Ryder's First Friend Party

A couple of weeks ago Ryder asked when he was going to go to a birthday party. Our reply was when you get invited to one. Well it finally happened with his friend Jordan from primary was having a Star Wars party. As I dropped him off all the neighborhood little boys were running around with light sabre's and going crazy even before treats. He was a little nervous about staying but finally the exitement took over.

When I picked him up the craziness and slowed down a little. Every boy left with a goodie bag, light sabre, and alot of energy. He had a great time and promptly started attaching his sisters with his sword and hid his goodie bag in his desk.

Is It Spring Yet?

A soccer uniform

The day after Christmas Ryder asked if it was Spring yet? I replied No not yet. But Mom, you said after Christmas was Spring and then I can play soccer. I was at a loss of words. Soccer season is still 6 weeks away.

A couple of days later he asked if he could play football. I replied No not yet. You need to get a lot bigger. Ok, when does soccer start?

A week later he asked if he could play baseball. I replied No not yet. You need to be older to play. Ok, when does soccer start?

As I left for my monthly soccer meeting he asked did you have my soccer stuff yet? No not yet. Well you need to remember Mom because I want to play.

Sunday afternoons he pretends to be playing soccer. He gets dressed up in various uniforms and pretends to play soccer.

I don't know if he will last until March 31st for the first game.

2011 NICU Graduate Reunion @ Staheli Farms

This years NICU Graduate Reunion was held at Staheli Farms on Saturday, October 8, 2011. It was a perfect day to spend out doors playing on a farm. There were so many people it was amazing to think our small NICU has been able to help that many families.

Our Graduate...Class of 2007

Farm Games


Animals to pet

Jumping Pillow

Haunted Pumpkin Patch...The witch lives here.

Wow look at all these pumpkins.

Corn Maze...We are lost...as usual.

Picking old corn.

Horse rides

It was family fun for everyone and visiting with old friends.

Four Years Ago...

It's hard to believe that four years ago today this little boy came into our family. He maybe small but he is mighty. He is full of mischief, giggles, hugs, and kisses.

He is too cute...You just want to hug him.

He wanted to pose this way. I agree with him that it is perfect.

Our Little Man!!!

We Love You!!!

Now if only he can wait until his party later today. When asked what he wants. He replies I get what I get and don't throw a fit. We will see?

Happy 4th Birthday Ryder

He has been waiting so patiently for his birthday and since his birthday is on Sunday it became a three day celebration. Starting with treats for his daycare class on Friday. Saturday a visit to Barnes & Noble to get his Birthday Book and free cookie. Then a birthday dinner at Pizza Factory. Presents and cake on Sunday.

Eating Pretzels and Cookies

Barnes & Noble holding tight to his cookie and books.


Pizza for his birthday!!!

Home to sleep and get ready for the big day tomorrow. I hope that he can sleep.

Combo's Class

Last week we received the note that it was time for Ryder to move classes at daycare. He officially moved on Tuesday, August 23rd to the Combo's Class with Ms. Ashley. He was so excited to move into her class and be with the big kids. He is always the first in his class to move up and loves it. He tells us he is a big kid and doesn't poop his pants. He watched the sisters get their pictures taken on their first day. So we must do the same for him.

Almost 4.

The new pose or rather the 4 year old pose. I have one of Reganne posing the same way.

At the end of the day he promptly told me that Ms. Ashley's class doesn't have to take a nap they can watch movies instead. I asked him if he napped. He grinned and said yes. Ashley told me later that he passed out as soon as the movie started. The next day they walked to the park just like the bigger kids.

Future Baker?

Ryder is fascinated with cooking. If I am in the kitchen working he soon follows and wants to help. He loves to stand on the stool and watch me make rolls. As I turned around to add more flour this is the way I found him watching the bowl go around in circles. He may have fallen asleep if..

As soon as the flash went off he looked up and smiled.

He may not be as interested in the process, but know if he stays close he gets the first taste. He loves to eat and always wants a snack or treat.

The Two Wheeler

I bragged so much a couple of weeks ago about Ryder being able to finally peddle his trike. That much to my surprise I found these pictures on my camera from Dad. He can also peddle his big boy bike. He now asks if he can please ride in the street.

