December 29- Riley 11 months

I CANNOT believe that my little baby will be a year old next month. There must be some mistake. Fastest year of my life.
Riley at 11 months:

• favorite foods: cheese, honey oat bread, blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, pizza and chicken.
• Sleeps about 11 hours a night, 2 short naps a day
  
• Took his first steps
• Appropriately uses Ma Ma and Da (occasionally)
• Loves: throwing things, when Da is home, shopping carts that he can drive like a car, diet coke, Yo Gabba Gabba, dancing, UNfolding laundry, eating, smiling, getting thrown on the bed, Christmas balls, cousins, fires, vacuuming, the dishwasher
• Hates: bubble machines, having a door close him out of a room (laundry room with kitty litter, bathroom), diaper changes, going to bed, sitting on Santa's lap, having his nose wiped,
  

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Thanksgiving here in Dallas this year with Cameron and Anne, some of their friends, and Jeff and Amy who drove out from Florida..here's the only picture I have- a blurry one from my iphone.

George and Laura had been in Utah for Thanksgiving and on their way home they had a layover in Dallas and we were able to meet them at the airport for a few minutes. It was way too short, but it was great to see them and I know they cherished those few minutes with their grandsons!

One thing that I randomly was thinking of this year that I was especially grateful for are Sisters-in-law. I've been very blessed to have a wonderful family and to marry into a wonderful family. I love them all so much. I have a great father-in-law, mother-in-law, and even brothers-in-law :). I guess it's something that comes to my mind around the holidays when couples are making plans and I hear the disappointment of having to go to "the in-laws" and I feel so sad for them! How did I get so lucky?!
Anyways, I was especially thinking of these girls. I grew up with 4 brothers and no sisters. I never wanted a sister though- I was a total tomboy as a kid and a sister probably would have brought me down! I mean who wants to have to share? You don't share by the way as an only girl, and you run the show!
However, as I've gotten older I see the special relationship between sisters and I have to admit I began to wonder what it would be like. So this Thanksgiving (yes I know it's over, but I was thinking it then) I am grateful for Sisters-in-law. These girls have become like sisters to me. I'm so thankful for their relationships, their support, their humor, and for taking me in as the last addition! I've been able to live near all of them now, except Allison (that's why I'm sure she's going to move to Dallas when she returns to the States), and I'm inspired by their examples as mothers and wives.
The funny thing about this pictures is I barely knew them then (except Kim and Angie- and let's be honest that wedding might not have happened without them!) and now they have become some of my favorite people in the world!
Another funny thing- they are all now like half the size they are in this picture and I'm twice the size. Hmmm...maybe they should share their secret.

Random stuff from my Camera

My attempt at decorating the Christmas tree resulted in Mia dragging Riley around with the ribbon.


Rachel and I had a cooking day and made homemade chicken pot pie. I'm not exactly Ms. Domestic Wife so I was proud!
Craig and I at the Jazz vs Mavericks game. Not sure why I always have crazy eyes in pictures.

Gingerbread house 2010

This weekend we had the annual Tobler Gingerbread House Party. Minus the Tobler's :( The Tobler's hosted this party the past few years while we were in Florida and we decided to continue the tradition. (And by the way THANK YOU AMY. I realize now how much work you put into it!) The Greenhalgh's and White's joined us.

Sterling and K.C.

Sterling and K.C. are Texas A&M fans, who will be playing LSU in a bowl game so notice the sign on their front lawn. This was their first year and we forgot to warn them ahead of time that building gingerbread houses as a couple will test your marriage. They finally put their marriage first and went with an easy flat roof. Craig and I have come a long way over the years. We didn't get into a fight this year!

Del and Rachel

Del and Rachel had an impressive igloo with a snow machine out front. We were giving them a hard time at first cause we didn't know what the heck they were building, but it turned out pretty awesome!

Craig and I

We were all happy by the end! It was a really fun night and helped us start feeling a little "at home" here in Texas after 6 months (I can't believe we've been here that long!). Thanks for the fun guys!

Riley dancing with Ellen

Riley playing Catch

November 20th

Santa Baby!

As we waited in the Santa line and every kid in front us cried on Santa's lap I just knew my Riley boy wouldn't. I walked towards Santa and Riley grinned at him as he does everyone...until I placed him on his lap. He got the saddest face and started bawling! Fortunately, it didn't take much coaxing to get a grin through the tears...he just can't keep a smile off!

November photoshoot

My talented sister-in-law (www.creativelychicphotography.com) took these pictures for us last month...these are favorites (which was EVERY one of Riley!)

My little helper

Yes, he is EVERYWHERE.

Halloween

Unfortunately I don't have a picture of Craig and me dressed up... I'm going to have to try and find one that someone else took. But lucky for you I have ones of Riley!
Our little monkey...



Trick or Treating was really fun for me because I have never lived somewhere that I could walk up and down the street trick or treating. Where I grew up we had to drive in our car because there weren't many close neighbors. So I lugged this kid up and down the street while Craig stayed home and gave out candy. Some would say I only did it so I could have the candy, and I would have to admit that's partly true. But don't worry...yes, I shared the candy with my 9 month old.

Here he is asking my why I've kept chocolate a secret for 9 whole months?
He's totally on board with this whole Halloween thing.


