A Day At Walden Pond

We have been couped up all week in the A/C with the humid weather outside.  So I decided since the Tufts pool is closed I would bring Riley to Walden Pond.  We both needed some outdoor time.  He doesn't do well with the beach but I thought I'd give a pond a try.  On a side note; being pregnant I have no memory these days.  I get lost for words like trying to remember the name of Walden Pond.  It was only solved by my friend Kirsten who texted me back the answer.  She used to live nearby there.  I had said to her what is the name of the pond near your old house?  named after a poet?  Just couldn't find the word 'Walden' in my brain.  It ended up she and the boys had today off so they met up with us. 

The trip started with Riley all happy and ready to stroll down to the sand and water but I decided to stop and take a picture in front of the sign.  Bad idea, Riley doesn't like it if your moving forward and then reverse direction.  Whether it be in a car, shopping cart or stroller.  He hates rewind.  This set him off to a crying episode.  My next mistake was once we hit the sand I had to put him in a swim diaper and bathing suit.  Note to self; dress him at home the next time.  I thought well another loss here but at least we gave it a try.  My vision last summer was days at the beach for 2010 but that was quickly diminished.  To my surprise things turned around quickly for the better.  Riley headed straight to the water and was happy as could be.  Kirsten, Jackson and Caleb showed up, they had boats and sand castle molds, buckets and shovels and Riley was in his glory.  I guess his one bucket and shovel didn't cut it for him.  Anyways someone else's toys are always seem better than your own.  We spent about three hours there and Riley did great.  he showed some independence, put his face in the water, sat along the water line, had snacks, played with other kids and actually stayed contained in one area.  Quite a successful trip to the pond!  

Polly Want A Cracker

Good morning Riley!  Oh no another soaking wet morning.  I decide to strip him down while he's still in his crib.  He can't wait to tear off the wet diaper.  He loves being naked.  He gets his blanket and starts to get comfy in his crib again, still naked.  he takes his sleeping position, bum up in the air, feet crossed and blankie under his belly.  What do I hear the loudest fart!  I die laughing and Riley thinks it's hysterical.  I said you pooped!  He repeats poo!

Brian gets up to watch him, while I get in the shower.  Riley  insists on being in the room he shouldn't be in and finds magnetic alphabet letters. I had stashed them away until he was older.  Well daddy opened them up for Riley and started practicing.  Bri would say "A", Riley would say A, Bri would say "B" and Riley would say B.  He repeated every letter up until the letter H!  Just a little memory created in our upstairs hallway at 8am in the morning.

On the way home none of us were talking and the radio was playing Beyonce Put a Ring on it and Riley starts repeating oh oh ohoh oh. This is the second time he has attempted to sing to a song. The first time was to Alicia Keys No One.
He seems to easily repeat things that Brian says to him.  For example after bath time, we all layed in our bed and Brian was teasing me, saying "What The" "What The" and Riley repeats what the.  It's crazy how much he is picking up.  Better watch out for our cursing!

The Simple Things

Riley working on a puzzle at the library.

Trying to blow bubbles by the air from your nose
Filling holes with rocks
Digging holes with sticks
First snack trap cup
Getting a library card
Collecting acorns at the playground
Brushing your own hair with a dust pan brush
A day in the life of my toddler

The Blurting Out of Memories.

Lately I've been pondering a lot about the early days of Riley.  I think it has to "due" with the soon arrival of baby Higgins.  I believe it's my way of preparing my brain and body to have a newborn again.  Though it's been less than two years I realize I forget a little more each day.  For a long time now I've been wanting to keep a journal of Riley and our family but I kept putting it off.  So I guess the sun and stars aligned yesterday and started this online blog to get out all the things I have kept in my head for so long.  Who knows maybe someday my children will read it with interest and maybe they won't but what it comes down to is sharing what impact they have had and will have on our lives. 
It was a very rainy morning the day we went to the hospital.  This doesn't surprise me because it seems all special occasions for us occur on rainy days.  I wasn't in any pain but we knew it was time to go.  I had thought about going earlier but fell back to sleep.  We packed up the car early in the morning and headed to the hospital.  They confirmed I needed to stay and I spent the next seven or so hours in the tub.  Anyways my skin had enough of the water so we went back to our room where you were born.  It was just a little before midnight when you entered this world.  Wow what a whirlwind it has been since then!  I think about all your firsts.  Like the first time you got a boo boo, the first time you rolled over, the first time you fell asleep on the floor, the first time you had a pickle, your first steps, your first airplane ride, your first trip to Target, your first Christmas morning, your first time away from mommy and daddy, so many firsts...

So as we prepare for the birth of baby Higgins, my dear little Riley you have paved the way for your new baby brother.  Little do you realize how much your presence has affected us and taught us to be parents.

Bath Time With Daddy

Riley's first bath

As I think about the past 21 months there is so much I could write about.  So I am going to focus on one aspect of our life and that is Riley's bath time.  When Riley was a newborn it was one part of the day we knew would be calming for him.  As time has passed we have had our ups and downs with this ritual.  Tonight though really made me smile.  I heard Brian say to Riley "You know what it's time for?"  Riley answers "soapy".  I'm in our bedroom and I hear this conversation and I can't believe how quickly his language is coming along.  I was keeping a list of words that Riley was saying but it seems I can't keep up with this list.  I would only write a word down when I knew he had it down pat but these days he comes out with these words and I think to myself did he really just say that?  Sure enough my ears heard correctly.  He's started saying Nana, Baba, Auntie, Mimi, sweet, movie and his favorite word these days is car.  It also shocks me how much he is understanding from go throw this in the trash to the difference between upstairs and downstairs.  So my little tiny newborn who used to relax and just lay in the tub, is now a moving and grooving toddler who has things to say.  My Riley you are definitely growing up.