An Interview with Rylan | Three

Since Rylan will be four in June, I finally got around to filming his three-year interview a few weeks ago. Better late than never! Also, I do think that most of his answers would have been the same a while back.

1. How old are you?

Three

2. What is your favorite color?

Blue

3. What is your favorite food?

Bananas

[He is a really good eater, although oftentimes doesn't want to sit still long enough to eat a full meal. Other favorite foods include applesauce squeezie pouches, milk, mac and cheese, tomatoes, apples, strawberries, PB&Js, cheeseburgers, "lenomade," broccoli, Bunny's "meat and noodles," yogurt smoothies, and hummus.]

4. What is your least favorite food?

Strawberries

[This is very odd, because he loves strawberries. I am really struggling to think of his least favorite food.]

5. What is your favorite treat?

Lollipops

6. Who is your best friend?

Liam

7. What is your favorite TV show?

Daniel Tiger

8. What is your favorite movie?

Musketeers

[The Three Musketeers. This is a recent favorite thanks to our new Disney movie channel subscription. Other favorites include The Sandlot and Big Hero Six. He also requests "Star Wars videos" at bedtime even though he hasn't yet seen the movies.]

9. What is your favorite book?

The Star Wars book

[5-Minute Star Wars Stories. Earlier in the year, there was a point where he requested Old MacDonald Had a Truck every single night.]

10. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?

Having pictures

[I may or may not take a lot of photos ;)]

11. What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?

Playing

12. What is your favorite thing to do with Ava?

Playing

13. What is your favorite song?

Daisy

["Daisy, Daisy, give me an answer do. I'm half crazy all for my love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage. I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of my bicycle built for two." My mom used to sing this to us as kids, and both my kids have loved it as well. It is a frequent bedtime request.]

14. What are you really good at?

Baseball

15. What is your favorite holiday?

Presents

[Really any holiday that involves presents. At least the kid is honest.]

16. What is your favorite place to visit?

At Aunt Erin's house

[My friend Erin lives a few blocks over, and even though he has only been over there a few times, he clearly loves visiting.]

17. What is your favorite sport? 

Baseball

18. What is your favorite thing to do at school?

Play

19. If you could have one wish, what would you wish for?

Baseball

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A baseball player

[Do you sense a theme here? The boy is OBSESSED with baseball at the moment. He sleeps with a ball, bat, glove, and Rangers hat most nights.]

Here are the videos. [In three parts because I can't figure out how to combine them on YouTube.] I just love his sweet little voice. 

And also, for posterity's sake, I like to take a video of their room as it is at the time of the interview.

Stella

Stella would have been 12 years old today. Our sweet dog passed away on February 15, and I haven't been able to bring myself to post about it until now. 

Stella had slowly been losing weight, and then after a grooming appointment, she couldn't stop shivering and was having trouble breathing. The vet diagnosed her with conjunctive heart failure and prescribed some medicine. However, unfortunately, she was too far gone at that point and only made it a couple more days. 

On her last day with us, it was a blessing-in-disguise that I had pinkeye and had to stay home from work, so we were able to snuggle on the couch for several hours. She also went out in the backyard one last time to lay in the grass and soak up the sun.

When Stella's breathing got worse, I took her back in to the vet where she passed as they took her back for a chest x-ray. I am grateful that she didn't have to be put to sleep, and also that I was there with her but didn't have to actually witness her passing. But it hit me HARD when they brought her back to me so I could say my final goodbye. I also called Josh at that point to give him the news. It was all way more emotional than I imagined, and still get teary-eyed when thinking about her now. 

Stella was our first baby and a constant companion for nearly 12 years. She had terrible breath, but was the best snuggler (sometimes not the best combination). Stella (aka Stellanator/Stells/Stinks) loved belly rubs, dancing for treats, snuggling on the couch, barking at visitors, eating food dropped by the kids, laying in the sun, Louie, and us. 

Stella will forever have a place in our family and our hearts.

We miss you, Stells.

Spring Break 2018

Before heading to San Antonio for our family photoshoot, we made a pitstop in Austin for dinner with my family and some baby snuggles.

Then Josh had to return to Dallas for work, so the kids and I enjoyed a week filled with classic Austin activities.

We walked around Lady Bird Lake and fed the ducks (and swans, and fish, and turtles).

We also enjoyed a fabulous Tex-Mex meal at Maudie's.

The most Austiny activity of all was our visit to a family friendly SXSW show at the Midway, which is a fun outdoor venue close to my mom's house complete with a playground and food trucks. 

There were four acts, and we caught two of them, including a fun band from New York called High Waisted. 

Ava absolutely loved the show and requested a picture with the lead singer. As we were walking away, she turned to me and said "I'm a big fan of theirs." Her first official concert was definitely a success.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and we had a blast.

During the week, we also enjoyed lots of treats, naps, movies, and hanging out with family.

I was even able to squeeze in a day of work from the Austin office while Grampsie and Aunt RaRa entertained the kids. 

Another fun Austin Spring Break in the books!

Meeting Baby Hailey

At the end of February, we got the exciting news from Hannah that Baby Hailey would soon be arriving. So Ava and I quickly packed up and hit the road for Austin. (Ava was sooooo excited to join me for the little adventure!)

We were hoping to make it down before she was born, but after a ridiculously hard pregnancy for my sister (understatement of the century) God blessed her with a super short labor and delivery! So, by the time we arrived, Hailey was all bundled up and ready for some snuggles. 

She is absolutely perfect!

 My sweet, and very tired, sister with her baby girl. All the heart eyes.

 [Please note the remnants of Hannah's childhood stuffed bunny in the background.]

Welcome to the world sweet Hailey. Our girl tribe is so happy to have another member.

Shepherd Family Photoshoot

For Christmas this year, we gave a joint gift, along with Tori and Todd, of a family photoshoot to Josh's parents. Our last photoshoot was taken several years ago before Rylan and Ben were added to the family, so it was time for some updated photos.

We all headed to San Antonio the first weekend of Spring Break, and after hanging out at their house for the day, headed to a nearby park for the photos. We really should have let Rylan take a nap on the drive down, because he was in peak three-year-old form by showtime and basically only lasted 20 minutes. But miraculously, the photographer managed to capture some really great shots.

These are my favorites. 

Love.