Monday, May 23, 2011

SMILE

taken this morning...





special dress

My Aunt Sue made a beautiful dress for me when I was a baby.  I wore it around Riley's age now. 

We decided to put Riley in the dress yesterday.  She's growing so fast.  I didn't want to wait any longer!  It fit her perfectly.

The dress is precious.  I just love it!  I am going to save it for Riley when she's older too.  Maybe she can pass it down someday.

I have searched my photo album for a picture of me in the dress and can't find one.  I'm really bummed about that!

Regardless, I remembered to take some pics of Riley last night in the dress.






Riley's been putting buckets on her head lately, and walking around.
It's soooo funny, but scary too!
We have to catch her sometimes before crashing.


Saturday, May 21, 2011

What is it with Cheerios?!

Remember when Riley discovered the Cheerios in the kitchen cabinet?

Well, now she knows how to get in and out of that cabinet like a pro.  I usually stop her before she's ready to dump cereal on the ground.  Well, yesterday, she was quicker than me.  I didn't stop her in time.  A Cheerio mess.  I had to vacuum them up (after snapping a couple quick pics!) before she shoved anymore into her mouth off the dirty floor.  She was grabbing them by the handfuls.

It's totally my fault.  When Aaron was installing cabinet locks I suggested we leave a few unlocked so she can "explore."  Maybe that's a good idea, but it should be a cabinet that has bowls and pots and pans or something, ya think!?

The Cheerios are hard to see, because they match our floor...but look carefully, they are all over!



this past week

Its been a week since I last wrote.  Thought it was time for a family update!

Aaron has been busy with work.  This month he had been working 24 hour shifts 3 days a week so that he could get the experience necessary to get another certification under his belt.  Starting this coming week he'll be back to day shifts again, Monday to Friday.  He's also taking another college course starting the end of this month.  On top of all that, he was told this week he will be deploying in October for 6 months!  Ugh.  We knew it was coming.

We had Emillie and Hannah last Saturday.  It was a very rainy day!  Indoor day for us, but it was still fun.  We always enjoy their company.  We were supposed to have them again today, but Hannah has strep throat.  And next weekend is their brother's first birthday so we won't have them.  Before we know it, Emillie will be graduating 8th grade!  Hannah has a cast on right now.  She got a small fracture in her wrist and they are treating it as a broken bone for two weeks, so the cast stays on!  It's her very first cast.  Hopefully last, too!  She said someone "tackled" her in soccer.  I told her, "I sure hope they got a red card!"  There is no tackling in soccer, that I'm aware of.  Ha ha.

Here is a pic of Hannah with her cast.  And, yes, she's sitting on Riley's "car."


Riley is walking up a storm.  All over the place.  Outside, inside, in her crib.  She just got over a cold a few days ago.  It lingered a good 10-14 days.  We spotted some new teeth (finally! the last tooth that broke was in December)  Two are sprouting at about the same rate - so this is 10 teeth now.  Her and I enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing, visit in MD Wed to Fri this week.  I was supposed to leave Thurs, but we had too much fun so stayed another night.  She got to ride in a wagon, see some horses, alpacas, chickens and a toad!  (I'm sure I'm missing other animals...)  Oh, and my parents' cat, Mister, is the friendliest.  She just adores him.  I forgot my camera this trip, but my parents have some on their camera.  If I get any cute pics, I'll share them later with you.

As for me, I too got over a cold not too long ago.  Riley gave it to me.  I felt fine, other than the first few days, but was so congested for awhile.  I don't really have much news.  My days are busy with Riley and taking care of our house, etc.  I am going to be enjoying this next month, as it is my last in my 20's!  My 30th birthday is fast approaching.  Aaron and I will be taking a mini trip one long weekend to Gettysburg, Hershey, and Lancaster PA.  My parents are watching Riley.  This will be our first time away from Riley (other than a couple hours).  I know I'll miss her, but I can't wait to sleep in and eat out (in peace)!  Ha ha.  She'll be in good hands and probably will have a blast with her grandparents, anyway.

Today, was my 5k race.  My dad ended up registering for it too.  So glad, as I really wanted to run with someone.  I lucked out, because my dad is like my running coach.  He's a good motivator and encourager.  I finished the run, didn't walk once.  That, initially was my goal when signing up a few months ago - to run the whole 5k.  I beat my goal, I guess!  The funny thing is, is my dad totally won 2nd place in his age group!  He wasn't even trying.  He was running with me.  I know (he does too) that he could've run faster, so he could've smoked the first guy and won 1st place.  He wasn't even expecting to win anything, so he was completely satisfied either way.  Way to go Dad!  Thanks again for running it with me.  I will always remember this day.  My very first race.  It was a good run, and a nice day (we lucked out, weather wise!)  Pictures to come later in the week...

Enjoy your weekend, all!

Friday, May 13, 2011

zoo day







Today, Riley and I met up with my friend and her two boys for a fun outing to the Cape May Zoo!

