Christmas 2011 Wrap-up

Dear Riley,

We had a great 2011 Holiday break! This year you were very excited for Santa to come see you. We were also able to use the line, “If you’re not a sweet girl, Santa won’t come see you.” That seemed to work pretty well!

You first opened presents with Braxton at Paw-Paw’s house.

Aunt Ma got you a Baby Alive. Hopefully how you treat the Baby Alive isn’t indicative of how you will act with a new sister or brother.  You’re not crazy about the whole diaper-changing part.

Leslie sent us the perfect gift: matching aprons.

Santa knew just what you wanted! Anything with a princess or fairy would have made you happy.

All you could say when you saw all your new toys was, “Too much!”

New Year’s Eve was spent with Paw-Paw and Tio popping fireworks. You hated the fireworks last year, so I wasn’t all that hopeful that you would like them this year. However, you LOVED the sparklers this year. You called them “drawers” because you were writing your name with the sparkler.

We didn’t ring in the new year at midnight, and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever stay up until midnight again.

Your imagination is exploding right now. You talk with and play with all your babies and Barbie dolls. You also like to have tea parties with them.

You’re also very perceptive of the world around you. Yesterday you asked if Pepsi was for old people. Grandad is a huge fan of Pepsi and always has several boxes on standby.

Paw-Paw loves to tell everyone what you said to him. He asked you if you were going to have a baby brother, and you told him, “If it’s a brother, you can have it.”

Your dad said the other day that you are the glue that holds everything together. You make our family complete in many ways. We love you so, so much. I’m so very proud of the little girl you are!

Love Mama

Happy Holidays - 2011

Dear Riley,

Sorry I haven’t been writing your letters as often as usual here lately. I have an excuse! Between work and this baby factory, I’m completely drained anytime I have a few minutes to spare. Hopefully I’m over the first hump and will do better. I love you.

Despite all the changes, we did manage to get a few family pictures made. I was almost frantic about having pictures made this year for the Holidays. I know it will be the last Christmas with just the three of us, and I wanted you to have something to show for it.

For some reason, Dad was sitting “bolt upright” in these poses.

You’re in this “stage” where when you smile, it’s completely forced and un-photogenic. How long do stages last? This one has gone on for about a year now!

This is the only Santa picture we are doing this year. I actually think it would be the most successful picture with Santa so far, but I don’t want to face Broadway Square Mall.

I love profile pictures! You’re so beautiful!

The day after I made the appointment to have our picture made, you had some kind of collision in your room that resulted in a black eye (left eye). Your dad and I were in the kitchen so we’re not really sure what happened. You said you hit your T.V. I used some make-up and tried to cover the damage, but you can still see your black eye.

We’ve got a super Christmas planned for you! Every morning you ask, “Is it Christmas Day yet?” Anytime a commercial comes on the T.V. for a toy, you ohh and ahh and ask for it.

It’s a great time of year and we’re all very happy. I love you more each day. You’re my best girl, always.

I love you so much!

Mama

Big Sister

Dear Riley,

You’re going to be a big sister! It’s very emotional to consider my Riley a big sister, but get ready, because this summer you will be one!

Your daddy and I are very excited to add to our family. Most of the time you are too. I showed you my C-section scar (which is only a faint white line on my lower belly and looks awesome) and you asked, “Did that baby scratch you?” You’ve also asked if the baby in my belly is wearing any pajamas. See, already looking out for your little brother/sister. :)

So you pretty much understand that there is a baby in my belly, but I don’t think you realize what is going to happen.

You will be the best big sister though, with out a doubt. You are very tender and caring and you love to help me. Anything that makes you feel important gives you a huge sense of pride. You love to be bragged on when you do something nice too. I can see all of these characteristics coming in handy this summer. You’re great big sister-material.

You really have an interesting personality and a huge imagination. Tonight you were talking to me about your “style.” It involved wearing headbands around your waist. I don’t know where you came up with that.

Sometimes you stay with Grandad while I am at work and Daddy is at school. We’ve got a fairly regular routine. I overheard you playing with your babies the other day and this is what you said to the babies: “I’m going to work. And I’m taking my babies to Grandad’s.” You know Grandad loves you and takes care of you, and you can’t imagine how much that means to me. Grandad and Grandmom being able to care for you is one of the greatest gifts our family has been given.

You are so special and amazing to me. You are growing up before my eyes and sometimes I just stare at you. At how pretty you are. At how serious you can be. At how loving you are. I’m happy that you’re healthy and growing up, but I’m so sad these days are passing so quickly.

 

Love you to the moon and back.

Love, Mama

A Comparison

Dear Riley,

I grew up with a cousin who was 6 months older than me. You are 7 months older than Braxton.

Here are you and Braxton at your 3rd birthday party:

Here are me and my cousin on my 3rd birthday:

Here is your cake on your 3rd birthday:

Your theme was fairies, with Tinkerbell sharing the top tier with the number 3.

Here is my cake on my 3rd birthday:

In black letters my cake says, “Adoption Papers.” For those that know me, it’s probably not a big surprise that I don’t find that funny… at all.

Love you so much!

Love, Mama

East Texas State Fair

Dear Riley,

At the end of September I always look forward to the East Texas State Fair. My daddy ALWAYS took me and Aunt Ma. Interestingly, the East Texas State Fair was the first date your dad and I had after you were born. We left you with Mamaw while we went to the fair.

We were really excited to take you to the fair this year. You’re just now tall enough so that you could ride a few of the rides. I think you had a great time!

Somehow I managed to get you and your daddy on the Ferris wheel, no small task. We all enjoyed the view!

I love this next picture. Daddy volunteered to ride the spinning apple ride (I can’t think of the actual name of that ride right now). Your daddy has a tight grip on your wrist because he was spinning the apple so fast you were sliding around. And your face shows just how much fun you were having.

The conversation that took place in the apple:

Daddy: “I’m getting so dizzy!”

Girl #1: “Me too!”

Girl #2: “Me too!”

You: “Me neither!”

Next we put you on a motorcycle. You liked it, too.

Our last stop was the Midway games. You played the game where you choose any duck and win a prize. Haha, can’t go wrong with that.

Love you both so much.

Love, Mama