backpack fun!

When Grandma Pat came up for a visit this past Wednesday, we visited a nearby park to walk.  We took turns carrying Riley in the Ergo backpack and she had a blast!  Even, fell asleep.  I've been doing a lot of stroller walking lately, so this was a fun change.  Carrying 20 extra pounds is a workout bonus too! 

warmer weather

warmer weather = fun pajamas!

for the last 5 months or more Riley has been wearing footed, fleece pajamas.

it is so fun to see her in different pajamas - showing some skin!

Easter

On Easter, we took Riley outside and gave her a basket of a few things.  We didn't go all out, at all.  We got her a pinwheel, a book, and bubbles.  Her grandparents F. gave her a cute yellow chick stuffed animal, holding an egg.  The weather was so warm and sunny that day, so we had to get outside!

Riley was so squirmy and into the dirt, rocks and grass...that it was hard getting photos of her looking at the camera.  She couldn't care less (typical 1 year old!)

We then proceeded back indoors to play some, and eventually had to take her dress off because she was getting so upset trying to crawl in it.  Once Riley is walking better (which she already is) dresses will be fine.

She still looked cute in her "spring-y" Easter dress! 

We enjoyed a really nice Easter dinner with some friends that evening.  No pictures taken during that time, we just enjoyed our visit and had fun playing with Riley! 

Hope you all had a lovely Easter.

Looking at her basket of goodies...

Riding her car

out back on the patio, we were blowing bubbles!

cuteness

angry!

all better, books are soothing...

even better, hugging her new chick

goofy girl! (i think she was growling here)

mmm, finger

talking

listening

laughing

bored, lets show my butt!

yeah...can we stop taking photos of me now?!

crazy laugh

Towards the end of dinner last Tuesday (19th), I was whistling to Riley.  It got her laughing.  She was doing her crazy cackle laugh.  We were doing it for a couple mintues before I even thought of getting video on it.  She got cranky, and was done with dinner so it's a short video!

this past week

We had some dreary weather this past week, and temperatures are all over the place.  We had upper 70's this last Monday and then 50 yesterday.  Today, it's rainy and in the 60's.

Riley and I just ran some errands, went for some walks, played indoors and hung out really. 

She's been having more outbursts/tantrums lately.  About one good one every day.  There is a lot changing in her little world.  Molars are coming in, along with other teeth still; off of formula and drinking whole milk; off bottles and using sippy cups; walking and growing more and more!  We've pushed her to make some big changes in a short time (our choice, of course) and I know it hasn't been easy.  She's taking her cups great now, and really likes milk!  She's doing great with it all, but still has her moments where she wants to get her way, or yell at us, and can't...so she cries, screams and kicks.  All very normal from what I understand of her age.  And I'm sure this is only the beginning.

Riley is still all smiles most of the time though, thank goodness.  She has her angry moments (what toddler doesn't?) but she always has her happy moments too.  I took a few photos of her one day wearing a cute outfit my friend sent her for her birthday (thanks Kristen!)

On Thursday, the 21st, Riley and I were able to visit MD for the day.  We saw my parents, and aunt and uncle who were visiting from Ohio.  Riley had never met her great uncle, so it was a nice visit!  Unfortunately, we were too busy talking and playing for me to get any pictures.  I took a couple of her playing with my mom's exercise ball.  She loved that thing!

Hope you all had a nice week...and Happy Easter!

A Year of Stickers...

Here it is...all of Riley's "month" photos of her first year of life! 

We completely forgot to use the "0" sticker at the hospital, because I didn't even realize the set came with a "0" because it was packaged showing the "1" on top (not my fault!) but we remembered each month after. 

These stickers were a great shower gift!  I gave them to both of my sisters-in-law for a gift too.  If interested in them, visit http://www.pickysticky.com/ 

I'm so glad we captured Riley in one every month.  Now that she's a year old, it's really fun to see all of the months grouped together.  It's amazing how every month she changed looks, yet still looks like Riley. 

I will miss having Riley's "monthly" pictures taken, but that doesn't mean we won't have many more pictures to share with you every month!  We'll keep on snapping photos and I will share them here with you all.

Enjoy looking at Riley's growth...month by month...in her very first year.

12 months!

I'm a couple weeks late...

Riley, you are 12 months old!

You are more fun every single day.

You smile, laugh and giggle a lot.

You are walking better, trying to go further and longer each time.

You love reading your books, flipping the pages by yourself.

You listen to music a lot, and love to dance and clap along.

You are talking more, and trying out new sounds too.

You say "cat" only it sounds like "at" every time you see Tater cross the room or see a picture of a cat.

You still love Tater, and get so excited to see him.

You love being outside, and fuss sometimes when I bring you back inside.

You swing at the park and laugh so hard each time.

You eat like a big girl now, mostly table food.

You have too many favorite foods to name them, you are a great eater.

You are drinking whole milk now, and today was your very first day with no formula.

You sleep 11-12 hours each night, and still nap twice a day (typically).

You love being tickled.

You love pillows, you cuddle and hug them and get excited to lay on them.

You have longer hair now, and it's blonder.

You aren't even 20 pounds yet, but getting close.

You are a tall girl, in the 90th percentile for height.

You have chunky feet, it makes us laugh...shoes are hard to buy.

You growl a lot, and we growl back.  It's so hilarious.

You are drinking from sippy cups a lot now, you are becoming a pro.

You rip off bibs, hats and socks. 

You like to drop things out of your crib, highchair and strollers.

We've lost toys and sunglasses on our walks.

You toss out all your "crib" toys and blanket before falling asleep.

You throw food and sippy cups when you've had enough.

You get excited to see Daddy when he gets home from work.

You still have only eight teeth, but the doctor said your molars are starting to come in.

You clap, give "high five's" and wave "bye bye."

You give kisses.

You throw tantrums and get angry at times too.

You wiggle and squirm so much when we hold you.

You prefer being free...but you still have your cuddly moments.

You act shy at times, turning your head away.

You like to take baths and play with all the fun water toys.

You like to try to brush your own teeth, but really just bite the toothbrush.

You crawl really fast now, warp speed.

You laugh when walking a lot, it gets you excited.

You open cabinets and pull everything out.

You are messy, like all babies are.

You get mad at us when we say "no."

You are starting to want more and more independence.

You are also going through seperation anxiety.

You keep us busy.

You make us smile and laugh.

You make us want to cry and scream too.

You mainly just make us happy.

You bring us so much joy.

You are our little girl and you are one year old now!

Oh Time

Oh Time,

Can we but linger here a while?

For surely the sun never shone on deeper delight.

 

Oh heartless Time, leave us here.

Before this moment expanding

presses into the jealous lesser enormity of your

not here, not now.

 

But if all things must be was,

this we have stolen.

Oh Time, there was a time.

Written by Granddad Paul

Princess Riley

Riley's birthday crown!

She's been wearing it around some this week.

It makes us laugh seeing her wear it!

(Thank you Aunt Terry & Uncle John!)