Sunday, December 18, 2011

Fourteen Months

In honor of Ryleigh's fourteen month milestone (three days ago) & in celebration of Mommy finally figuring out how to transfer all her pictures and videos from her new camera to the computer, she's decided to post some pictures and videos from the past couple of weeks.  I am still in the process of figuring out how to upload my now HD videos onto this blog...I'm having to convert them and I don't have the right program yet, so the videos will have a little watermark on them from the program I am currently "testing".

But before we get into all the things I know everyone is actually here to see (cough Ryleigh pics cough), I should probably fill you in on what's been going on around here since Thanksgiving.  Ryleigh has been fighting double ear infections pretty much since then : (  We went to the doctor the day before Thanksgiving when she was first diagnosed and was given anti-biotics.  She seemed to be doing better, but then about a week after being off the meds, we got a call from daycare saying she had a 101.6 fever.  So off to the doctor we went where they re-diagnosed her with those pesky double ear infections : (  So she's on a different anti-biotic and hopefully she can kick 'em this time!  It probably doesn't help that Ryleigh is also getting molars in right now!!  Discovered today, Mommy felt molars poppin' through on both sides, tops & bottoms.  Poor little thing.  But that would explain some of the crabbiness & fever these past few weeks...and also why she is shoving her entire hand into her mouth & gnawing on it : /

Mommy has been getting into a nice routine at work and is finally feeling like she has some stuff figured out.  It's been really hectic (duh, Christmastime in retail), but it's a good learning experience to just be thrown right in I guess : /  It's definitely a different feeling for me being someone's "boss" & having to actually discipline someone who used to be my peer.  I do not like people not liking me and I am sooooo afraid of hurting people's feelings, but I think my boss knows that so she is purposely putting me in those situations.  It's something I'm working on...courage I think it's called.  I'm not gonna lie though, I am SUPER excited for my vacation to start this coming Thursday...hooray!

Daddy spent a week away from us the beginning of December in Sweden.  His millionth trip this year!  He doesn't like to long flights or being away from his ladies, but he does enjoy the different culture and getting to experience that every so often.  Daddy loves to be a jet-setter : )  It' a busy time of year for him at work as well, so we're all running on a empty a little bit.  But that just means we're all very excited to get to spend some quality time together over the holiday break!

In related, yet unrelated news...Ryleigh is going to have a little cousin Olivia!  Uncle Jason & Aunt Bekah found out they are having a little baby girl this May!  Yaaaaay!  I am so excited to see my little girl running around with my brother's little girl : )  I am just so happy that we actually ended up having children close together so that they can hopefully turn into close friends.  Visions of apartment sharing in college rush through my mind....but then I slap myself and remember to cherish this time I have with her...while she still likes me ; )

So that's pretty much what's been going on around here...typical everyday routines.  We look forward to spending time with all our family over the holidays. 

This is a picture that was somehow missed...I can't see how, it's undeniably cute.  At least she found a pillow to rest her weary head on...

Ryleigh helps Mommy clean...sort of

Lucy & Molly (the ONLY dog that Lucy can actually walk right up to and act perfectly calm with from the get-go, it's amazing, a miracle really) play on Thanksgiving

Ryleigh "helps" Mommy fluff the Christmas tree

This year's Christmas Tree

the heavenly glow....

Christmas shopping with Mommy is exhausting!  At least I've got my lovey to keep me company

Rooty Tooty Jr. demolished...what else you got IHOP?!?!

"Look Daddy, I fit in your carry-on! Take me to Sweden!"

occupying myself while Mommy gets ready for work

Mommy brought in Ryleigh's car seat to clean it...she promptly sat in it and decided it was the place to be for the next hour

thankfully she did decide to make Mommy's life a little easier by eating all of the cheerios out of the cup holder before cleaning commenced

we received this adorable picture from our friends Adam & Elizabeth who so graciously watched our peanut one afternoon while Mommy was at work & Daddy was in Sweden

Now does this look like the face of a child with double ear infections?  I think not!

Ryleigh's toys have taken over our living room.  She isn't quite old enough to play upstairs in the "play room" by herself yet (since she is still eating the potpourri & remote controls any chance she can get), so we didn't know what to do.  Well, Daddy and I decided to get Ryleigh a toy box for Christmas.  We knew there was no point in driving it up to Michigan, give it to her, then drive it back, so we decided to give it to her early.  We found a great one that matched our living room furniture perfectly so it isn't an eyesore.  It just looks like another piece of furniture.  The following pictures & videos are from Ryleigh's first day with her new toy box.

shhhh...don't tell Daddy, he'll get mad at Mommy for letting Ryleigh pick up the Ipad : /

because my new camera is awesome I was able to snap this delightful image whilst I recorded the video of her dropping the Ipad...now that's technology people!  Just look at the pain in her face, she is truely devestated that Mommy took that Ipad away.

Ryleigh discovers her toy box

the beautiful toy box

"hey Ma, look what I can do!"

reading...because she's smart : )


"Pah Mama Pah!"  that means "up"

Ryleigh turned the shower on accidently, except this time she liked it!


