Day 52

Notice the diaper in the bed beside Riley.. Lucky for me, she somehow didn’t wet the bed. Whew!

July 30, 2010

Day 51

Braxton with whipped cream and Riley in someone else’s shoes. It never ends around us!

July 29, 2010

Top 3 Crafts

I want to list my top 3 favorite crafts in one spot for reference… Here they are in no particular order!

1. Recycled cardboard toddler chair.

I’ve loved this chair! Riley and my nephew have too. To just be cardboard, this chair has surprisingly held up. I have had to add hot glue in places, but that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t being used as a stool. The arms of the chair are pretty dirty and I’ve thought about recovering those, but that seems like a lot of work. I could make a brand new chair, but I’m lazy. But, but, but…

This is a great chair. And with all recycled parts! It’s still used today and I think it will be around for a while now!

2. Ones dress

I had a great pattern thanks to Barefoot in the kitchen and I really enjoyed making this dress. I can’t wait for someone else to get pregnant with a little girl so I can get to work!

3. Canvas wall art for Riley’s room

Definitely one of my most prized piece of craftiness. I am not a painter, can’t paint, don’t want to paint-crafter. And I pulled this off rather nicely. This canvas goes great in Riley’s room and I really enjoyed when this project came all together. Husband couldn’t believe it!

So, those are my top three. I’m a proud Mama!

Day 51

Playing with yarn.

July 28, 2010

Day 50

Her boots were made for walking…

July 27, 2010

Day 49

Cousins

July 26, 2010

Day 48

Helping Grandmom.

July 25, 2010

Day 47

Sweet nephew..

July 24, 2010

Day 46

Helping Grandmom hang clothes out. I am so happy Riley has this time with Grandmom.

July 23, 2010

Day 45

Playing with stickers.

July 22, 2010

Diaper wipe cover

Babysitting this morning, I decided to get my craft on. I made a little skirt for a diaper wipe box.

Pretty simple! I wish I would have had a skirt for the wipes the whole time Riley has been around, but the creative juice just recently started flowing.

I cut a strip of fabric I had on hand and hemmed both ends. Then, I took a piece of elastic and connected it to the fabric with a stitch down the center. And lastly, I put my ends together and sewed them up. Really, anyone can do this! It makes the wipes look so much cuter! I have always hated the plain white box they come in.

There are so many variations to these skirts as well. If you have a monogram machine you could do monograms. I also thought about putting a “floor” to the skirt, so the diaper wipes would actually sit in the skirt. I could go on and on.

Did I mention this is washable? I am so proud!

Day 44

Cousins playing.

July 21, 2010

Day 43

Loves to dress up in other people’s shoes.

Blackberry picture… ugghh…

July 20, 2010

Day 42

Riley’s hair is wet because we got a short rain shower. She loves the rain!

July 19. 2010

Day 41

Cutie!

July 18, 2010

Day 40

Sleeping

July 17, 2010

Riley Claire – 22 Month Newsletter

Dear Riley,

You are so big! 22 months! I can’t even begin to believe it. You are a little person, with your own very demanding personality.

You love attention. Lately, I have realized that you are purposely getting put in time-out so you can have some extra attention. I try and recognize these situations and play with you a few extra minutes, but it’s hard, not to mention frustrating. I have this sudden realization that turning 2 years old = tantrums and the terrible twos.

I know, this sweet girl would NEVER get in trouble, but it happens. You like to take everything out of my wallet or your Daddy’s bill fold. This was cute the first time or two, but now it’s a hassle when I get to the checkout line and my debit card isn’t in the normal spot. You’ve also taken to dumping things out. Diet coke, shampoo, water, any liquid that is near you is subject to end up on the floor. And you KNOW not to. You just want attention.

I have to admit, your Daddy is much more patient than I am. He has been trying to teach you your ABC’s for the past couple of days. He loves you so much. He is very thoughtful when it comes to you. We are both very lucky to have him.

  I still love to hold you when you are sleeping. It doesn’t happen often, but I enjoy every minute.

