Riley's First Birthday!

Last week, our little Riley girl turned O-N-E!  We decided to have a party at the house with family and friends - I didn't even send out invitations!  I just texted everyone to let them know what time.  I teased with one of my friends that the theme of the party was "Shut Up Pinterest."  I didn't put together a big themed party with invites and decorations and so much expectation I couldn't live up to.  I hung a banner, bought some balloons, ordered a cake, and made some dips.  And I really couldn't be happier about how it all went.  I was relaxed, I enjoyed, and I think everyone else did too.  I'll delve into my feelings on mommy guilt and overdone birthdays in another post...on to the pictures!

Riley was a little unsure about the smash cake at first - she delicately put her finger into the icing after some prompting from her Nini.

Then she got the hang of it and realized how good Ricks cake is...

Then it was time for presents.  Our little lady racked up books, toys, pool stuff, her first baby doll, the Little People Klip Klop Princess Stable - oh and some shades.

We are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family who want to be a part of Riley's life.  Much love to you all, and happy first birthday to our sweet girl!

Pre-Mothers Day Recap

So even though my Mother's Day was by far the best day of the weekend (or ever), a lot happened this weekend before my special day.  First of all, I had to leave work early on Friday to pick up Riley.  She had a 101.5 degree fever.  Her fever finally broke today, and last night was one of my worst ever as a parent.  Nothing could make her happy, and I didn't know a child could cry for two hours straight.  But we survived, and how can you not love this face?

I didn't get to go, but Friday night Alli had her last school dance of the year where her dance club performed some Michael Jackson numbers.  The girl has some moves!  Saturday morning, Alli and I went on a bike ride together after Ryan went on his solo.  Then we headed to the ballpark for Alli's scrimmage.  She was 2 for 3 batting with two singles and two runs scored.  She also played the pitcher position as well as catcher.  She did awesome.  I am so excited to get to spend evenings at the ballpark again.  Alli is really enjoying playing, and many of the girls on her team go to school with her, so we get to interact with families who have kids Alli's age who live nearby.

After the game, we took Riley for the inaugural spin in her bike chariot, which she loved.  Thank goodness, because when that girl isn't happy, no one is happy!  It was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend all around, and I am just ecstatic that I got to spend it doing all of my favorite things (except having a sicko kiddo...).

Riley {Eleven Month Update}

I know I say this every month, but come on.  Can you believe it's been eleven months since this little sweet thing joined our family?

Here are Riley's key words for the month:

• Standing.  Like tall.  Like pulling up on any and everything she can find.  She will pull up on cabinets, on the bench, on your legs, in the bathtub (horrors).  Anything she can use to get her feet under her she'll do it.  She transitions pretty easily from flat on her tummy to sitting down to her knees to standing.  It's alarming.
• Talking.  We aren't truly communicating verbally yet, but a few distinct noises that definitely are intentional.  When people walk in the room for the first time, she very cheerfully says "Hiiii!"  When she drops something throws something down, she looks over her chair and says "Uh."  One time I got her to say "Uh oh" but just the once.
• Clapping.  One day while singing patty cake to her, I noticed Riley rolling her hands together when I said "Roll 'em up," and then she followed that up with clapping.  A few times, she's even thrown her arms for the grand "Throw 'em in the pan" finale.

See that standing baby?  I am absolutely amazed at the changes that have happened in such a short time.  A month ago we were celebrating the army crawl, and now we're quickly baby-proofing and chasing her all over the house.  And telling her over and over again that she can't stand in the tub!

Our eleven month photoshoot didn't go as well as planned because someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and then she decided to have coffee talk with Lola rather than face the camera.  But Mama didn't get her coffee that morning because someone leaned over and pushed it off the bench.

When Riley wants you to sing to her, she bobs her head back and forth and says "Mmmbop" which almost always makes me break into a Hanson solo.  She loves any music with a good beat that she can dance to - she get it from her mama.

Can it really be her one year birthday next month?  Where has the time gone?  If she changes as much this month as she did last month, she'll be driving a car.  Slow down time!  Happy eleven months, Riley Roo!

Riley {Ten Month Update}

Boy, do I feel sheepish.  It's been over a month since I last posted!  Spring has been a flurry of activity for our family, and I've been collapsing into bed at night without the energy to blog.  Now I'm posting Riley's ten month update when she's almost eleven months old!  Please forgive me.  I'll do better, I promise!

Here are key words to describe Riley this month:

• Waving.  Out of the blue one day, Riley started waving bye bye, and she just can't get enough of it.  Sometimes she gives even gives the two handed wave.  She's gotten so good at it that all you have to say is "Bye bye!" and she immediately starts waving.  It's adorbs.
• Wary.  Riley is pretty cautious of people who aren't in her immediate family or friends.  She's stopped willingly going to whoever wants to hold her and has started hesitating, turning away, or crying.  Her "Strangers Danger" complex is pretty acute right now.
• Crawling.  Riley isn't doing the traditional crawl on her knees - she does the belly to the ground Army crawl.  But she's speedy, determined, and able to get across the room quickly.  Cue babyproofing.

