Accident Prone?!?

I'm not completely sure that accident prone is the correct term for the drama poor Riley has endured lately...

First, it was her finger that her brother accidentally slammed in the door.  This happened on Mon. Aug. 23rd in the evening so we went to the doctor the next day.  Nothing was broken, and a few weeks later her nail fell off.

Two days after being at the doctor for her finger she woke up looking like this...Pink eye! (did she get it from the doctor's office just 2 days prior?!?)  After another trip to the doctor that day for their supposed 18 month "well visit" we find they both have pink eye and ear infections.  Quinn's eyes weren't near as bad as hers but they both got antibiotics and eye drops.  Oh and her ear infection wouldn't clear after 1 round of antibiotic so we had to do another round.  (They are both about 1 ear infection away from getting tubes).

And finally, last weekend we arrived at a park to meet a photographer that is taking our pictures and within 5 minutes of getting there Riley falls and hits her face on a wooden platform.  It started swelling and turning blue a few minutes later!  She was a champ and after a short cry carried on with the picture taking, and the sweet photographer assured me she could edit the blue swollen cheek out of the pictures :)

She is definitely one tough little girl!

Bedtime

Tonight Geoff is out of town, I just put the kids to bed and wanted to write about this bedtime.  They were both pretty tired, we had a good weekend staying in town but going to church in the morning always seems to wear them out.  Bedtime was our usual routine with baths, diapers and pjs, story from the Bible, another story or two, all while they drink a little milk, prayers, and finally brushing teeth. 

After all this they both had their loveys and I was on the floor and they both were in my lap.  I sang them a few song and then needed to close the blinds so I could put Quinn down and then take Riley to her room.  I sat them in the rocker while I closed the blinds and they both just started sobbing. 

They just wanted me to hold them tonight and as soon as the blinds were closed I scooped them both up and sat in the rocker with Riley laying against my left side and Quinn against my right.  They immediately stopped crying and just laid against me and snuggled in tight.  I told them how much I loved them, how being their mom was the best blessing in the world.  I told them that they were my miracle children, that there was a time I didn't know if I would ever be a mommy and how it was even better than I ever could have imagined, and I cried and rocked my children and just soaked in every moment of them cuddled up in my arms.  And we rocked some more in the quiet and tears rolled down my cheeks and I thought that my heart felt so full it could just burst inside of me.

They both sat up a little and looked at my tear stained cheeks and Quinn gave me a kiss and then Riley gave me a kiss and then they were kissing each other!   It was adorable and a moment in time that I never want to forget so I came to write it all down.  I am so very thankful that the Lord blessed me with these two miracle children and for the fact that I get to experience this incredible journey called motherhood!

18 months

I truly cannot believe my babies are a year and a half old!  They are definitely toddlers now and into everything!  At the 18 month appointment Riley weighed 21 lbs. 7 oz and is 31 inches tall.  Quinn weighed 29 lbs. 8 oz and is 33.5 inches tall. So there's an 8 pound difference between them and it's funny when we are out and some people aren't quite sure if they are twins or not.  Here's some of what they have been up to... 

Eating with a spoon, they have gotten much better and much less messy!

But messy is fun! 

They also like to dip their food in things like syrup (waffles & pancakes), peanut butter, ketchup and hummus!  Lately they have been having celery and hummus for a snack, Yum!

Climbing...Riley seems to be the instigator, she tries to climb on something first.

Monkey see, Monkey do, Quinn follows behind her and climbs up next! They recently had to learn that we do NOT climb from the kitchen chairs up on top of the table!

Playing hard.  They make motor sounds with cars and make believe with pretend food and so much more!

Daddy and Pop took them to Monkey Joe's again which they loved!

Loved, Loved!

They love their cousins...Ford said, "I'm the daddy and Riley's the mommy and this is our baby."  So cute and Riley was so happy here!

Quinn loves it when Nick pushes him fast!

Happy cousins playing!

Ford spent the night and the next morning Quinn just had to sit next to him while Ford showed him his game!

Riley has to work hard to push Quinn around these day! 

