More Riley-isms

It's funny to me that I don't realize what I say multiple times a day, until Riley starts repeating it.  Recently, she has taken to saying "Oh my goodness" any time Jude drops his paci/sippy/plate off of his high chair, or whenever something "troubling" that happens. (Since we have discovered how fun Alex's lake house is, we have spent a couple of great weekend afternoons there)

She also says "Oh that's fun!"  Something else I didn't realize I say a lot.  Riley found a new seat while I was folding clothes last week.  These are the things that make staying at home with these two so much fun.  She takes the mundane (for me) and makes it into a new game or something fun to do.  I should learn lots of lessons from her!

She woke up this morning and the sun was shining through the windows. This hasn't happened in several days, so she wasn't used to it.  She came into the living room and said "It's bright in here, I go get my sun gah-lasses."

Mother's Day

We had a fabulous Mother's Day this year.  We started our day with a great pancake breakfast, compliments of Woody.  Then we went to church.  After church, we met my parents and Alex for lunch at Carrabba's.  Yum.  Both kids were so good at lunch.  Riley got to sit between Woody and myself in a booster seat.  She kept herself very busy with the kid menu and three crayons.  I love that such simple things provide for large amounts of entertainment.

How cute is that face?  Riley doesn't understand what "smile for the camera" means yet.  But we'll take whatever we can get.

Jude spent a lot of time like this, his new favorite past-time at restaurants. Gross, I know, but it keeps him happy, and wipes clean up most of the germs, right?  Poor teething thing.

After a relaxing lunch with great company, we found even more fun outside in the form of shadows.  Woody took several pictures that look very similar to this one.  She is amazed at how her shadow always stays with her, but moves around too.

Yep, I've still got it...sometimes.

Twirling.  Did you know that your shadow's skirt twirls too?  Riley learned that and was very happy about it.

Jude's first car ride facing forward.  I don't think he cares either way, as long as there is a sippy and snacks.  After a nap (for both mommy and children), we went to Alex's to hang out at the lake.

The weather was perfect!  So we slathered on SPF 50, loaded up sippies and lots of snacks, and headed down the hill.  (The trek from Alex's house to the lake, although on the same lot, is a bit of a steep walk)  I love the kids' swim hats.  Possibly the best summer investment I've made thus far in parenthood.

After lots of fruit snacks and juice, Riley was ready to go swimming.  This was her favorite part, as evidenced by that cute face in the middle of a squeal.  The water was cool, but the teeth chattering didn't deter Riley from wanting to lay down in her daddy's arms and kick around in a circle.  When her lips started to turn blue, we made her get out and warm up.  She was extremely unhappy about that until we let her get back in (after even more snacks).  I think we might have a swimmer on our hands.

I looked down and checked my phone after what I thought had been about 30 minutes, but 2 hours had passed.  Time really does fly when you are having a great time with your family.  Thank you Woody for giving me an awesome Mother's day, definitely the best yet! I can't ask for more than great fellowship, food, and fun with family.

Growing Pains

Dear front two teeth, please make your appearance soon.  It's been pretty tough around here since you are just hurting Jude and teasing the rest of us.  We would rather not see this sad face multiple times a day and the sooner you come in, the sooner we get to see more faces like this...

Bath time fun

We just got a new camera and had to try it out when Jude discovered how much fun splashing in the tub can be.  But before the splashing began, Riley and her daddy had some fun just talking and laughing together.

I love how you can see the water almost in motion.  They both screamed in delight through the whole bath time.

I love this face.  Riley likes to pretend her blue cup is her coffee.  She pretends to sip it and then says "Aahh, good coffee."

Look at how long her hair is getting...parts of it anyway. 

I'm so bummed that this picture isn't as clear as I thought.  I bet I'll manage to get another picture of him soon.  :o)

1st Birthday Party

Oh birthday parties and presents!  Jude's Nonna and Poppy got him a sandbox for his first birthday.  The kids couldn't wait to get in it, even without the sand it was a huge hit.  Then once the sand was in, there was no getting Riley out of it (I managed to eventually lure her out with fruit snacks).  Looking back, I think I should have let them play like this until they got tired of it, then introduced the sand.  I didn't realize what an ordeal it would be to get two little bodies mostly free of sand during the clean-up process. 

