Baby Girl is 15 Months Old!

This month has been a busy one! Riley has started Montessori school and is still adjusting (Mom is too!). We are sure she will getting in the swing of things shortly, for all of our sakes!
What Am I Up To These Days?
Running!
Climbing!
Testing!
Dancing!
Playing with Playdough
Using sidewalk chalk
Playing outside
Eating, eating, eating!
New Words: baby, water, banana, ball, puppy, bubbles
Sign language: more
Favorite Foods: mac n'cheese, oranges, kiwi
Hated Foods: eggs

Trick or Treat!

We had such a good time with a pre trick or treat party at the clubhouse and then back home to pass out candy. Riley loved all the costumes, picking candy out of the bowl, and just being the natural party girl she is! One of our neighbors even had a projector showing the Ranger's game in the World Series outside his house just to make sure no one missed anything! Good times!

If You Are Happy and You Know It...Stomp Your Feet!

This video just shows how much Riley understands of what is asked of her...but that she doesn't always choose to do it!

True Riley

Here is a 2 minute video of Riley in action...hope you enjoy it! If you recieved an email copy of this and can't open the video on email...click this link to go to the blog: http://thetalacfamily.blogspot.com/

13 Months Old!

Riley continues to surprise us with changes everyday and we are amazed a what a little sponge she is becoming! It is hard to transition from assuming she didn't understand what we would ask of her, to assuming she most likely does and chooses to do what she wants! One thing we do know is she definitely has a mind of her own which has been apparant from the very beginning!!

WHAT AM I UP TO THESE DAYS?

Running, not walking!

Opening and closing all the doors in the house

Shaking my head "no" (already?!)

Playing chase with Mom and Dad

Fake laughing to get attention (even from strangers!)

Playing outside

Climbing into my chairs

Calling for my Daddy in another room

Pointing for what I want (endlessly!)

Favorite new foods: pancakes, mandrin oranges

Hated new foods: regular oatmeal with whole milk

Height: 29 inches Weight: 19lbs

Our Baby is One Year Old!

Like most parents say, "they grow up so fast"! We have had such a blast the past year, and only wish we could slow it all down! Riley had a big bash, special guests, an over the top outfit, tons of over the top gifts, and a her first taste of cake! It took her all of about 2 seconds to figure out what to do with the cake! Finally, she takes after her mom in some way! :) If anyone has additional pictures, please pass them along. We all especially enjoyed this celebration with all of our family and closest friends.

What Am I Up On My 1st Birthday?

Walking!!!

Talking ("bye, bye" to everyone)

Laughing (even fake laughing to get people's attention)

Dancing

Favorite games: peek a boo still is tops

Favorite new foods (besides cake): mandrin oranges, homemade mac n'cheese

Hated new foods: homemade pancakes (seriously?)

Giggle Box

If this doesn't make you smile...then nothing will!

Baby Steps!

Riley has been working hard to show off at her first birthday party...here's a little preview!

Riley Is 11 Months Old!

We are sorry for being late with Riley's 11 month pictures. There has been several things working against us...she had yet another ear infection (we will being going to the ENT specialist next week), then ended up with a head to toe polka dot rash (doesn't make for cute pictures!), we had professional pictures done last weekend, and are having some work done on the house...all leading to not getting our picture done!

What Am I Up To?

Telling everyone and everything "Bye, Bye"

Clapping my hands...especially to "When You Are Happy and You Know It"

Blowing kisses

Crawling up the stairs (yikes!)

Taking toys not only out of the basket, but putting them back in (yeah!)

Testing our limits

Eating more finger foods

Favorite new foods: yogurt and tofu

Hated new foods: pasta (what?!...we are working on this one!)

Little Stinker

While getting ready to go to a 4th of July party, Gary thought Kim was watching Riley and Kim thought Gary had Riley. This lasted about 1 minute...Riley saw the window of opportunity and decided to have a little fun! :)

4th of July

Our year of firsts rolls on! We had a pretty low key 4th of July and attended our annual party at the Robbins home. This party is always fun and lots to do, see, and eat! Riley was a hit in her Red, White, and Blue. She enjoyed watching the kids in the "lazy river" (which she might be up for next year...Mom and Dad might not be!), crawling around under the pool table, loved watching the tricks of the magician, climbing all over Uncle Sam on the front porch, and visiting with folks who hadn't seen her yet. She was exhausted at the end, but we all had a great time! Next year...maybe we can stay up late enough for the fireworks!

Gary's First Father's Day

Riley gave Daddy a tie and poem she made at school and a gift certificate for a little pampering. She, of course, had know idea it was Daddy's big day, but still showed him he was her #1! We had a fun day playing together, shopping at the Guitar Center, and going out for a little Mexican food at Pappasito's!

Riley Is 10 Months Old!

What Am I Up To These Days?

pulling up on everything

cruising around the furniture

saying "Mama"

clapping my hands (especially when I am told "Good Job Riley")

wearing shoes

eating meals in my highchair

graduated to the next class at school

drinking from a cup with a straw

pulling all the Tupperware out of the cabinet

Little Fish!

It has been exceptionally hot lately, and perfect swimming weather. Riley loves the bath tub, so we knew she would love it. After a few minutes to adjust to the cool water, she decided it was pretty fun...we will do this again soon! Also, she looked adorable in her polka dot bubble bathing suit! We just ate it up!

Nana and Grandpa

Gary's parents came in town from Florida for a visit. We enjoyed showing off Riley, of course! Riley learned how to show everyone she is "so big", went on a picnic, visited Riley's school, shopped at the toy store, spent time with The Schroeders, and really just spent time playing! Good times!

9 Months!

What am I up to these days?

• Crawling everywhere



• Pulling up on everything



• Dancing to music



• Getting brave with standing up with one hand



• Playing peek-a-boo



• Showing everyone I am "so big"



• Still loving my bath



• Loving to swing outside



• Saying "ba, ba"

New foods I like:

• Butternut squash



• carrots

New foods I do not like:

• Greens beans...the most hated food to date!

Creative Crawling

If you have been to our house, you know the downstairs is alot of wood floors. Riley has overcome this potentially painful route by improvising her crawling technique when on the wood floor...hilarious! She is getting pretty fast, and we fear we are in for some exciting times soon...babyproofing here we come!

Visit with Grandma and Gramps!

Last weekend, Grandma and Gramps were in for a quick weekend trip from Indiana for a visit. We had a great time with them, as well as time to see Kim's sisters and family. Festivities included, a picnic at the park complete with baby ducks!, lots of food, playing with Cousin Drew, and a rematch basketball tournament between Gary and Tyler. Riley loves all the action...the more the better! She is quite a social girl- gee, I wonder where she may have gotten that from? :)

We had to say goodbye to Grandma and Gramps most likely until August. We will miss them, but look forward to seeing them at Riley's first birthday! In the meantime, we will have to make do with Skype video phone calls.