2 Months

Ryder is 2 months old today. This kid is fat! And kind of short.

12 lbs 1 oz (50th%)
22 inches (25%)


It really is unbelievable how it is possible to love human being as much as you love your child. Then you have another one and you love that one just as much. Miraculous.

Ryder is such a good baby. He is really laid back, will sleep anywhere and through ANYTHING. Literally. Yell in his ear, he doesn't care. He has slept through the night 2 times now, but then went back to waking up once. It is a lot harder to keep him on a consistent routine because our life is much busier now. When I was home with just Charlotte, the world revolved around her nap schedule. Ryder has to deal with napping on the go. Sometimes I feel really guilty about this (because I feel guilty about everything) but then I realize he is happy and growing and well loved. So he doesn't get to nap in his crib all day, life could be a lot worse.

We are starting to get huge smiles from him, which of course completely melts my heart. Charlotte loves to get right in his face and say, "pile brother." (Smile)

I love watching them interact. It's just the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

A few days ago, Ryder was in his bouncy seat on the table and I went in the other room to get my shoes. I hear Charlotte yell, "uh-oh! Brother puke! Brother puke!" I come back into the dining room, and sure enough, there is puke everywhere. On the seat, the table, the floor. He exploded.  I asked Charlotte what she did and she said, "I bounced him. Not soft." At least she's honest.

He eats like a champ, clearly. He stays pretty consistent to his 3 hour schedule, with a little 2.5-3.5 hour windows here and there.

He goes to sleep so easily. When he gets tired, he lets out a little "wah." Wrap him up and put him in his cradle and he drifts off to sleep. He will also sleep in the Moby wrap, or just in my arms. So nice to not have a fussy sleeper (yet).

Because everyone needs a headband at breakfast

One month

Two Months

One Month

 Two Months

Wrapping up Summer

You wouldn't know it by looking at the thermometer, but summer is actually coming to an end. The familiar giggles and yells of kids walking past our house on their way to school is a tell-tale sign that it's time to get ready for fall.

What an incredible summer we had. I spent the first half soaking up my time as a mother of one. Charlotte and I went on daily adventures to the lake, pool, park, playdates. Anything that sounded fun (and tiring) we did!  I am so thankful we had that opportunity to spend so much quality time together. 

Right before Ryder's arrival, we spent a week in Little Rock with family. Charlotte's cousin is 2 days younger than her and they had an absolute blast playing together for the week. It was so much fun to see them getting to know each other. It was also nice to travel with only one child :)

After we got back from Little Rock, it was time to get ready for Ryder. Since I had done NOTHING in preparation for him, I had to scramble to get everything in order. Though, in reality, there was very little to be done.

We got the carseat installed, the cradle set up, and 2 weeks later, welcomed Ryder Michael into our family.

Fast forward almost 7 weeks and things have really settled in. Ryder is the most wonderful addition to our family. Charlotte absolutely adores him, and of course I'm smitten.

As far as his personality goes, it's still a little early to tell, but he seems pretty laid back so far. He sleeps through anything, because telling an almost 2 year old to be quiet is like trying to clean your desk while a fan blows on it. Just never going to happen.

At first, Jeremy and I thought he wasn't going to be as good of a sleeper as Charlotte, but he might prove us wrong after all. At 6 weeks and a few days, he dropped a night feed. Meaning, he sleeps from 7:30-7 with one feeding around 2. It seems like the early morning grunting has subsided and we are all feeling much more rested. 

His typical day is: Eat, play for about 15 minutes (Making about an hour of awake time), sleep (1.5-2 hours). Both kids go to bed at 7:30.

Ryder is up early, I feed him, bathe him, play with him and get him down for his first nap before I get Charlotte up. This is working really well because it gives me some one-on-one time with her in the mornings.

We try to do our activity for the day after Ryder's second feeding, which is around 10. Then, home for lunch and nap and whatever the evening has in store.

Charlotte's best friend just turned 2 and she has been singing Happy Birthday non-stop ever since. 

Her newest phrase is, "I need." She said to me the other day, "Mommy, I hungey, I need a snack." 

She is getting a little bossy, but luckily this is usually directed at the dog. "Abbey, move! On your bed!" She is determined and focused, which is not a huge surprise.

Incredibly blessed to be raising my babies with such wonderful friends

A quick visit from Uncle Mill and Aunt Renee 

Love to see them playing together

Auntie!

As good as gold

Hat!

The girls were much more enthusiastic about hat making than the boys

Daddy and his sleeping boy

My 2 favorite small people