Rhyder is 10.5 months these days and is learning and growing and developing constantly. He got truly sick for the first time this past week. He's had 2 coughs, one worse than the other, but that doesn't really count. This time around, he started feeling warm on Wednesday night. I took his temperature and gave him baby Ibuprofen several times throughout the next 24 hours because his fever would spike then drift off with the medicine. By Wednesday afternoon he was at 103.5 and that just made this first time momma nervous. I took him in to see the pediatrician and they ruled out all the infection options and just said he had "that virus." At one point, she called it herpangina and said he'd have a sore throat and fever but we had to wait it out and he'd be fine. The next day, I got a text from one of the sweet moms in our new church home group letting me know that two of Rhyder's new friends (11 months and 14 months) had hand, foot, and mouth disease and wanted to let me know that there was nothing a doctor could do as they had both visited their pediatricians as well. It did indeed end up being that for Rhyder as well and we got the lovely ulcers and blisters around his mouth, hands, and feet. Yuck! On Sunday he was being really fussy and kept grabbing his ear. With all the sores and ulcers, I figured the drooling had just been because of the pain in his mouth, but alas, he had cut his very first tooth the same weekend! Poor baby was dealing with all kinds of stuff! Maybe it was better that they came together so we didn't have to deal with pain two separate times. So, Derrick's concerns about our child having no teeth have been put to rest...we at least know he has ONE tooth! :-)
He loves anything with wheels. He will study them and watch them go around and back and forth and back and forth. He is pulling up on everything now. He's taken a few tumbles but overall getting very steady on his feet. He has grown very attached to his Buggie and now wants to take it with him when he leaves his crib. My favorite change is that he's become much more cuddly before bedtime. He used to push and climb and scratch anytime I tried to cuddle him in our glider, but now, he grabs his Buggie and snuggles against me before bedtime...ahhhh...I love that!
Our lives' biggest change is that we joined a church home group that we absolutely love. For so many years, we have desired to be a part of something that allowed us to deepen friendships with people who have a lot in common with us. We went to our first get together and knew we were in the right place. There are 7 kids under the age of 5 (two boys within 6 months of Rhyder). All the couples are great and we are studying the book of Ruth together this fall. One week we have a social then Bible study then community/service/church project then Bible study then start a new month. We are looking forward to the weeks ahead!
Regarding the last posts about my Grandpa, he came home last Thursday!! After about 1.5 months in the hospital, he got to come home...what a miracle! They performed a quadruple bypass on an 86 year old man and he made it through and is now in rehab with his brain just as sharp as its ever been (which is really sharp!) He truly believes it wasn't time for the Lord to call him home yet so he's back with us for a while!
Derrick is currently in New Mexico on an elk hunt with a buddy he met in Oregon while working at Bowtech. They've had this trip planned for a year and I've never seen my husband so giddy. The very first morning they both got an elk with Derrick's custom rifles and they are thrilled. They've spent two days processing all the meat up on the mountain and will be heading home tomorrow. They took along my 84 year grandfather and Derrick said he just hopes he can be in the shape that Daddy Don's in when he's 84 and as much fun! (this isn't my grandfather who just had quadruple bypass) :-) Its hard being without him, but I got pretty used to it the first 6 months of Rhyder's life and I am so happy for him that he gets to have this time in God's creation on a mountain out in the middle of nowhere with good friends and fresh air. I'm so proud of him in so many ways and love that he gets to do what he loves to do every once in a while.
Derrick's company, Horizon Firearms, is doing well. He was on a role in September working on several projects for new customers. We are loving having him home. Life is so much more fulfilling with him around. We love to watch Duck Dynasty on Wednesday nights and gosh darn it, now The Voice is on 2 nights a week as well. Thanks goodness for DVR and racing through commercials to save as much time as possible!
My job has been crazy crazy busy. This week I finally have the chance to breathe for the first time in several weeks. We contracted a company based in Dallas and LA to film a national quality commercial for us. We pulled it off in about 2.5 weeks and the whole time was crazy. SO many details. It was a blast watching the whole process throughout the weekend. On Sunday, they also filmed Granger Smith's new music video, Miles and Mud Tires, using our trucks and our offices and such. It was a great weekend but I'm glad its over! :)
Other than that, its fall so its hunting season and Aggie football season in the Ratliff household! We love our Aggies and its been a blast being in the SEC and watching Johnny Manziel lead our team to victory again and again. We probably won't even make it into the stadium this year. With Rhyder being the age that he is, its just more fun to tailgate on campus or be at home watching the game with the commentary in the AC. :)
Oh and guess what?? A cool front is coming through this weekend! This lover of jeans, sweatshirts, and scarves cannot wait!!
Recent photo favorites:
 |
| Aggie Family! :) |
 |
| Yay for the new Bahama Bucks sno-cones in town! |
 |
| Lil trooper at the doctor's office. He got a pretty cool blue camo band-aid though |
 |
| For some reason this kid loves the broom and dustpan. He'll run all over the house in his walker with a very proud death grip on both haha |
 |
| Daddy getting ready for duck season...and Rhyder learning all about decoys in his turtle pool |
 |
| Rhyder likes to drink water out of the bottom of a straw. We enjoy Fazoli's Tuesday Trio occasionally! |
 |
| handsome boy...he's had about 8-9 hair trims in his short life. We like the little man look, but it grows like a weed! |
 |
| Oops! Got into a bowl of baking soda my mom had placed under my dresser in my old bedroom. He was quite proud. |
 |
| The above photo inspired this photo...I figured he seemed to enjoy the white powder so why not give him a pile of flour! :) |
 |
| Such a sweet boy....the filth on the window is outside, I promise! Mmmmm dog slobber. |
No comments:
Post a Comment