A Sprinkle of Fun

We're in the middle of a heat wave, which only makes me wonder just how hot July and August can possibly get.  I think I heard yesterday that one day this week was the hottest day EVER on record for June in our area.  Needless to say, we've been doing a lot of inside play and trips to the pool to try to keep cool.

Earlier this week, after we had dinner and before it was bath time, Jarrod hooked up the sprinkler to water the lawn and I jumped on the opportunity for making some summertime memories with the kids.  I told Gavin we were going to play in the sprinkler and he said, 'But I still have my clothes on!'  I had to reassure him that it was ok....that was all part of the fun.  And off we went! 

Riley loved it, too.  I let her crawl around in the grass, and also scooped her up to run through with her.  It felt so refreshing on a 100 degree evening.

 I love making memories like this with the kids.  It brought back so many visions of Megan and I running through the sprinkler in our yard as kids.  I was so proud of Gavin, too.  Running through a sprinkler last year would never have happened.  He's slowly getting braver and braver about getting water on his face.  I can't wait to do it again!

Mourning

Making friends as an adult is hard enough.  Making friends as a stay-at-home-mom is even harder.  Sure, I've met tons of moms and have fun hanging out with them.  But you know those special friends that you connect with immediately?  The ones you can talk to about absolutely anything, and not feel judged?  The ones that you can stop by their house early in the morning, when they're still in their pajamas and their house is a mess, just to have a cup of coffee and chat?  The ones that call just to say hi?  Those friends are rare.  I think about all the friends I've had such special bonds with over the years, and I cherish all the memories I have with them.  Memories from MacKinnon Hall.  Memories from girls' weekends in Columbus, Cleveland, and Dayton.  Memories from the halls and classrooms of Shaw Elementary.  Memories from the car rides to and from UD with a sweet tea in hand.  And now, memories made here.

But, lately, I've found myself feeling a little sad; mourning a friend that hasn't even left yet.  We've spent the last two years getting to know one another so well.  Our families have spent numerous days together.  But I know it won't be like this forever; California sure is lucky to be getting them back.  I have to be honest, though....a little piece of me is still hoping that something happens that will keep them here.  But for now, I'll just enjoy all the time I can with this amazing friend because who knows what the future will bring.  

Swimming

Gavin really is making some progress with his swimming, but we still have a ways to go.  He really wanted Daddy to be able to see him at swim lessons, so this week, Jarrod surprised him and showed up at the lesson.  I told him I'd take some videos and then he could help me pick out one that he was proud of and I'd share it on the blog.

We watched them together, and deleted the ones that didn't really show anything.  Then, I thought for sure he'd pick one of him jumping in to Miss Jo, like this one...

But, nope...he picked this one.

Even though he's crying in the video, I think he really did feel proud of himself.  Just one more lesson left!  While I don't think he'll be going under by the end of the lesson without crying, I am happy for him and the progress he has made.  

11 Months!

Do you know what this means???  I have to start planning our baby girl's 1st birthday party!  Yikes!  This past year has seriously gone by sooo fast.

As I've said before, these monthly pictures are getting harder and harder to take.  I get fewer good shots and more shots that are blurry or of her crawling away from me.  Plus, I spend most of my time trying to get her to stop taking the sticker off her shirt....

 

Riley definitely is more of a toddler than a baby these days.  I haven't taken her back in for a weight check since mid-May when she was 17lbs 6oz, but according to my bathroom scale, she's about 19lbs now.  I don't think that's exactly accurate, but I know she's gaining weight.  She wears 12 month clothes and size 3 Luvs.  I can't remember exactly when we switched, but I think it was after our last monthly update, so she is in her new convertible seat and seems to like it.  While her sleep is still pretty bad {hopefully that's changing this week!}, she does put herself well.  I nurse her probably 4x through the day, and when I'm finishing nursing her around 7pm, she immediately sits up and starts waving to Gavin and Daddy to tell them 'night night.'  It's so cute....especially if they're not in the room.  We're also down to one nap a day already....it's rare that she naps twice, and usually only happens if she was up even more than usual the night before.  

Riley is walking really well these days.  She doesn't know how to stand herself back up if she falls, but she's making it farther everyday and even turns herself around now.  Guess it's time to get some walking shoes!

Of course she wouldn't do it in the video, but she says mama, waves, and claps all the time.  Sometimes it sounds like she's trying to say dada, but so far, I don't think she's saying it consistently.  Just recently, she's started saying 'uh' when she drops something....we just have to keep working on adding the 'oh!'  She absolutely loves wrestling with Gavin, playing with the shopping cart and food, and pulling everything she can out of any cabinet or drawer that isn't babyproofed.  The girl loves to eat, too.  Seriously, I think she'd snack all day if we let her.  I really like that she just eats whatever we're eating now....no more baby food!  We're working on the sippy cup and will introduce milk soon, but for now she gets water and formula in the sippy cup several times a day. And because she loves to bug her brother, she also loves to try to steal his cup and drink whatever he's having.   

 
I'm taking her to Baby and Me swimming lessons right now and she absolutely loves the water.  I've learned from my mistakes with Gavin, so Riley gets water splashed on her, poured on her head, and she gets dunked in the pool a lot.  I want to make sure she's used to the water!  Going to the pool a couple times a week definitely helps.  We also go to baby story time and she loves watching all the other babies, popping the bubbles, and listening to the songs and stories.  We're in the middle of a heat wave here, so we've been limited with our outside time but she really loves when we go outside to play.  

 

We can't believe you're almost 1, Riley girl  Thank you for making us all so happy.

