Nighttime Spelling

For the past month or so Riley has added something into his normal bedtime routine. We don’t really sing songs anymore, but we do spell. Yes, spell.

I’m not sure how it started, but Riley will request a word, and whomever is putting him to bed will spell it out loud, tracing each letter on his chest.

He started out asking us to spell things he spotted around his room, like wall, fan, vent, door, picture, etc, as well as a few of his favorite colors.

And of course he asks to spell the names of some of his favorite people, like Mama, Daddy, Nola, Nopsi, Grandma, Grandpa, and Nicholas.

Lately, though, he’s obviously been thinking a bit more and asking us to spell the names of things he encountered throughout his day, like dirt, butterfly, wheelbarrow, dinosaur, truck, or ladder. He’s also started to ask for two-word phrases, like blue car, Army jeep, big truck, etc.

I LOVE that he is so into these spelling lessons. And of course I wonder just how much he is absorbing from them. He gets awfully still when we’re spelling out his requested words, so he must be listening and taking it all in.

My smart little wonk potatoes.

The Many Sides of Kenny {Happy Birthday}

Pub crawlin’…..

Brewin’…..

Campin’…..

Skiin’…..

Hurtin’…..

Foldin’…..

Workin’…..

Drummin’…..

Beard sportin’…..

Stylin’…..

Creepin’…..

Recoverin’…..

Ailin’…..

No matter what side he’s exhibiting, though, he’ll always be Kenny. Wonderful husband, doting father, and just an all-around awesome guy.

Happy 35th Birthday, Baby. We love you!

Jean Jacket

I sat in front of my computer for about 15 minutes trying to come up with a witty title for this post instead of that boring one up there, but I sadly drew a blank.

However, all I have for you today are a few cute pictures of Riley-bean in his cool jean jacket that Nola bought for him a long time ago but which now finally fits him.

The weather here last week was such that he was able to wear his jacket on multiple different days, and he looked so cute in it.

Of course it’s been hovering near the 70’s for the last couple of days, though, so his jacket has been hung back in his closet for now.

Doesn’t Louisiana know it’s supposed to be winter???

I’m not saying I need to have a couple feet of snow outside, but I would at least prefer it to stay decently cold until mid-March or so. Is that too much to ask?

I’m not quite ready to give up my nightly hot chocolate and break out my capri pants just yet.

Besides, I need to see more of my boy looking this cute. Because we all know that’s definitely a rarity in his case.

A Brotherly Conversation

Good morning, Sprout.

I don’t really quite understand how you’re inside Mama’s belly, but I do hope you’re comfortable in there.

Oh, I think I felt Sprout move, Mama…..neat!

Hello! Hello, in there!

Is this where you’ll come out, Sprout?

Looks pretty small to me.

But I can’t wait to meet you, little brother. I love you already.

Mama, how much longer do I have to wait until I can actually play with Sprout?

I can’t wait to show him all of my trucks…..as long as he doesn’t chew on any of them.

That’s where I might have to draw the line.

It’s Carnival Time!

With the passing of King’s Day on January 6, we are now officially in the middle of the Carnival season in the city of New Orleans. And you know what that means…..kingcake!

Riley learned at a very young age what kingcake is (thanks in part to his Goodnight Nola book), and he hasn’t looked back since.

Our first kingcake of 2013 was courtesy of Nola. She picked up a Marguerite’s kingcake for us a couple of weeks ago, and Riley enjoyed it immensely. As did Mama.

 

Riley and I usually shared a small piece after lunch on the days he ate really good. I also found that the threat of no kingcake worked well in getting him to finish all of his lunch. Most times.

Thank goodness because we’re almost all out of candy corn.

Kingcake is just one part of the Carnival season, though. As I mentioned before, Riley is so excited about Mardi Gras this year. I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re knee-deep in beads and doubloons. But I have done my part to show support for Riley’s infectious Carnival spirit: check out our awesome new front door wreath.

The first major parades start this weekend, so I had better rest up if I’m going to make it through the next few weeks…..wish me luck.

Happy Carnival, y’all!

Video Monday: A Big Boy and His Bed

If anyone has any doubts about how excited Riley-bean is about his new big boy bed, please take a minute to watch the video below.

It’s all the evidence one needs.

Happy Monday!

Thirty-Two Weeks {Sprout}

Okay, so it’s official. I have reached beached whale status.

I am 32 weeks pregnant as of today, and I’m starting to get mighty uncomfortable. These next two months are going to be challenging to say the least. It’s difficult to bend over, difficult to get up from the couch or from the bed, and difficult to carry Riley-bean around (which I don’t do much of right now). I’ve also noticed a bit more swelling in my hands and feet. But I’m hanging in there the best I can.

