Because He's Worth The First

Anyone ever heard of the "Second Child Syndrome?"  According to surfnetparents.com, "...some parents may argue that the second child is not treated any differently than the first child was. But let’s be honest. After you’ve seen your first child take a first step, say a first word, and do all of those other firsts, it’s a little less remarkable to see it in your other children. Whether or not you want to admit it, the middle or second child will always be competing for the lime light with the oldest and youngest children. This is one of the main causes of middle or second child syndrome."

I have to admit here and now that I am guilty.  Poor Ryder.  Just tonight, Tyson asked me "take pictures of Ryder tomorrow, OK?"  (He's well aware of the situation because he's a second child himself =0)  I've personally concluded that it's more difficult to take pictures of a second child because I always have to put my camera away (my phone camera isn't worth using) so as to keep it out of my toddler's reach, making it less accessible at any given moment.  But it's not just a picture thing.  Like it says above, let's be honest.  Ryder totally gets jipped because the second child is just not as exciting as the first.  He's a different child and the things he's doing differently are exciting and so much fun, but the every day milestones he hits are just repeats of something we've already experienced.

That being said, he is just as important and so worth my first post of 2013.  I wasn't very diligent in blogging last year- -102 posts in 2011 vs. 40 posts in 2012 is a little bit pitiful.  I'm sad and disappointed that I got so lax about it, frankly.  2012 was an awesome year full of great things, not to mention it was the first 10 months of Ryder's life, and I didn't make the time to document like I should have.  I'm resolving to do things differently this year.

So Ryder, here's to a new year, and here's to you =0)

• You are so stinking cute!  Seriously.  Only those who interact personally with you really have any idea.  When you smile, your whole being smiles.  You carry a contagious warm, fuzzy aura
• You do this thing with your lips that I can't even describe.  It's like the face I make after applying chap stick, when I pucker my lips toward my nose so I can smell them.  You pull that face with just enough variation to change the emotion you're trying to express, but regardless of the emotion, it always includes the lips.  I need to catch it on camera.  You need to let me catch it =0)
• You're a bulldozer.  You don't go around, you always go through.  It's quite entertaining to watch you climb over things to get where you want to go.  It would be much easier and more time efficient to just go around but you're not afraid of putting in the effort.  I hope that ethic sticks.
• You're not easily bothered.  Durbin and Watson are right at your eye level and they smother you in puppy kisses but you just take it.  Sometimes you give them a stiff arm but you don't make a peep.  You've recently acquired a concern about the vacuum but you don't scream in horror about it like your brother did. 
• It only took you a day to figure out how to climb stairs and now that's where you gravitate no matter where we are.  If there are stairs, we will find you there!  The funny part is, about 3/4 up the stairs in our house there is one particularly widely spaced step that you can't get past.  You climb to that point and then cry and cry until I save you but just as quickly as I save you, you're right back up to the same point again. You're a quick little bugger!
• You resist giggling until I have you on your changing table- -then you have to submit to your pestering mother =0)  We tickle and giggle and play while I get you changed and those are some of my favorite moments.  I think you enjoy those moments as well.  I just have to give you "the look" and you know I'm going to get you.  You wiggle and try to get away.  You have such a tender, genuine, hilarious little laugh, I just can't help myself!  Especially with all the teeth you have coming in- -you now have two on bottom and all four of the front top ones are coming in together- -that little toothy grin is just too much to resist.  
• You love bath time!  I have to keep the bathroom door closed because you're always trying to climb in the tub.  You've gone headfirst into the tub (without water) twice already so we have to watch you.  When you and Teryn bathe together you just splash and laugh together like you're having the time of your lives.
• Speaking of Teryn, you want to be everywhere he is and do everything he does.  He's pretty good about playing with you and letting you pick on him.  When he's laying on the floor while I change his diaper you like to attack his face and he thinks it's pretty funny.  You play your own little version of tag around the house.  Teryn just looks at you and laughs and runs away and that's enough to get your attention to chase him and he loves it.  He still doesn't like it when you try to play on the iPad with him, but you'll be playing it just as well as he is before long and then you can play together.
• You're a strong and sturdy little boy.  You've been pulling yourself up and walking along things for a few months now and you love to stand on your own.  You push away from wherever it is you're standing and put your hands in the air like, "Look mom!  No hands!"  You're pretty proud of it.  I think you'd be walking within the month if you'd stop tippy-toeing.  You tiptoe when you walk, which obviously doesn't offer the greatest balance.  You'll figure it out soon though.
• You love anyone who will give you attention.  Sometimes all it takes is eye contact and a smile from a stranger and you're reaching for them.  You're quite the socialite.

And son, I could go on!  You are just a gem in every sense of the word.  You're bright, solid, precious, and you exude joy.  We love you!!