Merry Christmas, photo roundup

Today was a really nice day, despite the piles of snow outside our door.

Riley loves his new house, he likes using the light switch, door bell, and of course the door.

Pepper got a new toy, and loved on it all day. However, she seems to think that she can do a toy swap with Riley's toys.





Some holiday cookies...


Ever wonder what happens when you set the shutter wrong, while taking a picture of the Christmas tree? This...

Fun New Games

So, Riley has found a few new games.
#1 Wandering Trash Cans.

Riley has long been fascinated by the trash can. The little foot is fun to play with, and it makes noise too. Now he pushes it around the kitchen.


#2 Laundry Basket Lounging.

He has figured out how to climb into the laundry basket, and then lounges around in it.

#3 Coffee Table Gymnastics

Once he climbs onto the little shelf, he scoots around doing laps. Then usually ends up crying because he either A: is stuck and can't get out, or B: bonks his head.

Good times.

(That isn't dust on the coffee table, I swear)

Christmas Card Rejects

Taking pictures for the Christmas card this year was super fun. It was hard to pick just one so here are a few more.

Nine Month Pictures

Last weekend I finally got around to taking Riley's 9 month pictures. I can't believe how big he has gotten. He loves to clap-clap.

Time Flies

I can't believe that it's almost Thanksgiving.
Riley is ready for his feast.

(Those are green beans.)

Random Pics

Almost packed and ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Halloween

Mr Riley was Dr Riley for Halloween. The neighbors thought he was cute, and should have some candy. Maybe next year.
Brian had fun carving the pumpkin, but made sure it wasn't scary.

Laundry day and turtle boy

Riley is a big help on laundry day. He will gladly hold hangers and loves to pat the basket.



Pepper has a cushioned basket that is her spot to sit in. As such, Riley is very interested in it. The other day, he managed to flip it up over himself, and then crawled around the living room like a turtle. I only wish I had gotten video, but Brian and I were laughing too hard.

Acorns

So there is a huge oak tree that hangs over the deck, and it is dropping the biggest acorns I have seen. They sound like golf balls. Please excuse my slightly out-of-focus picture.

Family Pictures

One of my friends and I got together and took pictures of each others families. Jaime did a great job! I can't believe how big Riley is getting.

Peanut Pumpkin

Oh, while we were there, they also grow all kinds of pumpkins. The Peanut Pumpkin caught my eye.

My little pumpkin

So, we went to the pumpkin patch today.

I've decided that B and I are in the wrong business. I know it was not freezing today, and the sun made it out for a while, but holey moley that place was packed.

He's on the move

So, the last few weeks have been eventful around here. Riley is starting to crawl. The first indication? -->


I finally caught him on video.


So B and I have been trying to get things more baby-safe around here.
Also, he is up to 8 teeth now. 8!?!?

Silly baby

Ok, I know 2 in a row, but...more video. He is trying so hard to move forward. He can pivot on that belly, and is really good at scooting backwards, but forward is hard. Oh well.





Also, here is one clean little guy. Look at all of that blond hair.

Chatty little Riley

It's been a busy couple of weeks. School started for Brian, even though he is done with classes, the first week is a little crazy. Riley has been having fun at daycare, all the other little kids love to play with him, and show him pictures in books. He has been a chatty little guy, and I finally managed to get some video of him.

He has also been trying all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Carrot, sweet potatoes, bananas, pears = great. Peas? no thanks.

6 Months

I can't believe that its been 6 months already.
I took some pictures today with his new friend. Riley was getting bored, so he started blowing bubbles.

Slimey

So, apparently I bought Riley a sleeper that makes him look like Slimey the worm from Sesame Street. You be the judge:


In other news, my child is brilliant:

Lil' blue eyes

I can't believe this weather. It is July and we have the windows open.
I had to put a jacket on Riley this morning.

Crazy.

Little Firecracker

Gotta love that cheeseball grin, and yes his shirt says little firecracker.


Riley tried cereal this weekend, and it went well.

Riley is doing great. He rolls over pretty well, he only gets stuck every once in a while. Now he is trying to figure out how to get those little legs underneath him, to try and move more. He is having fun at daycare. There are little kids to watch, and show him picture books and talk to him.

Work for me is fine. I changed jobs when I came back from maternity leave, to a brand new position. So it has been a challenge to figure out exactly what my duties are, as well as getting a new boss.

Brian is busily working on his dissertation. Hopefully (fingers crossed) in December he will be Dr. Brian.

1st Playdate

On Saturday, we went over to grandma and grandpa Dallstream's house. Riley's cousins were there for a sleepover. We had lots of fun playing, and Riley liked to watch those crazy boys. And we actually managed to get a picture of all three of them together

Craigslist = awesome

So, I started seriously looking for new to us clothes for kiddo last week, not having much luck at the garage sales. I did well earlier in the year, mostly because of the neighborhood sales. Lately? nothing. So I was on craigslist.com on Friday, and I came across an add for 12/18/24 month clothes, in a suburb not too far from here. We loaded up the family and drove over, and this is what we got: 8 grocery bags full of clothes - nice brands, not stained, for much less than I would have paid at any garage sale. I was so happy, I took a picture of our loot.

June is here

Riley has had an exciting week. He is working on rolling over from his back to his tummy. The only problem, he keeps getting stuck on his shoulder, and that is apparently very upsetting. He is also pretty good at scooting around in circles on the floor. On Sunday, he finally laughed. And I think he is working on pushing some teeth out. On that note, here is a picture of Riley with his little cow, his current favorite toy, and a short video of him, with bonus background sounds of Pepper trying to get attention.

Time Flies

I can't believe how fast the last 2 weeks have gone. Riley is doing great at daycare. The other little kids "read" him books, and he comes home absolutely tired.

We got this carrier, and Brian loves it. Here they are walking the dog. Riley likes it too, as when we go on walks at the park, he can look around, and then take a little nap on Dad if he wants.


And I found him a little hat, so his noggin wouldn't get sunburned.

Time to go back to work

Well I have to go back to work on Wednesday, but Riley is at daycare right now. On friday, we went to a few garage sales and picked up some clothes for kiddo, and we found a brand new high-chair, in the box. So here is Riley in his way-too-big high chair.

Family Pictures

So, we took some family pictures today. It went pretty well, although Riley wasn't smiling. I didn't even try to get Pepper in for the whole family one, with me running to the camera to hit the timer, I could see myself falling over her.