healthy though. Every week it's something new. Since we moved into our house Ryan has had the stomach flu, 2 colds, chicken pox and this week, PINK EYE! It looked like we gave him a black eye. Poor little guy! I have also struggled to stay healthy. In the same time frame I've had the stomach flu, swine flu, 2 colds and now some sort of sinus mung. Max has the immune system of an ox and had a little quietness once through all this!
Max also excelled since our last post as a single parent. I had to go to Arizona for 4 days on business and Max had to do the whole routine without me in the middle of a work week. He did great and we realized what a wonderful support system we have around us. Our friends that watch Ryan helped a great deal, as did my mom who came at 4:30 am so I could leave for the airport! The trip was very successful so that at least made leaving Ryan for the first time somewhat rewarding, but it was very hard. Thanks goodness Max is such a great dad.
Other than travel and everyday life, work is starting to get more manageable for me ... just as baseball pre-season is starting for Max. He's in the weight room every day with student-athletes and he is seeing great results.
We'll on to the pictures. Promise to post more often now that I have a return to sanity...and I promise my husband I'll unpack my clothes from the moving bins this weekend too! He's so patient with me craziness!
Love to you all,
Courtney, Max + Ryan
Heart breaker or what? Ryan's taken to being pantless as on late!
Dressed for a work day, I kept him busy with my necklace as I prepared our endless array of bags to get out the door.
We call Ryan "Fred Pace" when he wears this shirt. The back has the word "Peace in different languages. Apparently "Fred" and "Pace" are the translations in other places!
Ryan loves lemons. We were shocked. If only he loved mango slices as much. Kid loves the juice, but not the fruit.
Our family photo wall is now up in the new house and has grown by 50% in size and scale. Had to use scaffolding to get this baby up!
We did a new decal of a tree for Ryan's room and added an owl since that was his favorite animal for some time. Hint to all the moms. Do not pay $100 for a decal. I did my own our of contact paper for $5!
Could he get any cuter?
The boy loves his popper. Especially after Max vacuums. Ryan thinks that he's doing the same kind of work.
"Pink eye sucks mom." - Ryan Kerry
