on the move

This past week, Riley has really been on the move.  She can get around quite well on her stomach, scooting along.  She rarely stays put on her blanket with toys.  She prefers being off the blanket, exploring new territory.  I can't blame her.  There's a lot to see and discover off the blanket.

Riley also knows how to get into her toy basket now.  She tips it over and plays with whatever she likes.  Last night, Aaron and I were watching her move all around the living room floor, and while watching her...sure enough she got into her toy basket!

Yup, it's only a matter of time before she's crawling. 


This look says it all, discontent..."hmm, what can I get into?"



"what?"



ah ha!

Busted!

Four years...and counting

Aaron and I recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.  I can't believe its already been four years.  In ways, we feel like we've been married forever (and we joke about it often, the "old married couple") but in another way it feels like just yesterday when we met, got engaged, got married, started a family together...  I guess because it's all the big milestones in life that we remember so vividly - those are the memories that take precedence and our brains forever lock on to them.  I remember all those moments so clearly.

Four years is the length of time I was at UNH, earning a degree.  Looking back, college flew by in a blink.  Yet, when I was there, the days, semesters, years, dragged on.  It felt like graduation was so far away in the moment and now, looking back, I can't believe it's over and has been for seven years now.

I feel the same about my marriage.  It feels so short, only four years?!  Thinking of our future, it seems like our 50th anniversary is so far away.  I realize it is not, though.  Several years from now, I will look back and realize how it all flew by in a blink.  Just like college.  Just like everything else in life.

I want to treasure every day with Aaron, with my family and loved ones.  I know life is short and it passes us by so fast, even though in the moments it doesn't always seem that way.  Days can feel long, weeks never ending.  Yet, when an anniversary comes along we're reminded just how short the days, weeks, months and years are. 

Aaron, I love you with all my heart and was changed the day you came into my life.  I am happy to have been married four years to you, and look forward to many many more.  Thank you for all you do and for all you are.  Simply put, you are the best husband...ever!  Love you, long time.

fall + playground = fun

This past Saturday, when Emillie and Hannah were over, we enjoyed taking a walk to a local playground.

It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun just hanging out and playing.

This is the best time of year.

***********

Happy Birthday, Aaron and Ethan!



Jackson Paul

My nephew, Jackson Paul, has arrived! 

Born October 23 at 12:09 am

7 lbs 8 oz and 19 3/4"

My brother made it in time to the hospital for his birth!

All are healthy and well...just enjoying their precious time together.

Here is a picture of Ian and Jackson.

Handsome boys.

Congratulations Ian and Julie!

Gracie May

Here is little Gracie, my niece.

This photo was taken at the hospital.

(She's now 4 days old!)

Such a cutie. 

I can't wait to meet her!

Aunt Abby

I'm an aunt!  Gracie May was born on Oct 15.  This is Aaron's brother's first baby.  We are so excited for them and look forward to meeting Gracie.  She's such a little sweetie.  I love seeing all her pictures.  We love her already.

Ian's baby will be here soon too!  From what I heard, Julie is being induced on Friday.  We're hoping and praying Ian makes it back to CA in time for baby Jackson's birth.  I'll keep y'all posted and will blog this weekend.

As a side note, we're all doing good.  This past weekend we had Emillie and Hannah.  Aaron took them to get some pumpkins to carve.  I was going to go with Riley and take some pictures, etc. but plans changed.  It was a busy day on my end - but I did manage to finally get a haircut!  It looks exactly the same...just a trim.  It's about as exciting as it gets for me, these days.  Ha.  ;)

Riley is on  her way to eating more foods, feeling better, scooting around more on her stomach and gaining weight (buddha belly).  She's healthy and happy - couldn't ask for more.

Enjoy your week! 

First Veggie

I forgot to mention too that Riley now has tried her very first food other than rice cereal...a vegetable. 

It was butternut squash, because that is what I had on hand (thanks to my mom).  

She ate it all up and enjoyed it.

I love this one...Daddy is saying "ahhh"

This morning she tried oatmeal cereal and loved it! 

I'm glad because I want to offer her cereals other than rice (so boring).

Now, we can continue giving her a new food every few days.

We had a delay in all this with her weight loss, but now that we're on track...

...more foods it is!

Gaining weight...

...no, not me...Riley!  We had her follow up appointment today from last week.  Now that I'm supplementing with formula she has gained weight.  She weighs 15 lbs.  Little porker gained 1.3 lbs in a week!  Hopefully now the weight gain will be slower than that, haha.  The doctors are pleased and want us to keep this up.  We're just happy it's a simple matter of her not getting enough calories from me alone, and that all in all she's healthy - no need for further testing.  In one month we go back to just make sure her weight gain is still on track.  Whew, we're relieved and are happy to move forward...with bottles and all!

Riley's 6 month photos

So, I promised 6 month pictures of Riley.  Here they are!

Applefest

We took the girls (Emillie, Hannah and Riley) to Maryland for a visit on October 2.  We enjoyed going to an Applefest and getting large bags of kettle corn (yup, no apples...just popcorn!)  We already had yummy apples that my mom gave us, so no need to buy any on this trip. 

You can see Riley's two teeth!

After the fest, we stopped to visit my parents' friends house.  We got to see some lambs and Riley was pushed in her very first outdoor swing thanks to Ava and Sophia!

Back at my parents' house, Emillie and Hannah enjoyed petting the chickens and Riley enjoyed laying on the blanket outside! 

Also, we were able to visit with my brother who was staying with my parents that weekend.  Believe it or not, this was the first time Emillie and Hannah met Ian!  Unfortunately, we didn't take one picture with Ian in it (sorry, brother).  I don't know what we were thinking.  Next time...