Scene: The Car
Players: Mom, Holden, Riley, Toy Airplanes
Toy Airplanes: AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHUUUUUU..... AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHUUUUUU.....
AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHUUUUUU....... AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHUUUUUU
Mom: I think the toy airplanes need to take a break from the noise.
A Few Beats Pass, Riley Throws His Toy Airplane To The Floor
Riley: Uh-Oh! Uh-Oh! Uh-Oh! Uh-Oh!
Holden: I think Riley needs to take a break from the Uh-Ohs!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Semi-Happy Campers
Against all the odds - and there were many - we had a pretty fun time camping with the Messinger clan last weekend near Wrightwood. We got off to a real shaky start when, just several miles from our campsite, the road closed. We took a two-hour detour through the Antelope Valley, but everyone hung in there, even through one rather icky bout of carsickness.
We "hiked" to a nearby lake, where Holden at first balked at the idea of touching the water or the sand.
The littles got their feet wet. Like Big Brother, Riley wasn't so keen on being in the water, and would curl his legs up upon contact.
It wasn't long before Holden braved up.
Brenny = Brave
Big Sister Hallie, also brave. She had a great time swimming around.
Dad and Riley The Man
Holden really perked up when he realized he could do one of his favorite things ever. This is his take on the previous "throw rocks ocean" sport.
The Messingers, warming up with some cuddles.
He's the softest.
Kevin's calm landscape photo for his composition class. He took the kids on a walkabout and they found this peaceful spot.
Riley took to Jami.
Josh reads a bedtime story while Jami and Denise try to get their respective babies to go to bed.
No, it didn't work. Both babies stayed up late. Brenny finally went down on his own and Riley got rocked to sleep.
Our campsite, kiddos having breakfast in the morning. So much stuff.
Sweet smiles from Boy-O Brenny.
Holden discovered another advantage to camping.
For about an hour, he covered his ears with his hands, afraid that the buzzing flies would make their way inside his head.
Burning some energy.
Brenny, just after a backpack nap.
The Group.
We "hiked" to a nearby lake, where Holden at first balked at the idea of touching the water or the sand.
The littles got their feet wet. Like Big Brother, Riley wasn't so keen on being in the water, and would curl his legs up upon contact.
It wasn't long before Holden braved up.
Brenny = Brave
Big Sister Hallie, also brave. She had a great time swimming around.
Dad and Riley The Man
Holden really perked up when he realized he could do one of his favorite things ever. This is his take on the previous "throw rocks ocean" sport.
The Messingers, warming up with some cuddles.
He's the softest.
Kevin's calm landscape photo for his composition class. He took the kids on a walkabout and they found this peaceful spot.
Riley took to Jami.
Josh reads a bedtime story while Jami and Denise try to get their respective babies to go to bed.
No, it didn't work. Both babies stayed up late. Brenny finally went down on his own and Riley got rocked to sleep.
Our campsite, kiddos having breakfast in the morning. So much stuff.
Sweet smiles from Boy-O Brenny.
Holden discovered another advantage to camping.
For about an hour, he covered his ears with his hands, afraid that the buzzing flies would make their way inside his head.
Burning some energy.
Brenny, just after a backpack nap.
The Group.Thursday, August 09, 2007
He Still Smells Like Cake
In honor of Year One, we had a few friends and family over to splash around, have some dinner and cheer Riley on as he experienced a very important family tradition.
First, the party hats.
Hello to Taylor!
Holden and Katelyn hit the pool.
Hallie's pretty in pink.
Katelyn and Holden join Taylor in the baby pool.
Party on, Brenny!
Playing house with cousins Aiden and Gavin.
It's time for the big moment. Riley feels it out.
It doesn't take long for him to discover that cake is The Best Thing EVER!
Getting some pointers from Cake Expert Holden.
Riley really got into it.
"Can't. Take. Another. Bite."
Off to the bath!
First, the party hats.
Hello to Taylor!
Holden and Katelyn hit the pool.
Hallie's pretty in pink.
Katelyn and Holden join Taylor in the baby pool.
Party on, Brenny!
Playing house with cousins Aiden and Gavin.
It's time for the big moment. Riley feels it out.
It doesn't take long for him to discover that cake is The Best Thing EVER!
Getting some pointers from Cake Expert Holden.
Riley really got into it.
"Can't. Take. Another. Bite."
Off to the bath!Friday, August 03, 2007
Riley: One Year
One year ago early this morning we were pacing the hospital's corridors and enjoying the warm night air as we talked about our fears. With Holden, it was fear of the unknown. Early that morning, as my contractions played a game of peek-a-boo and with the memory of Holden crying as we left for the hospital replaying in our minds, we decided that, this time, it was fear of the known.
