I Love Them

Oh, the mischief that is behind this smile. This was right before we made Christmas cookies. It was quite an ordeal and I don't know if I will make Christmas cookies again this season with Chef Riley's help.

This is Ellie's first Christmas dress, first time wearing tights and "real" shoes. I think she is an absolute doll.
This is the headband that goes with the Christmas dress that makes her look like Rambo. We have opted to not wear the headband.

Thomas, Tractors and Two!!!

Thomas came and visited the Strasburg Railroad a couple weeks ago so we took Riley for his 2nd birthday and Betsy, Levi and Rachel also came. We got to take a 20 minute ride on a train, enjoyed some fresh hot donuts, rode a little train ride, got to see Sir Tophum Hat and watched a Thomas movie. It was a cold day but we had a great time and Riley grew to love Thomas the Train even more. Here comes Thomas Dad! Riley's first red tractor from Poppy and Grandma Henry. Riley, his birthday cupcakes and his Daddy.
Yummy confetti cupcake with cream cheese frosting (as you can see the frosting was his favorite part). This may actually be my favorite but I figured I will start now and making him like the same type of cake I do so I can get it at least twice a year. :-)

My Baby is 6 Months Old

How did this happen? Six months already? Though the first few months seem to drag on with sleepless nights and late night feedings these past couple have flown by.
Our little Ellie Dawn is a delight. She is rolling over from her back to her front constantly and loves to stick her tongue out and smile. She loves Riley and really anyone that will hold her and give her attention. She is enjoying time in her walker and just the last couple days is starting to actually move in it. Some days I wonder if she will just go from sitting to walking because she hates being on her belly (making her arms weak)and her legs are really strong (from so much time in the walker). I guess only time will tell. She is quite the slobbery girl and almost always has a bib on these days. If she didn't have a bib her outfits would be drenched within the hour.
Over the Thanksgiving break we had the chance to go to Pittsburgh and get time with Griff's family. It was wonderful to be around family and see Riley and Ellie enjoy their grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousins, great-aunt, and great-grandma. We not only celebrated Thanksgiving with them but also Riley's birthday and Christmas (because we will be in Iowa this year). What a fun weekend!

Grandma Jones can always make Ellie smile.



Ellie getting quality time with her Uncle Andy.



Ellie enjoying time with Poppy Jones.

Lately

Riley and Daddy working on the pipes under the kitchen table. This has been a nightly event lately and one we are all enjoying.
Riley and Ellie enjoying some time together. She loves being in her walker and he loves talking with her and also "fixing" the walker whenever it needs it.

Riley didn't dress up for Halloween this year simply because I didn't think he would actually put on a costume and leave it on. But, he loved handing out the candy with Daddy. Maybe next year he will get into the whole idea of dressing up. Oh and if you are wondering Griff's hat is from Bolivia, a gift from his brother Andy. He says it is the warmest hat he owns and it was a cold night which required a warm, yet odd looking hat. :-)

Riley is quickly reaching the terrible twos and we are learning a lot about what it means to train a child and discipline. This has been the hardest part of parenthood and we aren't even to age two. I am learning a lot about God's discipline, love and grace by walking with Riley through this season of life. Though he is testing his limits he is a delight and full of laughter. He loves talking with Ellie and wants to hold her more and he tries to roll her over when she gets onto her belly and is crying.


Ellie's official 5 month picture. She is rolling over a lot from her back to her belly which is fun but challenging because she hates being on her belly and then starts crying. She still doesn't have any teeth but is drooling like crazy and often is sporting a bib to cut down on the excessive drool all over her outfits. But despite my bib efforts there are many days she goes through two or three outfits. She is a delightful baby, she is constantly smiling and making happy noises. So far she has liked everything we have fed her: carrots, peas, green beans, apple sauce, bananas, squash, and pears. Some of her nicknames include: Ells, Ell-Bell, Ellie-Bellie, and sweet pea. The only times she really cries is when you pull the bottle away too soon.

