It’s hard to believe I was just bringing Ryder home from the hospital — and now he’s three months old. I meant to write monthly updates because babies change so fast, but time slipped away. This is a three-month update, photo-heavy and filled with the moments that mattered most. I hope to get back on a month-by-month schedule soon.
I’m glad I posted weekly Facebook updates during those first nine weeks. When people say it all goes by in a blur, they aren’t kidding — partly because of the sleepless nights!
Month 1
We made it through our first month. Jon went back to work about a week and a half after Ryder’s birth, so I was home with him almost constantly. Jon worked from home a few days to help me adjust, which was a lifesaver. I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally raw at times. We took newborn photos on day eight, and a week after Ryder was born I celebrated my 30th birthday — not at all how I imagined, but unforgettable nonetheless.
On our first full day home, Ryder wore his RYOBI Nation onesie. He looks so much older in photos than he felt at the time.
I call this photo “sexy baby.” He was so tiny — that newborn diaper barely fit! I breastfed, so Jon rarely fed Ryder at first; this was his first time bottle-feeding him.
Ryder had his first sponge bath at home.
We had our first lunch out with the baby and he slept through it. A kind stranger even offered to take our photo, which was perfect for documenting the moment.
One chilly day in Orlando we dressed him in a cozy outfit sent by our cousin.
Sleepy newborn — he barely fit in those newborn pajamas.
On day three home, we took our first family walk.
I somehow found the energy to make a few custom snap tees for Ryder. I loved one in particular and was sad when he outgrew it. We also tried to sit on the patio a few minutes each day to get fresh air.
We had newborn photos taken at home on day eight with the talented Christy Buonomo Photography — a priceless keepsake.
The day after my 30th birthday, holding my tiny baby.
When Jon left for work the first time, we both cried — hello postpartum hormones.
Jon was able to work from home a few days, which helped a lot. I love this photo of him on a video call while holding Ryder.
I adore this shot of him half-smiling and holding his pacifier. He also spent his first time by the pool — tutorial on that little shirt to come.
At his two-week check-up he had regained his birthweight and weighed about 7 lbs. He was born at 6 lbs 9 oz and had even grown an inch.
Our Yorkie, Lola, took time to warm up to the new baby. She often insisted on sitting with Jon when he held Ryder, as if to remind him she’s still his baby too.
Occasionally Lola jumped into my lap while I fed and rocked Ryder to sleep to “inspect” what was happening.
We celebrated our first Easter together.
To show how tiny he was, here’s a photo of Ryder with his first Easter bunny from my mom.
We continued to adjust to sleepless nights as a family.
Month 2
Month two brought cradle cap and some hair loss on top of Ryder’s head, which thankfully began to grow back by month three. He discovered his thumb, enjoyed naps at times, and stayed in newborn clothes until nearly eight weeks. Around six to seven weeks he moved into size 1 diapers. By seven weeks he alternated between sucking his thumb, his fist, or a pacifier.
After his umbilical cord finally fell off — it took almost a month — we started giving him baths. He loves bath time.
We celebrated my first Mother’s Day with a lovely brunch and dinner with my parents.
Ryder began swatting at toys on his activity mat.
Once I had the doctor’s okay, I ventured out with Ryder. My mom came along for my first solo outing as backup. Jon had shown me how to operate the stroller and car seat — but not how to remove the car seat from the car. With a quick call and a little teamwork, we managed and enjoyed our first errand and lunch out.
Jon often sits or lies on the nursery floor while I feed Ryder. One night after dinner he plopped down to play with the dog and promptly fell asleep — for more than two hours. I snapped a photo because it was too good not to share later.
We visited Jon’s office and Ryder began smiling more intentionally — not just gas smiles. At his two-month check-up he weighed 10 lbs 5 oz and measured 22 inches, placing him in the lower percentiles but growing steadily.
Month 3
By month three Ryder started to feel less like a newborn and more like a little boy. In the past few weeks he found his laugh, rolled onto his stomach, and took his first beach trip.
Ryder met his great-great aunt Millie, and we captured a treasured four-generation photo with my mom included.
We dipped his feet in the pool for the first time and he enjoyed the water.
We attended a baby-wearing class so I could get things done around the house while keeping Ryder close.
We celebrated Jon’s first Father’s Day. I didn’t get a photo of just the two of them, so a bath-time shot became our keepsake. Jon is the bath master and it’s their special bonding time each day.
We saw Mr. Harley at the library — Ryder loves music, and live music sparked an excitement that makes us want to start a weekly music class soon.
We met up with friends and their baby Oliver, who is just days older than Ryder.
We started Baby Boot Camp — a workout class for moms where babies tag along. Picture 15–20 moms exercising with babies in tow; some days it’s a peaceful session, other days it’s a chorus of cries, but it feels great to be together.
We filmed a local TV segment about Baby Boot Camp and Ryder slept through part of it, waking up during the second half.
A friend gave us a swing before Ryder was born, and now that he tolerates it, the swing is a lifesaver. It helps him nap sometimes when he refuses other sleep options.
Ryder’s first beach visit happened on his three-month birthday. Those three months have been full, messy, joyous, and unforgettable. Writing this post and sorting photos took time, but I’m inspired to try monthly updates again. If you made it to the end and admired all the baby photos, you deserve a treat — chocolate or a drink — and a moment to enjoy these memories with us.