Ryder . 16 Weeks

16 weeks old, and holding steady at 16 pounds, 13 ounces.

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No new developments this week; although, he is spending more and more time in his Bumbo.  He can sit up for a few seconds on his own, but he tends to still fall forward quite quickly.

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Ryder was tired, and not really wanting to smile at me.

Ryder showing off his cute shirt, blue eyes, and staticy hair.

Spending some time on his tummy.  He is starting to pull his arms under himself (almost in a "crawling" posture), but isn't able to get the legs under him yet.

Playing on Sunday morning.

Lastly, Ryder watching Patrick make breakfast on Sunday morning.  The Bumbo is so nice - it fits on the counter easily (not taking up too much space!), and Ryder loves to be included with what we are doing.

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This past weekend was full of meeting new family for Ryder.  He was introduced to 2 great aunts (and a great uncle, and 2 long-time family friends of my mom's), and I am pretty sure he loved them all!

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The Craft Fair was successful!  Ryder was super good both days, but I am sure it will be a completely different story next year - when he is 15 months, and won't be as happy about everyone holding him.

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Finally, things are moving along well with the house.  On Saturday, the brick was up, one side (of siding) was completed, and the rest was prepped for siding or stucco.  The paint has been completed, and they were working on the tile for the bathrooms and kitchen.  Tomorrow, Patrick and I will be tiling the shower!  We still aren't sure on the closing date, but for those of you who are local, pencil in December 12 and 13 (Saturday/Sunday) as moving dates!

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Oh - and one last thing, thanks to my parents, Jim, and Martha for getting boxes.  At this point, we are thinking we have nearly enough; however, if any of you (locally) run across some paper boxes (that the reams come in), or super sturdy boxes, please get them for us.  As we get more things packed, we will have a better idea of how many we still need.  Thanks!

Ryder . 15 Weeks

15 weeks old, and almost 17 pounds. . . 16 pounds, 13 ounces.
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I have pulled out the 6-9 month clothing, although he still fits comfortably in 3-6 onesies.  The 3-6 month pants are at the "perfect" length right now, but he will quickly grow out of them.
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A serious face.  Ryder was sitting on Patrick's lap when we were in the office reviewing house stuff.  He wasn't in the mood to smile - he was ready to eat, and go to bed!

Ryder wore his blue M&M shirt on Halloween.  Here he is outside in a pile of leaves.  He loved kicking the leaves - he loved the rustling noise it would make.

Another one of Ryder spending time in his “Bumbo” – he loves sitting up on his own.  And, it is great that we can have him on the counter with us when we are getting dinner ready.

Ryder LOVES to have his diaper changed and his clothes changed.  Last night, he was having a great time getting ready for bed! . . .

The house I talked about is officially going to be ours!  We are praying/hoping/keeping our fingers crossed that it will be finished NO LATER than 12/07, so that there is adequate time for walk throughs/repairs, closing, etc.  However, the Developer is saying it will be finished by 12/11.  So, while we know we have family we could stay with for a few days if necessary, it would be awful to have to move our stuff more than once.  With this said, keep us in your thoughts/prayers/wishes/whatever else that the house can get done a little early!
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This week Patrick and I are finishing getting ready for the Craft Fair . . . come see us - Friday 10:00-8:00, Saturday 10:00-5:00!
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And, I am back to work . . . full-time.  And, in case you were curious - at this time, I have been asked to be the Lead for 2 offices - I will be in each office 2 days/week.

Ryder . 14 Weeks

14 weeks old, and over the 16 pound mark . . . 16 pounds, 3 ounces.

He is now able to fit into size 3 diapers.  Luckily, he can still fit in size 2 for a little while longer since we still have several left, but SIZE THREE.  That's the size of diapers that most one year olds fit in (the pound range is 16-28).

Smiling!

More smiling!

No matter how hard we try, Ryder enjoys sucking on his hands.  He has even mastered the skill of pulling on the pacifier ribbon so that the pacifier comes out of his mouth, making his mouth available for his hand.

Ryder is spending more time in his “Bumbo” – it helps him to sit up on his own!

Lastly, a picture of Ryder and myself in front of our NEW home (see more below).  It isn’t super flattering, and you really can’t see Ryder – the wind gusted when Patrick took the picture so my eyes are closed, and Ryder turned his face toward me – but, you can see the house!

