We finally made the big leap and graduated to a bigger car seat. Ryter is getting so heavy so it's completely impossible for me to carry him in his little car seat anymore plus his little feet were hanging out. I knew it was pointless to have a car seat that would go up to 30 pounds. How in the world would I ever carry him? He's only 20 now and it's difficult. I think we're really going to love the new seat though. I have some concerns about the sun still because my car just seems to be really bright. I think it's a combination of the windows being really big and that they aren't tinted. The sun is just relentless here and so he's always had a cover on his car seat during the day. Now without the overhead shade like the other car seat, there isn't really any way for me to continue covering him. He'll like it much better because he'll get to look out the window plus he hated being covered anyway. He's going to have to learn to wear sunglasses.
After much debate we decided on the Recaro ProRide. It's nearly impossible to choose one without using it first. I know that after 11 months of using the Chicco KeyFit 30 that we have I wouldn't buy another one, but it's not because of anything I would have known or questioned when I was purchasing my first car seat ever. This is sort of the same situation because I really only have reviews of other people and the advice of my friends. I was immediately ready to purchase one of the Britax seats because of all of the good reviews. Vain was involved in this purchase unlike the original seat though and he was really interested in the Recaro (I think it's because he wants to be a race car driver though). When I read about it people seemed to like it just as much as the Britax some swaying one way or the other. So, considering many people recommended the Britax and others agreed that they were similar I didn't have a problem going with the Recaro.
Here's Ryter's shirt actually on him. He said he likes it!
So, I caught more sign language on camera. The video is long and probably really annoying because I incessantly repeat the word more in an effort to get him to talk or do the sign, but he says more with his hands (23 sec.) and if you listen closely I think he actually says it too (1:04, 4:46).
Yesterday morning Ryter and I went for a walk and came across this little guy...or girl. I discussed with a friend why this turtle was so far from water. Maybe looking for a new home because his was all dried up, or she may be looking for a place to lay eggs. Well, we ran home to get our turtle catching tools (a plastic recycling bin and a red dust pan) so we could return him to a pond nearby and by the time we got back he had disappeared. We sincerely hope he found a new home!
Memorial Day weekend was fun. Of course, for me every day feels like a weekend, but it was nice having Vain here for 3 days. Ryter and I went to Aunty Tracey's house for a few hours while Vain shopped for more fishing gear. We spent some time at Academy too...shopping for more fishing gear. Hopefully someday there will be a fish on the end of the line! We also headed to REI for a quick scan of their available shoes for Vain. The crowd was annoying because it was their biggest sale of the year, but it will be a memorable day for us. Memorial Day 2012 right in the middle of the bike section of the store as plain as day...unfortunately no mistaking it...Ryter pointed, looked at Vain, and made my biggest fear come true. He uttered the word "dada". What? Dada? It was purposeful...like I said...no mistaking it!
I can take credit for the fact that he has started using sign language though. Just hasn't figured out what is the right sign for the right moment. All done is his most used sign, but he uses it when he's hungry and when he wants more, but not when he's all done...hmmm?
This is the first craft I actually sat down to make since Ryter was born. It only took me about an hour to do and probably wouldn't have taken that long if I didn't spend much of the time running around looking for scissors and a pencil. It's cute. I need some work with the sewing machine, but he won't mind if it's a little messy.
Ryter did his first intentional clap today and I actually managed to catch it on camera. He was making some movements with his hands and I thought maybe I would get some sign language out of him, but he did this instead:
We also had a wonderful Mother's Day last Sunday. Ryter and Vain took me to to zoo and of course I loved it! I really think it should be an annual Mother's Day tradition! I Love You Guys!
Ryter turned 10 months on Monday and he's just crazy and smart and fun and busy and loving and he totally has his own opinions! He's starting to understand me when I say "get your red ball" and yesterday he started putting shapes into the corresponding holes-not without some assistance though. He makes the BRRR noise when he sees trucks in books and his toy trucks and I think yesterday he might have tried to say bunny. It came out Buh, but he was pointing at the little tiny bunny finial on his book shelf that we have to visit after every nap.
I can't believe he's almost 1 year old. It's shocking!!!
Ryter and I made it back to Austin without any problem. We spent 10 days visiting my sister in Detroit and then driving to Wisconsin for a quick visit before flying back to Austin. The visit was great of course. Ryter kept everyone busy-man this kid can move. He's totally walking now, not just trying. Maybe being out of our house was good for his walking because everything was new and he was so curious. Now I look up and he's just toddling down the hallway like he's been walking his whole life. He does this completely adorable thing with his hands that I will try to get on video because words just can't really explain it. I call it jazz hands, but it is obviously his way of helping himself go. He turns his palms toward himself and rotates his wrists while he brings his shoulders up to his ears. It's really hilarious!
I also made a Ryter's Family book about a month ago and we've been reading it every night before bed, pointing out everyone in his family so he can learn names with faces since most everyone lives so far away. Last night we went out for my cousin Jordan's birthday (Happy Birthday Fanny) and so bedtime was much later than usual. We just sort of rushed through the bedtime routine, got the bottle, and sat down for nighty night. He wouldn't lay down in my arms. He kept reaching and sitting up so I just let him grab whatever it was that he was interested in and he went straight to the orange spined book that said Ryter's Family, grabbed it, and snuggled down in my arms to read. It was really amazing to me...just so exciting to see that he is responding to the things we do for him and apparently enjoying them.
We finally made the big leap and graduated to a bigger car seat. Ryter is getting so heavy so it's completely impossible for me to carry him in his little car seat anymore plus his little feet were hanging out. I knew it was pointless to have a car seat that would go up to 30 pounds. How in the world would I ever carry him? He's only 20 now and it's difficult. I think we're really going to love the new seat though. I have some concerns about the sun still because my car just seems to be really bright. I think it's a combination of the windows being really big and that they aren't tinted. The sun is just relentless here and so he's always had a cover on his car seat during the day. Now without the overhead shade like the other car seat, there isn't really any way for me to continue covering him. He'll like it much better because he'll get to look out the window plus he hated being covered anyway. He's going to have to learn to wear sunglasses.
