Looks like my hippie parenting style might be working after all:
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/ChildrenNeedTou.html
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/ChildrenNeedTou.html
I started this blog thinking "what a great idea to keep family and friends involved in what's going on while Jesse is deployed...I will have tons of time to update this while Ryder is sleeping!" WRONG. When he is sleeping, I am taking out the trash, walking the dogs, cleaning bottles, pouring bottles, pumping, showering (quickly) and throwing on whatever workout gear I can find. No, I do not have time to work out. It seems that carrying around my almost 20lb four and a half month old is enough of a workout to take off the baby weight. If I even try to do a workout video my legs are so sore the next day while doing my regular Mom duties--which includes doing everything mentioned before one handed and holding a 20 lb baby.
We have Ryder's 4 month check up on Monday. I can't wait to hear how huge and healthy they tell me he is :) I actually get excited for his doctors appointments so they can boost my Mom ego and tell me I am doing a good job!
Ryder's tooth is coming in any day now. I would hate for him to experience any teething pain so he has an Amber teething necklace, teething tablets, teething rings, and tons of plushy animals to gnaw on. You name it, I bought it. I told my friends that I am single handily stopping the U.S. recession. Despite the teething he still sleeps from 8pm-8am and sleep eats a bottle or two.
Ryder's hair is growing in an unintentional mowhawk--or as my brother calls it "reverse balding". His hair is very dark and is already showing some waviness to it. Sorry R baby--with your Dad and I both having curly hair you were kind of set up for crazy hair.
If I would have one word (other than cute, and happy) to describe Ryder is would be active. He already wants to try and walk, pet (assault) the dogs, rip ornaments off the Christmas tree and reach his arms and legs off the side of his changing table. I know he is going to be the kind of baby I will need to keep my eyes on at all times. Again, with me and Jesse as his parents he was almost guaranteed to be hyperactive.
We only have 6 weeks until Jesse is home!!! I cannot wait to have our little family back together again and for Jesse to finally have time snuggling and playing with his son.
Here are a few new Ryder pictures. I have no doubt the Dr. is going to measure him in the at least 75th percentile for height and weight!
We have Ryder's 4 month check up on Monday. I can't wait to hear how huge and healthy they tell me he is :) I actually get excited for his doctors appointments so they can boost my Mom ego and tell me I am doing a good job!
Ryder's tooth is coming in any day now. I would hate for him to experience any teething pain so he has an Amber teething necklace, teething tablets, teething rings, and tons of plushy animals to gnaw on. You name it, I bought it. I told my friends that I am single handily stopping the U.S. recession. Despite the teething he still sleeps from 8pm-8am and sleep eats a bottle or two.
Ryder's hair is growing in an unintentional mowhawk--or as my brother calls it "reverse balding". His hair is very dark and is already showing some waviness to it. Sorry R baby--with your Dad and I both having curly hair you were kind of set up for crazy hair.
If I would have one word (other than cute, and happy) to describe Ryder is would be active. He already wants to try and walk, pet (assault) the dogs, rip ornaments off the Christmas tree and reach his arms and legs off the side of his changing table. I know he is going to be the kind of baby I will need to keep my eyes on at all times. Again, with me and Jesse as his parents he was almost guaranteed to be hyperactive.
We only have 6 weeks until Jesse is home!!! I cannot wait to have our little family back together again and for Jesse to finally have time snuggling and playing with his son.
Here are a few new Ryder pictures. I have no doubt the Dr. is going to measure him in the at least 75th percentile for height and weight!
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My friend Ashley Nau introduced me to Dunstan baby language, and I truly believe it works! If you have a new baby (or are about to have one) search for youtube videos on Dunstan Baby Language. She was on Oprah several years ago and that is the episode I watched online. Ryder definitely says "Neh" (I'm hungry)and "Eh" (I need to burp!) all the time.
http://www.dunstanbaby.com/cms/index.php?page=us-home
Ryder had a great Halloween! He was a baby Vampire...okay he just wore the outfit, but he did enjoy greeting Trick-or-treaters with candy!
http://www.dunstanbaby.com/cms/index.php?page=us-home
Ryder had a great Halloween! He was a baby Vampire...okay he just wore the outfit, but he did enjoy greeting Trick-or-treaters with candy!
Ryder talking it up with Grammy T @3 months old.
