Ryan and Dad Time

Usually I ride the 13 or 14 miles to work on one of my bikes and then Bridget comes and gets me when I am off, which is around 8:30, sometimes later. I could ride home, but I am not a big fan of riding in the dark, even if it I ride with lights (which I own). So Bridget comes and gets me because I am a wuss.

Often the boys accompany her. Tonight it was just Ryan with her, and Jack was asleep with Grandma. Ryan was a pistol tonight, just really excited about lots of things.

I was hungry so I ate some of tonights leftovers and Ryan had to have some too. I told Ryan he could have some but that we were going to watch basketball while we were eating. That was great according to him. The New Orleans was playing San Antonio and it was in the 4th quarter. Ryan asked which team I was rooting for, I picked the white team--the Spurs, and then he picked the yellow team--the Hornets. When it became apparent that the white team was going to win, he asked if he could be on my team too. I said sure and we rooted for the Spurs for the rest of the game. I have no particular love for either team, I just like watching the playoffs. Ryan liked watching some of the shots being made, but he also like trying to read the score. He knows all of his numbers below 100, but from 101 on up he gets a little confused. Sometimes he is right and sometimes not. For instance, when the Spurs hit 110 points He asked what the number was. I told him "one hundred ten," but he said that it should have been written "1-0-0-1-0" (he might of added an extra zero when he was telling me, but that was the jist of it) instead of 110. It makes some sense actually. Anyway, it was fun talking to him about it.

As I stated before he was for some reason just really excited. Maybe it was because he was getting some solo time with me for the first time today, or maybe it was because he was getting to stay up late. Regardless, he was very animated about just about everything. Bridget had to to keep warning him to be quiet. She could hear him from across the house. I remember Mom telling me to be quite often too. Maybe it is just the boys are louder, or maybe he gets it from me. We wouldn't know, since all we are having are boys in our family.

I really like Ryan. He is such a good little dude. He is 95% of the time a great example for Jack. And as far as that other 5%--It adds character. I wouldn't want him perfect (even though I may say differently during those times) and he such a caring little man. I couldn't ask for a better #1 son. And Jack is great too, but this post is about Ryan (in case they read this in future years).

When the basketball game was over I turned off the TV and Ryan went off to bed. No arguments he just went right on in to his room and climbed on in. It is so nice that there are no longer any battles with him regarding bedtime (for the most part). It makes us less fearful with Jack or Mr. No Name since we kinda know what to expect.

One of Bridget's sisters has a newborn. The little guy seems to be cranky from the reports I hear. I remember the frustration we had with Ryan when he was the same age. With Jack we knew what to expect and we were better able to deal with the crying and we tended to let him cry more before we jumped to get him. This is her first time through the infant stage and so it has been a little rough I guess. I remember and I am glad it is not me doing it for the first time. The 3rd time through I am sure will be rough enough.