First Vet Visit

First before I get into puppy milestones and cuteness for an update on Pain-a-Palooza 2012. Above is a rather dramatic picture of Riley in Old Ortho's waiting room where we found ourselves this morning. It perfectly sums up my emotions about the situation as well. 1,000 words and none of them suitable for print. I called this morning and was told to come right that minute. He did a less than thorough exam at which point I looked him in the eye and said "it's a 10 on the pain scale. A 10. You've known me a long time. Have I ever given you a 10?" Then he sent me for an immediate MRI and after all that haste...wait until Friday to find out anything. Awesome.

In other more pleasant news today was Leeloo's first trip to the vet. She was adorable the whole time. I brought my mom for back up since the pain has made me less than capable of puppy duty. She refused to go out the front door until she knew I was coming. Then Leeloo entered the vet's office charming every human in her path. Clearly they were all there to see her.

Everyone was very nice. Excuse my ragged appearance it has been a rough few days. Leeloo gave them all kisses. She was 13lbs when we brought her home just under a month ago. Today she weighed 21.12lbs! Growing up...Puppies grow waaaaay faster than kiddos. She's healthy. She got two shots and her microchip without so much as a whimper. I was sooooo proud. We'll go back in a month for some more shots. We'll also be back around 6mo to get her spayed. The vet also recommended a site for tags that snap directly onto the collar instead of hanging down, cool.

The only slight mishap was that I had no idea her flea medicine was also heart worm and intestinal worm medicine so the poor puppy got double dose de-wormed. Oops. Poor sweetie. Mike was supposed to come with me and he knew, but he was stuck working through his lunch break. Hopefully it'll work its way out soon. I also pushed myself a little more (because the vet wasn't enough EYE ROLL) to go pick up some paperwork to help up the hubbie and failed. All and all not spectacular, but not bad for operating under duress. I try to be a good mommy to puppies and humans alike. No one can say I don't try. Yay, Leeloo my big brave girl.

Potties and Power Outages

During a rather dramatic visit to the craft store Riley used her first public toilet. We went to Joann's armed with extra pull-ups and the travel potty. It was anyone's guess how running errands would go potty-wise. We left right after Riley used the potty as usual. We were browsing the aisles when, very suddenly, the power went out.

There was minimal lighting and no air conditioning and a big crowd of disorientated shoppers. We were slowly working our way to the front of the store when Riley got squirmy and announced "pee-pee!". I asked her and she confirmed she needed a potty. So, Mike continued to the front of the store while Riley and I braved the very dark regions of the rear of the store to find a potty. The lights were on in the ladies room, thank goodness.

I unfolded the pink princess travel potty which happened to perfectly match the pink princess pull-up Riley had on and situated it. The princesses were dry so I pulled them down and put Riley on the big potty. She was amazed. "Big!" she kept saying with a broad grin. She was perched happily and securely so I peed next door. As soon as I stood up to rush back I heard the sound of success! She did it. She was so pleased with her throne she refused to get down for a minute afterward.

Having succeeded she flushed, which was also amazing. We were just washing our hands in the big sink when employees of the store came rapping at the door. They were instructed to escort us out of the store. Mike was waiting for us up front where we gave up on our purchases and decided to go to Best Buy.

Riley got an Elmo's Potty Time DVD and a peppermint as reward for her potty success and all in all it didn't feel like such a wasted trip.

Un-Stop-Able

Riley rocked the potty today. She went on the potty ALL day. Six times and two of them were poops. Not once did we have to put her on the potty. All day she walked herself to the potty used it and then informed us. The only accident all day was when she started peeing got excited and stood up and finished on the floor. What a superstar!

We've done it. We're past the forced potty time and puddles on the floor stage! Now I know, progress in her own home, on her own potty where she'd allowed to roam in various states of undress doesn't hold true to daycare or grandma's house, yet. I'm still bursting with gratitude. My poor back could not handle any more four-five accident days. Ugh. To think we my be done with diapers altogether in a few weeks. Diaper changes with an almost two year are rough on the back. I wish I was physically able to jump for for joy.

