Snow Day 1!!

So above are some pictures I took without the flash on and obviously in the wrong setting, but I like them anyway. And below is a picture of how I spent the day. Due to the inclement weather (and possibility of snow) Riley and I were at home. Riley is absolutely obsessed with books. And I am not complaining. But I do feel a bit like a librarian, constantly maintaining his book shelf in his bed room. He woke up at 6:30 am and after a bottle, some snuggle time and breakfast, we played. By the time he went down for his morning nap at 9:30, I had already read him 18 books, some of them twice or more. His favorite books are: "Pat the Bunny", "Goodnight Moon", "Colors", "Animals", "Dogs"and of course "Curious George". I think I am about to hide a couple of the Curious George books. He loves to turn pages and pull on tabs, and then he points at pictures and makes a little grunt to let me know that he wants to know what it is that he is pointing at...then I say, "blue tractor" and we continue to the next object.

Roll Tide!!

Riley getting ready to go to ECDC on game day!

"I want to...no I want to...no me...no me"

The best part of the day in our household is bedtime. It hasn't always been this way, but now the job of putting Riley to sleep is coveted by all who have done it recently. For the last couple of weeks he has not fought bedtime he has been ready and if you don't time it right and keep him from getting in bed when he is ready you might get him upset...he will let you know.

When you sit with Riley in the rocking chair and you cradle him he will relax and watch you intently while sucking on his paci. Then when he is ready he will sit up and rollover on your chest. He will bury his head and snuggle in and relax. Then he may look at you for a bit, he may try to give you a zurburt, or he may just get cozy and coo. It is truly the very best part of the day.

The second best part of the day is when I sneak in while he is sleeping and pick him up and just enjoy holding that sleeping baby...I mean toddler. How did I get here?

Picture to follow...

It is hard to be an adult...

I know I say it over and over again, but this adulthood business is hard work. I thought that when I got here I would have it all figured out. I thought my parents did. I thought being a parent would be easier...not easy but easier.

This week has perhaps been the hardest week I have had as a parent this far. I know in the scheme of things it is nothing and I am absolutely certain I have harder weeks ahead. But this week with a perfectly happy and healthy munchkin I have been worried, broken hearted, and lost.

There is nothing much to say about where my thoughts have been, but that I have so many hopes and dreams for my baby boy, and I hope that I am able to be everything that he needs as a Mommy.

When you become a parent you are so overwhelmed by so many feelings. Being a parent is the most overpowering thing to happen to me. I love Riley so much more than I ever ever could have imagined was possible. I wish this incredible, life changing, heart pounding, paradigm shifting and joyous experience for everyone I know. It truly is the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life.

Riley loves the bowl games!

Since Alabama plays Texas after Riley goes to bed I doubt if he will see any of the National Championship, but I can guaruntee you that he wishes he could. Riley never watches television, and not because we don't think he should, he just doesn't have any interest in it. He would much rather be getting into things than be sitting still watching Baby Einstein. But last week he learned how to turn the TV on and with that new skill he also became fascinated with the football on the television!

I crack myself up!

Lately, Riley has been getting the biggest kick out of himself.

He must have some kind of imagination because he has started laughing out loud for what appears to us to be no reason at all! It is so funny...so then we laugh too.

Something of note that is not so funny is Riley's little temper. When you tell him "no", he knows exactly what your saying and has for months, however he has recently started throwing a bit of a temper fit in reaction. I picked him up and he reacted by batting his hands at me and then he bit me!! I had two welts on my cheek yesterday afternoon. The hard part about it is that it is so funny...Michael was laughing at me when I told him and showed him my marks. I did not appreciate his reaction but had to admit that despite the pain associated with it I also laughed. It is hard to punish a 1 year old and especially hard to do without laughing.

Riley's Friend

Riley loves this yard gnome at Etta and Big Mike's house. He just begs to go over an check him out everytime he is here. This time he got up close. Here are a few pictures.