Ryan - A Day in the Life of a One Year Old

Splashing in my froggy pool

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So, I will post several pictures to give you an idea of what Ryan has been up to these hot summer days.  But, before I do, I have to agree with my mom when she says that Ryan is "action jackson." He is all over the place and pulling things apart.  I guess you have to pull a thing apart to see how it has to be put back together, and Ryan has been doing that a lot. Ryan has been saying "uh-oh," "Hi," "What," "What's this," and "Bye." I even think he tries repeating things. Finally, we have fallen back into some semblance of routine since returning from our last trip and that is welcome news.

I do this everyday...at least twice...Mommy gets to wash them everyday...at least twice

This is on FB...but slick here pushed the basket over to the entertainment unit

Ryan loves to sit on this thing - he enjoys crawling and climbing

Summer days in my pool

Ryan likes when Mommy opens the closet

Note the farm fridge on the floor & the open drawer - we really need to get the latch to hold the drawer closed

My books

My puppets and more things for Mommy to bend over and pick up!

Still love my tunnel

I had a wild night that night before...no really, I did. Mommy picked me up from bed
& I fell back asleep here on an off for the first hour of the day. Mommy had to grab the camera real quick because she was scared I was going to roll off.

Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins - O Canada!

 O CANADA!



What a week for Ryan Charles Puyleart! Year 1 started out with a bang!! His cousins from Green Bay came to visit after not traveling to the SE for 10 years.  Then Ryan's mommy returned to Quebec after 10 years for her father's memorial service & to introduce Dave and Ryan to her family there.

Earlier in the week, Ry Ry got to hang a bit with his Uncle Paul, Aunt Katherine, and cousins - Daniel, Stacie, and Nathan.  They brought Ryan a cool, wooden bunny bench.  We call it the bunny pulpit because Ryan likes to stand on it from time to time and talk.  For a fun activity, the Puyleart brothers traveled with their wives and children to Zoo Atlanta.  Later on that evening, the guys and kids played some video games while I tried chatting with Katherine but spent most of the time trying to get Ryan to sleep after his exciting zoo trip.  On Monday, we were able to hang out a little more before the Puylearts left for a return trip to Green Bay. Ryan thought his cousins were very nice to him.

With a two-day break, we readied ourselves for a trip to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Ryan was a very good boy on the plane trip to Burlington, VT.  My Uncle Frank drove about 2 hours to pick us up, and we crossed the border with a sleeping baby in the truck.

Normand Gratton, my birth father, passed away in December, and we went to Canada for a memorial mass.  Ryan was pretty good at the beginning of the mass but once we started moving-standing, kneeling and sitting - he got antsy. I think he made it to the Gospel before having to be escorted to the back of the church. Well, I think, actually, the basement.  A good place to be to celebrate Norm since I later learned my father spent a lot of his childhood getting dressed for hockey games in that basement!

We had a really nice time hanging with Uncle Frank, Aunt Josee and meeting Cousin Julie-Maude (finally...she is 9 now) - they were wonderful hosts & they have a beautiful home in Candiac.  We felt very welcome & enjoyed our many delicious meals. The room we stayed in was great. It was like our own hotel.  I cannot thank Uncle Frank & Aunt Josee enough.  Ry was noisy and out of his element, and they were very kind.

We enjoyed seeing Uncle Gilles, and we were happy to spend 3 good days chatting with him. Uncle Gilles' wife, Anne, is as sweet as ever, and Cousins - William and Charlotte have grown up to be such nice kids.  They were babies when I last saw them.  Charlotte is very sweet and loving. I appreciated her attention to Ry and teaching me some French. We also saw Aunt Claudine and Uncle Donald & a brief visit with Cousin Gabriel too. Sorry to have missed them on Sat. night. Cannot forget: Mr. and Mrs. Labelle - Josee's parents were great!

Of course, Ryan got to meet his Uncle Joe (Jonathan) too.  Uncle Joe was so happy to have a little nephew, and we hope he comes to visit us next year. In addition to Ry Ry meeting his great-aunts, uncles, and 2nd cousins - I saw family that had not seen me in 30 years too. My grandmother had 10 brothers and sisters, so there were many people to see.

The trip home was a very long one.  It was really nice seeing everyone, and I hope it is not another 10 years before we repeat these events.  With that said, Ryan is off the road for a while, a long while.  He has been on 8 trips in 12 months. 

Thus, the Tour de Ryan has ended for now.  The little man needs his rest, as does his travel director and promoter.  With that said, he has been an AMAZING little traveler.  We have been spoiled & loved sharing time with everyone. 

xo,
CP and family

PICTURE REVIEW OF THE PUYLEART & GRATTON VISITS:



Daniel, Paul, Nathan, and Dave Puyleart




Ryan and Daddy at the zoo

  

Nathan, Stacie, and Daniel on a HOT day at the zoo

Ry Ry el Superguy sweats it out in his wagon at Zoo Atlanta

In Canada, with my half-brother, Jonathan

Ryan with Aunt Josee & Uncle Frank

Playing with Uncle Joe

Cousin Julie-Maude and the very loved, Je-Je

Charlotte Gratton, Chantal's 1st cousin

Recreating a family photo - it's easy to find masks in the Gratton family

Dave playing hockey with William and Jonathan - Ryan watched!

Hanging out in Uncle Frank and Aunt Josee's backyard

SUPERGUY TURNS ONE!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, RYAN CHARLES!!

Enjoying my chocolate cupcake

Our little boy turned one last Friday! What a year - the best of our life, for sure! To celebrate, we had a fantastic birthday party for our amazing son that we love so very much.  The party was at our home & the theme was "I LOVE PUPPIES." 

There were about 30 family members and friends at the party including family from Florida, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. Several of Ryan's neighborhood friends attended & his cousins, Jena and Julia.  The children enjoyed playing in Ryan's play area despite my attempt at having organized activities.  We did play a little puppy dog t-ball with a t-ball set loaned to us by Bianca & family.  The kids and Momma (me) wore puppy dog baseball caps.  Awwww.  Ryan, as usual, wore 1 shoe to the "game."

Ryan in one shoe...I think I could make a collage of one shoe pictures to celebrate Ry's first year.

We had lots of great food.  Momma & family prepared lunch.  Grandpa Dan helped set up. Mimmy made yummy sides.  Grandma Sandy's beer dip was a hit.  Daddy Dave grilled hot dogs & burgers.  Dave also baked birthday cupcakes the afternoon before - chocolate & white cake.  Aunt Sheila and Momma decorated that night.  The cupcakes were delicous, and Ryan seemed to think so - he bathed himself in the frosting from head to toe.  No kidding. Mommy insisted and Daddy agreed the best course of action was to hose him off after he finished the cupcake show.

Cupcake towers & chocolate chip cookies a la Dada.

We were so happy and thankful to have such a great celebration for our son.  Our blessings are many, and we look forward to the future with our son's infectious smile and jolly disposition to light the way!

See below for a picture recap of the big 1st birthday party for Ryan.

Blowing the candles our with Dada and Momma

My friend, Bianca, looking chic for the party

Kaitlyn and Finn & Finn's mom, Julie

Oh yeah, can't wait to get some on my toes...and I will, don't you worry, I will.

Cousin Jena and Ryan

Do you just not love this pic? I do!!!



Buddy pic!!



With My cousin, Julia



Daddy cleaning my eyes...and that is before the mess!

Yaye! I clap for cake.