Ryder . 3 3/4 Years Old

Ryder is just shy of 4 years old!  He weighs in at about 43 pounds, and in size XS Boys.

Ryder has made tremendous progress with his speech.  He is intelligible to most people, without any issue!  He still has some missing sounds (specifically /k/, and often /g/ and /l/), but he is working hard to increase his ability.  I have a separate post to recap our progress in speech - but, Ryder is doing so well!

His favorite color is green (I may have influenced this with "his color", but really, he does love green!). He would eat PB&J every single day of his life, if we let him.  He doesn't love to try new foods, but is a good sport about trying at least a few bites (usually it's 3 - "because I am just 3 years old").  Ryder LOVES to be outside.  And, while the warmer weather has made outside time more accessible, he loved to be out when it was cold too!

Ryder is a great helper to Patrick & me, and to his brothers.  He plays well with Harvick & with Jarrett separately - they play all together occasionally, but are typically split 2 and 1.  He has begun to recognize his brothers' speech deficiencies, and is so precious to watch as he helps his brothers "learn" new words.

Ryder loving the snow!

Ryder totally gets the concept of smiling for a picture...now, if I could just get him to have a natural smile when I request it!
The top left picture was taken first thing in the morning - it was dark, and he couldn't keep his eyes open with the flash!

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ryder & I headed to the Treehouse Museum - just the 2 of us!  Harvick & Jarrett had been sick with RSV, and my parents watched them while Ryder & I got to spend some time one-on-one on my day off!

Left: Patiently reading a book of Harvick's choice.
Center: Getting a "horsey" ride from Papa.
Right: Getting Patrick to draw a train for him - he watches so carefully!

Playing.  On the right, Ryder requested "a picture of my wu-cy (Lucy)".
Lucy is the neighbor dog.  His owners (our neighbors!) gave Ryder a stuffed version of their dog, Lucy, for Ryder's 1st birthday.  We named it Lucy, of course - Ryder LOVES this dog.

Playing outside.
Check out the height on Ryder's jump!

This box couldn't really fit all 3 boys - it didn't stop them from trying!
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Helping Patrick.

Ryder frequently stomps around the house, with his arm up in the air like this, making trumpeting noises - he is an elephant, of course!  I asked him to "show me" when I had my camera in hand - I think he was skeptical that I might be teasing him about it - I really just wanted to capture what he does!

Harvick & Jarrett . 23 Months

23 months old

.
31 pounds, 11 ounces (Harvick)
32 pounds, 5 ounces (Jarrett)
.
(Compare to Ryder at 23 Months)

So...I'm a little late with this post (considering they are now closer to 24 months!).  Oh well, better late than never!

Not anything too big to report this past month.  Harvick & Jarrett have both adjusted well to their toddler bed (yet another topic I haven't posted!).  They did revert to taking their pacifier again to fall asleep (about a month prior to being transitioned, they gave it up on their own).  But, it's only a bedtime thing, and they readily put it away in the mornings.

The boys have started Early Intervention for Speech.  Progress, as expected, is slow.  Neither are verbalizing anything consistently.  Having a non-verbal child really demonstrates how much of our communication is non-verbal.  Harvick & Jarrett are able to communicate with us - we still lack the ability to know a specific request at times, but for the most part, we are able to help them with what they are wanting.

The boys enjoyed the warmer weather - taking advantage of playing outside!  Harvick & Jarrett like to be with Ryder whenever possible - often following him around when they are playing.
(And, look at Jarrett's face in the bottom picture - the kid cracks me up - he positioned himself all on his own!)

The Stomp Rocket Ryder got for his 2nd birthday remains a favorite toy.  Grandma Jody & Ann even bought the boys refill rockets!

Everyone loves the power 4-wheeler, but Harvick needs a bit of guidance directing it - Ryder was happy to help.

Chalk!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Funny how a box is such a fun toy!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

LOOK AT THOSE HATS!  I picked them up for $1 on a super clearance - both boys LOVE wearing them (even when they clearly don't match their outfits).
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Easter Eggs!
(Jarrett on the left/top, Harvick on the right/bottom)

Playing independently - I'm often asked if they play on their own, or always with each other.  They really do both!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Patrick is always so patient to let the boys help with his projects.  Everything takes a much longer time to complete, but they are always so proud of themselves for helping!
(Jarrett helping on the left, Harvick helping on the right)

In LESS THAN 2 weeks (see, I told you I was late!), we are going to have TWO CHILDREN AGE TWO!  It's going to be interesting...

Apraxia Walk . 2013

Yesterday was the Utah Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech.  Whew - I just call it the "Apraxia Walk"!

The Walk wasn't quite what I had expected, but I am glad we participated.

