month 16

Ryder-

You are such a big boy now! I think when babies have a birthday something clicks and they instantly grow up. There really is such a big difference when you turn one. You are a full blown toddler and I LOVE IT! As I said in Quincy’s 16 month post, besides the first few weeks we bring you home, this is my favorite stage.

You are so much fun! And you are f.u.n.n.y. You have a silly sense of humor and you are a tease just like your dad. When I give you a treat you often act like you are going to share and hand me a bite, then quickly take it back before I can grab it and put it in your mouth. You do this to Trip too with his dog treats. You almost put it in his mouth than rip it away. You think you are so funny! You love to be chased. When I tell you to go to your seat at the table for a meal or come get your shoes on, you often run, slowly, while looking behind you. You want me to chase you. And most the time you run into a corner. You really are funny to me. I love your playfulness.

You love to climb, throw, run and hit. You are loud and rambunctious. You are rough. I know I say this over and over, but you are such a boy. I never had brothers and you are my first boy so this is all so new to me. You like to play with trucks and tools. You love love love balls. You have lots of them all over the house and are almost always carrying one around. You also love buckles. Just like Q did at this age. You love to stand on a stool and buckle your booster seat at the table. This is such a sweet reminder of Quincy. We spent hours buckling and unbuckling those very same two buckles. I love that you have this  similarity.

 At your 15 month appointment you weighed in at 21lbs 15oz and were 32.75in tall. You are about 50% for weight and 75% for height. Don’t get excited, I can almost guarantee you won’t be tall. You wear size 12-18 clothes now and have a size 5 shoe. You have 4 teeth on top and 3 on bottom and 2 molars. You have had a couple hair cuts but only to even out the awkward baby hair. Your hair has a little bit of curl in it! I hope it stays. When you get out of the tub it is so so cute.

You have started talking quite a bit. Not nearly as much as Quincy did, she was a jabber box, but you are saying quite a few words. Some of the words you say the most are mommy, daddy, candy, snack, juice, night night, and please. You can communicate pretty well what you want but most of your talking is just jabbering. When we are driving in the car you will yell “MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY” over and over and over again. I talk back to you, but you continue to yell until we get to where we are going. We still have your car seat rear facing and wherever we are you like you like to keep me in your sights, so it feels like you are just making sure I’m still there since you can’t see me. As annoying as it gets, it’s endearing.

 You are still a great eater. You will eat pretty much anything we give you. You really like macaroni, green beans, chicken nuggets, cheese and any fruit and you will also eat most meats which Q would never eat. More than anything you LOVE snacks and candy. You are constantly asking me for “cannies” and “nacks”. You will go get a bowl and walk to the pantry and ask for a “nack”. It’s really hard for me to say no, especially when you say please.

Just like Q you are a great sleeper. I don’t know how I got so lucky to get such good sleepers! You go to bed around 8:30 and don’t wake up until around 8. You don’t like to be cuddled anymore and so at bed time I just give you your milk and put you to bed. Makes me sad that we don’t get to cuddle anymore but you go to sleep so well. You also nap well. I just put you in your bed and you go right to sleep. You are still taking 2 naps a day which is awesome. A few times you have even put yourself down for a nap. You tell me “nap” and go to your room and try to climb in your crib.

Ryder, you are pretty great. I really could go on and on about all the little details I love about you. These last few months I have become obsessed with you and I am overwhelmed with love whenever I look at you. You are my little buddy and I am getting so used to you toddling around at my feet. I really hope that never changes. I am terrified to be this obsessed with you and to get so attached. You are everything to me and your dad. We are overly grateful for you and your timing in joining our family. You are teaching us what this life is all about. I hope we never live a day without you.

Love you lots.