Ryder's 1st Easter

Here are some favorites from our outdoor photo shoot!

Photography 101

Andrew and I made our first big purchase for ourselves since Ryder was born: a new camera! Our other one was nice enough when we used it once in a while, but now that we take pictures nearly every day, we wanted something higher quality. My request was that we get a camera with a high enough shutter speed so that I wouldn't have to delete nearly every picture taken because Ryder decided to move when I pressed the button. Andrew did a little research and turned to his dad for advice, and on Friday we purchased our new "toy". We're having fun experimenting with it! We plan to do an Easter photo shoot outside this afternoon once Andrew mows, but here are some pictures we've taken with it so far.

Overalls 3G

Now that Ryder is wearing 6-month clothes, he fits into the overalls that both Pops and Daddy wore once upon a time. He seemed proud to be the 3rd generation to wear them! :)

I snuck into his room to take this picture because he looked so adorable!

awake and feeling refreshed!

Chatterbox

Here's a short clip of Ryder "talking" during playtime.

Our little marionette

Yet another online purchase made by Andrew: a hammock-style jumper for Ryder. We hung it from the ceiling in our family room, and so far Ryder likes to just hang there like a little puppet.

Nope, he didn't blink when I took the picture. He was so relaxed he fell asleep!!

"Oh My!"

For some reason, these are the two words that make Ryder giggle! We made the discovery last night when Andrew was getting Ryder ready for his bath. As always, Ryder was lying on our bed in his diaper having a little one-on-one time with Daddy--this involves cooing and silly faces out of both of them. Ryder "said" something to Andrew, and Andrew responded, "Oh my!' Whether it was Andrew's facial expression or tone of voice, who knows. Ryder let out a great big laugh, so of course I told Andrew to do it again (and again and again), hoping we'd get the same reaction. Yep! This morning when I was changing a rather yucky diaper, I looked at Ryder and said his favorite phrase. More giggles! :) I was enjoying his reaction so much that I didn't even think to reach for the camera--I didn't want to miss a single, adorable smile. Maybe this afternoon I can get him in action when he's "visiting" with Andrew.

A lesson in patience

This afternoon the three of us headed to the pediatrician's office for Ryder's 4-month checkup. His appointment was at 3:45, but we didn't get seen until almost 5:00. This didn't make for a very fun afternoon--I had one whiny, fussy boy on my hands. Ryder, on the other hand, was fine! :) Andrew decided that if doctors' offices were judged on customer service, they would all be out of business. He hates waiting; it didn't help that he woke up just in time to go with me to the appointment, but since the doctor was running behind it ate into his free time before he had to leave for work for the night. Thankfully Ryder got another glowing report, which made the wait worthwhile!

weight: 16.6 lbs.
length: 25 inches (The doctor thinks he looks longer than this, so the nurse may have been off a bit with her measurements. It's hard to get the little guy to lie perfectly straight!)


Ryder got the same vaccines this time as he did at his 2-month checkup, but that didn't make it any easier to hold him still while the nurse gave him the shots. I hate when my baby is sad (or mad!) enough to cry real tears. :(

Next scheduled doctor visit--> 6 months (end of June)

While waiting for the doctor, I thought I'd kill some time by taking a picture of Ryder in his diaper and hat. It looked like a "beachy" outfit to me. 

Some playtime pictures from earlier today...

"Hmmm...what's on TV?"

"Yum, these play keys are delicious!"

"Let's see how these rings taste."

"Toys AND toes!"