What's In a Name?

On July 30, 2013 we welcomed our beautiful sweet baby boy Ryker James into the world. He is a easy going, happy guy that helps balance the crazy from Hurricane Harper in our lives. People are always intrigued about his name and how we came up with it, so I thought I would share the story of his name.

Evan and I have always thrown around possible baby names for future use. Our list was always in abundance of boys names vs. girls. Yet, on the day we found out we were actually having a boy none of those names were good enough. We tossed around names to each other after that, both of us veto-ing each others choices. We had a small list of 4-5 names all of which we liked a lot, but none that we both LOVED.

Then one day Evan suggested the name Ryker! I immediately loved it, but told him I wanted to mull it over first. After researching the name I knew we had found our son's name! Ryker is the Danish form of the name Richard - (Evan's grandparents are Dutch and my grandfather's name is Richard). Also, the name means strong, powerful!

I am so happy we found the perfect name for our little man!

A New Adventure...

Tomorrow marks a new and exciting journey in the Stuart household. Tomorrow after months of planning, prayers, and preparation Evan begins a 16 week course at the 92nd Mid-Michigan Police Academy!

Harper, Ryker, and I are beyond excited to support our cadet as he begins his academy coursework. Although we are sad that our Daddy will be away from us, we know it will bring him one step closer towards reaching his goal of becoming a police officer at a local department.

We know that we can't be successful through this academy without the love and support from our family and friends. With a rambunctious 17 month old and a newborn at home, we will be needing help from our loved ones once I return to work from maternity leave. We are so proud of Evan as he prepares for his first day tomorrow. Please keep our family in your prayers over the next 16 weeks, as we begin a new and exciting journey together!!!

Harper 10 & 11 Month Update

Stats: Wears size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes

Firsts: Christmas- This was Harper's first Christmas and we had the most amazing time with her. Our family showered our little lady with wonderful presents. From baby dolls, musical instruments, bath toys, and clothes. She is definitely one loved little girl!
           "Steps"- Still pulling yourself up on furniture but will let go and stand by yourself! You don't have the confidence to try to take any steps yet (when we try to get you to walk, you will quickly go on your bottom and crawl to what you want).... although you are not quite walking yet, you have started to let go of the table and chairs you walk around and take a few uneasy steps to Mom and Dad!
       
         Big Sister- We found out in December we are welcoming another baby to our beautiful family! Harper can't wait to be a big sister!!!!

         Walking!!!!! By the end of January you became a full blown walker. It seemed to literally happen in a day. One day I came home from work and you just walked a few steps towards me like it was nothing! Since then your confidence has grown daily and you already seem like you are wanting to run!


Teeth: Your mouth seemed to erupt with teeth one day! You now have 8 chompers (4 top teeth and 4 bottom teeth)!!! You have the cutest toothy grin.

Sleep: Bedtime is routinely at 8:30pm and you wake up at 6:30am. You take about 2 30-45 minute naps a day.

Foods: Really starting enjoying feeding yourself including Eggo Waffles, lunch meat, Kraft singles, and any fruit are among your current favorites.

Favorites: Peek-a-Boo, Pat-a-Cake, and your puppies!

Illness: Unfortunately you seem to have a knack for getting ear infections :( You handle them like a lil trooper though. After a dose or two of your antibiotic you are back to your silly, goofy self. I only wish you weren't getting so good at taking medicine!

Harper: 9 Month Update

Stats: Height = 29 inches      Weight = 19.5 lbs.

Foods: Love to eat pancakes with Mom and Dad on Saturday mornings! Another new favorite is peach yogurt!

Favorites: Reading books! At the end of the night you can always find Harper on the floor with a few of her favorite book surrounding her flipping through the pages and laughing!
Singing - especially Jingle Bells, ABC song, and Twinkle Twinkle. You smile and clap when anyone sings for you!

Firsts: Cut your 4th and 5th tooth. Finally have your first tooth on top! Maybe you will have your two front teeth just in time for Christmas!

Had your first Christmas concert at Daycare! You loved all the music and watching the big kids sing. You had the biggest smile during the applause for each song (I think you thought they were clapping for you)

Christmas!!!! You loved ripping the Christmas paper and playing with all of your new toys!

You are getting quite the little personality these days! Dad and I love seeing the amazing little girl you are becoming! Everyday you fill our life with your wonderful laugh and your infectious smile. I hope you never stop being my goofy, smiley girl!

8 Month Update

Stats: NA

Food: Love to feed yourself and are constantly eyeing Mom and Dad's food! If only you had more teeth for chewing :) Your favorites are still fruit especially pears and bananas.

Firsts:
Illness: Had your first double ear infection :( You spiked a temperature of 102.8! Momma took you to see Nurse MaryAnn and got you on an antibiotic which you hated to take. Luckily within a few days you were back to your happy smiley self!

Tooth: Got your third tooth and more are on the way!

Holidays:
Had your first Thanksgiving - you ate sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, and turkey.

New Places:
Met Santa at Bronner's- you loved playing with Santa's snow white beard and smiled when he let you play with his jingle bells
Night Lights at Jackson County Fairgrounds - your eyes lit up as bright as the lights driving thru the light display

Milestones:
Starting crawling up the stairs
Pull youself onto anthing and "walk" around
Started learning sign language

Harper 7 Month Update

Height/Weight: NA - next checkup is at 9 months

Food: Loves to eat and is really starting to enjoy feeding herself small finger foods! This month she even had her first pumpkin donut and LOVED it!

Sleep: Doing much better with napping during the day. Right now she is taking 2-3 naps during the day. Bedtime is still about 9:30pm.

Milestones

- Crawling!!!! - this is a very new development. I had bet she was going to crawl this month and I was getting a little nervous that I was going to lose, but she figured things out and now is cruising around like crazy. A weekend of baby-proofing is in our very near furture :)

- Standing- Harper is pulling herself up on anything and everything!!! We are definately needing to babyproof the house asap! She even had her first "boo-boo" report at daycare this month because of this!

- Babbling- talk, talk, talk! Favorite things to say are "da-da", "ba-ba", "ga-ga". We haven't gotten you to say "ma-ma" yet, but I try everyday. Each time I think she is close to saying mama, she says "da-da-da"....not cool!



  Places: October weather hasn't been nice so far. We have had alot of rainy, cold weekends. But we did manage to make a trip to Indian Brook Farms to see the sights, get pumpkins, and eat some delicious donuts!


What's Next: teething, hopefully crawling and First Halloween fun!

6 Month Update

Stats: Weight 17 lbs 13oz ( 72% ) and Height 28 1/2 inches. ( 99% - She grew 2 inches in 2 months!!!!)

Food: Still breastfeeding and getting bottles every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. New solids are: bananas, peaches, prunes, pears, sweet potatoes, and peas!!!  You love fruit and sweet potatoes, and you would perfectly happy if you never ate green beans or peas ever again!

Milestones:

- You got your first 2 teeth this month and you love chewing on everything!

- Sit up by yourself

- Crawling???? - not quite, but Daddy and Momma have a bet on when you will.
Other Highlights:

- Wearing 6-9 months clothes and size 3 diapers

- Loves all music and to make faces in the mirror