Monday, January 26, 2009
Riley's photo shoot.
These pictures were taken by Margaret's friend's sister. We couldn't be happier with them. You can visit her site here. Riley was three weeks old during this shoot. It's amazing how much she's changed since then.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
8 weeks, almost 2 months!
Riley turned 8 weeks old today! I can't believe how fast time has gone... While it feels like it was just yesterday that we brought Riley home, it also feels like we've had her with us forever. These last 8 weeks have been more than amazing, and it makes me so excited for what is to come! I can't believe that every week Riley does something different... Like her latest accomplishment has been smiling back at Leif and I. She started smiling a little when we went to Oregon and now its been almost anytime we smile at her. Every time she smiles back at Leif or I, it feels like the first time and we get so excited!
She's also gotten to the point where she can keep her head up without dropping it at all. From day one she's always held her head up. Obviously when she was a newborn she could only hold it up for a few seconds, haha. But now when she's on her tummy she can hold her head up the whole time, and when we sit her up, her head stays up and doesn't drop. Its so funny how little things like seeing the first smiles, hearing the first coo's, watching the first baby push-ups, make a parent feel so proud and excited. Riley has never ceased to amaze us:) And continues to do so every day! What a blessing she is.
Smiling at mommy:)
She's also gotten to the point where she can keep her head up without dropping it at all. From day one she's always held her head up. Obviously when she was a newborn she could only hold it up for a few seconds, haha. But now when she's on her tummy she can hold her head up the whole time, and when we sit her up, her head stays up and doesn't drop. Its so funny how little things like seeing the first smiles, hearing the first coo's, watching the first baby push-ups, make a parent feel so proud and excited. Riley has never ceased to amaze us:) And continues to do so every day! What a blessing she is.
Smiling at mommy:)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Life as mommy
Everyone keeps asking what its like to be a mom, do I like it so far? In the beginning I wasn't sure what to say, because really I had only been a mom for a week and my child mostly slept. I couldn't tell if I liked it quite yet or if I was even doing anything that was that motherly. I had just had a c-section and couldn't move around much. Leif did most of the diaper changing and feeding. I knew loved my daughter, more than anything, but would I love being a mom?
The second week I decided I did like being a mom, I loved it. But I also learned it was hard. Leif went back to work and I was left on my own. It wasn't that I wasn't expecting it to be hard, I was. But what I didn't expect was that my new job as mommy required me to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There were no breaks Leif gets a break when he goes to work. Yes, he's working 40 hours a week then coming home to Riley and I, but its a bit different than staying home with Riley all the time. I'm learning just how different!
Yesterday for example, Riley was just fussy. All she wanted to do was sleep, eat and cry. She's going through a growth spurt and can't get enough food. She's also having growing pains. I tried to be patient but by the afternoon I just wanted Leif to come home and take her, and let me have a break. I didn't know how I was going to make it through the rest of the day and then the night... As soon as he walked through the door I handed Riley to him and told him I was done! When she was in his arms she stopped fussing. That drove me even more crazy! Leif didn't understand why I was so upset and worn out.
I actually thought that maybe I didn't want to stay home full time, maybe I wanted to work and come home to Riley at night. But then she smiled a few times for me, and I remembered why I wanted to stay home. And I remember that I really did love being a mom, especially her's. I'm sure I'll have plenty of other days like that, but I think I'll have a lot more really good days, which make all the other ones worth it. I couldn't imagine leaving her everyday and missing all the exciting new things she does every day. I'm very blessed to be able to stay home with her. God's good:)
How can I stay mad at a baby this cute? Seriously.
What is it like to be a mom? Challenging, different than anything I've ever done. But very rewarding and there is never a dull moment. Do I like it? I love it and think its the best thing that's ever happened to me. God has definitely blessed Leif and I with Riley. She's changed our lives completely. We've grown closer to God and each other because of her. Its pretty amazing. We spend a lot more time in the Word, and praying. We've also have come to appreciate and love each other on a whole new level. I can't believe that God can use someone so little to make such a big difference.
