Santa Visit

A picture says a thousand words. I worried that Riley might cry as she is hesitant around strangers and takes awhile to warm up and let go of me. However her little quivering lip produced not one tear and the official photo with Santa was snapped as Jackson smiled from ear to ear thinking about the Switch and Go Dino Santa said he might bring...and diamonds for Riley. Funny because Jackson has asked me what I want for Christmas and I always reply with, "diamonds!" Maybe there really is a Santa?! I still believe!

Last year Santa said Jackson was going to get a baby sister and he delivered--or at least I did. Since we had no clue if our Riley was a boy or girl, it was fun to hear his prediction.

We decorated the house and it took us two days with lots of breaks between but it's finished inside and out. I'll post some pictures later. Happy Holidays!!!

Thankful

I think this has been the best year in the ten years Sierra and I have known each other. We are so thankful to be able to provide for our little loves and spoil them a little too much sometimes. It is too easy to buy them everything they want and need and forfeit the cute new shoes for yourself. We welcomed Riley Grace into our lives this year, were able to be a part of my brother Clint's wedding and sister Autumn's wedding, vacation in Maui, and recover from a really freakish fall onto a wine glass. Those severed tendons and over 30 stitches taught me a big lesson about slowing down and learning to rely on others even if they don't do it the way you like. Changing a baby in a hip harness with one hand became easier and easier as did the hand therapy visits as the scar tissue began to break up and my fingers began to move again. 

Today we feasted with our new relatives (officially) and gobbled up way too much. Riley had seconds. Jackson hardly ate his -- I think maybe the appetizers became his dinner. I love cooking so I made everything from beginning to end...until dessert, which I am so thankful for a new sister who enjoys this part of the meal. 

How did you spend Thanksgiving? I hope it was wonderful and filled with loved ones and of course, a turkey.

Strike a Pose

Riley has been standing by herself for the last two weeks but all of a sudden she only wants to stand. When I put her down on the floor she refuses to sit...instead she stands and claps with her "proud of myself" face. I am really hoping her pediatrician's prediction about walking before Thanksgiving is wrong. Jackson is so excited to see Riley in this new stage.

Christmas Card Sneak Peek!

Our BPE (Best Photographer Ever) took these over the weekend at Felicita Park in Escondido--a new location for us all.

Jackson had more fun running in the wet leaves, mud, and grass after we had a couple days of rain (what's that?). He hardly sat still but what can you do with an almost 4 year old who has enough energy to send Starbucks out of business?

Thank you, Ashley Perry, for another fun and beautiful shoot! You are SO patient, loving, and amazing!

Visit her awesome talent at: www.ashleyperryphotography.com

Xoxo

P.S. My current parenting book--lots of quick tips you can implement immediately! 

Baby Girl is NINE Months!

I wish Riley crawled in slow-motion in real life!
Trying out the features on our new camera. 

Oh, hello! I'm 9 months old on Election Day 2012!

Riley celebrated her 9 month birthday as President Obama was reelected. We cast our vote after hiking a mile up the hill to a neighbor's garage. Riley fell asleep and Jackson sat quietly playing on my phone. Then we met the McKerchers for some aquarium time--it was just us and the fish! Woo hoo!

Birch Aquarium with the buddies!

Jackson is 3 years and 9 months old! =)

There goes the monthly sticker!

Abby is my BFF! I can pull her tail and she doesn't mind! 

found the sticker!

Here are the highlights from Riley's eighth month (insert tears here):

• eating most of what we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• eating mainly finger foods 
• eats the squeeze pouches unassisted and without a mess (if I try to help she gets really mad) 
• nursing still at least six times a day until bedtime...which means every 2 1/2-3 hours
• clapping a lot when she's happy or to the music
• dancing (bounces up and down to the music)
• crawling SUPER fast
• crawling SUPER fast up the stairs! 
• "cruising" along the furniture super fast
• standing by herself for up to a minute
• walking with her push toy
• new sign: "all done"
• naps twice a day (10 and 2)
• still sleeping 11-12 hours a night
• cutting two more bottom teeth...and maybe the top two as well. so swollen! :/
• new words: "up," "mum-mum" (for real food) and "yay!"
• favorite book: Where is Baby's Pumpkin? -- Karen Katz (Ri loves to lift the flaps and is excited by the ending every time)
• favorite color: pink (duh!)
• LOVES hair bows and DISLIKES hats
• favorite toy: Cuddle Bear and Leapfrog activity table (thanks, McKerchers!)
• dislikes diaper changes now and guess who else does? Mama! Riley squirms so much that I feel like I am hurting her to keep her still.
• first wagon ride happened this month! fun, fun!
• LOVES to cuddle and gives hugs/snuggles
• LOVES music
• LOVES watching and playing with Jackson no matter what kind of  mood he is in...
• LOVES picking Jackson up from preschool and seeing the kids in his classroom
• Clothing: wearing 12 months already! I pulled out Jackson's old Christmas jammies and she can wear them now -- they were big on him at almost 11 months old 
• understanding our routines now: raises her hands when I put her in her high chair
• can follow simple directions: "go get a book"

HI!

mama's pot roast, carrots, green beans
...all finger foods for my lunch!

Saturday morning cartoons with brother!

Raising money and strolling for breast cancer!

Think Pink!

Thanks for the hug Best Brother!

Halloween 2012

ready for treats!

Pretty Kitty and Pirate Jake of the Neverland Pirates

Mama thinks Jackson needs to start walking
...this double stroller is weighing over 100 pounds these days!

Riley's Favorite Person is still Jackson!

9 month check up

Length: 27.5"

Weight: 18.2 lbs.

Head: 18.5"

Riley and Jackson's pediatrician always seems happy to see them for well baby check ups and today was no exception. He said Riley's rolling was impressive. Tell me about it! She can't sit still for diaper changes, Doctor! He guessed she will be walking by Thanksgiving. Let's hope not! Riley cried when she was in the scale (I feel you, sister) but smiled and clapped for everyone by the end of the visit -- even after having a finger prick to test iron (good). So happy to see that she is growing at the right rate and ahead of the milestones despite her hip issues. 

Hips we check the week after Thanksgiving but she is wearing a "cruiser" still at night for 12 hours. She can really cruise all over in it. At the last visit her right hip was three degrees shy of perfection. =)

We sure do love our Riley Grace! She is the perfect addition to our family!