Get motivated!

So, Quinton has been sending funny little motivational posters using pictures of Riley and Kevin and it's been very entertaining--and inspiring.

Here I present, a few motivational posters of my own: (and in case you don't know, Quinton is the "guy" in the next to last poster and the baby pics that aren't Riley are Kevin.) Enjoy!

Is this weird?

I can't decide if it's brilliant or one step away from barcodes on babies.

http://www.tattooswithapurpose.com/

Of course there's always this practical dub-T alternative from parenthacks.com

My favorite follow-up comment to this one came from someone who posted in response. His name was Chris and he said this:

"Can I write other things? 'Warning. His toots smell.' Things like that?"

Now that, I love.

Bang!

Dear Blog,
I've missed you so! I've finally finished my huge editing project and realized I hadn't posted since the 1st. So, that's not really that long, but it felt like forever. Anyhow, it's good to be back.

We had an awesome Fourth of July party once again this year. I love that it's becoming an annual tradition for us. Kevin's mom has kind of let us take it over the past couple of years and it's so great to actually have everyone to OUR house for a change. We finally have something that no one else in the city can top--legal fireworks! It is like a war zone here on Independence Day. I don't even know how to explain the volume of explosives that go off around us. Not to mention the small arsenal that the men ignite in our own backyard. It's awesome and horrifying in the same breath.

Riley usually goes to bed right at 8 o'clock every night, but not on the loudest of holidays! We gave him his bedtime bottle and he fell asleep quickly--and for about 15 minutes. Then, he let his know that sleeping wasn't an option by screaming into his monitor. I went to get him and he promptly rejoined the party! He sat in my lap until around 10:15 when he finally passed out. So adorable in his PJs just watching the loud fireworks like a champ. I couldn't believe he wasn't freaked out by the noise. We were joking that he was thinking 'so this is what happens when I go to bed every night...'

It was a wonderful day/night surrounded by our family. What more can you ask for?

He's a vamp!

Oh yes. A vamp, as in --pire. Mr. R has just sprouted 3 more teeth. And instead of going the traditional route of growing the front two, he has decided he wants the two beside those--as in his fangs! So hilarious. His other is not nearly as exciting. It's lower, next to the two already there. If you're keeping track, that's 5 total. Love it.

I would have a picture, but he's developing a very strong will. One that doesn't want his mom to look in his mouth.

Riley hates Texas...

7 months and counting...

In honor of Riley's 7-month milestone, I present the progression of a photo shoot. Why a hat and Babylegs? Because I can--and he's not old enough to tell me no yet.

Landscaping, sweet landscaping

Yay!! We finally have the window boxes up and the vision is mostly complete. I think we just have to add a couple of big landscape boulders and we'll be finished. Kevin even installed sprinklers in the gardens.

We have come such a long way from our barren nothingness of a year ago. I can't wait to see what another year of growing will bring because things are already growing like crazy. Hooray for summer!

(By the way, you can click on pics for a super-size version!)
Once again, here's the sad before:

And the current view:

He knows what he likes...

and it isn't Vegetable Beef Pilaf. Check it out for yourself!

Happy Father's Day!!!

So, I've been avoiding the computer at all costs to take a break from editing. Therefore, this Father's Day post is coming atcha a day late. Probably technically more than that, but I'm still awake so it's only a day!

We had a great father's day with all of the fathers in our lives. So fun! I love all of these men and we are so incredibly lucky to have them. It's so neat to see how father relationships change over the years. I love where ours are. We love you so much!

This father's day was Kevin's first official one and let me just tell you, he deserves so much more than one day. I always knew Kevin would be a good dad. He has the nature for it--and he puts up with me so we know he has the patience! But, he has blown me away. He is the most active, loving, wonderful father that I can imagine. Riley is the luckiest little boy to have him. Kevin is the best father and I love him in such a different way now. I love him with more respect and admiration than I ever did as a boyfriend, or fiance, or husband. So many fathers are hands-off with their kids and leave the hard work to the moms. This is not Kevin. He is right in there with every aspect of raising him and I know that will pay off so much in the relationship that he has with Riley. I love it and I am so grateful and thankful and blessed to have him as a husband and father to our son.

Happy Father's Day, Kev--you are loved and appreciated!

Tag, I'm it!

The lovely Erin has tagged me so I'm taking a break from editing hell to play for a minute!

Here Are the Rules: Answer the following questions about yourself. At the end of the post you pass on the questions to 6 other bloggers and list their names. Then write them a comment telling them that they've been tagged and ask them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know that you've accepted the challenge and refer to your post.

1. What did you do 10 years ago?
Oh, oh, oh. There was a LOT of partying & happiness taking place. I was living in the sorority house and having the time of my life. We played all the time and did the most random, fun things on a daily basis. We'd stay up so late doing something silly or be out at whatever bar had the cheapest drink specials--oh wait, I wasn't quite 21 so there wasn't as much of that happening yet, I suppose. (I was actually a pretty good girl without a fake I.D.) Some of the best memories of my life. Hanging out w/ boys and my friends--who are still some of my closest and favoritest people in the world. I love those girls!!! Oh yeah, and on occasion, I even went to class--but as my friends can tell you, this wasn't my strong suit! I tested the limits of attendance policies. ;-)

2. Five items on your to-do list today:
1. Editing
2. Editing
3. Editing
4. Play w/ Riley before he goes to sleep (and after he comes back home!)
5. Laundry

Wow, today kind of sucks alot.