Go, Riley, Go (on the potty).

Invasion of the Toddler Snatchers?!?

Yesterday was a bad, bad day. I kept Riley out of daycare because her Aunt is visiting and there was supposed to be a play date. Fast forward through one of the longest mornings of my life, I wish I could have, nothing had gone according to plan by nap time.

I was crying by late afternoon out of frustration. It seemed someone had come and kidnapped my sweet, loving, docile, little girl who communicates so well and replaced her with a shrieking, defiant, tornado of destruction and tears. Mental note don't keep Riley home from daycare on Mike's office day until plans have been confirmed in the future.

My nerves were shot by 3:00 when Isaac got home from school. Riley reacted to big brother's reappearance with the same whiny fussing she'd been serenading me with all afternoon. It was abundantly and painfully clear we were not having a one nap day at this point.

On a normal day I would say "Ok, Riley let's go get a book." and she would pick up her water cup and follow obediently behind me baby duck style. After more struggle then was necessary we cuddled together in her big girl bed with How do Dinosaurs Eat.

She listened to all 3 readings and then snuggled me sleepily for a minute before I attempted to take my leave. It was an unsuccessful attempt she howled like she was on fire. It didn't bother me that she was screaming because that seemed to be the day we were having. It was the moment after that when she bounded off the bed and followed me to the doorway.

I put the baby gate in her doorway and told her to get her cranky butt back in bed. She didn't think that was a good plan. She played quietly for about 15mins during which time I decided any break was well worth it and I was too tired to fight with her. Pretty soon it occurred to her that she needed to be upset about the baby gate.

She stood and screamed for endless torturous minutes. I walked over to the doorway and she turned her tear-stained face to me and grinned. I took the baby gate down (can't step over with my bad hips) and took her hand and led her to her bed. The shades of confusion that passed over her features were almost comical.

I reassured her that it was, in fact, nap time. Just a short nap I kept saying, but what she heard over the screaming I'll never know. I left and she got out of bed, screaming all the while. When I went back in I led her back to bed, tucked her in and sat on the end of the bed for several minutes. After she had stayed put that long I stood next to the bed reminding her to lay down every time it looked like she was gonna make a break for it. Eventually, I made it to the doorway and then the hallway always reminding her to lay down as needed over her cries.

When she finally feel asleep I locked myself in the bathroom and cried. It always seems like giving the kids independence will make our lives easier, but it is always more work on our part. I knew that I had to be clear about nap time rules so early in the big girl bed experience. I was pretty proud of myself later for channeling Super Nanny(which I used to watch all the time, but haven't since I gave birth) and staying tough.

It was a horrible, count to 10, breaking point, kind of bad day. I know next Monday Riley will be happily back at daycare and before then we'll have overcome the growing pains of the big girl bed transition. It's funny I researched every major decision I've ever made even if it was just by talking to other moms, but I didn't research switching to a bed at all.

I went by what Riley needed and what I could handle, alone. Huh. After Mike came home I cried in the bathroom some probably out of relief and prayed for the strength to survive until bedtime.

Big Girl Bed

We have upgraded from a crib to a big girl bed! I'm so proud of Riley who napped like a champ (just the one nap today) in her big girl bed and is sleeping soundly there now.
It's a twin bed and we put a toddler rail on it. Her bedding is Circo's nature love collection. She also has the adorable little lamp that looks like owls and birds are peeking out of a tree. I love it.
Why now? It was time. Riley had made a few escape attempts, but hadn't managed to get out, yet. She was sleeping with her long legs through the bars. As with every advancement so far moving to a bed had to do with Riley's needs as well as mine. Her size, independence level and hatred of being "trapped" were all major factors. Mommy's poor back also voted for no more crib. She had also developed an annoying habit of waking up at 5am the last two weeks off and on. I hoped it was a phase she was going through because of a prolonged cold, but either way being able to get up and play for an hour in her room before Mommy has to get up sounded helpful.
I was hopeful that our assessment of the situation was correct and Riley wouldn't be totally against the idea. Generally she's up for anything that means a little bit of independence. She's her mother's daughter in that way. Every time we make a change (weaning, one nap, day care, etc) I expect terrible things to happen and they haven't yet.
And so it went..

