Newborn Photo Shoot

I feel so lucky to have met Rachel through my playgroup, and even luckier that Riley was born before she moves back to Michigan with her family!  Rachel is starting a new photography business, and took our maternity photos back in June.  Then, when Riley was 5 days old, she came to our home with all her props and did a newborn photo shoot.  They are incredible!  I can't pick just one favorite...they're all amazing!

First Family Photo

I already wrote about how Gavin's visit to the hospital didn't go as I'd pictured it, and we didn't get the traditional "new family in the hospital" photo with all four of us.  Well, can you imagine how upset I was when I realized last weekend that we still hadn't gotten a picture of the four of us together, and Riley was almost 3 weeks old?  It almost made me cry!  I was so disappointed that with all the visitors we had, I hadn't thought to have someone take a picture for us.

So, what did I do?  I set up the self timer, of course!  It's not the greatest picture...Riley had just fallen to sleep, but we were headed out and I didn't want to put it off any longer.  Here it is - our first family photo, with all FOUR of us!

Day of Firsts

Last Sunday was a day full of firsts for Riley...

First, the weather was finally cool enough that we ventured out on our first neighborhood walk with her.  When we took Gavin on his first walk (when he was just about a week old I think), he cried so hard we turned around and went home.  We didn't know what Riley would think of it...

Things started out looking good...

Still looking good... 

 But, we weren't moving quickly enough and she got annoyed when we weren't moving.  We did, however, make it around the whole neighborhood without her crying anymore!  Gavin, on the other hand, was a different story.  He just kept asking if we were finished yet...

Then, we got home and gave Riley her first bath in the baby bathtub since her umbilical cord is officially off.  She loved it!  Yay!

And Big Brother loved watching!

And she continued with the theme of the day by pooping in her bath for the first time, too!

Then later that night, my favorite boys tried giving Riley her first bottle. 

Sadly, she didn't take it.  Nor did she take the next 3 attempts.  We're still trying...  At this rate, I'll be dong my Tastefully Simple parties with a baby strapped to my chest!

Just have to accept it...

As a mom of two kids now, there are some things I realize I just have to accept.

1. Gavin might be watching more tv than normal...but until we are into a better routine, sometimes the tv is what we both need!
2. Riley might just have to cry.  Sometimes Gavin needs me just as much as she does, and I can't always put her first.  It's hard to hear her cry, but I'm Gav's mommy, too.
3. Some days, I might just have to cry, too! :)
4. I'm drinking more caffeine while nursing Riley than I did when nursing Gavin.  I gotta do what I gotta do!
5. I'm going to wipe even more butts...
6. Just when I think they're both asleep and I can take a shower, one of them will wake up.

I'm sure I'll come up with more things to add to this list, but no matter how long the list gets, it's all worth it.  I wouldn't trade places with anyone!  Even on the roughest days, when I haven't showered, eaten or sat down...even when Gavin is driving me up a wall...even when Riley won't let me put her down...I am so thankful I'm a mommy of two and that I get to stay home with them every day.  

A Riley Update

We took Riley for her 3 week check up yesterday.  She's 9lbs 5oz and 20 1/2 inches, which means she's gained nearly 2 pounds since we left the hospital and grew an inch and a half.  She's in the 50th percentile right now for both weight and height.  And of course, she's just perfect!