Ryder . 19 Months

19 months old; 28 pounds, 6 ounces.

No big developments this past month.  Ryder cut his 4th molar, so the tooth count comes in at 12 now.  He has been officially moved to a "big kid" booster seat, and sits at the table with us to eat.  He has completely mastered the use of his fork, but prefers if we will help him "poke" the food, and then he will put it in his mouth.  He is capable of using the spoon, but he hates to be messy (which he gets quickly, when eating foods with a spoon), so he will sometimes refuse to eat unless we help him.  He continues to not talk, but he amazes Patrick and I with how much he understands!  Also, we have encouraged him to dance whenever he hears music - it's so very cute when he does - too bad it's hard to really capture dancing in pictures!

Eating with his fork.

A shot of the boys' bathroom, mid-painting.  Patrick put in the window in the toilet/shower room, and it is awesome - it lets in tons of light - the room was a bit of a cave before.  And, of course, we picked a bright color to match Ryder's blue room, and the twins' green room!

Patrick taught Ryder to stick the foam letters to his stomach, rather than the bath wall.  Despite his expression in this picture, he usually thinks it is pretty funny!

Before . . .

. . . and after a haircut!

Building a tower together.

Demonstrating that he wants me to "poke" his food for him.

Once Ryder figured out how to sit on his truck, he quickly figured out it was pretty funny when he would sit backward too!

It's Patrick's own fault - he taught him to climb the ladder!

Part 1 of making Valentines for the grandparents - coloring.

Reading together.  Ryder is currently favoring a set of pop up books - you are typically required to read the lion one, and then the shark one!

Proudly showing off his new booster seat (the tray has since been removed, and he now sits at the table).

Smiling for the camera while eating his cheese.  I've worked with him for quite awhile at smiling on demand - he's finally getting the hang of it (when he's in the mood!)

Part 2 of making Valentines - sticker placement.

NASCAR Season is back, and Ryder loves the cars!

Patrick can no longer work on a project without Ryder trying to help - here he is assembling his new chair for his booster seat.

Being forced to "poke" the strawberries himself!

A common request at our house - to climb on the reclining position of the chairs.

Another project - putting together his brothers' new bookcase.

Ryder wants to help in the kitchen, so I have started to sit him on the counter to help me mix (usually a bowl of water).  He loves working along side us - behind him, Patrick was making waffles for dinner!

The last month was the last of planned activities - we now are pretty much just working on projects to prepare for the twins' arrival.  Ryder is still doing a great job with the toddler bed (transitioned from the crib), so Patrick has started to build his regular twin bed - the crib will be reassembled in the twins' room.

Speaking of the twins - I'm nearly 28 weeks, and doing well.  At my Perinatologist appointment on Friday, each of the boys were measuring 5 days "big" when compared to a "singleton".  My OB has said that it is common for twins to measure a week (or more) "small" at this point . . . but, knowing Ryder's birth weight history, their size isn't surprising.  My due date is May 18, with May 4 being as far as my OB will let me go before inducing labor.  I'm confident I will make it close to that date, but obviously, you never know!  Luckily, I have a very understanding/supportive boss at work, as well as having Patrick at home!!

25 Week Update

Another doctor appointment this morning.

Both boys are looking great.  My OB was very pleased that he could easily find both boys' heartbeats (apparently, at this stage, it because difficult to distinguish them because of their size and close quarters) - and both sounded perfect.  It was, again, another short appointment.  The one advantage of seeing my OB and a Perinatologist is that it makes my OB visits last only 10 or so minutes (however, the Perinatologist are at least an hour+).

I have started to have some water retention/swelling (sooner than with Ryder), but my blood pressure is remaining at an "optimal" level - today it was 116/62 - so, my OB isn't concerned yet.  I've been encouraged to put my feet up as often as possible, wear a "maternity belt" when standing for long periods of time, and just resting in general.

In the end, there is again no new news about the babies - just confirmation that everything is looking good overall.

I did have to take the first (of what may be a couple, just to be on the "safe side") glucose test this morning.  The lab should have my results available for my doctor tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning, and I will only hear from him if there is an issue.  Given my history with Ryder and the fact that I am carrying "full-size" twins, he suspects there may be an issue, but we're both still optimistic that I will be okay!

