Well, Riley had a very big "first" this week...her first plane ride! Actually, I think it may have been a bigger event for me than her. After all the stress and worry, she did great and I couldn't have asked for a better little girl on the flight. She stood on my lap holding my hands, and smiled at the flight attendants as they walked up and down the aisles. She smiled and flirted with the other passengers, and when the guy sitting next to us wasn't giving her enough attention she had no problem leaning towards him and saying "Hey! Hey!" 
This was also big for me because it was our first trip together without Daddy. Mark had to stay home and work, so Riley and I made the journey alone. She was easy on me though and we both made it back home in one piece. We had a great time at Nana's house, playing with Nana and great-aunt Marla (Grandaddy unexpectedly had to work out of town- we missed him, but hopefully we'll see him soon). Riley had another first while there...swimming! She loved the water, just like we all knew she would. She splashed and splashed while I pushed her around the pool. Then she sat on the top step and splashed some more. She loved it and probably would've stayed in there all afternoon.
While we were gone, I asked Mark to lower her crib mattress to the 2nd setting. She hadn't sat up or pulled up in her crib, but I figured it wouldn't be long so might as well do that with all the free time he'd have on his hands. The timing couldn't have been better! The morning after getting back home, Mark and I awoke to find her sitting up in her crib! As we were watching her on the video monitor (one of the greatest baby inventions ever, by the way) she proceeded to pull herself up into standing! She spent quite awhile this afternoon practicing pulling up to her exersaucer. Things are about to get quite exciting around here!
Surprise, we're all still here! :) Apparently, we forgot that part of having a blog was actually keeping it updated, so it's time to get caught up on the past few months. Every week, and sometimes every day, brings something new. Within the past two weeks she has started to "army crawl", and has gotten quite good at it now. Very soon our house will be transformed with gates and corner guards since the days are soon to be long gone where we can turn our backs even for a second.
So here we are at 8 months. She loves to stand...with a little support of course...but then again who doesn't like a little support when standing? She is starting to wave and clap, and above all else loves eating her mum-mums and cheese puffs. We have considered dropping baby formula and baby food and going to an exclusive mum-mum/cheese puff diet. Speaking of those, she is using her fingers to feed herself now, which can be quite a scene at times when the cheese puff gets caught on her hand and she ends up with four fingers and a cheese puff in her mouth. To finish off, she washes it down with water from her sippy cup, which she's gotten quite fond of and has learned to hold and drink from without much help at all now. She's also quite the talker...if we only knew what she was saying. Among the words we would like to believe she is saying are "da-da" and "hey!". But that could be us projecting :) The two things in this world she hates more than anything at this point are 1). Car rides longer than 20 minutes (if we're lucky) and 2.) Having her hair rinsed when taking a bath. Hopefully those two dislikes go away soon, as they can both present quite a challenge...especially the car rides.
For her first Memorial Day weekend, we headed down to see Nana and Grandaddy. The car ride wasn't fun, but the time spent there was. I had been waiting to show her the sheep, but she's not quite interested in them just yet, although she will be soon I'm sure. We waited too long to get pictures of her at home in the Blue Bonnets, so we settled for wild flowers instead, and it ended up being a nice substitute we think. 
She had fun sitting in Grandaddy's lap on the front porch (especially fascinated by his watch), as well as playing with Nana and mommy. But unfortunately she wasn't in the best of moods on this trip since she was a little stuffy/congested, along with the fact that her naps continue to be a challenge. But all in all she had fun and I know Nana and Grandaddy did as well.
In June we took her to see the tigers, lions, and other big cats at the local big cat sanctuary (http://www.insyncexotics.com/). After $20 and walking around in a ridiculously sweltering heat for half an hour or so, we realized that she was far more interested in the orange wrist band they had given me than any big cat, regardless of how close that big cat may be ( a few feet). So with that in mind, we called it a day. But we did get to see a tiger eating ice cream...so that's gotta count for something. So it will be a little while before we make the first trip to the zoo I think.She also got her first swimming pool, which she has quite a time in. She splashes almost the entire time...not caring a bit if it gets in her face. Which of course makes perfect sense considering she hates it in her face in the bath tub. Go figure! Maybe we should bathe her in the pool.
