Ryder . 26 Weeks

26 weeks; 19 pounds, 10 ounces - again . . . we think.  Our scale's battery is dying, so it isn't always reading accurately.

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Ryder started solid food this weekend.  He HATED it for the first few feedings, but after some adjustment of the consistency, he is doing better now.  His variety of food includes homemade brown rice cereal and a bit of applesauce, bananas, peas, or sweet potato (all of which are organic!).

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I frequently will put toys just out of Ryder's reach, to encourage him to figure out how he can get it.  Here we are on the floor . . . he was determined to get the truck!

One of Ryder's favorite things to do is "jump" with Patrick - Patrick will "help" Ryder "jump" off of the ground.  I caught this picture as Ryder "landed" - seriously, so happy with himself!

Ryder loves his teethers, and is pretty sure he can fit the entire thing in his mouth.

Ryder helping Patrick prepare guacamole for dinner.

Ryder's reaction to the first couple of bites of food (it was actually homemade ground up oatmeal . . . not his favorite!). 

Ryder's expression pretty much sums up how he felt about having to eat solid food! 

This past weekend was our first of not doing any major home "updates/renovations"!  We still have some things to work on, but it is finally coming together nicely.  The master bath vanity was finally completed, and the bed set should be delivered this week!

Ryder . 6 Months

Ryder turned 6 months old this weekend.  Already.

Heather Mickey came over to take his pictures, and she has posted some to the internet.  I'd thought I would share.

Heather Mickey - 6 Month Pictures

Ryder . 25 Weeks

25 weeks; no weight gain, again, this week - 19 pounds, 10 ounces.

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Ryder continues to by a bit more whiny than normal.  His temperature has been a degree or, sometimes, two above normal varies times throughout the week, and he has a super snotty nose.  He started coughing a bit over the weekend, but it was short-lived.  We're pretty sure he is teething, but there are still no signs of teeth poking out.

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Playing in his highchair while we eat dinner.

Proof of the immense amounts of drool!

We painted our bedroom this weekend (don't you love the color?!?), and Ryder wasn't content playing with his toys.

Showing off a new shirt - just try and convince me it isn't true!

Ryder is working on sitting on his own.  He loves to sit up, but still has a tendency to lean/fall forward.

Playing with Patrick.

As I mentioned, we painted our bedroom this weekend - and I LOVE it!  As far as painting goes, we still have the 1/2 bath, and Ryder's to paint, but we are holding off for a few weeks - the next handful of weekends are booked with fun things!  Also, we purchased a bedroom set this weekend - to replace our mismatched bedroom pieces.  After we get a refrigerator, dining room table, and chairs for the office, we will be done . . . but . . . those items will have to wait - there just is no room in the budget right now.  We are loving our new house (we have been in it nearly a month) - and, as soon as we actually get things hung up, we will take pictures, and send them out!

Ryder . 24 Weeks

24 weeks; no weight gain this week - 19 pounds, 10 ounces.

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Ryder has had a few whiny days this past week - we can't decide if it is just a growth spurt, or maybe he is getting teeth (although, there are no signs of teeth coming through the gums yet).

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Ryder telling Patrick all about his day.

Playing with one of his toys.

Ryder is holding a little contraption that you can put food in (in the green mesh bag part).  It allows him to try new flavors, but the mesh is so tight that only small amounts will come out - making it so he doesn't choke.  We have been putting in various fruits (citrus, apples, grapes, etc) for a few weeks - this past week he enjoyed his first "messy" food (they are always messy, but this was the first to end up on his face) - any guesses as to what was in it?  Ryder loved it!

Ryder showing his Uncle Rory how to stack the blocks.

When laying on his back, Ryder almost always grab his feet.

Driving in his car.

We started to "remodel" the Master Bath this weekend, and nearly got it finished - just a few minor things to complete.

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Happy New Year!

Christmas 2009

We had a family-filled, fun Christmas this year.
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Christmas Eve we spent time with my family.  We first went to the Candlelight Service at church, then over to my parent's house for dinner and presents.
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A family picture in front of my parent's tree.

Ryder spending some time with his Great Grandma Sianez.

Ryder was more interested in my dad talking to him, than he was in the present itself.

Ryder sporting his newest hat - a Spiderman hat (there are matching gloves too!).

