Ryker's 2nd Month

What a chunk!  We had Ryker's 2 month check-up yesterday and he weighed in at 11 pounds 11 ounces and 22 1/4 inches long.  He is getting roly-poly thighs and a double chin!  Obviously, he is a great little enthusiastic eater (takes after the Brewers). 

He is sleeping pretty well at night, usually only wakes up once - which is a wonderful little habit into which he has worked himself!  He does enjoy making all sorts of noises and stretches in his sleep that have us wondering what the heck is going on in his dreams. He has become more interactive and smiley when he is awake, which is a ton of fun and has even rolled over a couple of times! 

He spends his days with his best friend Emery (the baby girl I care for during the day).  They are starting to become aware of each other through the respective noises each one makes.  Emery is thoroughly entertained and thinks it's funny when Ryker is crying, and Ryker tends to start crying if Emery does (already an empathetic one).  We have days filled with a variety of genres of music (Daddy is starting him early), dancing, reading books, tummy time, long walks, listening to the Spanish TV shows to pick up on the language, and a wide variety of activities to develop brains and muscles (as you can see, the teacher in me is still very much present).  Oh, and eating, sleeping, and filling diapers of course!

Evenings are spent with some quality Daddy time.  He loves listening to Jon's deep voice and quiets down to hear it.  He has been getting a little fussy in the evenings lately.  We have our bedtime routine which includes a bath.  It's funny how Ryker went from screaming the entire bath, to somewhat enjoying it now and crying when it is over. 

Our goal for month 3 is to be better at taking video of all the adorable (biased of course) things Ryker does.  We also need to build up our stores of embarrassing things to show his prom date someday.  Until then, here are some adorable (ahem - biased again) photos from Ryker's 2nd month of life. 

5 Weeks - Sleeping Soundly

5 Weeks - Watch out for those Kung Fu Master moves!

5 Weeks - Blue eyes

6 Weeks

7 Weeks

8 Weeks

Chillin' with Emery

With the doctor who "caught" him - Dr. Hartley

Uncle Reece

Post-bath

The Chunk

I can laugh!

Passed out in his favorite yoga position - downward dog!

Contemplating the complexities of the world - the thinker!

Yawn!

He's so vain... I bet he thinks this photo is about him!

Whoa man!

Check out that double chin

Family photo

Sweet boy

The Voorhies Family

Rockin' the mohawk now - rockin' the guitar in the future

Kissable cheeks

Big hands and feet!

The First Month

Everyone has told us to enjoy every moment with Ryker because it goes by so quickly. Well, we have soaked up every moment we can, yet it still seems to be flying by too quickly. I can't believe a month has gone by already - I wish there was a slow motion button I could push.

Ryker has continued to be a great eater. He strictly nurses with no bottles or pacifiers. At his 4 day appointment he weighed in at 5lbs. 9.5oz (babies lose some of their birth weight the first couple of weeks). Two days later at his next check-up, he was already back up to his birth weight (5lbs. 14oz). The doctor called him an overachiever since it usually takes babies a couple of weeks to get back to their birth weight. I couldn't help beaming with pride - already an overachiever like his mommy :-) At his two week appointment Ryker was a whopping 6lbs 8.5oz. and 19 and 1/2 inches long. Our next appointment will be when he is 2 months, but our last home weigh-in put him at a little over 9lbs!

His first month had many exciting events. We discovered how much time and energy it takes to cart around an infant, or even just showering and getting ready for the day can take hours when you have a little one. 
My amazing 2nd grade team threw me an awesome shower at school. All the teachers and staff were so gracious and Ryker was the most fawned over little guy!

My parents came to visit.  They spoiled us with breakfast each morning, dinner, and dish service to go along with it.  The visit was perfect and made me want to move back in with them!  They soaked up as much time with their FAVORITE grandbaby they could before they had to leave.  While they were here, Ryker and I enjoyed our first taste of First Monday at Canton (a humongous craft and ware fair for those not familiar).  We also paid a visit to historic downtown Fort Worth and watched the Texas Longhorn cattle drive down Main Street.  We were sad to see them go, but can't wait to visit Minnesota for Ryker to meet the rest of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

1 Week

2 Weeks

3 Weeks

4 Weeks

1 Month - why is everything sideways?

Cute even when he cries!

Confused

Still confused

Handsome boy!

Cross-eyed!

I can smile!

Cool mohawk!

Hates to be naked...

...unless he's on his tummy.

His loyal dogs watching over him

With Grandma and Grandpa Brewer

Introducing Ryker Boyd Voorhies

Baby V was born at 11:09am on Friday, January 6th.  He was 5lbs. 14oz and 18 1/4 inches long.  Superbly healthy considering all the concerns of our pregnancy. 

He took to nursing immediately which has been quite a blessing.  He is quite the little eater - takes after his mom (when she's not dealing with pregnancy hyperemesis). 

On Baby V's 2nd day of life, after getting to see him and get to know him, we finally decided on his name.  Ryker (Dutch for strong power) Boyd (Scottish for yellow hair) was a combination of two of our heritages and we felt a fitting name for our little guy. 
He had quite a few visitors in the hospital, but was ready to get home to meet his dogs and cat.

Ryker Boyd Voorhies

Ryker and Daddy

Ryker and Grandma Voorhies

Ryker and Grandpa Voorhies

With Uncle Loren

Going home day

Not liking the carseat

The first car ride