Surprise!

Andrew TOTALLY surprised us this weekend by flying in for Halloween. He worked it out with Marilu, Dallas and Keith in advance. I was waiting for a "client" at the restaurant Komi when I was presented with a bottle of champagne, flowers and a photo album. Andrew then walked in!

Ryker is a strong guy. He likes to do pull-ups.

Boo at the Zoo

Last night we went to "Boo at the Zoo." AVO got him a costume. I can't decide if it is a dinosaur or Puff the Magic Dragon. Either way, he was cute as a button. His friend, Isabel, was a St. Bernard dog. Bow Wow Wow.

Ikea

My friend, Chiara, and I do nanny-share twice a week. Her daughter, Isabel, is 4 months older than Ryker. They really enjoy playing together and hold hands in the stroller. Last week we all went to Ikea together. The kids got to play when the store wasn't so crowded. Ryker showed Isabel the spinning chair like he has in Dublin. She wasn't too sure about it. We'll have to keep this in mind as a place to take the kids this winter when it is too cold to be outside.

Hola!

Ryker LOVES to talk on the phone. I'm not sure what he's saying other than "hola", but he pauses when someone else speaks, laughs, says "uh huh" and "bye bye." He knows the difference between a pretend phone and a real phone and obviously only the real one will do. He'll even sit and read a book while talking on the phone. We called Andrew on Skype (video phone) the other day and he was a bit confused by it. Andrew called him on the regular phone and barked like a dog. Ryker looked at the phone, then the video, then the phone. Hmmm. We'll have to work on this one.

Vamos!

Oyster School had its 1st annual 5k Fun Run. I ran over to it with Ryker in the jogging stroller but didn't participate in the race because we were too late... Tio Luis (Marilu's husband) and Tia Sandra (my running partner) and Tia Ivania (Ryker's other nanny with her son, Andre) all ran. Ryker clapped as they crossed the finish line.

Red Balloon and Bear Feet

Two of Ryker's favorite things right now: bear slippers from Avo and balloons (of any color).

How Big is Ryker?

Ryker is SO big! He likes to climb on to his tricycle and stand on the seat. Look! No hands (well almost in this photo)!

Keelin's Boots

Ryker found Keelin's new Hello Kitty boots in the closet and wanted to wear them. His red boots with doggies are in Dublin.

Besos

When Ryker woke up yesterday morning he started blowing me kisses. He'd kiss his hand "mma."

Baby Blues

Ryker might not look too much like me, but he does have my blue eyes - and daddy's long lashes. He is wearing a sweater from his Great Aunt Ingrid.

Baby Blues

Ryker might not look too much like me, but he does have my blue eyes - and daddy's long lashes.

Crayola Meltdown

Ryker was at Marilu's. Luis gave him crayons to draw with and - uh oh - stepped away. I walked in just as Ryker decided to change Marilu's carpet from beige to green. I took the crayons away and he had an absolute meltdown. He screamed and cried and threw himself on the floor. Marilu put him in a time out. She made him sit on the sofa (and he did) while we turned our back on him. He went on and on and on. Finally I took him home (tantrum never ceased) and tried to give him dinner. Nope. He wanted nothing but crayons. So, to bath and bed he went. The next day I sat down with him and let him draw on paper, supervised. He was so happy!

Walter Pierce Park

Ryker loves going to the park everyday. Today we went on his tricycle. It was a "big guy" day - no stroller for him! And, he went on the see-saw, the big swing, the big twisty slide and drove the firetruck.