Jump, Jump, Jump Around!!

Ryder has learned how to jump in his Jumperoo and loves it!! :)



Friends for a Lifetime

I have been so blessed to have a group of friends that I've kept since middle school and some even from elementary school, and while we've had our ups and downs, graduations, weddings, babies, moves across the country, etc. we have remained friends over the years, and I'm so thankful for these special women!! This past Saturday we got to get together again to celebrate Kristin's second baby. It was such a special thing to be together again!


Emily Atkins, me, Ryder, Hannah Reitz, Kristin McQuiddy (Levi), Rebekah Hellkamp, Heidi, and Ashley Apjok 2012

So many memories and so many miles
the road that stretches behind us
We've had some laughter and our share of tears
But all these moments unite us

Kristin, me, Ashley, Rebekah, Emily, and Hannah - NC Zoo Field Trip 1997

I'll be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season
Won't walk away in the hard times
I will be your friend
I'm saying I will be your friend

Emily, Rebekah, Sarah, me, Hannah, Kristin, and Ashley - D.C. Field Trip 1999

Sure as the river runs to the sea

High as the mountain that reaches
You were there by my side till the end
(and) helped me on my feet again

Kristin, me, Emily, Hannah, Ashley, Rebekah, and Sveta - Sprit Week 2000

I'll be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season
Won't walk away in the hard times
I will be your friend
I'm saying I will be your friend

Senior Year 2002

So in the valley walk on

Don't have to face it alone
Cause in the hard times
We keep growing strong
As we learn, as we live
That we live when we give

Lisa, Sarah, Ashley, me, Hannah, Emily, and Rebekah - My Wedding 2007

I'll be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season
Won't walk away in the hard times
I will be your friend
I'm saying I will be your friend

Hannah, Ashley, Maggie, Martha, Kristin (Haley), Rebekah, Titus, Emily, and me - Kristin's 1st Baby Shower 2009

*Please don't hate me for posting these! I couldn't resist!! :)

A Father's Love

One of my favorite things about becoming a parent is watching Tyler become a daddy! He's a natural! He and Ryder share such a special bond between one another, and it makes my heart melt each time I watch them together. I've heard some women say that they'd never found their husband more attractive than when they saw their husband's playing with their children. I thought it was interesting but didn't truly understand what they meant until now. I have always loved Tyler, but now that he is the father of our child, I love him even more! I love to watch the way they play together and laugh at one another, it's such a joy to see them spending time together. Tyler's such a good daddy, and Ryder loves Tyler so much. His face breaks into a huge smile every day when Tyler comes in from work. It's such a neat thing to see. Last week we were in an accident, and Tyler's first thought was Ryder's safety. Rather than getting out of the car and checking the damage at the back of the car, Tyler's first reaction was to check on Ryder. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Tyler would lay down his life to protect Ryder, and that love is so amazing!

What's even more amazing is that each time I watch Tyler and Ryder interact, I think of another Father's love. As much as Tyler and I love Ryder (which is a whole bunch!!), God loves him even more. When we talk about how we made this sweet boy, I remember that God actually knit him together in my womb. I love that God has a purpose and plan for his life already, and that God delights in Ryder like Tyler and I take delight in him. I'm so thankful that Ryder has the example of his own father's love to help him one day know and understand God's love for him as his Heavenly Father. Daddy's are so incredibly important in a child's life, and Ryder is so blessed to have a wonderful daddy like Tyler who loves him so much!

"How deep the Father's love for us. How vast beyond all measure. That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom!"

Ryder's Half Birthday

I know I say it in every monthly update, but I just can't get over how fast time seems to be flying by! I can't believe Ryder has been part of our family for half a year now. While it's hard to imagine life without him, it's amazing to me how quickly our world has changed! A friend told me that while life would never get back to the normal before having a baby, there would be a new normal that we would settle into that was so much better, and I have to say she was right! I love that there are fingerprints on every mirror in the house, that Tyler and I find ourselves making sound effects while doing everyday tasks to make Ryder laugh, even when he's not around, and that my living room is filled with Ryder's toys. But most of all I love seeing my sweet boy's smile first thing in the morning and the sound of his adorable laugh! Life as I knew it may never be the same again, but life with Ryder has been the best change of my life!

So on to some updates on Ryder this month...

Ryder has had some very exciting firsts this month! We went on our first family road trip to Asheville, NC. We're sad to say that Tyler's grandfather passed away suddenly at the end of January, but we are so thankful that Ryder got to meet him shortly before Christmas and that we have some great pictures of the two of them together! Ryder was a great little traveler and handled the interruptions to his schedule like a champ! We are just so thankful we were able to be there with Tyler's family during this time of loss.

Ryder watched his first Super Bowl with daddy, but unfortunately, this little Patriots fan did not see his team get a victory this year.

Ryder also sent his first Valentine to his friend, Waverly, in TN. We're hoping that one day these two will get to meet in person, but for now they get to be little pen pals!

We also had our first snow since Ryder was born and our only snow this winter! It may have only lasted a day and a half, but there were about 5.5" and it was fun to let Ryder discover the cold, wet stuff, although he wasn't too excited about it and only lasted about ten minutes outside. But we finally got to use one of his three snowsuits from friends and family (I guess they were hoping we'd get lots of snow!). But it was so nice to see some snow, if only for a brief time!

Ryder also has learned to sit up all by himself! He now loves sitting on the blanket and playing with his toys! It's fun to watch him explore and figure out how to get a hold of the toys he wants.

Ryder also started eating solids! We started with rice cereal and have now tried sweet potatoes and carrots. So far Ryder is a huge fan of solids and gets so excited when he sees us pull out his high chair and the bowl and spoon to feed him. He's definitely a good little eater!

Clearly, we're still working on table manners... :)

He's also quite the little entertainer and a very happy baby! He wakes up cooing and playing, and it's unusual for him to get fussy unless he's extremely sleepy. He blows raspberries and laughs when he's happy, and growls and arches his back when he's excited about something, especially when he sees Boston and tries to pet him! Boston is warming up to Ryder too!

All in all, life with Ryder is filled with laughter and smiles! We couldn't love this little boy more!

 

Wordless Wednesday on Thursday because it's just been that kind of week!