Happy Birthday Graham Ryerson!

Happy Birthday Graham Ryerson! 

Everyone says it...but I honestly can't even begin to believe that it has been a year since Graham was born. It has flown by so fast! 


In one year he has accomplished a whole lot and his passport is pretty impressive. He moved from Texas to Saudi Arabia when he was 10 weeks old flying in his own business class seat. He has visited 7 different countries...USA, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain (four times), UAE (twice), Qatar, Oman and Canada. He has flown on 10 flights and stayed in 5 different hotels. To say his first year has been a little hectic would be an understatement but he is such an easy going, adaptable and happy little guy and has made all these life changes and travels so much easier. 


It is so hard to believe that it has been a whole year since we met him. So many doctor's appointments, check ups, false alarm visits to the hospital and he was finally here. You were such a sweet calm and quiet baby. And it makes me laugh to think how you had trouble nursing and taking bottles at first and how we were so worried you were not getting enough to eat. You have certainly figured out how to eat!

Graham, you have been such a tremendous blessing to our family. We LOVE you so much and love the fun, sweet, easy going personality that you add to the mix. We love your smile, your laugh, how you shake your head side to side when you being silly and how when you smile you close your eyes and show us your teeth.


You love your sister so much and absolutely think she is the most interesting person in our family. I love that when we drop her off at school every morning you give her a big hug and kiss and tell her "bye bye," and then when it is time to pick her up, as soon as I mention her name you crawl to the door ready and excited to pick her up. You both play so well together and your favorite game is to chase each other around. She knows to crawl so you can keep up and you play tag and laugh uncontrolably with each other. 

I am amazed at how much you eat and how you like everything (besides non pureed banannas) that I have given you. You drink about 32 ounces of milk a day, a waffle for breakfast, cheese and crackers at snack time, veggies and fruit and a grilled cheese (or whatever we are having that day) for lunch, another snack or some kid of baby food in the afternoon and whatever we eat for dinner...typically some chicken breast, potatoes, veggies and some puffs. 

You are sleeping through the night and have two naps a day for about 90-120 minutes each. You do well if you miss a nap and are fussy but nothing too bad and try to go with the flow knowing that at some point mommy will make sure you get your sleep. Your morning nap is your favorite. You are in bed at 7:00 PM every night and barely make it to then...you are just too active and wear everyone out chasing you!

You started stacking blocks on top of each other, trying to put your own shoes on, brushing your hair and mommy's hair and brushing your teeth. You are trying to read books and turn the pages and like to point at things and attempt to say, "whats that." You are very curious, always on the move and never stop unless you are sleeping. You will still cuddle with mommy, mostly in the mornings and love to crawl over to me, tackle me to the ground and kiss me. I love it! I love that you are affectionate and I love cuddling you. You are not walking yet but are testing out standing on your own and love to walk while holding mommy and Peyton's hand.

Graham, we are so thankful for you and so blessed to be your family. We hope you have a wonderful birthday and know that you are loved by so many. I look forward to what this next year brings and continue to pray that you know that more than we love you, you have a Heavenly Father that loves you so much more. I pray for you daily that you know Him and know of His love for you and pray that I raise you to be a man who seeks is madly in love with Him and seeks His will first and foremost. We love you Graham!

These are my two favorite pictures of Graham that I took this year....