Down it came. The crib vanished with the last shreds of denial, she's growing up.

Ever my independent little explorer she just went for it. Clambering up to proudly survey her new big girl bed.

She pointed out all the owls and "Whoo"ed, snuggled all her pillows and said bed! more than a few times.

Her first nap in her big girl bed. It wasn't much of a struggle by the time we had the bed up she was ready for it. I found myself sitting in next room thinking "that's it?" We made a huge change, it's only forward from here and she just accepted it? Good, but sad. I needed to be more needed, I think.

We made it through day one! Bed time was a little more eventful, but relatively normal considering. She fussed a little and when I went back in she wanted a drink, but she wanted me to hold it. I think she just needed to know if girls in big girl beds still get extra attention from Mommy sometimes. I was happy to give it. She also got a little panicked when we put the baby gate in the doorway. We opted to wait until she was asleep to put it up. I was happy she slept so soundly.
Sunday morning I was ecstatic to sleep until 8am!! and find my girl happily playing in her room.

Sleep Overs & Scrapbooks

Over the weekend Riley enjoyed a milestone: her first slumber party! I love having a little girl.
My friend and I were co-hosting a scrapbooking party on Saturday so Riley and I headed over Friday night. The girls are always so happy to see each other. Riley's so lucky to have a best friend this young who conveniently has a mommy who's best friends with her mommy. I digress, first order of business baking cookies.

With toddlers there's always lots of help, especially in the kitchen. After baking they sponge painted/finger painted. They get their artsy craftiness from their mommies.

After an incredibly well earned bath in which our little artists turned the water and most of the bathroom blue it was pajama time. Everyone knows watching toddlers play is cute, but pre-bed pajama play time is the cutest!

They were "resting in their nest" like the We are the Dinosaurs song. I came over to see them both laying on pillows pretending to snore! I couldn't make up something this cute!
In the morning after breakfast the Mommies were sitting at the table sipping coffee and looking at some pictures of a couple of silly girls we know while the girls played. It was a pretty quiet morning and then we heard lots of laughing. With a quick exchange of glances we grabbed our cameras and rushed into the living room. We found the girls playing peek-a-boo over the arm of a chair.

In the morning after the girls were dressed and pig-tailed up we got ready for the scrapbooking party.

I made deviled eggs and fruit salad which were a big hit with toddlers and adults alike.

Now we'll take a break from cute babies and tslk crafts. We did a two page layout with a Valentine's Day theme.

We cut out this heart as a background element. We crumpled it up and then ran an ink pad over top of it to give it a distressed look. I love how they turned out. For an extra distressed heart (boy, that sounds awful!) tear it around the edges. You do need thicker paper for best results (We used Stampin' Up card stock).

Here's the finished left hand page before I added pictures. The part that looks like a tiny file folder is for journaling about what's on the page. We foldered a card sized piece of card stock in half and used a tab paper punch to make the tab. Before we glued it on we added a sparkly red brad.

Here's the left side post pitures. The Stampin' Up lady brought pre-cut letters for the "Be Mine" (she used a Sizzix machine). I used my Creative Memories corner edger on the on the first picture. Riley in her pink outfit with a big smile. Followed by Riley with her "My Mom is the Best" shirt with a stolen princess cup. The last one on this side is a less close-up of Riley in her pretty pink outfit.

