The Fence

We knew when we bought this house that a fence was a priority...we knew it would take time and money.  We didn't realize and Ryan REALLY didn't realize how much time it would take.  We got the lumber August 5th and Ryan will finish up this weekend August 29th.  EVERY SINGLE NIGHT he would come home from work change his clothes and work on the fence.  It was 115 degrees most nights and there is no shade in our back yard and Riley and I spent EVERY SINGLE NIGHT admiring Ryan's work ethic from the comforts of air conditioning...On the weekends he worked as soon as he woke up and stayed out until he ran out of light.  But it will all be worth it, because Riley will have a safe place to play, I know we will enjoy our backyard so much more now!  So...Thank You Ryan!  For your hard work and for making our home a lot safer!

The Lumber

The "Machine" at Work Mixing Concrete

The Results

thank you!thank you!

Independence Day...

I really believe in the importance of teaching Riley independence.  It's the first step in growing up, and will help with the tasks to come, like potty training.  He has recently mastered the toddler bed...occasionally I will find toys in the bed that weren't there when I left him...BUT I haven't yet "caught" him out of bed.

His newest independence is picking out his own clothes for the day.  He doesn't care for pants, so I pick those out.  Here is what he has picked to wear this last week...

Monday

Mickey Mouse Shirt

Tuesday 

Buzz Lightyear Shirt

(he even wanted to wear it to bed)

Wednesday

Buzz Lightyear Shirt

Thursday

Frog Shirt

The only reason he didn't  wear the buzz shirt everyday was because he got spaghetti on it...

Bawoooon?!

We experienced our first balloon festival a couple weeks ago.  We knew we would be able to see the balloons in the air from our house, what we didn't know was, they would fly over our neighborhood!  I know what your thinking "air balloons, who cares!"  Wait till one lands on your sidewalk!  I thought we were be invaded, it was very cool and Riley loved it!  Bear even enjoy the view!

2 Years

Riley had his 2 year checkup today and it was extra challenging because my stupid prego-minded self forgot I would have Reese and Caleigh today also.  So, once again I dipped into the future and saw what it would be like to have 3 kids at a 2 year checkup...not fun!  I did start the trip out with a small yet tempting bribe of McDonald's and ice cream if they were good, Riley doesn't quite understand bribes yet so he was going to be the challenge.  When we arrive at the office they hand me a stack of papers to fill out because we are new clients, so as I fill out the paper work, I keep glancing up to make sure all are accounted for and behaving.  Frequently I was forced to say "Riley don't touch that... Reese sit up...Caleigh sit down...Riley inside voice"  Thankfully we got in quickly, however Riley was not a fan of the doctor that day and between his screaming and Reese and Caleigh quietly arguing over the one seat and the video game (Reese's battery died so there was only one game) I couldn't hear what the doctor was saying, what I did gather was this.  Riley is 37.5 inches tall and 35 pounds, the doctor said he thought Riley's weight was a little high and now is the time to really stick to healthy eating habits, because kids that struggle with obesity now will more than likely struggle with it their whole life.  Needless to say, Reese and Caleigh tried their best to stay quite during the appointment and Riley's screaming (he got 2 shots and blood taken for hemoglobin testing) So we had McDonald's and ice cream...we all deserved it!


Some facts about Riley now that he has hit this 2 year milestone:

weight: 35 pounds
height: 37.5 inches
can name at least 10 body parts
jumps (with both feet), runs, walks up (alternating feet) and down stairs, throws and kicks, balances on one foot, gallops
memorizes songs or phrases after hearing them 3-4 times
uses 50-70 words...still working on speaking english though
opens doors
says a-e and 1-10
pulls pants up and down
washes hands and brushes teeth
sleeps in a big boy bed successfully as of 8/3/2010 (long story, which calls for it's own blog)
follows 2 and sometimes 3 part commands
is scared of the dark
remembers family he has seen in the last 6 months
Drinks from a cup...no more sippy
Has to eat everything with a "daddy" fork
Goes to bed @ 8pm wakes @ 7-8am Nap @ 1-3pm
Wears 3T-4T clothing and size 9 shoe (for the width)
Loves transportation and animals
still loves to snuggle, he always welcomes company with hugs and send you home with a kiss...on the lips :)

Things we are working on....
Tantrums
Potty Training starts the 2nd week in Sept.
Talking clearly and in english (he says full sentences and conversations in a Japanese-Pig Latin language)
Good Eating Habits
Being Gentle
Saying Names of People

Riley's 2nd Birthday

Well a month worth of planning, a weeks worth of cleaning, and a day of preparing was worth a great day spent with wonderful family.  We are so blessed that so much of our family could enjoy Riley's birthday with us.  We first opened presents, then lit the 2 candles and sang happy birthday, then Ryan fired up the grill and made fantastic burgers and brats!  There was a whole spread of pasta salad, baked beans, snicker salad (thanks to Deb), cucumber pasta salad (thanks to Deb again!) and chips.  I decided not to make a cake but mini cupcakes, Riley likes them and when it's that hot out, no one wants sweets!  Present opening didn't go how I had planned it, Ryan sat with Riley to guide him, but Riley wanted to watch Ryan open the gifts, so it was kind of like Daddy's birthday too!  Riley loved all his gifts, the big gifts from us was a motorcycle hot wheels tri-cycle.  Below is a sample of birthday pictures:

by the way...Riley is going to be a big brother!

A Movie Event

For my birthday, we went to see Toy Story 3 in the theaters, as a family.  We weren't sure how Riley would react to the movie theater, it was either going to be really good or really bad.  We got a bag of peanut butter m&ms and his sippy cup of milk and sat him in his own seat between us.  He was a little antsy during the advertisements, but once the previews started he was hooked.  A couple of times he would yell "whaaaatisthaaaat?"  But no one cared, everyone else was dealing with whining kids.  He sat there the whole movie in his seat, with his m&ms between his legs chomping and watching the movie.  It was so cute!  It was a great birthday present to have him enjoy the movie so much!

Watching the previews

He really liked this movie poster!  

Imagination Movers

I found out from any early point in Riley's life (around 9 months)  that he had quite the imagination, it wasn't a vast imagination from the start, but quickly becoming very creative with play.  First off, everything is a potential phone...you never know when that important call from Elmo will come.  It could be a shoe, a pen, a wallet....the latest, was a rock as a phone :)  Secondly, he sits right in front of the cat and has a conversation with her...even turkey looks at me like "I don't understand a single word coming from his mouth!?"  At night he has musical theater performances in his bed with all his stuffed friends, mickey, elmo, kitty. puppy...they all sing along. 

But this one tops them all...can you guess what Riley is pretending to do?   

Riley's Birthday Wish List

Here are a list of items that we want you to get Riley wants for his birthday.  Everything is sold at Wal- Mart, Target or Toys R Us and if you can find a good garage sale or get lucky at a Goodwill, more power to ya!  :) More than anything Riley will need fall clothes, he wears 4T or 35 pounds 37 inches tall.  The Birthday party is August 14th, hope to see you there!  :)

big trucks!

Mega Blocks Building Table

Sing-Along CD Player

T-Ball

Work Bench