Through the Doggie Door

Ryker watched Mischa crawl out of his doggie door and went right after him. In and Out. Now that was a fun game! We had to keep a close eye on him so he wouldn't get to the little pond without supervision.

Tricycle Heaven

Ryker will be one year old on June 15th (Father's Day). It's hard to believe how quickly this year has passed. I now measure time in months, not years. He is a delightful, happy, healthy child. For his birthday, he got a tricycle. His legs aren't long enough to reach the pedals, but he is very good at holding on to the handles. He LOVES it. He has one in Dublin but now he has one in Washington too. I think he will be a cyclist just like his Daddy.

Memorial Day Weekend

We went to Rehobeth, DE with Steve, Joanne and Joanne's mom, "Bubbie." We also saw Joan and Bill Davidson down there. It was a great weekend and the weather was gorgeous. Ryker charmed everyone - of course!

We made "coffee steaks" at Joan and Bill's. It is the best (and easiest) recipe in the world. Apparently, it comes from some country club down in Texas. I know it sounds weird, but they really are incredible. Serve with simple side dishes, like corn, salad, baked potato, asparagus.

Coffee Steaks

• thick cut (1+ inch) steaks, preferably NY Strip or Rib Eyes
• equal parts ground coffee (not instant - can be decaf, I don't know if it makes a difference), Lawry's season salt and brown sugar combined to make a rub

Heat grill, press rub into both sides of the steak 5 minutes before tossing them on the grill. Cook to desired temperature.

Grayson & Ryker

Pia, my very best friend from elementary/junior high school, had a baby two weeks before me. His name is Grayson. We went for a picnic and I brought Ryker's tent along for them to play in. Ryker showed Grayson how to crawl in and out of the tent.

Double Trouble

On Tuesdays and Thursdays Ivania takes care of Ryker and Isabel. Isabel is 14 months old. They both love to go for walks so I got them a double stroller. Now I have 3 - Maclaren single, Maclaren double and Bugaboo.

Ride On

Ryker has a new ride on/walker toy. He loves it both ways. He'll be walking very soon...

Mother's Day

When I became a mom, I felt like I joined a secret society. Other members give me a sympathetic smile when Ryker has a public meltdown. I can usually tell when a man is a dad because he's the one who rushes to help carry the stroller when everyone else pushes past me. Groucho Marx said "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." I doubt he had kids and knew what he was missing. There is no way you can until you join.

On Children
By Khalil Gibran

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said,
Speak to us of Children.
And he said: Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,which you cannot visit,
not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarrieswith yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the pathof the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's handbe for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Cinco de Mayo

Otra cerveza, por favor!

Crawling

Unlike his cousin Jonas who thought grass was weird, Ryker loves to crawl in it. I guess Jonas is a true New Yorker.

Unlike his cousin Jonas who thought grass was weird, Ryker loves to crawl in it.

Lunch Time

I have a travel seat for Ryker so I can strap him to any chair. He joined us on the porch for his meal - hummos, cereal and some vegetables.

Red Boot

Ryker is teething and loves to chew on everything. He has four more teeth about to pop through on the top. This is Jonas' boot. Yummy!

Favorite Cousin

Annika is his favorite cousin. She loves to play with Ryker and carries him everywhere.

Bath Time?

Ryker loves to take his bath so it only seemed appropriate to have him try George Washington's bath in Berkeley Springs, WV. Steve is holding him.

Croquet

Uncle Anker pulled out the croquet set. Ryker wanted to join the game but really only wanted to grab the mallet.

Oakland Revisited

We went to Berkeley Springs, WV. Steve and Joanne, Anker, Monica, Jonas and Annika joined us. Even Firefighter Leland brought his son. Andrew and I took Ryker here when he was only about 10 days old. I have many good memories of weekends at Oakland and hope Ryker grows up learning to love it as much as I do.

Play? Sleep!

I got Ryker his own little tent. He can play in it but, more importantly, it is his travel bed. No need to carry a bulky and heavy pack-and-play. This is a much better solution.

Campfire

River Poppa helped Annika build a fire so she could roast marshmallows. I have many fond memories of camping and sitting around the same fire pit over the years. Shenandoah is a special place for us.

Heegaard Family

River Poppa, Monica, Jonas, Annika, Ryker and me in Shenandoah.