We got to the Walk early to check-in.  It had rained all morning, and it was still rather cold.  The boys were layered well, which worked out fine, since their shirts were way too big for them - they just wore them over the layers & jacket!  The boys each played the "Go Fish" game, and ate a picnic lunch under the bowery.

The Walk was actually 2.5 miles (a 4K), rather than the "1ish" mile I had been told.  Our Team was mostly together, but I am missing pictures of several people (ahead of us).

Once back, we waited as they drew raffle winners, and then awarded the "Apraxia Stars" with a medal, and a bag of various trinkets.

(Ryder, Harvick, and Jarrett)

Due to some last minute events, our Team was down a few people.  I also didn't get a chance to grab a picture of everyone there.  There is always next year, right?!

Left: Us (Jarrett with me, Harvick with Patrick, Ryder standing)
Top Row: Reed/Sheldon Family; Jim & Martha Harris
Bottom Row: Felice Gant & Mariah Ruiz; Gerry & Roxie Sianez

I wrote the following on Facebook last night:

It's been a long day. A good day, though. Thank you to everyone that has supported our family in the Apraxia Walk today - those that donated, bid, and/or purchased items in our auction. Those that were thinking of our family today. And, those that walked alongside us. I took plenty of pictures, but they'll be posted later. Tonight, I want you to know we appreciate you. We appreciate you more than I can express, really. THANK YOU!

I meant it. The auction we held was very successful - thanks to Felice (pictured above) for initiating it, the many donations made, and to the bidders!  I know many family & friends weren't able to physically be there to walk with us, but I appreciated all of those who reached out to let us know they would be making a donation, or would be thinking of us.

And, at the end of what turned out to be a very long event, I asked Patrick to take a picture with me.  I often thank everyone who supports our family, but don't often take the time to thank him directly.

Thank you Patrick!

With the support of all of you, our total Team Hansen donation to CASANA was $766.00!  Thank you!

One-step-at-a-time.

Easter . 2013

Easter Sunday we started our day at church.  When we got home, the boys walked with me around the neighborhood, while Patrick set up their gifts.  We spent WAY more than we ever have on Easter - but, with boys having summer birthdays, we really wanted them to have bicycles sooner.  So, Easter was big, but birthdays will be small!

As we walked back to the house, Patrick was waiting with a yard full of Easter Eggs, and their bikes on display!

Investigating their presents.

Searching around the yard for their eggs.

Taking their bikes out for a spin.  Ryder has mastered a tricycle we picked up at a yard sale last year - it is one where his feet are in front of him; he struggled a bit with his feet below him, but I'm sure he'll get it in no time!  Jarrett is just tall enough to reach the pedals, and Harvick is just a little shy of easily reaching - we may have to strap a block of wood onto the pedal.

Enjoying the contents of their eggs - various fruity cereal!

We then headed to Village Inn for lunch - this is the third year in a row!  Clearly, it's not a typical Easter meal, but the boys love breakfast!

At Village Inn.
(Ryder & Jarrett with Patrick, and Harvick with me)

Our afternoon was spent back at home playing outside, following naps for the boys.  You may have noticed that the boys also received a stuffed elephant each - Ryder has been in love with elephants ever since his first visit to the zoo on his first birthday.  Many nights he asks me if he can have an elephant (a stuffed one), to sleep with.  When a co-worker showed me the one she picked up for $5 at Kohls, I knew the boys needed one too!  So, after dinner, we let the boys watch "Horton Hears a Who".  They started out just sitting on the couch, and ended with their elephants in their arms - they each took a minute to go get theirs.

And, as you would expect, we attempted a family picture, with everyone in their Easter outfits.  Our first attempt was not good due to the bright sun, so we tried again later, and used our shaded porch.

The Hansen Family . Easter 2013
(Kayleen, Patrick, Jarrett, Ryder, and Harvick)

Such a fun Easter - loved that our day started out at church, and ended with reading the a children's book to the boys about the true meaning - with lots of other fun in between!

Easter Egg Hunt (#2) . 2013

Although we participated in an Easter Egg Hunt already, we decided to give it another try at our city Egg Hunt!

It was a bit chilly that morning, so we had to pull out their jackets.  The boys were all good sports about having to wait!

At this Egg Hunt, they let everyone in, to circle around the area (rather than everyone entering through one point) - so much better!

Ryder LOVED getting eggs this time!

Harvick had fun collecting eggs with Grandma Jody.

Ann helped Jarrett, who wasn't really interested.  He wasn't upset at all, just didn't seem to care about the eggs (I maintain that he thinks he is cleaning up someone else's mess!).

