James LIVE! (Look over there ---------->)

Check out our new "Custom Player" featuring nothing but James Ryan, all day every day! Click on the video to go directly to YouTube or click the right/left arrows to scroll through the videos.

New Addition

Well the work out video thing hasn't exactly been working out (pun intended) and I have recently felt that I need to get healthy, not super sexy and fit, but healthy. It has been way longer than I want to admit since I have been to a gym or done any consistent physical activity and I am feeling it. I don't have the energy that I once did and with a growing boy I want to be able to run after him and play, not sit on a park bench watching from a far.

So Ryan and I decided that since we have some free space in our two car garage, that is now only housing one car, we are going to build a very simple home gym and I am so excited!

We are trying to do the home gym thing as cheaply as possible so yesterday I flipped when I found an upright stationary bike (just what I wanted) in good condition for $45, woohoo! So I emailed the woman and within a few short hours it was in our garage..um..I mean our gym. :-)

Here she is, ain't she a beaut?



Also it sounds like we might be able to have/borrow a friend's weight bench and weights for free. It's all coming together.

Did I also mention that some of my fondest memories/silly times with Ryan have been when we used to work out or climb together? Well they were, which makes me doubly excited for what's to come.

Trust

Trusting God seems to be a big theme in my life right now. I feel like everyday something new comes up that I cannot control but I try to anyway and fail miserably. I know in my heart that my response should always be to trust Jesus and come to him with my problems, asking him to bear the weight and lead me to a solution. I know that only the Lord can sort out the trouble and only he has the answers, but because I am stubborn I don't always do this. Instead I end up spinning my wheels until I am brought to the end of myself when I realize, yet again, that I cannot do anything without Jesus.

This reminds me of a song that we sing in church that begins:

"The feeling of walking around in circles is getting old.
Dead ends and detours on the road of life, they make me fall.
I surrender, I surrender, I surrender all to you my Lord.
Surrender, surrender, surrender all to you my King."

This song often brings me to tears because the words are simple yet totally piercing. As a christian I know that the answer is always Jesus. Jesus is the great redeemer and our faithful counselor. I know that a relationship with him is the only way to true joy and happiness, as well as the only road to heaven, but as a sinful human I don't always seek him or surrender to him as I should. Instead as the song so pointedly states, I walk in circles trying to fix my problems without talking to the Lord until the weight of it all brings me to my knees and I can do nothing but ask for his forgiveness and help.

Being a new mom this has been a reality more than I want to admit. It seems like I have spent a good part of the past six months trying to manage situations and keep my life "under control", which inevitably leaves me frustrated, crying and completely overwhelmed....ask Ryan, he'll tell you. However when I do pray in times of trouble and surrender to the Lord admitting that I cannot do this alone, it seems like even the craziest days are doable. He gives me the strength to keep going and peace in knowing that he is in charge. God is great.

So I have been praying lately that God would change my heart and help me to trust him completely and not allow worry or anxiety to plague me as they do. Although God's plan is not always the most comfortable or glamorous, I know that his plan is perfect and I desire to go down the path that he has set out for me, not off on my own beaten path.

So, Ryan's car died, officially and finally, a couple weeks ago and instead of my first reaction being "Ahhhhh, what are we going to do?" I thought "Well, we'll figure it out, God knows how to deal with this and I trust Him." Which surprised the heck out of me to tell you the truth. I am not usually this faithful right off the bat and never this calm, but by the grace of God I was at peace, without anxiety or worry, and truly living out Proverbs 3:5:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding."

The Lord has been teaching me to trust in him lately and finally I responded faithfully. Thank you Jesus for being such a wonderful God who teaches us slowly so that we can get there eventually and give all the glory to you.

"O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in you!" Psalm 84:12

Peas Please

James has moved onto bigger and better mushed up foods this week. He is just about six months old so Mommy and Daddy decided to try out some peas on the boy. Night #1 of peas was less than a success, lots of spitting peas and making awful faces, but night #2 seemed to do the trick and James is now a pea eater. Enjoy!

More Peas Please!

Quick thought....

Have you ever thought about how we say "putting the baby down" when speaking of putting a baby to bed and yet we also say "putting the dog/cat down" when speaking of euthanizing an animal. Strange huh?

James in September

More pictures.

Night Owl

James is normally a very good sleeper at night. His typical bed time is between 8:00 & 8:30 and once he's down he'll be asleep until about 5:30, at which time he wants a snack and then bed for a couple more hours. However I have learned over the past 6 months that babies are constantly throwing you for a loop. Just when you think you've finally got it all figured out something changes and their "schedule" is totally different.

So a couple nights ago James decided that he was not going to bed at his usual time and after three attempts at putting him down I caved and let the little guy come downstairs to hang out with Mom and Dad. He proceeded to stay up until almost 11:00pm and although Ryan and I didn't get our usual alone time, we had a great night cuddling and playing with our little fella.

Here are some pictures of James and us hanging out late night.


Our DVD player broke a few months ago so I wiped down the DVD remote, took the batteries out, and gave it to James as a toy. He loves buttons and remotes in particular so this has fast become his favorite item.


You're getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepy......


Daddy, Mommy and James have a family cuddle.


After a few big toots (That's why he couldn't sleep, perhaps Mommy should lay off the burritos....it seems that burrito breastmilk doesn't agree with James) he finally rolled over and fell asleep next to Daddy. Aren't my guys so wonderful!?