One year ago this morning, Riley was born with very little effort. Twenty minutes later, Riley nursed, with very little effort. Then he slept a few hours, several times in a row, with very little effort. This was unknown, alright, but we were feeling less fearful.
One year ago this afternoon, Riley met Big Brother Holden, the rest of the family and a handful of friends. After nine months of struggling to picture life with another baby and all the uncertainties he would bring, he was there among us, fitting in seamlessly.
One year ago tonight, we bade ourselves to go to sleep with the dread all new parents feel: When will we be up again, and for how long? We were pleasantly surprised to find that Riley's sleepy, easygoing ways continued into the night.
And that's how Riley's first year has gone. He's easy, independent, a pretty good sleeper, a great eater and he fits into our lives like he belongs, like you can't even imagine a time when he wasn't here.
So much has changed in a year. We remember it like it was yesterday, yet, when we look at Riley, we see how much time has passed. Gone are the uncontrolled flails of sinewy limbs, replaced by the accurate and methodical movements of a 23-pound baby who gets around by crawling fast, cruising and, every now and then, a failed attempt at an unaided step. His soft coos became sweet giggles, long streams of babble and now, two almost words: What a dog says - "fffff," and what happens when you drop something: "uuuh-oooh."
As happy and laid-back as Riley is, he is not without his moments. Little baby eh-eh-eh cries are now demanding, loud-from-the-gut wails, usually accompanied by the throwing of a sippy cup and food and violent rocking. We got off easy with Holden in that, even though he may cry and argue, he is not the type of kid to throw himself to the floor in a foot and fist pounding tantrum. Determined and stubborn, Riley goes face-first to the floor when he doesn't get what he wants. This mini-tantrum is probably just a taste of what's to come.
It's exciting to see him growing, and we find ourselves looking forward to his walking and talking more than we thought. He's a part of the family, we just want him to be more a part of the action. We can tell he gets frustrated sitting by in a stroller as Holden bounds about, and we can't wait until the day comes when we can say: "Why don't you two go outside and play?"
But then there are times, like last night, that I slip back into sentimental sadness that the baby days are dwindling. After nursing, we read a book and he snuggled against me. His soft head wedged comfortably into my neck and his little hand playing absent-mindedly with my shirt, I rocked us and sang our usual Circle Game. The years may be slipping by fast, but I'll always cherish these sweet moments of little boy breaths and soft touches.
One year ago this morning, Riley was born with very little effort. Twenty minutes later, Riley nursed, with very little effort. Then he slept a few hours, several times in a row, with very little effort. This was unknown, alright, but we were feeling less fearful.
One year ago this afternoon, Riley met Big Brother Holden, the rest of the family and a handful of friends. After nine months of struggling to picture life with another baby and all the uncertainties he would bring, he was there among us, fitting in seamlessly.
One year ago tonight, we bade ourselves to go to sleep with the dread all new parents feel: When will we be up again, and for how long? We were pleasantly surprised to find that Riley's sleepy, easygoing ways continued into the night.
And that's how Riley's first year has gone. He's easy, independent, a pretty good sleeper, a great eater and he fits into our lives like he belongs, like you can't even imagine a time when he wasn't here.
So much has changed in a year. We remember it like it was yesterday, yet, when we look at Riley, we see how much time has passed. Gone are the uncontrolled flails of sinewy limbs, replaced by the accurate and methodical movements of a 23-pound baby who gets around by crawling fast, cruising and, every now and then, a failed attempt at an unaided step. His soft coos became sweet giggles, long streams of babble and now, two almost words: What a dog says - "fffff," and what happens when you drop something: "uuuh-oooh."
As happy and laid-back as Riley is, he is not without his moments. Little baby eh-eh-eh cries are now demanding, loud-from-the-gut wails, usually accompanied by the throwing of a sippy cup and food and violent rocking. We got off easy with Holden in that, even though he may cry and argue, he is not the type of kid to throw himself to the floor in a foot and fist pounding tantrum. Determined and stubborn, Riley goes face-first to the floor when he doesn't get what he wants. This mini-tantrum is probably just a taste of what's to come.
It's exciting to see him growing, and we find ourselves looking forward to his walking and talking more than we thought. He's a part of the family, we just want him to be more a part of the action. We can tell he gets frustrated sitting by in a stroller as Holden bounds about, and we can't wait until the day comes when we can say: "Why don't you two go outside and play?"
But then there are times, like last night, that I slip back into sentimental sadness that the baby days are dwindling. After nursing, we read a book and he snuggled against me. His soft head wedged comfortably into my neck and his little hand playing absent-mindedly with my shirt, I rocked us and sang our usual Circle Game. The years may be slipping by fast, but I'll always cherish these sweet moments of little boy breaths and soft touches.
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