A Gamer is Born

Ryenn at 6 months eating a wireless controller

John and I really enjoy playing video games. We play different types, but our favorite games are RPG's, or role-playing games. (not those kind mariah, get your mind out of the gutter ;0) We have played games that end up taking over 140 hours of total play time. These games have side missions along with the actual game progression.

I have jokingly taken pictures of Ryenn while she held a controller. Even before she was crawling. I say that she will inherit the gaming gene like her daddy and her uncle Travis. (a very skilled gamer currently on a mission for the lds church in argentina)

Ryenn at 6 months "Just a few more minutes mom, I've almost beat the game!"

Lately she has taken quite a liking to button mashing, and holding the controller while the t.v. is on. It doesn't even matter that it isn't a real video game. If John and I are playing she insists on taking a turn. If we hand her a decoy control, she actually notices if it is inactive (the light on the pad isn't on).

Unfortunately she has picked up on a few of my gaming habits. If I am frustrated with a level or boss that is seemingly unbeatable....I may.....on occasion...throw my controller down in a fit of rage. (it is a rather childish action I know, but totally necessary, believe me)
Ry can't believe that she pulled that off!!

While Ry was sitting in the gaming chair, holding the controller, she starting to act out. She was mumbling her little baby talk, in a rather raised voice. She suddenly started shaking her arms, and the controller. The fit ended with her throwing the controller and pacing about the way that I do! Ooops! I guess I have to start paying attention to my behavior. I knew that was going to happen, I just didn't figure it would be so soon!

Ry getting ready to throw it....watch out below!

Here's lookin' at you kid.

This blog comes by way of my friend Autumn! She tagged me, and I always live up to any challenge!

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago:

1) Attending SMS as an 8th grader.
2) Denying my deep, burning, pathetic, puppy love for a fellow class-mate to his face when I was outed by a friend. (thanks a lot cheri)
3) Make-believing (along with my bf mariah) that we were marrying WWF wrestlers/members of the Backstreet Boys. (yes as a matter of fact, we were insane)
4) Playing basketball on a carpeted gym! (who does that to children, honestly)
5) Watching the internal battle of a friend who loved a boy that another friend was dating. (drama, drama, drama)

5 Things On Today's To-Do List:

1) Vacuum
2) Sorting of the dreaded laundry
3) Wrap Christmas presents
4) Attend a wickless candle party
5) Go on a date with my husband

5 Treats I Enjoy:

1) Hershey's Chocolate with almonds
2) Resses Peanut Butter Cup ice cream
3) Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper
4) Strawberry Milk
5) Boston Cream Pie

5 Things I Would Do If I Was A Millionaire:

1) Get out of debt (every one's first i am sure)
2) Save my mother from debt (an idea stolen from autum, but no less true)
3) Get my mother a small house of her own
4) Buy a nice house for me
5) Donate money to various children's organizations

5 Places I have Lived:

1) Colorado Springs, CO
2) San Jose, AZ
3) Safford, AZ
4) Tucson, AZ
5) Back to Safford, AZ
(not a glamorous list I know, but I don't really care)

5 Places I have worked:

1) City of Safford: G.R.E.A.T. Program
2) SUSD: Safford High School
3) Allred's Insurance and Cotton Co.
4) Walgreens
5) AZ Skin Cancer Surgery Center

5 People I Tag:

1) Taffy
2) April
3) Melissa
(and let's be honest...I only have two other friends here and autumn sent it to me, and she tagged mariah...so three is all you are going to get!!)

Stuck in Real Life

These last two weeks have been very stressful. I can't help but feel that we, being my small family, are stuck in a horrible rut of a real life flaming-pile-of-steaming poo!!

Ryenn has been sick for two weeks now. She is at the tail end of it, but I am seriously starting to doubt my sanity. She had a cold for the first week. Just as we were in the clear she got the stomach flu! I was worried to death. My daughter does not have any weight to spare! (goodness knows) Yesterday we spent in the E.R. and found out that she is back to weighing 20lbs! That was what she weighed four months ago! (yikes!!)