Funny Face

After reviewing some recent photos of James and myself I have finally found a photo (top) of James where he looks like me (bottom). Take a look below and see for yourself.





Ok, so really we're both just making the same silly face but isn't his classic! I love this boy.

Here are a couple more cute photos of the boy to tide you grandmotherly types over for a bit.

Port Townsend

On Sunday we headed out to Port Townsend for Dan and Carrie's wedding and got these shots. Unfortunately we didn't think to get a picture of Dan and Carrie or the wedding at all for that matter, but I assure you that they both looked stunning.

Blueberry Picking and Eating

Here are some photos of our blueberry picking (and eating) adventure with Shawn and Kalle this past Saturday.



Sorry for the weird slideshow format, Picasa has changed some things and as a consequence we don't know how to post the way we used to.

Happy Birthday Nana B!

Dear Nana B,

Since I don't have a whole lot of money in the turtle bank that you gave me (thanks a lot Mom and Dad) I decided to have Mommy post this picture of me today as a birthday gift from me to you. I picked this picture because it was taken just yesterday and because I am wearing the funny sun hat that always makes you laugh.

I love you a lot and I miss you singing me Carolina Moon....so please come visit me soon.

Love,
James

SAFETY ALERT: Simplicity "Close Sleeper" Bassinets

In case any of you haven't heard/read about this yet:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2008/09/graco-bassinet.html

From the article:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that SFCA Inc., the company that owns Simplicity's assets, has refused to cooperate with the government and recall the bassinet. Because SFCA would not agree to a voluntary recall, the CPSC issued a safety alert on August 28 asking parents not to use the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" Simplicity bassinets. The CPSC also helped persuade a growing list of retailers—including some of the nation's largest—to pull the Simplicity bassinet from its shelves.

Tell your friends too!

~Papa Singletary

p.s. Thanks, Dad, for teaching me to love and follow Consumer Reports!

Fruit Flies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any suggestions on how to eradicate the swarm of fruit flies that are currently attacking our home?

My Mom suggested leaving a bottle of wine open on the counter with a couple inches on wine left at the bottom, which I am going to try as soon as I go to the store to buy a bottle of wine.

I need help, they are driving me crazy!!! Marcy I am reminded of your blog posting about fruit flies and I feel your pain.

Video!

Here are a couple more videos for your viewing pleasure.

Crawling 202


Boop!

Crawling 101

James' crawling progress as of August 29:

Two Questions

1) Is it ok to use a knife (or any metal utensil) to fish toast out of the toaster after it has popped and the machine is clearly not on? I say yes however Ryan has asked me to never do this again after I scared the crap out of him when he saw me try the other day......I don't do it anymore but I wanted to get ya'lls opinion.

2) I normally have at least two black hair ties on my wrist which I occasionally use to tie up the end of food bags like chips or frozen veggies when I can't find a chip clip, is this disgusting or ok? (Yes the ties have been used in my hair but they don't actually have hair tangled in them, that would be gross.) I had never given it a second thought until Ryan told me the other day that it kind of grosses him out, thoughts?

Vintage Singletary (volume 2)

And you thought overalls were cute! Although he doesn't know how to jog yet, James thinks c. 1980 jogging suits rock the Casbah! Thanks again to Nana B for her years of TLC keeping these vintage garments fresh.

Vintage Singletary (volume 1)

The 80s are back! James styles in some Daddy originals. Thanks, Nana B, for keeping them all these years!

New Developments

James is now 5 months old and a lot is going on in his little life.

1) He is basically crawling...well almost. He can get up on all fours but when it comes to moving his arms and legs forward he hasn't quite figured it out. Instead, if he sees something he wants that is out of reach he will get on all fours and launch himself forward, head first. Then repeat until the desired object is within striking distance. For the most part this is ok since our whole house is carpeted but it can get a bit dicey when he is next to a table or a bookshelf......

2).....which leads me to #2. He got his first war wound yesterday (picture to come) when he "crawled" over to the bookshelf and launched himself (or his chin) right into the bottom shelf. Thankfully I was there when it happened but I didn't so much see it happen as hear a loud thud and then an instant cry. This is how I learned that he can "crawl" faster than I thought he could. It was absolutely heart breaking but he was fine after a few short sobs, my poor little bubba.

3) James has discovered himself....if you know what I mean. At bath time a few weeks ago he found his boy parts and has not stopped grabbing for them since. He grabs for them during diaper changes, bath time, and any other time that he happens to get nekked! Ryan is a little unsure of this behavior, specifically because James has a tight grip, but I have been told that he cannot do any harm to himself at this stage.....however I guarantee we will still ask the pediatrician at his 6 month appointment.

4) He sleeps at night, praise the LORD! Although James isn't a big fan of napping during the day (unless he is in Mommy's arms of course) he has been sleeping through the night with one snack break at about 4:30 or 5:30 depending on his mood.

5) Today James noticed himself in the full length mirror in our bedroom and proceeded to "crawl" over to it where he spent a good amount of time licking the baby on the other side of the glass.....he doesn't know that it is him yet.

6) James loves to eat paper...uncle Nathan he is related to you after all.

I am sure there are lots of other things to report but alas it is time for us to head out to Trader Joe's, which is very important since our fridge is completely empty. (Yep Kalle, I am just now going to the store and somehow we've survived since Monday, can you believe it?!)