One Word Wednesday

**Christmas**

9 Month Check-Up

Ryder had his 9 month appt today with his Pediatrician.  Here are some stats from his check-up:

• He weighs 16 lbs 10 oz – that is the 3rd percentile for babies his age.
• He is 28.5 inches long – that is the 58th percentile for babies his age. 
• She evaluated his arm again and is consulting with a neurologist to see if they can do some testing for nerve damage which she is suspecting could be causing this.  The solution for that would be Occupational Therapy, so I’m glad we’ve already got that in the works! 

Today’s appointment was wonderful because…NO SHOTS!!  He got a break, which Mommy was so happy to hear!  As far as development, his social, communication, and fine motor skills are developing right on schedule, he is still a little behind in gross motor and problem solving, but we’re pretty sure that aside from him being a preemie, his arm is holding him back a little, preventing him from doing a lot of the things that require 2 hands.  All in all, he’s growing big and strong, has an amazing personality, and is such a little joy to have around.

Mr. Independent

Ryder’s new “thing” is trying to feed himself.  He has been grabbing for the spoon while I’m trying to feed him, causing food to go flying everywhere, resulting in a huge mess!  So I decided to grab a fork and see if he was coordinated enough to actually get the food in his mouth…and he was!  After his first few bites, he started getting frustrated with me for helping, sorry Mr. Independent!

He’s eating peas…and cheese…just in case you were wondering :-)

Moving Right Along

**The Army Crawl**

Ryder’s First BIG Snow!

We got hit hard with snow this weekend, ending up with about a foot and a half!  My favorite thing about big snowfalls like this is being snowed in…but…if you remember THIS post, you’ll realize that we have absolutely no  excuse to be snowed in anymore :( 

Alan drove to MD and picked up Nick & Lindsay (since they were snowed in) so that they could come over.

They brought Ryder his very first Christmas present!  It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, look how adorable he is all bundled up in his new winter bear suit!

 

Ryder only got to experience the snow in his car seat, and Daddy let him have a taste of it.

Then we brought him over to Yaya’s to be snowed in with her :)  He stayed the night there, and we all headed over to Poppy & Nana’s for the Christmas Party!  When everyone you know has a 4-Wheel drive truck, I guess there’s no point in cancelling events because of snow!

A yard full of trucks!                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

Family Shots:                             

 The hottest guy at the party:

The Lovebirds <3                             

Penny & Aunt Vicki                                       

We even got a surprise visit from the president!

And Miss Maddie was a little trooper!  This year at the Christmas party Lindsay was pregnant… 

Last year I was pregnant at the party (and proud of that belly!):

And the year before that, Angela was pregnant at the party!  

I wonder who it will be next year…Kristen?!

Nine Months Old!!

Today marks the day that Ryder has been alive for 3/4 of a year!  It also marks the day that Mommy realizes that it’s almost time to start planning someone’s FIRST birthday!  Time flies…guess that means we must be having lots of fun :-) 

   Let’s see what Ryder has been up to in his NINTH month of life:

• We got the best news ever this month, that Ryder’s kidney’s and urinary tract are all better!  His body has been hard at work, growing strong and making everything work the way it should! 
• He can sit all by himself, unsupported now!  He can also stand while holding onto something!
• He is eating stage 3 foods now, and I’ve just started adding real (not baby) food to his meals.  He has had mac-n-cheese, a real sweet potato, smashed peas, jello, and lots of bread!
• He got his two bottom teeth!  Finally! 
• He wears a size 3 diaper and 6-9 month clothes.
• He has perfected the army crawl and can get anywhere he wants to!
• Unfortunately, he has learned what the word NO means, and it hurts his feelings when we have to use it…Like when he crawls under the Christmas tree or over to the step at Aunt Vicki’s.  He’s the quiet, mischievous type, we’re gonna have to watch him closely!
• He says Dada, Mama, and lots of things that start with B, G, N, and Y!
• He has great social skills…he smiles at anyone that talks to him, he is very alert to his surroundings, and he ALWAYS has to know what is going on.  As long as he’s involved, he’s happy!
• He still enjoys his jumperoo very much, and when he can’t bounce in that, he wants to be bouncing on someone’s lap.  He has very strong legs and he likes to keep them moving!
• Ryder loves to laugh.  The things that make him laugh the most are peek-a-boo, being tickled, and when Daddy or Uncle G throw him around.  He’s definitely a thrill seeker!

This month has brought about the most “growing up” changes so far.  To see his little self sitting up in the middle of a big room, or to watch him scan the room looking at all of his toys, then make a decision and head for the one he wants, have really made me sit back and realize how much he has grown up in just 9 months.  He gets more independent every month, I know we have lots of fun stuff coming up to look forward to.

An update on Ryder’s left arm – he has been accepted into the Early Intervention program, so we should see some major improvements in the next few months!  They’re coming here in January to do a full evaluation of his development and from there will make a plan that will most likely include Occupational Therapy to get that arm strong & coordinated so that he’ll start using it.  He is so resilient, I look at everything he has gone through with such ease already in his short little life, so I know this obstacle is not going to hold him back one bit.  We’ll get him a little help, learn some things we can do with him at home, and I’m confident that he’ll bounce back from this with grace and ease, just like everything else that comes his way. 

His 9 month check-up with the Pediatrician is Wednesday, I’ll update with some stats after that!

Happy 9 months you beautiful little boy!

One Word Wednesday

**Winter**