3. Snacks I enjoy? I'm a horrible snacker. I love to attack a jar of pickles, green or black olives, granola bars, goldfish, apples (if I can remember that we have them), baked Cheetos or Doritos--that's all I can think of right now

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire? Quit working on this huge editing assignment! Okay, really though, I'd give away so much money that I was closer to being a millionaire. It sounds cheesy, but I LOVE finding good causes worthy of donations even as a non-billionaire! I'd make sure my son was set; Then, I'd distribute cars & houses to our immediate family; pay off any & all debt, invest heavily, start a few fun companies, buy massive amounts of real estate, then lots of traveling & shopping, and enjoying life in fun & fulfilling ways! Who knows what else. I'll have this problem someday so I better start thinking of my plan...

5. Places I would live: Here, obviously. And I'll never move as long as my family lives here! BUT, hypothetically, Colorado, Chicago & Hawaii are awesome places where I could see myself living.

I have very few people to tag! I guess I need more bloggers in my life. ;-) I'm tagging Jaimie, Susan, Brooke & Adam.

Back to work...sigh.

Happy BELATED B-day, A.J.!!

So, yesterday was Jaimie's big b-day, and I had this super duper plan to post cute pics of R-man in the onesie she had made for him. Alas, my wonderful husband-o departed with the camera and said pics. That brings us to now. A day later. Here's one of the pics of Riley in the customized bodysuit that Jaimie gifted us while Riley was still wombing it. Gotta love personalized anything!!! This makes me think he needs some more customized gear...

I'm getting off-track. Happy birthday, Jaimie!!! (And A.J. stands for Aunt Jaimie--duh!) This picture also proves why photo shoots should not happen 20 minutes before bedtime. Much love from the Millers.

I can't take it!

You are seriously delusional if you don't think this baby is awesome.

By the way, the 6 month stats:
20lbs, 26" long and his head is in the 100th percentile. Pretty much biggest baby head out there. Oh yeah, and I gave him a little trim to get the hair off his neck and out of his eyes. Maybe big heads grow hair faster...

6 months old!

Our little man is half a year old...unbelievable. I say that every month, but it's so true--especially since he's made it to a milestone. His official 6-month appointment is tomorrow so I'll update with stats later. We love hearing the weight/height reports!

Riley is at a super fun stage right now. He's a total giggle monster, loves carrots and probably anything else we will start to feed him. He can sit up on his own and I feel like he'll becrawling soon only because he is so darn curious. He is into everything he can get his hands on! We're going to be busy...

Oh yes, and Riley says if you want to give him a 6-month present you should make a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Link to the left, or above). Apparently his mom is walking 60 miles in 3 days and is going to raise lots of money for this amazing organization! He also wants you to know that all donations go straight to the charity and will do very good things for women!

Here's some funny shots from his 6-month pictures that I took this evening. He cracks me up!

Dreams do come true.

I have just learned that the Gap loves me even more than I thought they did. The site has just launched...wait for it...combined shipping at Gap, Banana, Old Navy, and Piperlime!! Shop at them all, checkout at one time and pay only 7 bucks shipping. Why am I blogging about it? Because it makes me that darn happy.

In case you're as obsessed as I am, you can read about it here:
http://www.gap.com/customerService/info.do?cid=40995

And if you aren't then you can go back to whatever it was you were doing before you learned this amazing new piece of knowledge and wonder what happened to the last minute of your life.

Wiggle baby!

Okay, so he's not crawling, but don't tell him that. He has no idea... The first video is a very proficient mastering of the back to belly roll. The second is just funny Riley cuteness.

First Mother's Day!

Yay for Mom's Day! It was such a great weekend! We spent last night with Mom, Andy, Jaimie and the kids and the "official" day today began with a breakfast in bed, continued with an I-phone and ended with dinner at the Millers, (and cookies and goodies on the front porch from dad!!) with lots of fun in the middle. I love our moms so much and I love, love, love my boys, --big and small. I am the luckiest!!

To all the moms we know and love--Happy Mother's Day!! You deserve so much more than a day. Hope yours was as happy as ours! :-)

Flip, flip, hooray!

Today was a good Miller day. The flip is officially SOLD! What a relief. I hadn't even posted that it was under contract because I didn't want to screw up our excellent luck. I've learned nothing in real estate is final until you get the keys or the check.

It took 2 months to sell, which was faster than I expected and we ended up selling it for our full asking price. Even better news? We learned that it appraised for higher than we sold it for! We more than doubled the property value of the house in about a year. Pretty good if you ask me...

The amazing Kevin really deserves many pats on the back. He put so many hours of sweat equity into the job and made an unappealing house into a beautiful home. The girl who bought it even said that it already felt like home and she loved it. It was actually really cool to hear her tell us about things she was going to do to it and where she was going to arrange things. That's some awesome-ness.

Hopefully, we'll be repeating this process in the future, but for now we're just going to enjoy this feeling of ahhhhhhhhh.

Tiny baby...

Cassie just sent me an e-mail that had this video attached. Can you believe how tiny Riley was here? He was brand, spankin' new, straight from the cooker. What an itty bitty sweetheart. Thanks, Cass for the clip!!

Happy Monday!

Here are some recent pics of Riley to get your week jump-started. Yes, I know, the hair is out of control...

The "official" 5 month picture, although about 5 days late.


This is how I found him playing in his crib last week. He likes to lay across the short way and watch his aquarium.



And some fun "Jumperoo" action at Grammy's house.

So adorable.

Seriously. I love this.