New Digs

I've been keeping two blogs for a while, one for me and one for Riley. I did this mostly because I figured there were a lot of people who would want to read Riley's blog and didn't really care to hear what was going on with me. It turns out, however, that almost everyone who reads this blog also reads mine, so I guess I was mistaken with that assumption.

Keeping one blog will make my life a bit simpler, plus being Riley's mom is such an integral part of my story that trying to tell it without her leaves a gaping hole. I'll be leaving this blog up so the archives are available, but from now on, you can find both Riley and me at Learning to Walk In Heels.

After all, the girl is almost three and wants to wear "yipstick" and perfume every day. Heels can't be far behind.

xoxo
Amy

Three Amigos

Lexi and Hallee are not just Riley's cousins, but also her best friends, partners in crime, and hero's in training. She loves and adores them. I love and adore them.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Summer solstice shoot

Riley and I ventured around our neighborhood tonight, enjoying the perfect summer weather and the longest day of the year. She was in full show-off mode, so I took advantage with an impromptu photo shoot.




Man, I love this girl!

A few California photos

Riley and I spent a week in California recently, visiting my sister, brother in law, and the twinners. Just a few photos of the good times we had there....
On the way out, rocking her mama's glasses.

Checking in for the night, at a hotel in Reno. Riley was chatting with Aunt Beck and making notes about their conversation.


Bubbles with Aunt Beck (there is a huge case of hero worship going on here).

More of Riley with her hero and namesake.

Flying across the lawn, for whatever reason. The girl doesn't ever walk when she can run!

Who she spends her days with

Jean and Riley

Morgan and Riley
Please meet Jean and Morgan, Riley's teachers at her daycare. These are two incredible women! They maintain a classroom of 12 active 2-3 year olds in a creative, kind manner and still find time to get to know each child individually, noting their uniqueness and appreciating their quirks. They teach Riley so much! Often, when Riley says something new or particularly advanced for her age, she tells me that Jean taught her it, and when she learns a new skill (like skipping or jumping jacks) she tells me that Morgan taught her how to do it. She adores them both!

I am so grateful that Riley has such good teachers to care for her while I am at work. If I can't be there during her days, I am so glad that these women are! They have amazing amounts of patience and gentleness and truthfully, I think they deserve a medal after keeping up with all those toddlers and still remaining sane. They do their job beautifully!

May She (A Prayer for My Daughter)

May she hold her dreams firmly.
May she let go of disappointments easily.
May she see the strength and commitment of those who care for her.
May she offer forgiveness to those who hurt her.
May she learn patience because it's been shown to her.
May she grow to understand what real happiness is.
May she give to others and receive more in return.
May she learn to be gentle with herself and with others.
May she know how much she is loved.

A big old Riley update

Wow, it's been a while since I updated Riley's blog. She's quite the little crazy these days. Growing every single day and getting more personality and more attitude (yes, it's scary) every single second. Right now, she:

• Knows all her colors and shapes. Her favorite color is PINK, but she admits to liking purple too.

• Has several favorite dolls that she carries around and creates stories about. You already have met 'Baby Nuggets', but there is also 'Larlo', 'Tuesday', and 'Carol' (pictured here).
• Likes movies and popcorn.
• Has the funniest little vocabulary, consisting of words like "polkanut" (polkadot), "ponynail" (nail polish) and "pinkerbell" (self-explanatory).
  
• Loves to take baths and will happily play for an hour in the tub.
• Sings the ABC's with vigor every time she sees letters, which means very loud singing every morning when I drop her off at her daycare, located at the YWCA.
• Her favorite foods are chicken nuggets and fries and chocolate milk. She holds a special place in her heart for bacon, however, and recently ate more than half a pound while I wasn't looking.
• Loves to help cook dinner and decorate cookies or cupcakes.
  
• Loves makeup and perfume and all things girly, especially "yipstick". If mom is wearing a dress, Riley must also be wearing a dress. If mom is wearing heels, Riley must also be wearing heels. Yet she still plays like a rough-and-tumble boy at daycare.
• Loves to put on the i-pod and DANCE! Her favorite song is "Don't stop the music" by Rhianna, with "Love Story" by Taylor Swift a close second. Usually, her tights go on OVER her pants for these parties. Check out the fashion statement in this pic.
• Loves to sing "Happy Birthday" while in the car. Usually to Grandma Nita, but sometimes to Aunt Becky or her mommy.
  
• Stages elaborate tea parties, complete with princess costumes and invited guests. Buzz Lightyear has been honored at these gatherings, as has Surfer Ken and Doctor Barbie.
• Gives the best kisses and hugs and loves to "snuggle me" any chance she gets.
• Is getting super long hair, which she hates having combed, but cries when I ask her if she wants to cut it. She loves getting her bangs trimmed, though.
• Is a mama's girl and we love to spend time together. Her favorite activities right now are swimming and shopping. Yep, she's my girl.

Oh, how I love this girl.