Sound Familiar???

So- as I've previously mentioned our life is CRAZY right now! Today has been "one of those days." I had just gotten Bryson down for a nap (finally!) and went into our room to blow-dry my hair. I had the monitor right next to me so I could see/hear if Bryson made a peep. Have I mentioned that Bryson is still totally off schedule from our holiday traveling and woke up at 4am ready for the day? Anyways, approximately 12 minutes after Bryson went down, I heard a POUNDING on our front door. I was sure that the world must be ending for anyone to beat on our door like this, especially when we have a sign up asking people to be quiet becuase we have a sleeping baby (we leave it up at all times :). Anyways, then Halle was barking and growling, and anyone who knows this dog knows that she is anything but quiet. Next I heard Bryson screaming. Who was at the door? A UPS man, saying that I must sign for this package. I had wet hair and was wearing nothing but a robe. Halle would hardly let me open the door. I tried to pursuade him to just leave the package- Bryson was screaming, the dog was barking, I was freezing- but he would not give in. So, I opened the door partially (while hiding behind it) and reached around to sign his little electronic device. The good news??? It was our new laptop! The bad news??? My baby is still fighting going down for a nap three hours later...

Sneak Peek

We had Christmas pictures taken a few weeks ago for our Christmas cards. Melissa got some really sweet shots. Here is a sneak peak of what is to come...

Thankfulness

I didn't want to let this season of Thanksgiving slip away without listing a few of the MANY things we are so thankful for...

Our Families

Bryson

Halle and Jake

Health

A job that I am so passionate about

Jason's job

Hot water heaters

A brother who will give up his bed for me

Overhearing family members talking to Bryson in the other room, and hearing him laughing at them

Bryson's sweet smile

Troops fighting overseas for our freedom

Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ

Great friends

Time spent at home in our pajamas

Warm food

Home-made Lemon chess pie

FBC Bryan

Long walks pushing Bryson in the stroller

Bryson's Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Tidbits of wisdom mixed into our days

Being a Mom and Dad

Overwhelming joy

Time to Celebrate!

Last Sunday I turned the big 27! We had a great day spending time together as a family, and then we went out to eat at On The Border. My brother Matt, the Kenleys, the Reeds, the Taylors, and the Browns met us at the restaurant to help us celebrate. I am so thankful for such good friends and family!

Family Shot

This was my present from Bryson!

Cereal !!!

Lots going on in the Ruple household!

Bryson has started eating rice cereal. It has not been the smoothest transition. In fact, Bryson HATED it at first. Our first feeding ended in screaming and lots of tears (from Bryson and me!). We put it up for a few weeks and then tried again. Things went much more smoothly the second time, and he is continuing to get better and better at keeping the cereal IN his mouth!

Jason putting Bryson in his highchair for the first time!

First feeding- didn't go so well!!!

Never fear! Grandma is here!

Grandma came down for the weekend and wanted to feed Bryson. I have to admit he did eat really well for her (like maybe she's done this a few times before!). I still think she enjoyed it more than he did!

Dirty face!!!

Coming Soon: Landon Pickens

On Saturday November 7th we traveled to Katy, Texas to help give a shower for our good friends Derek and Melissa Pickens. This sweet couple lived in the other half of our duplex for the first three years of our marriage. We loved having them as neighbors and miss them terrribly! Melissa found out she was pregnant on the day we went to stay with them so she could take our maternity pictures (she found out literally about five minutes before we rang the doorbell!). It has been so much fun to go through this pregnancy with them, especially with a new baby of our own. We can't wait to meet Mister Landon in January and know that him and Bryson will be forever friends.

I made the diaper cake!

Bryson was flirting with all the ladies (and they were eating it up!).

Sweet Friends!

Four Months Old

On November 10th Bryson turned four months old! He had his four month check-up on the 6th. Everything went perfectly. Bryson weighed 14lbs 14oz and was 24.25 inches long. He had his second round of shots and this time things went much more smoothely (no 4am trips to IHOP for Jason and Bryson). Bryson slept for a few hours after his appointment, but then was cheerful as usual for the rest of the afternoon.

A little bit about our four month old--- He has an infectious laugh that we can't get enough of! We are really enjoying getting know his sweet personality. He is rolling over and over and over, and raising himself up completely on his arms. He is scooting across the floor by raising his rear-end up into the air and then pushing as hard as he can with his feet (usually while letting out a few loud grunts). He hasn't quite figured out that he needs to raise himself up on his arms at the same time, so he usually ends up nose-diving into the floor. He might be crawling sooner rather than later! We aren't really encouraging crawling, trying to hold onto these last few days of sanity before our house is forever turned upside down! :)

After a few small transition "road bumps" Bryson is doing great in daycare. I am also beginning to enjoy my time at work; being a nurse again and helping people in this community is a true passion of mine. For now, we seem to have found a really good balance. I'm learning that balance is key in everything.

We're looking forward to seeing what month five holds for our little guy! We will definitely keep you posted!