Riley takes a dip

August 27th- Riley is a little over a month and ready for her first swim. She got suited up and made her way down to the post pool. Mommy was still recovering from delivery and was unable to go for a swim. Grandma and Gampy didn't hesitate to take the kids in the water for some playtime. Aidan was ready to hop in right away and show off his swim skills to Gampy. Riley took a more mild approach and just spent some time sitting with Grandma in the baby pool. Aidan had to be reminded that his sister may not like to be splashed and he followed the directions well. He thought it was pretty cool that she was in the pool with him. Riley just sat there and smiled, she didn't seem to mind the water. Aidan got bored of the baby pool and wanted to go in the big pool so everyone joined him. Riley enjoyed the backfloat and catching some rays her only request was that next time we go for a swim that she wear a swim diaper. Her draws got pretty loaded from the water but she still had a good time.



Getting her game face on...

Happy as can be

Grandma loving life

The big pool was no obstacle for Riley

Backfloat with a super full diaper but still happy

Gampy hates swimming but will do anything for his buddy Aidan

Breaktime

Picnics and ponies

August 27th- Riley had a doctor's appointment so Grandma and Gampy took Aidan to see the horses and have a picnic. He got himself ready in the morning by picking out his own outfit and boy did he do a good job. I can't even stand to look at what he picked out but he was proud of himself. Gampy bought him the shirt "special" in Florida so he wanted to wear it. They made a trip to the comissary on their way there to get carrots to feed the horses but the horses were being worked on so he had to watch from a distance. After checking out the horses and trackers he explored on the pony trails and looked for the deer we saw there a week or so earlier. He took a break for a bit and had a picnic with Grandma and Gampy. He ate a special sandwich aka a peanut butter and banana sandwich and enjoyed a special milk. If you haven't figured it out yet Aidan will like or do anything if you tell him it's special.

Special

August 26th- When Grandma left she promised Aidan she would bring him something "special" when she came back. Thanks Grandma he only mentioned this at least 10 times a day for the two weeks you were gone. She finally came back on her drive home from FL and spent a few more days with the kids so Gampy could actually see them and to help me out while Sean was in Vegas. One of the many special things Grandma brought was an alligator that Aidan could paint. He had already painted a snake with her earlier in the summer and was excited to have something else to work on. He knew projects were done on the back porch so as soon as he saw it he grabbed it as well as Grandma and made his way back there to get started. He had fun painting and made sure to paint Grandma a little bit as well. Thanks Grandma and Gampy for coming to help and being the best grandparents a kid could ask for. Aidan misses you very much!


Getting started he made sure to take his shirt off so he wouldn't get paint on it!

He loves the color green just like Daddy

Notice the paint on both him and Grandma

Almost done...

Partners in crime

August 22nd- Aidan and Molly have been partners in crime since day 1. They love each other and are always finding some way to help each other out or get in trouble. Aidan likes to walk Molly Moose around the house after they get back from their grand adventure with Daddy which involves a ride to Dunkin Donuts. Apparently this time Molly looked hungry so Aidan took it upon himself to get her bowl of food and hand feed her. We weren't sure if we should be mad or just let him do his thing. We decided to just let them play because we knew Molly would eat it. I am so glad we decided to get a dog to grow up with Aidan. He really does love her and calls her his best friend it's super cute. One of my favorite things is when we get home or he wakes up in the morning and see her he always says "Hi Moose!" as if she is just another person.

Notice how he is wearing his dog shorts as well as a dog shirt most likely he has on dog undies too...He loves him some Molly Moose

Riley gets dressed for the ball...

August 21st- Grandma bought Riley a bathing suit and we couldn't wait to get it on her. We all enjoy the water and like to get the kids in as early as possible so they will not fear the water. This summer we got a 3 month pass for the post pool and went there as often as possible. Aidan has been really enjoying his time there and it was about time to show Riley the ropes. We got everyone dressed and arrived to a small crowd. We were happy it wasn't busy and shortly found out why...there was lightening on their radar. We are pretty sure they just say this because they don't want to work. The sky was blue as can be and it never rained. This has happened to us many times but oh well what can you do. Needless to say we squeezed Riley into her NB bathing suit for no reason except to take pictures I suppose. The worst part is always trying to explain to Aidan why the we can't swim...We usually just tell him someone pooped in the pool and it's closed. Getting suited up

