First Dentist Visit and a Spontaneous Encounter

Yesterday morning was Riley’s first trip to the dentist. I’ve been going to the same dentist my whole life; Dr. Chuck is a good friend of my family’s. We know everyone in the office, and they were all really excited to meet the boy this time. I was due for a cleaning, and since Riley turned two last month, they also wanted him to come in for what they called a “happy visit.”

Pam, our longtime hygienist, just wanted to introduce Riley to the chair (he sat by himself for a minute but then I had to hold him), the bright light, and some of the cleaning tools so he wouldn’t be scared or freaked out the next time I bring him in. She also counted his teeth (still 16; no back molars yet!) and let him pick out a new toothbrush. He did great.

We headed home afterwards, but I decided to make a quick stop at Academy to look for something for Riley’s Halloween costume. It was a successful stop, in more ways than one. I got two things I needed for the costume, and we were greeted with an unexpected sight as we were leaving the parking lot: a fire engine! No one was around, and it was parked away from any other cars. I pulled in next to it, got Riley back out of the car, and let him walk around the big red truck.

I pointed out all of the hoses, lights, gauges, and valves as we walked around, but all Riley wanted to do was touch everything. I tried to prevent him, but he pretty much insisted.

I kept glancing back towards the entrance of Academy, hoping that we would eventually see the firemen walking back to their truck. I kept delaying Riley (which, granted, wasn’t too hard) in hopes that the guys would come back and offer to show him the inside. But, eventually, I realized we had to move on. Who knew how long they would be inside, and we couldn’t wait around all afternoon. We had already gotten up close and personal with a real fire engine, and that would have to be enough.

Then, just as I was buckling Riley into his seat in my car, two firemen came around the passenger side of the truck, where we were parked. I walked around the back of my car to let them know that my two-year-old was ecstatic that he got to touch a fire engine and that I hoped it was okay we checked it out for a bit. One of the guys responded with, “Well, would he like to climb up inside?” Ummmm, yeah he would! The super nice fireman even took a picture of my boy and I sitting in his seat.

Riley got to hold a real fireman’s helmet (those things are heavy!), and he was also shown two special buttons on the floor of the truck. Whoever is riding shotgun can step on either button to sound the truck’s horn or siren when they’re on their way out to a call. Of course Riley got down on his hands and knees and pressed both buttons, with encouragement from the fireman (whose name I should have gotten but didn’t….oops). The fireman in the driver’s seat also turned on all of the flashing lights for Riley to see. I wonder what everyone else who happened to be in the same parking lot thought, but it ultimately doesn’t matter. My boy had a blast.

I’m not even sure how the next part happened. We were climbing down from the truck, me thanking the guys profusely for making my son’s day, when somehow we were offered an actual ride in the truck. I think it was because Riley said something like, “Want to ride in the truck?” Subtle, son. I wasn’t about to turn the offer down (even though I first made sure we weren’t keeping them from anything); I’m not sure Riley would have forgiven me if I had. We were taken on a little circuit of the parking lot, and Riley was one awestruck little boy.

 

What a wholly unexpected, spontaneous, and truly fun experience, both for me and for Riley. I’m so glad I decided to drop by Academy instead of going straight home. And, hey, I guess Sprout has had his (or her) first ride on a fire truck, too. Cool!

To the three firemen who happened to park their truck in the Academy parking lot yesterday, thank you so much. For taking time out of your day, for being so kind and accommodating, for making a little boy’s dreams come true, and for all that you do. You are appreciated.

Micro Machines

When I finally got around to disassembling the photo decorations from Riley’s party, I was left with a pile of micro machines on the kitchen counter. I left them out in the open just a little too long, and Riley’s keen eyes spotted them.

I was able to distract him, but Nola didn’t do the same when I returned Uncle Jeff’s machines that I borrowed. She simply tossed the bag into the toy box at her house and went on with her day.

Sure enough, the next time Riley was at her house, he typically went straight for the toy box. And, lo and behold, he found the bag right away. He has been obsessed with Uncle Jeff’s micro machines ever since.

Anytime we go over to Nola’s to pick her up for Jazzercise or to drop something off, Riley pipes up from the backseat, “Wanna go play with the micro machines?” Most times I have to let him down and tell him we’re not getting out of the car.

But the times when we do go in to visit for awhile, he inevitably gets the little collection of micro machines out and spreads them all over the living room, kitchen, or dining room.