My favorite part of this Egg Hunt, is that it is held in a really nice park.  We planned to let the boys stay for awhile (most people clear out within a few minutes).  They loved it!

Harvick (purple) & Jarrett (yellow) mastered the slide immediately - they know how to go down while sitting, but both find it hilarious to go down face first (they do this at home too!).

Ryder wasn't interested in the "little" slides, he went straight for the big one!

Harvick (purple) & Jarrett (yellow) enjoying the swings.

Meanwhile, Ryder enjoyed swinging with Grandma Jody's help.

The boys all returned to the slides, but this time Harvick (purple) and Jarrett (yellow) really wanted to go on the big one, like big brother.  Patrick went down with them at first.

It was quite a sight seeing our boys climb up - Harvick wanted to do it on his own, but the top step is aligned weird, so he needed someone to be with him.  Jarrett would go up partially on his own, but wanted to be helped on the top half.  And, Ryder was so patient as his brothers would go up!

Jarrett, loving going down on his own!

Harvick loved it too!

Ryder, the slide master!

The second Egg Hunt was a fun experience for the boys.  I'm still glad we did the one the week prior - it helped Ryder to better understand what to expect.  However, collecting eggs was not nearly as fun as the hour following!

Brothers . Stacy's Photography

1 year, 10 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, and something like 1-2 hours.

That is how long it took for me to get a good picture of all 3 boys, all looking at the camera and smiling.  I mean, I do take the monthly "Brothers" picture - while I love this self-imposed project, I do realize they do not qualify as a professional photo!  Also, we do have several good family pictures, and some cute pictures of just the boys - but never with all smiles!

Brothers . Stacy's Photography
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Seriously!  I know I am bias, but just admit it - that is one of the most adorable photos.  Ever!

Stacy offers special mini sessions at Easter with live bunnies & chicks.  I have taken Ryder since his first Easter (2010), and we have gone back every year.  We started out this years session with all 3 boys, and the animals.  We did our best, but couldn't get a good one.  Harvick was too busy looking at the animals, Ryder was a bit frightened by them (he has been every year), and Jarrett was too busy trying to hug (squish?) the bunny out of pure love.  When I reviewed the photos Stacy was able to get (individuals too!), I commented about how much I wanted to get a good one of the boys.  She offered to try again...and, on the second to last shot, she captured this one.  All we had to do was skip having the animals, trap each boy on a chair, "roar like a dinosaur" (Ryder's request), and sing any kids' song we could think of that didn't have hand motions that the boys would mimic.

I mean, really - this photo could not be any cuter!

If you're interested in a session by Stacy (she does regular ones too!), you can contact her via her FB page: Stacy's Photography.

Easter Egg Dyeing . 2013

We dyed Easter Eggs with Ryder in 2011 (just a week before his brothers were born), and then again last year.  However, this year it was a completely new experience...THREE boys to participate in the activity!

Ryder helped me prepare the dye - he loved watching the vinegar change color!

The calm before the storm.
We limited the colors to just 6 (the pack had 9) to make things a little easier.  And, each boy got their own bowl of eggs to dye.

  

All of the boys LOVED dyeing the eggs.  Ryder did better this year than in years past, and didn't mind getting messy.  Harvick loved the process, but wanted to stay as clean as possible.  And Jarrett...well, he was rather funny.  He never hesitated dipping his hands into the dye!  And, at the end, he grabbed the yellow bowl, and tried to drink the dye - not sure what made him think to do that - we don't drink out of bowls!

Jarrett's hands were probably the most dyed, but Ryder was the most willing photography subject.  He thought he was pretty funny for having dyed his hands!

The final product.  Ryder got creative with his last egg, and tried to make it two colors - I love how his dyed fingers left purple fingerprints between the orange and green.

The boys loved the activity so much that I think we will do this again in the summer - I have picked up several dye packages for 90% off past years - or, maybe we'll try one of those Koolaid dye recipes!

Brothers . March 2013

We've had a great Easter weekend with the boys.  While I take a few days to go through the pictures (I won't mention how many were taken), I'm posting the March Brothers picture tonight.

To be honest, these pictures are a bit of a chore some months.  I'm so glad that this self-inflicted project had very loose guidelines - the picture is taken any time during the month, and we do our best to get everyone to look at the camera - smiles, or posing nicely are optional!

However, I'm torn this month of what to post.  Last year March was St. Patrick's Day, and April was Easter.  What am I supposed to do when both holidays are in the same month?  I did think about faking it, and using a shot from today for April...but, decided I'd rather just have 2 this month!

Brothers . March 2013 (St. Patrick's Day)
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . March 2013 (Easter)
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

One Year Ago: March 2012

All Brothers Posts