Ryder went to his new Pediatrician today (the last one and I did not see eye to eye on vaccinations...) and she is great! Ryder got all measured up and here are the results:
He now weighs 14.5 lbs is and is 24.5inches long. For his age this makes him 75th percentile for his height and 95th percentile for his weight (his head is 50th). In other words, Ryder is a BIG BOY! For some perspective--I was 18lbs at one year old! Obviously I am not the biggest person in the world, but this makes it even funnier now that I am toting around this chubby bunny. Ryder is a very happy boy! He really enjoys standing up with his arms against my chest and will just talk (loudly!) in his baby language and stomp his feet. He also likes to recline on my thighs while they are bent and just stare at my face and smile while kicking his legs into my stomach and flailing his arms around.
I went to Chicago this weekend for my good friend Becky's wedding and Ryder had a great time with my Mom and sister-in-law Sabrina. They did wonderful following my few rules: Hold him whenever he wants (all the time), watch him breathe when he sleeps, and when in doubt give big boy his bottle!
It was a great weekend with my good friends from high school but I am very happy to be back snuggling my little butterball.
He now weighs 14.5 lbs is and is 24.5inches long. For his age this makes him 75th percentile for his height and 95th percentile for his weight (his head is 50th). In other words, Ryder is a BIG BOY! For some perspective--I was 18lbs at one year old! Obviously I am not the biggest person in the world, but this makes it even funnier now that I am toting around this chubby bunny. Ryder is a very happy boy! He really enjoys standing up with his arms against my chest and will just talk (loudly!) in his baby language and stomp his feet. He also likes to recline on my thighs while they are bent and just stare at my face and smile while kicking his legs into my stomach and flailing his arms around.
I went to Chicago this weekend for my good friend Becky's wedding and Ryder had a great time with my Mom and sister-in-law Sabrina. They did wonderful following my few rules: Hold him whenever he wants (all the time), watch him breathe when he sleeps, and when in doubt give big boy his bottle!
It was a great weekend with my good friends from high school but I am very happy to be back snuggling my little butterball.
For almost 7 weeks now we have been lovingly staring at Ryder's face and trying to decide who he will look like when he is older. I hate to think of him growing up (tear) but, sadly, I know it's inevitable. These are our picks for who Ryder is going to look like...What do you think?
Jesse thinks: Taylor Lautner
My guess is Justin Beiber:
My Mom thinks John Gidding:
Only time will tell.... :)
So my "small for gestational age" baby boy has decided to catch up to his peers in a big way. He is now 10.6lbs! Ryder wakes up HANGRY and needs his bottle immediately. Heaven forbid you don't have it warmed already or you will be introduced to "baby Bobcat". This is one of the few times Ryder cries. It's not so much of a cry as a bobcat growl and red face with shaking fists. Its so funny and cute--even though he is trying to be serious and angry! He is still waking up to eat every two or three hours and has long periods of being awake in the morning with me and in the evenings when he spends time with his grandparents. My Mom and I have baby "shifts" so that Ryder has someone with him at all times. YES we like to watch him breathe! My mom starts off the night and watches him from 8pm-3am when I take over. I usually watch him from 3-10am. It gets pretty tricky when I have him alone, because I am also trying to take out the dogs to pee, pump, feed him, change his diapers, wash and sanitize his bottles, go to that bathroom, and eat. Speaking of eating--I know have the appetite of a 17 year old boy. I have 4 peanut butter sandwiches for my first breakfast, followed by two bowls of cereal, and then a few hours later a tofu scramble with vegetables. YES, this is just breakfast. The good news is, I have lost all of my pregnancy weight, so I am going to continue eating like a linebacker for now. I read that breastfeeding is the equivalent to doing two hours of aerobic exercise a day SO on top of everything else I am up to it makes sense that I would be so hungry.
Ryder had his first doctor's appointment yesterday at his new Pediatrician Dr. Polokoff. He was actually my pediatrician when I was a kid. Ryder is doing great and everything went well during his appointment. Unfortunately he got his second Hep B shot which made the baby Bobcat show up again. I hated seeing him in so much pain, so the Dr. and I had to have a little talk about his 2 month checkup where they want to give him 5 SHOTS at ONE time. This is not happening. I am going to take a more conservative approach and get them spaced out. I live right around the corner, so it won't be difficult to get there PLUS with all the Autism and vaccination controversy out there, I am going to be safe rather than sorry.
NOW back to Ryder. He loves looking at lights: the lamp, the digital picture frame, the TV. I am going to be sure to buy him some toys that light up. He is also really getting good at his head control and eye-hand coordination. He can hit and kick all the toys in his activity center. Ryder loves to hold onto blankets, and snuggle with them. He gets very happy when one is tucked under his chin because it seems like a burp cloth to him and makes him happy for a bottle. When Ryder is sleeping he likes to have his hands up by his head and the vibration on for his mattress. If it goes off he will stir and sometimes wake up. I wish it didn't shut off so he could get some good rest--and I could go to the bathroom!
