Grandparent Weekend

The past week has been very busy. I don't have all of the pictures downloaded yet so here is a brief update, in pictures, of everything we did the weekend prior to the 4th of July.

A week ago Thursday Riley got to meet her Opa and Oma (Grandpa Joe and Grandma Joyce, Dee's Dad and his wife) for the first time. I'm so glad they finally got to see our little miracle. The next day Riley and I spent the day hanging with Oma and Opa and Riley made her first stop at the Dutch Store. (Strange, I know, but my family is from Holland. The Dutch Store is HUGE with our Klan!). The picture to the right is Riley with Oma and Opa.

Later that day we went over to Aunt Angie's (Shelly's sister) to visit. We sat in the backyard, enjoyed the sun, and just visited. Below are a couple of pics of Riley with Grandma Shanni (Shelly's Mom) and Aunt Angie.

On Saturday Riley got a special surprise and spent the morning Stamping with Momma Dee and her friends.

Sunday we had breakfast with Oma and Opa before their drive back to Las Vegas. We of course went to Cra.cker Bar.rel, Grandpa's favorite and must see on every trip to Utah.

Next up, the Sprin.gville Canyon to visit Grandma Connie and Grandpa Keith (Dee's mom and husband). We sat outside and enjoyed the sun and fresh canyon air. Riley also got to meet Grandma's dog Willie for the first time. I of course have also included a photo of Willie as he's quite the photogenic pooch.

We had a great time with all of our Grandparents and feel incredibly blessed to have so many wonderful people that love Riley so very much.

I leave you with a few more of my favorite pics from the Grandparent Weekend.

My beautiful Shelly...

My two favorite girls...

Momma Dee trying to convince Cindy that Bop.py's can also be used as travel pillows. :)

And finally, my beautiful binky baby.

Smile :)

"Riley, Mama got a new camera. Let's get a nice big smile for our blog!"



"Mom, what about this smirk? Is that close enough to a smile?"



"C'mon sweetheart. Let's have a big smile! Smirking doesn't quite cut it."

"But Mom, I think this is definitely a good look for me."



"Ri, one big smile please. C'mon let's see that pretty smile."

"Gosh Mom, this is as good as it's gonna get. Now give me my binky!"

"That's a big girl! Thanks for the smile!'

PG??

Mingle² - Online Dating

How in the world can Role Playing with Kids be rated G and this blog is rated PG. She's a total rebel and I'm just sweet and innocent. (Just kidding K, you're not a rebel, but you know I'm innocent!) I can live with PG. Riley was quite surprised. Check out her reaction! Oh no!

Don't Take the Binky!

I swore I would never have a Binky baby. Yeah right!!! The NICU used Binky's to help keep the babies settled because they can't give one on one attention. Well, Little Miss Riley developed her addiction there and it's still going strong. Below I share with you what happens when you take her Bink away, with sound. Quite the temper! And, don't you just love the shirt? You bet she's "Worth the Wait"!

It's a Crazy Life

OK, I know all first time Mom's are busy. But seriously, our house is also completely torn apart making life that much more hectic. Our entire kitchen floor has been ripped up and is in the process of having new tile installed. This means NO KITCHEN! It's a little challenging with a newborn. And, our basement is still not finished, but getting much closer. I can't wait to get the home improvements DONE!

It was my birthday on Friday. Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.... I LOVE BIRTHDAYS! So, it's been all about me, and of course Riley, for the past week. Shelly got me a new Digital Camera. It rocks! Hopefully I can get pictures posted tonight.

I'm super busy at work today but at least had to let you all know we're here, we're happy, and we're loving our baby girl.

And finally, to check out some too cute pics of Riley, go to my cousin Melanie's blog at My Four Sons and check out the slide show she did of Riley from our family baby shower this weekend, under the Sweet Miracles post from Sunday. Thanks Melanie! The pictures are ADORABLE! And, welcome to the blogging world!

We.ight Wat.chers, Olivia, Smiles and WELCOME to Talor and Lance

Yes, it's been over a week since I've blogged. The time I use to spend blogging I now find I want to spend with my baby girl. I have been keeping up on every one in my blogosphere I've just not been posting. Eventually we'll find a nice routine and I'll be a much better blogger.


Since it's been a week I've got several updates.



First, WELCOME TALOR AND LANCE!


Our God Daughter Tate welcomed her baby sister on Wednesday, 6/13. Both Mom and Talor are doing well after a difficult delivery. Talor was 21 1/2 inches and 7 lbs 14 oz. Talor has lots of dark curly hair and is a cutie. She is actually two weeks early. Tate, Talor, and their Mom's went home from the hospital today and are trying to get some rest.


Lance is Riley's cousin and was born 6/7 to my cousin Shelly. He and Riley were due a day apart but because Riley came a week early and Lance came almost two weeks late there are almost three weeks apart in age. Congrats Shelly, Clark and Lance!


Riley's super excited to have her new best friend Talor and her handsome cousin Lance to play with.


Today Riley had another Doctor Appointment/Weight Check. Grandma Shanni calls it her We.ight Watc.her appointments. She gained another 8 oz and is now up to 7 lbs 15 oz. She's also gotten taller and is now 20" long. Because she's consistently gaining weight she doesn't have to go back until her 2 month check-up. Way to go Riley! No more we.ight watc.hers!


Riley has started to smile!!! We got our first smile on Wednesday, 6/13. Since then we've found she WON'T smile on command but she does like to smile first thing in the morning. I spend mornings with Riley. We get up around 4:30-5:00. Change her diaper, have breakfast, snuggle, and watch the news. When it's time for me to get ready for work I take Riley to snuggle with Momma Shelly. Yesterday when I took her into Shelly we got her to smile, smile, smile. Talk about tugging your heart strings!


Because of her Cystic Hygroma Riley's right ear has a tendency to fold forward. The Plastic Surgeon said to use a band aid to keep it pressed down but we don't want the tape to irritate her skin. So, when we're hanging around the house we put a headband on her. It's working really well, but, she looks like she's doing an Oli.via New.ton John impersonation. Here is a picture of her in her head band and work out wear. Seriously, when looking at this picture you can't help but break out in song, "Let's get p.hysical, p.hysical..."

Riley will be 4 weeks old tomorrow! Seriously, I can't believe it's already been 4 weeks. Wow!


And finally, since it's been awhile, I leave you with a few snapshots of the princess.

Still an Overachiever

Today Riley had a weight check appointment and she continues to be an overachiever. In one week she gained 12 ounces. She's now up to 7 lbs 8 oz! Way to go Riley!!! We no longer need to add formula to the breast milk to get her extra calories. She goes back for another weight check next week.

In other news we got Riley's social security card in the mail on Monday and her birth certificate today. Guess she's now an official and I can work on getting her added to my insurance.

She had a follow up appointment with the Plastic Surgeon yesterday. He's very pleased with how her scar is healing. We'll go back in six months to have him check each end of the scar to determine if he needs to do any follow-up procedures. We see the Pediatric Surgeon on Friday.

Last night was rough. We think she may have had an upset belly. She didn't sleep much, if at all. Neither did we. That was the first bad night we've had (knocking on wood). We're hoping tonight goes much smoother because we're both TIRED!