Under Construction

I'm working on updating the blog's look, and it may take a day or two until I'm satisfied, so please be patient with me!

****I'm having technical difficulties, go figure. Of course I work in IT and can't figure this stupid stuff out. Luckily that's why I married an IT guru! I hope he gets home soon and is willing to help!

Oh Christmas Tree

I finished all my shopping this Monday, which was nice. Our living room is filled with gifts to share and we are very excited to celebrate the holidays with our families and friends.


-- Post From My iPhone

Yes, we think she's cute some days!

This was one of the pictures on our Christmas picture/card we sent out.



Riley loves wrapping paper!



Look, I found my toes!



Fresh and clean after my bath.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday today to Granny Ann! We hope you have a fun filled today and hopefully we will see you soon!

On this date...

exactly one year ago, we found out we were expecting. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Terrified, nervous, excited, scared, curious, and really tired! What an exciting year it has been. Full of new experiences with my pregnancy and parenthood. We both say we will do it again someday, Lord willing, but for now, we are just enjoying watching Riley grow each day!

4 months old!

This past Sunday Riley turned 4 months old. We went to the doctor on Monday (in the bitter cold, and threat of an ice storm) to get her second round of shots. She's 14 lbs. and 25 inches long. She's in the 75 percentile with her height, and we know she doesn't get that from either parent! She's average size for weight and head measurement. She did great with her shots, and I didn't even tear up!

We have also introduced her to foods a little earlier than the doctor recommends, but she's a hungry girl. I've been making her baby food, which is really easy, and convenient. So far, she's like most everything except applesauce and prunes!

Breakfast with Santa

Each year, our Sunday School class assists in putting on Breakfast with Santa at our church. We serve a pancake breakfast and afterwards, the kids get their picture taken with Santa, and we print the pictures immediately. I was a waitress and Chris served as a photographer. I did manage to break away and pick Riley up to have her picture taken. She was more interested in the long white beard and chewing on her hands! A big thanks to Mr. Wayne who came up Friday to babysit so we could setup and go to our Sunday School party, as well as be at the church on Saturday. Riley loves playing with her grandaddy!

Trip to Hattiesburg

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we packed up and travelled south to Hattiesburg. Riley travels very well, so the trip was easy. We had a great time visiting with my parents and Uncle David. Mom and dad even volunteered to take the night shift with Riley staying in their room, so Chris and I got 2 full nights of rest while we were there! It was wonderful!

A great Thanksgiving weekend!

Chris and I hosted his family at our house this year for Thanksgiving. We had enough food to feed a small army! We were fortunate enough to have great weather on Thursday, so we took the opportunity for a photo shoot in the back yard. Riley was wonderful with all the attention on her, but she still hasn't figured out how to sleep through the night. Luckily, the grandparents are always willing to take the night shift so we can get a little more sleep!







I'm sure we'll have a swing hanging from this tree in no time!





Part of the reason we hosted this year was the abundance of shopping opportunity here in Memphis for Black Friday sales. I sent Chris to Home Depot at 6 am to get us a new tree. It was my big bargain item on Friday! Riley already has a few ornaments on the tree, as well as a few gifts under it as well!

3 months

I'm a week late in posting this picture, mostly because I'm falling behind on blogging, and because all 3 of us have been sick this week. I think we may be on the road to recovery soon though. Nana B was here this past weekend and Chris's parents came this week to help during the sickness that is some strange virus. We were lucky enough to get a head start on Christmas shopping while mom was here. We are getting ready for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited to get to host it at out house. I just hope I don't burn the turkey!!


-- Post From My iPhone

Help wanted...

I'm beginning my quest for shopping for a high chair for Riley in anticipation Santa Clause. I'm hoping my blog stalkers and lurkers will offer up some suggestions from experience. I've read about the bottom side of the tray to the "crotch bar" being attached to the seat rather than the tray. I'm hoping to start shopping around for one this weekend, but would love some suggestions from other mom's.


-- Post From My iPhone

Tummy time

Riley has just started to really enjoy her tummy time. I have a feeling she will be crawling in no time!




-- Post From My iPhone

Back to work

I returned to work today, on time I might add. Yes, I did cry when I dropped Riley off this morning, but I know she is in good hands. I'm having technical problems getting back on the network, so for now, I'm just playing on my phone to pass the time. Hopefully I'll be able to return to full swing by Monday. Valery left me this on my desk!




-- Post From My iPhone

A sad day...

Today is my last day at home with Riley. I'm due to return to work tomorrow, which will be an adjustment. Riley went for her first full day at Kim's yesterday and came home exhausted. I've enjoyed my time at home watching her change each day. I'm pretty sure I will cry tomorrow, but I know she will be in good hands.

I'm enjoying just rocking her while she's sleeping. So sweet.



PS. Please join us on praying for our country over the next 4 years.

-- Post From My iPhone

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

-- Post From My iPhone

Vote for Punkin

I somehow nicknamed Riley "Punkin" while in the hospital, and she knows that name almost better than her given name. Anyway, I took this picture yesterday while Chris was early voting.



Here she is this morning in another cute outfit.







-- Post From My iPhone

Excuse me for the long post...

I'm finding it harder and harder to find time to blog since Riley is so much more active these days and wants my attention more and more. This post is full of the random activities of the past few weeks.

