Ryan

Ryan is at an age where he is more active than I think I have energy for. His passion in life is climbing on things, especially high objects that could cause a lot of pain and/or damage if he falls. Right now the kitchen table is his climbing apparatus of choice and if you leave a chair out even a smidgeon he will pull it out, climb on it, and get on the table. One time Jeff was playing the guitar and I was cutting vegetables in the kitchen, both right by him, but all of a sudden I heard a little laugh and I looked up and he’s got a big smile on his face as he is sitting on the table. Once he’s on the table he looks like a little doggy chasing his tail. He likes to go around and around and yet doesn’t seem to get dizzy, although we get dizzy watching.

He loves music and whenever I put on Jenny Oaks Baker playing the violin, especially “Ashokan Farewell” he oohs to it. He also likes to dance to his music. We have a Thomas the Train book that plays sounds and a few little songs and when he hears the sons he waves his arms up and down. And if he’s on his hands and knees he pops his back up and is pretty impressive in his moves. We have yet to catch it on video since he stops whenever we film, but it’s really funny. He and Lily love playing in the van together and could spend an hour in there: turning lights on, pressing buttons, turning on the wipers and whatever else you can do in there. Tonight I was in the house and wondering why no one had come in from the garage yet and when I went out Jeff was playing with two very happy children in the car.

Ryan is 16 months and still not walking. We have struggled knowing what to do because every time we try he just gives up after a little bit. We bought him a y-bike, which is a physical therapy tool, and that seems to help if he’d use it more. We will just keep praying and home that he gets a desire. I’m 20 weeks right now and don’t know if I can keep carrying him the bigger I get since he’s a big boy. He’s strong though and with all his climbing and activity he’s using that body of his a lot.