Riley still loves every food we put in front of her.  She never turns down grub, and she's enjoyed every solid she's tried.  She's even learned to enjoy chicken!  We added beets, broccoli & cauliflower this month without any complaints.

Sleep with Riley is touch and go - most nights she goes down between 8-9PM and gets up between 7-8AM.  But as soon as you think you've got her figured out, she changes her mind!  She had been laying down by herself when she was sleepy and going to bed on her own, but then for a week she decided she needed to nurse or rock to sleep.  And then we were back to laying her down again.  She always keeps us on our toes!

Riley still loves to give headbutt kisses, dance to music, and throw her toys on the ground for you to pick up.  When she tosses a toy overboard, she proclaims "Uh!"  We're still working on the "Oh!"  Happy ten months, sweet smiley Riley!

Riley {Nine Month Update}

It's that time again!  Is it flying by for you like it is for me??  Our sweet Riley ma'am is nine months old!  She's officially been out longer than she was in!

Key words to describe this stinker this month:

• Toothy.  Riley cut her top left tooth finally!  It was a bit of a bumpy few days, but we could see it in her gum and it finally popped out!  It looks just like her sister's, and the one right next to it is on the way any day now (please).
• Expressive.  Riley's aware of how to make people laugh, whether it's a cute, shy smile or shaking her head back and forth.  She isn't afraid to let you know how she feels, and we started something new this month - throwing herself backwards when she doesn't like something.  So that's fun.
• Musical.  We play Riley's Pandora station all the time while she's playing on the floor, and she loves the music.  It plays a mix of reggae, Disney songs, and acoustic.  She bounces up and down and sways to the beat.  Don't tell Ryan, but she already has more rhythm than he does.

Riley is chowing down on solid foods - she's added blueberries, yogurt, and chicken this month.  She likes everything but the chicken.  I'm sure being a Lowe, she'll learn to love it.  We haven't tried anything more than purees yet, so if anyone has any tips on getting a fickle 0.75 year old to try something other than creamy blends, please let me know.

 Riley's been to riding lessons, soccer games, a Razorback gymnastics meet, and a Razorback basketball game this month.  She's a pretty good traveler and she can be flexible (most of the time).  We went bowling last Tuesday to get out of the house after three snow days, and she thoroughly enjoyed observing.

This kid is character!  You never have to wonder what's on her mind, because she lets you know.  She works hard to get our attention, and she even imitates us by nodding or shaking her head back and forth.  Sometimes you can even get her to mimic sounds.  Riley has also been known to give the occasional headbutt  to get kisses on her forehead.  She's not afraid to let you know if she's unhappy by screaming, arching her back, and even diving backwards out of your arms.  At least she's a woman who knows what she wants.

Riley has a move we like to call "the roll-crawl."  She's not crawling yet, but she is pushing with her feet quite a bit.  So when she sees something she wants across the room, she uses a combination of rolling and crawling to get to it.  Very resourceful and creative.  She's also starting to pull herself up onto our laps.  It's not cruising yet, but it's the beginning of it.

Happy nine months, Riley!  You're a challenging, independent, strong-willed little lady with a mind of your own.  I love how you know what you want, and you're not afraid to let the world know.  I'm proud to be your mama.

Riley {Eight Month Update}

Have nearly three quarters of a year really gone by since Riley was born?  Shouldn't I be used to this now?  Well, guess what - I'm not.  I don't think I'll ever get over how fast time goes by!

Key words to describe Riley this month:

• Playful.  Riley loves to play on the floor with her toys.  One of her favorite things to do is to play with blocks.  I build towers, and Riley knocks them down.  I put a block on her head, Riley vigorously shakes it off.  I perch a block outside of her elephant, which has circle, square, and triangle cutouts, and Riley pushes it in.  I give her toys while she's in her high chair, Riley throws them onto the floor.  You can tell she's starting to do things for a reaction and she loves to make us laugh!
• Transparent.  When Riley decided no more reclining in her sling in the bath, she made it known.  When Riley wants to be picked up, she makes it known.  Her cues are so clear these days, you're never left wondering if she's hungry, sleepy, or bored.  Riley lets you know, and she lets you know quickly.
• Mobile.  Again this month, no crawling.  But Riley can go from a sitting position to laying on the floor in the blink of an eye.  And once she's done that, it's a few quick flips from back to front before she's gotten herself close to whatever she wanted in the first place.  Who needs crawling?  

