Riley's 3rd birthday!

Riley's third birthday was back in April... and I realized I should probably post some pictures before it is time for Scarlett's birthday :)

We celebrated Riley turning three on her actual birthday, and her big present was a new bike with training wheels, and with a seat for her baby :) (which she said Scarlett could ride in- ha!) One of her favorite presents was a dress like Alice's in Alice in Wonderland for her birthday party.



Riley wanted "hearts" as a theme, but I convinced her that Alice in Wonderland tea party would be more fun, and we could still have hearts on the cupcakes like she wanted. I guess that was a little mean, but I thought it would be more fun to plan. She was thrilled with the party, so I don't feel bad.

I made invites to hand out to all of her friends:

For decorations, I just made a bunch of colorful tissue flowers to hang around the deck, and had about 10 blooming flower pots, with a range of colors and types, spread around the different tables. We had colored doilies and a tea party patterned table runner, tea trays, various miniature tea set pieces around the different tables. There was a 2D wooden teapot painted with an R on it for Riley to keep after the party, and hanging small tea pots, tea cups, etc. hanging among paper lanterns. Riley LOVES balloons, so we had to have plenty of colored flower balloons around, too. 

For food, we kept it relatively simple with assorted tea sandwiches cut into shapes: hearts, tea cups, tea pots. We also grilled some meat to have on croissants for a hot option, and then had deviled eggs and the usual menu for all bbqs we do: a fiesta pasta salad, guacamole, and a huge fruit salad. Drinks were simple: milk, water, assorted tea options, beer and wine. I didn't go all out with cake decorations this year, and felt a little bad... I just didn't have time! So we had homemade cake and cupcakes simply decorated with hearts, and they were SO GOOD it made up for the lack of creative decor! 

For the kids, there was a "paint the roses red" activity and kids' croquet, both of which were a hit. There was also a cheshire cat art activity that I prepared but forgot to set up... oops!  I also forgot to take pictures before people came, and during the party too... luckily a friend grabbed my camera and got some pictures for me! 

It was a casual, low key get together and I think everyone had a really nice time, especially Riley, so I think Riley's third birthday was perfect!

Pictures

My wonderful Mother's Day, Scarlett trying new food, and other fun times!

I need to update!

I've been busy- but just a quick update: Riley is up to 36 in and 30 lbs!!! Scarlett is 17 lb 7 oz!!! They grow so fast...

I need to get pictures from Riley's third birthday party (Alice in wonderland tea party theme) but for now, I leave you with a picture of Scarlett hard at work helping me in the lab :) and on the plane home from a recent conference! Plus Riley dressed for picture day.

Oops

Still haven't fixed the cropped pictures issues. Hopefully these come out okay!

Scarlett is up to 17 lb 4 oz (!) and is wearing size 3 diapers. We've been putting her in Riley's 9 month winter clothes! She sits up even stronger now, so we rarely have to catch her anymore! She's also been pushing up on her hands and knees a little- not all the way up but I think she's starting to think about crawling.

Riley can still fit in last year's Easter dress, so I guess she hasn't grown much at all :)

Time to go- Scarlett just got dropped off at my office so it's time for a lunch break for us both :)

Two pictures

Holding hands in the car, and Scarlett eating!

No videos :(

I was excited to post a video of Scarlett, but I guess I can't do that through the app :( too bad- ill have to try from my computer later!

One more update...

I downloaded the blogger app! Now I can post updates and picture from my phone- so maybe more often? And expect quick updates with funny things my kids say and do- like Riley just running out of nap with desitin ALLover her hands and baby and bed (but I missed the picture!)

And some recent and old pictures from my phone-

More updates!

Just a couple quick updates while I'm thinking about them --

Last night Riley knew about 20 letters of the alphabet by sight, and could think of words they started with (other than the ones on the page)... I was so surprised! I knew she knew some of them, but didn't realize just how many. She also seems to be able to recognize both upper and lower case. So cool! She is also funny whenever she sees upper-case M or W, she insists on flipping the book over to show me how they become W and M :)  She also jokes about letters... I'll ask what other words she can think of that starts with J, expecting her to say my name, and instead she'll say Daddy! Aron! etc. (other peoples' names, knowing I thought she'd say mine).

We've had to start a new behavior/reward system... we have a "squishy" jar, and a bag of squishies (foam shapes). When we notice Riley is behaving, we reward the good behavior by letting her pick a squishy to put in the jar. When she is not behaving- say, doesn't listen when we ask her to do something, won't stop whining, throwing a tantrum, etc.- we take a squishy out of the jar and put it back in the bag. When all of the squishies are in the jar and there are no more in the bag, Riley can choose any prize she wants -- she can watch a tv show or movie, have a candy or ice cream or other treat, get a new toy, go to the museum or park, etc. (her pick). We are trying to be really careful of our language, so that we are enforcing rewarding her effort and motivations rather than behaviors themselves (e.g., It makes us so happy when you listen and help us clean, would you like to put a squishy in the jar? Rather than - You can have a squishy for throwing away scarlett's dirty diaper!)  It's hard not to bribe and/or reward specific behaviors, so we'll see how successful we are.

In other updates- Riley has been getting up at night to go potty, all on her own! She got up twice a couple nights ago- once right away when I was still around to pee, and then later when we went to bed we found poop in the potty, and riley fast asleep! I couldn't believe she got up, went in the bathroom and pooped, and went back to bed on her own. I did try to explain to her that she can come and get us to help her wipe (she's not great at it yet haha), but I think she's doing a great job. She has gotten up many times now after going to bed, and yesterday got up and peed in the morning before coming in our room. Her pull-up was still wet from sleeping, but I think this is pretty good progress! Now if we could just get the going-to-bed part to be a little smoother, I'd be thrilled!

She is getting a little jealous now that Scarlett likes to look through her books, and tends to take the one Scarlett has away, but she does give her another one to replace it, so not too bad. She is also "helping" us teach Scarlett how to share, after we explained to her that Scarlett doesn't know how to share yet. She likes to pretend to feed Scarlett with her play kitchen stuff, and Scarlett seems to love it. She also sings to Scarlett and makes silly noises, dances, etc. which all make Scarlett laugh hysterically. We also put Scarlett in the bath with her most nights, and they both seem to love it.

I think I posted that Scarlett is sitting on her own now, but I don't know if I emphasized just how well she sits... I am amazed! I had to bring her with me to a school for work the other day, and she sat on the floor next to me while I was working and handing out stickers to kids, and the teachers were all pretty impressed at her balance. At home, she can take her large (about 10" cube) toy and flip it from side to side without toppling over. I am definitely amazed!

She has been drooling like crazy, so I'm worried she's cutting teeth already, but it could also be that her nose has been a little stuffy, so she's breathing through her mouth more. Who knows!
We've got a busy month coming up, so we're thinking of slowly starting to introduce rice cereal today. If we do, I'll definitely get a video!

OK enough posting for now, since I am supposed to be working. But here's a few pictures-  I only have pictures from late Dec. to late January on this computer... I'll have to get the older and newer ones onto my computer soon.

Riley at the alter for Scarlett's baptism:

Baptism pic:

New Year's in Sarasota (Pineapple drop!)

Riley learning to fish:

Cousins having breakfast together:

Scarlett's first boat ride:

Building!

Finished building!

Plane back to PA:

Scarlett's first second night out at a bar...

Snow!

First time sledding

 Happy baby!

 Tea party with Daddy's espresso cup :)