The Richardsons: October 2012

Halloween at the Richardson house did not go as easily as it did last year. Sadly, Ryleigh was not a fan of wearing her costume. We first started off the month by trying to be Nemo. She refused to put on the costume. After much thought, we decided to return the costume and went with a much more convincing costume. Minnie Mouse. It's just a dress, should be easy to get her to wear it, right? Wrong. She threw a full blown fit when it came time to put that thing on tonight. She threw her pumpkin tub on the floor, which means she means business because Ryleigh loves pumpkins. Eventually we were able to persuade (force) her to put on her Minnie costume and she did turn that frown upside-down once she saw Lucy wearing her own silly get-up. In the end, we did end up having a fun evening. Enjoy some pictures from the day.

Daddy carving pumpkins in preparation for Halloween

he enjoyed gutting them

Mommy hard at work stenciling a design

clearly Ryleigh was very interested in the pumpkin carving

Mommy's Minnie Mouse pumpkin

Daddy's Detroit pumpkin

Ryleigh with all of her friends at daycare getting ready for their costume parade

so excited to be in the wagon

Ryleigh and Lucy ready to go Trick-Or-Treating.

the ONLY picture we have of Ryleigh in her full Minnie Mouse costume

Daddy & Ryleigh

Mommy & Ryleigh

Ryleigh & Lucy ready to call it a night

enjoying the fruits of her labor : )

And in non-Halloween related news, we had our 4-D ultrasound of baby Cooper done today as well. Here are the photos from that session. Only 10 more weeks to go! EEK!

I know that she has technically been considered a toddler for a while now, but something about the age of 2 really just screams it. It's hard to believe that she has been in our lives for two whole years now...but at the same time it's so hard to remember what life was like without her in it. These past two years have been the most rewarding, challenging, entertaining, and stressful years of my life and I only imagine that every year from here on out will seem that way as well.

Our little Ryleigh has grown into such an independent little girl this past year. She started daycare soon after turning one and she LOVES spending her days there with her friends (even though certain ones have biting problems) and teachers. Her vocabulary is huge and everyday I am amazed at the new things she learns to say. I love listening to her try to sound out words. She has a crazy memory and is able to learn new songs and dances in minutes it seems. Listening to her sing along to the radio is by far one of the cutest things I have ever experienced. It really does make driving around & running errands with her enjoyable. She is very particular and a little OCD (I wonder where she gets that from?). Every toy has it's specific spot and do not try to put it elsewhere or else she will have fit. She loves being a helper for Mommy & Daddy which looks like it could bode well for us once Baby Cooper arrives ; ) Ryleigh is a polite, happy (majority of the time), stubborn, funny, energetic, chatty, loving, adventurous 2 year old and I wouldn't change one thing about her. We are so blessed to have her and everyday I thank God for bringing her into our lives. Everyday is an adventure and we can't wait to see what the next ones bring!!

Here are some pictures we never shared from the past couple of months:

loves walking in those high heels

all smiles at breakfast with Mommy

zonked out in her big girl bed

spaghetti night

bubble face!

singing along with the Bubble Guppies

she loves her Nemo Fishy

being a creeper and watching the kids next door play

Ryleigh & Lucy watching cartoons while Mommy gets ready for work

Now some pictures from her birthday celebration. We didn't have a big party or anything like last year. Just a quiet night at home with Mommy, Daddy & Lucy. We did however get all of our facetiming in with Yaya, Poppi, Gammy, Grandad, Aunt Cristin, Tyler, Kylie, Aunt Bekah and Baby Olivia. She had already gotten her birthday gifts from Yaya and Poppi, but she got to open her gifts from Mommy & Daddy and Gammy & Grandad. She also got a special gift from the ladies & Doctors at Yaya's work who love facetiming with Ryleigh on occasion as well. It was an exciting evening and we are so happy Ryleigh got to spend a little time with those who love her most : )