Puzzled

Riley got a giant puzzle for her birthday from her friends Isabella and Brady. She is very into princesses right now so she just loves it. With a little help from me we put it together this morning.

Won't Let You Rain On My Parade

Riley loves commenting on the weather and she is always so funny when a raindrop plinks on her head. Personally I think she's slightly worried the rain is going to ruin her hairdo.

Luckily she won't have to worry about rain hair anymore though because she got her very own Dora "brella" from her Aunt Lo Lo. It rained on her 2nd birthday, but she couldn't have been happier to have the chance to use her umbrella while she cruised the outlets.

Pretty, pretty

No better reason to twirl than a brand new Dora flamenco dress for your birthday. She immediately shed her clothes in favor of it, but opted to keep on her boots. Pretty practical outfit if you ask me. Party on top, business on her feet. Thanks Aunt Ta Ta, she just loves it.

Happy Birthday Dear Riley

Dear Riley,

Today you are 2 and I can hardly believe it. It feels like just yesterday that we were in the hospital anxiously awaiting your arrival. Then finally at 8:20 pm on January 24th, after two long days of labor, the Doctor finally held you up and said, "It's a girl!". It was a hard 48 hours, but you are so worth it.

There are no words for me to tell you just how much you are loved. Because sweet baby you are SO loved. Not just by me and your Daddy, but by your entire family of grandmas and grandpas and aunts. And of course I'm biased, but I always think that there's no way anyone could help but love you.

Riley, you are so full of life even at the age of 2. Your laughter, smiles, giggles and jokes light our lives. When you were very little your Daddy and I used to sit and wonder about what your little voice would sound like. Now, your sweet sing-song voice fills our days with your thoughts, songs and questions. Two years ago we were so anxious to see you walk and play. Now, we laugh with you as you run, jump and dance. You are independent, so daring, slightly stubborn, wonderfully smart and full of love.

Oh precious Riley, I did not spend my entire life wishing to be a mother. Truthfully, the entire nine months I was pregnant with you I was so anxious about it. Not about you, but about me and the very important job that was before me. I spent a few sleepless nights before your arrival in tears worrying about all the things I didn't know how to do. And believe me, I've made a few mistakes along the way these past two years.

But, here's the most important thing for you to know. I love you like no one else alive sweet girl. You are the best thing that ever happened to your Daddy and I. Our lives have changed so much for the better since that night two years ago and now I can't begin to imagine being anything other than your Mama.

Happy Birthday Riley! To us you are perfect and we can't wait to spend the rest of our lives being with you.

It's a Boy

You probably already knew that. It's just that now I have proof to share with you. Please forgive the quality as it's a photo of a photo, but I proudly present our BOY.



For those ultrasound newbies basically it's like our son is sitting on top of the copier with his legs spread. And that little part between his legs with the arrow pointing straight at it? That's the proof that he is in fact, well a he.



Annnnd, the belly has finally popped. I have such a long torso that for most of the pregnancy I just look chubbier than usual. I have decided with baby boy that I just don't care if it's not that attractive and from here on out I might actually photographically document my belly. I wholeheartedly refused with Riley which upset my mother to no end and honestly I'm a little sad I don't have more belly shots of her. But if you tell my mother I said that I'll deny it.



Right now, baby boy is about the size of an eggplant. He's on the higher end size wise which I know because I get monthly ultrasounds during this pregnancy. We found out at the 20 week visit that I have what is referred to as a 2 cord vessel (umbilical cord). Typically, you are supposed to have 3. I get to go once a month and see him on the screen to make sure he's growing alright. So far, so good and just like his big sister he is measuring in the 95th percentile already!

At 6 months I'm feeling pretty good. The intense nausea wore off around 13 weeks and my energy came back shortly after that. I have had some issues with dizziness and blood pressure lately so I'm being monitored for that, but nothing to worry about yet.

I go for my next check up soon and they'll be testing me for gestational diabetes. I had a HORRIBLE case of it with Riley and I'm hopeful that I won't have it this time around. If you're thinking of me say a prayer that I'll get to skip all the finger pricking and self shot giving this time around.

P.S. No name yet so for now it's just baby boy. :)

I'm a Big Kid Now

Family Night

Ugh, I haven't blogged in forever and the sad thing is it's not for lack of topics. I just haven't felt like it. To top it off I haven't had the energy to think of anything witty or entertaining to say. Thank God I don't have a big blog following and I know you all won't mind if I just ramble on.

A few weeks ago we went out for a family dinner. While it is difficult to eat out with just Riley, it's not impossible and we are trying to enjoy as much time with our first born before the new baby comes. So, we picked a dreary night, got all dressed up and went to one of our favorite restaurants.



Eat your heart out Suri and Shiloh. My baby cleans up pretty well and I thought she just couldn't be cuter in her sweater cardigan, knit cap and boots. There might not have been any paparazzi around to photograph it, but Mamarazzo was on duty.



Dinner was delightful and clearly Riley enjoyed her meal. Actually, she surprised us by wolfing down about 5 pieces of bang bang shrimp. If you're not familiar with it, bang bang shrimp is delicious, but a bit spicy. I had to cut her off at five (because spicy diapers are not our friend) and she wasn't too happy about it.



The hardest part about eating out with Riley is that she gets bored after she finishes eating. This wouldn't be a problem, but it seems that restaurants always make an effort to rush out Riley's food while taking their sweet time with our order. Usually, by the time our plates land on the table she is done and ready to go and Matt and I end up wolfing down our food as quickly as we can. Luckily tonight the sweet waiter saved us by delivering our food and a glo stick for Riley. It did just the trick.



