Already shaving

Yesterday, Riley disappeared into the master bathroom, and I was busy with Taylor in his room. So I didn't think much of it, until I heard this motor running in the master bathroom. So I put Taylor down and ran into the bathroom to find Riley looking in the mirror shaving his face. It was so cute, I guess he wanted to be like daddy!!! I didn't even know he knew how to turn it on, he surprises me everyday.

Potty Training, No Problem!

Okay so I would love to report that we breezed through potty training with no hurdles. We have made progress, but we are no where near complete. At first Riley seemed to like to sit on his fancy Elmo potty. He would do it without us having to urge him. Then he wanted a bath everytime he sat on the potty ( with no results) so we started taking 3 baths a day. So we still hadn't had any results in the potty. I then stopped the bath routine, in hopes that once we got results he could have a bath. I explained this to Riley and he smiled. The next morning I ask him to try to use the potty. He runs into the bathroom and sits on the potty with his jeans still on. So I rush over and pull them down, thinking THIS IS IT, WE ARE GOING TO DO IT! Riley has a seat on the potty and all of a sudden starts making the peeing sound with his mouth. I was shocked, and before you know it he stands up and starts clapping for himself. I double checked to make sure he hadn't gone, and he was already half way in the bath. I pulled him out of the bath and tried to explain to him that he had to actually pee in the toilet. He started laughing! So he understands the concept of what to do, but still has not done it. Since he is not yet two, I am going to back off. At least we have the idea introduced to him, right?? We will slowly keep working on it, I guess. I will post some new pictures soon, better run Riley just woke up and doesn't sound too happy:(

P.S. Tomorrow we go for a visit to the U of M Pediatric Urology clinic, where Riley will be getting a follow-up ultrasound on his undescended testicle, and my little Taylor will be circumcised... PLEASE PRAY FOR ME TOMORROW!!LOL

Back to being a Minnesotan!

We are officially back in MN. We moved across the country for the second time in two years, and we are all exhausted. We just got all of our stuff a few days ago, so we are busy trying to unpack boxes and keep the boys happy. We had a lot of help from both grandmas. Tammy drove from Florida to MN. in a bumpy truck ( bless your heart!) and my mom has been helping almost everyday as well. Taylor also had an extended stay at Childrens hospital the week we arrived. He is doing better, and is already 12 pounds and 6 weeks old. Riley is growing up way to fast. He has expanded his vocabulary to about 20 words and has started "sitting" on his special Elmo potty. He doesn't seem to get what to do once he sits down on the toilet but he smiles when we clap for him. He signs potty and knows that if he sits on the potty he gets attention. He has been looking for anyway to get attention and often erupts into a huge tantrum over nothing. I have to remind myself of everything he is going through and his age, because at times I just feel like crying when he screeches and throws himself on the floor. Overall, we are all excited to be back in MN. with our family and friends. I am also pumped because I can begin to workout again, and we live across the street from the YMCA! Here are some pictures of our big boys!

Introducing Taylor

Taylor Mathew was born this last Saturday night, weighing 8 pounds 11 ounces. He is healthy and happy! Riley has been helping with the new baby duties and is going to be a wonderful big brother. Here are a few pictures of our new family member!

My Wing man

Riley and I have become such good buddies, partially because we spend all of our time together. We went shopping this morning, looking for a double stroller. I had my purse in the cart with Riley and was looking at something around the corner from the cart. I walked back to the cart and this is what I saw. What a cool dude!!!!! He was looking pretty fly in my glasses, I am just lucky he didn't get a hold of my lipstick to add to his image.......

Beach Days

Today we went to the beach and Riley played with all the kids. Weekends are great days to go to the beach because there are millions of people for RIley to enjoy. We met a man named RJ there who had a really fancy camera. I have been wanting a camera (a SLR) like his for a long time and he showed me all the different functions of the camera. He also advised me on what brands to look at and which ones not to. RJ was super nice and took a few pictures of Riley today for us. What a nice guy! He also told me that for a decent SLR camera it will be at least $500 !! Yikes, I better start saving my pennies real fast.

GAGA and the Florida State Fair

Gaga flew in from MN. to visit us over the Valentines Day weekend. The Florida State Fair was going on so of course Riley talked Gaga into taking him. I was in heaven being preggo and having all those wonderful choices of food! My favorite was the deep fried snickers bar...yummy. Riley spent most of his time and energy with the goats. He fed each one and talked to them all for sometime. His connection with the goats is something we can't quite figure out. Riley then chose to milk a cow. A nice lady showed Riley how, and then he just grabbed on and started tugging. Gaga and Riley went on the train, which Riley now calls, "Choo choos". Riley was exhausted by noon and slept the whole hour ride home. Thanks Gaga and Granny Bird, we had a blast!

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.