6 Months

Ryder is 6 months old!  I can't believe it has been half a year.  How the time flies.  I am really trying to cherish each day and milestone.  

We thank God each day for such a healthy and happy little boy.  We could not be prouder of any other accomplishment to this date.  

- Ryder sleeps through the night almost every night.  

-Continues to eat Breat milk, with some solids

-has 2 bottom teeth

- responds to his name

-rolls over 

-loves to laugh

-coos and babbles

-sits up almost without toppling over

-gives mommy open mouth slobbery kisses

-pets his doggy

-pulls his kitts tail

-likes mommy's red cell phone

-smiles when he sees his daddy

-loves to sleep on his belly- no more swaddle

-likes walks outdoors

-likes to touch self and feet when mommy is changing diapers.  

-loves Logan's elmo doll

-love to stand and sway from side to side like dancing

I am sure there is much more I am forgetting, but wanted to list a few so I remember later.  

I love you to pieces Ryder!

Love mommy

The Boys

We had a great time in Peoria over the weekend. Ryder loved watching and playing with my friend Carissa's boys. Her youngest turned 2 on Saturday. We wished we could have stayed there longer. I continue to beg Kevin to move down there for good, but so far the begging is not working. Maybe I should try a different approach. I get so tired of being away from my family and best friend it hurts. Maybe someday............

The boys

Ryder fell asleep after a walk on Saturday

                                                                Happy 2 Years Brendan!

THE Bounce House- What fun

Birthday boy and some cake

So cute

Bryceton and Ryder

Silly picture-Ryder loves the boys

Staring at Carissa like little Cherrubs

A pic with all of Brendan's new toys

oh and yes I did jump in the bounce house...but almost peed my pants.  Not the best activity after recent childbirthing.  I had to jump with the kids.  What joy to act like your 5 again.  

Heading South Again

Ryder & I are heading down to Peoria tomorrow for the weekend. WE are going to celebrate my friends 2 year-old's birthday. I am looking forward to seeing my wonderful friend and her family. I also get the added bonus of seeing my nephew on Sunday when I head back home. Time with old and dear friends is so precious.



I found it kinda satisfying today when I returned home from my 12 hour work day to find Kevin more exhausted then me. He commenly asks what I do all day when I am home. He is quickly reminded and humbled every Thursday when he watches Ryder. However he soon forgets by Monday again. Stay at home mom's (SAHM's) do not get enough respect and credit. I have worked in some of the hardest jobs possible, and find staying home just as hard, and yet rewarding as some of the jobs I've done. Of course it is always different at the end of the work day and you get to go home. There is no such end to your day with parenting.

Hope to have some good pics after the weekend!

Grandpa T Visits

We had a nice visit with Ryder's Grandpa Thurston last week.  He came up from Atlanta, GA.  All the boys really enjoyed having him here.  I really missed Sandy (MiMi) who could not make it up this time.  She has to stay near home for her weekly treatments for M-myloma.  We hope and pray for remission.  

R & Grandpa T


R & Uncle Brian

The Thurston Boys

More Grandpa

PLease Pray....

Baby Stellan is having heart surgery tomorrow morning in Boston. After many medication attempts, surgery is inevitable. This surgery is very risky for his age. If you have a moment, please say a quick prayer for him, the doctors, and family. I can't imagine what this may be like for his parents.  

To learn more about Stellan's story Click story here.  

Another

Today was beautiful outside! One of my friends came over and we took a nice walk with the baby and Payton (Chubpie). I hope it continues.



It has been a busy week with a lot of family in town. Ryder's grandpa Thurston came here from Georgia. I hope to get some pics of them together tomorrow.




And the lazy bums I call my pets........what a life!





Lastly, I found another bottom tooth today. Right next to the first one. Our little guys is growing fast!

More RT & LB

Video of the 2 bonding





ELMO



I am still in pain from whatever I injested Easter Sunday......Praying it goes away soon. I don't get a break from my full time job. My boss (Ryder) doesn't allow for days off.

Easter Weekend

We had a great time at my brothers house over the weekend. We went to my grandparents in Decatur after church on Sunday. I ate something bad and currently am dealing with a foodborn illness. It is so painful. I had to stay home today it was so bad.

It was the best time watching Ryder and Logan play. Who needs entertainment with two babies to watch.

Ryder fell in love with Logan's Elmo doll



Ryder & Logan








Ryder and his Greatgrandmother "Anneliese" Sims



With my mom and grandma


Ryder & his Grandpa Bowman


Uncle Jesse stold Ryder's hat

My Nephew Logan

QT Pie

We are back from central IL, but I have some foodborn illness. It is awful! So I will post Easter pics when better.

Heading South

Ryder and I are heading south to central IL to visit family for Easter Weekend. We are really sad that Kevin won't be coming. He had to work and take care of our pets. We will miss him, but are really excited about seeing family.

I will be sure to post plenty of pics when I return of Ryder and Logan. I hope for some really cute ones. Ryder will also be meeting his only great grandparents for the first time. We will be driving our new family car that we purchased this week. Its a nice, big 7 passanger crossover. Guess Kevin and I need to get busy and have some more kids to fill it up.

Happy Easter Weekend All!!!!!!!!

First Tooth & Updates

The first tooth has finally poked through the bottom gumline. This confirms my suspicions from this weekends crabbiness. Ryder is back to his smiley self and laughing more daily. I just love it! I do not have a good pic of the tooth. It barely shows and he gets angry when I try too get a peek. One down.


What an Angel

Ryder is stiitng up with assistance now. He can sit indepedently at times, but easliy topples over.

He is doing a half crawl. I need to get a video of this. He scoots backwards and sideways. It is so funny. I leave the room and he will move 3 feet. I think he will be fully crawling by May. It is time to start safety proofing the house. Did I mention he hardly sits still. He flipped over in his swing the other day while I was in the room. He was face down. Can you imagine that? I quickly intervened. I never leave him unbuckled when I leave his sight.

Sleep is going well. Most nights he sleeps 8 to 10 hours. We have departed from swaddling in the past week. What a big boy!

Ryder is getting adjusted to me leaving him twice a week. He loves spending time with his daddy one day a week, and then loves the kids at day care the other day. I am also enjoying being back at work around adults and very defiant children. It is actually a good break at times to be at work.

I have started giving Ryder rice cereal for dinner this week everynight. He likes it ok mixed with mommy's milk. I tried to feed him cereal last month a couple times, but felt he was not ready. So we are officially starting now. What a messy piggy he is. I will introduce oatmeal cereal on Sunday and see if he likes that.

As you can see, Ryder is doing fantastic and growing rapidly. He will turn 6 months at the end of April. How times flies!