The second week I decided I did like being a mom, I loved it. But I also learned it was hard. Leif went back to work and I was left on my own. It wasn't that I wasn't expecting it to be hard, I was. But what I didn't expect was that my new job as mommy required me to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There were no breaks Leif gets a break when he goes to work. Yes, he's working 40 hours a week then coming home to Riley and I, but its a bit different than staying home with Riley all the time. I'm learning just how different!
Yesterday for example, Riley was just fussy. All she wanted to do was sleep, eat and cry. She's going through a growth spurt and can't get enough food. She's also having growing pains. I tried to be patient but by the afternoon I just wanted Leif to come home and take her, and let me have a break. I didn't know how I was going to make it through the rest of the day and then the night... As soon as he walked through the door I handed Riley to him and told him I was done! When she was in his arms she stopped fussing. That drove me even more crazy! Leif didn't understand why I was so upset and worn out.
I actually thought that maybe I didn't want to stay home full time, maybe I wanted to work and come home to Riley at night. But then she smiled a few times for me, and I remembered why I wanted to stay home. And I remember that I really did love being a mom, especially her's. I'm sure I'll have plenty of other days like that, but I think I'll have a lot more really good days, which make all the other ones worth it. I couldn't imagine leaving her everyday and missing all the exciting new things she does every day. I'm very blessed to be able to stay home with her. God's good:)
How can I stay mad at a baby this cute? Seriously.What is it like to be a mom? Challenging, different than anything I've ever done. But very rewarding and there is never a dull moment. Do I like it? I love it and think its the best thing that's ever happened to me. God has definitely blessed Leif and I with Riley. She's changed our lives completely. We've grown closer to God and each other because of her. Its pretty amazing. We spend a lot more time in the Word, and praying. We've also have come to appreciate and love each other on a whole new level. I can't believe that God can use someone so little to make such a big difference.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Some pictures from Oregon
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our trip so far. We're probably headed back tomorrow, so if you live in Southern California, come visit us this next week. :)
Alot of these were pictures we took at Riverfront park today in Salem. We left Riley with my mom and took some polaroids and walked around in the freezing cold. The wind was so strong it almost knocked Margaret over. It was a good last day in Oregon. We're sitting in a coffee shop right now, checking email, blogging, and getting ready to go to a movie. Oregon will make a good home someday, but for now, we're heading back to California. We'll see you all soon.
I caught Margaret dancing today while we were taking pictures. Look. :)
Alot of these were pictures we took at Riverfront park today in Salem. We left Riley with my mom and took some polaroids and walked around in the freezing cold. The wind was so strong it almost knocked Margaret over. It was a good last day in Oregon. We're sitting in a coffee shop right now, checking email, blogging, and getting ready to go to a movie. Oregon will make a good home someday, but for now, we're heading back to California. We'll see you all soon.I caught Margaret dancing today while we were taking pictures. Look. :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Riley's first trip to Oregon
We've been in Oregon since the 28th of December. Originally I had taken off work through January 20th, but my contracting company decided not to pay me my holiday pay while I'm taking paid family leave, so we probably have to leave this Friday, a week and a half early. Oregon's always fun when I first get here, but I start to miss home. It's not so much that I miss California; I just miss having my own home, my own bed, a place where it's just Margaret, Riley, and myself. I'm still hoping we can move up here, but who knows if that will work out.
We haven't been able to take many pictures up here so far; we've just been relaxing, visiting friends here and there, and taking a break from everything. Here's a few photos of Margaret and Riley (you can click to make them bigger). They both get prettier every day.
This is the 3rd or 4th time Riley's managed to poop on me. I swear, no matter what I do, she finds a way to hit me almost once a week. Sorry if the picture's too graphic.
This is one of my favorite pictures of us. We took it at some outlets on the way to Stockton. I love my daughter. It's amazing how much she grows every day.
We haven't been able to take many pictures up here so far; we've just been relaxing, visiting friends here and there, and taking a break from everything. Here's a few photos of Margaret and Riley (you can click to make them bigger). They both get prettier every day.
This is the 3rd or 4th time Riley's managed to poop on me. I swear, no matter what I do, she finds a way to hit me almost once a week. Sorry if the picture's too graphic.
This is one of my favorite pictures of us. We took it at some outlets on the way to Stockton. I love my daughter. It's amazing how much she grows every day.
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