Sissy, Sprinkles, Sweets and Silence

Sissy is what we call Ellie a lot. She is nearly 5 months and is such a chubby girl. She is almost out of her 3-6 months clothes. This is such a huge change from my little Riley who always seems to be at least two months behind in clothes.

Sprinkes were what was all over the floor after Riley enjoyed a sprinkle donut from the Farmers Market. And when you ask him to smile for a picture this is what you get.

Sweets is what Riley likes to make. He really does love to bake so on recent rainy days we have made monster cookies, pumpkin bread, squash soup and brownies. Daddy sure does like rainy days. :-)

Silence is sweet and rare when you have four children under 3 in your home. Thanks to the movie "Cars" I enjoyed some sweet silence.

Ellie official 4 month pictures, better late than never.

Family Pictures

These are some of my favorites from the family pictures we took recently. Our friend and photographer Val with Grace Photos did an amazing job. Riley didn't enjoy the photo session so much but Val was still able to get some great pictures of everyone. And notice the silver watch on Riley's arm. It is an old watch of mine that he wore in every picture. That's a fun little story to share with him down the road and fond memories to look back on.

Family Visit 2 of 2

This past week my parents and my brother and his family all came out. It was the first time all three grandchildren had been together. It was the first time Shannon, Nicole and Tyler had met Ellie and the first time Griff had met Tyler. We had so much fun together. Three kids under two in one home was busy but a blast.

Tuesday we went to the market downtown. We got some produce and also breakfast. They have wonderful homemade pastries, fresh smoothies and coffee. What more could you want. Riley had his first sprinkle donut.

Tyler is probably the happiest baby I have ever met. He smiles constantly and only gets fussy when its time to lay still. What a delight it was to be around him.


Grandma & Ellie

Family Visit 1 of 2

My parents along with Shannon, Nicole and Tyler came to visit this past week. It was the first time all three grandkids had been together and the first time Griff had met Tyler. We had a wonderful time together. \


Future firemen


Tyler started crawling to Ellie and it actually made her roll over for the second time ever. Thanks cousin Tyler.


Riley enjoying some apples


Bath time with cousin Tyler

Happy 3 Month Birthday Ellie!

Our sweet little Ellie is now three months and more delightful everyday. For her three month birthday gift to Griff and I she started consistently sleeping through the night. Thank you Ellie! She has yet to roll over without any assistance but she is enjoying tummy time a little more. She has the cutest smile ever and makes cooing sounds like crazy, especially after she has had her bottle. She loves taking baths and being held by anyone. She doesn't like when people leave her eyesight and keeps a close watch on whoever is around. She loves Riley and he is actually starting to help with her a little. He likes to put her pacifier in her mouth when she is crying and the other day he actually tried to pick her up, but obviously couldn't because she is about half his size.
Riley is now 21 months and enjoying everything except most foods. He's a pretty picky eater still. Most days he likes cheese, bread, anything sweet, brocolli, sweet potatoes, blueberries and strawberries but even that seems to change. He is saying lots and lots of words and can make it through the alphabet with help from Daddy. He also likes taking baths and playing with his new golf clubs. He is obsessed with the movie, "Up" and would watch it on repeat if allowed. He loves when Daddy plays the "dede" aka guitar and loves to go to church and see the boom-booms (drums) and the dede. He is an all around delightful little boy.

August 2010

Ellie is quite the little doll. We love her and love her smile. She is cooing like crazy, smiling anytime someone gives her attention and is starting to get better at tummy time. She isn't quite sleeping through the nights but she is getting closer. At almost three months she is eating about 5 ounces every three hours. Last night for the first time every Ellie was crying and Riley tried to pick her up and comfort her. It was so cute. She's almost half the weight of Riley so I wasn't too worried about him actually picking her up. It was just a sweet brother wanting to help a sad sissy.

TP

Parks, Pirates, and more Pink

Here are some pictures from our recent little trip to Daniel's Den, a wonderful park nearby. And the last two pictures are of Riley sporting one of his Daddy's childhood t-shirts.