Maybe soon.....

Watch Me

All of my children have inherited my issues with riding a bike. I have never been really steady on a bike. I can ride and not fall off, but I never rode just for the fun of it. We bought Rylee & Reganne bikes, tricycles, scooters, and wiggle carts with the hope that they would love to play on them. No such luck they would rather walk than ride. Ryder on the other hand loves to play outside with all the bikes, tricycles, scooters, and wiggle carts. He is not content to ride just one.

The weather was so nice that he begged to go out and play. They all played outside and when I stepped out to see what they were up to. SURPRISE!!! Ryder was peddling and not pushing his bike. He was moving full steam ahead up and down the driveway.

The girls were shocked that I didn't know he could peddle. He has been doing this for weeks at daycare.

Maybe he will provide the challenge to his sisters to ride their bikes more.

I can do it myself !!!

I am learning to really hate this latest phrase. Ryder repeats it daily, hourly, and if I am really lucky by the minute. This week has been full of it. Going potty, showering, dressing, and going to primary. The one draw back is I am not sure when it is going to appear or if he really means it. He reserves the right to change his mind and then change it back again. He wants to change clothes constantly if they get the slightest bit wet or dirty. I thought making him do it himself would change his mind. However, just the opposite happens and his drawers are emptied out until he finds just the right outfit.

Today in sacrament meeting he announced that he would walk to primary by himself. He didn't need anyone to help him. Dave & I exchanged that look and I then followed behind him. Not to close so as to not offend him. He marched down the hall and right into primary. He looked around and then proceed down the aisle to his row. He was the first person there and climbed up on the chair. He waited for his teachers and friends to arrive.

Afterwards I asked his teachers how he was. Great they replied and even talked today. He told them about seeing baby Jesus at Christmas.

He maybe small but don't be fooled into thinking he is not a big boy.

It's Official....

Ryder is completely potty trained.


The final milestone was hit on Monday Morning at 5:00 am. We were greeted to Ryder standing in our doorway telling us he needed to go to the bathroom. He called first for me, but I didn't hear him. Then he called for Dad. Dave got up with him and then he went back to bed. He refuses to wear a pullup to go swimming or sleep at grandma's house. He tells us those are for babies and he is not a baby but a big boy. He quickly tells us that he can dress himself, go potty by himself, and shower himself. Two out of three we have let him try. Showering Dave stands there by him, but lets him use the shampoo and soap.

I knew this day would come. But not so fast!!! He came up to me and put his arm around my neck and said Mom, you are my sweetie pie. Wow! is that one way to melt your mother's heart.

Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam!!

Ryder is officially a Sunbeam in Jr. Primary. He isn't the youngest or the smallest, but close. We have talked all week about him going to big primary. So much for preparing him. He didn't want to go or stay. The teachers were running late and the presidency were helping children find their classes. I sat down with the sunbeams and waited. Primary started and as I looked down the row of kids there were 7 kids and 5 adults. I handed Ryder over to his teacher Sis. Schembeck and walked out. He did great and stayed. We asked him what he did in his new class? Ate crackers, colored, and got a drink.

Ryder + Dad's foot.

Rylee...CTR 8, Reganne... CTR 6, Ryder...Sunbeams

Ryder refused to poise for any pictures today. Dave finally held him down with his foot and quickly snapped one. The girls just had to get into the picture.

Christmas 2010: Ryder

Ryder James Waters

Age 3

Favorites:

Color - Red, Pink, and Blue

Treat - Cookies and Popcorn

TV Show - Thomas the Train and Chuggington

School - Play with toys and eat

Movie - Cars

Toy - Play with cars

Vacation - Ride the airplane to Grandma's house

Friend - Cass

Dinner - Tacos, Cottage Cheese

Toy - Cars

Ryder is our busy three year old. I think the only time that he is still is when he is asleep. This is also the only time he is quiet. He loves to tease and play with his sisters. His greatest achievement this year is being potty trained before he turned three. However, he learned that he can pee outside and reminds us that he can potty outside if he wants too. He is a happy little boy full of mischief and love. He is quick to remind us that he is a big boy and not a baby. We love him and are so glad that he is part of our family.

