where's Riley?

birthday pics

Happy 1st Birthday, Riley!

Our niece, Gracie

cousins!

Gracie

Gracie in her pretty party dress

love my niece!

cupcakes that I made

party girl enjoying a bottle

love this dress!

had to go outside for pics!

princess Riley

Riley and us!

with Granddad & Grandma G.

with Grandma & Grandpa F.

Emillie holding sleepy Gracie

Gracie and Hannah

opening gifts!  (she loved the paper!)

singing to the birthday girl

watching Mommy very carefully...

analyzing the cupcake

I had to give her a taste to get her going...

sooooo yummy!

and sooooo messy!

later in the day we got to play outside (without our party dress!)

new riding toy, yeah!

One Year Old!

One year ago today we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Riley Anne, into this world.  We were overwhelmed with so much joy.  It is an experience and moment we'll never forget.  Hearing Riley cry for the first time made us cry as her parents.  It was such a whirlwind of emotion on her birth day.  After so much anticipation, she was here.  Really here.

My very first time as a mother.  I never knew love like this before.  I have loved as a daughter, sister, friend, granddaughter, niece, wife, and even step-mom...but never loved as a mother.  It is a love that only a mother knows.  You can imagine it, but it's not the same - you have to live it to know what I'm talking about.

I feel blessed.  Words cannot begin to describe how I feel.  It's hard writing this, as emotion is filling me.  I love my daughter more than words can say, and I know Aaron feels the same as a father.  She's simply the best thing I have ever done in my life.  I cannot thank God any more for what he has blessed me with.  I am thankful.  I am happy.  I have so much love in my life.  I love all my roles in life, and now love being a mother.  I love Riley.

We had an amazing day today.  Riley's very first birthday!  We celebrated with close family - our parents, our daughters, and even my sister and brother-in-law surprised us with a visit!  We enjoyed seeing everyone, and holding our niece Gracie again too.  It was special.  We thank you all for coming today, and for making this day even more special for us.

Riley loved her presents (clothes, toys, books, etc).  Riley loved her first cake, ice cream and hot dog too!  She had a blast today and we all did too.  What a day.  What a great day.  One of the best days we've had in awhile.

I will post photos this week at some point.  Right now though, I'm going to relax with my husband and take a moment to reflect back on this past year.  What a great year, full of new things.  I have learned more about myself through all of this, finding my inner "mom"...but in the end, I can say it's all been worth it.  I'd do it all over again for Riley.  She's amazing. 

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes, cards and love.

Here are a few pictures of Riley's birth day, one year ago today...

polka dots

Cutie pie, wearing her polka dots!

almost here...

We are getting ready for Riley's 1st birthday!

So excited to see family on Sunday.

My parents, in-law's, and step daughters will be here!

We wanted to celebrate Riley's special day in a low key kind of way.

Its been a busy week of running errands and working on a few party preperations...in addition to my usual stay-at-home mom job!

So glad it's Friday.

(Aaron is too, he had a busy week also!)

And, we're so looking forward to this weekend!

Hope you all had a great week...happy April!

one year ago...

On March 24, 2010...

I was 38 weeks pregnant.

I was tired.

I was huge.

We were anxious, excited, and nervous as our baby girl was soon to be born.

The room was all ready.

We didn't know if she'd be born in days, or weeks.

These are the very last pregnancy pictures that were taken.

10 (long) days later, our baby girl arrived.

70's!

Yesterday was amazing, it was so beautiful out.  It got up to the mid 70's here!  Riley and I enjoyed a long walk with our neighbors, Beth and baby Cailyn. 

They were so sweet to give Riley a goody basket (early Easter gift) and it included a pair of shades for Riley!  She's not so sure about wearing them.  I think I've only seen her keep them on for, oh...about 10 seconds, max.  Haha.  One day she'll be into them.  Right now though, she enjoys putting them in her mouth mostly.

Hope you all had a great week, and your weekend is off to a good start.  Enjoy!