Last week I said that we had listed our house for sale the middle of the previous week . . . well, it officially went "on the market" on 10/17, and Patrick and I signed the acceptance paperwork for an offer made on 10/22!  Just FIVE days later!!!  Patrick and I spent several hours on Saturday looking at houses, and have one that we REALLY like, and 2 others that we think would be okay.  We have been negotiating back and forth this morning on the house we really like, and have made a preliminary offer that has been accepted (the Realtor for the developer is out of town).  We meet with our Realtor, as well as the developer's Realtor on Thursday evening to make it official! Patrick and I have never been big on taking a long time to do something once we made the decision.  And, this is no exception!  I went from being worried that our house would take a long time to sell, and worrying about the timing of buying a new house, to having sold ours, and making an offer on another in less than two weeks.  And, because I am REALLY excited about the possibility of getting this house . . . some fun information:
- It will be finished by 11/30 (perfect timing, since we become homeless at 12:01am on 12/14).
- It is 3,727 square feet.  Only the main floor (it is a rambler) will be finished - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms.  The basement will be completely unfinished - when we finish it (and, really, it will be several years from now), the designers planned it to be 1 bed, 1 bath, cold storage, and a HUGE HUGE family room.  But, really, we could have 3 beds, 1 bath, cold storage, and still have a large family room.
So . . . those of you who I send this to that are in Utah, mark your calendars for the first two weekends of December (5th, 6th, 12, and 13th) as possible dates to help us move!  And, note that it was to HELP US MOVE - not to just come over and hold Ryder.  Really, we have a lot of stuff, and could use the help!

Finally, this is my last "part-time" week.  I return to work full-time next week.  Ryder seems to like his CC provider, and we know for sure that she enjoys him.  As much as I have enjoyed being home with him, I'm okay going back to full-time.  And, luckily for me, I still get to have Fridays off with him every week . . . so long as Governor Herbert doesn't decide to switch state employees back to 5-day work weeks.

Ryder . 13 Weeks

13 weeks old, and officially 3 months old.  He has almost reached 16 pounds . . . 15 pounds, 13 ounces.

No new "developments" this week.  He is more and more vocal every day!

Ryder telling me stories about his day . . .

Walking at the park, no matter how hard I try, Ryder just loves his first.  He will even pull the pacifier out, so that his fingers have room.

Ryder LOVES these rattles that Patrick bought for him.  He will hold on to them for a long time - they help calm him down when he is upset (he has something to grab), and provide lots of laughs when he shakes them around.

Lastly, a picture of Ryder upset.  He had just been smiling, and talking to me, but when I pulled out the camera he wasn't thrilled.  Notice the lower lip . . . classic!

Some things, unrelated to Ryder:

I applied for two Supervisor positions last week.  I should (hopefully) hear back today or tomorrow if I have been selected for an interview, with interviews being conducted soon.  So, wish me luck!

As most of you know, we listed our house up for sale the middle of last week.  Now, begins the juggling act of the timing of selling our house, and buying a new one.  The realtor had a photographer come by this morning and take pictures so that they can be posted with the house listing.  If you know of anyone wanting to buy a home in Roy, send them our way!!!  If you are interested - the MLS for our home is 919738.  The picture posted right now is just a temporary one - there will be a much better one of the front, plus lots of the inside and backyard added later this week!

Ryder . 12 Weeks

12 weeks old.  He will be 3 MONTHS on Saturday.  The time has gone by quickly.  He is weighing in at 15 pounds, 6 ounces.

Ryder has now discovered that he can rub his eyes with his fist, along with using his fist as a pacifier.

Sometimes Ryder will be super smiley and laughing, but when I pull out the camera, it all comes to a hault.  Here he is looking at me, confused why I have the camera in his face.

Another look of bewilderment . . . just moments before he was smiling and laughing while in his swing.

This one isn't of Ryder - but, it is a picture of the pretty flowers he and Patrick sent me on my first day back to work.

Ryder likes to make a fist so often, that Patrick has decided to teach him how to fist bump . . . or, as we call it at our house the "terrorist fist bump" - like FOX called the fist bump between President and Michelle Obama the night of a victory speech.

Lastly, a picture of Ryder just out of the shower.  He loves taking a shower, and is always so happy during and after it (notice his fist . . . he is just practicing!).

My first week back to work went well.  Ryder has enjoyed going to Robina's house - he has two new friends there, Lily and Jackson.  You should ask him about them, I'm sure he would love to tell you some stories!

Ryder . 11 Weeks

11 weeks old, and now weiging in at 15 pounds, 3 ounces.

Ryder continues to become more efficient at using his hand as a pacifier.  We try to replace it with the actual pacifier, but he is just so proud of himself that he can use his own hand.

Ryder showing off his skills of using his hand as a pacifier.

The cold weather isn't going to stop us from walking.  Ryder just gets all bundled up . . . long sleeves, pants, socks, a blanket, all wrapped up in a car seat blanket (kind of like a sleeping bag), and topped off with a hat!

