Yikes

Okay... I deserve a major blogging slap on the wrist. I mean, seriously, how long as it been? It's almost October?!

Speaking of October (and fall-type things), I decided, this morning, upon waking, that I would welcome Autumn in with a pumpkin muffin craving. Therefore, as I type this blog, the muffins are upstairs, baking in the oven. Judging from the batter (and the butterscotch chips I threw in), they stand a chance of being super-delicious. I'll post the recipe if they're a success. Our successes around here, however, are kind of on a different scale. I modified this recipe to be gluten-free and egg-free, so both Riley and I can partake. I figure, if it works like that, it's got to be amazing when you use the real stuff! :)

In other news, we wished summer well with a pretty fun weekend. It started with Becky's baby shower. I love getting to see my Wheaton girls again, and-- as always-- the time together did not disappoint. Here's the happy crew, with that studly man, Eli Cook:


On Saturday morning, we packed up our stuff and headed to Snow Lake, where Ashley's family has a lovely lake house. I was stricken with a crazy allergy attack, but we managed to have a blast, nonetheless. After all, when you're with the Livingstons, how could it be all that bad?

Swinging with Grandma Pat

Riley drives the boat with Robbie's Grandpa Jack.


Robbie shows us all the fascinating things there are to see on the lake.


Then he poses in Megan's sweet shades.

Daddy and Riley pose, pre-life vest.

Riley found it somewhat difficult to maneuver in the life vest...

... but she didn't allow it to cramp her style.

Muffins are done. Jackpot. :)

Target Fun

I really have been blessed with such good friends over the years. This morning was just another reminder of that fact.

After Riley, Kona and I had completed our standard morning walk, I decided that I needed to get out, so Riley and I jumped in the car to head to the grocery store. Right as I was strapping Riley in, Ashley called in answer to a text I had sent her earlier. See, Ashley, in all honesty, is one of the most giving and generous people I've had the privilege to call "friend." Already, my summer wardrobe was greatly improved by her maternity attire, and today, she allowed me to rifle through all her warmer gear. I mean, seriously, after I got home and loaded up my closet with all "my new clothes," I felt like I had won the lottery-- not just because I'm going to look pretty darn cute this fall, but because how many people have friends like this?

The fun, however, didn't end with Boutique Livingston shopping. Riley, Ashley, Ellie and I hung out at their place for quite some time until Robbie, that crazy-good sleeper, woke up around 10 or so! I mean, wow. Ashley quickly whipped him out of bed, and we drove ourselves over to Target for a little Starbucks and fun. We both had a few things to grab, but sometimes, it's also nice just to get out (and, I'm not going to lie, get caffeine). Riley and Robbie laughed at each other as we perused aisle after aisle, looking at everything from baby gear to fun fall decor. It really is the simple things in life. I'm glad I have people to share those simple things with.

Oh, and when I got home from Target, I realized JUST how good of a friend Ashley is when I looked in the mirror at my hair falling haphazardly out of my ponytail, my baggy shorts and t-shirt and my un-make-upped face. Walking around the store with me, she didn't once look embarrassed. :)

Thirty minutes

Today, at about quarter after five, my heart broke a little inside of me. Riley woke up from a short nap in absolute hysterics. When I pulled her out of her crib, she nestled her head deep into my shoulder but kept crying. I tried to glance at her face and especially her eyes. This past Sunday, she got a mosquito bite right between the eyes. This morning, when she woke up, both eyelids were swollen, plus the bite. I'm not sure if the two things are connected, but I do know that the sweet face looking back at me resembled something more like a creature from Star Trek than my little girl.

Anyway, I stole a glance at her face and saw that her lids were still swollen, and she was rubbing them with her little balled-up fist. I can only imagine that they irritated her. I quickly gave her some Benadryl, which I had to coerce down her throat in between screams. I placed her on the living room rug and quickly ran to the freezer. I pulled out a frozen Yoplait Whip that I had deposited there, earlier in the week. I figured that we might have some allergy issue but maybe a teething issue as well. I drew Riley's head onto my lap, as she needed to lie down in order to kick and flail. Since her eyes were shut tight with tears, I tapped a frozen yogurt-laden spoon to her lips. She opened and quieted for a moment. Every time she'd finish a bite, I'd spoon her another. She eventually calmed a little, but at that point, I think, is when my heart broke. She looked at me with her tear-filled eyes, saying, I'm pretty certain, "Mommy, please make the pain stop."

I actually thought back only four years or so, to when I spent five days in the hospital, eventually being diagnosed with celiac disease. I know that I've never felt that kind of pain before or since, not in childbirth even. Now, I can only imagine what it felt like for my mom. I'm pretty sure I would have asked her to make it stop. I know I asked her if she thought I was going to die.

Fortunately, about thirty minutes later, my heart was softly put back together, as Riley stood up, walked around the couch, and smiled her gorgeous smile at me.

My goodness, though, motherhood is hard.

Photos...

You'll have to excuse the graininess and general sub-parness of these pics. I guess that's what happens when you forget your real camera and only have a disposable at your, well, disposal. Bummer.

Looking at the fish in the pond-- a favorite pasttime.

Taking a little stroll

Wherever we go, there's always time for a little lounging. Riley orchestrated this all by herself.

I love the fact that Riley was originally standing, but then she saw Mommy and decided that this was a better pose.

At the Dole Plantation with Granddad and Nana

Riley initially loved her little boat, but she soon remembered that she's a big girl and could do things like...

...play in the sand.

All in all, an awesome trip. :)

Back Home

What a wonderful place to be, home. It's just our second day back from our trip to Hawaii, but it's been great so far.

Here's the brief Hawaii run-down...

The first few days, I was a little anxious that it was going to be the most exhausting "vacation" I had ever taken. After all, Hawaii is five hours off Chicago time, and babies, I've found, don't really like adjusting their schedules to anyone or anything. However, we eventually settled into a rhythm, and things were fantastic. Our normal routine went something like this: wake up pretty early (5-6 am), hang out in the room, watch a little Cash Cab, go down to the pool to swim, come back and take a nap. In the afternoon, we'd walk the lagoons, go out to see turtles, venture to eat some shave ice or do one of many other things. Somewhere between 3-4:30, we'd head down to the beach. Oh, how Riley loved the beach. She often got herself nice and worn out, simply walking up and down the beach (or crawling, if she felt the sand was too uneven, and she didn't want to rely on Mommy's hand for help). She also loved watching other kids. She waved to nearly all of them. Sadly, for some reason, few waved back, but oh well...

We both came back, still pasty white, but not sunburned! :) I got to play tennis a few times with my parents. It's funny and sad-- the only times I really play tennis now are when I visit them. Someday, I'll get back into it.

The biggest news, I think, is Riley's list of new "tricks." :) Seriously, she came back a different girl. While in Hawaii, she started walking, talking, and making a host of new animal sounds. She's now very adept at "up" (a deep-throated "uuuuuuuuup-uh" that cracks me up every time). She's also mastered "please" (although it started as "pease" then turned to "ease" and has now come to a halt at "ssss"). She tweets like a bird, hisses like a snake, baas like a sheep, buzzes like a bee, and (my personal fave) roars like a lion.

I wish I had pictures to post, but as I mentioned before, I had a camera fiasco. I did finish up my disposable camera (which I bit the bullet and bought for our last few days there). I'm going to drop it off today at Target, and we'll see what comes of it!