Here's the right side of the layout. The "XOXO" on this side were also cut with a Sizzix machine. I fond stick them tricky I remend glue stick to those adhesive roller things. Also using temporary adhesive to stick your pages to the table so you can line up your design in the middle if it's continuous like this one.
I'm sure you noticed the pretty girls in matching outfits in the first picture. Since Riley is my one and only baby she will never have a sister, but she does have a best friend. After Christmas we discovered the girls had been given very similar outfits and decided for Boo's Mommy's birthday with dress them alike. That wasn't enough to satisfy us though so for my birthday a week lady they wore these. So cute! Yay, tu-tus. Have I said I'm glad I have girl?
The next picture is of Riley and her friends in the shirts I made them for Valentines day. I think they were a big hit!
I didn't sell a darn thing at the party, unlike my superstar co-host. That wasn't really a factor for me though. It was one of theose getting back into the swing of things opportunities. It gave us a chance to have a girls night sleep-over and do some scrapbooking! Win-win. It also jumpstarted my personal scrapbooking efforts.
Riley's scrapbook was only done up to Thanksgiving, not bad? Yes, terrible, Thanksgiving '09. Worse the Family album was only done up to summer of '08. That's ok though I needed a project to distract me from up coming stress. It was nice to hit the ground running.
Everything between Thanksgiving '09 and this Valentines Day, GO!

Wean-ed, Sleep-ing

Gratitude and peace fill me when I think of how far we've come. We really did it. I breastfed my baby for 13mo through major back surgery. Then I weaned her and got her to sleep in her crib again after upsetting the routine for months. Phew!

What a sad, strange kind of relief. My baby is a toddler who will never need me the way she did when she was a newborn. Taking care of Riley helped me through one the worst times in my life and keeping her close was a necessity, but now that's done. She drinks cow's milk from her sippy, cuddles Mommy in stolen moments between busy play and sleeps in her own bed.

I'm so proud of the independent little girl she's becoming, but I still miss my baby. I have loved every moment of our time together breastfeeding and I am loving every wonderful enlightening moment of toddlerhood.

As far as weaning and independent sleeping the only advice I have is commit to or wait until you're ready.

What's the Rush?!?

Mike wanted Riley to start solids at 2mo old so this kind of thing is nothing new. He insisted at 9mo she "needed" her own Legos. I went with it and got her the baby version. He's been pushing to give her a computer, but I keep saying it's too early (and a space issue, but isn't everything in this house). This weekend he insisted she was ready for a bed. He was ready to disasemble the crib and throw a mattress on the floor for her.

I must stop typing and breathe deeply.

I explained all the reasons why with her sleep issues right now it's a terrible plan. As I suspected it's what he did the first time around. I told him that made sense as Isaac never slept with him. He slept well in the crib and probably transitioned easily to a bed. I know if I were a single parent with a good sleeper I'd probably opt for the plan that bought me a little more sleep in the morning. Riley however is another story she would never sleep if she had the choice right now. Plus Mommy is not ready for her only baby to have a big girl bed.

So, reigh in those horses, Daddy. We'll get there soon enough.

One Year Check Up

Riley went for her one year check up today. She read books in the waiting room and watched the big kids come and go, so grown up! She weighs 18lbs (10th percentile). Her pediatrician says she's just doing her own thing with her weight. She's 27in long (5oth percentile). We're supposed to watch her runny nose a few more days, but otherwise she's healthy. She on track for milestones, he didn't even ask about walking. He gave us the green light to give her cow's milk. As far as advice on weening I supposed no matter how educated a man is he's still a man because all he said was "just refuse her." We went to play with Riley's friend after the appointment and she had a great time. She had some shots and an insufficient naps so we hit cranky time full force. She slept from 3-7:30 and then woke up and played. We gave her cow's milk to try, but she kept drinking it and spitting it out. I think partially because it was 2%, babies and mommies growing bones need whole milk. She slept in our bed again because she was feverish and I was too tired to insist on the crib. It doesn't seem like we've made much progress getting her to sleep in her own bed if any. I really need her to sleep on her own so I can catch up on sleep and so I won't worry as much while I'm in the hospital. One year, it went by fast...

