Guilty!

Uh-oh, I think I hear mom coming!

Look what someone did, mom!

I don't think she's buying my story...

I'm outta here!

Working Mommy v. Stay-at-Home mommy!

Okay, enough is enough! Time to get blogging again! The other day Jason and I were arguing and racking our brains as to what we did for Riley's 2nd birthday. So what did we do to bring about a solution to our annoying bickering? Checked the blog, of course! Oh, we figured it all out, and we have had many occasions like that, where we couldn't quite remember something, but then went and checked back on the blog as to what went on. What a great tool it is!

I love blogging, but for whatever reason, I have been much more busy since I've quit my job and started staying home with the girls. Not at all what I expected! I thought I would have tons of extra time, regardless of having another baby. Perhaps it was because when I was working I didn't put so much pressure on myself to have a perfectly clean house. After all, my job now is to do the cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, bill paying, laundry, and the list goes on...

Well, let me tell you, being a stay-at-home mom is tough! But what's the hardest thing I'm finding? Not to feel guilty about taking a couple hours and just being silly with my girls! When I was working I never once felt guilty about a messy house, of course, except when company was coming. But then my husband and I whipped it together the night before and that was that!

Oh, did I mention laundry in the above list of chores?

A new study by researchers at Columbia University find that babies raised by working mothers don't necessarily suffer cognitive setbacks. Duh!

I always found it interesting when I was working and would meet different mommies at the park. Right away the topic would come up, "Do you work?" I was very surprised at how that question could so easily extinguish any chance of a friendship, depending on if she was a working mom or stay-at-home mom. When I would answer this question, I would know right away, without even asking, if this mom was a working mom or not.

What is my point to this post? To appreciate all aspects of motherhood! There are ups, and there are downs, to both sides of the spectrum.

When I was working I remember being out on a job and seeing a mom and a little girl out and about. It would sometimes make me cry and miss Miss Riley so much. When I went to pick her up from childcare, I would just be dying to wrap my arms around her, tell her how much I loved her, and take her to do something fun, regardless of how tired I was or how messy my house was!

Now as a stay-at-home mom I sometimes have to remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to spend all of my time with my daughters! I constantly find myself asking myself, "Did I tell Riley I loved her today, did I give my girls kisses, give them encouraging words, make them feel worthy?" Sometimes the answer isn't always what I'd like.

So the point of this post? Working moms and stay-at-home moms are all the same! We all love our children and want the best for them. As a working mom I so appreciated "every single moment" with Riley. As a stay-at-home mom I feel fortunate to spend this time with Riley and Reagan but know it comes at great costs.... literally.

We all do the best we can do, but as long as we give our children our hearts, encouragement, strength, and love, they will be just fine... probably better than us blubbering moms, right?

Fun Earth Day Project

This is a great project, for any age! Riley loved it and is so proud of her, what she calls, "Planet earth ball." And the best part is I didn't have to buy one thing for it! We took her pink ball, which I'm sure every child has. The hard part is Riley's was, of course, pink, so it was a bit difficult in covering the pink up.

I mixed some glue, water, and baking soda in a pie baking dish. Then was took some blue tissue paper, soaked it in the mixture, and Riley just started putting it around her ball and very patiently putting it on. Riley usually does not have the patience for any project that takes too much time, but she really enjoyed this. Once it was all covered, we then turned our little space heater on and dried it. It dried very quickly.

Riley then painted it a light blue, dark blue and white, however she wanted to do it. She loved this part.

While she was doing the painting, I Googled "Continents, free art clippings" and got the seven continents that I printed off and Riley later colored. For each continent I would read to her the climate and animals that lived on this continent. She then colored them accordingly! She loved telling Jason that night at the dinner table that Antartica was a desert.

I looked long and hard for some great Earth Day projects but had a hard time coming up with anything. That's why I'm posting this. Riley really learned a lot from this and really enjoyed it. We'll probably do it again next year.... with Reagan!

A Day at the Park

Happy Easter!!

"Almost" 5 going on 16

Or so she thinks she's 16. Riley is quite a handful. She's ready to take on the world, or so she thinks. She insists she wants to be a singer when she grows up. Her idol is Taylor Swift, and she knows the words to her songs by heart. Her favorite song and video is Love Story. She'll watch this video several times in a day and act out the video. Riley "loves" jewels. I'm pretty sure her Mawda is the reason for this. When Riley was 2-years-old Mawda bought her a bag of jewels from the Disney store. And the rest has been history. When she saw that Edward, from the movie Twilight, glittered like diamonds in the sun, she said, "Isn't Bella so lucky? (sigh, sigh) Her boyfriend sparkles." She wishes she could have a boyfriend who looked full of diamonds in the sunshine. For whatever reason, Riley has been enamored every since with jewels. She loves music and music videos. She can be the most dramatic little girl you've ever seen. "Laid back" are the last words you would use to describe Miss Riley.

As difficult as she can be, Jason and I wouldn't have it any other way. However, let's hope Reagan is a little lower key, as there really is not enough room in a household for two Rileys!

Baby in the pot!

This is what happens when three girls are in a camper all day with nothing to do because of bad weather. Yes, Helen, this is your granddaughter, sitting in your pot, in your camper.

When the desert gives you snow...

Take your water tube, Seattle galoshes, daddy's hat and gloves, three pairs of sweat pants, and find the nearest sand dune! Needless to say, Riley is very happy!

Riley's American Idol

This boy, Tim Urban, is a boy that I vote for every week on American Idol. Riley insists upon it. She loves this boy, and I hate to say it, but she's already determined to vote for him before he sings. Simon was so rough on him his first performance that it has just fueled Riley to vote for him every week. I mean, I'm sure that's the reason and not that she has a 4-year-old crush on this boy, right? I must say, she really lights up when he sings. As for my favorite, definately Andrew Garcia. I am blogging about this because, who knows, maybe Tim Urban will be the next big thing and when Riley is 16 we can look back and say remember when... Riley feels she has a big part in this boy's future. When he was saved last week, which was indeed a huge surprise, she said "It's sure a good thing I voted." You're welcome, Tim Urban. Your fate, atleast to my 4-year-old daughter, lies in her hands! Okay, I've got to go text my votes now.

Mischief

Reagan watches Riley as if she can't wait to start getting in much mischief with her. Riley is the only one who can get Reagan to laugh. As silly as I've tried acting, even imitating what I see Riley do to get her to laugh, Reagan won't laugh when I try to get her to.

You think you're going to get me in my carseat again? Think again...

Reagan at 5 months

Reagan is already 5months. Really... where does the time go? She is a lot different baby than Riley; she has to be, since there is not enough room in the world for two Rileys! I suppose that's the way it usually works. While there may be a few similarities in their personalities at this age, there are many, many differences. Reagan is a very relaxed baby, doesn't cry very often, and just an all-around mellow little baby. She actually sleeps through the night! I can remember night after night with Riley where she just wasn't able to sleep at all. I suppose it could have something to do with the fact that we know with Reagan that she'll actually still be breathing in the morning. I honestly would run to Riley's crib every half hour, sure that this time she wouldn't be breathing. (I mean, I hadn't heard any crying for 30 minutes!) There were times when I would panic and whip Riley right out of her crib to check if she was still breathing. Jeesh, poor Riley. We're just the opposite with Reagan. Jeesh, poor Reagan.

Happy 5 months, Reagan!

Cuddle/movie time

Reagan must be the most patient baby in the WORLD!! For the most part, she seems to really enjoy Riley's sistering ways...