Happy Birthday Ryan!

I know that mothers say this a lot, but I can't believe that he is four! And I really could not ask for a more wonderful four year old. Yes, we have our moments, just like anyone else, but the good moments far outweigh our bad. Ryan is such an amazing big brother to Nicholas. He will do anything he can to make Nicholas laugh and my heart melts when I see them holding hands in the back seat.
And I'm expecting big things from this little guy. At four, he has been reading and sounding out words for the last six months and he loves to show me how high he can count (about 128!). I love that he is so eager to learn and do "hard work."
Ryan is my chatterbox--he is constantly talking and asking why. I can almost hear him processing as he asks these questions and tries to figure out things. He loves school, but is pretty quiet there according to his teachers. He is still slow to adjust to new situations and he likes to be the one in control. Ryan does things on his terms and it is hard to push him when he is not comfortable.
Ryan is turning into my sports nut. He wants to play soccer, football, baseball and basketball all the time. He will even sit and watch sports with daddy for long periods of time. Ryan was given a bicycle a few months ago and he loves to ride it around the neighborhood.
I'm so proud of my little guy--I love to hear him sing, pray and practice his Bible verses. I love listening to his silly knock knock jokes and I love that he still comes over and asks to sit in my lap.
Happy Birthday Ryan! I love you!

Quotes from an almost 4 year old...and big news from the little one!

Ryan and I were doing laundry today and I had to remind him of something.
Me: Ryan, Remember, you are not the boss of mommy.
Ryan: Whoops! I forgot!

Later this afternoon, we were driving home from the grocery store listening to a kid's worship CD. Ryan: They sure say Jesus a lot. (long pause) They must really love Jesus.

What a kid!

And in other Brulotte family news--we have a walker! Nicholas took his first step on Friday and then took about 4 steps in a row on Sunday night. Big stuff! He really is determined and he tries to walk with no prompting from us at all. He will do it even if we are in the other room. No coaxing needed for this one!

Where have I been?

I have not blogged in weeks--but it has been weeks since we have been healthy around our house!
First, Nicholas got a cold, which turned into wheezing and we had to start all of the asthma meds. Then, Ryan got the cold, which also turned into wheezing, so we pulled out the asthma meds again. Next, Nicholas started wheezing again and we started another course of steroids and asthma meds. Fun times, let me tell you.
We finally seemed to be healthy and had a great weekend with the AWANA Grand Prix and then last week my throat started feeling sore and I went into the doctor and left with meds for strep. It hit me pretty hard and I'm still not back to normal. At least it was just me sick, right? Oh no, Ryan's ear started hurting on Saturday night at bedtime and he has an ear infection.
I don't even want to say this--but I'm hoping the sickness is going to be done with now, so that we can have a fun spring break! Last year, Ryan was VERY sick all of spring break and I was about 37 weeks pregnant and we were miserable--we even had to cancel his birthday party.
I'm praying for the health of my family and hoping we can finally be done with the icky pink medicine!