Sleepy Days

This week has been kinda rough for Ryan. He has had flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, muscle aches) for almost 4 days now. All tests are negative (mono, flu, strep throat). Of course, he never stays home from work. So, he's suffering it out. Hopefully he feels better soon. He is on call tomorrow night, and if he is still sick, it could be a really long night for him. I just pray the mystery virus doesn't spread to Brody or me.

I am blogging right now while my two boys are asleep in our bed. Brody napped for about 2 hours (hallelujah!!). When he woke up, he saw Ryan asleep in bed and wanted to climb in with him. He's been asleep since, about 45 minutes. Woo hoo! A nice treat for me. Here's a picture. I hope Ryan doesn't kill me for posting it!

The other day while I was in the bathroom taking a bath, I overheard a conversation between Brody and Ryan in the next room that was so precious!

Brody: Muah! (Kisses)

Ryan: Kissed Brody Back

Brody: I love you Daddy.

Ryan: I love you too Brody.

For all of the days when I want to pull my hair out, those little moments make it all worth it! Now that he is old enough, he tells us he loves us daily. It is so sweet and it warms my heart knowing we are teaching our son to be loving and affectionate.

Fall Leaves

Here are some recent pictures we took. The first ones are at Brody's favorite park. It was probably the warmest day we will have for a while. It was nice to be outside, Ryan was even able to meet us there on his way home from work.
These pictures below were taken at my parent's house. My dad was raking leaves, and Brody had a great time "helping."

Election = Over!

Yea! This election season has worn me out. I have been up every night watching the news shows and gathering information. I have kept an open mind throughout the whole process, and I feel that the country spoke loudly last night! I believe the right person won, and I think our country will move on from here.

What really bothers me is how hateful people are. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat, there were two really great men running for Office. It is so annoying to hear people being so negative about one or the other. Is that the American way? It's just so frustrating!

That's enough of my ranting. Brody is still not sleeping that well, however, we are starting to get used to it. So, whenever the day comes when he decides to stop the madness, it will be a GREAT gift to us all! Ryan has started Peds Wards, so he is on call every 4th night. Yuck! It always messes up Brody when Ryan isn't home at night. He doesn't understand why he's not home.

Here are some pictures of Brody Trick-or-Treating. He had a great time! He walked right up to the doors himself. He didn't always say "Trick-or-Treat" but always held out his little bag and made sure to say "Thank you!" He had a blast!

Jack-o-Lantern!

Last night, we carved Brody's pumpkin. I haven't carved a pumpkin in years, so I was looking forward to it! Brody wasn't as interested in it as I would have liked. But, Ryan and I had fun! I started out carving it, but Ryan soon took over. I knew he couldn't resist. He's the creative one! Here are some pictures of our night.

Tomorrow is Trick-or-Treat! Brody is going to be a Pittsburgh Steelers Football Player! I hope he has fun. Ryan is on call, so he won't be there. He had to work last year as well! I'll be so glad when there are no more call nights! We'll probably venture out in our neighborhood for a while to see all of Brody's little friends, then head over to my parent's house. Happy Halloween!

A'Hiking We Will Go!

On Wednesday morning, we got all bundled up and packed the car and headed east to Red River Gorge. Ryan and I loved to hike before Brody came along. We haven't gotten to go in awhile, because it's really not an ideal activity with a baby. But, Brody is now 2, and we thought he was ready to try hiking!

We went to Creation Falls, a really great hike for little ones. The whole hike was only about 1.5 miles. Brody loved it! He walked for about 2/3 of the way. The way back up the mountain was the hardest for him. He spent most of that time on Daddy's shoulders! It was so nice to get outdoors and in the fresh air. We took our time and let Brody do what he wanted, within reason! Ryan was in front, I was in back, so Brody was very safe. We can't wait to go again, maybe next weekend? Brody will LOVE it if his cousins come with us. He loves his cousins, and he will have a blast if they come along too. Hope you enjoy some of the pictures we took.