Ryder & Hernia Surgery

Ryder was diagnosed with a Right Inguinal Hernia a couple of weeks ago. The surgian was really anxious to get it taken care of. After doing a little internet research myself and discovering that this type of hernia can become very painful if not taken care of.

Thursday morning we were off to the hospital.

His appointment wasn't until 8:00 am and then they called and asked us not to come until 8:30. Ryder was screaming in the background for breakfast. He was hungry and wanted to eat now!!! I told the nurse no problem, but I wished it was earlier since he was screaming for breakfast. She promptly apologized and had hoped that wasn't him she was hearing in the background. Dave took him for a drive and dropped Rylee off at school.

Upon arrival there was paperwork to be filled out and another wait in the waiting room. The closer we got the more clingy he became. The more the staff tried to talk to him the more clingy he became.

Finally, we were called back. He was weighed & measured and given his room. He promptly looked at the clothes and refused to change. The nurses were so patient with him and turned on cartoons. We played with toys until they brought him his first round of medicine a mixture of Tylonal and Vercede.

It tasted nasty, but we got most of it down him. Then his mood began to change. He started laughing and giggling. I changed his clothes.

Loopy on Vercede & Tylonal....In his full outfit

The hat itches Mom!!

Instead of making him sleepy it made him silly. The doctor soon came to check him out and make his mark. He started marking the right side of his groin. I told the doctor it was the left side of the scrotum that swelled up. He continued to check him over and decided that exploritory surgery was in order first. This way he could make sure the fixed all that needed to be fixed. We then had to wait for them to reset for the added procedure.

We Waited and Waited ... WAITED!!! The nurses brought a wagon for him to ride in. After one trip around the surgical floor he decided he wanted to pull it. We made at least 20 laps before he was worn out. Finally, they came for him. The sleepy doctor came in and decided that Ryder would fall out of the bed. So the nurse promptly picked him up and he started to scream. The doctor promptly replied he will be ok and it is ok to cry. I could hear him screaming all the way to surgery.

Finally, hour and half later the doctor came out and said he was doing fine and in recovery. The hernia was the length of his scrotum. He was glad that we caught it when we did. He is all fixed up. There are no restictions, no bath for 48 hours, and no swimming for 7 days.

They came and got him just before bringing him to post op. I just sat down to read and I could hear "I want my MOMMY" at the top of his lungs. Again, the decided it was better to carry him. He was screaming and yelling for the IV, Pressure Cuff, and Hear Monitor to be removed. He was so drugged up that I couldn't even comfort him. He had to eat something before the stuff could be removed. He refused!!! We had a standoff in progress. They tried removing the equipment and still he wouldn't eat. He threw the popcicle at them, refused the milk, wouldn't look at the graham crackers. Finally, she offered him Oreos. That did the trick. He promptly opened it up and ate the frosting and relaxed.

We were released after the 2nd Oreo. They took him out in the same wagon he had pulled around.

Don't touch my Oreo!!!!

At home he was ready to play. He would sit for awhile and then start playing with his cars. No rest for Mom either. He wanted me by his side always.

He finally passed out at 9:30 and slept through the night. He refused to put a pullup on and slept in his underwear. He stayed dry all night.

Three days later he is doing great. He hasn't slowed down. The only way to tell he is hurting is he slows down and starts favoring his right side. I give him the Tylonal or Motrin and he is back to the races.

I am in the Big Kid Class

We knew that Ryder would be changing classes in August. However, I wasn't prepared for him to move so early in the month. We are still working on potty training and he does really well. However, changing classes means a different bathroom. I didn't want him to revert back.

Tuesday morning came and he was ready to be a big kid. He officially moved to the Three's Room with a lot of his friends. His teachers are Ms. Ashley & Ms. Amber. They are full of excitement and positive attitude with 15 three year olds.

Do I look like a big kid?

Do I act like a big kid?

I am not sure who was more excited Ryder or the girls. This will be the only time they are together in school/daycare. Except for summer vacations. The Threes are over on the same side as the bigger classes. So they all share a playground. Of course Reganne wouldn't pose for the picture.

He had a blast!! He did really well with the bathroom only one accident, because he forgot while playing outside.