Ryder . 18 Months

18 months old (1.5 years - can you believe that?!?); 28 pounds, 4 ounces; 34" tall.
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I took Ryder to his 18 Month Well-Child Checkup yesterday, and he received a clean bill of health!  He is in the 91% for height, and the 80-something for weight.  His head-size is also in the 80-something.  So, really, he is a "bigger than average" 18 month old, but he is proportionate!  He had to endure one shot, but after a hug and a sucker (not all of it - the nurse gave him a PURPLE one - not smart - he only got to have it until we walked out of the door) he was fine.

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Ryder continues to not speak for himself.  He communicates with us, primarily by pointing, but no words as of yet.  His doctor is not concerned (especially considering that boys typically take longer to talk, and that both Patrick and I were "late" talkers).
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Reading his book.

Playing his xylophone.

Christmas with the Hansen family.  Ryder LOVED the box his book and stuffed animal came in, and kept putting ribbons in and out of it. 

Playing with his new truck.

Christmas with the Sianez family.  Reading a new book!

Taking another bite of dessert - he LOVED it!

Christmas morning. 

Ryder enjoyed his presents, but we had to coax him into opening the last one (after getting the blocks).

Christmas with the Harris family.  Reading his new book.

Petting Buddy!!

Ryder's first "real" snowstorm - where he was aware of the snow coming down.  He thought it was lots of fun when the snowflakes would land on his hand.

My dad will be so proud of this picture!  Ryder loving the Whipped Cream, straight from the can.

Playing "peek-a-boo" in the tub with the shower curtain.

This picture is not flattering of me, but it made me laugh - Ryder brought his book over to me to read, and promptly sat on my stomach (since it protrudes so much) to listen to it.

Coloring together.

Building towers.

He's not Italian at all, but he received this shirt as a hand-me-down, and who cares what he wears to daycare, right?!

Reading, amongst his pile of books.

Taking a break for (his very own) Jamba Juice while painting the twins' room.

Learning to climb the ladder.

"Look how high I am!!!"

The twins' room while in progress.  The paint was wet, so it really isn't that shiny in person - but, it is a bright green!

Eating applesauce by himself!

Bundled up to go walking at night . . . it's cold!

Before . . .

. . . and after the crib was changed into his toddler bed.

As you can tell from the last pictures, Patrick and I decided to transition Ryder to the "Toddler Bed" over the weekend.  In preparation for the twins arrival, we are trying to decide if it would be best for him to have a crib awhile longer, or if he would be okay to transition to a "regular" bed soon.  We were worried that he would constantly climb out of bed (he immediately did following Patrick completing the transformation), but even when he is upset about being in bed (especially for naps), he STAYS IN BED!!!  We're hoping this continues!
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Ryder cut an additional molar this month - on the top, so he has a total of 11 teeth now!  He's finally catching up to his peers in that regard.
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The next month we have lots of activities planned, as well as several projects to get completed in preparation for the twins arrival.  I'm nearly 23 weeks now, so no more than 15 more weeks to go . . . it's getting close.  I will, of course, be sure to take lots of pictures!

21 Week Update

Another doctor appointment this morning.

 

Both boys (I told the doctor to "feel free" to double check the genders - he could easily tell that both were boys) are looking great.  This appointment was the shortest I have had, by far.  Now that I will be seeing the Perinatologist in between my "regular" OB appointments, he will leave all the official measuring of the babies to them.  He easily saw both heartbeats, but we didn't measure them.

 

I was given the okay to take Tylenol Cold & Flu!!  Over the past few days, I've been feeling progressively worse, but have tried "treating" it with just Tylenol and Sudafed - he thinks the other might work better.  For good or bad, he will not consider antibiotics for another full week - hopefully, I'm feeling better by then.  The only good thing about losing my voice is that there are two trainings that I was going to have to be a part of tomorrow, that I will no longer have to present!

 

So, ultimately, this appointment yielded no new news about the babies - just confirmation of their genders, and that they are looking good.

 

Other than the sickness, I'm still feeling pretty good.  I definitely can feel the weight of the babies more and more - especially when I first stand up after sitting for any length of time.  But, yesterday marked only 4 months more to go - regardless, I will deliver these boys by May 4 - and, really, I can put up with anything for just 4 months!  Their movements have become noticeable consistently, and Patrick was even able to feel Baby "A".  Over the weekend, I was able to feel both babies moving at the same time - it was a weird feeling for sure.

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.