A month in photos

Grandma bought him a fisherman's hat 

He loves his puppies

These blocks were mine when I was a baby - straight outta 1987ish :)

I took this picture not realizing until after they had their hands the same! 

Stickies from a lint roller

Cheese ball grin

Trying ice cubes...

Maybe...

Maybe not! 

This is his 'not impressed' face!

Easter 2014

We had the entire family (mine and Scott's) out to the house for Easter. We had a really nice, mellow dinner - ham, scalloped potatoes, carrots, pistachio fluff and rolls - and the grandparents were able to maul and love on Ryker. He, of course, got spoiled like crazy; lots of summer outfits and toys to play with outside. Anymore, he is the reason the family comes out to the house anyway! Scott and I even got him his first swimming suit! He is at an age that he wants to dive right into his stuff when you put it in front of him, so opening gifts was really fun! He was very interested in each thing; taking everything in, touching, feeling and tasting everything!

Before our dinner, I was really set on making a carrot cake. I found a great recipe (Pinterest, of course), had all my stuff together and wiped up two 9 inch round cakes on Saturday afternoon. The kitchen timer went off and I grabbed my first one, to be honest, I was so excited with how they turned out! They were golden and had a perfectly peaked top. I went to grab my second and before I knew it, my beautiful cake and in shambles on the floor!! The hot pad had slipped and I burnt my finger on the top of the pan, I just flinched and ended up throwing the entire pan to the ground. I just sat there and cried - I was so upset!! I worked so hard on making it. Long story short, the remaining cake turned out awesome - super moist and so tasty! - and Scott cut it in half for me and I just frosted in between the two layers.  I really did turn out awesome and looked beautiful! But it's still the fact I dropped half of it!

All in all, we had a really nice time as a family and we were able to enjoy the day together!

Saturday night, Scott and I colored Easter eggs with Ryker. He is obviously a little too small to know what the heck was going on, but he just sat with us and watched us and we dipped them in the dye. A couple of times he about had the tray of dye.. He's a quick on. We did let him hold a couple of the eggs and see what his reaction would be. Naturally it went straight to his mouth! Colors eggs has been something my mom and dad did for me since the beginning of time - I'm really excited to start the same tradition with Ryker, next year he'll be a little bit older and hopefully he will be able to participate more :)  

Here are some pictures from the day!

The quality sucks (from our iPhone) and I don't know why! 

Doesn't he look so amazing in his sweater vest?! :)

We love this kid so much!

His first baseball and bat

Coloring Easter eggs

A little impromtu photo sesh :)

Outtakes - 8 months

Trying to get a decent picture with this worm is a challenge.

He is constantly on the move, wiggling around to a different spot, looking here or there 

to make sure he hasn't missed anything. He's also highly interested in the giraffe and

his hair.. Take a look :) 

This one looks like he just knocked that giraffe out!

 

I love this smile 

nom nom nom

Eight (8) Months Old

Ryker Kay Nelson, at 8 months you:

• weigh 19.6 pounds - you're actually "thinning" out - you've gained almost a pound since 7 months :)
• went through your very first terrible, awful diaper rash (just after 7 months). We had to take you to the doctor it go so bad
• are such a fantastic eater still - with the exception of peaches, you hated them and cried - I think they were too sour for your taste
• are funny! You do silly things, make funny noises.. You just have a good sense of humor already
• are still EBF - I couldn't be prouder we've made it this far
• love the bath - you try to 'play' with the baby in the reflection off the chrome fixture (yourself) - you are also excellent at splashing
• are trying to cut 3 upper teeth - the two center ones and one on the left
• also went through your first battle with constipation (right before 8months) - thanks to solid foods and avocado - it was horrible. We took you to the doctor for that too
• are doing so well at self feeding - you really like Gerber Puffs and yogurt bites
• love baby cereal, cucumbers, sweet potato, egg yolk and watermelon
• think Wheels on the Bus is hilarious when mommy sings and does crazy hand motions/noises
• got 'beat up' by Aunt Mare's nephew at Conor's party - April 12th - Jorel is 2 months older and he just wanted to play ;)
• met the Easter Bunny and didn't shed a single tear
• give hugs - and it melts my heart
• can throw a royal fit, accompanied with loud screams and a back arch, you also push hands away when you don't want something
• are really close to being out of all your 6mo clothing and into 9mo
• love being outside
• started using a sippy cup a little bit - a little juice (to keep you regular and a tiny bit of water)
• are a bouncing machine in your Jump-a-roo's
• have the best giggle
• are so so close to crawling. You rock back and forth and just when we think you're going to go, you flop on the ground and army crawl
• also do the downward dog a lot too. You'll stick your little bum in the arm as far as it will go and try to motor around that way
• say 'dadada' and 'mum' now. I know you know who you're calling for
• love books - you like to be read to and bat the the pictures
• know how to pet the puppies and your grandma's kitties - you pull their hair a little too, but they don't seem to mind much
• got to color Easter eggs with mommy and daddy
• are almost too big for your infant carseat. Your legs are getting really close to hanging off - time for a convertible seat I guess
• give wet, sloppy tongue kisses
• reach out when you want to be held
• think pulling the chain to turn the light on at Grandma's is super awesome
• have the cheesiest gummy grin
• "feed" your puppies from your highchair - they love it - they also try to "clean" you up after dinner too
• also have the best facial expressions - they are so funny and always keep up laughing
• still get up 1-2 times a night, sometimes 3 - it depends on how long you napped during the day
• actually weren't sleeping well at all for a few weeks, so we upped your bedtime to 7:30 and it really helped
• are still in size 3 diapers - Huggies - they are they only ones that can keep you clean and blowout free
• love the vacuum still - and the lint roller
• squawk at mom and dad when we aren't giving you are undivided attention
• still take a bink
• are a fantastic baby! We still, honestly, get compliments from strangers (in the store or in a restaurant) about how great you are and well behaved
• are still the very best thing mom and dad have ever done. You are the light on cloudy days and the beat in our hearts. A bad day with you is better than the best day any place else. 

We love you so much sweet baby.

Happy 8 months.

Almost Easter

Top right...
Who knew Peter had two T's... Gezz!!
It's since been fixed. lol

 The Easter Bunny was at Walmart in Blackfoot this weekend and I really wanted to get a picture of Ryker sitting on his lap. I was expecting a sob fest, but he did so good. He just pulled the fur on the knee and looked around. He did great! 

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Photo Tuesday

I don't post nearly enough photos of this ham.. 

Daddy put him in his laundry basket,
 he was laughing like a hyena!

Teething...

Trying a little water 

More goofy grins :)