Labor Day Camping Trip

Family traditions are the best! I've always had a special place in my heart for our Annual Jewkes Camping Trip. We basically sit around eating way too much all day, playing games and taking naps. It's so nice and relaxing to get out of the city hustle and away from the over-accessibility we have these days due to the constant technology overload. It was Zach (and Ryker's) first time ever attending the festivities. I think they're both fully converted to the trip! 

This Was All They Could Afford

About two months ago, I went to San Antonio for Payroll 201 and took the CPP exam at the end of the course. It was a stressful time and I studied pretty hard before. I went back to my hotel and studied after class each day, ventured the city a bit to take a break and grab some dinner, then back to the hotel to study some more. It all paid off because I passed. Only about half the class usually passes the test proctor said, so not too bad for my first try I suppose. 

Well, the other day I finally got my "award" in the mail at work for passing. Look at this prized possession! Nothing says, "Great job!!" like a tiny lapel pin. I mean, I'll totally wear this to church or something. Show it off wherever I can. Maybe have it framed. Who knows? The possibilities are endless! 

However, it did arrive with this too, so that made it feel good for a minute! 

I'm so grateful I work at such an awesome company that invests their resources into helping me be the best I can at my job. Definitely not the dream job I had in mind...I mean who really chooses Payroll? But it's been a great career thus far, so I may as well stick with it! Nashville in May, here I come! 

It's Bad to Have a Grandpa Named Derri When You Can't Eat Dairy

I don't recall the exact phrasing, but my younger cousin Cameron made a joke over Labor Day about Ryker not being able to eat dairy and that it was bad because his grandpa was Derri. Well, Ryker and I have had an eventful week. Between losing my employee over Thanksgiving weekend, full swing mink harvest, Christmas shopping and decorating, primary calling, etc., it has been a hectic time. At his wel baby checkup Monday, the doctor said we could start trying a few dairy products and to start with things like Goldfish Crackers, yogurt and cheese. Monday I gave Ryker a Colby Jack Cow Pal cheese. He seemed totally fine so I was really excited because cheese was his favorite snack before we cut dairy out for him. Tuesday I tried the same thing. He seemed fine again. But then disaster struck when he woke up screaming bloody mirder at midnight and would NOT stop. We finally gave him a bottle of rice milk and he stopped crying long enough to drink it. He settled down easier after the bottle and slept the rest of the night in our bed (that has never happened before). When I woke up in the morning, I nearly rolled on top of him not realizing he was there at first since he ever sleeps in our bed. Poor little guy. Guess we will try yogurt or crackers next and see if we have any better luck. I'm really nervous for his sake..and mine. Definitely don't enjoy the rude awakenings and the heartbreak of hearing your child scream nonstop in pain. 

Eating cheese agin for the first time. You can't tell here, but he still loved it. 

With the crazy times, Ryker and I haven't been getting home until at least 7. And Zach hasn't been getting home until 8-9. Ryker and I have been having our own little fun together. His speech is really lacking. He only really says mama and dada. He used to say dog but hasn't said it in months. And uh-oh hasn't been said since before he started saying dog. He does say a word that my parents say is "sit" but we hear something slightly different. This week we made a card for daddy telling him how much we loved him, listened to Christmas music and sang And danced, colored Christmas pictures, baked cheap sugar cookies with Christmas trees on them and have read about a zillion books. I have always read several books to Ryker. And he obliges by putting one away and getting another out. He adores books (YAY!!). We narrate everything we are doing and talk about things he points at or gets into. He has always been several months ahead in all the physical development, but he just doesn't feel like talking yet I guess (which I'm not complaining about because I love this stage and I can deny how fast he has grown if he isn't talking). I'm guessing that one day he will just decide to open his mouth and words will pour out. He comprehends everything we say to him. "Where's your nose? Eyes? Toes? Button?" "Put it back." "Do you need to go potty?" "Say please" (he does sign language please). "Are you hungry? Tired? Need a nap? Ready for bed?" "Let's brush our teeth." "Time to go." He has reactions for each and endless gibberish indicating he knows exactly what we are saying to him. But he is a stubborn boy and just won't make words. That's ok though because I enjoy "working on is speech" by letting him bring me book and after and he turns around and sits in my lap and points and "oohs" and "ahhhs" at every page. I'm going to miss this stage when it's over. Time is flying and I have no idea where it has gone. Please make it stop! 

Snowbird!

This big boy always has to walk out the door and down the stairs to the car by himself every day. He usually walks right to his door and teachers for the handle. But today he bolted out of the garage and into the snow and started dancing and playing in it. I am so thankful he loves being outdoors even when it's cold. He is one adventurous little dude!