Ryder-11 months

Ryder is 11 months old this month!  So crazy.  He is changing and growing so much each day.  I love watching him learn new things.  He loves the song, "If you're happy and you know it".  He is obsessed with clapping his hands and raising his hands over his head to shout hooray.   We love singing it to him because it instantly makes him smile.

He is getting much more sturdy on his feet when he stands up.  I wasn't sure if he could get any faster at crawling but this month he definitely did!  He has been exploring all over the house now.  He is funny with the stairs he will climb the first step and just stay there and cry.  He had a few spills on the stairs and I think he has figured out they are dangerous but not how to get down them yet.  I like his cautious attitude towards them....especially after having a toddler like Brooks who was climbing the stairs so early!  I'm hoping for a mellow toddler.  I'm not going to hold my breath though!

Ryder has learned how to open and close doors and cupboards now. It is one of his favorite things to do in the kitchen, open and close the cabinets doors over and over.  Another favorite thing he loves to do is play with balls.  He loves to throw them and then chase them all around the house.  He especially like the wiffle balls because he could put his fingers in the little holes.  He also loves bouncy balls.

His favorite food is bread!  He will down a whole slice in no time at all.  He also loves all the snack foods like fishes, pretzels, and dry cereal.  He still likes the baby food.   Ryder is still such a happy guy and loves to sleep.   He started playing really good by himself this last month which has been great.  He loves his brothers and sister.  They can always get a smile and a laugh out of him.  
His top 2 teeth finally came in.  He looks so different with them.  Ryder is so wiggly to hold in church.  I get a good arm workout holding him for 3 hours!  He just wants to be on the move all the time.  I have a hard time getting him to sit still while I get him dressed or change him too.  We are enjoying this stage though.  He is so cute and fun.  His smile lights up the room and melts my heart.  I can't believe he will be 1 year old soon.   Where does the time go?  He is so sweet and happy all the time.  We love this little guy so much!