Borrowed Thoughts:

I copied this from a 'mommy blog' I read occassionally and just wanted to share with you moms, or to-be moms, out there! (and any dads, or to-be dads, could get something from it too)

"I don't know what women are talking about when they complain about being 'all touched out' with their babies, and so don't want to be close to their husbands. I'm dying for affection from Phil. Being touched by someone who doesn't want anything from me is so amazing. In many ways, I feel like the baby is a wedge between us: I'd have so much more time and energy for Phil if it weren't for the babe. But she also creates a huge bond between us — no one else in the world is as interested in our baby as we are. We just sit and watch her every waking minute, our little monkey. And sometimes when we're watching I cling to Phil like I used to. He feels odd to me now — giant, and very hairy. "You're huge!" I tell him. He loves that. He makes a muscle for me, grinning, the big huge hairy monkey-dad of the family. I think going to work during the day and having me at home with the baby makes him feel very manly. He seems focused now, grown-up. It's interesting what being a daddy can do. Who knew the guyish-guy I married would turn into a man?"

Things that make me smile

I am sitting here in the office working, mom's on an appointment, and I look over to Riley's play area and he has gotten in his basket of toys and is just sitting there playing quietly. Too cute!
















Then shortly after, I turn around, and he's wrestling with one of his stuffed animals! He's just rolling around on the rug, almost pretending like it's 'attacking' him. TOO CUTE!





























It's just so great to have him here. When I'm feeling a little stressed or overwhelmed I can just turn around and he makes me smile. All day long.

In fact, I think I'll go wrestle with him a bit myself!

Day 2 on BLC

Chris and I started the Biggest Loser Club program yesterday and we went 100%!!! It was even our rest day for exercise but the online club challenge that I joined had a daily challenge (for Saturday, but we did it yesterday) of doing 50 sit-ups, 50 push-ups and 25 squats, which we both did. We also had a daily challenge for Sunday of eating 3 veggies and 3 fruits and drinking 60oz of water, which we also completed. Yay for us!
Today is cardio & strength training day. Chris got up early and did his cardio, but I'll have to both tonight. I'm proud of him!
I joined an online club challenge, we call ourselves the 'Online Junkies'. What is it? 10 people joined our 'club' and we broke into 2 teams and we will compete each week for which team loses the higher percentage of weight. We also have weekly challenges (this week's is to do 200 minutes of cardio for the week) and daily challenges. These are just challenges that we come up with and pass on to our members. So far I really like it. The club I joined is for people that are pretty much online all day so we have constant support through our weight loss endeavor. I am Blue Team Captain, which I'm excited about because I think it will give me even more accountability.
Through 'Online Junkies' I also learned about a FREE website: www.sparkpeople.com. This is AWESOME y'all! It's pretty much the same stuff as the Biggest Loser Club, but FREE!!! If you want to lose weight and would like some FREE nutrition and fitenss programs and information go to this website and check it out. It really is great! I paid for a 1 month subscription to BLC, but Chris was just following my program (which isn't enough calories for him, really), so he's going to try the Spark program starting Sunday, and I'll probably try the diet program in 2 weeks. I LOVE BLC, especially now that I'm part of the 'Online Junkies', so I'll still be involved with that until my challenge is over, but then I think I'll go to Spark all the way.
Anyways, there's my update. I think I have two weigh days during the week (Sundays for my club challenge and Thursday for BLC since that's when I signed up), so I'll be keeping you updated on how big of a loser I am every week!

DANCING!

I knew I forgot something! Riley dances all day long, to everything! Songs on the radio, songs on his toys, when my cell phone rings, music playing in restaurants...he DEFINITELY takes after his mommy! But don't worry, I won't be enrolling him in any ballet classes...at least not until he's old enough to specifically ask, then I'll support in his decision. :)

Shout Out to my DH

Happy Birthday To You...
Happy Birthday To You...
Happy Birthday Dear Chri-is...
Happy Birthday To You!

I Love You!
Here's to another 31...+ some!

Here it is...the moment we've all be waiting for!

So I sincerely hope this doesn't disappoint anyone, but if it does, deal with it, because it's about my baby so it's bound to be fascinating!!!

Riley is....

