Little Man is Growing!

It has been a LONG time since I last posted. Ryker is doing great! He is growing so fast. At his four month checkup, his stats were: 15 lb. 7.2 oz, 24 5/8 in long. He is currently in the 88-Percentile for his age group! I can't believe how fast he is growing both intellectually and physically. Ryker has figured out how to pull his knees under him and slightly move his arms to scoot forward. Its slow movements, but he learned it quickly. He has two little nubs on his bottom gums and the drooling has now become super drool. He reaches for his toys and immediately pulls them to his mouth. He has figured out that if he shrieks I will look at him to figure out what is wrong.

We have a walker for Ryker to play in so that I can have my arms free when it comes time to cook dinner or clean around the house. He figured out this week how to move his legs and feet so that he can get around. His long red hairs on top of his cute little head, fell out. But now he has adorable baby fuzz growing that is currently about 1/2 in long. Still has blue eyes, and super white skin! Ryker is very particular about who is holding him, and he gets bored really easily! If his little legs aren't holding him up in a standing position, they are kicking away. He is also quite the roller. He loves to roll onto his belly and then his back to get off the blankets.

Ryker is also a pet person. Oh... and a lefty! He loves to see Suki and Sadie, and he always reaches for them if they come in range. We are pretty sure that he is a lefty because that seems to be his dominate hand. I know that as he gets bigger, his preference might change, or he will become more skilled with his right. but we'll just have to see!

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Mister Smiles in his walker.

Little Man ready for bed.

"See Mommy... I can do it!"

Sitting outside on his favorite back porch!

My little stink bug. 

Bath time.

"I tried to sit up, but then I fell over."

Ryker also got to experience his first road trip! In July we made a quick trip to Utah to show him off. He got his shots the morning of our long drive and he did really well for the whole 19 hour drive. He loved to meet everyone, but had a few days where he got overwhelmed with all the new faces, and those nights, he would only let me comfort and hold him.

He is such a wonderful addition to our family and I love to see his cute toothless smile every morning!

Busy Life

Having Ryker in our life has been such a wonderful blessing! He is so cute and fun, and he just started smiling and making cute little baby noises. He still goes through a lot of diapers a day and sleeps pretty frequently. However, at night it never seems like enough sleep. He is now almost 10 lbs, and over 22 inches. He still has red hair and beautiful blue eyes.

It was so sad having to move his newborn clothes from the dresser to the box of clothes he's grown out of. But I know I'll have to do it even more as the days go by. Ryker loves to be outside! Sometimes the best way to calm him down is to step out the back door with Sadie and sit on the back porch. Ryker knows when his belly is empty, and he lets us know right away that he wants something in it.

Breastfeeding is going really well! Some days we struggle with latching, but for the most part, it is nearly painless now. I have a great support group through the WIC program, at church, family, and the La Leche League. It helps me to know that we weren't the only ones that struggled at first!

My incision sight has healed very well. It looks like a little pink pencil line. The doctor has cleared me for all normal physical activity and light exercise until my muscles start to build back up. I do have a little bubble of scar tissue that has formed over a suture knot, so I can't do sit ups or crunches for 4 more weeks. I've already lost all of the pregnancy weight, I just wish I could lose the extra skin! I joke all the time about looking like a deflated albino zebra.

Having a newborn is super busy! Between your naps, their naps, diaper changes, and feedings, it is very difficult to find the time to get the housework done. I'm so glad that I have an understanding husband.

Weeks Three and Four

Ryker is doing amazing! he has njow gained about nine ounces since leaving the hospital. We are using the help of a lactation consultant to get breastfeeding down. We are both struggling with the latch, but we are learning together! He has grown out mof his first outfit. the very first outfit he ever wore. He has started cooing a little more and responding better when we talk to him.

Today he gets to meet his Grandma Lori! He likes to wake up and look around early in the morning. We are working on establishing a routine.