It was kind of a long drive, but well worth it.

The zoo is free too!

It's a small zoo, but for Riley's first zoo trip - it was perfect.  Not too big and overwhelming.

We were sad to leave Aaron behind, but he was all for us enjoying this day today with friends.

We, as a family, will have plenty of other opportunities in the future to go to more zoo's!

The weather was beautiful, mid 60's and sunny - not too hot, or cold.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch before entering the park to walk around.

Riley fought me several times because she wanted to get out and walk on her own.  I gave her plenty of "free" time to be mobile, but every time I had to put her back in the stroller she screamed and fussed.

Riley's favorite animal (I think) was the tiger.  We saw him up and walking around!  Unlike the sleepy red panda's, bear, and lion...  She laughed and said "at!" which is "cat" in Riley talk.  (Her favorite word, and animal!)  Actually, she enjoyed the goats too.  She laughed and got excited when seeing these guys.

I was terrible (again) at taking pictures, too busy dealing with Riley - but I did get one picture of the tiger!



A very fun day at the zoo!

Riley's very first.



Thanks again, Christian!





Thursday, May 12, 2011

walking

I thought I'd update everyone on Riley.

She's a walking fool!

Since February, Riley has been on her feet walking.

She's always needed to hold on to something for support to get her balance to standing position before taking off walking, though.

Finally, (about a week ago) she learned how to stand totally on her own, in the middle of the floor!

Its been really fun watching her crawl, and then stop, stand and walk.

She's definitely walking more than crawling now.

In fact, she's walking really good - fast at times too.

You go girl!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mom's!

After telling Aaron, "this is my first Mother's Day!" and being corrected that it was my second...I moved on to enjoy the day (weekend), even still.

My second Mother's Day was very nice and relaxing.

Aaron worked, so it was just Riley and I today.

Yesterday, Aaron spoiled me (and Riley) with a wonderful breakfast of super awesome eggs (ham, cheese, peppers, onions, etc.), bacon (real bacon, not turkey bacon!), and hashbrowns.  Mmmm.  It was delicious. 

Then, last night we enjoyed a lovely evening with our neighbors who have a little girl too.  We ate out, and while the company and food was so wonderful...trying to ask a 13 month old to stay in her high chair the entire time was, ummm, not so wonderful.  She ate well; threw her toys, books, and food on the ground; kept kicking her high chair away from the table into the aisle; then fussing after dinner because she was done and wanted OUT.  Aaron and I proceeded to take turns walking her outside so she could be free!  Walking up and down the sidewalks outside was way more fun than sitting in a chair, in a crowded restaurant.  While I can't blame her, it still is a huge reason we rarely eat out with her.  So to make up for our lack of good conversation at dinner (I felt like in an hour and a half, I only got to say "hi, how are ya!" to our friends), we invited them over after our girls were in bed, asleep!  We had a blast together, talking and hanging out.  It was so relaxing and fun.  Great way to end the night.

Earlier in the weekend, I thought of going to MD to spend the day with my mom and dad, but we all were fine just doing our thing at home this time around.  (Last year, on my first Mother's Day, we spent it all together!)

Glad I decided to stick nearby since Riley came down with a cold yesterday!  And tonight, I am feeling lousy.  Yup.  I think she gave me her cold, unless it's just allergies.  Probably a cold.  And no surprise there, since we're like peanut butter and jelly, her and I.  Often together.

When Riley doesn't feel well, she's really cuddly.  Today, she gave me LOTS of hugs and cuddles.  I soaked it up.  Smiled every single time.  I think she knew it was Mother's Day and I needed those hugs (especially after dinner last night, ha!)

Today was a simple, quiet day and I enjoyed every second of it.  Thank you Riley for being a good girl today, even if you weren't feeling well.

I can't end this post without saying something about my mom!  So here it is.  Mom, you mean the world to me.  I wouldn't be who I am today without your unconditional love, support and encouragment.  Thank you for listening.  Thank you for understanding.  Thank you for being patient.  Thank you for being my friend!  The older I get, the more sentimental I get too.  I am proud of you, Dad and Ian.  I am thankful for the way I was raised; our history as a family.  You guys were my stability during all those changes (and moves) in my life.  I'm so appreciative.  Thank you!

Mom, I hope to be a parent like you.  Like Dad, too.

And, I also want to say to my mother-in-law, thank you.  Thank you for accepting me and taking me in, given the history and hurt you all went through before you met me.  I know it couldn't have been easy.  I love Aaron.  He's such a good man, husband and father.  I really enjoy your company, our talks and hugs.  I have enjoyed learning from you, and about you.  It's such a blessing to have two families now, in my adulthood.  I'm thankful for you all!

I love my grandmothers too, here and gone.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thank you for letting me be sappy in this post.  If you know me well, you know I tend to get emotional at times.  Yes Aaron, I know you know.  Ha!

XOXO

Mommy and Me
(Do you think Riley looks like me?)

Mommy and Me
(college days)