Since we'll be in Michigan for the holiday break, I won't be able to post Christmas pictures as timely as I would like.  But be sure to check back after the new year for some massive sized posts with all the pics, videos and details of Ryleigh's second Christmas!!  Until then...

Happy Holidays Everyone!!
(the blue and silver is for my lone Jewish friend...love ya Ashley!)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Ryleigh visits Santa

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Daddy, Ryleigh and I ventured out today to visit Santa Claus.  We decided to head over to the same place we went last year, an old Victorian house here in Summerfield that does this one weekend in December.  We learned last year that lots of people show up (probably due to the FREE photo with Santa followed by FREE cookies, donuts, hot chocolate, story time, and crafts).  This year they even had a bounce house!! 

The Santa photos started at noon, so we pulled into the parking lot at 11:30!  There was no way I was going to wait 45 minutes like I did last year!  And it paid off.  We were about fifth in line to see Santa.  We were in, got our photo, ate our cookies and out by 12:30.  Score.  Point, Mom & Dad.

First we stopped to look at the swans...

on her way...

waiting patiently, mesmerized by all the "stuffed animals"

Mommy introduces Ryleigh to a bear....rarrrrr!

with Daddy, safely away from the bear

raaaaarrrrr! Don't be scared, he's nice, he's wearing a Santa hat

Ryleigh chats with one of Santa's elves

Moose!

we're almost there!


Now.  We thought our little social butterfly would have no problem visiting Santa.  She seemed excited in the line and based off of previous experiences with strangers, they don't seem to phase her.  We even laughed when the lady in front of us warned "Don't be surprised if she cries and doesn't like Santa this year"....hahahahaha, oh strange lady in front of us, you clearly don't know OUR child.  The child who walked right into strangers homes on Halloween and gave every passer-by while trick-or-treating a hug.  Our child will be fine.  Perfect even.

We were bamboozled.  

the pass off



Clearly Santa is the THE ONLY stranger Ryleigh does not like.  Go figure.  But no worries...Mommy came and rescued her from that mean 'ol Santa and everything was back to normal.  She even waved 'bye-bye' to him...from a distance.  We then enjoyed some cookies, donuts and hot chocolate to top off our little visit.

mmmm strawberry wafers : )  I'll forgive you Santa

Mommy snags a pic : )

Maybe next year Santa won't be so scary.  I mean, maybe he should try a less scary costume, like a witch or maybe even the guy from Scream?

Friday, November 25, 2011

This year I'm thankful for...

...all the amazing things God has blessed me with!  My husband of 3 1/2 years (November 22nd marked 5 years since we were engaged & last September marked 11 years since God brough him into my life);  my daughter who has been the light of my life for the past 13 months;  great friends, new and old;  a welcoming & supportive church family that we found at Friendly Avenue Church of Christ;  great (and stable) jobs for the hubby and I;  and of course, our families for their constant support & love.  We truely are a blessed family and we have so much to be thankful for this year and every year!

We started out the Thanksgiving week by putting together baskets for those in need.  The hubby and I have headed this project the past 2 years at our church and we are so happy to be able to help provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need in our area.  With the help of donations from our church family, this year we assembled (with the help of Mr. Adam & Mrs.Elizabeth Sullivan) 10 baskets which provided meals for 10 families in the triad area.

the begining

starting to get full

ready to be handed out

Lucy & Skittle (up on sofa), need a rest from assembling baskets

After assembling baskets & handing them out to their families, we then spent a pretty hectic week at Casa Richardson.  Ryleigh was a bit under the weather with a fever causing Daddy to stay home with her on Monday.  Mommy took her to the doctor on Wednesday to find she has a double ear infection (poor baby).  Good news is she gets to stay home and rest up for the next 5 days...bad news is it's the busiest shopping week of the year, which means Mommy is hard at work. 

After spending Wednesday night prepping for Black Friday, Mommy got home at 4:30am, slept a few hours and then was up & ready for Thanksgiving festivities.  Since we weren't able to spend this year with family,  a family from church graciously invited us into their home for the day.  We dined on the traditional feast as well as the non-traditional, sopapillas (sp?) from a hispanic couple that attends our church.  Daddy also attempted his bacon wrapped turkey breast again which came out amazingly!

Lucy awaits her Thankgiving plans

Ryleigh ready to go

Daddy's bacon-wrapped turkey breast stuffed with stuffing

Daddy slices his turkey

Ryleigh enjoys a sopapilla

the doggies (Lucy & Molly) wait for Ryleigh to drop them a piece

Ryleigh tries to figure out this old school ipad

I think we know what Ryleigh needs for Christmas next year

pots & pans!

We hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving day & got some amazing deals during their Black Friday shopping!  We would also like to encourage you to hit up your local Target store and check out their deals for you which will continue through Saturday ; )

We feel beyond blessed for all the things God has provided for us this year and we look forward to what next year brings...like our niece or nephew, little baby Elliott in May!!  We hope everyone enjoys the rest of their holiday weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving from The Richardsons!!