This past week, we purchased a carrier/sling, and Saturday morning Patrick and Ryder played Rock Band together!  Ryder enjoys this method better than being held facing away from the TV.

Ryder wearing a new shirt (a recycling one . . . so, naturally, one of Patick's favorites), with a goofy expression!

Lastly, a picture of Ryder at 3 weeks old.  I was going through the pictures, and this one makes me laugh.  Ryder fell asleep on Patrick's lap, and naturally put himself in this position - luckily, the camera was close!

I return to work tomorrow.  We took Ryder to meet his child care provider (Robina) last week.  He, of course, liked her - I don't think he has met anyone he doesn't like yet.

Ryder . 10 Weeks

10 weeks old, and still weiging in at 14 pounds, 6 ounces.

No new developments this week; although, every week Ryder seems to get more and more vocal!

Ryder showing off his new shirt that he wore on Patrick's birthday.  The shirt reads "DADDY is my SUPER HERO".

One of Ryder's favorite ways to play is to lay down, while we make silly faces/talk/play with his toys.  You are almost always guarenteed to get several big smiles out of him.  He is doing that, while wearing one of my favorite shirts . . . probably for the last time, as it is getting to be a bit snug.

Patrick and Ryder have figured out how to play Rock Band together!  Now, we just need to buy one of those front facing sling/carriers, and Ryder could watch the action on the TV.

Another one with Ryder laying down, and us doing something to make him smile!

Lastly, a picture from this morning.  Ryder has mastered the skill of grabbing the bug's leg (that hangs over his playmat).  When he catches it, he swings it around, hence the slight blurriness of the bug in the picture.

This week is my last "full" week at home with Ryder, so we will be enjoying our time together.  I start working Tuesday-Thursday next week, so the weekly emails will still continue . . . once I am at work full-time (November 2), I may have to adjust the day they are sent.

Ryder . 9 Weeks

9 weeks old, and weighing in at . . . drum roll, please . . . 14 pounds, 6 ounces.  He gained 3/4 of a pound this past week (which, I guess makes up for the lack of weight gain the previous week).
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Ryder has mastered the task of getting his hand to his mouth to suck on.  He is doing much better at being able to soothe himself when he is upset, although, it doesn't always work for him. Yesterday, we put a Baby Einstein movie in, and he was completely mesmerized – he started crying as soon as it ended.
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Ryder showing off a cute new shirt!

Showing off how well he can get his hand to his mouth to suck on.

Displaying his awesome neck strength.

Ryder hanging out on his changing table.  He loves having no clothes on!

Ryder wearing the Kevin Harvick outfit Patrick bought at Christmas . . . whether we had a boy, or girl, they were bound to be a Harvick fan!

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Between Ryder's shots on Thursday and being off schedule this weekend while celebrating Patrick's birthday with all the family, he has been a bit grumpier than usual.  Hopefully, we will get back into the normal routine this week!

Ryder . 8 Weeks

8 weeks old, and still 13 pounds 10 ounces (no weight gain this past week).
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Nearly all of Ryder's 0-3 month clothing has been put away - some pants, and his pajamas still fit.  He is definitely spending more and more time awake, and is smiling more purposefully every day.
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After getting home from Peach Days on Saturday, Ryder was very tired.

Ryder ready to watch the NASCAR race Saturday night, in his "driver's uniform" jammies.  They are a bit big, but super cute!

Enjoying some time on his play mat.

A great smile while playing "airplane"!

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Ryder's 2 month appointment is on Thursday, and he will be getting his first major round of shots (2 months and 4 months seem to have the most).

Ryder . 7 Weeks

7 weeks old, and 13 pounds 10 ounces.
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This past week Ryder outgrew his 0-3 month pacifier, and is starting to outgrow the 0-3 month clothing.  He is smiling more purposefully, and exercising that voice of his frequently!
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On Saturday we went out to Antelope Island to the Balloon & Kite Stampede.  Ryder loved all the bright colors, and all the people - he stayed alert, and awake for most of our time there.

The look that I get from Ryder when I take too many pictures . . . a little grumpy, but still cute!

Ryder enjoying NASCAR - it's true, he is already a fan.  Sunday evening he was being pretty fussy, and when Patrick stood up with him, he turned his attention to the TV (which, he has yet to do), and was completely mesmorized.  Earlier that day we had gone to Costco where I found THE CUTEST footie pajamas - it's a driver's uniform, including "sponsor" patches!  We only bought the 6 month size, but I am thinking I may have to go back to buy every size (it goes up to 5T).  The uniform is for number "28" . . . just one number off of Harvick (29).

Ryder enjoying a good book!