In honnor of TAX day

In a kingdom far away lived a prince named RILEY. Everyone in the kingdom loves Prince Riley because he is even knelled and predicable as well as a happy go lucky kinda guy. Today however the kingdom was upset, it was tax day. In revolt people all over the kingdom threw tea bags in the ocean, but prince Riley was to little to throw tea bags or chant or participate in a protest, so instead he organized his own hunger strike. From 10:30 am on he refused to nurse from the breast, and refused the bottle. He would only drink water from a cup to insure he didn't get too dehydrated. His parents worried about his health, they spoke to the Dr who told them hopefully he would eat soon and that as long as he drank some water he wouldn't get too worried. Other people in the kingdom worried as well and begged Prince Riley to eat but he would not nurse. Finally at 5pm after a little nap Prince Riley decided that the nursing strike should be over and took a nice long boobie feeding.

Bad Night Good Day

Bad Night:

Monday night Riley went to bed at 9pm his normal bedtime, we thought he was fine until 1am when he woke up crying to eat. This is becoming more regular, that he wants to eat around 1am instead of 3 or 4. I feed him and then back to bed he went. 45 minutes later, blood curdling screams come from his room. R rushes to calm him but after 10 minutes he is still screaming. He sounds pissed rather than hungry but I feed him anyway. He eats but the moment he pulls off is screaming again. We try to wake him but can't, we undress him, talk to him turn on the lights, but nothing works. We are both panicked there isn't much worse than a baby screaming (who doesn't normally scream) for no reason, I remind R that at least we know he is breathing. Of course then the little guy choses that moment t choke and not breathe.

He has now been screaming for 40 minutes and I am ready to call 911 but call my mom instead who heads on over. By the time she gets here we have Riley awake and semi calm, but he screams if you change his position or try to put him down. None of us can figure out what is wrong with him. I decide that if he won't sleep I will wear him while mom and I try to figure out what happened. He begins to fall asleep but then wakes up.

I soon realize he is having gas issues. We do a TON of Baby Yoga to get the air out, by now it is past 3 am so once Riley calms down I swaddle and feed him which promptly puts him to sleep.

Ahhhh sleep! Thank you!

Good Day:

Of course the day of our bad night we had big plans: the ZOO! Amber over at Kids for Kid, was picking us up for a fun day at the zoo for her multiples group. The zoo was crazy since it was spring break but we had a lot of fun any ways. It was really great hanging out with babies Riley's age. Amber's twins were born at 36 weeks too and are only two weeks younger than Riley making them developmentally in the same range. Riley loved to hang with his friends all day and I loved having someone who understood the demands of motherhood with a 4 month old. Amber and I found out we have a ton in common from our crazy sisters to our disabled moms to our educational backgrounds, her's is in education mine is in child development.

Here are Riley and I at the ZOO:



And our three boys hanging out

4 Months is the BEST age

Today is Easter and since our household isn't religious we are having a nice low key Sunday.

I am told all the time that as a mom it is important to be "in the momment" and enjoy each phase of thier life rather than looking ahead. I don't feel I was able to do that Riley's first 6 weeks of life, it was all I could do just to get through each feeding. R and I lived those first weeks concentrating on making it to his next meal. It was that hard for us, and yet we loved it survived it and now here we are 4+ months old and able to live in the momment and enjoy it! Riley giggles, laughs, interacts and smiles with us all the time, his mood is easy going and he likes strangers but prefers us. We find ourselves wishing now that time wouldn't go faster but rather slow down. I told R this am as Riley was laughing at me for blowing him kisses that I wish I could freeze this age. That this is the best and it can't possibly get better than right now. He agreed. 4 months is the best age!

Riley's 4 Month Photos:

Do You Know What Today is?

Riley's Conception Day!

One year ago today R and I made our way to our clinic for sample drop off and then the actual IUI. I was a ball of nerves and so was R that day. I am thankful each and every day since that that IUI worked and we have our little boy. Today was much more relaxed than it was a year ago, we did our normal Saturday thing, just spending time as a family of three!

Happy Easter Everyone

Easter is this Sunday as you might have heard. Riley's first Easter would not be complete without a trip to our local mall for pictures with the Easter bunny. I normally think the Easter bunny is kinda creepy looking but I like the one at our mall, maybe because he isn't white?



Riley flat out refused to smile for the camera, stinker. I told the girls taking his picture it was fine, and that as long as he wasn't crying I was happy, and I am quite happy with the photo. Then as we left he let out a big grin and giggle. I told you he was a little stinker!

hit the brakes slame on the gas

We are still looking at houses, but trying to get approved first. We are quickly learning that buying a house is much like learning to drive a stick shift: a jerky and bumpy ride. About the time we think it is time to hit the breaks someone yells to gas it. If buying a home were a ride at disn.eyla.nd we would have whiplash.

It is a privilage

the lack of sleep, the sore nipples, the headache from you crying, the bruise from where I tripped carrying the stroller upstairs, the unshaven legs because it is not the priority it used to be, the suffering friendships, the mommy brain... it is all a privilege, all of it.

Thank you Riley for choosing me to be your mommy.