Ryder . 17 Months

17 months old; 27 pounds, 13 ounces.
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Ryder continues to think that being chased around the kitchen table, island, or Family Room chair is the best game around.  He has also showed a new/stronger interest in books, and loves for us to read with him.  He has figured out that Patrick and I will pretty much drop what we are doing if he wants to read, so he is constantly bringing us books - now, if we could just convince him to select a variety, rather than the same 5 or 6 books!

Ryder loves clementines!

Playing with the shape ball.

Reading with Patrick.

Right before we left for Colorado at Thanksgiving, Ryder discovered the "ball popper" he received for his birthday.  He thinks it is particularly funny to play with it on the tile, since it makes more noise!

Ryder loves M&Ms (I can't imagine why), but he seems to be quite messy with the blue ones.  None of the other colors have this problem.

While in Colorado, Ryder loved emptying out some of the pennies from the jug, and putting them back one at a time.  Randomly, though, he would try to sneak one in his mouth.





Decorating the Christmas Tree!  Last year, we had just moved in the house, and Ryder was only 5 months old, so we put up our (pre-lit fake) tree, but didn't decorate it.  This year we tried . . . Ryder was interested for a few minutes, but thought running around was more fun!

Ryder splashing in the tub!

Ryder loves helping load (or, really, unload) the dishwasher.

Reading together.

Patrick bought a "Shark" to clean the floors (Black Friday!!), and when we got home, he tried it out.  While he was getting the Shark out, Ryder saw the broom, and had just watched as Patrick had swept.  He did a remarkably good job in his effort!

Ryder showing me his ears.  I MUST get a picture of him showing me his nose - it is so funny!

Ryder no longer likes to close doors, he prefers to close them on himself now - he thinks playing peek-a-boo is super fun!

And, finally, we spent 8 days in San Diego this past week - following is one picture from each day!

We stopped in Vegas on the way down - Ryder was very interested in "Red", but also a little unsure when we got too close.

Riding the Carousel at Seaport Village.  He enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with Patrick before the ride.  Once it started, he didn't love it as much - it was an old Carousel, so it wasn't the smoothest ride.

LegoLand - Ryder standing on the tower we built!

San Diego Zoo - Pointing to the animals.

A self-portrait at the SeaLife Aquarium (part of LegoLand) - sometimes Ryder is good at self-portraits, but most of the time he is looking completely away, or getting upset that he is being held.

The New Children's Museum in San Diego - coloring with crayons on the easel.

Our day at the ocean was the worst weather day - Ryder still loved running around in the wet sand, just not in the water!

How Ryder spent much of the drive home - barefoot, and eating snacks/drinking juice.

Last email Ryder was still at 7 teeth - the 8th one popped through soon after, and he decided that the best time to cut the bottom 2 molars would be while we were on vacation!
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Also, the day following the last email, Patrick traded in his Ford Ranger for a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab.  So, both cars are ready for 3 kids!

Genders!!!

Yesterday was the "big" ultrasound to find out the genders of the twins!  Both babies were very cooperative/flashy, and we were able to tell within the first minute the gender of each!!!

 

 

It's a . . .

 

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BOY!!!  And, a . . .

 

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 BOY!!!

17 Week Update

Both babies are still looking great, and are measuring "a little big" for their ages, but the doctor assures me it is okay.  The measurement is really only as accurate as the steadiness of his hands using the ultrasound machine.  As long as they are within 5-7 days of what they are "supposed" to be, it is considered normal.

 

The heartbeats were lower again, which is normal - 158 and 162.

 

I convinced him to check the gender . . . and . . . no dice.  Twin "A" was moving around too much for Dr. Seale to get a clear view, and Twin "B" refused to cooperate.  Let's all pray they are in a good, cooperative mood on the 20th (just 12 more days to wait!!!)

 

I found out that I will not be allowed to have Heather (our photographer) be present for the birth, as she was last time.  Because I will be delivering in the OR, only Patrick will be allowed.  Major bummer.

 

My OB gave me the "all clear" to head out to San Diego, as long as I promise to make frequent stops to walk around for a minute or two.  I will, of course, follow his recommendation - and, I'm sure Patrick will be sure to enforce it.

Ryder . 16 Months

16 months old; 25 pounds, 10 ounces.

Ryder's weight has been fairly consistent for the past several months now . . . the kid eats non-stop, but is on the move - constantly.  We're pretty sure he's grown a few inches too, but his next doctor appointment isn't until January.

Ryder has decided walking is for babies, and prefers to run everywhere he goes!  His favorite game is to be chased, especially around the kitchen table, island, or the chair in the Family Room.

Despite the look on his face, Ryder LOVED his first popsicle!

Playing on the driveway, especially with the rocks, continues to be a favorite.

Ryder falling asleep laying with one of us is a rare thing now . . . on this day he fell asleep on the way home from the babysitter's house, and I couldn't resist letting him finish off his cat nap in my arms!

Playing with the alphabet magnets and the "Fridge Farm".  He is remarkably good about not getting them under the fridge (although, we are missing a few letters).

Ryder got a new coat, and was trying it on around the house before we went outside.  He doesn't care what the weather is, he just loves to play outdoors!

My mom says this is the same way I would sit and play . . . Ryder loves playing with the water when it is filling up the tub.