Hedgehogs, Hedgehogs Everywhere

Hedgehog Party Dress: Daddy made it. Red cordoroy, cream linen, homemade hedgehog patch. Riley loved it.

Hedgehog Smash Cake: My friend Diana made the cakes for me.

Hedgehog Cake: Isn't she beautiful?

The Hedgehog Fort: We bought the structure and fabric, but Mike carved the hedgehog face out of foam.

Hedgehog Watermelon: Doreen made this for us from a picture we found. And lots and lots of hedgehog decorations!!

The next morning on her actual birthday Riley woke up in such a good mood she said "play" and when we went into her room she looked at each of her new toys in turn and said "hi". (: It was a wonderful party with lots of good friends and cake. It was a party full of love and hedgehogs!

Baby finger painting!

In our quest for a new group of mommies we went to an event for the a group geared towards moms of older babies. It was at a good friend's house who's already a member. The idea was for the babies to finger paint and then use their art to make cards. Riley, my sweet girl looked down at the colorful blobs of paint and back at me in confusion. When I told her it was ok to touch it she took one pointer finger and swirled it around the paper. She's not scared of anything, she's just cautious with new things. She prefers to observe someone else do it first. She's just a look before you leap kind of girl. I encouraged her by flattening her hand into some paint and she smooshed it around and then reached back with her paint hand to make sure I was still there. I had a bruise colored stain on my neck and paint in my hair the rest of the day. This moment made for the best pictures of the day! All the paint stayed on the paper after that and she had a great time. We made two thank you cards with her paintings, because there are alot of people to thank now that we've survived major surgery. The other kids ranged from 11mo-3yrs. They all played and had a good time. I guess any new group is going to have a different dynamic than any other. It's a play group and not a support group like my original. They meet for activities a few times a month. It's all very official they have dues and you have to go to the website and find the group in your zip code. I wouldn't be able to attend events with the group I met because our current house is not in the right zip code. Aside from all that they were just different than my friends from the other mommy group. I guess the glow of new motherhood has worn off. I enjoyed meeting them, but I don't think any of them are my future my best friend. I think I'm just used to a different kind of stay at home mom. Maybe I'm being judgemental and shallow, but they (in general) were on the heavy side and more sedentary than engaged with the kids. I suppose after 2yrs of chasing Riley I might be tired of chasing her too. I don't know. It just wasn't a welcoming vibe maybe just because I was told in no uncertain terms I couldn't be part of their group because of my zip code. The search continues I suppose...

"Older Babies"

Riley and I have gone to a new mom's support group since she was about 6 weeks old. It's been wonderful. It got us out of the house which was very important after 2 weeks in the NICU and 2 more weeks of being forbidden to take my preemie anywhere. It gave me some valuable and trustworthy information and an appropriate place to vent. Most of all it introduced me to some truly amazing people. I love the lactation consultant who runs the group she helped me so much when I had my surgery and I made mom group my first outing once I was discharged. Not only that but moms from the group came over and brought meals to the house for the first two weeks once I was home. Time marches on and suddenly Riley is one of the "older babies." It's so bizarre because I remember sitting in a chair with my 6wk old sleeping peanut and thinking the babies crawling around on the floor where huge. I used to think "Gosh, I can't wait until you actually stay awake for this Riley." Not long after that I couldn't wait until she could sit and play at group. Soon after all the babies her age were crawling and cruising. We've hit all those milestones and now all the moms with tiny new babies thinks Riley is "huge." So, the moms and babies I watched with "someday" repeating in my brain have moved on to toddler appropriate pastors. Magically Riley and her buddies have replaced them as the older babies. Only it's more like Doctor Who than Saved by the Bell. This cast change means welcome introduction of new adventures. Riley and her friends are amazing little explorers. Exploration needs space and like so many things we may have outgrown our wonderful group. Our new mom's group has become very popular. So much so that there's no where to sit (big problem post back surgery) and your stroller is always blocked in when you're ready to go. The older babies decided to get together on our own this week. One play room 2 crawling/cruising girls, 2 walking boys, lots of toys, 4 mommies and warm chocolate chip cookies. Maybe Riley getting older isn't so bad. And thank God for digital cameras and good friends to applaud your ability to change a squirming baby in your lap while nursing.

