My sweet, sweet Ryker.
Showing us his muscles...
More muscles...
This is his sign for, "I love you." He also puts his finger up like this to say he's 1 or to say one more.
My daredevil.
They love to play under the barstools.
He's a little monkey.
Loving cars right now.
I didn't set this up at all. I was fixing breakfast while they were watching morning cartoons. I found them like this and they were oblivious to me even taking pictures.
Best buddies...most of the time ;)
Well, another month has come and gone and my baby is now 18 months old. It's a bittersweet time for me. Knowing that this is probably my last baby, I feel like saying he's 18 months is saying he's a little boy now and not a baby. But the reality is he'll always be my baby. He's still a mama's boy and loves giving hugs and kisses...not just to me...to everyone. He's such a sweet boy and loves everyone and now that he's getting older I can tell he's going to be everyone's friend at school or wherever he's at. He loves to make family and friends feel loved and even strangers. If he ever accidentally hurts Brody and Brody cries, he immediately gives him a hug and kiss and he's always quick to sign or try to say, "sorry." He also signs and says, "I love you." When he says it it sounds more like, "ya, ya." But it is one of the sweetest things I've ever heard and I don't think I'll ever forget it.
He is one of the sweetest toddlers ever, but he has his moments like every other 18-month-old...especially if he's not feeling well. He has a very loud scream and a whine that is quick to turn a good mood into a bad one. He throws fits and likes to tell on Brody through screaming as well. Haha. Most times I just have to laugh to get through the tantrums and I know with his personality it's just a phase and we'll get through it.
Along with all the fun tantrums bring, 18 months is one of my favorite stages. He does the funniest things and is always looking for my reactions to whatever he does. If I laugh, he usually does it again and again. If I scold him...he'll test me and do it again. Haha. But Ryker is definitely a little goofball. He is very dramatic and makes so many funny faces that I hope I never forget. He also has many noises to go along with all of his infamous faces and dramatics. He'll put his chin/face down and shrug up his shoulders to where his face is totally smushed together and smile or say, "buggle, buggle." It is one of the funniest things. He also gets very dramatic if he "gets hurt" and will say, "owww." He'll then want me to kiss whatever got "hurt" and then look very pleased with himself when he walks away...usually with a smile. Little scammer. I love him.
He still loves Dexter with all his being and cuddles with him anytime Dex will allow it. He likes to help dish up his food in the morning and gets upset if he doesn't eat it right away. Poor Dexter puts up with a lot from him. But I think Dexter loves him just as much. Brody and Ryker are still best buddies...most of the time. They fight, (already), like brothers do and the next minute they're running and laughing with each other. Most of the tiffs between them start with then not wanting to share something, or Ryker is sitting in Brody's special spot on the couch and Ryker doesn't want to move...silly things. But when they get along, they REALLY get along. I'm sure they'll team up against Jayson and I once they figure out how. They love playing cars together and with the kitchen. They love bath time and reading books together. Brody loves to sing songs for Ryker and Ryker loves when it's time to get Brody from school. He misses him like crazy.
Ryker copies everything Brody does...I mean EVERYTHING. If Brody sneezes, Ryker will fake a sneeze right after. He even tries to copy Brody when he jumps off the stairs or couch. I have to constantly remind Brody that Ryker is watching and doing everything he's doing. I think it makes Brody feel good and he always says, "Mom, I'm going to do this so Ryker will do it." Sometimes that's good and sometimes, not so much. Brody really is a good big brother and takes care of him.
Ryker hasn't really added many new words to his vocabulary, but the ones he has been saying are becoming a little clearer. He's trying to say a lot more and it's very cute to hear/see. He loves to color, sit at the table like a big boy, play cars, play guns with Brody, (heaven help me), and run. He's a fast runner! He also loves to play with any type of ball. He's becoming very brave in the bath and will stick his face in the water and blow bubbles. He will also stand up and then jump onto his stomach to make a big splash. He's a daredevil for how little he is!
I wish I could freeze time for a little while so my little R.D. could stay this way and this little, but I'm just trying to enjoy and take advantage of it right now. I know there is lots more to come and I can't wait to see what his future holds. I love you, Ryker!!!
