Starting Kindergarten

Riley was so nervous about starting kindergarten that she wouldn't let me take a proper "first day" photo. Instead, I snapped these on the sly in our elevator and on the train ride to school.

But don't worry. By day two, joy displaced the apprehension. Funny how a friend and a bucket of dirt can work wonders like that.

Viva kindergarten!

Hello Again (Summer 2011)

Hello old friend. So much has happened since we last spoke: summer. A darn good one. We hiked, biked, bug collected, berry picked, picnicked, travelled...and wore ourselves completely ragged from fun.*

And since fun was the priority, non-essentials were neglected: our home was a disaster, we didn't eat enough vegetables, and I totally neglected this blog. Which is a shame, since I should have better documented the many memories we created.

But we've said a bittersweet goodbye to summer. Riley is back to school, life has calmed down a bit, and we're settling into a new routine. (Like waking up well before eight!) So maybe you'll see me here more often.

Meanwhile, enjoy our summer highlights:

*I should also mention this summer's milestones: Riley turned five, Wilco mastered mobility, and Matt and I celebrated ten years of marriage!

The Graduate

Today was Riley's last day of preschool.

I'll admit, it had me feeling surprisingly sentimental. It's almost ridiculous how much she's learned and matured this year. Also, it makes me feel kinda old. And jealous that, with the onset of kindergarten, Riley will become totally immersed in the learning phase of life. A phase that, nine years post college, I feel far removed from.

But then I read this quote: "In youth we learn, in age we understand."

I had a little epiphany. I realized that instead of growing old and intellectually stale, I get to enjoy double-benefits: vicarious learning and age-acquired understanding.

So a huge congrats to Riley for graduating preschool. And a tiny congrats to me for passing Acquiring Understanding, Lesson 1.

Pinchable

My friend once observed that most babies have a particular feature that people are drawn to. Her daughter, for example, had big beautiful eyes.

With Riley, it was (and still is) the hair.

And Wilco? It's these delicious cheeks.

Mister Baby

That's what we call this kid. And maybe it's the oxytocin talking, but I just can't get enough of him.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Before Wilco was born, I had no idea how Riley would react to having another kid around. She'd gotten kinda spoiled with attention after four years alone with us.

Now, five months into this sibling thing, it's safe to say she's loving it. Still. To say she adores her brother would be an understatement. Obsessed might be the better word choice.

But it's been amusing to see how fuzzy the line is between affection and torture. (And fortunately, the boy's a good sport.)

She's Crafty

I never do crafty things, but I found an idea online that was good (errrr....easy) enough to steal. So I think it's worth documenting that I actually made Riley's Valentine's Day cards this year.

And here's how she feels about them:

Happy Valentine's Day indeed!

A Thank-You Note

Dear Santa,

I really like the: Tinker Bell coloring book, chap stick, chocolates, and bike.* Thank you.

Love,

Riley

*Please note that the items mentioned before the bike totaled $8. Santa will budget next year accordingly.

Another Smile-Related Milestone

The holey grin.

Happy Christmas

This kid has been smiling for awhile now...but today was the first time we actually took the time to capture it on camera.

Merry Christmas from one jolly little elf!

Christmas Comes Early

Riley can change diapers unassisted.

Merry Christmas to me!

Thanks life, for being great

Hi friends. Each Thanksgiving, I notice I'm always deeply grateful for the same general things: family, friends, faith, food...

But beyond that, here are the random/inconsequential things I'm thankful for this particular year:

• Sleep (and a baby who's good at it)
• That Riley didn't catch her classmates' lice
• That Wilco didn't catch his sister's cold
• Trader Joe's Fleur de Sel Caramel Topping
• Modern Family
• Design Within Reach (check out pages 10-11)
• That my jeans get a little easier to button each day
• My kettlebell (best at-home workout ever)
• Rainboots

All My Children

All three of them:

The Scoop

The birth

I had three wishes going into the birth of this baby:

1. Per Matt (and his work schedule), baby would come between October 1 and October 10.
2. Baby would come on its own (so I wouldn't have to be induced).
3. I would spend as much time laboring at home as possible.

Outcome:

1. Baby came a day ahead of Matt's schedule. But everything worked out fine. Matt's big project just shipped one day late, and of course the client was ok when he told them why.
2. Yay! Baby cooperated!
3. My water ruptured late at night. I knew if I called the hospital, they'd tell me to come right in, so I stalled a bit...until there was more gushing. My parents got a 1 a.m. phone call to stay with Riley, and we headed to the hospital, where I spent the entire labor process. But I was just so happy baby was coming on its own that I didn't mind revamping my original plan. And despite not laboring at home, the entire process went exactly how I wanted it to. (Except, of course, a lot more painful...)

The name

Once upon a time, I read this news article about a little Dutch boy named Wilco Conradi. When I told Matt about the article, he liked the name so much he decided we should consider it if we ever had a boy. Eight years later, it was still at the top of our list. And since it's a Dutch name, and Matt has Dutch roots, we figured why not.

Of course, here in the states, Wilco is used many other ways: it's a band name, an Oregon-based farm supply co-op, and the last name of the main character in Space Quest. But my personal favorite? In two-way radio lingo, it's the abbreviated version of "Will comply." What mother wouldn't want that namesake?

As for Joel, it's a family name, now five generations strong.

The sister

The biggest surprise of all has been Riley's reaction. She adores her brother. She was positively giddy his first few days of his life. And even now that the newness has worn off, she still loves doting on him, fetching his stuff for me, and gagging while I change his poopy diapers.