I knew my poor kiddo was dehydrated. She seriously did not have a wet diaper for almost two days! The thing that made it even more hellish was that she did not act sick. (yes i know that sounds deranged!) When you are complaining to anyone that will listen that your only (and first) child is sick and probably one step away from shock, and she isn't even making so much as a peep!! "Well she is a first time mom." I hate that. I have spent almost every minute of everyday with Ryenn since birth. I know when she is not feeling well.

Thankfully we took her to the E.R. and we were seen by a competent physician. (yes, in safford..i am as shocked as you are) They did not give her I.V. fluids immediately. They actually assessed her, and decided that since she was thirsty (but unable to retain anything) she could take a pill that would help with nausea. This wonder drug is safe to use for nursing and pregnant women, as well as babies as young as 1 month with almost no side effects. We said, "Bring on the miracle!!" Within 3 hours Ryenn was able to, not only drink her fill, but keep it down as well. She even had a wet diaper!

So, we are on the mend. Hopefully our family will get some sleep, and we will have fun things to report next time. Good luck to those who are going to be the next recipients of the stomach flu!

**PS: For those other moms out there, I saw that the Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free (simethicone-antigas) non-staining drops sold in one-ounce plastic bottles with the lot numbers SMF007 or SMF008 was recalled. It is suspected that the drops may contain metal in them. If you use them please be careful!! (info found on babycenter.com)

Date Night

Cyrus keeping his head warm

Ryenn takes up a great deal of our time. (yes, i realize that she is supposed to) When you become a parent more is taken from you than sleep. You realize that you can't really have a pleasant evening out. You have become the table with the screaming child, the messy floor, and the random flying objects. All the people at the restaurant are gawking at you now!!

Ryenn and Tigger hanging out

Needless to say, John and I need a break every now and then. Fortunately Grandma Lisa comes to the rescue! She has not yet seen the evils of little precious baby Ryenn. (the rose colored glasses are reinforced by super glue) On Friday nights, my wonderful mother brings her belongings and sleeps over at our house. She babysits while John and I go on a date. Then she plays mommy during the night so that we can actually sleep!

Picture of Cyrus for your amusement

She deserves some type of monument erected for her. Ryenn is a challenge. She falls into fits of hysterics if anyone but mommy tries to put her to sleep. It is seriously ridiculous! This week she has been battling a cold, so she has been even more difficult than usual. She even decided that it was time to wake up from 5:00am-6:30am to watch t.v. (and she hadn't fallen asleep until after midnight! I love my mom and we need to buy her something pretty. (because that could have been me!!)

Seriously!!!??!?!?

SERIOUSLY

I am disappointed...."Seriously!" I am a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy. I own all of the series DVDs that are currently available. I watch them frequently. During the episodes I find that I am chewing off my nails in suspense.

Now, I am just sitting in total shock and disbelief. The most recent episode, it was rumored, was to be the last night for one of the characters. (i automatically assumed izzy stevens because of when she dissed the writers) I was worried, because I have become attached to the characters, and I am still lamenting the loss of Dr. Burke who was a strong character. (although i certainly don't condone what he did or said that was the cause of his removal) Lo and behold, ABC fired Brooke Smith. She played the character Dr. Hahn, and oh yeah she just happens to be one of the two lesbian characters on the show!

Despite the fact that Shonda Rhimes denies that it isn't the sexual preference of the character that removed her from the show, I have a sinking feeling. I mean what else could it have been. I am ashamed of the narrow-mindedness of America. Yes, it is true that Disney is ABC's parent company, but seriously! Grow up people!!!! Part of being an American is having choices, and being a member of this great melting pot of a country!!! So, we want to keep it out of schools, fine. Still, I choose to watch what I do. If something doesn't appeal to you....don't watch it, don't let your children watch it, but do not complain about it. A single person (or a large group for that matter) does not have the right to decide that the country is not ready for a gay or lesbian couple. Look at the terrific success of Will and Grace for goodness sakes!!

If this really is not the reason that Brooke Smith was fired, than great! The fact of the matter is that she herself was stunned and was quoted as saying:

"I was so naive. I'm like, 'It's 2008,' " Smith said about believing that ABC would have followed through and not shied away from the lesbian story line. "But I'm starting to realize that not everyone feels the way I do."

