Baby Noah

Noah Patrick Kaden was born October 2nd weighing in at 8 lbs 3 ounces and 20 1/4 inches long.

Labor Day Catch Up

We've been busy the past couple of weeks between doctors' appointments and fitting in some much needed family time. We made a family pact to not go anywhere this last month before the new baby arrives and it has been so nice to not be travelling or have any other obligations.

Labor Day weekend was quiet for the first time in a long time. We ran some errands, strolled down Historic Apex, hit the parks and just plain hung out with each other. It's been great. While we explored old town Apex, we found two new favorite shops! Common Grounds is a fabulous little coffee shop located in a renovated, historic building just across the street from the local fire department. We enjoyed a quick coffee break while Riley tried to outsmart Daddy in a game of chess.

Our other new favorite was the Blue Tiger Gifts just next door to Common Grounds. They had an eclectic range of gifts including silver, mod decor, jewelry, kids toys/books/clothes and kitchen decor. The woman working there was such a treat. She entertained Riley by showing her all their wind up toys while Daddy and I got to stroll through the store. They had some really fantastic pieces. I think we'll be visiting again soon for some holiday shopping!

The weather has finally cooled down some and we've been enjoying time outside, which has been rare for us with this North Carolina summer! We made it out to Crowder Park to see the turtles and re-discovered Riley's fascination with slides. She had to go down EVERY slide we came across during our walk around the lake. We saw TONS to turtles and even spied two humongous snapping turtles in the water. Lots of fish to count, too!

We are looking forward to even cooler weather as fall approaches. Apple season is closing in on us and we just might make it out to Millstone Creek Orchards this weekend for some late summer apples. We'll be sure to bring the camera and get some good pictures if we do!

It's About Time!

To get back to blogging that is! We've taken more than our fair share of breaks this summer and it is high time to get back to business.

With less than five weeks to go before baby boy Kaden arrives, we are busy preparing our home and family for the new addition. Riley has moved up to a big girl bed in the old guest room, leaving the smaller nursery for her baby brother to take over. She adjusted very well to the double size bed and seems to have taken over the new room with zeal. She has more room to play with her toys, a walk in closet where she can go in to pick out her own clothes each morning and is getting read to each night before bed - something she quite enjoys with Daddy.

The nursery is coming along nicely. We painted it a pale blue-grey color - a big change from the daffodil yellow it was before. The dark furniture looks beautiful against the cooler color. We've decided to do a Star Wars theme for the nursery. I managed to find some vintage bed sheets with a star wars print and am having a friend's mother sew them into crib sheets and basket liners. We found a series of prints in the Star Wars theme and are working on getting them framed. A selection of plush toys and figures to go on a shelf over the dresser to complete the look and we're almost there!

And just to tide you all over, here are some recent pictures! These were taken at the Durham Museum of Life & Sciences this weekend.

Barn Time

We took a trip out to the barn today to say hello and goodbye to Kismet. She'll be leaving us to go live with some friends in the western part of the state this weekend. We had a great time playing, petting and brushing her, but it was still bittersweet.

Friends, Hannah and Bryson, came out to join us and Riley had a blast showing them around the place. All three of them went up and down the fence lines checking out all the different horses. There were big ones, little ones, brown ones, white ones.

It was nice to have some warmer weather. Finally!

Nine Weeks

We had our first appointment with the obstetrician this past Thursday. It was very exciting to get our first look at our little bean in there. Everything looks perfect. The baby was measuring right on target and had a steady, healthy heart rate of 169 bpm.

I am doing pretty well. The nausea and fatigue have really been kicking my butt. It seems to be worse than the first pregnancy, but I'm trying hard to push through it. Really, it could be much worse and I know that strong symptoms usually mean a strong pregnancy.

Ian has been a wonderfully supportive husband, letting me sleep as much as I can during the weekends and taking charge with Riley. I couldn't ask for a better partner.