You would think from the following face he'd had enough...but no he cried when I wouldn't give him anymore.

9 Months correction

I've been meaning to post this for my own records... A few days after Riley's cardio appointment we had his normal checkup and the stats were a little different so I wanted to correct it for myself!

20 lbs 2 oz 50th percentile
29.3 inches 90th percentile
18.3 inches (head) 90th percentile

9 Months

Our little bundle of joy is 9 MONTHS old today, I can't believe it. He weighs 20 lbs, and is 28 inches tall. These statistics are not quite what his Daddy wants for his developing quarterback, but I'm sure he'll get there!
What's he's up to at 9 months:
Riley was born with a heart murmur, which is quite common and since it hasn't gone away he had an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist this week. After some test and examinations he narrowed it down to one of two things neither of which are too concerning and said he'd see him back in a year.
Riley is all over the place this month. He pulls up on everything and walks around as long as he is against something. I'm sure he'll be walking in no time.
When he's in a hurry he still does his army crawl.
He's liked his car seat lately and takes daily naps in it.
He loves to eat things he can feed himself.
When he's tired he will actually sit somewhat calmly on my lap (he's never been much on being still so this is pretty amazing).
He often smiles at me even if I'm not smiling to get me to smile back. It's fun to see his personality developing.
He's fearless. Sometimes he forgets he can't walk and will let go and totally eat it. He chases the cat, the vacuum cleaner and anything else that should scare him.
He ate cat food. (On Craig's watch)
He took his first shower.
He hates getting dressed.
He has 7 teeth.
My list has to end here because he's chewing on the computer cord.
I posted a couple of pictures of him NOT smiling.

He spilled formula all over and started crying. I think he thought if he cried he wouldn't be in trouble.

This is his "Mom stop taking pictures" face.

One of those days

I blogged how my day began in the previous post, little did I know how much better it was going to get.
At 2:30 PM my little angel had yet to take a nap. Enough said about the morning. So I finally put him in his car seat and headed to happy hour hoping he'd fall asleep. Thank goodness he did for a little while. I went back home and moved him to his crib. When he woke up from his nap I could hear him in there talking and playing so I waited a little bit to go in and get him (just in case he decided to go back to sleep. yeah right.). When I heard him pounding on wood of the crib I decided to go get him. I noticed brown stuff all around his mouth and couldn't figure out what it was until I looked down at the crib. That little rascal had about chewed his way out of the crib! UGGHHH. Should have gone with the cheap crib.
4:30 PM I decide that it's time I get dressed and do something with myself before Craig gets home. It's very hard to get ready now a days because you can't look away from this kid for one second before disaster will strike. I should've just stayed in my gym clothes. I'm looking in my bathroom mirror finishing up my hair and Riley is playing on the floor RIGHT beside me. I finish look down and...there sits Riley in a pool of nail polish and glass. Completely covered in nail polish! And we're not talking pastel pink polish, it was a dark brownish shade. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I quickly take the glass from his hands and throw him in the tub simply to contain the mess. Fortunately it hadn't made it to his mouth, there were no cuts, and it wasn't on carpet. As I cleaned up the floor Riley crawls around in the tub (getting polish everywhere), pulls up and proceeds to turn the water on and stand under it. So now he's covered in polish AND soaking wet. (patience, patience, patience) I get him stripped down and run a bath for him and began to use polish remover to try and get most of it off his skin. I finally decide it's reached a point that I shouldn't scrub him anymore with the harsh chemical and leave the remainder of polish to hopefully someday wash away.
As I'm sitting there thinking what a long stressful day it's been I can't help but think of the people in my life I love so much who long for, hope for, and would give anything for a day like this. I shed a tear for them and I am grateful for my day.

I went to pick Riley up from child care at the gym and the girl said he's so compact and muscular! She gave me a quick once over and asked, is his dad that way??

Sent from my iPhone

Riley swinging

Recent Happenings

Mia has become a couch potato.

Riley likes to dunk his face in the bathwater and drink it.
We now find this sight all over the house pulled up on everything. Just when we thought he couldn't get cuter!
Yes, Riley is in there. We recently had a fun trip to Florida and Riley had lots of fun with cousins.

Skeleton Jammies.
Trying on a Halloween costume.
He's alot happier in his car seat lately...I can't figure it out.
LSU vs Florida


Grandma Laura and Grandpa George
Apparently I have a thing for Gator boys!

Gotta stay hydrated.
It was SOOOOOO fun to be in Gainesville and see our friends!! I miss them so much!
Sometimes Riley crawls into closets, laundry baskets, etc to find a quiet place.
We also went to Louisiana to visit Grandparents a few weeks ago.

Yesterday Craig had the day off so he went golfing with our friend Todd and Abby and I took the boys to the zoo in Fort Worth.
Caleb and Riley are just 2 months apart, aren't they too cute? Caleb has major surgery coming up this Wednesday so remember him in your prayers!! He's the sweetest little boy.
Laura- white Tiger.

Oh look Laura- another Tiger. :)
The lions were really pretty!
Riley's favorite part was this giant bird cage. There were tons of birds that you could feed and he loved that they got so close. He was constantly jumping out of my arms trying to touch them.


Tanner with the Iguana, I had no idea they were this big!