Ryan's world

Ryan has been "a late bloomer" in a manner of speaking when it comes to his social skills and personality. He has always been a very sweet, gentle boy with very particular taste (or OCD would be more appropriate), socially withdrawn but very curious. He started to come out a little bit right before Brayden was born but things really did change once he figured out Brayden was not leaving.

Sibling rivalry is very much alive between the two boys, for our attention, food, toys, clothes, toothbrushes and even who gets which cup or plate. We try to get them the same toys and clothes...maybe just different colors and something similar enough to where the other doesn't get jealous but most times it doesn't matter, they argue over it or complain about it anyway.

Since Ryan turned 5 in July, we've seen slow changes, fun changes and welcome changes. It could be the age, it could be that he started school and that environment is fostering the changes and it could be the addition of a little sister. He's definitely learning how to be sarcastic and bossy (not the good changes we like) but he's learning how to laugh and have fun finally. He's such a serious little kid. Christmas day was awesome this year. We set up some hot wheels tracks that attach to the wall in his room. He just kept making funny faces and falling on the ground, dancing, giggling; it was cute to see him be silly.

He continues to be that silent, gentle kid and it's only exaggerated by Gabby. They have a loving relationship. I dare say he will be the one she goes to several years from now when she needs to have the emotional support and listening ear; whereas Brayden will probably be the one to provide her with the fun and craziness that she will need to break loose.

Ryan has unfortunately inherited my need to always win at games. I remember my parents trying to have game nights when we were little and we would always have to stop early because I was throwing a fit about not being in the lead or not winning. Ryan is that kid. If we are playing tag, red light/green light, hide and seek etc. he will stop mid game and just start screaming and crying because he didn't win. We have to stop playing Mario Kart or Mario Land because if he doesn't come in first place after a certain number of tries it results in a severe emotional break down. I guess this stuff is hereditary, because Tim and I have always tried to stress that games are about having fun and trying your best...it doesn't work. If the kid ain't win'n, ain't nobody happy.

At some point when he entered is "terrible twos", "thunderous threes" and "ferocious fours" I forgot why I loved the kid other than he was just my kid. I'm sure other parents out there with kids older than 15-18 months can understand what I mean when I say, I felt like he had turned into the spawn of Satan for a while. But we seem to have come to a fork in the road that has taken us back toward that angel that stole my heart for the first 2 years. I can see that twinkle in his eye and hear the song in his voice again...and I'm absolutely relieved and have fallen back in love with my son; just in time for him to be embarrassed by my hugs and kisses no doubt.

Unfortunately, as he is coming out of the funk....Brayden has fallen farther into it. Oh dear Gabby, please just don't stay in it that phase for long when your turn comes, I'm begging.