The recovery

Going great. It helps that little Wilco is very agreeable. And that I've been able to sleep in every morning. And I that haven't cooked meals, grocery shopped, or done any laundry, thanks to tons of help from friends and family. So yeah, I've been spoiled. Ask me again in a few weeks...

Welcome

Wilco Joel Richards

Born September 30, 2010 at 3:55 p.m.

7 lb 13 oz, 20.5 inches long

We're all excited he's here. Even her:

For the Record (Pregnancy #2)

Week 38

I'm a few days from my due date, and I realized I've been abysmal at documenting this pregnancy. With Riley, I have at least 60 photos of my growing gut. This time? Nine.

So I owe it to myself, you guys, and especially this kid to say a few words about the last 8.9 months.

• We hadn't planned on mentioning my pregnancy to Riley until it was about halfway through. Nine months is long for an adult and an eternity for a kid. But it was at week eight when she commented on my big tummy. And came up with the baby whale theory.

• Typical with second pregnancies, I showed really fast. And got huge fast. By month six, strangers assumed I was due "any day now." At month seven, a random guy at my gym said, "It seems like you've been pregnant forever!" And another acquaintance was convinced I was either having twins or that my doctor had the wrong due date. For the record, my doc says I've measured perfectly the entire time.

• Pregnancy is kind to me. Besides feeling a little gross at first and a little huge right now, I've had no major complaints. I've been fortunate enough to keep my regular pace, including working out, until the past week or so. It also helped that Mother Nature gifted me a very mild summer. (Although I may be the only one in Portland who's grateful for that...)

• Cravings: Rice Krispies. Fruit fruit fruit. Diet soda. (Awful, I know.) And there was one week recently where all I wanted at night was a hot fudge sundae from McDonald's. (Many thanks to Matt for indulging that one.)

• I can't say Riley is excited about the impending life change, but she certainly express a lot of interest. She has requested her sibling be a whale, duck, giraffe, puppy, elf, fish, and wolf. She frequently declares, in a matter-of-fact tone, "If the baby is an animal, I will help take care of it. If it is a baby human, I will NOT take care of it." (At which point I remind her it will be MY job to take care of the baby. But that I'd love her help.)

• Despite her ambivalence, it's been fun to have Riley involved in the pregnancy. When I started really showing, every morning she would enthusiastically announce, "Mommy, your tummy is getting SO big!" She enjoys feeling baby kicks and asking what the baby is saying. Our response? "I hope my big sister is really nice to me!"

• I've had about a million and a half ultrasounds. Ok, maybe just like 5. And I've developed love/hate feelings toward them. Early ultrasounds had a few little red flags that caused some concern. But at my most recent one, the baby looked perfectly healthy. And hairy... Can you believe ultrasounds show hair as early as 33 weeks?

• We didn't find out the gender, but nearly *everybody* thinks it's a boy. That's been my hunch, too, but of course I hate to admit that in a public forum for fear my mother's intuition is wrong.

• Matt is finishing up a few big projects and has given me strict orders not to have the baby before Friday. And preferably before October 12 so he can travel to install a project. Will baby cooperate? Stay tuned!

Justification (You do the math!)

I once heard the following theory on clothing purchases: deduct $1 from the purchase price each time you wear it, and once you hit $0, it was officially a good buy.

I figure for kids' clothing, you should deduct 50 cents each wearing. Or even 25 cents.

Well in February, I bought Riley some shoes on clearance at GapKids for $13. She has worn them every single day, nearly every single place since. That's more than 200 days of some serious Riley-style wear and tear.

So instead of being annoyed that they didn't hold up better, I'm telling myself it was the smartest $13* ever spent.

* or 7 cents per wearing

First Day of School

I've mentioned, haven't I, how Riley generally feels about getting her picture taken? "Not good," to quote her verbatim.

That said, here's this year's attempt to capture a first-day-of-school photo:



*Sigh.* Not good, indeed.

What Happened in McCall

A couple weeks ago, we attended another very fun Dougall family reunion in McCall, Idaho, a charming mountain resort town right on the beautiful Payette Lake. I've since been told that this part of Idaho is America's best-kept secret. I believe it.

Anyhow, a few vacation highlights included:

Lots of swimming. Or "slimming," as Riley ironically/appropriately (I can't decide which) calls it.

Broom hockey for dummies. (Tennis shoes on an un-Zamboni-ed skating rink.)

Ice skating for dummies.

S'mores.

Ice cream. Lots of it.

Basking in the sun.

Pony rides.

Goofiness.
(My sister's keen observation this particular evening: "Riley, it seems you change your socks more than your outfit!")

Happiness. Lots of it.

Not pictured:

• Boating, jet-skiing, & water-skiing. (Except for the hugely pregnant attendee. Me.)
  
• Picnic and lovely outdoor concert in nearby Podunk, ID.
• My sister's surprise announcement that she's expecting cousin number twenty-something (I've lost count). I'm especially happy knowing our baby will have a cousin close in age.
  
• Game night. (Every night.)
• Cousin time. Lots of it. Riley's still experiencing withdrawals.

As the World Turns

We attended a lovely concert in the park tonight. Riley looked extra cute (ok, quirky) wearing her star jammies and an apron as a gown, so I tried snapping pics on my phone. She would not for the life of me hold still, and it quickly evolved into a game of capture the photo op.

Here's the resulting photo essay. (I figure this captures her world view anyhow: Blurry. From that nonstop pace.)








And this one? Captured only after I pretended to put the phone away.