Ryder . 18 Weeks

18 weeks, and officially 4 months old.  After holding steady with his weight for 3 weeks, he gain a record 1 pound this past week - 17 pounds, 13 ounces.  At the doctor's office on Friday (for his 4 month check up), he measured in at 27 inches long - yep, you read that right 27 inches.  The nurse couldn't believe it, so we measured him again and came up with the exact same length.  She said that is the average length for more of an 8/9 month old.

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This past week Ryder seemed to re-discover his tongue.  He is constantly sticking it out when he laughs and smiles.  He has also discovered that he can pull his bottom lip in to suck on it.

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A picture to show off the tile work in the shower (only 1/2 of what we (really, more Patrick) did - the tub was also tiled).  And, since you all like pictures where Ryder is included best, you will find him sitting in the corner of the shower playing with the drawstring on his pants - too distracted to look up at me!

Ryder hanging out in our new Master Bath.  Luckily, for him, he doesn't quite have enough strength to turn the faucet on!

Sitting on the couch in his Bumbo.  I know I say it most weeks, but he absolutely loves that thing - I think he likes that he is sitting up without us holding him.

Getting some good "tummy time" in with Patrick in the morning.

A shot of Ryder I am sure he won't like in the future.  A great one of that tongue action I referenced above - at the same time the flash caught him off guard.

Another shot of the tongue action, this time with a smile!

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Well, we will be closing on our current home tonight.  While we are both excited to be moving, it seems a bit sad too - the house we are in was our first house, and we have lots and lots of memories associated with it.  The new house will have those too, with time, but it is finally becoming real.

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The next several weekends will be quite busy for us.  This weekend we will be heading to Las Vegas (Ryder's first road trip) to spend Thanksgiving with my family, and part of my dad's side of the family.  Next weekend we will be working hard to get as much as we possibly can packed.  The following weekend we will close (12/10), take possession (12/11), paint Ryder's room, and move (12/13).  The following is our anniversary - 5 years!  The next is Christmas, followed by New Years.

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For the local family - we are planning on moving Sunday, December 13.  We want to start first thing that morning, so that we have time to clean the old house, and unpack at least the essentials at the new one.  We would appreciate any help!