I last saw Dr. S on January 8, and everything was still looking good. My blood pressure was a tad higher than usual but still normal (130/78), and Sprout’s heartrate was 140. I go back to see her again on Tuesday.

Sprout is as active as ever, at multiple times throughout the day. He moves so violently at times that I’m worried he won’t ever stop moving once he’s made his grand entrance in March. My internal organs have definitely been taking a beating because of his kicks and stretches; I shudder to think what it will feel like in a few more weeks when his internal space has decreased even more.

Speaking of which, my bladder capacity has diminished greatly in the last couple of weeks, which means I’m once again getting up in the middle of the night. The heartburn also seems to be making a comeback, which is just super. No more headaches, though, which is such a blessing. Those were brutal this time around.

As part of the great room switch last weekend, Sprout’s nursery is coming along. Nola and I spent quite a bit of time that afternoon organizing all of Riley’s old clothes. We filled the dresser drawers with bibs, burp cloths, blankets, and clothes in sizes newborn to 6 months and packed away all of the bigger sizes. Hooded towels and washcloths are in the bathroom closet, and newborn and size 1 diapers and wipes are stocked and ready to go. I also got all of the bottles out, as well as moved a few of Riley’s younger-aged books downstairs.

There are a few more things I need to get, like a hamper, a lamp, hangers, and of course the all-important pacis, but Riley and I will take a trip to Babies ‘R Us and Target one day soon and knock all of that stuff out in one fell swoop. Not too much longer now…..

Here’s my 32 week belly pic!

Big Boy Bed

Last Saturday we finally tackled the switching around of rooms that I’ve been dreading. For the most important portion of the day, we needed a bed rail and some twin sheets, hence the reason for Nola’s and my run-around last Friday. Kenny and I finally decided it was time to transition Riley from his crib to a big boy bed.

Nola and Nopsi came over early Saturday morning to help with the project, and things went very smoothly thanks to the extra pairs of hands. Nopsi and Kenny took care of breaking down and moving all of the furniture into its respective new locations, while Nola and I did some organizing. And, once Riley spotted his daddy’s tools, he “helped” too.

 

Once Riley’s big boy bed was in place, Kenny put together the new bed rail and I set to work on making the bed up with the new bedding I got from Pottery Barn Kids at the end of last year. I didn’t let Riley see any of his new stuff, but I figured he would like it on account of all of the machines pictured on it. That kid is a sucker for anything with wheels.

We let Riley be a part of the disassembly process (during which he never really asked where in the world his crib was being moved to), but we decided to keep him out of his room once I started putting his new sheets, quilt, and pillows on his new bed. That way, I could make sure everything was in place and ready for his new room to be revealed to him. I took a little moment in the doorway before we let Riley come up and got a little misty when I realized my boy is growing up way too fast.

 

Nopsi was positioned inside the room by the window to get pictures of Riley coming in for the first time, and the faces he captured are priceless. Riley was so excited to see his new bed, which was such a relief for Kenny and me.

Kenny and I were really worried how Riley would react to his new bed, especially since he had developed such an attachment to his crib. He had taken to preferring to stay in his crib for a little while after he woke up in the mornings or from naps; he was obviously very much at home in there. So we were prepared for this transition not to go well at all, even though it had become necessary because of Sprout’s impending arrival.

 

However, we should never have doubted the adaptability of our firstborn boy.

He took his afternoon nap in his new big boy bed and did great. He didn’t even get out of the bed when he woke up, which he totally could have done. Instead, when I went in to get him, he said, “Wanna stay in your big boy bed?” Just like he used to do when he was in his crib.

 

Then later, when it was time to go night-night, I put the big boy to bed. I thought I would miss rocking with him in his chair (we decided to do a full-on switch and move everything into Sprout’s new room, including Riley’s glider), but it was actually quite sweet being able to lay down in his new bed next to him.

 

We read a couple of books and then I turned out the light and asked him if he wanted Mama to stay and lay next to him for a little while, which he did. With our faces really close together, we chatted for a bit and then, during a little lull, he unexpectedly leaned over and gave me a kiss. Talk about melt my heart. SO. SWEET.

Kenny and I didn’t hear a peep out of Riley until 7am the next morning. Our fears were unfounded, and we were so grateful for that. Riley was genuinely excited about his new bed and continues to be. We have had no issues in the four nights he’s been in the bed, so it would seem that the transition was a seamless one. Hallelujah.

Now if only potty training could go this well…..