Eight Months

Well, Riley isn't quite eight months yet, but I figured since I will be off work tomorrow I should post now. Riley, here is what you are doing at eight months:

1. You LOVE me. You suffer from extreme separation anxiety and cry/scream when I leave the room. It makes your daddy sooooo jealous.
2. You are sitting up without support. You are growing too fast.
3. You just got your first tooth.
4. Your favorite toys are your paci's, teethers, soft blocks, and stuffed animals.
5. You love chewing on your green blankie. And sleeping with it.
6. You are wearing size 4 diapers.
7. You weigh about 20 pounds and are around 29 inches tall.
8. You have switched over to a convertible car seat.
9. You are not sleeping through the night anymore. In fact, you are usually up at least 2 times per night to eat.
10. You recently had minor surgery on your eyes and ears. You had your tear ducts opened and ear tubes put in. It was the scariest day of my life thus far.

Riley and Dawson

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Brothers

If only I had known how much Dawson would adore his little brother. One of the main reasons Robin and I waited to have a child of our own was to make sure Dawson would be okay with it. Boy, is he ever! He is always begging to "babysit" while I cook dinner or do some other chore. He's only held Riley a handful of times, but I'm sure that will quickly change. Dawson LOVES to be around him and help him. He especially loves how Riley can interact with him now. I'm sure this relationship will change as Riley gets older (and more mobile, thus allowing him access to Dawson's stuff). But for now, I'll cherish the fact that they adore each other.

Pediatric Specialists

In the past couple of weeks, Riley has been to see a pediatric ophthalmologist and a pediatric otolaryngologist. Soon (in the next few weeks) Riley will have to have his tear duct probed and tubes inserted into his ears. His tear duct is still blocked and is bothering him. He continues to suffer from a chronic ear infection and there is so much fluid behind his eardrum, it is causing temporary hearing issues. We are so nervous about the surgeries, but pray that everything will be fine.

Reindeer, Santa, and Presents...Oh My!

Our first official Christmas as a family started out with a bang. Literally. I was awoken this morning not by my infant babe, but by the sound of the wind knocking our power out. At 3:50am. Great. Of course that woke Riley up, but he quickly went back to sleep. We got up at 6:15am when the power was restored. Thank God! Riley couldn't want to see what Santa had brought...

Dawson, on the other hand, was not quite as eager...

Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Dawson and Robin had done a fantastic job decorating the tree while I was taking care of a sick little one...

Riley was so excited with all of his presents and Dawson had to help him open his gifts....



Dawson was elated to receive a Nintendo DSi...



After a quick breakfast with just the four of us and naps, we enjoyed a late lunch with my side of the family. Of course, the grandparents came armed with more gifts...


We spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys, enjoying each other, being together, and being silly...

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

My Sick Baby

I haven't posted anything in over a month. Since going back to work and putting Riley in daycare, it has been one sickness after another. Hand, foot and mouth disease, numerous colds, ear infections, bronchitis, stomach virus, you name it-we've had it. Poor baby. I feel terrible knowing that he feels so rotten. I just want him to feel better and be back to his normal happy, smiling self. I miss my sweet baby. While we are sick, here's what we've been up to...