At first Kenny and I were worried the machines really were to small for him to be playing with, but he doesn’t really put much in his mouth anymore. So, we figured it was okay as long as someone was watching him. Plus, there really wasn’t any point in telling him no. He is one stubborn, determined little boy when it comes to something he wants.

Again, I have no idea where he gets that from.

Yet Another Haircut

When Riley came running into the den on Sunday morning looking like this…..

…..I knew it was time to give him another haircut. He did look awfully cute in all of my headbands, though. He and his daddy had apparently been having fun in our room while I was obliviously drinking my coffee up front. Silly boys.

Ken got the supplies out, and we set everything up outside on the back porch, with Riley in his booster seat on one of the tall kitchen chairs. This was the first time Ken actually used the clippers, and Riley did great. He had always been freaked out by them before, but I guess he was more intrigued than scared this time around. However, the clippers did yield quite a short haircut, although Ken did a great job overall. But, we know it will grow back!

All of the cut-off hair made Riley really itchy, so I stripped him down to his diaper and hosed him off. We ended up having a really fun morning playing outside, running through the sprinkler, and washing my car before the Saints game at noon.

Unfortunately, the Saints remain winless this season. Ugh. Riley did his best to cheer them on like he did for LSU the day before but to no avail. He eventually turned to his four wheeler for entertainment instead, and I can’t really blame him. I didn’t fall asleep like I did during last weekend’s game, but it did get to a point where I just didn’t want to watch anymore. But I did. To the bitter and disappointing end.

I guess this just isn’t going to be our year, even though the Superbowl is in New Orleans in February, and how cool would that be??? Just please, please boys; don’t make us go back to putting bags on our heads again. That’s all we ask of you.

Football and a Dinosaur

Fall weekends in our house are usually all about football. College on Saturdays and professional on Sundays. Sorry, Riley-bean, no Mickey for you; Mama and Daddy pull rank on those days! LSU didn’t play until 6pm this past Saturday, but there were plenty of good games to watch all day long.

Riley glanced up at the tv every once in a while to see what was happening in the games throughout the day, but he mostly played with a new toy I let him have that morning. Grams gave him a gift card to Target for his birthday, and I had lots of fun picking things out for him. One of the things I got (and the last thing I gave to him…..I spread out the new toys over a couple of weeks) was a VTech Switch-n-Go stegosaurus dinosaur. I had read about it on another blog, and it sounded like something Riley would like.

He’s not quite old enough yet for the toy’s full potential, but he does think it’s pretty cool. (Expression in the picture below notwithstanding.)

It’s like a transformer, switching between a stegosaurus and a car. If only it could do that automatically like on the movies. Now that would be cool. It also has a digital display on the front of it, and it exudes a variety of sounds, none of which are too unbearable. I’m glad I heard about it since Riley seems to have taken quite a liking to it.

 

Even though they made our hearts race until the very end, the Tigers won 12-10 over Auburn on Saturday night. Riley got to stay up past his bedtime, have dinner in front of the game, and help cheer LSU on to victory. Not a bad day for my boy.

Also, a very Happy Birthday to Nopsi today….we love you!

Video Monday: Tumbleset

I’ve been wanting to get a good video of Riley demonstrating his new ability to do a tumbleset (or rollover or whatever else you want to call it) that he learned in gymnastics class. I was finally able to coax him into doing so over the weekend, although it took some encouragement. This one isn’t the greatest, but it’ll do for now.

Oh, and I also hope to post more than twice this week. Sorry about last week, but I warned y’all that might happen!

Happy Monday!

Ramblings

My house is now fall-ified, and I love it. Pumpkins, candles, leaves, wreaths, garlands, and cinnamon potpourri. Fall runs a close second to the Christmas season in my book, but it’s edging ever closer to that top spot. I think if I lived in a place where it truly felt like fall I might appreciate it even more. For now though, I’m content to wait {somewhat} patiently for cooler temperatures and enjoy the fact that my house is ready, even if Louisiana isn’t.

Riley had another 103 degree fever on Tuesday. He woke up from his nap feeling really hot to the touch, although he was still acting like himself. He ate a normal dinner, but he shivered pretty badly when Kenny got him out of the bathtub that night. We dressed him in warm PJs and socks, took his temp, and gave him some medicine. I spent a long time with him before putting him in his bed, reading and singing to him and comforting and rocking him. Kenny and I went in to check on him around 11pm, and he was still really warm. We gave him another dose of medicine, and I rocked with him a bit more. You’d have thought he was just going to bed with the chattering he kept up until I put him back in his bed. Luckily, the fever broke sometime overnight, and he’s been fine ever since.

