Ryder at 12 Months

Ryder at 12 Months: Well, it happened. My little baby is now one year old. He army crawls less these days and gets on his hands and knees more often. He is a pro at pulling himself up to standing position and can take steps along side the couch. Ryder has four teeth and is cutting another two on top. He wears size 4 diapers, 12-18mos clothes, and size 5 shoes. Binkies are still a comfort and help him go to sleep. He continues to enjoy bottles throughout the day. We have transitioned to two naps a day, 10am and 2pm. Ryder is becoming very "verbal" when it comes to noises. He has a ridiculously loud, high pitched scream that he uses to get our attention. He uses a form of this scream to try and get his sister to scream back and she often complies. Ryder remains my cuddle buddy after all of these months and gave me sweet snuggles on the couch this afternoon. I pray that as the years pass that my sweet boy will always feel like he can snuggle up to me. One year old. One year ago our family was made complete. We love you, Ryder Allen!

Ryder at 11 Months

 Ryder at 11 Months: I can hardly believe that I only have one more monthly photo session with our almost one year old boy! It's probably a good thing that we only have one left because he hardly sat still enough for me to get any quality photos taken this time around. Ryder has cut his first top tooth giving him three teeth now. He can now pull himself up to standing position and is very proud of this accomplishment. I'm hoping he begins walking by summertime because that would make for a much easier time outdoors for both of us. Ryder has began pointing to things that he wants and will mimic people when he wants them to continue a behavior. If the mimicking doesn't work he resorts to screaming or screeching. He loves the to play in the bath but splashes much more than mom and sister prefer. I can hardly believe this precious boy has been a part of our family for nearly an entire year. I'm afraid this next month will disappear quickly and I'll be writing about my one year old much too soon!

Ryder at 10 Months

 Ryder at 10 Months: I love this month photos of Ryder. He has such animated expressions and seems as though his smile may get stuck like that from smiling so big at times. Ryder is leaving baby behind lately. He's a crawling machine, trying to pull himself up onto his knees, and he's riding in a big boy car seat now. Ryder has two bottom teeth and has started weaning off of his bottles and insisting on more solid foods. While it seems that he is growing up, he will still crawl over to me as I stand at the sink washing dishes and head-butt me saying "Ma! Ma! Ma-Ma! Mama!" until I pick him up. He is my cuddle bug and always has been. I cherish his snuggles. Attachment has become an issue with him lately and he has a difficult time when I leave him in the church nursery for bible study and on Sunday mornings. Thank goodness he has Lexi with him most of the time and we are told that she is very attentive to him.

Ryder at 9 Months

 Ryder at 9 Months: Our boy is growing and changing in so many ways. Ryder has the army crawl/inch worm down perfectly and gets around with speed these days. He has taken to solid foods very well and no longer prefers purees. Some of his favorites are Cheerios, yogurt melts, Ritz crackers, bananas, steamed carrots, and chicken noodle soup. He has begun "talking" a lot more and lets us know when he wants our attention. Alexis is his best friend. When he sees her come down the stairs in the morning he smiles and squeals with excitement. He still takes three solid naps a day and sleeps like a champ at night. He is well into 12 month clothing and some 18 month pajamas. I'm afraid that our baby boy is leaving a lot of "baby" behind.