Christmas Parade 2007

Brr it was so cold.

So for the many parades in town we usually stand at 1 particular spot. This is usually the beginning of the route, so we're able to see it from the start and get home before any meltdowns. Well the town decided to pull a fast one on us and the entire parade was reversed. This means we were standing at the very end and had to wait for everyone to go all the way around the route to pass by us.

Ry was pretty excited in the beginning (mostly because he knows standing for a parade equals candy) but after 1/2 hour and no people on floats pelting chocolate at him, he got a little restless. Needless to say we eventually saw some of it, Ry got half a Crunch bar (he kindly split it with his cousin) and then we were off to The Scoop for hot chocolate and ice cream (the irony).

One additional note...Ry learned how to put his hands in his pockets which for some reason was really cute.

Ry vs Cole 7 Months

The mystery continues...
I threw pictures of Phil and myself into the mix this month to see how we all compare.

Cole Is Growing Up

After we realized that we were lugging around a 19 pound baby in an infant car seat, we graduated Cole to the bigger one. Not only has this changed our lives significantly (no more putting the car seat into the shopping cart...it's not so easy anymore!) but it also made us stop and think about how much he's grown lately. He's almost ready to crawl and is saying lots of baby words. Seems like just a few days ago that he was born!

I Tried...But It Was Naptime

Ry + Wall = Ouch

So it turns out that one of Ry's new hobbies is running into walls. This sounds good and fun...until you trip on something during the wind-up and land on your face. I guess once you have one ailing child throwing another one into the mix isn't such a big deal!

Post-Op

I was really nervous that after the surgery Cole was going to be totally out of it. It seems like he's back to his old cheery self...he definitely has moments where you can tell he's in some pain, but overall he seems to be managing it pretty well.

All Is Well!

The surgery went well today. We don't want to put all of the details on here, so feel free to call or email if you'd like the full scoop. But the good news is we're looking at a happy smiling baby right now who seems to be doing okay! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and well wishes.

Deep Thoughts

My converation with Ry on the way home from school today (this is verbatim):

Mom: So Ry, tell me about school. What did you do?
Ry: Ry Ry don't eat crayons!
Mom: Did Miss Kelsey tell you not to eat crayons?
Ry: Yea...Ry Ry don't eat markers too
Mom: So, you were eating markers?
Ry: Ry Ry don't eat pencils!
Mom: Uhhhh, yea

Veteran's Day Parade

Luckily our cousins Colleen & Kirk called to remind us about the Veteran's Day Parade in town this weekend. Their son Roy was walking with the Boys Scouts so we went to check it out. There were tons of fire trucks, ambulances, antique cars, and flags.

On the walk home we asked Ry his favorite part and he said "the lollipop" (people marching were throwing candy to the crowds).

Rainbows

It's so funny what kids pick up on. The other day some light came through a window and created a tiny rainbow on our Dining Room floor. I pointed it out to Ry and we sat down to look at all of the colors. All of a sudden he jumped up and said "more rainbows in the kitchen!" and ran over to our cabinets to point out some more.

He must have seen them before and remembered. I just find it fascinating to watch their little minds work!

Happiness Is Playing With Your Cuz

Ry vs Cole 6 Months

So what do you think?

Ry September 2005

Cole October 2007

Cole Mackin' On The Chicks

Cole recently met two lovely ladies, Amelia and Adelaide. He's clearly inherited his father's smooth moves...they both have a lot to learn.

Wanna bet I can get one of their numbers? Watch me!!

Just play it cool...don't let her see you looking...shoot I think she saw me!

Okay I'm totally busted...guess I'll try moving onto the other one

This is exhausting...just take me!

We're Back!

We're sorry for the lack of posts lately. It has been so crazy around the Kerper household that it's been hard to find time to check in with the blog. Between working, colds, doctor appointments, birthday parties, and Halloween festivities, we've been pooped. But rest assured that this weekend I'll add some new pictures and stories of the boys...stay tuned!

The boys and Valley Forge

We went on a field trip to Valley Forge last week. It was windy and uncomfortable!

Ry enjoyed the experience one way . . .

And Cole enjoyed it another way!!

Ry's Sayings Take 2

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm trying to write down the cute (and wacky) things that Ry says. As his vocabulary grows, so does his list of Ry-isms...here are some more for memory lane.

"Ry Ry's So Funny" : The kid is a Kerper so this had to be expected. The phrase is used in a variety of ways...mostly after he's done something he shouldn't have (ie thrown something off the dinner table) and tries to diffuse the situation by pretending it's funny.

"Sammy Whammy Pumpkin Pammy" : Just one example of the nicknames that he's starting to give to everyone. He likes to rhyme so he's incorporating that into everyday life. Other Ry-isms include Mommy-Wommy, Daddy-Laddy, Little Fleimsteins (what he calls Little Einsteins) and the ever popular Silly-Willy-Pumpkin-Pie (his nickname for himself).

"New Present" : Every time he sees a bag, Ry thinks that there's a present for him inside. It doesn't matter if it's batteries inside a CVS bag...he sees it and gasps in utter delight knowing that there's something wonderful in there.

"Ry Ry's Happy Now" : The first time we heard this phrase was over the summer at the pool. For reasons unknown, he had a complete meltdown and we had to leave because he was having a classic 2-year old tantrum. This involved packing everything up, throwing him over our shoulders, and carrying him to the car. We strapped him in, the tears stopped, he looked me straight in the eye and said "Ry Ry's Happy Now." Like a lightswitch...

