Random Pics

Uncle Steve brought these hats back from Bolivia for us, and, so, okay, they're not in season, but cute babies are never off-season, so here we go...





And just a quick update on Riley's face. It's looking pretty gnarly, but I guess that's what healing's all about. I feel like there's a sermon illustration there somewhere... :)

In the Trees

I thought I should end the day with some cute pics of my little adventurer. :)

From earlier this week...

Is this not one of the best pics you've ever seen? Click to enlarge for the full effect. :)


And from today... pre-accident

This Just Snapped

As a follow-up to my last post, here's Riley's face. So sad, right?

The Award Goes To...

I truly feel like I am deserving of the Worst Mom Award. I mean, I'm feeling a little better, now that it's been about an hour since the event, but still...

The day started off so well. I snapped some cute pics of Noelle for her 5-month "birthday."







We ran out to Babies R Us and got Riley her very own "big girl" potty and underwear. (This was going to be the main event of the day, and sadly, deserves much more blog time, but I suppose it's probably better to wait until we actually attempt to use the new items...)

Riley and I played outside and with her animals and zoo while Noelle slept. We shared a piece of toast. Everything was well and good...

Then we went to the Arboretum with the lovable Livingstons. Naturally, this was another fantastic part to the day, until we went to the water-and-woodchip play area. Riley had been begging for the water, so she was pretty pumped when she got there. I think this makes it all the more horrific for me-- seeing her go from the heights of joy to pain. She was splashing with her buddy, totally carefree...

This last shot occurred right before Riley took a downright nasty tumble down that stair behind her. I wish I could say exactly what it looked like-- that may have made it better-- but she fell out of my view, while I was SNAPPING PICTURES. Ugh. Worst mom ever. I do know, however, that it was not a graceful or painless fall. The side of her face is pretty scraped up, with a nice ground burn under her nose.

I scooped her up, snuggled her, then we made a break for it. At this point, Noelle had been cooped up in her carseat for long enough and was also wailing. I put Riley in the stroller and ran as fast as I could (not fast) to the car. The poor thing cried and whimpered all the way home. Actually, both poor things did. Riley even had that devastating lip-quiver going on.

I know she's fine, but sheesh... I couldn't feel more horrible.

I suppose it's a good lesson for me. I can't always be there, and I won't always be there. In fact, her safety is, really, completely out of my hands. So I can be grateful that God is in control. Right now, though, I'm just really grateful and he and Riley are forgiving.

New faves...

As Noelle has gotten better at napping, I've been able to create more embellished onesies... and it's been a blast. Here are a few of my recent favorites!

This one's pretty simple, but it does have a little "bling"-- a rhinestone button on the pink flower. Mmmm-hmmm.

This was a custom order for a friend's two little ones. If you think Roly and Poly are cute, you should see Amanda's kiddos!

Here's another custom order for Becki's new niece! :)

I just like the simplicity of this one. Nice and clean. Lovely. :)

The book is Born to Read, one of our current favorite reads. I made a... uh... "Samantha" version of Sam, the hero. :)

Sisters!

I realized that I hadn't gotten good sister pictures in awhile, so here we go! I don't have a perfect shot, but that wouldn't really mirror real life, would it? :)

Riley decides that, hey, if Noelle can do it, so can I! :)

Rahhr!

I just love Riley's expression here... and the fact that her foot looks ginormous! :)

Love. <3

Not a Total Loss

This weekend has been somewhat of a disaster, as far as get-togethers go. Last night, we had a girls' night with my Wheaton roomies and their husbands. We had spent the whole day up in Arlington Heights, and I think Noelle had just had enough of being out of her routine. She and I made an early exit. Tonight, we were supposed to head to the wedding of one of the guys Mike had as a Son Lifer. We got Riley taken care of, but we couldn't find anyone to watch Noelle. I didn't think it was the wisest move to take her to the wedding, so we thought that maybe we could pull off the reception. Then, as I thought more about it, I realized that that wasn't really all that bright either. A tired fourth-month-old, even all dolled up, at a wedding reception with people we don't really know? Probably not a good move. We reluctantly decided to make a go at it, and Mike, Noelle and I drove to Lisle, to the hotel parking lot... where we turned around and headed for home. Seeing as how Noelle was crying for most of the drive, it seemed like pure foolishness to go in. So Mike dropped us off at home, and Noelle is currently happily tucked into bed.

Don't worry, though. As I mentioned, Noelle got all dolled up for the event, in the same outfit-- by the way-- that Riley wore to her first wedding. This is what you've been waiting for, folks. These shots are almost too cute to handle!

The spit-up was kind of flowing, so I got the first few shots with bib.

Hehehe... I love that little face!

Singing!!

If you had cheeks like this, your head would get heavy, too.

That's my cutie. :)