In an interview with Brook (in which the pointedly asked “What the hell happened?!”) she said, “I was very excited when they told me that Erica and Callie were going to have this relationship. And I really hoped we were going to show what happens when two women fall in love and that they were going to treat it like any heterosexual couple on TV. And so I was surprised and disappointed when they just suddenly told me that they couldn't write for my character anymore.” (The Advocate.com)

I guess if you are the next Head of Cardiothoracic sugery at Seattle Grace Hospital watch your back!!!

Savvy Shopper

Among the very few girlie qualities I have.....shopping may be right up there. I don't really like to walk for hours in a mall, nor do I enjoy trying dozens of outfits on. Still, if I have a specific item in mind I can go nuts!

I spent way too much money when I made the invitations and thank you cards for Ryenn's birthday. I was worse than a kid in a candy store. I bought the blank cards, the embellishments, the ribbons....I had to force myself to leave the store! I am seriously contemplating making the Christmas cards this year. (the small little scrapbooking store here in safford will love me by the end of that shopping day)

I am, however, pleased to report that I recently hit up the Old Navy $10 sale. It was fabulous! First of all, I love ON! They sale jeans for us curvy girls. Here is the shocker....they actually are shaped with a curve!!! I have the worst time finding jeans that fit me around the waist, and make it over the huge humps that are my hips and bottom!!! AGGGGH! Sometimes I just want to cry! Thankfully ON has successfully made the Curvy jean. So, I bought shirts and jeans and only spent around $100! (even for john and ryenn) Lovely little Christmas presents I should say!

Let's not even get started on the wrapping of Christmas presents! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!!!

Into the Thick of It

Everyone is caught up in it. The Election. All I can say is that I am so glad that it is all over. It is always unclear how these things will turn out, but all you can do is hope for the best. I found it strange that people were worried no matter what the outcome.

Did you vote for McCain and silently hope that he wouldn't dig a deeper hole than Bush? That the routine and the unchanging would be as it has? Did you take the plunge and hope that Obama will be the catalyst that America needs?

However you voted....it matters not to me. All I can say is that I hope things change, and for the better. I hope that people have open hearts and minds. I sincerely hope that people aren't as nearsighted as to have voted against others chance for happiness. I wish Obama luck. (he is going to need it)

Birthday Bash...well sort of

We attended Vicki's 9th birthday party yesterday. It was at the Thatcher park. It was a nice day. (a bit too warm for the 1st of november)

Vicki, Liz, and Kaylee

It was a very small, family event. Sadly only one of Vicki's friends from school came. The kids had a good time. Kaylee almost put the birthday girl in the hospital after she was pointed in the wrong direction (opposite the pinata).

1) Lilliann enjoying the party 2) Grandma Ida, Lilliann, and Ryenn 3) Noah, oblivious to it all 4) Conner beating the pinata

The Nunley Halloween

We had an incredibly awesome Halloween. We began the night by going to a birthday party for my cousin's daughter. It was a dress up party (of course). Little kid parties are always such fun because of the energy. Ryenn looked especially precious in her costume. (like i ever doubted it)

1) Ryenn (the bee) and Lorena (Snow White) 2) Ryenn and Grandma Lisa 3) Ryenn and Titan (the skunk) 4) John (Harry Potter) and Ryenn 5) Me (Hogwarts School Girl) and Ryenn

Then we made the journey out to visit the in-laws. Ryenn put on quite the show. She is such a ham. There we took pictures of Ryenn with Lilliann and Vivian. Ida certainly has her hands full with those two.

1) Lilliann (the octopuss) and Ryenn 2) Lilliann, Vivian (the princess), and Ryenn

After that we went to a party hosted by John's boss....(or really, the boss' fiance). It was a wonderful party. There was great food and lots of people. Julie is very creative and her house looked spectacular. Costumes were mandatory and children were invited as well. So Ryenn had a blast!

1) Kaylee (Princess Leia) and Conner (Jango Fett) 2) Ron (Darth Vader) and John 3) Ron and Brigette (The Jedi)