12 month checkup

 Riley had a great 12 month checkup yesterday with Dr. Thai.  He asked Riley to walk to me, which he did... and I was so proud because he has been very capable of walking for the last month, but he gets bashful when put on the spot.  He likes to wave "hi" and "bye" these days, and loves to clap his hands & dance to music.  Riley can say Mama, Dada, cup, duck, uh oh (his FAVORITE!), and tries to repeat other words when we say them (hence, Matt's resolution for Lent is cut out all swear words from his vocabulary!).  He's become a much better eater when it comes to table food, and loves to feed himself.  It took Riley 11 months to sleep through the night, but now he is a great sleeper and sleeps from 7:30-6:30 everyday.  Riley doesn't have any bottles during the day now, but I still give him one at night before bed and one in the morning. I love our quiet time in the rocking chair, and I'll be sad when he outgrows it.  He was such a trooper with his three mega shots yesterday at the doctors office, and hardly cried.  As a matter of fact, when we got home he moved the baby gate himself and flew up the stairs before I realized what he was doing and fell all the way down them... I think he cried harder from that then the shots, mainly because it scared him.  Luckily, as I was trying to explain every bump and bruise on Riley's body at the appointment, Dr. Thai said that he likes seeing all of his bruises because that means that he is an active little boy.  He sure is one happy, healthy, and BUSY little boy! 

SuperHero!

Riley and I attended Jackson's Superhero 5th birthday party last weekend, and luckily Riley had received the perfect outfit for the occasion from the Schrauth family.  Jackson is so sweet to Riley whenever we see him, and I know that Riley had fun seeing his friend Batman.

Riley with the Birthday Boy - didn't snap it quick enough - he spotted tissue paper

balloons are always fascinating

Gimme that balloon!

Riley to the rescue!

I'm so glad I got to visit with some of my friends too, and some of the youngest party attendees :)

Business in the front...

...Party in the back!!

Love those sweet blonde curls.

Rileypalooza

One thing we all know how to do is celebrate! So, it was only appropriate to throw a bash in honor of Riley's first birthday.  My family was SO helpful (and, they offered to host at their house since there is more space!), and we pulled off one fun birthday party (a.k.a. RileyPalooza).   Riley was in a great mood all day (depsite missing his nap), and had an absolute blast! I think we should party everyday because he slept from 6:45pm to 6:45am the following day. :)

The decorations - my fam did such an amazing job with them!

Riley's guests were all able to sign his banner. It's a wonderful keepsake!

Delicious football cake!

Cake pop favors

The birthday boy in the ballpit

The apple juice bar

Love my Grandma <3

 The Hays kiddos came to the party!

And so did Caroline

And Peyton

And my neighbors, Caden and Keean

Cake Time - yay!!

Let me give this a little taste...

Do I have something on my face?

I LOVE cake!!

Nom nom!

Sugar high!!

Aunty Lib!

Jackson was so sweet to play with the balloons with me!

Playdoh with my friend Sophia

So glad the Greyson and Bryson Wheaton came to my party!

Griffin and Reese with their mommies :)

Neighbors Lauren and Gavin, so glad they came to party!

Sweet Mateo

my girlfriends in the ballpit (Lila, Peyton, Madison, and Jamie)

 Ballpit with Sophia

Hugs for Jamie!

 Two Wild Men!

Even Gia made it, and I was SO excited that she came to my party!



What a fun day... a great birthday party to remember!! Happy 1st Riley!

1 Year Old!!

Happy birthday to sweet Riley!! I can't even believe that those words just lept through my fingers - is that possible? It's been a whole year? No way! The life changing, amazing, fun filled year has absolutely flown by, and I wouldn't change a second of it.  Matt and I took Riley's birthday off work, and spent the whole day celebrating the Little Man... and, preparing for the big bash on Sunday (pics to come). 

I think Riley knew it was HIS big day! Smiles all around :)

Then, we gave him his gift from us.. the cozy coupe truck! The rest of the morning was spent pushing him around in the truck. Beep Beep!! Watch out Hol and Tobes!

 We went to my parents house while Riley took a  nap and Matt picked up the rented tables and chairs for the "bash" I mentioned.  We got to give some birthday kisses to Grandma, and then it was off to Stonebriar Mall to walk around and ride on the carousel!!

Get Ready!

Let's make sure our seat belts are buckled

 \

And away we go!!

Still a little skeptical, but I think he had a great time. :)

What a fun day with our 1st Birthday Boy! We love you SO much, Riley!!

Laughing on the swing

I love the beautiful weather we have been having here in TX! We've spent many afternoons at the swingset down the street, and Riley giggles the entire time. This time, he got the hiccups from so much laughter!

For My Grandpa John...

I went on a business trip last weekend to Augusta, GA where I had to check the color and binding of our new monthly JCP books.  I decided to swing by the Augusta golf course where the masters are played each year. I couldn't help but think of my Grandpa John who was a HUGE fan of the masters.  I think he was looking down on me with a big smile on his face, and drinking a toddy out of his plastic masters cup... :)

Letting it all hang out tonight!

To be a kid again, in a diaper, streaking across the playroom, loving life!