Wow, have 4 months really gone by already?!?! Amazing. But we feel like we have had Riley in our lives forever at this point, and really can't remember what life was like without him anymore.
Riley weighed 14.1 lbs today at his check-up (33rd percentile - down slightly from the last visit - he was around the 50th percentile then - could be a result of him being sick for pretty much the last two weeks straight (poor guy)). He is 25 inches long (55th percentile - about the same as last time). He received high marks from the doctor and seems to be progressing at a normal rate in all areas of development. He can hold his head high now, and has great neck control, so that is good. He also rolled over from his back to his front for the first time EVER while we were in the examination room waiting for the doctor. There is a mirror that stretches the length of the examination table and he caught site of himself in it (he LOVES the "Baby in the Mirror" as we call him). Apparently he REALLY wanted to get to that baby, so he kept trying and trying and trying and finally made it over onto his stomach. Then he did a mini "push-up" so that he could get a better look. You could tell he was really proud of himself. So cute.
Besides that, not much else to report except that we all love Riley more and more each day. He continues to amaze us all with his sweet, easygoing personality. Always a smile for someone. If only they could guarantee that he'd keep that up his whole life...
I promise to post more pictures soon. I know I have been terrible about that.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
And so it begins...
Riley has his first cold. His first illness of any sort, actually. And while I'm grateful that he made it almost 4 months without getting sick, I have a feeling this is the beginning of a difficult fall and winter, especially since he spends his days at daycare.
Although he is not excited about being sick, Riley has been a real trooper. I think he is the most irritated at night because he is used to sucking on his fingers and thumb to fall asleep. Since he can't really breathe out of his nose right now, he is having a hard time falling asleep. But during the day he is his normal cheerful, smiley self, just with a constantly runny nose, a slight temperature (100.3) and a bit of a cough. Nothing the slightest bit alarming, but you better believe we still called the pediatrician. I'm sure the nurse had to suppress giggles while we gave her the list of "very serious" symptoms. :) I bet new parents make their days sometimes.
Although he is not excited about being sick, Riley has been a real trooper. I think he is the most irritated at night because he is used to sucking on his fingers and thumb to fall asleep. Since he can't really breathe out of his nose right now, he is having a hard time falling asleep. But during the day he is his normal cheerful, smiley self, just with a constantly runny nose, a slight temperature (100.3) and a bit of a cough. Nothing the slightest bit alarming, but you better believe we still called the pediatrician. I'm sure the nurse had to suppress giggles while we gave her the list of "very serious" symptoms. :) I bet new parents make their days sometimes.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Laughter is the best medicine
It's been an awesome weekend, one of those that seems perfect while you are living it. To begin with, it marked the last days of the summer. We decided to let all "projects" sit idly by while we enjoyed ourselves - no errands, no laundry, no cleaning - it was wonderful.
To start the weekend, Casey and I went to an event at the Children's Museum on Friday night while Riley hung out at home with Tim and Bree who were kind enough to watch him for us. It was only our second "date" since Riley has been born. We managed to spend a few minutes not thinking about him, although the only auction item we bid on was a child's photography package (which we won!!!).
On Saturday morning, the whole family went on a long walk - the first morning where it was not scalding hot when we left our house. Then Riley, Casey and I went to a Wake Forest football game, and spent much of our day tailgating. Afterwards we went to the pool to enjoy pool time and the Michigan-Notre Dame game that was playing on the TV at the pool (incidentally, how nice is it to have a TV at the pool?!?!).
Sunday we spent most of the day at the Club again. Casey played a little golf while I hung out with some Riley and some friends at the pool. Perfect weather and an awesomely good day. But not one of the fun things we did over the weekend could compare with what happened at the pool before Casey left us to go play golf - Riley laughed out loud for the first time!!! And not only did this happen for the first time while we were both there to enjoy it, but the truly amazing part is that we also had our video camera with us and got it all on film. I can't tell you how many times we are going to watch that video. There is nothing cuter (and funnier) than watching Riley laugh. And all it took was for me to say "hi" to him in what I will say is a really annoying voice over and over and over again. Who knew I could be so funny!!!
What a great way to end the summer. I can't wait to see what the pool will hold for us next year. Something tells me that lounging on a chair in the sun and reading a book while Riley sleeps is NOT going to be in the cards for us next year. But I'm sure it'll be fun in a whole new way for all of us. It would've been the perfect weekend if only Winston and Wrigley were allowed to come to the pool.
To start the weekend, Casey and I went to an event at the Children's Museum on Friday night while Riley hung out at home with Tim and Bree who were kind enough to watch him for us. It was only our second "date" since Riley has been born. We managed to spend a few minutes not thinking about him, although the only auction item we bid on was a child's photography package (which we won!!!).
On Saturday morning, the whole family went on a long walk - the first morning where it was not scalding hot when we left our house. Then Riley, Casey and I went to a Wake Forest football game, and spent much of our day tailgating. Afterwards we went to the pool to enjoy pool time and the Michigan-Notre Dame game that was playing on the TV at the pool (incidentally, how nice is it to have a TV at the pool?!?!).
Sunday we spent most of the day at the Club again. Casey played a little golf while I hung out with some Riley and some friends at the pool. Perfect weather and an awesomely good day. But not one of the fun things we did over the weekend could compare with what happened at the pool before Casey left us to go play golf - Riley laughed out loud for the first time!!! And not only did this happen for the first time while we were both there to enjoy it, but the truly amazing part is that we also had our video camera with us and got it all on film. I can't tell you how many times we are going to watch that video. There is nothing cuter (and funnier) than watching Riley laugh. And all it took was for me to say "hi" to him in what I will say is a really annoying voice over and over and over again. Who knew I could be so funny!!!