We are very glad to be in Georgia and have my parents help! We miss Jesse SO much, but are happy to know that he is doing good and having fun. He doesn't really like me to talk about his work (he likes to remain secret squirrel) but just know that he is basically Jack Bauer on "24."
The baby is starting to stir...Must figure out a way to rig the Pack n' Play to stay on for a few hours.....
Ryder had his first doctor's appointment yesterday at his new Pediatrician Dr. Polokoff. He was actually my pediatrician when I was a kid. Ryder is doing great and everything went well during his appointment. Unfortunately he got his second Hep B shot which made the baby Bobcat show up again. I hated seeing him in so much pain, so the Dr. and I had to have a little talk about his 2 month checkup where they want to give him 5 SHOTS at ONE time. This is not happening. I am going to take a more conservative approach and get them spaced out. I live right around the corner, so it won't be difficult to get there PLUS with all the Autism and vaccination controversy out there, I am going to be safe rather than sorry.
NOW back to Ryder. He loves looking at lights: the lamp, the digital picture frame, the TV. I am going to be sure to buy him some toys that light up. He is also really getting good at his head control and eye-hand coordination. He can hit and kick all the toys in his activity center. Ryder loves to hold onto blankets, and snuggle with them. He gets very happy when one is tucked under his chin because it seems like a burp cloth to him and makes him happy for a bottle. When Ryder is sleeping he likes to have his hands up by his head and the vibration on for his mattress. If it goes off he will stir and sometimes wake up. I wish it didn't shut off so he could get some good rest--and I could go to the bathroom!
We are very glad to be in Georgia and have my parents help! We miss Jesse SO much, but are happy to know that he is doing good and having fun. He doesn't really like me to talk about his work (he likes to remain secret squirrel) but just know that he is basically Jack Bauer on "24."
The baby is starting to stir...Must figure out a way to rig the Pack n' Play to stay on for a few hours.....
So its about 3:30 in the a.m. and I am just finishing pumpin it up when Ryder wakes up HANGRY (hungry+angry).
I quickly detached my pumping apparatus and search for a bottle. They are all downstairs drying from being cleaned earlier.
I run down, then run back up the stairs to feed hungry Ryder. He is eating and sharting like he normally does when all of sudden
I feel a warm sensation on my legs/stomach. That''s right, the environmentally friendly diapers I bought (that are still a little too big for Ryder)
let the shart ooze of the the leg hole. Now me and the baby are covered in poop, and he is crying because he is hungry and has to burp.
I strip off my clothes (not meant to to sound seductive) and then take off the baby's diaper to try and clean him. DARN IT--the wipe warmer is empty of wipes!
Run to my room to get them and run back. Time for a diaper! How is the freakin diaper drawer empty?! Run and get diapers, run back.
Now he is changed, I am somewhat clothed, and its time to finish feeding the Sultan. Is this a scene from a movie? Where are the cameras?
So funny that this actually happens in real life.......
Now, that I am WIDE awake while the baby is sleeping, I have done the laundry, organized the room, wiped my body down with 50 baby wipes, and am ready to live the whole scene from earlier again in a few hours...
My mom and I took Ryder to his second week well-baby visit today at the hospital. He is doing great!
He is already up to 7lbs 7oz (his birth weight was 6lbs 5oz) and is a very happy and healthy boy!
About every three hours Ryder wakes up starving (he thinks) and takes down at least 4oz of breastmilk, but spends most of his time sleeping. For an hour or two a day he is wide awake and very quiet. Just happy to stare at his hands, the side of his crib, or my face. He hardly fusses and already is so much fun and has a great personality. I have been affectionately calling him "The Sultan" because of home many things we do for him: Warm my milk! Change my diaper! Pull the car up to the building---I don't want to get hot!
Here are some pictures from the last few days... Can't believe it's already been two weeks!
Notice: he likes to sleep with his hands by his face :)
He is already up to 7lbs 7oz (his birth weight was 6lbs 5oz) and is a very happy and healthy boy!
About every three hours Ryder wakes up starving (he thinks) and takes down at least 4oz of breastmilk, but spends most of his time sleeping. For an hour or two a day he is wide awake and very quiet. Just happy to stare at his hands, the side of his crib, or my face. He hardly fusses and already is so much fun and has a great personality. I have been affectionately calling him "The Sultan" because of home many things we do for him: Warm my milk! Change my diaper! Pull the car up to the building---I don't want to get hot!
Here are some pictures from the last few days... Can't believe it's already been two weeks!
Notice: he likes to sleep with his hands by his face :)
Here is a brief glimpse of the cutest baby in the world...
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