9 months old with bumps & bruises to prove it

Ryker is 9 months old today! It is weird to think that he has been a part of our family for the same amount of time that I carried him inside me (well since he was 4 days past due, this is technically a false statement). Ryker is such a HUGE part of our lives and the center of our family. From the moment that we found out we were expecting we have loved him. There have not been many conversations or moments that I have not thought about or talked about this special little boy. I am amazed at how time passes so quickly and how much Ryker seems to change and develop on a daily basis. Here are the things that Ryker has done so far this past month (most of which makes me laugh).

1- He is crawling everywhere, and he is very fast at it now.

2- He is getting into everything! I can't count the number of times he has pinched his fingers in doors or drawers (not today :) ).

3- He found a short cut, yes that is right. He realized that he can crawl in between the couch and the side table and end up in the hallway. One day the couch was just a little too close to the table and he got stuck. His cute little bum was too big to fit and then he couldn't sit down or turn around. He started to cry and I had to move the couch so he could get through and then he was fine.

4- He is SO smart, the things that he does just amaze me and I have to sit back in awe of this child. I thought that he finally said Ma but no, it was MO (as in more food) he has said it several times and only when he is in his high chair (I also do the sign for it but that hasn't caught on yet).

5- He learned the hard way about stairs while at a play date. My friends and I got together for a lunch with all the kids and I set Ryker down among them and walked into the kitchen. My friend Kristy's kitchen is down a couple stairs from the living room. Ryker tried to follow after me and didn't hesitate at the stairs. Thank goodness Kristy was standing right there so he didn't hit his head on the tile floor but it scared him enough. Later, we were eating in the kitchen and I was watching Ryker stand against the bottom stair looking up. Soon he was trying to get up that stair, stumbling back a couple of times (don't worry I was right there and he didn't fall on his head). Within 15 minutes he was up the stairs. One minute he was in the kitchen and the next he was in the living room playing with the toys. All my friends were just as shocked as I was.

6- He is one determined child, when he wants to do something or get into something, he puts all his energy into getting that accomplished. No longer does he stay put when you change his diaper or eat his bottle without trying to get up several times. Ryker started leaning to get out of my arms when he wants to get down and explore, this also works while shopping except that he tries to get out of the cart (thank goodness for buckles).

7- Ryker's dad is still his favorite person. He lights up when Dave gets home and says "da da and dad" when he sees Dave or talks to him on the phone. When I say "say mama" Ryker replies "da da". Ryker does like his mom when he is hurt or tired.

8- Ryker finally got his 1st tooth and his 2nd is following closely behind. One of Ryker's bottom teeth popped out yesterday and I can see that the one next to it is not far behind. I swear this kid has been teething forever!

9- He loves to snack on Cheerios, his eye hand coordination has greatly improved over the last month. Ryker is like a little puppy who will come up and sit at your feet while you are eating. My mom has a hard time not sharing with him but I have not wanted to give him too many table foods just yet. He started to smack his lips together when he wants something that you have.

10- And last but not least, he is almost walking by himself. He has started to stand by himself for several seconds at a time. This is the main source of the bumps and bruises. He likes to pull himself up into the standing position and then let go, therefore sometimes face planting on our tile floors. It looks as if we beat our child with all the bruises that he has incurred. Ryker loves to push the chairs around the kitchen and stand up and walk with the train that he received for Christmas.

If you look closely in the pictures you can see a bruise below his eye and on his forehead on the right side

Ryker,I hope that you know how much your parents love and adore you. You are so special and we are so proud to be your parents. You are so amazing and constantly make us laugh. We know that you will continue to achieve great things in your life. As your parents we will be there every step of the way.