Riley is 8 months

I'm a wee bit late on this post. The truth is, I actually thought I already wrote this post. Maybe I'm more tired than I would like to admit. My brain definitely seems to be missing these days. *sigh.

Look at this 8 month cutie. I just want to squeeze those little cheeks.

Age: 8 months

Stats: He weighs about 22 pounds, maybe? As is usual, I still don't know his stats as we haven't been to the dr. recently. He is still in size 12 month clothes.

Nicknames: We still mostly call him Riley. Riley bug, little guy, big guy, and baby are still commonly used.

Milestones: Riley is especially interested in his body lately and loves to open and close his hands. He is close to crawling but prefers if someone holds him while he practices smiling. He has 2 teeth but has at least one more about to poke through.

Sleep had been going well and then teething started. I am now up with Riley about every 3 hours. It's been rough on both of us as Riley finds he needs extra naps during the day and I dream of getting a nap. Riley continues to eat many fruits, vegetables, and meats. He loves chicken and I can't get that to him fast enough. He has had no issues with not wanting to eat, the boy always wants fed.

Favorite things: Riley loves food, babies, and any toy he bang on the ground. He gets especially excited and will kick and squeal when he knows he is getting a bath or can look out a window. Riley loves touch and anyone making eye contact with him. Let's face it, he loves attention! 

Signature moves: Someone is now at a point where mommy can't leave the room. He also rarely reaches for anyone to get him, except for mommy. He is a mama's boy for sure.

Oh, Riley, you are such a fun addition to our little family.

My toddler changes the way I think

Children change a parent in so many ways. I love my job as a mom. It's hard and I'm tired but I wouldn't change my time with my babies for anything. Lately, I've taken note at ways that my toddler has really changed me, for the better. The biggest way seems to be in how I think and approach life.

My daughter has been really intrigued by the moon lately. She goes to bed early (7:30pm) and doesn't always get to see the moon so that could be part of the interest. She points out the moon in books, on tv, and in the sky. 

Lately we've been lucky to spot the moon during the day which is a real treat. Payton will spend countless time staring at the moon and talking to it. She loves to ask if it's sleeping or awake. When she swings, she tells us she wants to go high enough to visit the moon.

I didn't know she was having any major impact on me in regards to the moon. Then, one morning when all was still quiet and both kids were still sleeping, I went to open the curtains and there sat the moon. I sat there in silence soaking up the beauty that the moon has to offer. How often do we really stop to observe our environment? Children have a beautiful way of taking life slowly and appreciating all that is around them.

Thank you, my babies, for all the life lessons you are teaching me about life.

This is how country feels

Twenty months ago we made a decision that has impacted our day to day life significantly. We had no idea how we would be impacted for certain but we are loving how our story is unfolding. That decision happened to be making a move to the country.

As a city girl at heart, I think I struggled the most with our move, but, somehow, the country just changes a person. It just does. Watching my children have the space to breathe, grow, and explore softens me and makes me start to fully appreciate the life we are offering our children.

This has me singing some Randy Houser:

🎶 Let your hair down, hair down

Get you some of this laid on back

Kick your shoes off, kick 'em off

Get you some of this slow down fast

I'll take you up and down these hollers and hills

Let me show you how country feels 🎶

Country looks good on us, too:

Did you notice we seem to be officially collecting animals? Why, yes, yes we are. Along with 2 outside cats we have now added chickens to the mix.

Payton just love to "pet" them because they are "oh, so cute," she says. We are all adjusting well to these additions.

We hope our children grow to appreciate the opportunities they were given. We don't take many deductions lightly when it comes to them, it seems. We look forward to see where our journey goes.

This is how our country feels.

Life Lately

Our house spent most of February sick. We shared and passed around the flu, a cold, and then another cold. I still feel like I'm recovering and I am thinking my lack of sleep has been catching up to me. I'm exhausted.

Adding to my exhaustion, Riley is getting his first tooth (actually 2 teeth) and has been in a lot of pain. Payton has been overtired and was sick most of the month as well. This has left our house in a trying period of life. 

As I flash through my pictures from the last post I wrote, I see so many beautiful moments. Some days, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders and I find relief in looking through my pictures. So many good moments can be seen.

As I write this blog for my children, I hope that they will know there were so many good times in our home, even during the harder moments. These precious memories are times I want to forever remember.

So, my children, here are a few weeks of beautiful moments caught on camera:

Now that there are two kids, the number of pictures I post definitely has increased! Just look at this beautiful picture of my children waiting for their father to come home:

Our favorite part of the day.

We are so thankful for our little family and the life God has blessed us with.