We took a trip to the Memphis Zoo two Saturdays ago with Cager and Maris. The weather was great, and Riley loved being in her stroller and watching all the people, trees, animals, etc. Yes, I understand she was probably more stimulated by the shadows created by the trees and sunlight, but non the less, it really tired her out, and she slept great that night!

Me and Chris (my hand is on the stroller, but Riley didn't make the picture, Sorry!)

Cager and Maris

This is the first time we've been and actually seen the pandas awake.
Riley enjoyed a nap while we were taking in all the animals.
This is the newest member of the zoo, the baby giraffe.
Cager was convinced this gorilla was just a statue, because it kept this pose for quite a while.

The following Sunday we had Riley's first official photo shoot done. Below is my favorite, but click here to see the rest.

Last Tuesday, we packed up for our trip to the beach with Chris's family. We drove to Columbus Tuesday evening, and hit the road Wednesday morning at 6:15 towards Fort Morgan. We had a great week. Riley was very entertained and spoiled by all the attention. Millie got to hang out with her other canine cousins as well. There were 8 dogs and 8 people, talk about a zoo! Riley travelled great, which was a huge blessing. We all had a great time, and it was a nice vacation before I must return to work.

Riley and her Aunt KK

Naptime with Grandpa, how sweet.

One of her new outfits, and apparently she's trying to eat the couch! She loves her play mat.
Riley and her GG and Johnny
Speaking of returning to work, I go back next Thursday. I'm somewhat looking forward to being around adults again, but I know I will miss my time at home with Riley. Luckily, we have a wonderful sitter who will be keeping Riley. We were really fortunate to get in with her, and she said Riley is a really good baby, which makes me feel much better about it.

Weekend road trip

***I'm having issues with the blogs posting in the correct order, but please scroll down, as I have added a few posts. My apologies that the pictures are a little thrown in there. I have a fussy one at the moment!

We took our first road trip this weekend with Riley. We spent the weekend in Starkville with my grandmother. Nana B and Granny Ann kept Riley while Chris and I got to go to the game. Hooray for the Bulldogs on their win over Vandy! Also, Millie got to meet her new cousin, Ginger, who is Granny's new Yorkie.

Chris and I did manage to eat our way through Starkville while we were there. We had Harvey's Friday night, the Grill for lunch on Saturday, Oby's for Sunday lunch, and Peppers in Tupelo on the return trip home Sunday evening. Needless to say, I need to be walking Riley around the neighborhood this week!

Riley also got to spend Sunday afternoon with her other grandparents and great-grandparents before we returned home. Nana B came with us to Memphis for an additional 2 days to spend with her little girl.

Side note: A picture of Savannah Deakle has been added to the blog a few post below.

Favorite things

I put together a gift basket for Savannah Deakle a couple of weeks ago containing our favorite and most useful items we have used for Riley this far. I highly suggest these things if you are shopping for baby shower ideas. In no particular order:

Gowns: Riley has slept in a gown from day one. She spent the better part of her first 2 weeks in them. They make the middle of the night diaper changing much easier.

Disposable changing pads: unless someone wants to wash the changing table pad daily, I recommeng protecting it.

Totally todler stain remover: I'm only able to find this at babies r us, but it is worth the trip.

Milacon: these drops have helped settle her stomach during the fussy, pitching a fit nights.

Receiving blankets: lightweight and very useful.

Burp cloths: see above

Travel bath supplies

I know I included a few other items, but that is all that comes to mind. A few other items I've come to enjoy would be:

My iPhone: I was very resistant in the beginning, but it never leaves my side. I'm even guilty of playing on it during 3am feedings.

Baby bath tub: Riley has really come to enjoy her baths, and it is a great way to keep her awake.

Dr. Brown bottles: they work great at reducing the air in the bottle.

Thats my list for now. I'm sure it will evolve as she grows up and transitions into other items.

-- Post From My iPhone

2 Month Birthday

Yesterday was Riley's 2 month birthday. She went to the doctor last week for her 2 month shots. Her checkup went really well, and she was 11.2 pounds and 22.5 inches long. Her baby acne has cleared up, and it was shot time. Needless to say, she screamed, and I cried. But luckily she didn't have any after effects.

Sleepy girl

-- Post From My iPhone

Welcome Savannah Ellen Deakle!!!

Congrats to Ashley and Landon on the arrival of Savannah Ellen last night. She weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 inches long. I'll post a picture once Ashley and Landon can get them posted to their site. Riley can't wait to meet her new friend!

My many faces

Do you think she knows she's cute?


-- Post From My iPhone

Bathtime

-- Post From My iPhone

Baptism and Birthday

Yes, it's been a while since I've updated (as was pointed out to me today)! Riley was baptized at church this morning. My parents came up yesterday with my brother, and the rest of the family all drove up from Starkville and Columbus this morning. It was so wonderful to have not only all the grandparents here, but all her great-grandparents we also able to make it. After church, everyone gathered back at our house for a Memphis style lunch...BBQ! It was a feast, and was enjoyed by all.

Below are some family pictures we took today. As a side note, the gown Riley wore is the same gown David and I both wore when we were baptized as infants.





Below is a picture of 4 generations of females on my side of the family.



Today was also my mom's birthday! Thanks mom for sharing your special day with Riley. We all had a great time and it was nice to all be together!