Vocab Explosion

If any of you have been keeping tabs on our list of words Peanut can say, you'll notice that it's been growing every day. I've read that vocabulary can happen like a sudden explosion and that seems to be what's happening for us. Riley's current list of words she can say are:

• Mama
• Daddy
• milk
• meow
• woof
• uh-oh
• up
• no
• boom
• water
• And her latest new word: Nite nite

That didn't last long...

Sunshine, that is. Today has been gray and overcast for most of the morning/afternoon. Riley skipped her morning nap and by 10:30am, I knew we had to find something outside of this house to do. So, we decided to head over to Planet Child with some other TriangleMommies. It was great! Riley played for about 2 hours with some of her regular pals and even met up with some new ones. Afterwards, we had lunch at Chipotle with Michelle and her crew (Abby and Kristian). 

The best part was the long nap after we got home!

Mother's Day

We had an awesome Mother's Day at our house yesterday. Riley let us sleep in until 8:30am. Then, Daddy let me sleep in longer while he got up with Riley, fed her breakfast and played downstairs with her. I got to read a little in my book and then took a nice, LONG, hot shower. It was blissful!

After that, we headed out to Lake Benson Park for a family playdate with Michelle and her gang, Bryson's family and Hannah's family. The weather was gray and cool to start out with, but by the afternoon the sun had come out. We had a picnic lunch, played on the swings, jungle gym and with bubbles. 

When it was clearly time to leave and let Peanut nap, we headed home. Daddy got some yardwork finished while I managed to get the last of the plants in the garden. (We have 15 tomato plants in the ground right now. Fifteen.) 

As if that wasn't enough, I got to read more of my book and snooze the rest of the afternoon while Daddy and Riley had some time together. Daddy cooked dinner and then it was bath/bed time. It was such a wonderful day and we all had a great time. 

I really am fortunate to have such a fabulous family. 

TurtleFest 2009

Today, we went to the Bass Lake TurtleFest Celebration. It was an exhibition about native turtle species in North Carolina. There were several conservation groups showing off their turtles, salamanders, frogs and snakes. We got to pet a few box turtles and yellow belly sliders. Riley was fascinated with them and despite the turtles' obvious discomfort tried to grab legs, heads, tails and whatever else she could reach.

We met up with Bryson's family and Carly & Kevin came along with us. We even ran into our friend Hannah and her mom. 

It was a lot of fun, but SO crowded and HOT! We stayed about an hour and then had to leave. Peanut's good mood only lasts so long. As you can see from the last photos, there was a bit of a meltdown as we were leaving. That didn't stop us from getting some pictures of baby turtles!

After a short nap in the car, we grilled out with Carly & Kevin. It's so nice to have the sunshine back!

Birthday Pictures Pt. 1

Riley's birthday party was AWESOME! We have the best group of friends and family. Ever. Our house was packed with people, babies and kids. And it was wonderful. 

Riley checking out her shades.

Packed to the gills!

Gregory is a cool dude!

Anna & Asher enjoying some Papa time.

Aunt Ashley, Will, Grandma Cotton, Chris & Aunt Lisa.

The Grill Master!

The de la Torre Family and Papa

Everyone can almost fit under the shade.

Anna being a big help with Riley.

Paige and her Daddy enjoying the beautiful weather we had. 

Birthday Cupcake

On the day of Riley's birthday, we celebrated with a gourmet cupcak from The Cupcake Shoppe in downtown Raleigh. They were AMAZING! Riley ate the Plain Jane, Daddy had the Brown Betty and Mommy had the Peanut Butter cupcake. All were delicious. We also had the Carrot Cake, Pretty in Pink (strawberry) and Cookie Monster (vanilla w/oreo).

Peanut wasn't sure what to do at first. However, once she got a taste of the icing, she deemed it worthy of her royal tastebuds.

First Word

Riley said her first real word last night (other than Mama and Daddeeeee!). While trying vainly to get some work done on the computer, my little peanut was tugging at my pants leg, waving her arms to get my attention. When I finally looked down at her, she smiled and said, "Up!" 

She repeated it for Daddy when he got home and is using it constantly this morning. I imagine we'll be hearing it a lot as the week continues. Her need to be held has gotten to be a tale of legends. Seriously. I did laundry, read a book, tended the garden and watered plants all while carrying this 20lb child on my hip.

As a note, I KNOW that I'm way behind on my blogging. I promise pictures today and an synopsis of the very awesome birthday party we had for Riley a week and a half ago. I swear.