Nonna and Poppy also brought his two "Happy Birthday" balloons.  Also a HUGE hit.  As you can see, he drug these balloons with him everywhere he went.  I think they really confused him though.  Everything else he lets go of falls right to the floor, but these faithfully rise to the ceiling when released.

Birthday Dinner:  Jude's favorite, spaghetti with meat sauce.  This is the face he was making, I didn't catch him in a blink.  His personality is blossoming and it's so cute!

Birthday Party: Saturday, May 7th.  We did a sports theme, so everyone wore their favorite team T-shirt and we ate ballpark food.  We had it at a park so the kids would have lots of toys to play on.  The weather was a perfect 73 degrees and sunny at party time.

Riley loves the slides at this particular park.  If you look closely, you can see what the static electricity is doing to her hair.

Jude's girlfriend, Sarah Penturf.  She got to enjoy some shade and juice during the party.

Jude's play group buddy, Elisa.  Too bad I didn't get a picture of her cute face, but this girl is walking and BUSY!  There is a lot to do at a party, and I don't think Elisa missed a thing!

The cakes!  As is our custom, I baked the cakes, mom decorated them.  These really are spheres of cake.  We were pretty impressed with how well the held up through the whole baking, cooling, decoring, and transferring processes.

Jude wasn't so sure about the cake.    We didn't force it on him like we did Riley because she ended up vomiting cake.  We didn't want a repeat, so he looked at it and that was about it.

Brayden (who we didn't get a picture of) got him this super suave hat.  Jude will be sporting this a lot!  I cannot get over how much I love this face.

He was very excited about this gift.  He racked up on loot for his birthday!  His friends lavished him with the coolest things to read and play with.  He's going to be very busy learning how to play with everything!  We are so blessed with great friends and great fellowship!

1 year!!!

A whole year already?  Really?  In this house, the days seem like years and the years seem like days.

What Jude has been up to these days:

• Walking everywhere while holding someone's hands.
• Still has those trusty 2 teeth. Although his top gums look like they are about to explode.
• Has figured out how to suck the cheese off of the cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots, then spit out the offending vegetable.
• Apparently doesn't chew his grape-halves, as evidenced by poop complete with grape skins fully intact. (Sorry Jude.  I know that's embarrassing, but you helped us learn something new!)
• Loves to talk, sing, and squeal to anyone who will listen.
• Loves to splash himself in the bathtub.
• Plays with Riley all day, everyday.  He looks up to her (literally and figuratively) and wants to do whatever she is doing.
• Loves to play the drums, or beat on any object that makes noises of reverberation.

Jude, when you entered this world and joined our family a year ago, we knew that you were the missing puzzle piece that completed our family.  Everything we did as a family felt right in a whole new way because you had finally joined us.  You are so laid back and love to watch what is happening around you.  You love Riley so much and love on her whenever you can get to her.  You are such a cuddler and will spend minutes (which is a lot for a baby) just sitting on my lap and holding onto me.  I love to soak up those moments with you because I know they will end all too soon.  We are so excited to see the boy are you all-to-quickly becoming. We are blessed blessed blessed to be your mommy and daddy.

Life Support

For the past 3 years and 2 months, I have been supporting another life.  Pregnant with Riley, then nursing Riley.  Pregnant with Jude while simultaneously nursing Riley, then just pregnant with Jude, and finally nursing Jude.  So really, I've been "eating for two" since April 2008. 

Until now. 

Jude has just been weaned.  He would much rather have real food than drink milk.  I am sad and so excited at the same time.  This phase of babyhood is over. No more cuddles while nursing.  I will miss that one-one-one time that only he and I knew.  And even though I can't eat anything I want and claim that it's because I'm pregnant or nursing, I can leave for more than 3 hours without the need to pump or run home to nurse.  It's a hint of freedom that I haven't known in a LONG time.  I'm excited about that.  I'm excited to go have a true girls' weekend without dragging along the pump (or kid).

It's been a great experience to give life to two precious children.  I'm honored and blessed that I could do it, but this time-share just ran out, baby!  My body is fully back to my own.