Ryder . 36 Weeks

36 weeks; 20 pounds, 13 ounces.

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Ryder has made some progress in crawling forward - but only for a few short feet, and not that often.  He continues to love rolling over and over and over . . . across the entire room, then back again.

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Reaching for a toy.

Mid-roll - as he rolled across the room.

Ryder loves the cats!  Kate is hard to see in the picture - she has similar coloring to the couch.

I told Ryder that he might as well enjoy wearing striped pants now - it's not easy pulling that look off as an adult.

He has officially started wearing some 18 month size clothing.  Here he is showing off his "new" sweater (we love hand-me-downs!).

I may have created a cheese-ball . . . Ryder started smiling and kicking (hence, the blurry leg) as soon as I pulled my camera out.

Friday night we had more neighbors over - and, with Ryder being the only child, he soaked in every ounce of attention.

Ryder . 35 Weeks

35 weeks, officially 8 months; 20 pounds, 13 ounces.

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Ryder is determined to crawl, but he still isn't there yet.  Now, when you set him down, sitting up, he will lean forward to get himself onto his stomach.   

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Nothing special - just a big smile (with a dirty face).

Another bathtub picture.

St. Patrick's day - don't mind how dirty he is - he was at the babysitters all day.

Trying to figure out his new toy - it's a guitar that has animals and numbers in English and Spanish, as well as music.

Ryder playing with his new friend (and neighbor - the one's whose birthday party we went to last week), Ryan.

Ryder's most common sitting position - holding his feet.

Friday night we had the new neighbors over - Ryder really enjoys people his own size.  This weekend, my Aunt Dolores and her son, Jesse, came to visit my grandma.  We were able to spend some time with them, as well.

Ryder . 34 Weeks

34 weeks; 20 pounds, 13 ounces.

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Ryder's movement is still primarily backwards, or side-to-side; however, he is so close to crawling "for real".  He pulls himself up into the correct position, gets all excited, then either lays down, or goes backwards. 

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Bath time.  I seem to be picking out similar shots each week - maybe because he smiles so much in the tub!

Watching the cats.  It's hard to capture his excitement about the cats in a picture.  When Ryder sees one of the cats, he gets so excited - even if he just sees them walking by, or sitting on the ground.

Talking to me, as I encourage him to crawl toward me.

Mr. Adorable - I think that sums it up.

Ryder went to our new neighbor's 1st birthday party (lucky for us, the neighbor boy (Ryan) and Ryder are only 4 months apart - we are hoping they will be good friends) - his favorite part, by far, was the balloon we got to take home!

A side profile of the crawling position.

We had a fun weekend - Sunday, especially was busy.  We went to lunch with two couples, each with a baby.  It was our first real experience eating out with other families with young children.  It went well.  We also went to the birthday party I mentioned above - Ryder loved trying out some cake!.

Ryder . 33 Weeks

33 weeks; 20 pounds, 10 ounces.

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No changes in Ryder's crawling - still just backwards.  He is starting to eat small pieces of breads/pasta, and is beginning to take it out of your hand, or off the table to eat it himself - however, most of the time, he just wants to eat like a bird, and have you give him each piece.

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Playing with Patrick.

We bought Ryder this toy for Christmas.  He enjoys pushing/pulling all the buttons, but figured out this week, that there is a lid that opens and closes.  He was fascinated.

Reading a book together.

Cute snapshot - with a drooly shirt.

I think he looks too grown-up in this shot.

Taking a Sunday afternoon nap.

We helped some friends move this weekend, and did some touch-up painting.  On a non-Ryder related note, my department at work is getting reorganized, so my current position has been dissolved.  Luckily for me I get to keep my same pay, no matter what, but I will have to interview for a different position, or go back to what I was doing before.  It's not exactly fun, but hopefully things will work out okay.

Ryder . 32 Weeks

32 weeks; 20 pounds, 10 ounces.

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Ryder can officially crawl backward.  He gets himself in the proper crawling position, but can only manage to go backward.  He can still do the "helicopter" quite well, also.

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Ryder really likes having frozen strawberries in the mesh bag!

I'm pretty sure Ryder's shirt has an inappropriate saying, considering he has been breastfed.  Wouldn't you agree?

