14 months old

Ryder James is getting so big.

Some of his latest favs are:

food: green beans, smarty suckers, cheeseburgers (or just meat in general)

book: brown bear

tv show: Seasame Street (it's the only tv show I let him watch so it has to be his fav.)

movie: Curious Buddies on the farm. OBSESSED! Best $5 I ever spent!

activity: playing, playing, and more playing. He really loves when we chase him around the house. Especially through the "island" we have through the hall. He could that all day. He also enjoys putting shapes inside the box with the holes of the shapes. He still loves books, basketball, and putting clothing items on his head.

Ryder has eleven teeth. He weighed 30lb at the doctor a few weeks ago when he was sick. That's a lot. I really wish he could walk so I didn't have to tote him around constantly. I seriously pulled a muscle in my arm the other day, or it was sore at least. He is a barrel. Size 5 diapers are a tight fit on him and he kept having blow outs, so I upped him to size 6. I do realize most kids never make it past size 4.

He still is my easy-going, happy boy. Our family has been sick almost all year! And haven't been able to get rid of nasty colds. He has been a trooper. If his throat hurt as badly as ours did he is one tough cookie!

He loves calling people on the phone. He will usually say, "Hello, Dada? Dada, hello?" Or just smiles when people talk to him.

When Ryder was younger he was really good at playing by himself. Lately he's been really clingy and doesn't want me to leave the room. He REALLY loves it when friends come to play!

He has been taking a few steps on his own for a couple weeks. He could stand there by himself for the entire 30 minutes of Curious Buddies (his fav. movie). He doesn't have the desire to walk. He will take a step or two and then drop to his knees. 

Ryder has been communicating alot more lately. He will surprise us with new words. Here are some words he says:

Dada, Mama, hi, hello, bye, no-no, yeah, Papa, Nana, Jesus, blankie, kitty, meow, puppy, woof, baby, boo, more, baaa, night-night, bum, vroom, side (outside), tub, cookie, cracker, boo, ouch, deer, cheese, ball, basketball.

(Obviously he doens't prononce those words the best.)

It's crazy all the words he understands.

My favorite thing he says/does: Colby comes home from work, Ryder will hug him, lay his head on him, pat his back, and say "Aaawwww Dada."  Melts our hearts.

I love it when I go get him from his crib when he wakes up and he sits up and says, "Hi."

He is starting to repeat some words I say when I'm not expecting it. I did something today and said ouch. He looked at me and said ouch. I need to be careful what I say.

Love you big boy!