Ryan Richard: 21 Months

Tomorrow, Ryan will be 21 month old – 1 3/4! I think what’s the most mind boggling is that when I first found out I was pregnant, I focused on the fact that Ryan and this baby would be 22 months – or less – apart, so the fact that Ryan’s now 21 months.. well let’s just say time goes by fast.

Either way, for today’s thinking out loud, I’m going to share Ryan’s 21 month update. Please excuse my mom blathering and an overload of my favorite Ryan pictures from the past few months. (but then again, sorry I’m not sorry because this is my blog and I mean.. it says mommyhood in the title. So there’s a clue.)

Weight: 27 pounds, I think? My scales not the most accurate.
Clothing Size: Just barely fitting into 18 months, mostly 2T/24 months. He’s built like Alex – a long torso and shorter legs so 18m pants fit fine, shirts show some belly.
Teeth: No change yet, but he’s been gnawing on his fingers lately so those 2-year molars may be on their way.

Sleep: Through the night! You guys. This kid is sleeping through the night 6 out of 7 nights a week. I’m telling you, it’s life changing for everyone. Ryan’s happier, has a dependable schedule, and I LOVE know when he goes to bed he’ll usually stay asleep. If he does wake up, it’s just for a quick snuggle then back to bed. He usually is up at 7 or 7:30, naps at 2 (after Alex leaves for work) for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, then bed at 7:30. It’s amazing. After we had a rough couple of days/week when his schedule went super off, I moved him to a 7:30 bedtime which seems to be working for him. Getting him on a schedule/sleeping through the night has been such a blessing with the new baby so close. I think my biggest fear has been having 2 horrible sleepers at the same time, so this makes me feel just a bit more ready for number 2.

Words: Still a lot of wordless chatter, but his vocabulary is definitely growing. If he wants to get Alex or my attention he’ll say “Dada!” or “Mama!” pretty incessantly. I think my favorite thing is how when he wants to say something like  box, he says, ” ABAH!” You know, “a box” since that’s what I’m always saying when I talk about it. It’s hilarious. (to me.) Other than that, things like apple and (a)book have been added. There are others that I can’t think of, I’m sure. Oh, and “no” is reigning supreme around here, and it’s definitely become a meaningful no, like, “Ryan, it’s time for bed!” “No!”

Development: A lot of understanding things! Understanding where things come from, how they happen, who to manipulate.. he’s definitely learning that there is a process of cause and effect. He understands what Alex and I are telling him for the most part which is really exciting.

Favorite Foods: Yogurt! Yogurt is definitely his all time fave. I give him plain old Greek yogurt and I stir in sugar-free jelly and he gobbles it down. Actually, he really likes dairy – cheese is another surefire around here. Otherwise, he’s following in his momma’s footsteps and a carbmonster. Noodles, rice, bread. All his favorites. Still a huge fan of smoothies (or “SSSSSSSS” as he calls them…. He runs into the kitchen, points at the blender and just goes SSSSSSSSSSSS! pointing at the blender) and raisins. Also, whatever I’m eating. I’m still so impressed at how he’ll try anything and everything at least once. (to see a full day of his food, head to this post.)

Favorite Things: Trucks. Food, snacks, smoothies. Getting into trouble. Getting into a lot of trouble. Climbing everything. “Driving” everyone’s car. Cooper, daddy. Sometimes mommy. Trucks. Kid looovees trucks. Running around the mall, which is a new one.

Not So Favorites: Being cut off from snacks, not taking the truck, holding hands, sitting still, being told what to do. Going to sleep, being told no, diaper changes, not being allowed to climb on all the things.

The Good: This is such a fun age. The other day Ryan was doing God knows what, and Alex just looks at me and goes, “I love this age. He’s so fun.” And it’s the truth! He’s interacting, he’s taking cues and has very big opinions. He’s also super lovey – he’ll grab my face with both hands and give me a kiss right on the lips (a dry one! It’s awesome.) or come over to me when I’m sitting in a chair, ask to be picked up and hugged, then go back down and play.

The Bad: Oh me oh my. Tantrums. A lot of them. Also, climbing on things and a general death wish. The past two weeks or so, he’s been biting. It’s mostly when he gets super excited, and he does it and laughs. We’re trying to steer him away from it (obviously) but anyone who has tips on how to nip this in the bud.. please let me know!

The Funny: This kid is hilarious. Of course, I’m his mother so take that with a grain of salt, but he does the weirdest things ever. He gets angry and starts banging his head on things. He does the funniest dance when a song he likes comes on (if you’re familiar with the old Johnny Bravo cartoons, that monkey dance they used to do.)

So basically I’m a huge (figuratively and literally) cliche mom who can gush for hours about her kid and has 52741043573 billion pictures  on her phone and computer of him doing totally normal things that I think are extraordinary 😉 Having an almost 2 year old is definitely not all rainbows and butterflies, but it’s so cool to see him start to become a little person rather than a baby! It’s totally crazy to think that when I’m typing up his next update, he’ll be two and a big brother!

If you want to see Ryan’s past updates, you can check them out below!

Ryan Richard: 18 Months
Ryan Richard: 15 Months
Happy Birthday, Ryan Richard
Ryan Richard: 11 Months
Ryan’s Birth Story