Perform, clown!

When I post, I post. I'm following up merriment with baby training. As referenced in the post below, Riley has started smiling on demand. Not sure how he learned this, but it's funny! We're also attempting to teach him 'earmuffs' --as in Old School. As of now, he does one hand most of the time and both about 50% of the time. We've been doing eyes, nose, mouth, and when we got to ear, we couldn't resist. Um, yeah...we train our baby. 

I should also point out that the tongue sounds he's making are his version of toots. He started cracking up every time these sounds naturally came from his body that he's been recreating them and then laughing at their humor. So, while it sounds like he's just spitting, know that it's much more than that.

(You can also check out the line that goes straight down his face in this video. Riley fell face first into a bookcase when we were playing in his new tunnel that he got for Christmas. Poor baby.) 

And to all a good night...

Hmmm, perhaps my New Year's resolution should be blogging more consistently? I'll work on it. For now, I'll pass along some pictures from our crazy Christmas. Christmas is always crazy, but I've decided that we are not the only ones that experience this insanity. In fact, I think most people do. So, I'm trying to become better at embracing the ridiculousness of the running around trying to visit everyone and attempt to enjoy it as much as possible, while still stopping to catch my breath every now and then. 

Having said that, the Christmas that will always be remembered as the holidays of the recession were wonderful. We had so much fun with Riley and being around our families. If I've said it once, I've said a hundred times, we are so, so, lucky and thankful for all we have.

The presents were many, the food was much. Good times had by all. Perhaps the best part? Kevin being home for many days in a row. Love it.

Here's Riley saying, "Let's get this, people."

Christmas Eve at Dad & Susan's. Riley is applauding the talking puppy while Aunt Jaimie and Uncle Andy look on with appreciation at his immense talents. 

Dad, Susan, and their totally pimp ice cream maker, gifted by the Millers. That's us. 

Jadyn reading the world's largest and most random anatomy book. Merry Christmas, now study. Perhaps she'll appreciate this unusual gift in college?

Christmas morning at the home of Kevin's parents. This was my sixth Christmas with them and they still ask me if I like grits at Christmas breakfast. Now they have to--it's tradition at this point. I told Jaimie I would bag up my portion and pass them on to her. She was pleased. Too bad, I didn't. Aside from being grits pushers, the Millers are awesome in-laws and are so great to me. 

Christmas afternoon--preparing to head to our second stop of Christmas Day. I had to include these because Riley has learned to smile on demand. As in we say, "Riley, smile!" and then he does this exaggerated crazy smile face. These are evidence of that. Our son is such a nut. 

Christmas evening--the final celebration. Kevin prepares by getting out these huge things and attaching the trash bag to our kitchen counter. He likes to be super sure that no bag will touch the floor, or something. Love his overkill. You should have seen him hanging a picture for me last night. NASA should be calling soon....

Ethan, Jadyn, and Riley in what may be Riley's coolest present--his ball pit. He loooooves it. Alot. He looks like he does not appreciate their big bodies taking up all of his space. Ethan is holding his cool new handheld video camera. My mom always picks out the best presents. She takes so much time and puts so much thought into selecting things we'll love. It always makes for the best time because we LOVE it all--always. Love her.

Riley enjoying the pit. (We will be purchasing more balls.)

"Argh! Insane, picture-taking mom--have a ball."

I should also mention that 2008 has marked the year I've decided to try baking. I'm starting to really like it and I seriously thought that was never a remote possibility. Here is a picture of my sprinkle thumbprint cookies with icing. They are delish. 

Until next Christmas....

Walk like a man

It's been a big week....Riley is officially on the move! 

He started with a few timid steps and over the weekend his confidence has grown and he wants to try to walk everywhere. It's precious. Camcorder is working overtime. Kind of unbelievable how he goes from a few steps a week ago to full-on walking around the house now. I love watching him grow--even if it's way too fast for my liking.

Here's a video of some of his first steps, and a video of some of his first words -- like calling me 'baba' He knows 'mama,' but has some kind of mental block about it when I ask him. Where's the love, little baby?

Deck the Halls, Y'all!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I have a soft spot for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. It was what was playing on the TV last year while I was giving birth to Riley. It was so weird how calm and quiet it was during those last minutes of pushing. And the TV was on and to the right of my bed so I kept looking over to the parade and kind of used the floats as my focus point. I will never forget that.

So even though T-day is a week later this year, the day and the parade will forever remind me of getting our very own turkey, something we couldn't be more thankful for.

We have a perfect son, wonderful family, fantastic friends, are healthy, and live in a beautiful house with food on our plates. We are so blessed and grateful for all we have. :-)

A Year of Riley

I've been taking monthly pictures of Riley since he was born. It turned out to be a lot harder to keep up with than I thought it would be, but it's so fun to look back and see how he's changed over the last year. Man, that hair is out of control!! 

By the way, he's checkin' in at 24.5 lbs and 28.5" long/tall. He's starting to take some independent steps and loving it! He pushes the furniture around the whole house. He can bark when you ask what the doggie says. His other words are "mama," "dada," "ba-ba" (for bottle), "yucky," his own version of "doggie," and he's recently started saying "yellow" which is totally random. I'm sure I'm forgetting other gibberish that we call words. He's also getting the hang of the little sign language we're teaching him So cool. He's like a real, live person! 

Here's your pictorial journey of Riley's first year on the globe:

Riley is ONE!!

I can't believe our little baby bug is one. It's crazy how fast his first year flew by. We celebrated with a monkey-themed blow-out in our house. We only invited immediate family and a few friends so it wasn't out-of-control. Just a nice celebration of our monkey man's big birthday. I had a blast putting together his decorations and trying to make his birthday unique. My mom outdid herself with the cake(s). We had a big cake and the obligatory smash cake for Riley. Check out the pics of her awesomeness. The woman is talented!

Riley did great with the attention...imagine that. He was outgoing and funny and the life of his party, just as it should be. Such an amazing little boy. I'm so proud of him and all he has learned in his short little life. We are so blessed to have him in our lives! Expect another year milestone post after our doctor's visit tomorrow. I'm so anxious to see what his poundage is ranked at these days...

Here are some highlights from the big day. For more, check out my Flickr site.

I think he thought it was a pirate theme:

Banana, lemon-line, and very cherry Jelly Belly beans:

Half of the snack table with lots of monkeys and bananas:

The high chair of honor:

The big table, minus the cake:

My version of a 'forest':

Loved the huge monkey and safari balloons!

Overview of the snack table:

Amazing cake, #1:

Amazing cake, #2:

Big cake and smash cake:

Get excited, it's cake time!

And somehow, I got no pictures of actual cake eating. 

There's a video though.

He has started 'smiling' when a camera is pointed at him:

Got the year's hottest toy and is kind of freaked out by Elmo so far. Hopefully it passes because this is one funny red monster. 

Probably distracted by a crumb or something:

Totally tired and kind of ready for it all to be over: