I cannot believe it is time to write this post... my little man Ryan is a year and a half old! Before I know it, I'm going to be planning his 2nd birthday party and that seems so unreal to me!
Our little "One-sock, Captain Destruct-o" is growing so fast and really turning into quite the toddler. Let me begin by explaining that nickname...
He ALWAYS wears only one sock... you put two on, within minutes he is wearing only one. You put him to bed or down for a nap with two socks on, you go to get him when he awakes and one of them has been removed and thrown out of the crib! It's amazing really, how many times we have to ask him where his other sock is. It's not always the same foot, but it happens daily, multiple times a day. And usually, he knows exactly where he threw/hid it!
The second part of his nickname is pretty self-explanatory! :-) If he touches it, it gets destroyed. One visit to my parents house back in December, we were there 15 minutes and he had broken three things! He has broken dishes, dumped dog bowls of food around the kitchen, poured the water bowl over his head, and LOVES to just dump out toys... emptying a container/bowl/drawer/cabinet/toybox is a major accomplishment for him that he seems to take a lot of pride in, and is very good at as well!
Never leave a box of cereal where he can reach it
And after the photo is taken for proof, big brother's only help is to help him pick up the mess by eating it! Oh so yummy!
He LOVES books. These are pictures of exactly what you can find in our living room, multiple times a day, every day!
In Baby J's Bumbo
Empty the book basket and then sit in it to read
Always a mess around him
Of course, if you are EVER sitting on the couch or floor, family or visitor, he will bring a book and back his way into your lap, insisting that you read... over and over, one book after another! He loves the pictures, he loves the words... doesn't matter to him, just so long as a book is available!
He ALWAYS wears only one sock... you put two on, within minutes he is wearing only one. You put him to bed or down for a nap with two socks on, you go to get him when he awakes and one of them has been removed and thrown out of the crib! It's amazing really, how many times we have to ask him where his other sock is. It's not always the same foot, but it happens daily, multiple times a day. And usually, he knows exactly where he threw/hid it!
The second part of his nickname is pretty self-explanatory! :-) If he touches it, it gets destroyed. One visit to my parents house back in December, we were there 15 minutes and he had broken three things! He has broken dishes, dumped dog bowls of food around the kitchen, poured the water bowl over his head, and LOVES to just dump out toys... emptying a container/bowl/drawer/cabinet/toybox is a major accomplishment for him that he seems to take a lot of pride in, and is very good at as well!
Never leave a box of cereal where he can reach it
And after the photo is taken for proof, big brother's only help is to help him pick up the mess by eating it! Oh so yummy!
He LOVES books. These are pictures of exactly what you can find in our living room, multiple times a day, every day!
In Baby J's Bumbo
Empty the book basket and then sit in it to read
Always a mess around him
Of course, if you are EVER sitting on the couch or floor, family or visitor, he will bring a book and back his way into your lap, insisting that you read... over and over, one book after another! He loves the pictures, he loves the words... doesn't matter to him, just so long as a book is available!
His favorite thing is definitely his brothers. When baby wakes up he gets so excited to see him (aka: smother him, but it's genuine affection!) and when Logan is playing, you better believe Ryan is right there trying to play along (aka: bother brother and take all his things!). He wants to do all that big brother does...
and 9 times out of 10, Logan couldn't be happier to share and play! Just don't tell Logan that Ryan is already stronger than him and that he better stop asking to wrestle unless he actually wants to get hurt by his younger brother! I'm telling you, this boy is STRONG and has no hesitation to roll around on the floor for a good wrestling match!I think Ryan kisses and hugs Baby J 10 times a day, at least. This picture is one of my favorites and I'm actually glad baby looked down so I could post it on the blog. Taking their first bath together... and it lasted over 30 minutes... pure joy!
Logan was standing to the side making the babies laugh
Love this!
Now that Baby J needed the high chair, Ryan has joined us at the table!
Still a high chair, but he's at our level now and I feel it's a lot safer, and neater, than a booster. Plus, the booster is now at the other table for our "school time" with Logan, so this was a great gift from a friend!
I remember Logan really starting to love the dog about this age, but Ryan has a real DEEP affection for Dylan. He chases him and just giggles non-stop, always climbing up on the couch to snuggle too!
Not Ryan's best picture, but this is usually what it looks like!
And it always brings about kisses from the puppy!
I love this picture... like they're in a face off or something!
On to some other details:
Stats:
34 in tall (95%)
27lbs 9oz (80%)
Other things he loves:
outside
dancing- ANY music/rhythm
cars and trucks
all types of balls (and bats!)
animals (real and toy!)
being independent
lollipops
Favorite food and some that have amazed us:
Broccoli, Beans, Salmon (yes, LOVED it!)
Peanut Butter and Jelly, Yogurt, Strawberries, Cheese
He is SUCH a good eater... almost always preferring whatever is on mommy's plate rather than the "kid" item I may have thought he'd want!
Ryan still takes two naps a day and sleeps 11-12 hours at night. I'm foreseeing the morning nap dropping soon and some days he misses if we are out in the morning, but he will usually still take a second cat nap in the evening on those days and is falling asleep in the car on the way home from wherever we are coming from. He will actually ASK to go to bed... at night, he'll sit on the bottom step and point upstairs while signing please. If he is acting cranky and nap time is approaching, we ask him if he wants to take a nap and he nods while signing please. Strange, I know, but I'm not complaining!
