This Little Piggy

Ryder's been battling a pretty tough cough over the weekend so he went to the doctor Monday.  She thinks it's just allergies so he got some antibiotics and is doing breathing treatments, seems to be working.  I was shocked however that he weighs 27 lbs.  I've noticed he's alot heavier lately, but for some reason I wasn't expecting that.  I haven't mentioned many facts lately, so, at a couple weeks short of 18 months: 

• He's in size 5 diapers, but the velcro fasteners are getting further and further a part, time for size 6 I do believe. 
• He usually wears 12-18 month pants, 18-24 month shirts. 
• Has become a seriously picky eater.  Only wants fa fa (crackers) and fruit.  And could probably drink the entire milk from a cow in one day.
• His hair is getting a little thicker, but the length isn't going anywhere, no hair cuts for us anytime soon, that's for sure.
• Size 5-6 shoe.
• 4 top teeth, 4 bottom teeth, and all four back teeth.
• He's moving up a class at school Monday, they sleep on cots - this could get interesting.
• He knows alot of things, it really amazes me.  I especially think it's cute when we ask him a question and he answers us yes or no, and most of the time it's a true answer.  For instance:  "Do you want to watch Dora?"  Answer:  Yes or nods head.  "Do you want to take a bath?"  Answer:  No and shakes head.  He definitely knows what he does and doesn't want to do.
• He can say lots of words and can repeat almost every word.  If he can't say the word, he'll just nod his head, it's like he's embarrased he can't say it.  So sweet.

That's just a few things, but I don't want to bore you, so I'll stop there.

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I read about alot of moms who are trying to get rid of their kids paci's, blankies, etc. and we've never dealt with this.  From day one, Ryder refused a paci, even though I tried to give it to him to soothe him.  He doesn't look twice at a blanket or other little stuffed creatures that children carry around.  There are many times I wish he took to these things, because when he is mad or crying in public -- or at home for that matter, there is nothing I can do to stop him and I know friends of mine can give baby their paci and they stop fussing immediately. 

However, I have noticed over the past month or two he has become addicted to milk.  I'm not even kidding.  He asks for it probably 20 times a day and for awhile there we would just give him a little everytime he said "milk" and it would calm him down.  Many times he will just hold the cup and it will make him stop crying and when I take it away - he screams.  So, I'm here to say, my child is not dependent on a paci, etc., but a cup filled with milk.  This is hard because obviously we can't work on "taking it away" because he has to have it, but I need him to not want it everytime we a) step foot in the kitchen  b) open the refrigerator  c) when he sees me washing his cups  d) when his teeth are hurting  e) when we're driving down the road  f) when he's watching tv  g) when we're reading a book  h) everytime he wakes up in the middle of the night  i) I'll stop here, you get my drift.  He's going to be huge if I keep giving him all this milk.  As I was going through pics to post, I found lots of photographic proof, and this is only from this past week:

You probably want to tell me to try water.  Don't think I haven't - he knows the difference.  Obviously this isn't a serious situation or anything like that, but it is something we need to work on.  I don't want a little piglet running around!  I mean, if I've heard it once, I've heard it 100 times "Girl, he's as big as you" or "You don't feed him much, do ya?", etc., etc.  I know he's a little chunky, but my mom reminds me I was once a nice chunk as well. 

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Well, he was ready to go.  Might be on wrong, but he did it by himself.

The drum stick below has been removed from Ryder's reach.  I have found him one too many times drumming on his HEAD with it.  And hard.

Pick me UPPP (and give me some milk)

Ready to ride.. but legs are a little too short

Kay-ya came over to play on Sunday

Then we all went to eat at my mom's since Sellers was staying over.

Best time Ryder's ever had in the tub / wave pool

Poor CC was getting soaked

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We think this is funny.  After JM runs at night, he comes in and does pushups.  He showed Ryder how to do them and when he says, "Let's do our pushups" Ryder runs over to where he is, drops down on all fours, and gets his workout on.   I wish I had as much drive as my 18 month old :(