It was a simple day; Justin worked on the house while Ryker and I entertained each other.
We spent the morning at the park, although he was only interested in playing with the bigger kids and had a hard time understanding why I wouldn't let him.
It became tortureous to keep telling him "no", so we finally picked up and went back home.
He was obviously exhaused and ready for a nap!
I picked him up and put him in bed for an hour and half nap. He woke up well rested and ready to play.
We spent the rest of the afternoon in the front yard chasing after Cosmo and making friends with the four-year old boy next door.
The day ended with a long bath (no more baby bath tub!).
Ryker's been taking steps, 2.. then 4..then 5..then he got up to 9. But we aren't counting the steps anymore. He's taking off clear across the house!
Still a little Frankenstein-like, because he walks with his hands out in front of him. But I think he's just being smart. He's protecting his face from the fall (because we have had some of those - there was a moment when I thought he lost a tooth).
Yay, Ryker! You are a toddler now! **Sniff** Where does the time go??
These last few weeks have been so stressful at work (more than usual). We work non-stop and reserve little to no work day for personal enjoyment. When I finally remove myself from my work for the day, I'm mentally exhausted (*sigh*)! However, (yes, there is a however), even when my brain can barely take another milligram of information or (god forbid) conversation, I arrive at Lovey's at the end of a loooooooooooong day and I am greeted with scenes such as these.
I have trouble recalling what I exactly was soooo stressed about? Wouldn't you?
My view from my bathroom (just feet!)
I can't believe my baby will be 6 months old next week! Where did the time go?
Somewhere between your 4 month and 5 month birthday your personality has emerged and you have become a little mister man! You are laughing, smiling and talking (gibberish of course, but we get it), rolling over, eating with a spoon and you are just about sitting up all by yourself.
You have grown out of your 3-6 months clothes and are in a whole new wardrobe, this in itself, is a daily treat! In fact, we need to go shopping for you some new digs soon!
You are holding yourself up like a big boy and are now able to enjoy toys more. Which can only mean one thing - Christmas in July! Me, Lovey and 3 buggies later, you are now the proud owner of more activity mats, walkers, jumpers, high chairs and interactive toys that you can handle.
You are becoming more and more alert and observant. When you were first born, Daddy would call you the 'ceiling inspector' because all you were interested in looking at was ceilings. But now, you follow peoples voices and notice when we have entered or left the room. You are also more aware of Cosmo, Luie and Parker. Cosmo doesn't pay a whole lot of attention to you unless you are crying but Luie sometimes hangs out with you on your activity mat and licks your toes.
We traveled a lot this month, so I haven't been blogging about your milestones play by play so bare with me as I recap some of this month's special moments...
(Dear Readers - prepare for a Ryker overload! I'm apologizing ahead of time.)
We've started feeding you cereal by spoon. You don't really enjoy this but it sure provides us with endless entertainment.
Another one of your fun walkers. (Thanks Karena and Kat!) We keep this one at Mam-ma's house so you have something to play with when you are there.
The jumper. You are going to LOVE this one. You can barely touch the floor right now, so you haven't quite figured out what this one is all about, but once you do I just know you will go to town. Especially since you love being bounced around, thrown into the air and shook from side to side.
You are all boy! You love hearing us sing "Ride a Pony, Ride a Pony..." because it usually entails us bouncing you up and down on our knee and almost dropping you at the end of the song. You think this is hilarious. I love hearing your giggle, it's the best sound in the world!
Well hello there, good looking. Posing in one of your cute outfits.
My favorite picture this month! Checking out your new floor mat. You are getting used to this new play area.
Here you are figuring out all of the toys on your activity mat. Really, you'd much prefer us hold you, but we have to insist you learn to entertain yourself. However, rather than doing laundry or washing bottles, we find ourselves watching you entertain yourself. Can we get a life?
Anxiously awaiting your meal by spoon. You are thrilled.
"You want me to eat what?"
Oh, those cheeks!! I love my sugars!
Come bath time you are worn out.
But, you love your baths and your sleep, so when you can sleep while taking a bath - well, that s just the ultimate ending to a great day!
On Saturday, Stephanie boarded her plane to Spain. She will be studying there for the next 6 weeks! Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?
Steph, Just knowing you are almost 5,000 miles away (it's right, I looked it up!) makes us miss you more than usual. I hope you are getting settled and enjoying your classes.
I know you really want to hear updates on Ryker, so here's a few things you missed...
1. On Sunday, Dad and I introduced Ryker to the pool! He was sporting his new swimming trunks and lots of sunscreen. Sorry, no pictures of the event. He didn't really like it at first but once he got accustomed to the water he settled down. I only kept him in the sun for about 15 minutes...baby steps!
2. Lately, he's been having a lot more to say! He's cooing and gurgling longer and louder. I love hearing his little voice. Still no giggles yet, but we are trying to be funnier!
3. You know how he's been looking for his thumb? Well, he found it! He can't quite pull it away from his other fingers, but it won't be long. We tried to capture it on camera, see below...
4. He is doing 360's in his crib. The other morning I found him with a whole leg hanging out his railing! I had taken the bumper pad off because I've been obsessing over the possibility of him suffocating in the cracks between the bumper and the mattress. (It's a new mom thing) To combat this problem I'm going to have to put the bumper back around the crib and put him in a sleep sack. This should keep him from moving around so much! He'll be crawling in no time.
5. Our little man loves his sleep - just like his daddy! He's been hitting the sack at 8pm and waking up somewhere between 6am and 8am. Nice! Especially for a working mom like me!
6. He's really enjoying the bumbo. I think he likes the new feeling of sitting up because he likes to be propped up in the corner of the sofa too. It won't be long before he's sitting up by himself. Such a big boy!
7. We found a new roll on his thigh. You are going to think he's gained so much by the time you see him! He's officially in 3mo's clothes now. Which is wonderful because we've been getting tired of seeing him his newborn outfits, right! He will be sporting a whole new wardrobe for our trip! Can you imagine all of the gear I'm going to have to pack just for him? I'm starting to make my list now!
8. I have been so freaked about Ryker being in the sun, even having him outside in the shade makes me nervous. Babies are fair, but let's be honest, Ryker is ghostly! Mom thinks I'm being a little over protective. But she did go and buy him a little wet suit and matching hat for the boat. It's so freakin' cute!
9. He loves his mobile! I lay him in his crib and it buys me at least 20 minutes. Even though most of the time I have to stick around and watch him because it's so cute. He kicks his feet and gets so excited watching it go around.
"Look Mom, I'm sitting up all by myself!"
Finding his thumb
Sitting up and sucking his thumb in his new outfit
Enjoying activity time
Ok, that's the gist of it. It's all Ryker, all the time over here!
Now, it's your turn! We want to hear all the chisme! (That's Spanish for scoop!) Take lots of pictures and be safe! We will be there before you know it! Estudia mucho y nos vemos pronto!
Our little roly poly can no longer take baths in the bathroom sink...to the big boy tub you go! He loves his baths, it's the cutest thing. If he's upset, all it takes is the sweet sound of the bath water and he becomes calm knowing soon he will be lounging at the baby spa. Once he's in, his facial expression doesn't change...it's pure relaxation. Such a hard life being a baby!
It became tortureous to keep telling him "no", so we finally picked up and went back home.
He was obviously exhaused and ready for a nap!
I picked him up and put him in bed for an hour and half nap. He woke up well rested and ready to play.
We spent the rest of the afternoon in the front yard chasing after Cosmo and making friends with the four-year old boy next door. 
The day ended with a long bath (no more baby bath tub!).
