Our Newest "Favorite Thing"

I bought this little "walking toy" for Hoyt on Tuesday of this week. When he first saw it he wasn't too sure what to think, and crawled behind it instead of standing up to walk. However, by day two he had figured it out. It is now his favorite thing to do. He stands behind it and walks back and forth across the family room floor - once again, he thinks he is pretty big stuff. We can't believe that he is getting to be such a big boy!

I Love My Dad

Seeing as how this is Ryon's first Father's Day, I thought I would put together a little slide show of Ryon and Hoyt over the past 9 months. Many of the pictures bring to mind some funny stories....

When we found out that Hoyt was 9 pounds and breech, and that he would have to be born via c-section, Ryon was worried to say the least. (If you didn't know, Ryon suffers just a bit from paranoia!!) The day Hoyt was born he was pretty nervous. Everything, however, went great with the c-section and Ryon was beaming when he held Hoyt for the first time. He then got to go to the nursery with Hoyt while I remained in the OR getting "stitched up". While in the nursery, one of the nurses explained that Hoyt had some fluid in his lungs due to the c-section and would need oxygen.

Ryon flew into action! He asked what the optimal oxygen levels should be, and stood by Hoyt's bedside while the nurse administered the oxygen. A little while later the nurse went to check on another baby, and Ryon took it upon himself to administer the oxygen to Hoyt. When the nurse saw what Ryon was doing and questioned him, he replied with (I'm paraphrasing here) "His oxygen levels went down and you were busy, so I gave it to him myself!" When one of the nurses came into my room and explained that she thought Ryon could use a xanax - I thought she was kidding. However, Ryon told me "the oxygen story" later that day and I knew that the nursing staff would probably be happy to see us go!!

For Christmas this year, Ryon picked out a present for Hoyt by himself and wouldn't even tell me what it was. One night while I was out at a church activity, I came home to find a box wrapped in birthday paper sitting under the tree. I had to laugh because 1) Ryon hates to wrap presents and 2) He said he couldn't find the Christmas paper so he just used the "birthday stuff". When Hoyt and I opened the present we found a stuffed deer head for Hoyt's room - Ryon was extremely proud of himself! Ryon can't wait until Hoyt is old enough to take roping, hunting, etc. We already have enough camo for two little boys, and Hoyt is already learning to like horses.

I could go on and on, but I guess those stories will do. I am thankful that I found a man that is a wonderful husband, and also a terrific dad. Hoyt could not ask for anything better. I look forward to watching them "grow up" together! Happy Father's Day Sweets - we love you!!

A Week of Firsts

This was a week of "firsts" for Hoyt. He got to ride his first horse (with Dad), he went swimming for the first time at Grandma and Grandpa Hoyt's house, and he started climbing the stairs at home (the gates have now been put up!).

I had no idea that he would figure out how to climb the stairs so quickly. One day while I was putting away groceries it got awfully quiet, and I went to see what Hoyt was up to. I found him three stairs up and continuing to climb. When he saw me he started laughing - he thought he was pretty big stuff! We wonder what he will start doing next!

Quick Trip to California

Hoyt and I were able to take a quick trip to California last week to see my brother Brandon and nephew Austin graduate from 8th grade. We had a great time swimming in Grandma and Grandpa Hoyt's pool and spending time with family. Hoyt spent 2 hours in the pool the first day and absolutely loved it. I told Ryon that we definitely need a pool now - you can imagine his response!

Nine Months...

Nine months and Hoyt is absolutely everywhere and getting into everything. He can crawl so fast now - one minute he is in the family room and the next he is at the front door! He loves the dishwasher, and no matter where he is when he hears the door open he comes crawling. When the door is down it is just the right height for him to pull himself up and try to gnaw on the bottom rack!

At church last Sunday he got his first "shiner". Ryon had him in Elders Quorum and he was crawling around and pulling himself up on the chair rack. During the prayer he took a dive and plowed his cheek into the rack. Ryon said, "He did that cry where he didn't breathe for like 1 minute!" So in the bottom picture if you look at his left cheek you can see the battle scar, and we know that's just the first of many. (However, I did have to let Ryon know that I didn't think he was watching him closely enough!)

We had Hoyt's nine month appointment last week and he is now 30 inches long (95%) and weighs 22 pounds (80%). The doctor thinks he will be a very tall boy, and says he is doing great! We just can't believe that nine months have gone by so quickly, but we love this age and could sit and watch Hoyt all day. He is such a happy, smiley boy and he loves to laugh - he is truly our entertainment!