month 4

Ryder-

There are so many ways that I prayed for you to be just like your sister, but ear infections isn't one of them. Just like Q, you ended your first cold with an ear infection. You have had a double ear infection for the entire month of January. On top of that, you had pink eye and mild case of RSV. You have been one sad, sick little boy.

There isn't much this past month besides sickness to talk about. You haven't been sleeping well, you haven't been eating well. I feel so bad for you. (I kind of feel bad for me too. Sick baby not sleeping = sick mommy not sleeping) Overall you have been pretty pleasant, but you have definitely been more grumpy and whiny than usual. I am ready for you to feel better and be happy again. I feel like I was just starting to get to know you. A lot of people are saying that you are starting to look more like Q. I see it too. And as you are getting more active, some of your mannerisms remind me of her. It's hard, but I love it.

Even though you have been sick and not eating as well you have continued to grow like crazy. At your four month appointment you weighed 14lbs 13oz and were 25.5in. You are in the 31st% for weight and 59th% for height. Your head is HUGE. It is in the 99th%. Big head, big eyes. You are just a big big baby boy. You are already filling out the 3-6 months clothes. The doctor said you can tell the size of the puppy by his paws, right after he told me how big your feet are. I just can't imagine us having a big kid, I tend to think it will all even out somewhere, but we'll see. Maybe we will get to watch you play football instead of wrestle.

You have started to roll around a little and aren't quite as immobile. You are very aware of everything around you and are always craning your neck to see what's going on. You keep your eye on me a lot. If someone else is holding you, you are almost always staring at me. One day you will protect me. When I hold you up on my shoulder you play with my hair. Quincy did the same thing. I love it more than anything. You drool like crazy and almost always have your hands in your mouth. You have also started to grab blankets, toys, clothes, anything you can grab, and that all goes in your mouth as well. I'm starting to wonder if you are getting teeth. I hope so. I love the toothy grin.

You are continuing to be our joy Ryder. You give us reason to get up in the morning. You give us new meaning in our broken world. You are consistently winning our love and affection and we are growing more and more in love with you. You are our world little boy. 

Love you lots.