Christmas morning Patrick, Ryder, and I opened our gifts/stockings together.
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Ryder checking out his gift from us - it does numbers, letters, shapes, and colors in English and Spanish!

Playing with his stocking stuffers.

Having fun with Patrick before more family came over.

Patrick's mom side of the family came over for Brunch and presents.
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Opening presents with his Grandma Jody.

Ryder trying to figure out how to operate his new toy.

We tried to get another family pictures (in our Christmas jammies), but Ryder didn't feel like smiling . . . until I turned him upside down!

Christmas afternoon we went to Huntsville to see Patrick's dad's side of the family, then over to his dad's house for presents and dinner.
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Ryder enjoying his present - it's a walker that is in the shape of a car.  It makes tons of different noises.  Ryder really enjoys being in this because he can stand up on his own!

Showing off his new University of Georgia hoodie from his Aunt Julie - I told Ryder when he is older he needs to get Julie to work at the University he wants to attend . . . perhaps a tuition discount could apply!

Overall, it was a fun Christmas.  As expected for a 5 month old, Ryder didn't seem to care it was Christmas, but he did love all the new toys and books!  Next year, when he can be engaged in opening the presents, I'm sure we will have a great time.
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Merry Christmas!

Ryder . 23 Weeks

23 weeks; 19 pounds, 10 ounces.
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Ryder discovered his head this past week - which, I know sounds weird, but, he is constantly rubbing his hair and forehead now!

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Chewing on cold teethers is one of Ryder's favorite things.

Playing together.

It's a good thing we have 9 foot ceilings!  Ryder LOVES being "thrown" up in the air.

Just hanging out.

I stuck Ryder in his Bumbo, in the shower - he loved playing with all the toys!

Playing with one of his new Christmas toys, well, really trying to swallow it whole.

Christmas was lots of fun (see the "Christmas 2009" post). 
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We are getting more and more settled in.  Patrick is planning on starting the Master Bath "update" this weekend, and I've been trying to decide where to hang pictures.  Once everything is more situated, we will send out pictures.

Ryder . 22 Weeks

This kid is growing like a weed - 22 weeks; 19 pounds!  He is also officially 5 months old.

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Ryder's personality continues to develop more and more every day.  He really is such a good natured baby!

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A typical snapshot . . . a toy in the mouth, while smiling.

The drill is a common sight in our house - Ryder seems fascinated with the bright color, and loves to see it spin.

Ryder can't really feed himself the entire bottle, but he is working on being able to hold it on his own.

We celebrated Ryder's 5 month "birthday" by getting his hair cut.  It was just getting too long - when combed all the way forward, it was in his eyes.  Patrick held him, and, overall, he was pretty good at sitting still!

Ryder was recently given a new toy (I had the exact one as a kid!) - he really likes it!  (You can also see just how much shorter his hair is now).

Another typical snapshot . . . both hands in the mouth, and smiling!

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We are gearing up for a busy week of Christmas fun.  We (really, Patrick) even put up the Christmas tree in the front room (office).  It's a prelit one - so, it has pretty lights, but no ornaments this year.

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We finished up the painting over the weekend (we still have some areas (our bedroom and "powder room" bath) to paint, but we are holding off on those for awhile).  Most of the boxes (other than the basement) are unpacked.  Now - we start the "remodel" of the Master Bath.  Yes, I know, it's a new house - but adding a linen closet will be SO nice!!!

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Merry Christmas!

Ryder . 21 Weeks

No weight gain this week - 21 weeks; 18 pounds, 6 ounces. 
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This weekend my mom worked hard at teaching Ryder how to blow "raspberries" with his lips and/or tongue.  He has mastered the ability; however, he typically does it when the pacifier is in his mouth, which sends it flying, and just gets him mad that he no longer has it.  He doesn't quite get the actions/consequence thing yet!
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Playing together . . . just ignore the drool on his shirt!

Ryder practicing his standing skills with Patrick.

Ryder is getting better at sitting up - as long as he can brace himself on something.  In this picture the TV was too interesting to look away.

Showing off a cute shirt!

"Helping" unpack the dishes at the new house.

One last picture of Ryder in his room at the old house.

Just a cute picture the night of moving day!

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We have successfully moved into our new home, and are working hard to get it settled!