Saturday at home, part 1

We have been out of town most weekends in recent memory, so when we found ourselves at home on this Saturday we decided to make the most of it. No boring chores like cleaning the house (although it's needed!). First Dennis recommended that we go to Bass Pro Shop. Nikki was skeptical, seeing how we don't like to fish, hunt, or camp. Why would we go there? The answer came as we drove up the drive...it is like a theme park! We had fun looking at the fish, the waterfall, and everything else!! We can't wait to go back and try out some of the games!!

Doo happens

Today riley's mema and papa watched Riley. They had a wonderful day
and had lots of fun together. When Nikki came to pick up Riley he was
wearing a new onsie, something they bought on vacation. The front said
massanutten and on the butt it says "doo happens". When we got home,
this is what Nikki saw. Apparently, doo does happen!

Big boy!

Look at our big boy! On the way home from Yorktown Riley took the
bottle and started to feed himself! Not for long, but pretty cool!

Sign from Delaney

Walking through the parking deck, and here was this sign from Delaney!
What a good way to end the Monday!

Riley laughing

After we returned from our weekend of visiting with Jax and family, Dennis was playing with Riley on the floor. Here is a short clip of Riley laughing at his silly daddy.

Video of Jax

Here is a short video of our nephew Jax, so that his Daddy Jimmy, who is deployed, can see him!! We had a great time visiting with him and Shannan today!

More Jax pictures!

We had fun meeting Jax and visiting with Shannan and her mom. Little Riley will have to wait a while longer to meet his new cousin, as babies aren't allowed into the unit. Riley was perfectly content to wait in the waiting room with AJ while his mom and dad met Jax.

Jax Atreyu Beil is Here!!

Delaney and Riley's little cousin Jax was born today!! We came down to Yorktown when we heard that Shannan was in the hospital and got to visit with them both! Jimmy was on the phone when Jax was born, which is very cool. He got to hear his son come into the world from half a world away, and the Doctor even told him "You have a son!" Here are a few pictures from the day!

Elephant ears!!

We have elephant ears in Delaney's garden - and while ours are nowhere near grandpa's size, they are bigger than Riley! Here is a picture of him and the elephant ear!

Caught on Tape!

Well, we finally caught Riley rolling over on tape. He's quickly becoming a master, and rolled over several times for us this evening (as a matter of fact...when we put him to bed tonight he immediately rolled onto his side to sleep). We hope you enjoy the clip!

Rolling over!!!

Well today Riley had a wonderful day, probably the best day in at least a month. He had a great day at daycare and spent a lot of time on his tummy, talking with the other babies. Nikki had to work late and after they got home we had a great evening. Riley didn't cry at all AND he rolled over from back to tummy, TWICE! Nikki was busy fixing the batteries in one of his toys and missed most of the first time. But then he did it again for Nikki to see. Then we got out the video camera, and then there was no rolling over to be had. We will try to catch it on film soon!!!

3 Years!!

Today is our 3 year anniversary! 3 years, filled with the happiest and saddest days of our lives. But we make it through each day with the support of each other. Three years and 2 beautiful children... Thanks to Nikki's Mom for the slideshow!

JMU Fun Weekend!

This past weekend we had a JMU reunion weekend. It started with the Chelsea vs. AC Milan soccer game in Baltimore. Nikki and Riley stayed behind with Michelle and Avery, while everyone else had fun at the game. Then on Saturday we relaxed in the morning. Nikki's Aunt Missy and cousins Tom and Stephanie came by to visit for a little while. Then we went to Michael's birthday celebration. The party and company were great, and the power went out into the evening so we continued the party by candlelight. Riley took a bath in the bathroom sink and looked so cute. We left early Sunday morning to head to Yorktown for the day. It was a great weekend!

Last Pool Party!

Nikki's grandparents have a house with a pool that is usually the gathering place for the family. They decided that it was time to move into a senior community so they wouldn't have so much yardwork and such to contend with. Today was the big day when the move-out was completed. It was pretty emotional for everyone, as their house has been the site for 2 weddings, our rehearsal dinner, Delaney's baby shower, and many many easter egg hunts and christmas eve gatherings. We drove down to Yorktown on Sunday to enjoy one last afternoon at the pool with Riley. Here are a few pics, we had a great time!! We will of course have many more great memories at their new house, which we look forward to!

4 month update

Well yesterday was Riley's 4 month birthday. To celebrate, he was sent home from daycare with too many poops. He was fine though so Nikki and Riley got to spend the afternoon together. Today was Riley's 4 month checkup with the pediatrician. He weighs 16 lbs 13 oz and is 25 inches long. That puts him at the 90% for weight and 75% for height. We asked the pediatrician if we needed to worry and he said that breastfed babies gain weight quickly but then even out around 6-9 months of age. We are going to continue with just milk for now, since they recommend starting food at 6 months. Other than that, we need to work on sleeping. Riley should be sleeping 14-16 hours daily and he averages about 11...so we need to work on that. We are going to start working on putting Riley down to bed awake instead of letting him nurse to sleep. Hopefully he will start to cut back on his middle of the night wakenings soon! Well, Riley is fussy from his shots so we better go tend to him!

A few more

Pictures of Riley - week 16!

Here are a few pictures from week 16. Riley is getting bigger and learning new things all the time. Tomorrow he will be 4 months old...crazy! On Friday we have our 4 month checkup - so we will post how Riley does with the shots and how much he's grown!

Fireworks!!

Well Riley stayed up past bedtime to watch fireworks for the 4th of July, and he didn't seem too impressed, but he didn't cry either so we'll take that as a victory. He has a cold and so is much fussier than normal. Hopefully he'll start to feel better soon! Here are a few pictures of Riley at fireworks!

Resting up for the fun!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Today is the 4th of July, celebration of our independence!! And who do we have to thank for our continued freedom but the men and women of the military. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of the military personnel for their service, but especially Riley's Uncle Jimmy. Jimmy is a corporal in the Marine Corps and he is deployed for his second tour of duty right now. This deployment is especially difficult on us all as his wife Shannan is expecting their first child and will deliver while Jimmy is gone. Jax will be 3 months old before Jimmy gets home, and that is just another sacrifice that these brave men and women make to protect our freedom!

Today we are having a small cookout and then will try to go see some fireworks for Riley's first fourth. He has a cold (as does Nikki) so we hope that he will be up for staying up a little late to watch the action. Here are a few pictures of Riley that we have taken recently!