It’s been a long time since I updated everyone on what I’ve been reading lately. I have gotten through Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah, Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter by Lisa Patton,Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham, Eighteen Acres by Nicole Wallace, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, and a few others. I am now reading A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay.

Riley has started his second Music Together class, with Kathleen as his teacher again. He has already started requesting two songs we sang in the very first class: You Are My Sunshine and This Little Light of Mine.

I am officially in my second trimester, although I’m not sure I’ve noticed an increase in energy. I distinctly remember a burst of energy accompanying the start of my second trimester in my first pregnancy. However, I also remember not being able to move much at all when I was pregnant early on with Riley, so I guess this go-round is a vast improvement. I really shouldn’t complain.

Funny Riley-speak: When I want to get Riley’s attention, I’ll usually say, “Pssst!” He then almost always says it back to me: “Spee!”

I have been cooking lots of new things lately, trying to figure out what I want to stock my freezer with for when Sprout comes in March. I did the same thing before I had Riley, and it was blissful being able to pull a home-cooked meal out of the freezer and warm it up for dinner. So far I’ve made salsa chicken, crockpot jambalaya, taco stuffed shells, crawfish pasta, pumpkin chili, stovetop BBQ chicken mac and cheese, skillet lasagna, pesto chicken stuffed shells, and smoky white bean and chicken chili, all with tasty results. I also made a pumpkin coffee cake last weekend for a sweet treat. Oh, and I’ve been assembling an interesting sandwich for lunch lately: toasted 9-grain bread, Creole mustard, thinly sliced gala apples, and slices of edam cheese. Sounds strange, but it’s actually really good.

Nola, Aunt E, and Kate came over to help me fall-ify my house last Friday, and Kate had a little diaper explosion while they were here. I dug in a box of Riley’s old clothes for something for her to borrow, and look what I put my hands on first. Certainly brought back a lot of memories from Riley-bean was that little. Too cute.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Video Wednesday: Giraffe Rocking

My friend Karen passed down a cute giraffe rocking toy back when Riley was just a baby, and he’s recently gotten really good at rocking on it by himself. Rocking has become somewhat of a ritual either right before or right after his bath in the evenings.

When Kenny realized Riley was rocking really well, he got a few videos of him one night. The first one is really short because Riley got a little ambitious with his rocking before his bath. The second clip is a bit longer, although with some obvious lingering effects from the first. Perhaps he simply prefers to rock naked, as he is after his bath in the third.

No matter which way you look at it, though, he’s still stinkin’ cute.

Happy Wednesday!

Nine Things

1. Kenny recently got a new phone, and he dumped all of the pictures from his old one onto my computer so we’d have them. Not only did I find these little gems…..

 

…..but I also found a couple of cute ones of Riley-bean while on a trip with his Daddy to Home Depot. He loves going to see the “big tractors.”

2. After his party was over, guess what the birthday boy wanted to do? If you guessed “watch Mickey,” you’d be right.

3. Kenny has gotten out his phone while giving Riley a bath a couple of nights this month, and he’s captured some really cute shots of the boy splashing around with crazy hair.

 

4. I am so not ready for Riley to come inside all sweaty from running around outside, smelling like boy. Too bad for me: it’s already happened. More than once.

5. Riley’s bed has gotten awfully crowded with the addition of Mickey and his friends. Of course, I didn’t help things by adding Minnie and Pluto to his collection earlier this week.

 

 

He even insisted on sitting with all of his friends piled in his chair when I changed the sheet on his bed one morning.

6. When we were over at Nola and Nopsi’s for the LSU game last weekend, Riley decided he wanted to try on Nopsi’s glasses. Words cannot describe how cute the child looked in specs.

7. Nopsi found a couple of sets of old keys a while back and they are part of Riley’s toys now. Every once in a while I’ll catch him trying to unlock one of the back doors with them. Smart kid.

8. Nola bought Riley a Jimmy Graham jersey a few months ago, and he finally wore it for last Sunday’s first regular season game. Too bad the Saints couldn’t pull off a win. So frustrating. At least LSU had a good start!

9. Remember way back to Christmastime 2010? When Riley was little enough to fit in his super cute “beign-yay!” onesie?

Oh my goodness he was cute. And little. With crazy socks.

Well, Nola bought him a new beign-yay shirt (as well as a onesie for Kate) a few months ago. The smallest size shirt they had was a 6, but we decided to get it anyway. And yesterday during TWQP, QP got the boy dressed and pulled that shirt out of his dresser, not realizing it was way too big for him. But, he wore it all day, and it made me smile.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!