Happy Birthday Riley

My baby is ONE Year old!!! Take a second and compare this picture with the one of me holding her on the left as a newborn. My how she's grown!! And when I brought her home from the hospital I swore she'd never seem small to me in that picture. :(

I can't believe it's here already, but to sweeten the sadness of my baby being a whoppin' 1 year old we HAD to have a great party! I put my energy into the theme, using my own existing artwork and I made a fondant cake to go along with it. I can't take credit for the oreo sunflower cupcakes with red m&m blady bugs...That idea came from Julie McOrmond's Upper Crust Bakery. http://www.uppercrustcakes.com It was a great day for me, less stressful than I anticipated. People who have been coming to Cailen's parties are now becoming "party acquaintances" so socially it seemed to flow very nicely this time around. I always spend my mental time worrying about the guests that don't know anyone but I'm usually too overwhelmed to do anything constructive about it. I really had a very happy day celebrating my little Chumby. My theme was "A Ladybug's Picnic." I found wings at the dollar store and Melody helped me make the antennas. Melody also helped watch Cailen while Riley slept so I could make that cake by the light of day instead of at 3am. Thanks Melody!!!

I always know when I've done something good when people like Keila walk into the party and say kind words like "I officially hate you." :D Hahaha...sigh...It seems as though you say that at every party Keila...I love you too! :P

I also managed to do favors/an art project. Cailen was so proud of hers she took it to the fridge and hung it up by herself. I thought that was cute. I loved the fact that most of the kids were willing to dress up :) It was also very cool because people bought great gifts that went with the theme of the party. We are all enjoying the new toys, books/puzzles and clothes. Everything was awesome. Including my friends and family. :) My mom bought Riley a little tykes car and Cailen a tricycle! Yeeha! Thanks Mom. :) I think Cailen felt like it was her party too, even though she is well aware of what is Riley's. Cailen had a blast and for me, that was very rewarding. Someday, Riley will know too how cool my parties are ;)


Random side note: I thought this was a great idea as I'm always chucking broken crayons. :) Check out the rest of this blog she's got great ideas :)

http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-recycle-old-crayons-into-new.html

Walks

We go for pretty long walks when we go out.
Usually we go to the playground, which is probably 3/4 mile one way.
I'm pushing about 60 lbs of stroller/baby around.
We have a great time.
But if I'm being honest....
Walking makes me feel like this too.

My doughy little chumby munchkin

Oh my goodness. I just love Riley. God is good. I never would have planned on having a second child yet, but God knew. I wouldn't give her back for anything. She is just such a ball of cheer and love and giggles. I love her laugh and her goofy grin. I love her adventurousness. I love the way she loves her big sister. I love that she perks up when she hears the train and she will repeat when you say "choo choo." Though she doesn't want to spend an excessive amount of time on daddy's lap, she always, when he gets home, walks to the door with her arms outstretched and quietly waits for him to pick her up and give her hugs and kisses. It's really heart warming. That's really what she is to me. She just warms my heart. I love her so much.

The smell in the air, the summery rain, the greens and flowers growing, it's all somehow bringing me back to the day I went to the hospital to have Riley. I love the memory of being at St. Clares. The people were so wonderful. The whole thing was really so magical and wonderful. To have my Cailen become a big sister as I became a mommy of two girls... There was even a rainbow the day I went to the hospital. I'm beginning to remenisce and look back with so much happiness in my heart. I love having Riley in my life. I can't believe in a couple of weeks we'll be celebrating her first birthday.

I love Cailen so much too obviously. My last post was dedicated to Cailen so I thought I'd write about Riley here.

Honestly, Mother's Day...is just a day to remember how very blessed I am to be a mom. Thank you Lord for both of my beautiful girls. :)

Toes and Fluff

The other morning we woke up, I flicked on the light, Cailen said "Hey Mommy you turned off the dark!!" I said "No, I turned on the light." She said "Tssst! Mommy...." I could hear her rolling her eyes at my silly statement.

The day before she tripped on a wire and the fan fell over, she said "Uh oh Mommy! I fell down on the windies!!"

The other day Cailen cut her finger on a piece of glass that was in our driveway due to partying (beer bottle throwing) neighbors. I've also noticed that local cats use our grass for a litter box. The potting soil we've been using, I just realized says "gardening gloves are recommended during use/keep away from children" and I've been letting Cailen play in it. Woops.

So, I just wasn't sure how/with what/where she could safely play in my back yard anymore so we went out bought two kiddie pools. I we will keep one for water. The other we filled with 200 pounds of play sand. (Don't worry I keep it covered!) So Cailen loves it. The only set back we've had with this safer playing area is that the first time she played in the sand she got some in her eye and proceeded to try to wipe it out of her eye with her sandy hands :( She'll soon learn.

While we wait for the damp weather to pass so that Kris can mow the lawn the dandelions are taking over. I don't mind, I like the happy little things...They are slowly changing and Cailen is learning to send them off in the wind!...So cute.

I'm noticing this week there has been a huge burst of independent thinking in Cailen. It seems every thing I do she says "I want to help!" so we've been baking a lot, she helped feed the cat, helped clean, bring in the groceries and helped make her sandwiches...It's great. I just need to remind myself to slow down and let her give it a try, even if it's messier and takes longer. It's exciting. She is very proud of her accomplishments.

My backyard photography