Is there any doubt....

This girl is used to being the center of attention?

At last, she sleeps...

Riley has been struggling with sleep recently. I think she inherited her Dad's night owl tendencies and her mom's inability to shut off her mind, and it has contributed for some restless nights and difficult next days. These pics were taken during a late afternoon Sunday nap. This rest was badly needed, which makes these pics that much sweeter.






Side note to all you mamas out there...any sleeping tips are very welcome!

Like her mama

I often tell people that, for me, having Riley is like watching my heart run around outside of my body. Almost every time we are out and about, someone will stop us and comment on how much we look alike. It's so fun to see her develop into her own little person, with opinions and attitudes and expressions that are very much hers, but also to see how much I influence those. Even my preferences for activities and music and food seem to show up somewhere in her personality. We are incredibly tight and I find that there is no better motivation to be a better mother, person, friend, and sister than to think that she is watching me and learning from my example. I can only hope that I measure up to the type of Mama she deserves to have.

A few pics to illustrate some of my influences...

She LOVES the computer and can negotiate my touchpad mouse pretty well on her own.


Active AND Stylist sporting Mom's helmet and Earth necklace.


She loves to wear my helmet, even though she has her own. But then, her's is a roadie helmet and I think she's a mountain biker at heart.


Not a fan of laundry and would rather play around than actually do it.


I've said it before, but there is no greater motivation for me to live a healthy, happy, love filled life than being a mom to my little one. She's all I could ever ask for wrapped up in a wonderful, beautiful, headstrong, feisty, smart, silly, sweet little girl.

***Sigh***

I am a healthy person. I have a Master's Degree in Community Health, for heaven's sake. I try to make good choices for myself and Riley, and I'm really trying to encourage healthy eating.

Riley is picky. And stubborn. And strong-willed ( I have NO idea where she gets it from). And something of a choco-holic. She loves her "numma-numma's" .

She loves potatoes and chicken, so I tried to make her a healthy dinner using these ingredients. It was a version of scalloped potatoes and roasted chicken, using healthy ingredients like greek yogurt to substitute for the sour cream and low fat cheese to lower the saturated fat content. I thought it tasted great.

She wouldn't touch it.

I knew she was hungry but she absolutely refused to touch her dinner. I tried to force it, and was rewarded with sobs, tears and a major drama episode.

She went to time out for spitting at me, and when she served her time, she brought me the Wasatch Pizza magnet off the fridge and said "pease" so sweetly. I caved and ordered a pizza.

She ate three pieces.