First sign

When Sky was first born, we bought a book on baby sign language. Brandi and I have not been good about learning and using the signs. About the only signs we ever use with Sky are "Mom" and "Dad". This morning, Sky clearly was signing "Dad". Brandi seemed a bit jealous. So, hopefully his first real word will be "Mommy".

Relatives in Kansas City and Wichita

Skylar's father's cousin Stacy (top right) and her children Shianna (top left), Brighten (middle bottom), and Jayden (bottom right).







Great aunt Judy.












Great Uncle Elvin.












Great grandfather, Oliver.













Great Grandmother, Lettie.











Great grandmother, Inez.












Great Uncle, Marty.












Great Aunt, Fay.












Father's cousin's husband, Nate.







Father's cousin, Christina.

Skylar goes to Kansas

Over Thanksgiving break, we took Skylar to visit relatives in Kansas City and Wichita. These pictures are of our roadtrip. Family photos will follow in tomorrow's post.

Kansas Skyline

Click on image to zoom.

6 Month Photos are in

To view Skylar's six month picture proofs, click on this link and enter the password "ainer".

http://www.rycophotography.net/SkylerRainer/

Family, if you want copies, let me know the #'s listed under the picturess that you want and what size you'd like.

Hunter and Skylar

Hunter (Left) is Skylar's 3rd cousin.

Trick - or - Treat

Last night we celebrated Skylar's first Halloween. It was a very exciting night for the both of us. Unfortunately dad could not join us because of work. My friend Monyka invited Skylar and myself to come trick - or - treating with her daughter Hannah who is 3 now. I thought this was a much better idea than me walking Sky around by myself. I was afraid all the neighbors would think that I was just some weird chick that just wanted candy, when the fact of the matter is I just wanted to show off my baby in his adorable costume. We went to several houses in Monyka's neighborhood and then headed back home. You know, for a baby he got a pretty good haul. We didn't go up to very many houses, but the people that did see him all wanted to give him candy and tell him how cute he was. Skylar loves a compliment so he delighted in all of this. I think that he did really enjoy going trick - or - treating with Hannah. At first he seemed a little confused as to why I was getting him dressed up and walking him around in the dark, but he loved the attention and seeing all the lights people had out. I thought that at this point I would leave you with some not so great pictures I took (dad is the photographer of the family), to commemorate the night.

Hannah and Skylar getting ready to go trick -or- treating (she was Cinderella).

Skylar was getting pretty excited about having candy in his bucket.

"Where's the Jolly Ranchers?"

An Update

Skylar is doing great! He's very tall and skinny. I guess he must get this from his grandfather on his mother's side. Or, perhaps his great grandfather on my mother's side. His first two teeth have come in. We recently took his 6 month photos. Some poses were typical. Others were in his Halloween costume (a yellow duck) and some in his Santa suit. We had a time getting the Santa pictures done because Skylar was trying to sleep. His day care is going great. I really like this place. And, Sky seems to like going as well.

In November, we will be making a trip to Kansas so that Sky can see his great grandparents. He's six months old and they've never had the opportunity to meet. I'm looking forward to this trip.

My business travel remains slow. A few months back I was told that I'd be spending two weeks a month in Paris. This fell through. Then there was another 2 week workshop in Paris to be held just after Thanksgiving. This has been moved back to at least January, possibly later. So, for the next couple of months at least, I'll be home all but 3 nights each month. And, I still get to work out of my house the other days! Working from home is great. I get more work done. I control the thermostat (my Lexington office is freezing in the winter and hot in the summer). Plus, I get to look the window overlooking my back yard. Sky remains in day care while I work.

Petting Zoo

Adventures at Double Stink Hog Farm

This weekend, we took Skylar to the Double Stink Hog Farm. They don't have hogs anymore. It's now a big pumpkin farm where they have fall festivals. We thought it'd be nice to take fall pictures of Skylar amongst pumpkins.

Skylar with Dad.
Skylar and Mom on a small train.