Ryder's Baptism and Memorial Day Weekend

Sweet baby Ryder was baptized on May 22, 2011.  A few pictures from the wonderful event are below.

Ryder's Godparents- "Skuzin" Ashlee & Uncle Brian

 

Ryder's GREAT grandparents- Pawpaw & Granny

Lots of love from Jeff and Lindsey

We had a great Memorial Day weekend.  A HUGE thank you to our military for all that they do to keep us safe and protect our freedom.  Ryder had a few special visitors over the weekend... Caroline and Tommy Poole and Karin Grindstad.  Below are a few pictures.  Ryder also spent Saturday night with Nonnie and Pappy while Eric and I went to the James Taylor concert at Chastain Park with Caroline and Tommy.  GREAT concert!  We also went to visit baby Hudson Glaze on Sunday.  As you can tell, we made the most of our holiday weekend!

Getting sugar from Caroline!

Loving his Karin!

Action Shot

We had an amazing weekend filled with LOVE and BLESSINGS!  Eric and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on Friday.  We enjoyed a great steak dinner with a bottle of wine saved from our wedding (yum! 2002 cab) in our courtyard.  Sunday was Ryder's Baptism at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church with a reception at Eric's parents' house.  In the rush to leave the house, we forgot our camera. :(  Both sets of grandparents got a lot of great pictures, so postings will happen in waves on Ryder's shutterfly site.  Here's a quick video from last night.  I do not post video often (nor do I video the poor child enough), so here is a quick glance at our happy baby from last night.

Playtime

Another overdue post.  This is a quick mostly picture and shout-out post...  Happy Anniversary to Dennis and Michelle!  They celebrate 36 years marriage today.  A Happy (belated) Anniversary to my parents who celebrated 35 years of marriage on 5/8.  Eric and I have a lot of love surrounding us!  Two belated Happy Birthdays... Heidi (5/12) and Elaine (5/14).  We also had playgroup at our house last week.  Here are a couple pictures from playgroup:

Ryder and his girlfriend, Addie

Lydia looks at the little ones

The veteran playgroup member- Lydia will be walking soon!

 With football season just around the corner (ok, not really, but we have fun with our rivalry year round), the team influence has already started in our house.  I even let Eric dress Ryder for daycare today, and Ryder comes out decked in Gator gear.  I missed the picture opportunity before they left.

"that gator is so silly looking... I love bulldogs"

 

House Divided- off to daycare yesterday

Upcoming exciting events... Ryder will be baptized this Sunday at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church.  We are excited to recognize his Godparents, Ashlee (my cousin) and Brian (Eric's brother).  Eric and I celebrate 5 wonderful years of marriage tomorrow.  It is hard to believe that 5 years have passed so quickly.  Eric is the most amazing husband, father and best friend.  I love him to pieces!  We stick to the traditional gift giving guide for anniversary gifts... 5 years is wood!  Rocking chairs from Cracker Barrel was Eric's idea!  Kudos to him.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy belated CINCO DE MAYO!!!

While Cinco de Mayo is a fun holiday (thank you, Allie, for hosting such a great party) it was overshadowed this year by my first Mother's Day.  Mother's Day has always been a special holiday, but it took on a whole new meaning as I held my own son this year.  I love Ryder so much, and I now better understand the overwhelming love my parents feel for me and my brothers.  Mother's day started with breakfast outside in our courtyard (cuddos to Eric for the romantic setting).  We went to Eric's parents' house for lunch, a walk and just chatting/playing with Ryder.  We then went to my parents' house for dinner with our entire family (Granny, Pawpaw, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc).  While Ryder was over it by the end of the day, I sat in the car on the way home so thankful for being so close to my loved ones and for all of their love.  I hope to be as good as a mother as those in my life set the example to be.  Thank you Mom, Granny, Michelle and Claudia... I love you, my dear moms!!  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the Moms in my life... and Happy Mother's Day-to-Be to those expecting a baby soon!!

Ryder and Grandpa Larson

Ryder and Nonnie

Ryder loves his cousin Kris!

 

Good Morning!  Ryder is 19 weeks old today!

Easter Fun on the Farm!

We enjoyed several Easter events with our family last weekend.  From egg hunts at Kellie and Chad's farm house, to brunch at Chateau Elan, to playing in Nonnie's new playhouse!  It was a splendid weekend full of Ryder smiles... which are the best!!

The Milford Farm... gorgeous Victorian home

"why are the eggs empty, Grandmama!?!"

Ryder sleeps through the egg hunt

Ryder and his Godmother, Ashlee

Easter Sunday church service

Ryder and Grandma

Ryder and cousin Larry

Nonnie's new playhouse

Granny's great grandkids!

My happy Easter bunny baby!

Uncle Bob as the bunny

 Ryder had his 4 month old check up yesterday.  Everything looks good... he is in the 11th percentile for weight (77th adjusted for prematurity), 19th percentile for height (89% adjusted for prematurity) and 7th for head circumference (56th adjusted).  He was 12 lb 10 oz and 24 inches long.  Our doctor is great and spent a lot of time with us answering the many questions I prepared in advance of the appointment.  After that, poor Ryder had to get 4 shots.  He didn't go to "school" today because he has been running a slight fever and is very, very tired since getting the shots. Daddy let him sleep in our bed while we got ready for work this morning... Eric had the remote in his hand at one point... was quite funny!

We are heading to Orlando, FL for Eddie and Meghan's wedding this weekend.  Ryder is staying one night with Nonnie and one night with Grandma.... should be a fun weekend for them all!

If you like smiles...

... check these out!  Ryder is already flirting with women.  It is hilarious to watch him play to a crowd.  Today, we went to visit Eric at work, and Ryder was flirting with the women at the bank in a big way!  Thanks to my friend Katie for this adorable t-shirt.

Happy Baby!

Ryder is doing amazing!  He is now 16 weeks old and 13 lbs.  He is really developing his own little personality.  Ryder has a little trouble holding up his head, but he enjoys tummy time, so it will get better.  Ryder is a sleeping champ... he is sleeping 9 hours at night!  Daycare is going pretty well.  We found out last week that Ryder made it into our first choice, Dunwoody Christian Academy, and he can start there on May 23rd.  I am excited, as they have webcam to watch Ryder while I am at work.  Peachtree Road Lutheran School is very nice, but Dunwoody Christian is more convenient to my work.

sweet baby boy!

We celebrated Easter a little early this past weekend with our neighborhood Mom's club.  Our new neighbors, Aregush and her daughter, Gahlela, came with us.  They are Ethiopian and love to share their culture with me!  I really enjoy having them next door.  Here are few pictures from the neighborhood Easter egg hunt.

Look at that happy baby!!

Heather, Ryder, Katie & Addie

Heather, Ryder & Gahlela

 

Eric and I are both well.  Eric just wrapped up a big project at Habitat for Humanity building playhouses to raise money for the DeKalb affiliate.  We "won" the below house for my Mom!  Thanks to all who bid!

Other baby news... CONGRATS Jamie and Robby.... Carson R. Monk arrived on Friday.  GREAT JOB JAMIE!  After many, many hours of pushing, she had a beautiful baby boy.

Elaine and Brad are having a boy!  Boys, boys, everywhere!!

My host sister, Vera, is expecting her third!  CONGRATS VERA and family!  Fingers crossed for a girl. :)