July

July has been a fun month. We celebrated our 12th Anniversary on the 5th in Boone, NC. The girls have spent time at the pool, Grammy's and PapaT's. Then Riley turned 2 months old. (click on the slide show to see some new pictures)

Aunt SaSa

Heather's sister Sarah came, or as the girls call her SaSa. Riley got to meet her for the first time. It was nice having her here for 4 days. The girls are ready for her to come back again and of course Heather is too!

First time

This past Sunday was Riley's first visit to church! She did well but her outfit didn't make it home clean - but that's what babies do, especially Riley!

1st Grade done!

Madyson started her first day of summer vacation today. Signaling her completion of First Grade!! Wow it goes fast. She has learned so much in 2 years of school: how to; read, write in cursive, tell time, add, subtract, fractions, and much more. This is the second year she has earned the Headmaster's Honor Roll - the highest grade average achievement at school! (Where she get all the brains?) Next year both Ella and Madyson will be at the same school, in Kindergarten and Second Grade!!

We are proud of you Madyson - God has given you a great learning ability! We can't wait to see how He is going to continue to use and bless you.

Riley's check up

Today Riley had another weight check and she was 8 lbs. 10 oz., so she's back up to her birth weight. She won't have to go back until her 1 month appt.

Ella's last day

Today was Ella's last day at pre-school. She had a "teddy bear" picnic and mommy's get to attend. So Ella chose her Webkin kitten, Sophie, to take then Mommy and Riley got to attend.

Our church's pre-school has been such a blessing and have made Ella feel so loved. She enjoyed every day with all the activities they got to perform and learn from. It is hard to believe Ella will be in Kindergarten this upcoming school year! Wow were does the time go.

We love you Ella and are proud of the little girl you are turning out to be and are excited for your journey into school with your big sister Madyson.

Back to work...

Ken went back to work this week, so Sun & Mon night was all mommy duty. It makes for long nights being the only one up with the little hungry mouth! :-) Ken took Wednesday off so Tues night and Wednesday was some welcomed help and more rest.

Today and Friday Ken is back at work and then we all get a 3 day weekend for Memorial Day. So hopefully some more rest time for the weary. (Last night Riley did sleep for a 5 hour stretch! say yea for my little babe)

Tomorrow (Friday) Riley goes to the pediatrician for her 2 week checkup. Wow how 2 weeks sure blurs together!

Sunday visitors

Sunday - Ken's great Uncle Bruce and Aunt Joyce stopped on their way through and met Riley. We had not seen them since Ella was 15 months old, so it was great to catch up. Grammy came over too.

Riley pic

This is a face Riley has been making that we love - had to share.

One Week Old

Friday - the doctor follow-up on went well, she is back to over 8 lbs in weight so she is doing well.

Saturday - Riley is now a WEEK old and we have all survived, of course. :-) Mommy got a chance to nap while I took the girls out and run some errands.

Sunday - we are expecting Grammy to visit today along with a visit from my Great Uncle Bruce and Aunt Joyce (my Grandma Love's brother) from Vandalia, IL who are in the area visiting others in the area.

(here are some pic's of Riley at a week old)

1st Week

Monday night, our first night was horrible. Our little sweetie was torturing us by waking up every 15 minutes if she was not being held, so Heather got about an hour of sleep and I got about 2 hours.



Tuesday night, was off to a much better night. Riley slept for about 2 hours to start - amazing how 2 hours straight of sleep can feel so wonderful! The she ate and went right back to sleep for about an 1 1/2 hours and continued that pattern until morning. So a decent night of sleeping.



Wednesday night we actually got a 4 hour stretch between one feeding, so a good pattern starting for our 4 day old! So we are hopeful she will continue to amaze us how well she is doing.

Thursday and we are about to tackle another night praying our little precious girl will do well again. Tomorrow we see the Pediatrician for a weight check, which will let us know if she is getting plenty to eat by her weight gain since birth.

Off to bed...

1st Week pictures

Going HOME!

7:45 Monday, 11th

We are preparing to go home today with our new bundle of joy. Riley is doing very well and Heather is too. We should be heading home around 10:30 this morning.

Riley a day old

Big Sisters meet Riley

Happy Mother's Day

Look what Heather got for Mother's Day!!

Sharing Birthday's

Grammy and Riley on their Birthday

Pictures

4:15

Here are some pic's! All is well and Mommy is tired.

3:02

She is here! At 3:02, weighing 8lbs 10oz, 20.75inch long and mostly perfectly healthy! Welcome to the world Riley!!

2:00 pm

8 cm and going up fast. dr and nurse are getting equipment, etc ready.

1:00

Heather is about 4 cm dialated and the Dr. broke her water. So the contractions are much stronger and we're well on our way now. Heather is being a trooper.

9:05

The drugs are in. The "fun" starts now...

9:00

Mom is here on her birthday, so 53 years later her granddaughter will be born. So Riley will share her birthday with her Grammy!

8:25

Sat 6:00AM

Up and at 'em. We are slightly delayed until 7am, so we'll be leaving shortly towards the hospital.

10:00PM Fri night

We're packed, big sisters are in bed, Nana & Papa T are hear to help. We're getting ready to head to bed and plan to wake up 4:30am and confirm our appointment for being induced at 6AM.

Good night and we get started to seeing Riley at 4:30!