Speaking of the peanut, Riley is getting to be quite the big girl. She's talking in phrases now and repeats almost ANYTHING Ian or I say. She knows most of her body parts, animal sounds, some colors and has started counting. Currently, she can get to four on her own. She's become a climbing queen and loves to scale the chairs, tables, couches and best of all - mommy and daddy's bed where she can jump up and down to her little heart's delight.

Big News!

Most of you probably have already heard by now, but I just want to make the news official. We're having a baby! That's right, #2 is on its way and due here around late September. We are very excited and are looking forward to introducing Riley to the fine art of being a Big Sister.

I am currently about 5 weeks along and feel great. I've had some very, very mild nausea, but nothing I would call Morning Sickness. Of course, the fatigue has really kicked my butt this time around and I am faithfully taking a nap in the afternoons with Riley. At least she's been giving me good 3 hour naps the past two weeks or so.

Our first appt. with the OB isn't for another few weeks, but we'll be sure to give everyone an update when we do with the official, doctor-given due date. My guess is about 9/25-27.

Ian and I both feel strongly that we're having another girl. It would help us out tremendously if we didn't have to buy everything again in blue. We still have a TON of clothes and toys left over from Riley. I'd love to be able to re-use them.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see. We won't be able to find out the sex until about 18-20 weeks, so there's some time to go yet.

We're on a new and exciting journey and I absolutely love the idea of being a mom again!

We're still here...

We're just still trying to climb out from under all the laundry, cleaning and straightening our house needs after our holiday travels. It's been good to be home this last week and not living out of our suitcase.

Riley has enjoyed seeing all her family and friends and we're finding it hard being at home by ourselves at times. There are lots of pictures coming soon! And an update when I have more than five minutes to myself (a rarity these days).

Halloween

We went "trick-or-treating" in downtown Fuquay on Friday. Here are some pictures a friend took for us.

Animal Sounds

Last weekend we drove out to see the Tice's again. This time, to help put up some fencing.

Riley thoroughly enjoyed all of the animals on their little farm. She was once again mesmerized by the chickens. (I'm starting to see a brood of chicks in our future.) The cats, however, seem to be her favorite. She chased the kittens around all weekend trying to pet them. She was surprisingly gentle with them and would bend down to look in their face and just giggle. Too bad Ian's allergic and I don't like cats... Riley wasn't sure of the dogs; they're still too jumpy and fast for her to feel comfortable around. But mom's favorite part...? We finally got Riley on a horse and rode around the yard for a bit. She seemed to enjoy it and wasn't afraid - so long as mom was up there with her!

Our camera is broken, so we didn't get any pictures. Hopefully, we'll get the few we took with Rachel's camera soon to post. Until then...

Here's Riley practicing her animal sounds!

18 Months!

Riley had her 18 month check up yesterday. She is 25 lbs. 3.2 oz. (65th%), 33 inches tall (85th%) and has a 47.5cm (75th%) head circumference.The doctor was impressed with her development milestones (how much she's talking, running/walking/climbing, understands direction, etc). Except for the flu shot booster we have to get next month, we won't need to go back again until she hits the 2 year mark. I can't believe we're already creeping up on that one!

State Fair

Riley got to attend her very first state fair today. We went with our friend Tracy and her son Bryson to the North Carolina State Fair; we all had a blast.

It started at 9:30am and we didn't leave until well after 2pm. We visited every animal barn (cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, geese/ducks); the only one we missed was the rabbit house.

We visited the Village of Yesteryear, where Riley made her own rag doll bunny. It was sewn on an antique sewing machine from c.1880.

She LOVED the poultry barn where we got to hold/pet baby chicks and was mesmerized by the ginormous cows in the Kids' Barn. She didn't seem too interested in the sheep or pigs, but wanted to touch every chicken we saw.

We ate our share of fair food, indulging in polish sausage piled with onions, french fries and (of course) funnel cake. It was a good thing I packed lunch for Riley. At least one of us ate rather healthily.

