16 months!

Ryder is now 16 months old. He is just this little joy to be around, easy going, snuggly and funny!

Here's a few things new and some old:

*Ryder has learned to flush the toilet and he thinks it's pretty awesome.
*He's mastered going up and down the stairs with ease. Thankfully he really only plays on them when he sees us run upstairs.
*He loves Christmas time well minus Santa. The trees, lights and music make him smile.
*If toys have wheels, stack or have lots of pieces he's all over it.
*Ryder is has become a great climber. He loves climbing up on the couch (with help from the stool) and sitting there like a big boy.
*He's got 8 teeth total. 4 top front, 2 bottom front and 2 top molars in the back. Cutting teeth is not fun for any of us.
*Still very much a cuddler. His teachers at school love that about him...of course they love him in general.
*Ryder LOVES driving cars. He gets kinda grumpy if he has to get in his car seat and we didn't give him a chance to hit every button and stand in the driver's seat.
*Speaking of car seat, his now officially faces the front.
*He loves trains. Every time he hears them at work, he runs to the window to check them out.
*Talks on every phone (even if the phone is his hand.) He laughs and giggles - just like his MeMe taught him.

*Love is in the air...he loves to give Carsyn little smooches when he sees her.
*He's got two big toy trucks outside that he loves pushing around and making the truck noise.
*Stacking, collecting and dumping/knocking down all sorts of things keep him busy for hours.
*The floorboard of his cozy coup has been removed. He can only push it backwards but its a start.

*Ry loves to "tickle tickle tickle" his own bare belly or anyone who shows their tummy (including a little friend in his class at church...it was so cute. She was showing her belly button and he walks up to her and gives her belly a tickle as he says it.)
*Sadly, he has started with the temper tantrums. When things don't go his way, he throws himself on the nearest wall or floor. Tough lesson to learn the world doesn't revolve around him.
*He's become a lot better at petting the animals it's an actual pet vs kinda hitting. Still grabs the cats tails with both hands.
*He understands us quite well and is getting a lot better at communicating back what he wants. I'm pretty sure he's learned "Ho Ho Ho" in honor of the season.
*He's just about 22#, fits into size 12 months (still some 9 months and 18 months). Size 4 shoes.
*He still loves to eat; his favs are mac & cheese, grapes, bananas, apple sauce and crackers.

I love the way Ryder loves life and finds joy in the simplest of things. We are looking forward to an amazing new year with him.