Watermelon Slice

 I love me some watermelon!  Gavin, sadly, does not like it {he's not a big fruit fan} so I was excited to share watermelon with Riley.  If I put cubes on her tray, they ended up on the floor instead of in her mouth, so I tried just giving her a big ol' slice.  

The silly girl just kept putting the rind in her mouth.  She apparently found the hardest part of the watermelon more appealing than the sweet, juicy part! 

The plus side of giving her watermelon...Gavin was intrigued and decided to try some again.  He ate one half of one cube I put on his plate and was insisting that it was delicious.  I think he really wanted to like it since Riley did.  I guess my kids will take after me and just be picky about the fruits they like.

 Hopefully, Riley keeps loving the watermelon so I have a watermelon buddy in the house.

The truth is...

Riley's sleep is awful these days.  I know she's up several times a night just wanting to comfort nurse, and Jarrod doesn't like to hear her cry so even if I try to let her soothe herself back to sleep, he gives in and goes in to get her.  I've been saying for weeks now that when he goes out of town next, I'm letting her cry it out and getting her sleep back under control.  I decided I am going to cut out all night time feedings, because I know she doesn't need them.  And I'm going to stick with my plan because I know it's necessary for all parties involved.  Getting up 4-6 times a night isn't helping anyone feel rested in the morning.  

But the truth is....I'm going to miss those night time wakings and feedings.  Yes, I'm exhausted, and I have to drag myself out of the bed when I hear her crying, but sitting on the couch with her, just the two of us, is so peaceful.  I love watching her fall back to sleep.  I love carrying her back into her room, and sometimes I just stay there and hold her because I know it won't be like this for long.  Sometimes, as I'm holding her, I try to remember how it felt to hold her when she was only 8lbs, not 18, and it's sad that it seems like so far away.  I can't remember the last time I was able to rock Gavin to sleep or just hold him and watch his chest rise and fall while he snoozed.  I really want to cherish every minute I have with Riley before she's too big for me to have these special 2am moments.  

So, yes...next week I plan to do some sleep training and cut out nighttime feedings.  But that doesn't mean I won't miss watching her little eyelids flutter as she dozes off.  

Daddy

Happy Father's Day {late, of course....but this was taken on Father's Day.}

Wordless Wednesday

Trying to Keep Up!

Riley tries so hard to keep up with Gavin.  I think that's why she's starting to walk earlier than he did.  I love this video.  It shows just how much she tries to be like her big brother.  I was cooking dinner and had to grab my camera to capture this. 

Love You All!

Thanks for visiting us!  We are looking forward to the next visit....at the beach!

Tastefully Simple Birthday Special!

It's Tastefully Simple's Birthday but YOU Get the Presents!

This is a ONE DAY Special.

To celebrate Tastefully Simple's 17th Birthday, I want to pass the presents on to YOU!

All orders TODAY, June 15th, between 7am-4pm CST, will receive ADDITIONAL FREE PRODUCT!!!

***All orders placed between 7am-10am will receive 27% MORE product of your choice!

Ex. Order $60, receive $16.20 in additional product of YOUR choice!

***All orders placed between 10am-1pm will receive 17% MORE product of your choice!

***All orders placed between 1pm- 4pm will receive 7% MORE product of your choice!

***In addition, every 17th order will receive a FREE Returning Favorite product of their choice.

***Every party booked will receive a FREE drink or dessert of their choice for the party!


*Online website orders DO NOT qualify because I can't add your free goodies to that order

*Orders related to Taste-testing Parties, Catalog/Online Parties, and/or Fundraisers DO NOT qualify

Please leave a message if I am not readily available. My voicemail/e-mail inbox will record the time that you contacted me, so I will know who every 17th client is and which freebies apply. I must have your order no later than 4:00pm to qualify for this special. Your order will be shipped directly to your house in about 10 days from the time payment is received. If you pay by credit card, I can process immediately or you can send me a check- whichever works best for you.

Don't forget to order your grilling needs and 4th of July picnic needs!

Please feel free to pass this offer on to your friends and family who do not already have a Tastefully Simple Consultant!

Thank you!

P.S. - We also have a super host incentive going on in July! See below. Feel free to contact me for all of the details and to set your date. I have the following available: July 7, 8, 15, and 22.  . PICK ONE OF THESE DATES AND GET AN EXTRA $15 in HOST REWARDS!

EMAIL ME!  mrspate22@yahoo.com

STEPS!!

Riley's growing up so fast!  For the past week or so, she's been taking two or three steps at a time.  She'll walk from the ottomans to the couch and back, or she'll take a step here and there to get to what she wants, especially if what she wants is Gavin.  I decided to try to get some steps on video today, and I'm so glad I did.  Remember, I'm the one recording and trying to get her to walk to me, so excuse the poor quality, but watch Riley take 7 steps to get to me! :) 

 

Pool Time with the Fam

I am so glad that we decided to bite the bullet and join the pool this summer.  The last two summers have been very hot and miserable, so I was really excited when Gavin's teacher told us about a pool that was open for summer memberships.  We signed up Memorial Day weekend, and I think we've already been 6 times.  Two of those times were with my family.  

Gavin loves to play in the 'cat pool' as long as there's no splashing.  It took me a while to figure out why he called it that and then it clicked...I told him the pool had a 'kiddie pool' but he heard 'kitty pool.'  Love the innocence of the child....makes my heart smile.

Riley loves hanging out in her float.  She will spend a good hour or two just floating around the pool, and will get in the big pool with us, too.  But, just like her mommy, she eventually needs to take a break to snack.

I <3 these kids!

After a couple hours at the pool, her little toes are so wrinkled!

The lighting in some of these pictures sucks.  It's so hard to see the preview on the camera when it's super bright outside.  Oh well....the memories are still there! :)