SCHOOL DAYS!

Riley has officially started school. After visiting numerous pre-schools we found a perfect fit, in Trinity Methodist Church. There are 5 other kids in Riley's class, all between the ages of 18 months to 2 years old. Riley's day consists of art class, bible stories, gym or recess, and music class. He didn't even notice when I left him and didn't notice when I walked in to pick him up. He was so thrilled to be around all the other kids!

20 Months old

Riley is now 20 months old. He is talking up a storm, and more and more of what he says is in English! He surprises us everyday with his ability to learn new words. When I took him outside yesterday he said, " Ohhhh, thats cold." His favorite words are truck, car, and oh cool. He works every night on his word flash cards, this has become one of his favorite things to do. (Partially because Granny Bird does a big dance everytime he gets one right!) Riley is also starting preschool this month (tear, tear). I figured he will need to get out and be with kids his own age while I am stuck at home with the new baby. My little baby is growing up so fast:)

Double Ear Infections

Its official, Riley has been fighting his first ear infections. He came down with a cold 3 weeks ago and was diagnosed about 10 days ago with double ear infections. He has been really crabby at times, and doesn't have too much patience for me. He just finished his first round of antibiotics and he goes back in tomorrow for a recheck. It has been rainy here for the last day, so I decided I needed to cheer up my lil guy. I brought out his new Thomas the Train ball jumper. My mom and I took turns blowing up the thing and Riley was trying to crawl in it as it was inflating. He has been sitting in it now for about an hour, I think he may just sleep there.

ELMO LIVE!

Auntie Nikki and Christine bought Riley the new Elmo Live for Christmas. Grandma Albertson brought it into town and oh boy does Riley love it. He can't get over how it responds to him and he just giggles non-stop with Elmo. Thank you so much Auntie Christine and Nikki, Riley adores his new Elmo!

Bringing Home Baby!

We bought Riley his first doll. We have been told by a couple different people that a doll can help ease the transition of the new baby. Riley LOVES his new baby! We showed him how to feed the baby, hold the baby, and change the diaper. Riley giggles when he feeds the baby. We thought Riley was being so sweet with his new baby and then he started throwing the baby as hard as he could. He Would smash the baby into the tile floor and then laugh.....uh-oh my plan may just have backfired!

Sharing!

In the middle of Riley's terrible twos, has emerged the cutest behavior ever! Riley loves to share, and I mean everything. In the morning, he brushes his teeth, and then has to brush mine too (with his brush). Then I will give him breakfast, and he will feed me his breakfast too ( he tries to stuff my mouth full). Then the other day we went to a local farm to pick strawberries. He loves the goats and I looked over at him and he was sharing his sucker with the goats. I know-- totally not sanitary but it was soooo cute. Riley would take a lick and then hold the sucker out for the goats to have some. Here are some pics. from our day at the farm.

SARASOTA JUNGLE GARDENS

We took Riley to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens, which we have been meaning to do for some time. The landscape was beautiful as were the animals. Riley got a huge kick out of the monkeys. He couldn't stop giggling. Here are some pictures of our trip!








In other news, Riley is 19 months and the "terrible twos" have started to kick in. He has become a very strong headed little boy, who has to have his way. He points to what he wants and if he doesn't get it, he goes into a complete tantrum. My mom says she knew a little blonde girl who did the same thing!!! ( I wonder who????) Riley also has decided that he likes to spit out all of his food at meal time. The only thing he will swallow is fresh fruit or french fries! I am trying to stay positive and reinforce him when he does get a bite down- but I am losing my patience quickly!! These next few months are going to be tough on Ry, as his daddy is working in MN., and he will have to learn to share his mommy with his new baby brother. My mom has volunteered to move down here until I give birth, which is a huge blessing!! Once the baby is born we are planning on moving across the US again! (3 times in 2 years) Matt got a decent job in Minneapolis so we are headed back to the cold weather, probably in May sometime. Well I am off to tend to my little "angel" as he is ready to go "bye-bye!"

Just say "UH-OHS!"

Merry Christmas to everyone. We enjoyed Riley's second Christmas on Anna Maria Island. Christmas Eve Granny Bird made a wonderful supper and then we walked along the beach and took some family pictures. Christmas morning we ate at the Beach cafe and Santa came to the beach. Riley's new word is "Uh-ohs!" He says it after he throws his food off his plate, his bath toys out of the bath, or if he is really scared. Riley's second encounter with Santa was the same result as the first one. He wants nothing to do with Santa! He kicks, screams, scratches to get away from him! Oh well:( Riley seemed to love his santa presents. We capped off the Holidays last night by eating at the Chart House overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. We are all thankful to be well and happy and together this holiday season.
Baby number 2 is showing off his personality more everyday. Riley gives my stomach a "night night" kiss every night and seems to be aware of the my growing belly. It is hard to believe we will have two little boys in 10 weeks!

Manta Rays!

We went on a family outing to the fishing pier to check out the fish and get a cold beverage. As we were walking on the pier, Matt noticed a leopard ray swimming next to us in the water. The Manta Ray was about 4 feet wide by 3 feet long. After watching the Manta Ray swim for awhile we noticed two dolphins splashing and playing about 10 yards from shore. They were playing with the birds and chasing each other around. It was really neat to see their true personalities in a natural habitat. After spending time at the beach, we walked across the street to Two Scoops ice cream and candy shop. Riley got a special light up sucker which he ended up getting in his hair, ears, and nose! It was another beautiful day here on the island.

Reflections

Yesterday, Matt left to go back to MN. leaving Riley and I alone in Florida. We have been blessed by the opportunity to live on the Gulf of Mexico and we all really enjoy the opportunity. Riley and I headed to the North end of Anna Maria Island to a playground on the beach. Riley played on the playground and then noticed the beach and ocean and sprinted ahead. I slowly walked behind him, as I am trying to let him become more independent. He ran all the way into the water. I was so surprised, I just naturally thought he would stop at the waters edge! So I brought him back to shore and he sat down on the beach. He played in the sand, looked out at the ocean, and then started rolling in the sand. It was a beautiful day, 72 degrees and sunny, with a light breeze. I sat behind Riley by about 10 feet and watched in amazement as he took in our beautiful surroundings. He sat, played, rolled, and talked to himself on the beach for over an hour. I just let him be and enjoyed my downtime as well.