New York Fun

The event in NYC was great. We had a show back in the studio, with live hits from the event. Little did I know that during coctail hour I was standing right in front of the cameras...

So they open the show and out of the corner of my eye I see my hair in the monitor (which as you know is pretty hard to miss). Of course I see myself and am totally staring to see how I'm looking. The irony of this is that one of my job responsibilities is to train guests for television. I tell them all the time not to look into the monitor, and here I am checking myself out. Oh well, I guess it will make me more empathetic during future training sessions!

The "fabulous shoes" remark on their website ended up being a best shoes competition. Of course the girls that won were wearing YSL and other such designers...oh well maybe next year!

School Pictures Fall 2007

"A" Is For Apple

Ry is way into letters. He likes to ask what everything starts with so many of our conversations are similar to this:

Mom: Hey Ry, look at that bird!
Ry: What does bird start with?
Mom: Buh. Buh.
Ry: B!!
Mom: Yes, bird starts with B. Hey, how was school today?
Ry: What does school start with?
Mom: Ssssss, sssssss
Ry: S!!
And so on, and so on.

Phil was washing an apple to eat and set it on the counter. Ry did this:

Adventures With Daddy-O

Phil took Ry and Cole to the Please Touch Museum in Philly. To a 2 year old, this is the promised land...

The next portion of their big adventure was to hit the Art Museum steps. Ry took it upon himself to pull a Rocky and run all the way to the top. This sounds like fun, but imagine running after him holding a 20 pound baby in a carseat!

Happy Anniversary!!

Today we celebrate 5 glorious years since the Kerper nuptials. And since we met in 1996 that also means it's been 11 years that we've known each other. Crazy!

I'm posting a copy of Phil's vows because I think they sum it up for the both of us. Also because Phil isn't one to openly share his feelings so I enjoy reading this :-)

Happy Anniversary to us!

Bec,
Since the day we met you have surprised, challenged, and engaged me in a way no one else has. I used to sit alone and think about what the future held for me. Long ago you were a dream. Today you are my dream come true.

It is amazing to think about how we have evolved since we first met. From a basement to the happiest place on earth; from a wide beach to Lightstreet; from #55 to 10-12-02. Our love has outlasted the loneliness, the tears, and the challenges all around us. With each passing moment together, our love has become more beautiful and enduring.

I always knew you were the one by the way you could look into my eyes and see who I truly am and know what I'm thinking. I love you not only for who you are, but also for who I am because of you. I love you for allowing me to cherish life's little things and to see excitement in everything I do. That is what you do. Without a word, without a getsture, without a thought. Just by being yourself. No one else in the world can make me feel that way. Only you!

Before the people with whom we have shared our lives, and with those who are here in our hearts, I take you, Rebecca, to be my best friend for life. From this day forward, I will stand by your side, hold your hand as we walk, listen as you speak, and hug when we cry. With our future as bright as the promises and dreams we share, I will respect you, care for you, and protect you. You are the one I will always be true to.

In joining my life to yours, I give you all that I am and all that I will ever be.

Cole's Delicious Cheek

I love this picture...his cheek is dripping right onto his shirt.

Fabulous?

I'm going to New York next week to attend a breast cancer fundraising event. It's at the Waldorf-Astoria and is hosted by the Fashion Footwear Association of New York. Dress is "Black Tie and Fabulous Shoes." Now that's pressure!!!

fab·u·lous
–adjective
1. almost impossible to believe; incredible.
2. told about in fables; purely imaginary: the fabulous exploits of Hercules.
3. known about only through myths or legends.

Sweetbriar Memories

Ry, Cole & Bec visited the old neighborhood today to catch up with friends. It was very odd being back there and not being able to run into our old house after playing at the Lloyds'! A lot happened when we lived in KOP...

• We moved in there 2 months after we were married
• King Samurai came to live with us
• Countless home improvement projects that we did ourselves (new kitchen, Phil built a bar, all new landscaping, laundry room, wainscotting...the list could go on forever!)
• Ry was born
• Bec got pregnant again with Cole

It's funny to think of how much work we did to that house, all before we had children of course. Now we're all about hiring people to do the work for us! It's tough to find time to tile the backsplash when you work full time (and then go home to your second full time job of parenting :-)

Here's a picture of Ry and Harrison. Lloyds--I totally had my camera and forgot to take pics. Next time we come out we'll need a group shot (if we can fit everyone into the frame!)

Our house when we first moved in:

Cole & His Pooch

What happened before this picture was taken?

A Dream Come True

You know the scene in Parenthood where the little boy puts a bucket on his head and just keeps running into walls? Many years ago, Phil and I watched that movie together and he said "I hope my son is just like that."

What I think he meant by that statement is he wants children who are carefree and willing to take risks (at least that's what I hope he meant by that statement). The pictures and video below are a glimpse into Phil and Ry livin' the dream. Keep in mind that this was only one of the 18,000 times in a row that he did this.

Here's the progression of the event...

Mom to Ry: Do you really think this is a good idea?

Ry To Mom: Yes

Ry To Ry: Maybe I'll reconsider

Ry To No One In Particular: D'oh!

Ry To The Entire Downtown West Chester Area: Wah

And finally, I've got this down! Here I go (again and again and again...)