Eighteen Months

Ryder turned 18 months on the same day Finn turned 3 and I can't even believe how fast time is flying! It is so hard to look at Ryder and know that Finn turned 18 months on the day that he was born. Ryder still seems like my little baby, and I think that's because there isn't a newborn in the picture like last time.

Our sweet, Ryder boy, you are So. Much. Fun!! Your constant crinkle-nosed smiles and giggles always keep us smiling. Even at 5:30 in the morning- which brings me to the next thing. You still like waking up well before the sun- 5 or 5:30 to be exact. On a good day, you can make it to 6. Because of this, you go to bed between 6:30 and 7. Common sense would say that we should just keep you up later at night, but that seems to make you only wake up even earlier. It's ok, though. One of these days, you will be a teenager sleeping until noon. But really, even 6:30 would be a dream right now.

You're still our tiny little peanut at 21lbs. You wear size 4 diapers and size 18mo-2T clothes- most of which are still hand-me-downs from that big brother of yours.

You talk all the time, but to get your point across you still point and make loud frantic noises. Finn seems to understand what you're saying most of the time and that makes you really happy.

Your love for being outside seems to grow more and more. As soon as daddy gets home, you run up to him and point to the door. You love playing with balls (all of them), pushing the toy mower, pulling the wagon and riding in the toy car. Most of all, you really love doing everything that Finn does. Until he wants to do what you're doing and then you cry and let him know how you feel. You're starting to hold your own pretty well if he takes a toy from you. Most of the time, he tries to give you something else to play with, but you're starting to not fall for it anymore. Regardless of how you fight sometimes, you are absolutely obsessed with Finn and it makes this mama's heart so happy.

You love to eat, but are definitely my picky little guy. Breakfast is still your jam, because you usually eat it twice- once when you wake up and then again when Finn wakes up. You somewhat enjoy lunch and tolerate dinner- unless it's pasta or hotdogs. You would eat your weight in pasta, hotdogs, baked beans and strawberries. Here are some pics from the past three months.

You still love any and all stuffed animals. All of yours have wet noses, because you carry them around in your mouth. You love running from one end of the couch to the other and diving face first on the pillows.

One of our early morning chats.

And sometimes I forget your pants.

You sleep with both hands behind your head and we think it's just about the cutest thing ever.

You are starting to like church a little bit more. But you really like when Finn holds your hand and walks you to your class.

Another 5AM banana.

By 3:30, you usually look like this. So do I.

Now that Finn goes to school two days a week, we get special one on one time that we've really never gotten since you've been born.

We've officially entered your second football season.

You love watching the neighbors' yard crew.

And you don't really love your brother's hand me down turtle Halloween costume.

The puppy is way more your style.