What a great way to end the summer. I can't wait to see what the pool will hold for us next year. Something tells me that lounging on a chair in the sun and reading a book while Riley sleeps is NOT going to be in the cards for us next year. But I'm sure it'll be fun in a whole new way for all of us. It would've been the perfect weekend if only Winston and Wrigley were allowed to come to the pool.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Two Weeks Later...
Riley has been at daycare for two weeks now, and although I still hate leaving him, it has definitely gotten easier. For the first week, Casey and I went to visit him during lunch every single day. And we probably would've continued that for his whole life if we hadn't realized that it was actually making his day harder. We'd interrupt his naps, we'd get there and want to feed him right after he'd already had his bottle. We felt like we were cramping his style. So we have stopped. We both miss him terribly all day long, but we are more anxious than ever to leave work at the end of the day. We rotate days on who gets to pick him up, but it seems that no matter which one of us it is that gets the honor of being the first to see him, he always greets us with a great big smile. It's as if he's trying to tell us that it's OK that we've left him all day. Like he may even appreciate the break from his embarrassing, doting parents.
I'll tell you who does love the idea of Riley being at daycare and me being back at work -- Winston and Wrigley. They have more energy and more pep in their step now than we've seen in months. I am convinced that it's because they are no longer going on 2 or 3 walks a day in the brutal Carolina summer heat. (Each day, Winston, Wrigley, Riley and I would set out on extremely long walks -- partly because Riley loves to be outside, partly because it puts him to sleep like nothing else can, partly because the dogs love their walks, and partly because I need to shed these last ten pounds that have been clinging to me since I lost the other 27 pounds two weeks after Riley was born. We walked to Starbucks and the three of them hung out while I wrote thank you notes. We walked to Roche, another coffee house in our neighborhood. We walked to the park. And sometimes we just walked without a destination or a care in the world. Wow do I miss those walks!!!!). Whatever the reason, the dogs are happy to have Casey and me to themselves again during lunchtime. I think it reminds them of the good ol' days.
Riley seems to be thriving at daycare. His neck has gotten a lot stronger. He is really starting to sit up well (although still not on his own). He has learned how to roll over onto his side. He watches the "big kids" (9 months old) in his class intently. And he's always smiling. His teachers have told us that the only times he cries during the day are when he has a dirty diaper (he doesn't seem to care about wet diapers) and when they take his bottle out of his mouth before he's done eating (this makes me laugh because we've seem him do it at home too, and it is hilarious how angry he gets). They say he has a great disposition. This makes my heart swell with pride.
This past Wednesday I had scheduled a girls' night out with three friends. As it turned out, Casey had a tennis match that night, so instead of leaving Riley at home with him as I'd planned, I schlepped him to dinner at the Village Tavern with me. Even without his usual afternoon nap, he was a saint. He didn't make a single noise the entire time. Instead, he just sat on my lap (head held high with very little bobblehead-like movements) and smiled at the girls. He is just such a laid back little guy. I love him more and more each day as more of his personality is starting to show.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend, and also the start of the college football season. Tomorrow Riley will attend his first Wake Forest football game. We are so excited about it (and the tailgating) that it's all we've been able to talk about all week. And if we are talking (and thinking) about something else besides the guilt of leaving Riley at daycare, I'd say life is good indeed.
Go Deacs!
I'll tell you who does love the idea of Riley being at daycare and me being back at work -- Winston and Wrigley. They have more energy and more pep in their step now than we've seen in months. I am convinced that it's because they are no longer going on 2 or 3 walks a day in the brutal Carolina summer heat. (Each day, Winston, Wrigley, Riley and I would set out on extremely long walks -- partly because Riley loves to be outside, partly because it puts him to sleep like nothing else can, partly because the dogs love their walks, and partly because I need to shed these last ten pounds that have been clinging to me since I lost the other 27 pounds two weeks after Riley was born. We walked to Starbucks and the three of them hung out while I wrote thank you notes. We walked to Roche, another coffee house in our neighborhood. We walked to the park. And sometimes we just walked without a destination or a care in the world. Wow do I miss those walks!!!!). Whatever the reason, the dogs are happy to have Casey and me to themselves again during lunchtime. I think it reminds them of the good ol' days.
Riley seems to be thriving at daycare. His neck has gotten a lot stronger. He is really starting to sit up well (although still not on his own). He has learned how to roll over onto his side. He watches the "big kids" (9 months old) in his class intently. And he's always smiling. His teachers have told us that the only times he cries during the day are when he has a dirty diaper (he doesn't seem to care about wet diapers) and when they take his bottle out of his mouth before he's done eating (this makes me laugh because we've seem him do it at home too, and it is hilarious how angry he gets). They say he has a great disposition. This makes my heart swell with pride.
This past Wednesday I had scheduled a girls' night out with three friends. As it turned out, Casey had a tennis match that night, so instead of leaving Riley at home with him as I'd planned, I schlepped him to dinner at the Village Tavern with me. Even without his usual afternoon nap, he was a saint. He didn't make a single noise the entire time. Instead, he just sat on my lap (head held high with very little bobblehead-like movements) and smiled at the girls. He is just such a laid back little guy. I love him more and more each day as more of his personality is starting to show.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend, and also the start of the college football season. Tomorrow Riley will attend his first Wake Forest football game. We are so excited about it (and the tailgating) that it's all we've been able to talk about all week. And if we are talking (and thinking) about something else besides the guilt of leaving Riley at daycare, I'd say life is good indeed.
Go Deacs!
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