Two and A Half

Our sweet, soon-to-be middle baby boy turned two and a half the same day Finn turned four, so I didn't want to let too much time go by before posting this. Ryder. Rydee. Rydee Bear. Tiny tubs. You are our sweet, funny, free-dancing, pancake-loving baby boy. The way you smile with all of your teeth and your eyes get really big when you're excited about something might be one of my favorite things ever. You definitely have more of an introverted personality like me, but you are absolutely obsessed with your big brother who brings out your high energy spunk.

You love to play outside, but are also the first to come in on your own when you're too hot or sweaty or hungry (also from me). You love playing with "choo choo's", kicking balls, doing puzzles, coloring, looking at books and watching Mickey Mouse or Daniel Tiger.

Within the past 6 months, we started using your light-up clock which has been a life-saver for all of us. Before it, you would consistently wake up by 5:30 everyday. With it, you now sleep until 7:15 (it's a miracle). You're our little creature of habit (also mommy) and eat a "wogurt cup" every morning and usually ask for strawberry. But breakfast is also still your favorite meal so you usually end up eating yogurt, a waffle, cereal or anything else you see mommy or daddy eat. I'm pretty positive you could eat a dozen doughnuts if we let you. You came close at Finn's birthday party and the result was not good. Along with doughnuts, you've never met a muffin, cupcake, cookie or bread you didn't like (also mommy). You typically eat lunch and really only tolerate dinner unless it's noodles or hot dogs.

You love going to church and playing in your Waumba Land class and are always eager to show us the craft you made. You're not in school yet, but every time we drop brother off, you ask if we're going to "my cass" next, so I'm pretty sure you would love it if we sent you. I do love our mornings together while brother is as school, because I get to watch you try and decide what you want to play without big brother telling you what we're doing next. You're also pretty easy to tote around and run with errands too.

You love story time at the library and music class a church nearby. You loved going to the pool this summer and really love the animals at the zoo. As soon as mama is able to walk again and the temp drops below 90, we will certainly be back.

You love airplanes, diggers, trains and the trash truck. You love going to the "pay-gowand" (playground). You love when daddy does something silly with loud noises and usually ask to "tye agin" (try again). You are just smitten with Finn and call him "bubber". You both can fight all day long, but when it comes to trying to separate you two, you refuse to play in another room away from him. You are each other's best friend and it's so fun to watch your little interactions where you both say something and then bust out laughing- usually something I don't even understand.

You do seem to have your mommy's patience and can get easily frustrated when something or someone isn't doing what you want. This usually brings out some hitting or yelling and while, not appropriate at all, it's pretty hard to keep from laughing to see so much aggression come out of something so small.

You are our tiny little guy at just 26lbs, but pack a whole lot of energy and fun into a tiny little frame. We just love you to pieces, Ryder boy and it is such a joy to be your mommy and daddy!