Just so you can tell that besides my sweet baby, I did actually have a hot date that night.

Butt Shoes

I love that my first post of 2010 is about my butt shoes and not my kid. But feeling the pressure to blog after being away for six whole days I decided the shoes were my easiest choice. Yes, we did just take an amazing trip that needs to be blogged about, but I need at least an hour or two to dedicate to that. So for now, in the new decade, instead of my adorable daughter in her swimsuit on a tropical beach you get my butt shoes.

Of course that's not their real name, but if you've seen the commercials for them you know they show some ridiculously skinny girl with the camera guy focusing in on her behind. Hence the nickname I gave them which I also think is much catchier than Easytone. But I don't work in marketing for Reebok. (go figure)

Now I figured that for these to really "tone" your butt you would need to be fairly skinny to begin with. Not say, 6 months pregnant with number 2 and covered in flab remaining from number 1. But I'm an optimist, plus they were pink.

So I was thrilled when my sister got them for me for Christmas and even more excited that we celebrated our Christmas at Thanksgiving so I could start using them to combat the impending holiday feasting. I tried them on right away and wore them around her house that night. The next day my calves were killing me. A good sign I figured (or bad if you consider that I was in such terrible shape that one night in butt shoes caused muscle pain).

I've been wearing them ever since, only for exercise walks and when I'm jogging on the treadmill. They even made it on the packing list for our 7 day cruise. And suprisingly I think they work! I have noticed more tone and definition and by the end of December I had actually lost weight. So I'm glad to share with you my blog reading few that if you were considering these shoes they are worth the money.

Not that you'll catch me letting any cameraman zoom in on my butt just yet EVER.

I Will Catch You

Riley has this habit that really unnerves me.

Sometimes when she is perched atop something, say the couch, top of the stairs or slide she will decide that she wants to jump down. On me. Into my arms. Whether I'm paying attention or not.
It's like the trust game. You know, where you're supposed to free fall backwards into the arms of strangers and learn to trust that they will in fact not let you fall. Except Riley's not doing it to test whether I will catch her or not. There's not a moments hesitation.

She 100% believes I will always be there to catch her when she falls.

While sometimes it's terrifying (because truly we've had some close calls when she's on top of the flight of stairs and I'm at the bottom) this knowledge made me a little bit emotional. It means that as her mother I've actually done something right.

I have shown her that she can count on me to be there when she needs me the most.

Oh Riley, you will get older and your world won't revolve around me the way it does now. Some day you will think I don't understand you and that I can't possibly feel the way you feel. There will be moments when you insist I have no idea what is going on in your life and that I'm old and unfair.

Please remember this...

I will always be there to catch you when you fall.

Happy Birthday To You

And when I touch your hand
It's then I understand



The beauty that's within
It's now that we begin



You always light my way
I hope there never comes a day




No matter where I go
I always feel you so



Happy Birthday! It's been a bumpy ride at times, but I can't imagine having anyone else at my side and holding my hand through it all.

Snapshots Only Sunday

Amazing photos courtesy of Appleseed Photography

She's Got Spirit

Our little girl can get girly with the best of them. She loves to dress up, color, and play mama to her multiple baby dolls. She rocks a twirly skirt and brings me bows to put in her hair. She has enough shoes to last almost three weeks sporting a different pair each day and her closet puts my own to shame.

But, nothing thrills her more than getting down in the dirt to do some running, climbing, jumping, and scaling. So of course she was tickled "green" to cheer on her Daddy this fall at his school's first annual staff softball game.



Team colors? Check. Backwards hat? Check, check. Athletic shorts, and pink Nikes? Well, you get the idea.

She ran herself silly, jumped up and down cheering for Daddy, climbed the playground amidst tons of much older and larger children, and scaled the fences to yell at the ref.

Yes, she was in her element and she was all tomboy until TG's team was down a few runs in the last inning and her Daddy stepped up to the plate. Then in front of the entire school community she screamed in her girliest little voice, "GO, DADDY, GO!"

She's got spirit, even if she does have a little dirt in her skirt.

Merry Christmas

"He has done great things for us and we are filled with Joy" Psalm 126:3

This year, more than ever, I am so thankful for the many blessings in my life. I pray daily and give thanks for things that I most certainly do not take for granted. Like FAMILY, LOVE, HAPPINESS, SAFETY, and COMFORT.

I hope that this holiday you and your loved ones are enjoying these same blessings. Merry Christmas my friends!

Mr. Ho Ho

Dear Santa,

Please don't hold it against her. She really is a good little girl. She apparently has leukophobia and your big white beard gave her the creeps! Even a lollipop can't help that, although her Mommy was secretly hoping it would. We'll work on sitting and smiling with you next year I guess and until then Merry Christmas!

Thrillseeker

I am far from fearless. I'm afraid of the dark, planes, snakes, sharks, spiders, loonies, and more. So I know that my baby could not possibly have gotten her love for danger and thrillseeking behavior from me. That trait is 100% Daddy and I love it in her as much as I do him.

So I wasn't surprised when she threw herself wholeheartedly into her first rollercoaster ride.





Now if only I had a gymnasium at my house enough stinking room for this fun mini coaster, but I get the feeling she'd soon tire of the rolling hills and want to upgrade to the "extreme coaster".