The Harden Household: One Month Old...My How Time Flies!

Well, Ryder is officially one month old now! Somehow, mommy, daddy, Ryder and Boston all survived! There were definitely a few days there when I wasn't quite sure if we would, but thanks to a lot of prayer and a lot of support, encouragement, and help from Nana, Mawmaw, and friends from church, we made it to the one month mark! Ryder is now feeling much better thanks to our doctor sending out a prescription for his silent reflux. Poor Ryder had some rough days there for a while until we figured out what was wrong, but now he is able to sleep and get his tummy full when he eats! Mommy and Daddy are so glad to have a happy baby again!

We've all been learning quite a bit too! Daddy learned how to change diapers, although he must wear gloves each time and still worries that he might get sprayed at anytime! Mommy has learned how to eat, type, and do many other things with one hand! Boston has learned to share his attention with Ryder, although he does try to climb up on the couch beside us when Ryder's eating, and he is learning to allow people to come visit Ryder, except for the mail lady whom he seems to harbor a deep-seated hatred for, not sure why... We've also learned how to swaddle, distinguish Ryder's cries, plan around a baby schedule, and thrive on much less sleep than we had before Ryder arrived. :)

Some things that Ryder has accomplished at this point are learning to take naps without someone holding him, although mommy still tends to hold him for as long as she can. He also tends to fight his sleep at times, but he's learning to take a paci and he even knows to put his hand over it to hold it in. He can hold his head up for a minute or more at a time. He's beginning to coo and talk to his mobile. And he recognizes mommy and daddy's voices. He is becoming more OK with being swaddled, but he still manages to break free of it some nights! He's not a fan of the swing yet or laying on his back for very long or having to take a break from eating to burp or getting a bath, but he sure loves being talked to, sang to, and cuddling with mommy and daddy! Oh and did I mention eating?! :)

our little escape artist

Some of his other favorite things are sleeping in his Rock and Play sleeper.

Watching the lights and toys on his mobile or play mat.

It's exhausting work to be a newborn!

Sucking on his fingers.

And best of all staring at the lights while sitting in mommy or daddy's arms! Notice that I didn't say laying in our arms because Ryder likes to sit up and look out and around or lay up on our chests. We think this has a little bit to do with the reflux, but I can't wait until he can sit in his bumpo seat and look around!!