By 1:30pm, she was completely worn out and fell asleep in the stroller.

Word of the Day

Our new word of the day is "Elmo." Now that she can articulate what it is she wants to watch, it is the ONLY thing she wants to see on t.v. We only have three different Elmo DVD's... someone save me!

Grandparents and corn mazes

Last weekend (Oct 3rd/4th) Papa and Grandma Cotton came to visit. We went to the Duke game and watched the Hokies play sub par football but still win. Riley didn't come to the game but had a blast playing at Hannah's house (thanks again for watching her Liz!).

Here are some videos of Riley playing around the dinner table and having fun with her grandparents.

This weekend (Oct 10th/11th) we took a trip to pick out some pumpkins. We went to place called Green Acres in Cary. While we there, we introduced Riley to small version of a "moon bounce" as well as a corn maze. Riley really enjoyed blast chasing the other kids in the maze.

Playing in the Rain

Yesterday evening it started to rain after dinner. Riley LOVES the rain. She loves to listen to it, to watch and most of all to play in it. When she knows it's raining outside, she'll sit by whatever window or door she can get to and watch the rain come down. Usually, she's asking to go outside by pulling me to the door and pointing at the rain.

Since it was relatively warm outside and we were headed for a bath anyway, we decided to let her play outside in the rain last night. She was quite entertaining!

Playdate Pictures

We had fun this morning at a HUGE playdate. Here are a few pictures to share...

Pictures

Our visit with G-man!

Such a poser!

Watching Finding Nemo after breakfast.

She crawled into Gregory's car seat all by herself and then asked for help to get the shoulder straps over her arms.

Getting ready for our morning walk!

What? I'm being nice to the kitty! Moments before this picture, we heard a loud screeching from the cat. Riley had her pinned down by her back. I certainly didn't blame the cat when she showed up with scratches on her hands.

Beach Pictures

This one's for you Glyn!

I've been told that I was slacking on my blogging skills. And, truthfully, I have. But... (and there's always a but) there's a good reason! Labor Day Weekend was Ian's annual Geekend event. What is Geekend you ask? It's a three day marathon of Geekdom. That means role-playing games, video game tournaments and card games with all of his best friends. There are even trophies to be won. This fiesta of nerdery is about to celebrate it's tenth year next year!

But, I digress. This year Ian hosted the event at our house (it usually rotates between the 6-8 guys involved) and no women are allowed. This means that Riley and I had to vacate the premises. We're entirely okay with this. Who the heck wants to be in the same house with 8 guys drinking beer (and scotch) while eating as much junk food as they can in 72 hours? Not me.

So, we headed west to visit with our good friend RayRay and her little guy G-man (you may remember Gregory from earlier posts). We had a blast visiting from Friday through Monday. Rachel had just closed on owning her new veterinary practice and it was great to help her relieve some stress. There were only a couple times that she got called out (if you know the Tice's, you understand what an amazing feat that is!) and we actually had quite a bit of down time to enjoy catching up.

We managed to head over to Hendersonville, NC for the 63 Annual Apple Festival. It was crowded, and we only stayed about an hour and a half or so, but we enjoyed the sights, ate a delicious funnel cake (nothing like fried dough to make mama happy) and bought some of the best Macintosh apples I've had in a long time. Maggie and Lee, Matt's parents, were able to meet us down there, so we got some visiting in with them as well.

The weekend was rounded out by a nice morning walk with the kids, picking pears off a tree in the horse field and enjoying awesome home made dinners and wonderful conversation with the best girlfriend in all the world.

We were sad to leave on Monday, but knew we had to get back. Daddy was missing his little girl and there was more to come in our fun filled week ahead.

No sooner did we get home, but I had to wash clothes, re-pack our bags and get ready for another four hour trip. This time, in the opposite direction. That's right, folks. We got to go to the beach! For two and a half days, but what the heck! It's the beach!

