Henry

Dear Riley,

When I met your Daddy I had one year left of college. One year and I was free. No more waiting tables, no more sitting at the library until midnight, no more working 40+ hours a week in addition to school. I could not wait. I was having the time of my life, and then I met your Daddy.

We hadn't known each other very long, but something just felt right. And before long, we found out you were on your way. I wasn't sure I EVER wanted kids or a husband, but I had to adjust quick because that's what I got. I don't recommend the timing or order for anyone, but very lucky for us things worked out. 

 

We couldn't wait to meet you. About two weeks before you were here, Henry's mom came to stay with us. Mamaw. Mamaw is an entire different story, and I won't go into that now. But one day I will tell you about Mamaw. 

The day before we had you, we got married. Mamaw waved goodbye and took this picture of us...

 

You definitely don't want to see the full picture. I was huge! On my wedding day! The next day we went to the hospital very early. After waiting for what seemed like forever, you finally made your appearance. You can read about your birthday here.

 

I was paralyzed for about ten hours after the C-section. I am a planner, and a C-section wasn't in my plan. I was supposed to take care of you the first day, the first night. I was your Momma. And I couldn't move. I could hold you, but only after all the pain medication wore off. Your Daddy stepped right in, without me even really knowing it, and took amazing care of you. He changed your first diaper, you know, the really bad one.

 

Your Daddy helped me in more ways than I can list those first few weeks. I came to love a new man. Our honeymoon was spent with a new born baby named Riley. We went about things in the "wrong" order, but I wouldn't change one single thing. He is my best friend. I hate to think where you and I would be without him. And have I told you how happy you are to see him when he gets home from work? 

 

 I love your Daddy more than words can say. And I love you!

Love, 

Momma

A different kind of Calendar...

So again, my scouring of the Internet let me to this idea. It's a calendar for birthdays. Only. This will be so useful to me because usually at the end of every year I go through my old calendar and re-list everyone's birthday. Sometimes I mess up and get the wrong date, wrong person, or just leave someone totally out. But this project, this project will make life just a little easier for me.

So, I picked up a simple, black frame at a local craft store for all of $4. I also bought a $.50 piece of paper for the actual calendar. However, I can not draw or write very neatly. But, I do have a little sister...

and she can REALLY draw, paint, has neat handwriting, and is pretty much the craftiest person I know. She works a full-time job and has a sweet baby boy, so her time is limited in the crafting department. She made a few extra minutes this week for her big sister and made this calendar!

I just love it. I keep staring at it hanging on the wall. I think I'm in love.

Here's another picture. Sorry, I don't have a $1,000 camera. But I do have a $100 camera, and guess what? It takes pictures!

 

January - snowflake

February - hearts

March - four-leaf clover

April - an umbrella with rain drops
May - a chili pepper (Morgan came up with this one. May 5th is Cinco de Mayo)
June - sand pail and shovel
July - firecrackers
August - slice of watermelon
September - a lady bug
October - Halloween themed
November - a cornucopia
December - candy canes

Now, I've got to go fill in everyone's name!

Recycled Cardboard Toddler Chair

So I saw the idea for a toddler chair here.  We wanted to get Riley her own chair for her birthday... and then Christmas... and then when our income tax came in... I don't know why we never bought one. Toddler chairs usually run about $25 or so, but we just never did. So when I saw this idea, I knew I would make my baby a chair! I had all the boxes, some leftover material and a lime green pillow case so I got to work.

I covered all the boxes in fabric with Mod Podge. I let them all dry for several days. Today, I finally got to finish my project when I used my hot glue gun to secure all the boxes together. Here is my finished product!

 

Yeah, I know you can still see the loves box through the green pillow case, AND A PIECE OF PLAIN WHITE FABRIC! That purple box is serious!

Oh well. Live and Learn. Then get LUVS. 

Riley knew exactly what to do with her chair! Even after just waking up from a nap!

 

 

Riley Claire - 17 Month Newsletter

Dear Riley,

Today you are 17 months old. You are very active, very nosy, very loving, and very sweet. You ONLY want to do things your way. So I guess that makes you stubborn, like your Daddy, of course.

You still aren't talking other than saying, "dog", "Momma", "Dada", "bite", "bye-bye", "hi" and sometimes "duck". You certainly understand more than that, like when I say, "Are you ready to eat lunch?" you make a bee line to your high-chair. Lots of other things we can tell you to go do or hand to us and you execute those commands perfectly. So instead of talking, you have learned that a whine will get you what you want. You simply whine for something while pointing at it or whine until I guess correctly what it is exactly that you want.  I love you being little and all, but I would really appreciate an "I'm hungry", or "I'm sleepy" instead of me guessing all the time. But, I guess that comes with the territory of being a Mommy.I can't complain all that much, you entertain yourself really well most of the time. And you give the best hugs and kisses EVER!

You really enjoy discovering new things. I gave you some markers today and you scribbled for an hour. Granted you scribbled on EVERYTHING, including your face and the toilet, but you had an amazing time. Little did I know you would be completely devastated when I finally took them away from you. You bucked and flailed and screamed while all I could do was laugh. It was really funny! You were so upset I took those markers away from you.

Oh, I love being your Momma. I have so many hopes and dreams for you. I want you to be an artist, a singer,  a dancer, a writer, a sister, a Mommy, a wife, a leader, a friend, a doctor, a nurse, bilingual, a manager, a lawyer, an Olympian, and a photographer, just to name a few. But most of all, I want you to be you, Riley. I want you to wake up and know that you are beautiful and loved. I want you to know that you CAN do anything in this world. I will always support you 100%. More importantly, I will always love you no matter what. 

Love, Momma

Valentine's Day Wreath

Don't ask why I decided to make this wreath ON Valentine's Day. As in, the actual day. But, nonetheless I made it. And I think it will hang around until March so I can get good use out of it. I think this wreath is sooo cute! I kind of stole the idea here, but put my own twist on it. Don't you think it turned out super cute?