We went to our next door neighbor's house to decorate pumpkins (with stickers!) and cookies.  Ryder didn't love the stickers, but was good at putting them on the pumpkin.  As expected, he wasn't a fan of decorating the cookie, either - he would get his fingers in the frosting, then whine because he was "dirty".  Finally, I convinced him to try a "Dot" candy - he had left everything alone - he didn't really understand it was edible.  The "Dot" was very chewy, and when I wasn't looking, he stuffed in two more - he had to chew the candy for several minutes!

We weren't going to dress Ryder up for Halloween, but after some (strong) insistence from a co-worker (and a costume that was lent to us), he dressed up.  This is him trying on the hat (he was a skunk) during dinner!

Reading together!  Ryder has shown a renewed interest in reading, now if only he would pick out a wider selection of books to read!

Getting a good shot of Ryder in his costume was a bit difficult.

Playing with Dad.

Dropping things behind his back continues to be a favorite thing to do . . . we don't understand why.

Snuggling with dad.

Ryder loves to pick up 2 balls at a time - he is always so proud of himself when he figures it out!

Happy baby in the bath.

Patrick put up Christmas lights (and, they look SO good!!!) - Ryder and I played in the bed of his truck while he was on the roof.

Ryder playing with his trucks on the kitchen floor (pardon the crumbs . . . a certain 1 year old is quite messy!).

Crawling through the tube (it's supposed to connect a tent and a teepee, but it takes up too much space upstairs).

Ryder has had the symptoms of teething the past two weeks, but no signs of the pearly whites have popped through, so he remains at 7 teeth.  He continues to not talk, but he recognizes more and more words every day, and pointing has become a constant - he points at something, then will look at us to tell him what it is. 

 

This past month has started lots of changes for our family.  About a week after I sent out Ryder's monthly email, we told family we were expecting twins, and then friends and work was told the next week.  We have lots to do to get prepared, but have started off with trading in my car.  My beloved CRV wouldn't fit 3 car seats, so we have upgraded to a Honda Pilot.  Patrick is currently looking to upgrade his truck, as well, so that will likely happen sooner than later.  We've started a list of everything we will need to buy, and are working on it a month at a time!

  

Originally, Patrick and I decided that we would not be going on a vacation in 2010 (considering our new house and Ryder), but when I got pregnant more quickly than we had thought, we kind of played with the idea - thinking it would be easier to vacation with just Ryder, than with 2 children.  However, when we found out we were having twins, we decided for sure to go on a vacation - it will likely be a few years before we will venture out on a family vacation as a family of 5.  So, we are headed to San Diego December 11-18!

13 Week Update

Both babies looked great, and measured perfect for their age!  They are both so big that you can no longer see them together on one ultrasound screen (which, I was assured is normal).  My OB had a hard time getting either baby's heartbeat because they were moving around so much - however, after some patience, he was able to get each of them - 170 and 164 (lower than previously, but still completely within the healthy range).  My OB reviewed the differences between Identical/Fraternal twins, and explained I have the "least high risk" of the 4 different options - but, I also have the one where it is impossible to know if they are Identical or Fraternal until they are born (unless we get confirmation one is a boy, and one is a girl).

The "gender ultrasound" has been scheduled for Monday, 12/20, so we have just under 6 more weeks to wait!

A couple other details about the delivery I found out, in case you were wondering . . .

- I am required to deliver in the Operating Room, whether I deliver vaginally or by C-section.  I will labor in the Laboring Room (same as last time), but will be moved when it is time to deliver.

- If Baby A is breech, I will be required to have a C-section.  If Baby A's head is down (regardless of which way they are facing), I can deliver vaginally - even if Baby B is breech.

- It is recommended that I have an epidural regardless - in case of a C-section.  However, I can choose not to have an epidural, but if either baby has to be delivered via C-section, I will be put completely out, and Patrick won't be able to be in the room.

Ryder . Announcement!!!

Ryder . 15 Months

15 months old; 25 pounds, 3 ounces.
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In last month's email, Ryder was just starting to really walk on his own.  Well, now, there is no stopping the kid.  He is everywhere!  He especially loves to be outside - he thinks playing on the driveway is the most fun - the grass is only fun if he doesn't fall.

Patrick's birthday - with a cute new shirt reading "Dad says I'm in charge"

Ryder LOVES watching Patrick mow the lawn (or any of the neighbors mow their lawns).

Playing with his train.

Showing off his spelling skills.

Drinking his juice . . .

Signing "all done" when he finishes - except, his palms are supposed to be face down.

Giving Kate a hug.

Ryder generally wakes up in a great mood!

Picking out a pumpkin.

Trying to carry the pumpkin by himself.

Eating his favorite snack - watermelon.





Painting his pumpkin.  He was more interested in walking around the driveway, than in painting the pumpkin.  When I showed him he could use he hands to spread the paint, he didn't really like the idea.

Enjoying one of his favorite hobbies - running around the kitchen island.

Bath time!

Such a happy baby!

Feeding ducks at the park - really, though, he was again more interested in walking around the gravel area.

Pushing his toys across the Family Room - another favorite hobby!

Ryder is finally cutting more teeth . . . he's working on the 6th and 7th ones right now.  He continues to not talk, but he recognizes more and more words every day.  His sound affect rrepertoire also continues to grow!
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This past month was fun - Patrick's birthday, and several low-key weekends!  We had our first monthly "Grandparent Dinner Night" at the beginning of the month, and look forward to November's dinner!
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The next month brings some fun fall activities, and hopefully a few more low-key weekends before the holiday season gets going in full-gear.