1st Year Photos

We were lucky enough to have two incredibly talented photographer friends take pictures of Ryder for us.  Ryder wasn't feeling very smiley the day we met up with Nicole (www.nicolelogginsphotography.com), but she managed to capture many of his everyday expressions and postures.

Scott (www.scottpereira.com) also managed to snag some great shots.  The cradle was made by a family friend when I was born.

Cake Smashes

Ryder had two birthday cake smashes.  This first one was actually part of a first-year photo shoot.  He was curious, but was also quite cautious about actually eating the cake.  He was so intent he didn't crack even one smile!

Later that week we had a little party underneath our tree.

Although the cake was still approached with utmost care (both times I had to smear a bit on his lips to get him going), he quickly remembered this was supposed to be fun.

Celebrations

We spent Ryder's first birthday at Disneyland.  It was a perfect way for our little family to celebrate.

Letter to my Baby: Week 52

 September 20, 2011

Dear Ryder

Here we are:  You are now 1 year old.  You are 21 lbs 14 oz (50%) and 30.5 inches (30%).  Your big ole’ noggin is still in the 97%, but is on the growth curve, so no worries.  We get comments daily about your flyaway blond hair and your big, beautiful blue eyes.  You have 5 teeth, an adorable grin and a deep laugh.  Your daddy and I will do almost anything to make you smile and giggle.  You are so woven into our lives that it is hard to remember what life was like before we became a family of three.  

As with all your other weeks and months, this month has been exciting with all your growing and changing.  You are now both crawling and cruising.  You love to pull up on furniture and practice walking across it.  Sometimes, when you are feeling brave, you will try to cruise using only the wall or cabinets for support.  You also have different speeds of crawling, our favorite is what we call “attack speed”:  You crawl as fast as you can, often with accompanying babble to let us know you are working on coming.  You love to chase balls around the house.  You also love it when daddy chases you, although you don’t quite understand that you are supposed to try to get away.  

You have some favorite things that you like to do every day with Momma and Daddy.  One of those things is going outside to blow bubbles.  You like to watch the bubbles and try to catch them, but mostly you love dipping the wand in and out of the bottle over and over until you are all wet and sticky with bubble liquid.  You like your baths, and afterwards will listen to every word of your favorite book “I Love You Stinky Face.”  You also still love your blanket and rub it over your face and grip its ridges as you drink your bottle and go to sleep.  

Your motor skills continue to improve.  This month you learned that you can put objects inside of other objects.  You love to try to fit toys into things like the laundry baskets, and with some help, can put shapes into the right holes.  You also initiate games, things like “peek-a-boo” and get so pleased when we figure out that you are trying to play and join in.  

You also have learned how to clap.  You also sign “more” by clapping.  Sometimes we aren’t sure if you really want more of something or if you are just very excited.  Either way, your antics make us laugh and you love joining in the fun.

It astounds me that a whole year has now come to an end.  You have changed my heart, filling up space that I didn’t even know existed.  I love you and am humbled and honored to be your Momma.

Happy 1st Birthday.

Momma

Letter to my Baby: Week 47

Week 47:  August 20th

Dear Ryder,

We are up to 11 months!  It is so much fun to watch you learn and grow.  Almost every day we notice new things you are doing and see more of your personality emerge.  

This month you and I took a trip to UT to see your Granni, Poppa, Auntie Maren and cousins.  Because Momma spent some time with some of her old friends, we didn’t get very many pictures while you were there.  You had a great time though playing with all your family, and they had a great time loving you.  

You are figuring out all kinds of new and exciting things to do with your toys.  We have some soft blocks that have different shapes cut out of the middle with parts that slide in and out.  You have figured out how to manipulate the shapes and are so proud of yourself when you get it right.  You are very good with your fine motor skills and it has been so interesting for daddy and momma to watch you learn.   

You have also starting signing “all done” when you have finished with your food.  Of course, you also show us you are all done by dropping each piece of uneaten food on the floor.  Momma is not always thrilled about the mess this makes, although you seem to think it is pretty funny.

You have become very proficient at pulling up on the furniture, although for about a week you were not so great at getting back down.  After you were done standing, you would cry until I came and helped you sit back down.  You were just a little afraid of letting go and falling to the ground.  Eventually you figured it out, you just had to do it in your own time.

Your daddy and I have noticed that you are a very meticulous little being.  You are a little timid about new situations and trying new things.  You seem to need some time to study out the situation and figure things out for yourself.  However, once you have all figured out, there is no stopping you!  You are a little stranger shy, and like to be held while you smile from the safety of our arms.  You cry when daddy leaves for work and when momma drops you off with Kristen, our friend who watches you when momma works.  It is hard to see you sad, although you cheer up quickly when you realize that there are still people around to love you.  You also get jealous if momma or daddy holds another baby, insisting that we pick you up right away.  It is so funny to see you demand our attention and stake your claim on us!

You are getting to be more and more vocal.  You babble to yourself all day long, little happy “bababa’s” or “dada’s”  You like it when daddy or I mimic you, and sometimes you even mimic our tone or inflection.  You point to things you want or reach up for daddy or I to hold you.  You are also much more loud when I situation does not please you.  “mamama” is your upset sound, usually as you come crawling to me in order to be held.  You have recently decided that you don’t like having your diaper change, and make a game out of trying to escape as soon as we have taken off the dirty diaper.  You get very angry at us when we hold onto your legs so you can’t get away.  

Only one more month until you are a year.  How fast this time is going!  Momma wishes she were better at writing.  I hope that I’ve managed through these letters to capture a little of the magic of watching you grow.

I love you sweetpea!

Momma