Teething torture

Since Riley's tooth came in last Thursday, she has been one unhappy baby. Either she is really miffed about the appearance of this little ridge in her mouth, or she is getting ready to have another tooth (I so hope its the latter of the two). She is normally a very happy baby, so when she is unhappy, it shows like a fire in the night sky.

Last night was, by far, our worst. After going to bed at 7, she woke up at 12:30, I nursed her and put her back down. She was back up at 2:30... and stayed up until 5:00. During those fun 2 and a half hours, I rocked her, gave her teething tablets and baby orajel, Woody rocked her, and I nursed her (pretty much in that order, but with unsuccessful bed times inbetween). Finally, when I put her down at 5:00 and she went straight for the thumb, I knew we were in the clear and I might get a good hour and a half before we started the day.

Then 5:40 came. Not Riley this time, but a smoke detector losing it's battery. Great. Since Woody can sleep through a tornado, I got up and slowly drifted around the house listening for said smoke detector. And wouldn't you know it, it was the one in Riley's room. Perfect. Could this night get any better? And it just so happens that her smoke detector is on the ceiling, not on the wall. So I had to go get Woody and give him the fun news. By this time, Riley is talking in her bed, not yet crying, until she sees her daddy who is not coming to get her, but to climb on a chair in her room.

Let the screaming commence. But just seconds later I hear quiet, ahhhh, maybe another 45 minutes to rest before we start our day. Wrong-o. Woody walked into our room, with child in arms. So he tries to lay her down on his chest (something she really liked when she was mere weeks old). More screaming, this time right in my ear. So I take her from him because he is doing it all wrong. :) I lay her down in my arms, facing me, and she falls asleep, snoring loudly in my face. Very sweet, but I get no rest.

Enter the morning. I wake up at 6:50 as Woody is crawling across the bed to kiss us before he leaves for work. And the girl wakes up smiling and in the happiest mood. I'm so glad she can be happy after a night like that. I however, need at least 2 naps to counteract my night.

When does it end? She has now been crying in her bed for 45 minutes (nap # 1, not a success). Sweet new teeth, please quit torturing my child and give her some peace. Just emerge from those sore gums already so she can be the happy child she normally is. I beg you. With every ounce of energy in my veins. Please.

That's a mouthful.

Oh my goodness. Riley has her first tooth!!!! Sorry there is no picture to verify, but I just discovered it before putting her down for a nap this morning. I have been noticing the ever present outline of two bottom teeth on her gums, just knowing that one or both would surface soon. This morning, Woody and I tried to get a look before he went to work, but she likes to stick her tongue out when you pull down her bottom lip. We quickly gave up. But I put my finger on her gums just before putting her down, and there it was!! Three of the tiniest little ridges on a definite little tooth! So exciting.

Sprinkle

This past weekend, Heather threw our friend Mindy a "sprinkle". Mindy just had her second baby girl, Charlotte who will be called Charlie (TTTOOOOO cute! I wish I would have had that idea myself). She didn't want a big shower, but Heather wanted to do something for her, so she hosted a little shower, or Sprinkle. Again, I so wish I had come up with that idea. Heather should patent that.

I didn't get a single picture while we were there because we had so much fun. Riley has a crush on Cole (Heather's 4 month old son). She kissed him several times and gave him a hug towards the end of the visit. My heart melted a little bit when I saw that. It made me feel like the love we give her poured out to someone else.

It was so good to see my college friends. It's amazing what a little bit of girl time can do for your spirit... not that I don't truly enjoy every minute Woody has with us, but girl time is just different. I am looking forward to October, when we will have a Pi Phi reunion in Fayetteville, I am already counting down. That will be my first night away from Riley, so preparations are now underway.

On a completely different note, the scale is again a friend of mine as it told me this morning that I am now officially back at my pre-pregnancy weight. And it only took 8 months and 7 days!

Pool floaty

I meant to post these pictures a couple of weeks ago, but I am so busy these days that thoughts and intensions disappear almost as soon as they appear.

Riley enjoyed her turtle floaty again in Nonna and Poppy's pool. But she liked kicking and splashing in the water more. Since we have been home, she has been practicing her splashing in the bathtub, soaking the floor and me. How can I complain when she has so much fun at it...and it helps me mop!

Best friend love

I love getting Riley and Millie together. They are so cute when they try to talk to each other. This last get together was the most fun for us to watch. Here they are chatting away (I bet Riley was asking Millie how she got so good at crawling.)

Look at those two smiling faces. It was sheer coincidence that they were both wearing brown and pink polka dot outfits. Brooke and I must be on the same brainwave.

Millie spent a few minutes trying to kiss Riley. When Riley realized what she was doing, she kissed back. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that because it was unbelievably cute, but my camera was not obeying. Grrrrrr.

You can kind of get the idea here. They love each other. :) Having 2 girls this close together has been more fun than I ever could have imagined, from being pregnant together to watching them develop within weeks of each other has just been a blessing. I think life with these two precious babies is going to bring our two families so much joy.

More fun in the sun

We spent the last weekend of summer break at mom and dads. Riley is loving pool tme more and more each time we go! I love this picture of her leaning her head on her daddy.

And you know how baby's are; see it and put it in your mouth for further investigation. She loved exploring the edge of the stairs.

This is her concentration face, lips pursed.

Again, those blue eyes are just dazzling. She was in the middle of a sentence. I think she was saying "This water feels so good mom! And it feels funny on my diaperless bottom!"

When we got home, I realized that there are NO pictures of me in the pool with her, only her daddy. Hmmm, I think someone (not going to name names here, but his initials are JW) should pick up the camera more often for photo ops with mom and daughter.

First day of school

My favorite time of the year (as far as teaching goes) was always the beginning of the year. There is always that new-school-year energy floating around as teachers get their rooms and curricula ready for that new batch of students. The smell of the hallways, the classrooms with new bulletin boards and decorations going up, the 7th graders who have that lost look in their faces as they try to learn the art of locker combination before the first day of school.

School started for teachers on Wednesday of this week. For the first time since I was 5 years old (that's 25 years for all you math-challenged people), I missed the first day of school. Or rather, I wasn't there for the first day of school. I wouldn't say I missed it. :) Instead, I was at home with my sweet daughter.

And although I was nostalgic about the beginning of school, I was so at ease knowing that I am right where I am supposed to be... on the floor, being used as a "pull-up" machine, slobber catcher, and toy saver.

Obsessed much?

I cannot get enough of Edward and Bella. This series of books (Twilight) is very much to blame for my missing an hour or more of sleep every night. I keep them in the bedroom so I will not be tempted to pick them up and read during the day, which would ultimately lead to me getting nothing done. So when I should be sleeping, I stay up too late reading the latest in the vampire saga. Oh my gosh, when did I leave my 30s and revert back to my preteens? I think I should join a support group.

Who says Mohawks are just for boys?

bad blogger

Once again, I have neglected my blog, but for good reason!! I am almost finished with my medical transcription training... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Most, no, all of my "free" time has been committed to that.

Riley is almost crawling and she almost has teeth! She is "army crawling" with the best of them. She definitely gets where she wants to go. She is also trying to pull up on things, mostly me though. And I can see the roots of her teeth on the bottom. Really, I'm okay with the teeth taking their time. But it's just so fun to see her grow. I am constantly excited for that next step in her development.

When I go in to get her from her naps, here is what I am finding. She is slowly destroying her bumper...