Birthday Wishes from Dad

You would think everything around here is rainbows and lollipops after reading Courtney's birthday wishes.  I will go ahead and share the truth. 

Ladies first....Ryleigh has so many nicknames, she is Ryleigh, Ryleigh Roo, Rye, Rye-Rye, Roo, Molly Woo (I can't explain the origins of this one), Woo, Lady Roo....it goes on and on.  I now am in a position where I can concur that everyone should have a daughter.   One. daughter.   I can't imagine a house with two Roo's.  Rye is like the court jester of the house, bee bopping around, posing, dancing, squealing.   Its hard to not laugh when she is smiling to beat the band while at the same time tears are pouring down her little face....all because she went from no attention (tears) to full blown attention (smiles).   Roo is as regular as a sailor.  If it is 8:15a.m., you can set you clock by her having a pants full of poo.  Lately Rye has taken to waving, and like everything she does, she does it with style.  At times, you would think she is the Queen of England.....on a float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade....up for re-election (yes, I know Queens aren't elected).  Rye is ALWAYS awake first, like she doesn't want to miss anything.  Her morning cries from her crib bring me equal parts dismay and joy.  Dismay in that she didn't sleep just a little longer....joy in that we get to bring her downstairs and share in everying that is Roo.  On the best of all days, she is still sleepy and will spend 15 minutes getting her last winks in while laying on my chest.  Rarely happens, but when it does, it is about the best thing in the world.  Rye will be the protector of the boys, even Austin, as they grow up, guaranteed.   I'll go so far as to say she sent the boys home from the hospital a few days ahead of her, just so we could focus on them and find our way before she joined the show.  I am proud to be your daddy Roo.   Happy First Birthday!

What is there to say about Cayden.......  Cayden is the "good baby."   Of this, there is no question.  When it comes time for mommy and daddy to get away for a night, there are literally fistfights over who gets Cayden (on second thought, maybe it is just avoiding Roo?).    Content more often than not, first asleep, last awake, most laid back.   He has his moments, but almost always they seem to be when the other three are behaving.  When Rye and Gabe are giving us trouble, and we are at the end of our rope, Cayden will lay down in his crib and not say a word or go right to sleep....seemingly saying "You guys have had enough, I'm not going to add to your woes."   The biggest challenge with Cayden is often simply changing his diaper.  He twists and turns and contorts and writhes his little body into a pretzel, making it quite the challenge.   Cayden seemed to catch on just a little slower than Rye and Gabe when it came to eating, talking, crawling, etc.  However, when it came to walking and taking a few steps, he shoved the other two aside and was first on his feet.   I look forward to the coming years when we can grab your brothers, ditch the chicks for a day, and go get into some trouble together.  Thanks for being such a good baby.  Happy First Birthday Cayden!

Gabers....Gabe is a pretty good baby, not causing quite as much trouble as Rye, but alas, he's no Cayden.   Gabe likes to jack with the cat ....all the live long day.  When he is not messing with kitty, he picks on Ryleigh during their meals while sitting in the triplet table.  If you were in another room during meal time....you would hear "Gabe!"  "Gabe!"  "Gabe!"  as he pulls off Ryleigh's bib, or attempts to, constantly.   He likes to push the limits in whatever he does, often ending with him looking back over his shoulder at mom and dad for approval (or disapproval).  Gabe is not one to fall asleep right away.  Once you sit him down in his crib, he is back on his feet in seconds, surveying the room, talking trash to Cayden in the adjacent crib.  He will do this first thing in the morning too...accompanied by a Gregorian like chant of "Bah, Bah, Bah, Bah" as he indicates his request for a bottle.   Gabe is rougher around the edges than his siblings.  While Cayden and Roo were crying when I fired up the weed whacker the other day, Gabe just said, "Electric, really Dad?"    Gabe loves to be outside....wagon rides, swings, in the van, anything outside is better than anything inside with this kid.  It's been a great first year little man, looking forward to the days and years that follow.  Happy First Birthday Gabe!