18 Months of Ryder

Wow, not is it only hard to believe that my BABY is 18 months, its incredible to think of how fast those 18 months have flown by. Ryder still seems so little to me. So much more little at this age than Brody was and yet, he's not. I mean, I was pregnant with Ryder when Brody was this age. I was preparing Brody for the arrival of a sibling, and I cannot even FATHOM Ryder being an older brother yet. He just needs me so much it seems. I don't know if he's prepared for sharing me with a baby.

Ryder had his 18 month check-up a couple weeks ago, and things are going great. He weighed 27.6 lbs and measured 33 inches tall. This puts him in the 70% for his age. Although Brody was only about a half inch shorter and a few ounces less than this at 18 months, he had really started to average out, and Ry still seems to be growing at an above average rate. Ryder's head is measuing smaller than Brody's did though, but it is proportionate to his body.


When we only had one kid, it seemed we rarely had sickness, but for one reason or another once we added Ry to the family we have had sickness quite a bit. This winter was no exception. We've had more than our fair share and haven't ever been really able to fully shake it. When we went to this wellness check-up and they were examining Ryder he had the start of an ear infection. This was a first for us. Trevor, Brody, and I have NEVER had an ear infection in our lives! The Dr. seemed to think Ry probably only got his because we have had so much sickness going around that he was never able to fully get better. Bring on the antibiotics (also a first for us)!

Some things to know about our 18 month old Ryder. He still really isn't saying much. In English that is. He talks quite a lot in his own language! Does that count? We swear he is TRYING to say things like shoes, teeth, ball, and ears.....but it is only when he wants to, and thats not very often. He continues to enjoy food and out-eating his big brother. His eating habits are becoming more finnicky though. He will love something one day and refuse to eat it for weeks after. Ryder looks more and more like his big brother. Just in the past week alone, we have had multiple people ask if they are twins. There is a height difference and Ry usually had a pacifier in his mouth so I don't know how anyone can think that they are the same age?!

Ryder has always been a momma's boy, but is becoming more and more attached to his dad these days. He'll crawl up on Trev while we are watching tv and night and just nestle in the crook of his arm. He even gets really ticked if Brody gets in "his spot" with daddy.

Ry is pretty funny. If I say he's crazy, or he's driving me crazy he'll just laugh. He loves to do just about anything that exercises his defiance towards us or rules. He laughs when we get mad. It gets to be pretty taxing when your 18 month old just laughs at you, it means that nothing you say or do is of any consequence. I have a whole theory on second born children.....

Brody is becoming more of a friend and someone to follow for Ry. If Brody does it, so does Ryder...or he TRIES. If Brody thinks something is funny, Ryder will keep doing it just to entertain Brody (can we say future class clown? I think, yes....poor teachers.....poor us....). If Brody gets hurt, Ryder will purposely head butt the wall or something so that I can kiss his owie better too.

He loves balls, cars and trucks, dirt, playing with Brody, animals (weird because we don't have any), aunts/uncles/grandparents, and his blanket. He isn't cautious or afraid of much. He is a handful, wonderful, adventurous, loving, and the cause of a few gray hairs on my head!