No They Aren't Twins

Ellie on her first solo wagon ride with Daddy.
Riley's newest mode of transportation.
Decorating Easter eggs with Levi Forney.
The final product.

Lately, many people out in public are asking if Riley and Ellie are twins. Sometimes they don't even ask me, I just hear them telling the friend next to them, "Oh, look at the twins." Okay, folks, they are 18 months apart. Yes, Riley started a little behind and obviously Ellie is a little ahead but they aren't twins. I'm not upset about their comments, I find them funny but sometimes I do worry that if this trend continue Ellie will have a complex for being bigger than her older brother and/or Riley will have a complex for being smaller than his younger sister. Obviously, a lot can change quickly and I think as Ellie starts crawling or walking she will slim down but for now they do look similar and though they are wearing the same size clothes some day they aren't twins. :-) In exciting news today, Riley went pee on the big boy potty and Ellie pulled herself up to a chair. Maybe these are small things to you but to this mom it is a very good day and I am extremely pround of my kiddos.

Will Crawl For Food

The title says it all. Food is the only thing that will make Ellie crawl, otherwise she just rolls and rolls.

Bows

This is Ellie's first hair bow. Her hair is finally long enough to clip a little of it back into a bow. She actually left it in but it was Riley that took it out. :-)

Ellie is 10 Months Old

Note the drool about to drip off of her chin.
She is always backing herself into corners these days.
It is impossible for her to stay still for one of these pictures.

Ellie is rolling everywhere. I'm serious, the girl rolls constantly. As I type this she is rolling under the kitchen table and attempting to scooch herself backwards. She is evidence that I need to sweep the floor. :-( She loves Riley and wants to be around him all the time, though he doesn't ever want her to touch him. She is making all kinds of sounds and yesterday made the ga-ga-ga sound. She says "ma-ma" and she can say "da-da" but not really in reference to Griff. She is learning to give kisses and she loves to wave and bop to music. I just love her so much. It is hard to imagine the joy that such a little stinky, crying child can give you but I grow more in love for her each day.
Riley is picking up so much these days and I feel like his vocabulary doubles daily. We are working together on being thankful and also acknowledging God for all he has given us. We have a giant map of the world in our living room and this morning Riley looked at it and said, "Wow, it's amazing." I responded by saying, "Yes, Riley it is amazing. God made it all and He is amazing." And Riley sweetly said in return, "He's amazing." He is amazing isn't he! The God who created the world and also created each of us, unique and in his imagine. It is humbling.

A couple weeks ago we were all super sick. It started with Riley on Sunday night, progressed to Ellie and I Tuesday night and then hit Griff Thursday night and again early Sunday morning. I have never done so many loads of laundry in my life or been completely tired of watching movies (mainly the same three movies that Riley loves to watch, "Up", "The Polar Express", and "Cars".)
After being sick I was so excited to get out of the house and breath some fresh air. So this week we took full advantage of the slightly warmer weather and enjoyed several walks. Both the kids loved walking around the neighborhood.
Take a close look at this picture, more specifically look at the waffle on Riley's tray. I'm not sure if you can really see it but Riley has placed Cheerios in each little box of his waffle.
This is the first picture of Ellie getting to sleep in her new crib. It's not really new but it is new to her. Riley had been sleeping in it until recently. Ellie was just outgrowing her pack-n-play and I couldn't bear to make her sleep in it any longer. So we spent a long exhausting week getting Riley use to his big boy bed. He didn't go easy but loves it now. He actually sleeps horizonally across it and requires Thomas the Train, a tractor, a monster truck and his dog Spots to sleep with him every night. They share the same room and so far have done a wonderful job together. I hope as the years go on this provides for many fun memories for them.
Ellie's first biter biscuit! She finally has two teeth on the bottom so I let her explore with this new treat. She loved it! She actually loves any food you give her though she isn't a big fan of green vegetables.
Her official 9 month photo. She weights 20 pounds 7 ounces. She still is not crawling but rolls everywhere. I am thankful though that she isn't crawling yet as it makes life slightly easier.

These days are wonderful and exhausting. I am learning a lot about myself through having two children. I am so thankful for a loving and helpful husband as I can't imagine doing this job by myself. I often think of the military wives that have to do this without their husband and I pray for them. I am thankful for what they sacrifice as well for our country.
Many people have asked me after having two kids if it is harder or not and I honestly haven't taken the time to think about it until recently. Yes, having two kids is a challenge but so was one. It is just a different challenge. With Riley I was still pretty flexible and we still went lots of places. He was my little sidekick and we had lots of dates together. But with two you don't just throw the kids in the car and take off, at least I don't. It takes a lot more time. Today I was at Firestone getting an oil change for the van and the guy behind the counter was amazed at the process it took to get two children out of the stroller, into their carseats and ready to go. He told me it makes him want to contemplate number two. I told him, they are so worth it. And they are. I love laughing with Ellie on the floor and watching her back herself into a corn. I love watching Riley drum on any surfacein the house and talk nonstop for minutes on end about something that I never understand. I love watching them start to play together. I love when Riley kisses Ellie good night and I love watching Ellie wave at Riley just about anytime he enters the room. I definately have moments, hours, days where I crave my "simple" single life, hours at a coffee shop listening to my ipod and reading. I loved those times and I am tremendously thankful for them but I am tremendously thankful for two sweet little kids and the season God has me in now.

Wordless Wednesday

Tea Party