Potty Training Update #2

Ryder & Potty Training are going pretty good. There are the normal ups and downs. Playing to hard and forgetting, thinking he can hold it much longer than he can. The struggle this week has been pooping.

How do you teach your kids they are not in complete control of this function. Yes, you can control it for short periods, but eventually it will come on its own whether you are ready or not.
Ryder had to learn this the hard way and I am not sure he fully has yet.

We had a friend from daycare share her secret for longer potty time Silly Putty. Give them this to play with and they will sit forever. Or at least long enough. Sure enough it did the trick. He loves to play with it making airplanes, snakes, monsters. I have to hide it afterwards everyone wants to play with it.

Glow in the dark silly putty ... is our potty friend.

However, he now refuses to go anywhere but home. The Kayla's potty doesn't have handles, mom. Is his reply to me on why he won't go. So he made himself sick on Thursday refusing to go. Of course he had an accident and was embarrassed. He refused to play or go outside. When we got home and I made him try. He perked right up and was fine the rest of the night.

He is on the right track and doing great. Let's hope this one resolves it self soon.

I Love Two Years Old

I want to help !! A trying phrase coming from a two year old. A anxious phrase from a 5 year old. A wishful phrase from an 8 year old beyond.

I love the twos because they are loving, eager to help, and willing to try anything.

I brought up a basket of stuff from the storage room downstairs to fill the pantry upstairs. The girls were yelling that they needed help. When I came back this is what I discovered.

He emptied the basket and arranged everything around the pantry.

He quickly turned around after the pictures and said "Mom, I helping You" Who could be mad at that.

This phase is starting to fade into the background as the Three's are around the corner the screaming, pinching, No, and Hate words are quickly coming.

Potty Training Plan B

Two weeks ago I took Ryder shopping for big boy underwear. He picked out a package and wouldn't let them out of his site. That was until we got home and he quickly forgot about them.

Then this week we were shopping at Walmart and he saw a large box of diapers. He told me that he needed a new box. I told him he didn't wear diapers, but pullups instead. He just a quickly replied those are diapers. A light went off in my head! He thinks they are diapers and until they are gone he won't go on the potty.

I started on Plan B along with his teachers at school. Put him in the underwear and he will feel what is going on. I was off on Friday and we began. If he went through all 9 pair before 10:00 am we would forget it and try again later.

He picked out which pair he wanted to wear and at 7:00 am we started. 9:30 am he had his first accident. The look on his face was priceless. 10:00 was the next one. He really didn't like being wet and wanted them off. At the end of the day we still had two pair left. I was exhausted.

Day 2:
He woke up wet and wanted it off. The day began we had a lot of errands to run. I knew I was tempting fate, but I packed extra clothes and we were off. Every stop I asked him if he needed to go and he just a quickly replied No, I fine. We had to make a quick trip back home and he told me he needed to potty. We were off again.

He stayed dry all day. After his shower he didn't want the pullup back on. I told him that they were his night time underwear.


Potty training is hard work. He fell asleep watching Cars.

Day 3:
He woke up dry and went potty. He told me he wanted his underwears on. He came complaining of a belly ache. He hadn't pooped since Friday. No amount of talking would he sit on the potty. He asked for a pullup. I gave in and within a half hour he had pooped. He then put his underwear back on. The day is still young and who knows what is in store. Church should be fun.

Potty Training Update

Going potty has become a power struggle. He has learned that he controls it and nobody can make him go. No amount of bribbing or yelling has work. He just smiles and says No!

He will tell us when he is wet and wants to be changed. He also will tell me he is pooping. I asking if he wants to go sit on the potty. He smiles and says No!

So for know it is up to him and maybe it will happen soon. Hopefully, before he goes to school.

Boy Toys

Two 1/2 years ago we didn't have any boy toys. Today we have too many boy toys and they are everywere. Trucks, cars, motorcycles, and airplanes you can't move without stepping on one. Ryder loves to play with everything dumped out and spread out around him. However, Dave keeps trying to teach him to play in his room with them. But, it works for a short time and then they are back out in the kitchen or living room.

Who am I to argue. While I am in the kitchen working he is playing with his toys. It is fun know to listen to him. He has started talking to them. How fast he is growing. His official weight as of last Friday was 24 pounds.