Riley had her six month checkup a month ago (a little late due to weather and the doctor's scheduling), and it was glowing.  She's a healthy little chub who's progressing just like she should.  The doctor wasn't worried at all about her lack of teeth and slowness to crawl.  And he reassured us that the dry, red skin she's had on her back for a few weeks is eczema.  We're trying some cream by California Baby and have had great results.

Riley has added peas, plums and peaches to her solid food repertoire, and I really owe you a post on baby food making.  We've homemade 100% of the food she's eaten, and I'm planning on starting meats next week!  It makes us feel wonderful to be able to have control over what she's consuming, and it's motivated Ryan and I to make sure we and Alli are eating better too.

I love that she's starting to do things just to get reactions.  She knocks things over when we're playing just so I will laugh or build it again.  I have a hilarious video of her shaking her head every time I put a block on her head, and you can tell she's doing it just to make me laugh.  This kid has personality for days, and I'm in love with her giggle.  It's turned into a belly laugh!!

Happy eight months to my little love bug!!

Riley {Seven Month Update}

Houston, we have a problem.  My teeny tiny baby has disappeared!  So much so that I can barely fit her into our shots for our monthly pics!  See what I mean?

So we changed the format a little bit and let her sit up since she's so fabulous at it.

Ahhh I could just bite those toes all. day. long.  But I digress.

Key words to describe Riley this month:

• Talkative.  Until recently, Riley has been a pretty quiet baby unless she's complaining.  But this month she is babbling nonstop!  It's mostly "Mamamama" but she also says "Dadadada."  She screams, she gurgles, and she smacks her lips.  And if you slap your hands down on the grown and say "AH!" she'll do it right back.  Cutest thing ever.
• Smart.  This word could obviously describe Riley every month, but she's really developing this month.  She can sit in her exersaucer and swivel around to follow Alli, even when Alli is behind her and she can't see her.  She knocks down blocks while I stack them, and she even grabs at my face so that I'll react at sling my head side to side.  Seeing her learn cause and effect is amazing.
• Eating.  We're trying a new food every three days, so she's experiencing a lot of new tastes.  She had her first green veggie on Sunday - green beans - and she's actually a fan!  The only thing we've found that she's not in love with is avocado.  She'll eat it, but it's not her favorite.  She loves the fruits - pears, bananas, mangos, and apples.

Our sweet little princess appears to be teething.  She's fussy sometimes, she's drooling buckets, and it's about dang time!  But no teeth yet - maybe next month.  She's not crawling either, and I guess I should be counting my lucky stars, but I want to make sure she's on track so we practice as much as we can.

She would really much rather sit up and play with all of her Christmas presents.  She got so many awesome things, but so many of them make noise.  Alli's favorite thing to do is to put them all on the loud setting and get them all going at once.  All the while exclaiming "I can't hear myself think!"  Sisters.

Our little stinker is hard to figure out sometimes.  She will have several nights where she sleeps for 12 hours and we don't hear a peep, and then she has nights where she's up every hour.  She knows how to keep us on our toes!

Happy seven months beautiful girl - you're such a special part of our family and we can't wait to see you grow even more!

Pre-Christmas Recap

We had a yet another wonderful Christmas with our families, but it didn't start out that way.  Friday kicked off great with Ugly Sweater Day at work, followed by Alli's Christmas party at school.

Friday night was a great Christmas party with the work crew at a historic house owned by our group VP on Washington Avenue.  If you've been reading this blog longer than a second, you know how much I loved that.  Saturday morning we sprang out of bed and starting bumping the Christmas music and packing the cars.  But then immediately following her first meal of the day, Riley threw up three times.  And thirty minutes later, three more times.  And thirty minutes after that, three more times.  The third time, we decided to call the trip to Little Rock for the day and spend our afternoon at the walk-in clinic where all we found out was that she wasn't dehydrated.  

The next morning she seemed to be feeling better, so we loaded up and headed down.  That evening my best friend since I was three turned the big 3-0 and we had dinner at Local Lime.

On Christmas Adam, Mom worked, so we went downtown to visit her at work and eat lunch with her at Flying Fish.  

That night, Lindsey came in and we played the Wii and had Alli's birthday party (again).  She decorated her own cake - can you tell?

Everyone had a great time.  That is, until the big guy went down with the stomach bug.  Christmas Eve, Ryan and Riley both were feeling much better.  We skipped the big Lowe family Christmas to avoid passing our disease on to any unsuspecting family members.  That evening we went out to Ryan's parents' house to do Christmas with them.  Ryan's sister and her husband came, so the only person missing was our nephew Rafe - we're hoping to see him later this week.  

Later that evening we went back to Mom and Dad's house to have Christmas Eve dinner followed by a rowdy rendition of The Christmas Game and a mini-version of our Christmas sing-a-long Jingle Holloway.

Alli and Lindsey won, and so all is right with the world - the grown ups still can't beat the kids when it comes to the Christmas Game!  After that, it was jump in bed and cover your head time - Santa was on his way!