News...

Well, not too much news to report, which is good, I suppose. Riley has chilled out on his biting a bit at his new school- he was THAT kid, biting when he didn't get attention and/or something got his diaper in a bunch. But, our little Hannibal Lector has seen the light and is down to about 1 bite/week. The potty has gone by the wayside, but we're not pushing it as he'll know when he's ready. New fascinations include shadows (sometimes they terrify him but usually they intrigue him, especially in the wee hours of the morning), corn (but of course, only at school), pumpkins, juiceboxes, plums, birthday parties, and my expanding belly. He will laugh at me if sees me changing in and out clothes- it's a real confidence booster, really. He's talking like a mad man, which is pretty cool, but Jim and I have learned to abhor the word "Please".
For example:
Riley: SIT UP, Mommy
Me: but mommy has a terrible cold and is so tired and Diego is making her ears bleed a slow death (ok, I don't really say this but I'm thinking it)
Riley: PLEASEeeeeeeeee, Mommeeeeee, SIT!
Me: OK (grumble, grumble, grumble)
*He does the same with Jim..and Jim has had a bum knee as of late but Riley will still say Please and then they're both dancing around like idiots.

A couple of days ago (I was unfortunately on my way to work already, Riley pulled Jim into our computer room and told him "I WANT TO DANCE!!". ha ha ha.

Big weekend this one coming up- it is birthday MADNESS, with Dylan & Olivia both turning 4, Blake (or "Blakey" as Riley calls him) turning 1, and Uncle Woods turning 30ish...hee hee. We will be covering mass quantities of highway from Saturday to Sunday, but excited to see a whole slew of our friends and family.

Here's some recent pics of a recent playdate with the Catalanos and pumpkin picking!

Banana milkshake at Cheeburger! Cheeburger!

"Riding" Olivia's big girl bike

Pink Baseball Gloves = AWESOME!

Olivia "dying" of thirst

Hay ridin' (Riley was not a fan as I think the combination of diesel fumes and the bumpiness made him a tad green)


Pumpkin Mania!

We're off to see the Whiz-ard

One of the "highlights" of picking up Riley from daycare is when his teacher says "Guess what Riley did today?" Usually my mind sorts through all scenarios, like setting the school on fire, ate paste, danced the Watusi or something along those lines. (it usually is something good, like painted, played nice etc)

But today it was "Guess what Riley did today? He went peepee on the potty!" Which is a first. well to be more precise, he peed 1/2 IN the potty, 1/2 on his clothes. Luckily we keep spare outfits for just such an occasion.

Each day, they ask the kids if they want to sit on the potty, to try to get them to use it. The "bathroom" is actually kinda cute...as much as bathrooms can be cute. For those of you who have seen Full Metal Jacket, it kinda looks like the "Private Pyle" scene, only with much smaller toilets, and no overweight Vincent D'onofrio scaring the bejeebus out of everyone.

But anyway I digress.

So, yes, Riley went on the potty, now we just need to get him to tell us before he has to go, rather then his usual of asking to go on the potty after he has already went.

I wonder if these instructions will help him?

A few more pics...

To round out the "Birthday Weekend" Festivities (that's right, Riley has been bestowed the "Jim Cook" tradition of an ENTIRE weekend of bday fun, not one measly day), we went to Great Adventure on Sunday for some Safari-ing and of course riding coasters. Well, Riley and I bailed on the roller coasters, much to my dismay, as I can't ride being el preggo and Riley's just way too short yet (*plus, he wasn't all that thrilled with the big coaster noises anyway). A few pics of GA, plus a few other bday party pics...

A new friend:
Riding the beep beeps:

How can one go to Great Adventure and NOT get a churro? Greg balked at me for ordering 2 then quickly changed his tune when Riley starting inhaling one of them...someone sure likes his fried cinnamon deliciousness!


Party Peeps-
Frosting Face

Cali!

Jonah and Dylan holding hands..

Gibson smiles and all is right in the world


Another update soon as we went pumpkin picking today and the Juvenile Diabetes Walk is tomorrow in Avon/Belmar so we there should be some worthwhile shots to share.

Party Pics..

As Jim stated below, Riley's beach party went off without a hitch! Great weather, good food (thanks for delish cookies and pretzel treats Auntie Liz!), and good family and friends! Riley was kinda antisocial for most of the day (and stuck like glue to Uncle Woobs) but he really had a great time and loved all of his new presents...we tried to give him only a couple pressies to open that night but he's much smarter THIS year and KNEW that there were more presents in the computer room closet. I think we managed to sneak away 3 of the presents for a rainy day.

Anyway, here's some pics (Thanks Aunt Kris for getting some good shots to supplement our paltry collection of party photos)...











Poor flounder's eye...the flounder pinata became pretty ghastly looking, pretty quickly:

A little something to tide you over

Riley's party was a blast. Good times with friends and family. To tide you over until we get the pictures up, here are 2 videos of the little guy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2 years ago this morning, I was just admitted to the hospital and was walking around like a 90-year old woman with Jim wiping the floor after me (hee hee)...it was a long day but Jim and I can barely comprehend where the last 2 years have gone!
P.s.- He just woke up at 7:20- which is unheard of as he usually awakes between 5-6am. He must gearing up for his party at the park this afternoon!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY Buddy! We love you, even though
you're a little kooky!

Rabbit Rabbit on the first

Some say its good luck if the first thing you say on the first of the month is "rabbit rabbit" I got Riley to say it to me this morning, but he wouldn't say it to Alison.
Oh well, he'll learn one of these days.

On another note, it's the countdown to 2 years for Sir Riles. Hard to believe that he'll be 2 on Saturday, time sure does fly, even when your days are long(er)...4:30 wake ups are always fun.