Adapting to Adaptation

Riley turned 11mo yesterday. I can't believe it. She has 4 teeth (two on top two on the bottom). She took her first independent step today towards her brother, of course. We are still battling the rash from hell, she's on antibiotics now. She's very, very busy. I got a bow to stay in her hair yesterday, hurray! I'm pretty sure breastfeeding is winding down and I'm ok with that. Riley even fits into her 12month clothes. SOOO BIG.

As Riley grows and my recovery drags on a whole new phase of logistical problems arise. I no longer have the ability to bend my spine or have my hands free when walking (walker, crutches, etc)and she's heavier and quicker than she used to be. I've dealt with disability stuff vs baby care issues before, but I feel really stressed doing it now. I have a wonderful Egro baby carrier which is great when sitting in the wheelchair, but as of yet my back isn't ready to wear her standing. I can lift her in and out of the high chair now that we lowered it or from the rocker to the changing table, but not for any distance.

I can't push the stroller without discomfort at this point. I'm not sure what's temporary and what's permanent at this point. I know that one of the physical therapists estimated at least a year with an assistive device. Whether or not that's realistic it's pretty certain that for the foreseeable future I'll be dealing with some limitations beyond what I had going into surgery and a walking/running toddler.

Riley comes when I call her most of the time, crawls after me in the house, and comes to me and stands up when she needs me. She's "such a trooper" just like mama, but how to keep up with her is a challenge. I worry about pulling her by the arms because I can't reach any lower on her body without bending. I also worry about the day to day once she's walking. I've gotta be able to keep ahold of her when I'm by myself. For her safety as well as mine.

So, just like sucking it up and FINALLY using the scooter at the grocery store. I find myself considering something else I thought I'd never do. A harness. They're cute now at least, shaped like happy animals and functional as backpacks. Not like either the Velcro wrist tethers that I remember from childhood or the blue harnesses that they made special ed kids wear on the school bus. Still I feel judged (mostly by myself) for even thinking about it. It doesn't help that Mike refuses to have anything to do with getting or using one, but if I didn't need it to keep her safe I wouldn't either.

So, onward we go and as ever it is overwhelming but never boring.

How Do They Know?

They told me it would "happen over night". Well, apparently last night was the one.

Until now Riley "crawled" mostly by accident for a second or two. Recently, she'd crawl a little bit to get a little closer to something nearby to pull herself up, but she perfered to roll and scoot to cross rooms. Until today.

Of course, I'm having major surgery tomorrow and will be pretty immobile for a while and my darling daughter has decided to pick up the slack. She was playing in her room on the floor and I was in my room cleaning up my desk. I looked up to see her crawling out or her room with complete singleness of purpose. She went right into the bathroom and grabbed the garbage can. I grabbed her, closed the bathroom door and gated her so she could go only between her bedroom and mine.

What timing kiddo!

Superstar

I've been really down the last two days the pain is really awful now. I'm so depressed. I want to be the person I was a month ago. I want to get up and clean up the mess. I'm no longer able to push through it. I can't do anything about it and I can't suppress the emotions anymore. I am exausted.

So, I decided to take a bath with the baby.I haven't taken a bath with the bay since she could sit up. Riley loves the water. I took her swimming in a pool yesterday for the first time. She's such a happy little fish. Riley was sitting up playing in the tub and she started to lean forward a little so I put my arm in front of her just in case, but she didn't fall. She stood up! From sitting to standing all by herself!! Amazing. And miracle of miracles Mike just happened to have come in to ask me a question a minute before. I immediately grabed on to her waist to keep her up and screamed "Did you see that?!?" I let her beam proudly for as long as I could stand it and then I hugged my amazing girl for as long as she'd let me. So special.