He has become quite strong willed in just the last few months and that has presented some challenges, particularly with diaper changing and his desire to know when he is hungry and demand something to eat; but overall he is just a chunk of sweetness. He is starting to try and talk more, though most of the time his answer for everything is "Mama!" Again, I'm not complaining! :-)
He can tell you the animal sounds of the elephant (with hand motion!), the cat and the lion as well as grunt and flex when you ask him to show you his muscles. Other words he has said include baby, dada/daddy, bubba (for Logan), and dog. He has said his own form of grandma, grandpa, grana and papa when they are present, but it's not consistent... though he loves all 4 of them to pieces. He is now at the point where he cries when they leave... every time!!! Truly a blessing!
This post wouldn't be complete if I didn't make sure and tell you how busy he keeps me. The "Captain Destruct-O" nickname and the cereal incident... those are real... they are HIM, EVERY minute of EVERY day that he is awake. Seriously, he gives me a workout just in the downstairs of our house. He also knows how to run and is very good at getting away and making you chase him... and usually I'm not laughing! Love him to pieces, but the eyes cannot be taken off of him for one second!!! :-)
Dear Ryan,
I think a lot of moms always wonder how they will love their additional children after having such a strong bond to the first... you have made that SO easy for me! You have the sweetest disposition and are so generous with your affection, it is impossible not to love you! Everyone who meets you and keeps you in nurseries at church is always raving about the sweet boy you are and how precious their time with you is.
You are turning into an amazing little boy and it's been so fun watching you develop from the passive and laid back baby that you were to the incredibly active and involved toddler. Watching you keep up with Logan gives me such a positive glimpse at what life is going to be like as you guys grow up together. I pray that Baby J gets to be with us forever, because your love for him is so evident and I just know you're going to be a great big brother!
I am loving right now how much of a mommy's boy you are being and I know it's not forever, but I'll hold onto it while it lasts. The way you just stop playing to come over and hug my leg or cuddle with me on the couch reminds me that home with my boys is right where I am meant to be! I pray that the Lord uses your affection for others to do great things in this world... I know you're young, but that's a piece of your personality that just can't be dismissed!
I love you!
Mommy
Logan was standing to the side making the babies laugh
Love this!
Now that Baby J needed the high chair, Ryan has joined us at the table!
Still a high chair, but he's at our level now and I feel it's a lot safer, and neater, than a booster. Plus, the booster is now at the other table for our "school time" with Logan, so this was a great gift from a friend!I remember Logan really starting to love the dog about this age, but Ryan has a real DEEP affection for Dylan. He chases him and just giggles non-stop, always climbing up on the couch to snuggle too!
Not Ryan's best picture, but this is usually what it looks like!
And it always brings about kisses from the puppy!
I love this picture... like they're in a face off or something!
On to some other details:
Stats:
34 in tall (95%)
27lbs 9oz (80%)
Other things he loves:
outside
dancing- ANY music/rhythm
cars and trucks
all types of balls (and bats!)
animals (real and toy!)
being independent
lollipops
Favorite food and some that have amazed us:
Broccoli, Beans, Salmon (yes, LOVED it!)
Peanut Butter and Jelly, Yogurt, Strawberries, Cheese
He is SUCH a good eater... almost always preferring whatever is on mommy's plate rather than the "kid" item I may have thought he'd want!
Ryan still takes two naps a day and sleeps 11-12 hours at night. I'm foreseeing the morning nap dropping soon and some days he misses if we are out in the morning, but he will usually still take a second cat nap in the evening on those days and is falling asleep in the car on the way home from wherever we are coming from. He will actually ASK to go to bed... at night, he'll sit on the bottom step and point upstairs while signing please. If he is acting cranky and nap time is approaching, we ask him if he wants to take a nap and he nods while signing please. Strange, I know, but I'm not complaining!
He has become quite strong willed in just the last few months and that has presented some challenges, particularly with diaper changing and his desire to know when he is hungry and demand something to eat; but overall he is just a chunk of sweetness. He is starting to try and talk more, though most of the time his answer for everything is "Mama!" Again, I'm not complaining! :-)
He can tell you the animal sounds of the elephant (with hand motion!), the cat and the lion as well as grunt and flex when you ask him to show you his muscles. Other words he has said include baby, dada/daddy, bubba (for Logan), and dog. He has said his own form of grandma, grandpa, grana and papa when they are present, but it's not consistent... though he loves all 4 of them to pieces. He is now at the point where he cries when they leave... every time!!! Truly a blessing!
This post wouldn't be complete if I didn't make sure and tell you how busy he keeps me. The "Captain Destruct-O" nickname and the cereal incident... those are real... they are HIM, EVERY minute of EVERY day that he is awake. Seriously, he gives me a workout just in the downstairs of our house. He also knows how to run and is very good at getting away and making you chase him... and usually I'm not laughing! Love him to pieces, but the eyes cannot be taken off of him for one second!!! :-)
Dear Ryan,
I think a lot of moms always wonder how they will love their additional children after having such a strong bond to the first... you have made that SO easy for me! You have the sweetest disposition and are so generous with your affection, it is impossible not to love you! Everyone who meets you and keeps you in nurseries at church is always raving about the sweet boy you are and how precious their time with you is.
You are turning into an amazing little boy and it's been so fun watching you develop from the passive and laid back baby that you were to the incredibly active and involved toddler. Watching you keep up with Logan gives me such a positive glimpse at what life is going to be like as you guys grow up together. I pray that Baby J gets to be with us forever, because your love for him is so evident and I just know you're going to be a great big brother!
I am loving right now how much of a mommy's boy you are being and I know it's not forever, but I'll hold onto it while it lasts. The way you just stop playing to come over and hug my leg or cuddle with me on the couch reminds me that home with my boys is right where I am meant to be! I pray that the Lord uses your affection for others to do great things in this world... I know you're young, but that's a piece of your personality that just can't be dismissed!
I love you!
Mommy