Oh, there is big news in your life too. But, me first. I GOT A JOB. A real teaching job. My subject area isn’t a high need field, so I have been looking, without success, for a job since March. March! It was really weird how it happened. God knew all along what would happen, and of course I became impatient and gave up all hope. Anyway, it’s a great school district and just the type of job I wanted. I am so excited. The bad part? You have to go back to daycare. You were in daycare for 4 1/2 months when you were younger, but it’s been well over a year since you were cared for by anyone but me or family. I’ve enrolled you in an excellent daycare program; I know you will love it! Riley, you are really going to have a great time. Really. Maybe I have to convince myself of that a little bit too. The first day is going to be so hard on me. You too, probably. I have to focus on how great the experience will be for you and how much you will learn and grow in that type of environment. If I don’t, I will feel guilty and cry the whole time, just like I am now. Just remember, when you start anything new, it’s okay to  be scared. It’s okay to cry too. You don’t have to like it at first either and it will take time to adjust to your new surroundings. But Riley, you have such a great smile and personality that everyone will love you. Always.

Next month I will tell you how much you love daycare. And the month after that you turn two. Please stop growing up!

Dirty face and runny nose, I love you. I love all of you so much.

Love,

Momma

Day 39

Braxton.

July 16, 2010

Day 38

I love her profile.

July 15, 2010

Days 33 - 37

We went on vacation. And had a great time.

We visited Henry’s family in …. Louisiana.

Unfortunately, we had to wake up to this view a couple of days. Great vacation.

Riley’s 1st lake experience; she totally loved it.

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There was boating, skiing, swimming and eating. In that order.

 

Riley’s 1st boat ride, and she gets to drive. What a life!

Our wonderful hostess!

 

It was really windy.

And this guy, he can slalom with the best.

 

A fish Henry caught.

We’re really tired.

Day 32

He works hard for us, Riley.

July 8, 2010

Day 31

Voluptuous vixens.

July 7, 2010

Day 30

Family is important, as is heritage.

Me and Riley standing by her Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandmother's headstone. Just amazing.

July 6, 2010

Riley’s Room Transformation – Part 2

At the rate I’m going, there are likely to be many, many parts to Riley’s room transformation, but slow and steady win the race. Or at least I am hoping.

So, the last project I finished is this beauty…

I started with a blank, white canvas I got at Michael’s. I painted the zebra stripes with black stencil paint. The stencil paint was great because it didn’t bleed and run everywhere.

  To paint the zebra stripes, I started out using a method where I would tear a piece of paper into strips and then tape it down and then paint in-between the strips. Then I got smart and used drew the stripes on with a pencil. That worked so much better. I have NEVER painted and am not artistic at all, so anyone can do this.

I also had a lime green boa from a party several months ago just sitting around in Riley’s room. I hot glued the boa to the outside of the canvas after I painted it.

Several weeks ago I bought a bright pink “R” monogram, and I just hot glued it to the center of the painted canvas.

As luck would have it, my boa wasn’t large enough to go around the entire canvas; I had about two inches left to cover. I got creative and made a fabric flower.

I borrowed from more than one tutorial to come up with my flower. I have a ton of fabrics. I will never have to buy fabric again thanks to my Grandmom’s stash. So, I used what I had and came up with this fabric flower, with a hot pink button glued on the center.

  And there you have it. This could be modified in so many ways for so many room themes. Very easy, and very cute. It wasn’t expensive either, maybe $12 bucks.

Day 29

Such a big girl I have.

July 5, 2010

4th of July, letter to Riley

Dear Riley,

I have an overwhelming desire to tell you about our 4th of July this year.

Starting out, we went to “Sparks in the Park” in Brownsboro. I was expecting fireworks, hence the name “Sparks”, but was a bit disappointed when I found out there were no fireworks. Instead, there was food, friends and a live band. You love music just like your Daddy, so you were entertained the entire time we were there.

  You danced and carried on and had a great time. I hope you are musical like your Daddy, because I am not. Not even a little bit.

On 4th of July, we went to church with Aunt Morgan and Braxton and then came home and ate.

After a good lunch, you and Braxton played outside for a while. You love Braxton so much. And, he loves you.

Braxton just learned how to give kisses, so he likes to shower you with his sweet sugars.

He’s a sweet guy!

And you are a sweet girl!

Sweet!

After everyone had a nap, we went to watch fireworks. You were both really interested at first, but then you sort of got bored. Hopefully next year ya’ll can use sparklers!

This picture is blurry, but it’s sweet.

  And this picture sums up how most of the night was spent: you and Braxton fighting over EVERYTHING.

You are so wonderful and everything I imagined you would be, plus more.

Love you so much,

Momma