Some friends of ours that have a little girl near Riley's age, Hannah, invited us out to the shore to spend some of their vacation time with them. There was supposed to be a bigger crowd, but Ian couldn't get the time off and other friends were forced to decline the offer. We certainly missed all of them, but had a blast hanging out with the Leuver clan!

We left late Wednesday night and got into Duck, NC around 10:45pm or so. Thursday was rainy and the surf was crazy strong. It was like a hurricane was coming or something with the wind blowing the sand around and the waves were almost up to the boardwalk. So, we wound up heading into Duck to the Scarborough Faire shopping center. Fortunately for us, it was a nice, leisurely walk from the house. We were perfectly situated between the beach and the shops.

It was amazing how little had changed since I was a little girl and my family used to vacation in Duck. Many of the same stores were still there in Scarborough Faire. There was the old bookstore, the Christmas Store and The Fudgery! Who could forget the Fudgery? It smelled and looked just like I remembered. I bought a pound of fudge (for the nostalgia of it all, of course) and relished in the memories it brought back.

The girls were hysterical all weekend with their antics. Both of them proved to have strong opinions and constantly battle for control of the best toys. Who knew that a little pink stroller sized for dolls would be the envy of them both? For being cooped up inside, they were both well behaved and entertained each other pretty well. Although, there were times when Hannah gave us this strange look that seemed to ask, "What kind of hell beast did you unleash on me?"

Friday found us some sunshine, but the water was still too rough. We got down to the beach for about an hour before the girls got tired of playing in the sand. They were both terrified of the water (I don't blame them, that surf was still crazy!) and we soon found ourselves back at the house and in the pool. Riley was a water lovin' machine! She wanted to jump into the water from the side. Constantly. I almost couldn't keep up with her and I swear Liz has some new gray hairs because of her daring displays. She would literally just walk right off the side. Whether or not you were watching. Finally, the girls went down for a nap and the adults were able to lounge by the pool and read for a bit.

We had a blast, and can't thank the Leuver's enough for letting us crash their family vacation!

Now that we're back home, it's been nice to relax and stay home for a change. The kiddos are growing up way too fast and it's hard sometimes to keep up with it all. Enjoy the pictures of our crazy week in the next post!

Another Busy Week

We've been having a great time with all of our playdates this week. Tuesday we hit up the local Community Center for open gym time with some friends. They open the gym up to kids, throw out some balls and let 'em have at it! There were only about six of us there, but we had a blast!

Wednesday we attended an all-ages playdate at our friend Stacy's. She's so generous that she allows all of us (at least 15 moms and twice that many kids) to invade her home and run rampant through her backyard. It's always chaotic and always fun!

Today, we went to Java Divine for some more Stacy Clearman's Littleland. Here's just a little taste of what his show is like.

Riley is finally starting to enjoy herself at these shows (every Thursday @ 10am) and even got up out of my lap today to dance. In fact, halfway through the show, she made her way up to stand right beside Stacy. She was infatuated with the guitar. Uh-oh!

Tomorrow, we're headed out to visit with Rachel and little Gregory. We get to spend the next four days with them and can't wait to see how much Gregory has changed. Ian will be hosting his annual Geekend with the guys here at the house. We'll be glad to be out of their hair for a bit, but will miss Daddy lots!

Next week, we'll be headed out to the beach to spend some time with our friends Liz & Mark and their daughter Hannah. Can't wait to be on the sand!

Off to go finish packing and feed peanut some dinner!

Playdate & Pretty Dresses

We went to a playdate on Monday with some friends and had a great time. It was the first time in over a week that we got outside the house to do something fun! The heat has been atrocious so we've steered clear of the parks and outdoor activities. Here are some pictures from the playdate and a few extra that we've taken in the past couple of weeks.

Riley and Wes

Paige trying out her model poses already!

A couple of couch potatoes.

Riley getting hugs from Meredith.

Grace and her mom, Shannon.