For her first 4th of July weekend, Nana and Papa flew in from South Carolina. Nana had seen her in March, but this was Papa's first visit since she was two weeks old, so needless to say she had changed quite a bit since then. The reintroduction to Papa wasn't one for the story books though...as she stared for a few seconds...and then bawled big tears. Unfortunately, the timing of this trip happened to be at a phase where she is not at all crazy about anyone (including me, at times) holding her other than mommy, so there was a lot of fussiness. But it ended up being a great stay for them, and Papa finally got to do what he'd been talking about doing for many months...which was getting in the floor to play with her. After a couple of days she was really warming up, but by that time it was almost time for them to leave. We think she picked up the "Hey!" during their stay, so we'll give them credit for that one. :)
(3 generations)So that's it for now. For those who have been keeping up and waiting...and waiting for an update, forgive us for being a little slack. I mean, it's not like we have a baby to occupy all our time or anything. ;) We will definitely keep things a bit more updated going forward. So stay tuned...
Oh, one last thing before we go...Riley would like to say a few things.
6 months ago today, Daddy and I woke up knowing we would be meeting you in just a few hours. We didn't get much sleep the night before (we were so nervous and excited! not to mention a thunderstorm came rolling through...) but we woke up so happy and ready to get the day started. We got ready, grabbed a few last minute things to take with us, and told the pets their lives would never be the same.
On the way, we called family to tell them we were on our way and that you'd be here in just a few short hours. Daddy and I spent our last time together as a family of 2, and couldn't stop talking about what the next few hours, days, months, and years would bring. We checked into the hospital and Mommy got hooked up to all kinds of machines. We could hear your heartbeat and feel you moving around. We couldn't wait to hold you!! Daddy was sent on errands to fill out paperwork and take care of last minute details. Before we knew it, it was time! I was rolled into the operating room and once I was all fixed up and ready, Daddy was brought in. He sat next to me and held my hand as we waited anxiously to hear your first cries. Suddenly you were being taken out and the nurse told Daddy he could look up and see your first moments, so he did. He got to see one little eye peek open, then you quickly shut it tight and we heard your voice for the first time. The nurses and doctor all gasped, "Look at those cheeks!! AND THAT HAIR!!" I couldn't wait to see you for myself, and finally you were brought around. I watched as they cleaned you up and wrapped you tightly in a blanket. Daddy and I were both crying, we were so happy you had arrived. I watched as they cleaned you up and couldn't believe what I was looking at. My little girl. My little girl, whose heartbeat we listened to, who we watched kick and move and roll around inside my tummy, who we dreamt about and prepared for. Finally you were wrapped up tight (like a burrito, Daddy always said) and they put a pretty purple hat on you. Then, the moment your Daddy had been waiting for...he got to hold you for the very first time. The first time he'd ever held a baby, but you wouldn't know it. He was a natural with you right from the start.
You and Daddy were whisked away to the nursery while the doctor and nurses finished up with me. Nana was outside waiting and that was when she saw you for the first time! She cried, she was so happy watching you through the nursery window. I was taken into the recovery room and waited patiently for Daddy to return with our little girl. Finally, it was MY turn to hold you! I held you and couldn't believe how beautiful you were. The prettiest baby I'd ever seen, with the most beautiful head of hair. We were all taken to our room where we'd spend the next few days getting to know you, and loving you more and more every second that passed.
Now here we are, 6 months later and Daddy and I are amazed at how much time has passed already. 6 months! And what a big girl we have on our hands. You're rolling all over the place, we can't keep you contained on a blanket anymore! You're sitting up all on your own. You're laughing out loud- the best sound I've ever heard...Daddy and I make fools out of ourselves, doing anything we can just to hear that sound. You're babbling and making new sounds, and love to give big ol' slobbery kisses. You've learned so much these past 6 months, but without even knowing it you've taught Daddy and me a lot too.
Daddy and I love you so much. Keep smiling, learning, and growing....just slow down a bit, okay?
Nothing earth shattering to update anyone with at the moment. We're sneaking up on 9 months very soon, and she is getting more and more active with each passing day. Getting from point A to point B now is not a problem, and if she sees something she wants...watch out, because she'll scoot across the floor in the blink of an eye. Ok, maybe not quite that fast, but fast enough.
(First, and likely last, time tasting tape)
(She has finally decided to tackle her napping problems on her own)
In closing...