Pulling up and standing on everything...everything I tell you! Chris was able to capture one of his first times pulling up on his Leap Frog Learning Table:




















And some others:

He is 'cruising' all over the place. Walking along the couch, the wall, the ottoman, his dinosaur roll-a-round toy, anything. Half the time, as you mothers know, he is pulling up/cruising along on something that isn't quite strong enough and BAM! Head on floor. Luckily he takes after both his parents and has a hard head! :)
I posted about his waving earlier, and now he is accompanying it with the word 'bye-bye'. I'm not sure how the rules go on this, but I would consider this his first word. I mean, he's been saying da-da and ma-ma for awhile, but he really knows WHEN to say bye-bye, with a wave. He has also said 'book' and 'baby', but only once or twice, so I won't count those yet. :)
He has his 2 top teeth. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get a good picture of that yet, but I'm working on it. He LOVES to have his teeth brushed! Hated it the first time, now it's his favorite time of the day...after bath time, which he still loves. He plays with his stacking cups, actually likes to have water poured on his head, and just loves splashing around...he's our little water baby.
He's eating so much 'real' food now, it's so much easier to take him places and feed him, and usually less messy. And don't worry, his favorite foods are still bananas and cheese, but green beans are coming in a close third nowadays.
He has weaned himself off his final breastfeeding. Up until 3 days ago he was nursing once a day, first thing in the morning, but 3 days ago he only nursed one side, then 2 days ago, didn't want either, same yesterday and today...so we're done. It's bitter-sweet, but I am thankful for the 10.5 months I had.
We're working on a sippy cup. He can do it just fine if I set it up for him and let go, but I guess he's not quite sure how to get it there. I'm sure it will happen soon.
Mommies out there...if there is something you think I missed, let me know, as I'm trying hard to remember and use this blog as documentation for when I get around to that baby book in the closet upstairs!
I guess that's most of the big things that have happened over the past couple of months. He's just growing up so fast, but it is so fun. I'll end with a few more of my favorite recent pictures.



























































Song in my head: "Hey Diddle Diddle" from one of Riley's toys, I guess?!?!

My Nonsense

For those wondering,The Biggest Loser Club can be found at www.biggestloserclub.com. It is $20/month, but you cancel at any time. It is a diet & exercise program based on the program used on the show (Special Edition currently airing on NBC, Wednesday nights at 7pm...next week is part 2/final of the 'Restaurant Families'). It really is AWESOME! I haven't started yet, but I looked over my diet plan last night and it allows you to 'swap' meals for others, if you don't like what he 'default' is, it gives you recipes where needed AND provides you with a grocery list. For the fitness program it allows you to chose the days you want to work out, then customizes the program for you, and even has videos to show you how to do the exercises, etc. Like I said, I just joined last night, I plan on grocery shopping Saturday and starting Sunday, so I don't know much yet, but I will keep everyone posted on my journey. If you don't watch this show, I do highly recommend you try to catch at least the second part of one of the special editions (last 2 weeks were engages couples battling for a $50,000 wedding, that's what caught my attention), that way you are not committing to an entire season. Anyways, I'll keep you updated.
Another update...as far as the 'job sitch' goes. My boss/mother does not want to sell her business for under a certain price, so until someone wants to pay that, we are still in business, we're just going to figure out how to make it less stressful, change some things to make it run smoother, and work on other income producing opportunities while we wait. So, we'll see how things go. Once agian, I'll keep everyone updated (as I know you are so anxious for me...tee hee).
Finally, I did get the pictures sent to my work so I hope I can upload some new pics of Riley and some info on his new triumphs tomorrow.
Until then...

Slacker Here

OK, so I'm slacking. Chris' computer is up and running and I still haven't gotten the pics to upload for my post. I will TRY, TRY, TRY to get it done before the end of the weekend...PROMISE!
Things have just been real hectic around here lately with my mother-in-law visiting, still trying to figure out what I'm going to do career-wise, and Chris' birthday coming up on Friday!!! Speaking of, I need to double check our reservations.
Any-hoo, it's as if there is just so much going on, yet I feel I have nothing to write about?!?! Funny how that happens, isn't it?
Riley turned 10 months old over a week ago and we took his 10 month pictures at home again. They turned out well (not as great as his 9 month, but hey, they have Riley in them so they are always cute!), but Chris and I need to sit down and decide which ones we are going to order, how many, etc. Once again, slacking...I know.
Random thought: I'm thinking about joing The Biggest Loser Club online and trying their program for a month, then I can quit and use all the knowledge I learned for free! (sshhh, don't tell) I have started watching the show because it is a real inspiration, so I figured I would let it 'inspire me'. I am planning on starting Sunday or Monday, after Chris' birthday night out and Saturday will be grocery shopping for the new 'eating plan'. I'll keep you all posted.
OK, I will sign off now with promises that the next post will contain pictures and updates on Riley and that it will be up before Sunday, Jan. 29th.