Like A Weed

Riley's been growing steadily all this time and even with a memory stick full of pictures I forget how tiny she was.

She turned 7mo yesterday so I cast her footprints in plaster. They came out great, but when I compared them to the footprints from the day she was born it was staggering. She's about outgrown her baby swing too. I remember thinking she was too small for it and now we're going to be done with it.

I asked Michael if it made him sad that Riley had grown so much and he said he was pretty sure that was a girl thing. Which got me thinking...I don't often hear daddies bemoaning their children's growth. In fact I often hear (and occasionally think to myself) women saying their baby growing up makes them want more babies. Maybe women feel this way so that the species keeps going. Where as men look forward to increased bonding time when their kids become more independent from their mothers.

All of the irrational emotions aside I'm so grateful to have a big 7mo old girl instead of a newborn. She's amazing. I was (don't judge me) watching the episode of Tori and Dean yesterday where they throw Stella's first birthday party and I started getting excited about Riley's birthday. I wonder if she'll be walking by then? Even though 5mo seems far away 7 have passed since she was born and 15 have passed since she was conceived!

That's What Daddies Are For

Insert your favorite joke here.

Seriously, in my opinion we've taken huge leaps and bounds as far as "co-parenting" goes. Pretty well gone are the days when people are limited by their gender roles as far as parents. No more sperm donor and sole breadwinner with no parental responsibilities. Even if one parent is working and the other stays with the kids they share the parenting job these days. But I'm not about to get off on a college woman's studies class inspired rant about equally in the nuclear family, no just wanted to make this particular observation...

I was feeling jealous that when Riley's with me we spend a lot of time getting down to business (eating, bathing, changing, etc) and less playing. Daddy's first priority is always to make her laugh first then change the diaper. He's more relaxed about a lot of things.

Specifically, he pushes my boundaries. If I'm frantically trying to keep one hand on Riley and do 20 other things he'll say "she's ok, let go." That's the moment I look around and think it over. He's right most of the time if she falls back on her nice soft carpet she'll be fine, if I let her sit in the tub while I'm right there (and keep her away from the faucet) she's fine...You're getting the picture. In general it's ok for me to back off a little. It's good for me to test and re-test my comfort level and her independence.

So thanks to Daddies everywhere.

Riley at 6mo

Like a pretty green flower. Riley-Bug Being adorable is exhausting!

Riley Grows...

At 6mo2wks she is now 14lbs 11oz, 25in long and in the 49th percentile. Small for her age but height and weight and perfectly proportioned (like mama).

She can sit unassisted for long periods. Eat from a spoon or with her fingers. Take a regular bath in the tub. Pull herself to sitting without holding on to anything. Roll front to back and back to front. Pull her self to standing holding on. She can grab and whack her toys. She can spin in her exersaucer. She can open and close lids and flaps. Take steps holding on. She can hold a toy in each hand. Scoot on her back or hold herself up on her belly. Drink from a bottle, boob or sippy cup. Blow air through her lips, stick out her tongue and blow raspberries.

She's learning things like crazy too. Milestones are funny because you wait and wait for them to do something and then you move on to waiting for the next thing. It's usually not until I spend time with a younger baby that I realize how far she's come. For example you wait and wait for them to notice their toys, then we wait for them to reach, then grab, then whack and throw, play by themselves and hopefully someday clean up their toys. It's amazing to see the moment they figure it out. The best example is the moment in every House episode when he realizes the answer. Babies have those A LOT at this age. What a fun time, too bad we grow up with no memory of it and start taking things for granted.

She's Pierced!

Sorry they're cell phone pictures. She cried for about 45 seconds and then I put her back in the stroller and handed her the paper bag with the ear solution in it and she happily crinkled it all the way to the car.