Quinn and Riley,

I cannot believe how fast the past year and a half has gone by.  I am trying to just take in every moment with you and enjoy everyday that we spend together because I can tell how fast it is flying by.  At a year and a half you both are happy and sweet children.  You love your schedule, and have done a great job when you have been away from mommy and daddy twice recently.  We are working more on discipline, obeying mommy and daddy and treating each other with kindness (i.e. not biting each other)!  You both are learning so many new things and surprise us with the new words you use or way that you have picked up on something new.  Riley the other day you said several new words in a row, bread, pepper, taco, and purple! When we were telling them both to say "Go Tigers" we expected it from Riley because she tries new words more than Quinn but he surprised us with his "Go Tigers!"  It was adorable and you are a Tiger at heart! I love you my precious babies/toddlers and I love so many wonderful moments we get to spend together! 

Love,

Mommy

And now daddy has a cute story to share from when I was gone and he was putting you to bed one night...

One night recently it hit me how much you both are growing up. The three of us were playing hard in the den after dinner. As usual, I was your jungle gym and you were taking turns jumping, sliding and tackling me. As bedtime approached I asked you to help me clean up all of the toys that were strewn throughout the room. To my great surprise you both immediately followed my lead in walking your many toys to the toy bin (a great gift Uncle Peter). Quinn, rather than putting your water cup in the bin, you knew to take it into the kitchen; and when you picked up your froggie, you very carefully placed it on the couch.

Upstairs in the nursery the two of you continued to make me smile. As I was changing Quinn, I looked up and Riley you were straddling Haley (who always follows us into the nursery at bedtime). Quickly, your brother joined you and the two of you were having great time laughing and petting your dog. Later, when I asked if you were ready to read a bible story, Quinn you walked over to the bookshelf and retrieved the children's bible. After brushing teeth and saying prayers, Quinn I put you down in the crib and you started something that you have done ever since. As soon as I told you "I love you," you looked up at me and made kissing sounds with your mouth, and even after I kissed you and walked toward the door you continued. It has become one of my favorite parts of the day.

And Riley, though you are a Mommy's girl, when Mommy is gone, you instantly transition to daddy's girl. We sang, read your favorite Biscuit book, and cuddled before putting you down. (It's not always so bad when Mommy leaves.) It was a great night and one of many terrific memories from these last eighteen months!

Love,

Daddy

San Francisco Trip

Geoff had a conferenc in San Francisco in early August and I got to go with him.  His mom and Aunt watched the kids the first 2 days and then his dad came to help watch them over the weekend.  So thanks to wonderful family we got to have a great work/vacation together!  He had some seminars to attend during the first 2 days but I met him for lunch and we went out for some great dinners.  I did lots of relaxing, some shopping, and even got a massage while he was in the seminars.  It was fun to have some down time to myself and great to have some time with just my hubby.  The last day we were there was just vacation and we basically saw all of San Francisco, in 1 day.  We did a bus tour where you could get on and off...

 

 The famous "painted ladies"

The Golden Gate Bridge

We got off the bus on one side and walked across, it was beautiful and windy :)

Alcatraz

Looking back at San Francisco from the bridge

Walking up Hyde street, it was a work out!

Looking back at the Fisherman's Wharf

The Crooked Street

We ate dinner at Pier 23 Cafe, which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

After 8 years of marriage and 14 years since we first started dating I love this man more everyday and I am so blessed to be his wife!  He is truly my very best friend and I loved getting to spend time away together!

Quinn's First Haircut

I am way behind on blogging, we have been very busy and then had lots of sickness so I have good reason to be behind!  I'm going to do my best to catch up but this may take some time!

Quinn got his first haircut on Wednesday July 28th.  I was not ready for this but Geoff kept "threatening" to give him a haircut himself.  His curls were also not so curly anymore because his hair had gotten so long, so I made myself and him an appointment at the same time with the lady who has been cutting my hair for a few years now.  I even stopped to get suckers, I heard having your first sucker was a good way to keep a child still and content while they also get their first haircut.  So we get Quinn in my lap after watching me get my haircut and he starts getting his haircut....

He sat so still and did not want a thing to do with that sucker, didn't even take one lick!

Oddly enough I continue to hold the sucker in front of him, the whole time!

He was just so still and serious, and I just keep holding the sucker.

Riley was kept happy watching her brother and going to town on her sucker!

And when she got out the clipper to trim, he just sat still!  Which all the ladies that had gathered around remarked that that never happens.  They couldn't believe how still he was sitting!

And the haircut being complete, he finally started eyeing that sucker, and enjoyed it all the way home!

And I cried a little, and have my baby boy's hair in an envelope to keep, and look at him and see that he is no longer a baby but a toddler, and want to cry some more.  And I tell him that no matter what he will always be my baby!

Oh and by the way, I am so behind that he almost needs another haircut again!  Ha!