Say What?

I think my favorite thing about this point in Riley's life is how much more verbal she is. Don't get me wrong, Riley has had plenty to "say" from very early on in life. Remember this and how about this? Or my personal favorite...

So I guess it's more accurate to say that as she's become more articulate we've become better listeners. I know that most of you couldn't understand about 50% of what she says because there are some things that are still in Riley speak that we've decoded using context clues. Like when she runs around shouting "EAREAL" in the morning. :)

But, the other 50% of what she says comes out very clearly. Take for example, the other night. I was sitting with her at the dinner table and we were enjoying a relatively quiet meal together. It had been raining all day and as she ate she was staring out the window.

Riley: MomMom
Me: Yes, Riley?
Riley: Its raining.
Me: Yes, honey it is raining!
Riley: HUNN-NEY! HUNN-NEY!

At this point the rain conversation was deserted and replaced by communicating her desire to stick her finger into the honey jar and lick it (a delightful habit that TG has taught her). I need to remember to use one of her other nicknames from now on.

Wordless Wednesday

Amazing photography courtesy of my best good friend Linds.

The Best Laid Plans and a Then and Now

You should know I mean to blog, really I do. I'll get all comfy with the computer, I'll click over to my blog and then the inevitable happens. I start to read everyone else's posts and updates on their lives. I blog stalk people by linking through friends and read what's happening in the lives of those I don't even know. Before I know it (meaning several blog posts that aren't mine, people.com, facebook, and missed episodes of gg and glee later) I'm too tired to blog. But, I know you'll forgive me, especially when I share this little gem with you.

Recognize her?

If not, I'm sure that sweet belly gave it away. This is my girl, at the tender baby age of 8 months. She had just learned to crawl, she was battling a nasty cold, she wasn't sleeping through the night, and she didn't have all her teeth. That was my girl, then, at our beloved Fall Fair last September.

I know the time is flying by, but I don't realize it so much in the day to day. Until I look at photos like that and compare it to the photos I took this weekend when our little family of three headed back out to that fair on a beautifully crisp Saturday.

This is my girl, now. A year older, a lot taller and with enough hair for pigtails and bows.

Now, she's old enough to ride the pony.

Patient enough barely to sit still for her first face painting.

Young enough to still love her balloons, but old enough to ask for them by name, well sort of. "YOON!"

Now, my heart skips a beat when I watch her run...

and jump feet first to land on her bottom, pigtails flying.

And yes, my eyes water just a little bit.

When I realize that was then.

And this is now.

Miss Muscles

In case you didn't already know, my kid is strong, but not as strong as she thinks. While she does routinely heft things around the house, and loves moving her furniture here and there she cannot open locked doors.



Try as she might.


Not even her best weight lifting grunt and bared teeth will help.


You have to love the determination though.