Song in my head: 'Girl Inside My Head' by Blues Traveler

Waiting...

I haven't written in awhile because I am waiting on some pictures from my husband's computer, which burned up last week! I want to post on some news about Riley, what he's doing, what he's liking, etc. and I wanted pictures to go along with it, but they are trapped! Well, they were at least, until last night around midnight when Chris got his new power supply in his computer, but I was asleep, not blogging. So, hopefully sometime soon I can get those pictures from him and post the post I want to.
Until then, nothing much going on except trying to get mom's business ready to sell and build my Ignite business so I can stay at home.
I'm not sure if I mentioned yet, but Chris and I have become involved in a start-up electric company called Stream Energy. Basically, we sign up electric customers at cheaper rates than the imcumbants in the area. It's a great opportunity, as electricity is new to network marketing, but since it is a new business venture, it does take time to build. But we're working on it. Our primary goal is 10 customers, we now have 7, in 2 months, so that's not too bad. Basically, if I'm not working, cleaning, cooking, running errands, or playing with/taking care of Riley, I'm trying to get people to become my electric customer and save money!
I'll close and just say that hopefully there will be a new post shortly with new, adorable pictures of Riley and info on all his new 'tricks'!

Song in my head: "Backyardigans Theme Song" Riley got the cd for Christmas and likes to listen to it in the car

Changes, they are a-comin'

For those of you who don't know, my life...and the life of my family...is about to change DRASTICALLY! My mother, who I work for, has decided to sell her business. Her Crohn's disease has worsened and her doctor believes it is due to the stress caused by this business, so he has recommended she 'retire' from it. So, where does that leave me? Without a job.

What's a girl to do? What do I want to do? This was the first question I had to tackle. I WANT to stay home and raise my son. Is this feasible? This was the second question. Right now my husband's income does not cover all of our family expenses, so having me be at stay-at-home mom (SAHM), without finding some source of income while home, is out of the question. What could I do from home to make money? This is the BIG question! This is the question I have been deliberating over, researching, crying over, talking about, etc. etc. etc. for the past week. I can't get it out of my head...I cannot think of anything else. This is what's taking up my life right now; this is all I can think about. Really. If you talk to me, or have talked to me, you'll know, I can talk about nothing except this decision...or the lack of this decision. I want so badly to stay home with Riley, to be a SAHM, I want to be the one to raise him, I LOVE doing it, I love being with him and I don't want that to change. I get this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach at just the thought of that changing. I have GOT to find a way to make it happen.

So here I will continue to obsess over THE question...until I find THE answer...or until I have no other choice but to move on to another question...

Stay tuned to see if I ever find THE answer.

Also stay tuned for an upcoming blog about Riley's new triumphs, including pictures.

Christmas Decorations...Hum Bug!

Okay, okay, I really do love them, but we have just spent the ENTIRE day just taking them down, packing them up and fitting them back into the 'decorations closet'. It really does suck to spend my last day off like this. It is MUCH more fun putting them up, you are in the holiday spirit, drinking egg nog or apple cider, Christmas music playing in the background, but taking them down...hum bug!
It is 5pm on Monday, January 2nd, and I have to face reality tomorrow and go back to work. At least it will only be a 4 day week, but I could use just 1 or 2 more days at home.
We went to a party at our friend's (Brandon & Amy) house New Year's Eve, and our friends, Justin and Kasey, joined us. It was very fun! (a little TOO fun, if you know what I mean!) A great way to ring in 2006.
I'm looking forward to the new year and I hope you all are too. Good luck with your resolutions, if you have any, and have a great year, I know I intend to.