Ryder . 24 Months

24 Months (2 Years); 32 pounds, 10 ounces; 36.25"

Ryder is an awesome big brother.  He is always offering to give his brothers kisses (still mostly on the head), and rocking their car seats while they wait to be moved to the car.  Ryder continues to work with them to give them their pacifiers, and has started to do it when they are just fussy - not just when they are angry!  Ryder also finds it fun to count his brothers . . . what would he have done if there had only been one?!

Ryder continues to be fairly non-verbal, but finds ways to communicate with us.  He frequently signs "more", and also uses lots of pointing to get what he wants.  His doctor (along with Patrick and I) remains unconcerned with his delayed speech, but has still recommended a speech evaluation to be on the safe side. 

Ryder continues to love balls and balloons, but has shown a renewed interest in cars/trucks recently as well.  He can often be found pulling out as many vehicles as he can from his toy bins to find just the right one.  Of course, he likes playing with them best on the tile, since they roll much easier - however, it is annoying to have so many toys in the kitchen.  Because of this, we have Ryder clean up his toys nightly before going to bed!  Ryder also continues to love reading, but has really started to enjoy reading on his own as well.  Often, he will find a book, and sit with it as he turns each page on his own - he will often babble as he progresses, and point out things at times (primarily balls and balloons).

Ryder can be found driving this truck around the kitchen almost daily.

Sitting with Patrick to watch TV.

Ryder thinks taking off his shoes is the funniest thing - we aren't sure why.  He is really great to take them off when we get home, and put them on his shoe shelf in the laundry room.

"Helping" Patrick outside.

Ryder loves swinging - we traded one of the "traditional" swing seats for this one - he typically prefers it, but also enjoys the other one at time.

Here he is enjoying the regular seat!

We make Ryder wear his sunglasses most of the time he is outside.  While he is GREAT at taking them off (sometimes too often), he struggles with putting them on correctly - they are usually upside down when he does it himself.

Enjoying a "Mighty Mini Popsicle" - these were a great find because they are just the right size for Ryder to enjoy - the bigger (regular) size is too overwhelming for him.

Reading together.

Ryder used to do this when he first land to stand on his own - he recently started doing it again, and thinks it is hilarious every single time!

Who knew that I shouldn't have put his Bumbo away?!  He loves to pull this out and sit in it while he plays!

Helping Jarrett with his pacifier.

Taking a bath (with his stitches).

Ryder recently found my "shape ball" from when I was a child - now he has two of every shape.  He really enjoys matching the shapes together before putting them in the ball.

Too cute!

We went to the opening weekend of the Ogden Farmers Market, and Ryder loved running around, looking at the tractors on display - he was fascinated with the huge wheels.

Again with the shape ball.

Kissing Harvick.

Reading to himself.

Ryder has several puzzles, but has only recently started to pull them off the shelf to play with.  This numbers one is his favorite, and he can complete it 100% on his own!

"The Very Lazy Lion" is easily Ryder's favorite pop-up book (and he has several).  He gets so excited to see the next animal that he gets impatient, and wants to turn the page before I have finished reading the current one.

Reading to himself.

Wow!  This boy of ours is TWO.  I know I have said it several times in recent posts - but, really - he is TWO YEARS old, and time has just gone so quickly.  These first two years have been awesome, and we can't wait to see Ryder grow and learn even more in the years to come.

Now - for those of you who received my emails prior to them being posted on the blog, you will remember that I did a WEEKLY update for the first year, and for the second year I have been doing them MONTHLY.  Well, that time has come to an end.  Keeping up with same for Harvick and Jarrett is a lot of work, plus all of the family posts.  So - an update dedicated to just Ryder will come quarterly from now on - the next one will be October . . . no worries, though, the family posts will continue, so you will see his cute little face often!