Sweet Faces

An impromptu photo session with Riley...

About a month ago Garner started going to school once a week. I think we were both ready. mommy needed a break and Garner must have been ready because he slammed the classroom door in my face before I could tell him good bye. He loves it. When I pick him up he gives me all his work and says "Mama, look I color." Doesn't he look so big in this picture wearing his back pack? He has to stuff as many of his trains in there as he can to take with him.

Milestones, Piling Up

I’d say it’s with joy, but it’s also with a bit of difficulty, that I make these milestone announcements. It’s a blessing to see your child age well – to plump up, speak up, and eat up…up and up and up – until you take a moment to look at a few old pictures and realize your children are growing right out of your grasp; then it doesn’t always feel like a blessing, on first thought at least.

Garner is trying out a one day a week daycare program today – he had to have a lunchbox, his clothes had to be labeled, and he had to be respectful and not bite. He’s started mimicking everything Kim and I do – including calling his Mama by her real name, Kim. He has a best friend now, which makes him seem 10 years old – they knock on each other’s doors and play together and laugh and wrestle and argue and share and don’t share. He needs frequent haircuts, brushes his teeth, says his prayers, chooses his pajamas, and has opinions. And he likes things, which makes him seem 10 years old – Spongebob, Lightening McQueen, and dinosaurs and monster trucks…and he is even beginning his first moving on stage, as Thomas the Train is becoming cold. I think he’s getting his driver’s license tomorrow, and getting married next week.

And Riley, he’s working through his second size of clothing, his cheeks are like squirrels who are preparing for winter, he slept 10 hours last night, and he’s eating rice cereal twice a day. He rolled over the other day and smiles at everything, and cackles every time he hears his name – I hope Riley isn’t a funny name…hopefully Riley’s just a funny kid. He loves Garner almost as much as Garner loves him, and he’s got a tooth popping through his top gum. I think he’s entering the spelling bee tomorrow, and making a Valentine’s card for this girl that’s just a friend next week.

Everyone tells you to hold each moment and clinch it tightly; all young parents have heard the words, “they’ll be grown before you know it.” I’m conceding to that. Even though Garner is not yet two and a half, and Riley is not yet a half, it’s fleeting. It is, really. I’d tell them both to slow down, but, in the end, it’s a blessing to see your child age well. Kim may say differently – she just called. She dropped Garner off at day care for the first time…he closed the door in her face and ran to a crowd of toys and kids.

It’s fleeting, honest, it is.

Just some things to remember

Well, I had planned to catch up on my blogging the past week however, our computer went to the shop this week. So, I thought I would record a few things that my sweet babies are doing so I won't forget it.

Garner, you are funnier than I could ever imagine. You are starting to talk so well and I love hearing your thoughts. Instead of saying "yes" to questions you say "okay" (pronounced otay). You know all your colors now and most of your letters. You are my mess maker. Nothing can be in buckets or baskets. You have to dump it all out ( I.e. Your color crayons every morning). You love to sing. You love to sing the moon song. You sing "moon,moon,moon shining. Moon, moon, moon night night". If I sing without you asking me to you shake your head and say "mama". I guess it embarasses you. You love shoes. You even sleep in them sometimes. You have a big sweet tooth like me and beg for cookies and m&m's everyday. You like to watch spongebob and call him boppies. You adore your brother and call him ry-ee. You love to rub his head and kiss him. If you want to be held you say "hold you". You have the sweetest most gentle spirit and i pray Matthew and I can nurture that spirit.

Riley, you have been such a sweet baby. So easy going and content. You smile all the time so we nick named you smiley Riley. You are pretty intense and concentrated. I think you are going to be our thinker. You look just like your daddy. You have just started to giggle and laugh. Even though you have only been here four months I can't remember what it was like without you.

Sweet Pictures

BFF's - Eli and Riley

Lane and Garner


Old Man Sleep

I'm a little behind

Ok, so with having Riley and moving into a new house and the holidays and all I have been more than a little behind on my blogging. I am going to dedicate the next week to catching up so keep checking back.

Garner's 2nd Birthday

Here are pictures from Garner's 2nd Birthday in September. On his actual birthday we woke him up with a chocolate chip waffle and an early present. As you can see by the pictures below he was really confused.

Can you believe this....

Garner was eating lunch the other day and he must have been pretty tired because I found him asleep with a piece of celery still in his mouth mid chew. I had to scoop his mouth out to make sure he didn't choke before I carried him to his bed. But, I guess I wasn't so worried that I didn't run get the camera and take a few pictures first. So funny.

Brotherly Love

The first 8 weeks with Riley have been wonderful. He is such a sweet and content baby; he just fell right in with the family like he's always been here. Garner has been a great big brother. He loves Riley and is always checking on him to see where he is and what he's doing. Here is a little interaction I was able to catch on camera:)

New Riley