thank you for the new fence tyler (just the small side panel & the gate to go!)

saturday morning

This past Saturday was our first Saturday morning together as a family in several weeks. We laid in bed, ran a few errands, then Tyler started on the fence and I took Riley for a run. The weather was gorgeous and it was so nice to have an around-the-house kind of family day. We haven't had enough of them lately and it felt so wonderful!

Riley's new tummy time station

The boys making progress on the new fence

My afternoon run

happy earth day and other things

I've been thinking about the fact that today is Earth Day and although my sister Martha is much more savvy re: environmental matters, I have been trying to be more conscious about my "impact". So far these are the tiny steps I have taken:

1. I always try to remember to take my canvas tote when grocery shopping

2. I try to run my errands via foot (which is not too hard in Bellingham, esp where I live!)

3. When I must drive, I am strategic about the location of errands and will group them together, therefore making less trips

4. I am switching out all my light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs this week

5. We use an energy efficient washer and dryer

Hmmm...I think that's it. Although we do have a compost going in our back yard, we are not good about using it. And of course we recycle. I suppose it's just one step at a time.

We have been busy around here lately. I made a trip down south to visit Angela & Ellie in Milton and then continued down to Portland to see Erin and her boys. It was nice to get out of town for a few nights, especially since Tyler went surfing with his brother for one of the days I was gone. Angela and I spent the day doing some shopping, eating and then mostly playing/taking care of our little ones. We even got to go out to dinner together while Dan took care of Ellie and Riley cooperated and slept through the whole thing. It was great to be adults and just chat! And then Erin and I did a lot of laying around, walking, eating, shopping and organizing bo's room. The room is coming along beautifully and I can hardly wait to see little bo in his crib. He was even nice enough to let Riley sleep in his crib. She said the mattress is so comfy and thanks a lot! I did not take any pictures, so check out Angela and Erin's blog for a few pics.

I just finally got a little high chair for Riley. It currently sits on our kitchen table, as I'm still trying to figure out the best spot for it in our tiny kitchen. I have not started solids yet, so I am just getting Riley used to her new chair by giving her lots of toys to play with. I was so surprised by how well she enjoys sitting and playing while I cook, clean, etc. She especially loves to throw her cups on the ground and even into Doc's food bowl. It's a fun game to pick them up every 10 seconds and give them back to her and then watch her throw them on the ground! I am truly delighted to watch her grow, learn and experience new events.

Think it's time for a new fence? Hmm...what gave it away? The metal rods that have been holding it in place for the last two years or the bungee cord strung through the slats? Well, we have officially started re-building the back fence. This is the last section of the fence to do, so we are thrilled to have this project underway. Tyler is digging holes as I write. I will be sure to post a picture of the completed project.

Other than that, I am still training for my upcoming half marathon. Only 1 1/2 weeks left...Yikes! I am hoping that my hour long walk, yoga and run today will somehow help me finish those 13 miles. I always used to cram for tests, so maybe the same theory applies when training? We are also looking forward to my sister Rachel's college graduation May 11, as well as our 5 year wedding anniversary trip to San Francisco mid May. Happy and Busy Spring!

happy birthday

Today Riley is 5 months old. She weighs 15 lbs 7 oz. Last month she was 26" long, so she's maybe an inch or two longer now. She's napping right now, so I don't dare try to measure her! She seems to be learning and developing so much right now. She is aware of everything going on, which has actually made breastfeeding more of a challenge. She becomes easily distracted and wants to know what that noise is she hears or often times just want to stare at my beautiful face :) It's hard not to worry that she's actually eating enough, but she's gaining weight and growing, so I just have to trust that she's become a super efficient eater and that she'll take what she needs. She has started to pull her chest up when laid down, so it seems like she's in the beginning stages of sitting up. She also loves Doc. Whenever she sees him, she squeals with delight and could sit and stare and smile at him for hours. She lets him lick her face, but he never does it for too long. They are best friends already! What a joy Riley is...we are so blessed to be able to love and take care of her.

Riley's newest trick:

Happy Birthday also to my brother Andrew. Today he is 30 years old! Andrew lives in St. Louis, but his girlfriend's parents flew him, themselves and Lindsay out to Seattle as a surprise to Andrew for his birthday. They flew in this morning and we have a big family birthday dinner for him at the Flying Fish restaurant in Seattle tonight. They told him at dinner last night, and he said he has never been more surprised in his entire life. And more excited too! Tyler and I leave at 3 today so we can get down to Seattle, get ready and be there by 6:30 tonight. We are very excited to see Andrew, as well as everyone else and can't wait to honor Andrew's 30 years of life. Here's a picture of Andrew and Lindsay...

Ten on Ten (4/10)

Today was another ten on ten day (10 photos, once an hour, on the 10th day of the month). I didn't start out with a theme, but after a few photos I realized they all had Riley in them, so I decided to go with it and include her in all the photos today. Here is a brief summary of the day:

8am: Feed & play with Riley

9am: Riley watching me talk on the phone with a friend

10am: Riley napping!

11am: Walk to the library with a friend and her kids

12pm: Stop for coffee and chat after our walk

1pm: Leaving our friends house, on our way home

2pm: Feed & play with Riley on couch

5pm: I was babysitting and majorly preoccupied, so I missed a few hours...this is us coming home

6pm: Little cat nap for Riley on the couch

7pm: Drifting off to sleep

That was my day! Check out the Ten on Ten blog on the sidebar to see other's days.

Baby Showers!

This past weekend I was busy with two baby showers - Martha's on Saturday and Erin's on Sunday. They both went really well and I think each of the mothers-to-be had a really nice time. Riley was at both parties in her party frock and did great, considering she wasn't really able to take a nap and is definitely not used to being in a room full of the chitter chatter of women! Both Martha and Erin are having little boys, due the first week of June. I'm hoping (for my own purposes!) that they go into labor on separate days so I can visit each of them while they are still in the hospital. I'm very excited for you girls and can't wait for you to join the ranks of motherhood!

Martha's shower:

Erin's Shower: