The Stairs

As most parents can attest, guarding your babies and toddlers from the stairs in your house is pretty darn important. But I have to admit, I was bummed when the time came to purchase gates to block our 2 staircases....call me vain, but they are ugly and don't match the decor in my home! But they are safe and thus necessary....

Reilly mastered crawling up the stairs several months ago. It made life a lot easier by not having to carry him all the time. But going down the stairs was another story entirely. I was the apprehensive mommy, not willing to take the risk. After a few small, minor tumbles, I was not interested in letting Reilly assert any sort of independence in this area.

But, just last week, our big boy mastered the art of going down the stairs! Shawn and I haven't stopped laughing since.... about 5ft before the staircase even begins, Reilly lays down on his tummy and slithers back like a snake across the ground until he reaches the top step. With intention, he then slides down like it's a slide at the park, picking up speed as he goes! The best part is the hysterical laughter all the way down.... endless entertainment for all of us.

First Haircut

It's been pretty fun looking forward to all the "first" experiences with Reilly. I actually thought the first haircut was a few months out, but the back of his hair was resembling a mullet and Shawn kept asking me to make an appt for Reilly - I think he secretly wanted his son to look clean cut!


In the week leading up to his haircut, I thought it was going to be easy and fun. After all, Reilly would get to sit in a fire engine truck seat, hold a balloon and look in the mirror.... My optimism was promptly halted about two minutes after he got in the chair.


This photo really does speak 1000 words!

My poor little boy hated every second of his haircut - man, that was a hard one for us!

Here are some before and after shots to commemorate the the day.

Although he doesn't look all that happy, he was thrilled to be free from the scissors! We hope the second hair cut goes better than the first!

New Years in a storm!

We spent the long new years weekend up at our friends' cabin on Whidbey Island. We had a great time eating, drinking, eating more, reading & playing games - but spent the first two days inside, while we watched a massive storm swirl by around us outside. There were more than a few times that I thought the windows were going to break or the house tumble right into the water....but lucky for us, all was fine.

Finally it was time to hit the beach and park! Oh, and the mommies got to escape for massages at the Spa - our favorite part!

Happy new year!!! 2010 is going to be a great one!

Must stop digging, I hear a plane in the sky...gotta check it out!

Our first trip to the Park as a walker

Since the weather has been so cold and rainy lately, we haven't had a chance to play at the park in a long time. In fact, the last time we were at the park, Reilly wasn't fully walking on his own yet. But just last week, we finally got some sun and dry days! Off to the park we go....


Such a great (and freeing) feeling when your little one walks on their own next to you!

Reilly had a blast at the park, exploring things like never before. We can't wait for Spring to arrive!

Christmas Fun

I can't tell you how much fun Christmas was for us this year! Although Reilly was still somewhat confused by all the lights, tree, ornaments and decorations, he sure was into the presents! I'm pretty sure he liked the boxes and wrapping paper more than the actual gifts, but nonetheless, they were a hit!

Reilly was such a good sport over the craziness of the holidays and didn't complain at all being dragged around to all the family festivities in his party clothes. He was Mr. Personality everywhere we went. Our energizer bunny never stopped...he just kept going, and going, and going....

6:30am Christmas morning....




I love my new tent! Come and get me mommy....






Helping Grandpa read one of Reilly's new books!




Our little basketball star!




Reilly loves to read!



Christmas evening before Santa arrived to give all of the cousin's another gift!

When Santa arrived, everything changed....poor guy, maybe next year!

Why buy toys?

Ever since our recent shopping trip to Target in search of christmas wrapping paper and ribbon, Reilly has completely ignored his toys! Why do parents spend so much money on toys anyway? All kids really want to play with are tupperware, spatulas, boxes and wrapping paper!!

Scary Santa!

Days leading up to our big visit with Santa this year, we looked at pictures from last year, talked about Santa and really tried to pump up Reilly for his picture! But deep down, Shawn and I both knew that it was not going to be a happy day. Like most kids his age, Reilly is experiencing separation anxiety! Couple that with a strange looking man, mama too far away and this is what you get....

It was actually quite funny! What a difference a year makes!! We can't wait to see the professional photos and compare it with our sweet sleeping 7 week old newborn last year.

We went with all of Reilly's cousins to visit Santa, and after the torture of the individual picture, we thought the group shot might be easier on our little guy. Ya right, what were we thinking? I'd show you the photo, but my husband needs picture taking lessons....they are all out of focus! Maybe our trip to visit Santa in 2010 will be better - ho, ho, ho!!!