A few updates:

• Last week, I was hanging with Zoe and Ryder in the playroom. All was going well. Out of nowhere, Zoe picks up a tool (I think it was a wrench) from the kid toolbox and throws it "to" Ryder. Well, it hit Ryder square in the face. Ryder, of course, immediately began to cry as I scooped Zoe up and punished her by sending her to her room for the rest of the morning.
  
• Ryder gave his 1st hug this past Thursday. Kia says to him "Ryder, give Zoe a hug!" And Ryder walked right over to Zoe and gave her a great big hug, with his head to the side and everything. He has since done it a few more times. Its the cutest thing ever. We'll have to get it on tape asap.
  
• Ryder has learend to wave to people.
  
• A few weeks ago, Zoes old friend Peyton was in town with our friends Beth and Mike. These are friends from Arizona. Peyton and Zoe were good friends when we lived there. It was great to see them. You wouldn't know it, but Beth is pregnant in this picture.
  
  
• Today we are going to Sophias 4th Birthday Party.
  

Ryders 11 Months old!

Last Saturday, Zoe had her 1st Ballet recital. It went well. She started out doing great, and then when she realized their was such a big audience she was overtaken by the moment and kind of "shut it down". Kia stepped in attempting to get Zoe to participate again and she eventually (by actually doing the ballet with the kids and talking to Zoe) got Zoe to re-engage. It was a great job by Kia and a super brave moment for Zoe.

Last Sunday, we went to the Baltimore Aquarium with Uncle Ray and his family. Here are some pics:






We have begun the "Sleep Lady Shuffle" with Ryder. He has been waking up at around 1am every night wanting to eat. For a while, we indulged him, but decided it's time for him to start sleeping through the night. So, we went out and bought an airbed and put it in his room. Kia has been staying in his room and implementing the "shuffle".
The 1st night (2 nighs ago) was rough. It seemed to me that he cried all night. But Kia said it wasn't that bad.
Last night was much improved. He only woke up once at 4:15ish.

Currently, he and Kia are in his room napping.

As I type this, Zoe is playing a game on one of our laptops, and I'm typing on the other. I just jinxed myself. No sooner than I typed that last sentence, Zoe swallowed a whole potato chip and it freaked her out (you know... the feeling of a hard potato chip in your throat).

Current Events:

• Dallas lost to the Vikings in the NFL playoffs. Daddy and Ryder were bummed.
  
• There was a massive earthquake in Port-au-prince, the capital of Haiti. It was absolutely devastating; especially to a country that was already on the verge of devastation.

A few updates:
Last Wednesday Jan. 6th, we took the kids to their 1st day of daycare. It was not easy.

Last night, Zoe and Mom were watching TV and somehow, the topic of "Talking" came up. Zoe looked up at mom and asked "What makes me talk?".

Yesterday, we spent the day at the Baltimore Aquarium. We met Uncle Ray and Aunt Leah. Zoe and Jaden had a blast playing together the entire time. It was fun (but exhausting) for the parents as well.

Last night, Ryder came down with a fever. He started crying at around 1:30ish so I went to check on him and he was a furnace!