Sleep Issues

Ryan is on vacation this week, yea! But, he has been golfing both days so far, so we haven't really benefited from his presence yet. This week we plan on going to the pumpkin farm again, and then to Red River Gorge for a nice little hike. It will be fun, especially since the leaves are changing colors and the scenery will be beautiful.

Brody is doing well, except for his sleeping. He is afraid to fall asleep on his own now! Grrrr!!! Talk about frustrating. Yesterday, he screamed in his room for over an hour refusing to fall asleep for a nap without me laying next to him on the floor. I know he is not ready to abandon his nap, because when I lay with him, he will sleep for about 2 hours. At nighttime, same thing. He will finally cry himself to sleep, only to wake up 3 hours later and cry again. This repeats until about 530am, which is when I give up and bring him into my room until his normal wake up time, 730am. So, I am super grouchy, tired, and overall just pissed! I really do require sleep to function and to be a happy and loving mom every day. The last month or so, Brody has had this horrible cycle of sleep. Ryan keeps saying it is just a transitional phase, he will outgrow it. But, I'm having trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We have a consistent bedtime routine, nightlight, fan running for noise, blankets, stuffed animals, etc. Nothing seems to comfort him, except us in there. I REFUSE to have to lay down next to him for the rest of his life. I don't know if that's mean of me, if it is....I guess I'm mean. For those of you with kids and experience in this area.....any suggestions?? I am becoming very desperate.

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather like I am. I am so glad to put jeans and sweatshirts on Brody. It's always fun to enjoy new seasons and the new clothes that come with it!


Here are some pictures of Brody's trip to Evan's Orchard. I am also posting a picture of Brody with a black eye. He got it after he hit his head on the slide at the park. Black eye #1 down....many more to come, I'm sure.

S.W.A.T

OK - Here's the craziest story.....

My dad and Brody and I are in Perkasie, PA. We're visiting my grandma and aunt. We leave tomorrow morning. We've had a good time, but last night was unreal!

My grandma and aunt live in a townhouse subdivision. Their neighbor across the street has had a reputation for drinking excessively and taking pain medication. Let's just say, he's always trashed. His girlfriend recently moved out of the house, and he had a fight with his son. He also has several guns/weapons in his house. This is good background info for what happened Sunday night.

At 7:30ish, we started noticing cops outside the house, hiding behind cars, behind trees and mailboxes. My cousin was here visiting, with her dog, and they were trying to leave, but the cops said no one is to come or go. We had just ordered dinner, so there went our meal for the night!

After my aunt called around the neighborhood, we found out this crazy neighbor had called his girlfriend and threatened to kill himself. The girlfriend (ex-girlfriend) called the police, hence the police scattered all around the area.

At 8:30ish, Brody was getting tired, so I put him to bed. Shortly after, we saw a SWAT van pull up the street and all of these SWAT officers got out dressed in their garb. The van parked itself in my grandma and aunt's backyard! They had spotlights out and everything, all focused on the crazy guy's house. Two of them knocked on my aunt's door and asked if they could stake out in her bathroom, which had a window that overlooked this crazy guy's house. I started to get super nervous. Brody was upstairs, sleeping, not knowing any of this was going on. The SWAT guys told us to get downstairs in the basement. They were going to start negotiating with the crazy guy via bullhorn and were trying to get him to come outside. They said things could start to get hectic and they might have to shoot tear gas inside the house. Well, of course, I told them I am not leaving my son asleep upstairs by himself. So, I stayed outside his door, while the SWAT guys were upstairs in the bathroom window.

We could hear the police outside (there were like 20-30 of them!) trying to get this guy to come outside, answer his phone, trying to help him. This went on until midnight! Finally, I heard this BOOM! and they shot gas into the house. Minutes later, the crazy guy came outside and the ordeal was over.

We were all exhausted/excited/nervous/anxious the entire time. I can't tell you how strange it felt knowing that my 2-year old son was so close to danger. It was the worst feeling in the world. I just wanted to grab him and fly away to somewhere safe. I know horrible things like this can happen anywhere. That's what makes life so strange. We want our children to grow up safe and sound. But, as much as I try, I can't control everything. It was an experience we all will never forget. Thank goodness it ended as well as it did.

So.....crazy story, huh????