of course I made them take a picture together

Riley is not pleased and Aidan couldn't be happier

Getting one last photo before we get changed to head home

Aidan and Riley take on EdVenture

August 20th- It's been a while since we have made a trip up to Columbia but I was finally feeling ready. We had to take some time off because I was having trouble staying awake on the hour long drive and then our precious baby girl arrived. I am glad I decided to make the trip. I knew Aidan would love it but was worried how Riley would fair on the ride. She hasn't been much of a fan of the car but she did very well. I got up and packed lunch for Aidan and I had some breakfast and let him know our plan for the day. He was so excited he started to list off everything that was there it was really cute. After we ate I fed Riley and as soon as she was done and sleeping we got in the car. Both kids were perfect on the ride up and we made it there by 10:30 which isn't bad at all. Aidan rushed to the fire truck but then remembered that he is afraid of them now so he found his way over to the farm. He spent some time playing on the tractor and pretending to be a farmer. He also stopped by the chickens to do some counting. He made his rounds of the whole downstairs and really had a good time. He enjoyed pretending to be a dentist as well as playing a little operation. It's neat to watch how much he has changed while interacting with each exhibit. We got the membership after one visit last year and I'm so happy we did. He really loves this place and it gives him an opportunity to use his imagination, run around, and explore. If you are in the area I would really recommend taking your little ones they will have a blast. Another nice thing about this museum is they have a changing exhibit and this time it was Blue Man Group which was in collaboration with the Boston Children's Museum which is our favorite children's museum. I was worried we were going to miss this exhibit but made it back with a few weeks to spare. It was a cool exhibit but I think Aidan may have gotten more out of it if he was a little older. He still had fun but mostly liked watching the trucks doing construction out the window. After we finished with our time upstairs we made it back downstairs where Aidan remembered that he did in fact like firetrucks and got suited up to play on them before we had to leave. Both kids were great and we can't wait to make our way back there soon!

Riley hung out in the mobey the whole time and couldn't be happier

Doing some counting

This was fixed since our last visit. He liked shooting the water up in the air.

Playing doctor

My least favorite the dentist :-(

Aidan with Eddie the kids can climb inside and learn about the body

A cool tunnel in the Blue Man Group exhibit

Playing a drum and learning about sound waves

Ready to fight a fire

I feel like I have a ton of this same picture but he looks so cute every time!

I had to fix the Mobey so the little lady could go back in...she wasn't happy!

Aidan hearts forts!

Aidan loves to climb and build forts. He waits for Daddy to get home and pretty much demands a fort be built as soon as he walks through the door. I am capable of making forts but I like to let them have their special thing even if it's a silly fort. Daddy is always trying to find a way to make the biggest and best fort. At one point several months ago couches were moved a basketball hoop and car were involved but now we seem to just stick to couch cushions and blankets! Aidan couldn't be happier he likes to request specific toys and books while in his fort and NO GIRLS ALLOWED!!! (Daddy made up that rule a long time ago.
Checking out the new fort!

I had to pretty much beg to get a seat to feed Riley. Pretty sure if it was just for me I would be sitting on the floor!

Riley is 1 month old...

August 19th- Wow it's been a month I can't believe it. I couldn't ask for a better baby! I thought Aidan was easy but he's got nothing on his sister. I was expecting a nightmare of a baby since the pregnancy was not much fun and Aidan was such a good baby. I guess I was wrong Riley loves to smile but never for the camera. We often catch her smiling in her sleep and call her smiley Riley real creative I know. She mostly just likes being on her Mommy but is willing to be passed around and loved by all. If we are at home she enjoys haning with Mommy or being swaddled as tight as can be. She will be tired and as soon as you put her down to be swaddled she lets out a little smile and ends up falling asleep almost immediately. She is also great when we go out and do things. I was worried that we would have to slow down and spend some time at home but she is great at being on the go. I wear her most times and she just tends to sleep and wake up to eat every 2-3 hours. She really couldn't be any easier! She has been sleeping through the night or close enough since we brought her home which is a nice change. I don't feel the fatigue I felt with Aidan. Hopefully everything continues to run smoothly. We are so glad to have our sweet smiley Riley and can't wait to see her grow.

It must be time for another nap...

I couldn't get this to rotate sorry

Imagination...

It's almost as if someone flipped a switched and turned on Aidan's imagination. I'm not really sure when it started but all the sudden his imagination has begun to soar. He is really good at just playing by himself which is definately helpful when I need to nurse Riley or put food on the table for the family. He still enjoys playing with others but doesn't mind a little alone time to build tunnels, drive motorcycles, or anything else he can think of. It's fun to listen to him talk and act out what he is doing. I can't wait to see him explore more and take lots of adventures. He is such a fun kid and is growing up way too fast for my liking!Riding a motorcycle with his helmet on. Originally he was using the boppy as his motorcycle but I guess he was feeling a need for speed!

Motorcycles passing through the kitchen make dinner prep interesting :-)

Such a cutie luckily he has his helmet on for safety!