Playing on the floor - he seems to crack himself up.

Splashing around in the bathtub.

Just playing with toys - showing his alligator who is boss.

A cute close-up.

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We had a pretty relaxed weekend - so nice!  Now that it's warming up a little, we have started to walk again in the evenings - Ryder really likes to be outside!

Ryder . 31 Weeks

31 weeks (7 months!); 20 pounds, 6 ounces.

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Ryder continues to get closer and closer to crawling, but he just can't master getting his legs underneath him yet.

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This might be one of my favorite pictures - I caught him mid-laugh - you know, one of those times he was laughing so hard, as if it was the funniest thing EVER.

This toy is supposed to promote crawling.  He is playing with it, while sitting on his knees so that he gets used to the pressure on his knees.

Ryder got to take a bath BY HIMSELF for the first time this week.  HE LOVED IT!!!  When he would lay down in the water, he would kick and wave his arms around a ton.  He made himself laugh and laugh.

He loves drinking from a cup - although he hasn't quite mastered the skill.  We took the "no-spill" guard out to make it a little easier.

Ryder getting tickled by Patrick.

After a couple of days of being off his routine, Ryder was able to ease back into his schedule this weekend!  He definitely functions best when things are organized.

Ryder . 30 Weeks

30 weeks; 20 pounds.

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Ryder is getting closer and closer to crawling.  He is good at scooting backward, and also doing the "helicopter" - where he will pivot around on his stomach.

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Patrick had the perfect caption for this picture: "Tell me again, how cute did you say I am?".

This kid definitely has my sleeping habits - he's all over the place.  We walked into his room this week to see him under the "Caterspeller".  When he is laid down at night, he is on his back, with his head located approximately where his knee is.

His shirt reads "I love you this much", with the frogs arms stretched out - here he is demonstrating it.

Sitting next to Patrick, watching TV, while munching on a carrot stick.

Sitting on the counter, just being cute. 

Kate is getting used to him . . . but, this is about as close as she is willing to get (notice him sitting on the same mat that so many pictures have been taken with him laying on it).

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My Aunt Colleen came in for a visit over the weekend, so we were able to spend some time with her!  Hope you all had a great Valentines Day - we did!

Ryder . 29 Weeks

29 weeks; 20 pounds.

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This weekend, Ryder added to his list of food with quinoa (instead of rice).  The texture of it is a bit weird (we think), but when it is pureed, it isn't as unusual.  Sometimes he seems to like it, and other times he completely hates it - it's quite a learning process.

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He is much better at sitting up, and is able to sit himself up straight, again, even when he leans all the way forward.

Ryder hangs out on our bed every morning while we finish getting ready for the day.

Playing with Patrick before bedtime.

Random picture - I thought his smile was cute!

More sitting up.

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We enjoyed a pretty low-key few days this weekend.  I know I've promised them before, but house pictures are coming.  I just want to wait until a few more things are finished!

Ryder . 28 Weeks

28 weeks; 20 pounds.

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Ryder is doing better at eating solid food, although he doesn't always enjoy it.  This weekend we spent a lot of time cooking/baking/boiling/steaming and pureeing vegetables and fruit.  We froze Tablespoon size portions (in ice cube trays), and have them in gallon size Ziplocs for easy use!  Currently, his food selection consists of asparagus, avocado, broccoli, butternut squash, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, peas, sweet potato, tomato, apples, blueberries, citrus (clementines/oranges), nectarines, plums, raspberries, and strawberries.

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Ryder concentrates hard on trying to get toys that are out of his reach . . . no real signs of crawling, although he can roll and pivot himself quite nicely!

Many of the pictures of I have of Ryder are like this - he is pretty sure his hands are supposed to be in his mouth at all times.

Another hand in mouth shot, but this time wearing a cute new shirt.

Patrick's hair (when "done" for the day) is a bit "pokey", and Ryder thinks it is the funniest thing ever.

Playing the saxophone on his toy.

Patrick was holding Ryder, as I tried to get him to smile at me, instead, this is the look he gave Patrick . . . I am pretty sure he thought I already have enough pictures. 

This weekend we made it to 2 Sundance movies - both pretty good, but we really enjoyed "Get Low", and filled the rest of the time making baby food!