Speaking of thankfulness...

We're pretty sure if Ryan could verbalize his thankfulness, he would tell us that he is grateful for balls. His first word, uttered months ago, was "ball." And his fascination with the round objects in his world continues to grow.

He is constantly scanning his surroundings for balls. A ball laying on a front lawn as we walk by leads to frantic pointing and chanting, "ball, ball, ball," in his sweet little voice. Pumpkins on a porch receive a similar welcome cry, "ball, ball, ball." In fact, I'm pretty sure the only reason he eats blue berries is because they fall into the "ball" category.

Last week at music class, we sat next to a very pregnant woman. Ryan toddled over and tapped her stomach, smiling back at me in wonder. I said, "yes, baby," and gently pulled him back to my lap. He immediately reached over again, tapping her belly. Then, to my embarrassment, he tried to lift her shirt, chanting, "ball, ball, ball," convinced that she was smuggling a basketball underneath. It was a long class trying to keep him away from the "ball" lady.

This week in music class, he spent much of the session with his nose pressed against the glass door, peering into the hallway. There sat a stool with tennis balls placed on its legs to allow it move quietly. Ryan was enamored with those four tennis balls on the legs of the stool. "Ball, ball, ball," he repeatedly chanted as I tried to coax him back to the singing and dancing happening inside the walls of the room.

Yes, indeed. We are pretty sure this little boy is most grateful for the plentiful supply of balls in his world.