Ryker's first Christmas Tree. Ryker helped me decorate the tree (well, he hung in his pouch). Brian found a new favorite place of Ryker's- on top of the refrigerator. I think Ryker knows that Mommy doesn't like it because he smiles every time he gets to sit up there.
Some more cute pictures of Ryker! He is naked with his First Christmas Bear and inside his Pooh stocking. We went to Eastview Mall to get his picture taken with Santa. Ryker would not crack a smile regardless of what we did. He just kept looking around wondering why Santa was holding him. Merry Christmas Baby!!
We went to the Strong Museum of Play with my friend Kacey and the 2 little girls she nannies. Ryker was so good and I think he really had a good time looking at all the cool things. Of course we had to pose for a few pictures.
Baby HoHo was what the little kids called Ryker at the Rhubart's Christmas Party. Ryker had so much fun watching the kids run around and get presents from Santa. Santa even had a early present for Ryker. Merry Christmas Everyone.
How cute do I look? Not much more to say about this picture-besides this is what happens when I play with my Dad:) Maybe I will get a fishing pole for Christmas.
OK, so I was not supposed to go back to work till 2009 but, Brian heard there was a job opening in an Elementary building in Webster Central School. So I decided to apply and see what happened. I ended up getting the job and talked them into letting me work part-time. I started the first week in December:( These pictures were taken my first day of work. Thank heavens for my mom, who has babysat everyday for us. We are meeting with Lori soon, who is going to watch Ryker 1 to 2 days a week.
Unfortunately, Brian was sick all day on Thanksgiving- so we do not have a family picture:( Ryker spent his first Thanksgiving in Buffalo. Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike were there to spend the day with me and Great Grandpa Kraft and Dolores and cousins Richie, Tonya, and Jacob stopped by to see me. There are 4 generations in the top picture- Diane Smith-Jennifer Balash-Ryker Balash-Donald Kraft
Ryker discovered his hand a while ago, but is now starting to hold onto things. He can hold his own bottle but, also likes someone to hold it for him. Ryker has just discovered his feet. It is so funny to watch his expressions when he is looking and moving his feet.
Ryker is really beginning to study objects and toys more and more everyday. He loves sitting up like a big boy in his bumbo. He will reach for objects and hold onto them now. Brian always plays with Ryker in his crib. Daddy keeps him nice and warm:)
It was nice to spend the weekend with Gramma Golas and Uncle Steve. I was very good and slept through the night while they were visiting. We went shopping and out to eat a Bugaboo Steakhouse. I also tried on my new sweater from Emilee Allen.
Ryker loves to be read to now. It appears as though he will follow along looking at the left side of the page and then the right. Brian is reading Winnie the Pooh to Ryker before bath time. Aren't they so cute together? Apparently Brian lost his shirt:)
Mema got me this warm Christmas outfit that we thought was too big for me. But, when we tried it on, it wasn't so bad. Mommy said I looked so cute in it. I was so tired after shopping at the mall with Mema and Mommy, that I fell asleep eating my fingers right on Mema's shoulder.
We think Ryker may be teething. I know it is a little early, but he is drooling like crazy and will not stop chewing on his fingers! The other day, I kept giving him the pacifier (to give his fingers a break) and he continued to spit it back out. At one point he turned the pacifier to the side and got his fingers in his mouth anyway. What a stinker... I have been trying cold teethers and getting him to try and chew on chewy toys. Ryker would rather have his fingers.
Mommy and Daddy had a little get together last night. Daddy cooked a turkey-that I could only smell. Wow, did it get loud with all the kids that came to my house. I was on my best behavior, but I did cry some of the time. I am not used to all that noise. Dan Robbins had the magic touch and almost put me to sleep. It was nice to see Aunt Denise again. I am starting to sleep in my crib and last night I slept from 9:30pm till 6am for Mommy and Daddy! I only cried 3 or 4 times for my pacifier. I can be a good boy when I want to.
Ryker is getting to be such a big boy. He is now weighing in at 9lbs. 10 oz.; but he is only in the 5th percentile. He is doing many new and exciting things lately: cooing and making all kinds of noises with his voice, he loves sucking on his fingers(the more he can get into his mouth the better!) and purposefully reaching and batting at toys. We are such proud parents. Ryker loves to listen to books in his bumbo chair. His favorite book right now is Mirror Me! it is a Baby Einstein book from his Daddy. We enjoyed the few nice days last week. Ryker and I took a walk, sat outside on the porch for a while, and watched some children play in a pile of leaves!
We did have fun at the zoo, even though it was a little cooler then I expected. Ryker really enjoyed the bright fish in the tank and watching the sea lions splash in the water from inside. Ryker did not want to be in his stroller, so I carried him and he fell asleep in my arms. Can't wait to go back when he can really enjoy the animals.
Ryker was going to dress up as a bumble bee on Halloween, so we could take him to a few houses in Jenn's neighborhood. However, Ryker had a different agenda. Ryker knew he could just stay at Mema's house and she would give him as much candy as he wanted!!! Uncle Derek was surprised to see Ryker waiting for him in Buffalo.
Ryker is getting so big. Brian and I noticed the other day that Ryker actually has some meat on his bones. We knew his cheeks were filling out, but he has had sleepers on and we didn't notice his chunky legs! He is enjoying tummy time more and more and can not keep his fingers out of his mouth. Jenn thinks Ryker looks like her in this picture.
It is so hard to believe that Ryker is 2 months old already. We tried him in his Bumbo chair today. I am not quite sure his is ready for it yet, but it is a cute picture. He loves any mobile, especially the bears in his pack in play. Now if he would just sleep in it... Ryker has not wanted to sleep in his pack in play the last few nights. He used to go to sleep as soon as he was swaddled (we only swaddled him night), not anymore. We should be working on sleeping through the night!!!
Ryker really enjoys his tummy time with Brian. Ryker is doing such a good job picking his head up off the floor and turning it from side to side. He still prefers turning and looking to the left though. Ryker has strong little legs; he is scooting on his back by using his legs to push off the floor. He played so hard with Brian on the floor, when it was my turn to hold him- Ryker had the biggest blow-out! Brian couldn't help himself and had to take a picture. GROSS.... Brian is proud of his BOY!
Ryker had lots of visitors yesterday: Mema, Aunt Brooke, Steen, Aunt Donna, and his cousin Mindy. Ryker was kinda cranky. I think it was a bit loud for him. He drank 4 1/2 oz. of milk and went to sleep for 2 + hours. He usually drinks about 3 oz. He looks so full in this picture.
Ok, so I might be going a little crazy with the Halloween pictures. But, Ryker is smiling more and more everyday. The first picture is Ryker in his swing. Isn't he so cute??? He kinda fits in the jeans that Uncle Steve got him. He did have the ghost hat on that Mema got him when we went into the chiropractor's office. The ladies behind the desk fight over who gets to hold him. Last week, Dr. Chuck got a hold of him and gave Ryker is first adjustment. Ryker loved it and did not cry in the car on the way home. Maybe it worked? The corner of the couch is now one of his favorite spots. Ryker loves his soft Halloween PJ's.
OK, if you guessed a PUMPKIN....you are right! Thanks to Aunt Laura and Uncle Dan. We could not wait any longer to try on his Halloween outfit. Ryker was not sure he wanted to be a pumpkin at first, but he decided it was not so bad after Brian told him he could pick something else to wear to his first Halloween Party.
