Paint Party

During Rush at our sorority we had what was called a paint party.  By the end of the night we looked a little like this....

Only not as cute or innocent ;) 

[Probably one of those stories best never shared with the kids....or parents for that matter...]

We have had this paint set for a few months and have done very well to keep the paint on the paper until the day Ayden accidentally bumped his nose.  It was then the joy of painting oneself clicked!  Thank goodness for washable paint!!

It's a BOY!! And his name is....

ICE CREAM....


well according to Ayden is should be.

This post is a bit out of order, but I wanted to get this down before I forgot.  I will soon be posting about the fabulous 'finding out party' we had two weeks ago with 50 friends and family that just warms my heart to talk about.  But not on this post....

The day after we found out it was a boy, I went into Tessa Panic mode because I was adamant about finding a name that we loved as much as Ayden William Riley.  When Ayden was born there was no question about what to name him.  We knew I think before we were even pregnant.  The girls name didn't come as easily, but we had one we liked.

This time around I really have to admit I thought it was a girl through and through.  Which just happened to be perfect because I had fallin' in love with a girl name (Quinn Camille Riley) and didn't even have a list for a boy.

Low and behold...it's a BOY!

So yes, back to the day after the party.  Despite all the (wonderful) advise that I had plenty of time to figure it out....it didn't feel right to me.  I knew it was a boy...I wanted a name.  A great name. A name that had all the flow, eloquence and meaning as Ayden's.

So I began to bounce some names off a few select folks...one of whom was my adorable son Ayden.  When I asked Ayden what his little brother should be named...he didn't hesitate..."Ice Cream".  This was two weeks ago.  Without fail, any time you ask him or even talk about 'little brother', Ayden says 'ice cream'.

While we won't be naming our next child ice cream, you can be rest assured we have found a name that we love and hope all of you will as well.....

You're just going to have to wait a few months =)

J's 4.0

When Jeremy announced last weekend that he had a 4.0 in his Executive MBA program, I was ecstatic!!

Little did I know he has a consultant...

My smart boys....

Thomas and his Friends

TRAINS TRAINS AND MORE TRAINS!!!

Ayden has a huge vocabulary now but the word most commonly heard (beside 'momma' - which I'm not complaining about) is TRAIN!!  Boy does he love his trains.

So...last Saturday Toys R Us was have a 'huge' sale on Thomas the train stuff.  Well...being the indulgent parents (and grandparent) we might be, We (J, Gram-e, Ayden and I) took a ride down to the store.  We spent a bit of time looking around unable to make any solid decisions on what Ayden 'needed' when we decided we should try the other Toys R s in town just in case they have a better selection.  So we piled back in to the car in the 100 degree weather and drove across town to the other store.  [I see visions of many many many Christmas to come.] 

There, we finally made some decisions.  And after Ayden went to bed...his Thomas the Train set came to life.

When Ayden woke up he almost couldn't believe he had a train set in his own house!  And within the first hour, this unexpected event occurred....

I walked away for two seconds....

[Don't worry, Ayden (for now) has good listening ears and he understands we can't climb on it and doesn't try to any more (for now).]

The hours of enjoyment are endless and to be honest, it wasn't as much damage as I thought since those train tables don't actually hold that much track (buyer beware!)!  And so this is how Ayden spends his morning afternoon and evening.  Thankfully, we have a wonderful Nanny that is able to drag him away for other activities outside the house.

Future engineer???

Grand Cayman Adventures

A few weeks back Gram-e and I took Ayden on his first international trip.  Complete with a cute little passport photo.  The past few months Ayden has had two obsessions....airplanes and trains (particularly Thomas the Train).  This made the trip quite perfect.  Ayden was entertained for hours (literally) by watching the planes come and go.

And thank goodness for that since we had quite the disaster trip trying to get to the Grand Cayman.  Without going through all the excruciating details lets just say we started our day at 5am and by 7pm, we had only made it to Dallas where we were forced to stay over for the night and finish our journey the next day.

Thankfully Ayden is a perfect, and yes I mean perfect, traveler.  This is how we spent our many delays...

He took naps at nap time...

(He just looks like such a BIG BOY in this photo! - when did that happen??)

And TONS of drawing!!

Our week on the Island was packed to the brim with absolutely NOTHING!  It was perfect.  Day and night revolved around Ayden.  In the mornings we went to the pool (there were three to choose from) and played with balls and other kids.  Apparently Ayden has a gravitational pull - the sweetest kids of all ages wanted to play with him.  Pool time usually lead straight to nap time.  And nap we did!!  Every day Ayden and I took at least a two hour nap...ahhhh...heaven for a tired pregnant woman!

The afternoons found us enjoying a light lunch with some ample indoor playtime.  It is amazing the games you come up with to entertain a 18mo old.  It is also amazing how much independent play Ayden does at this age; he and Thomas the Train went on many adventures around the suite.

Once the sun began to descend and the afternoon clouds speckled the sky, we ventured out to the beach.  Ayden didn't take much to the water, but he loved to play in the sand.  So with our makeshift sand toys, the three of us played for hours.  Ayden also loved the hammocks, so there was always some peaceful swinging.

Just like that, the days melted away far too fast.  The trip home was comparatively uneventful, but very very long. Ayden was a gem. A blessing since I was utterly exhausted.  This kid never ceases to amaze me.

The view from our porch

A few of my favorite moments:

a. Ayden's typical 'nite nite' routine of simply being placed in his bed to fall asleep on his own didn't go quite as planned in the unfamiliar crib and room. So...we laid down together and he would fall asleep in my arms.  All cuddled up and cute. I could lie there forever with him.  For icing on the cake, the last night he started to wrap his little arm around my neck and pull me in for nite nite kisses through his binkie. He just melts my heart.

b.  Speaking of kisses, Ayden also began to give his Thomas kisses thougout the day.  This is one of those things that makes me stare in wonder.  Does he already understand the concept of love and friendship??

c. The day everything spilled on Gram-e =)  On our trip home, between the three of us we were able to spill, strawberry milk, champagne, and water ALL OVER Gram-e.  Thankfully, Gram-e saw the humor in smelling like strawberry and champagne, a favorite combo of hers ;)

Grandma and Grandpa Riley Come to Visit

August began with a bang when Grandma and Grandpa Riley (Corinne and Joe) came to town.  They stayed with us so as to get ample face-time with the little man.  The house buzzed with excitement and action and in the middle of it all was the man of the hour.....Ayden!

Before getting into the 'fun' part of the post (yes there are pictures and even videos in this one!!) I just want to share how wonderful it was to have them here and to watch Ayden interact with them.  He is finally at the age where he truly knows who they are, despite being so far away, and by the end of the visit was even able to say Grandma and Grandpa (Pa-Pa).  In fact, when we show him videos or pictures now, a few weeks later, he will call out their names.

On a personal note, (as though everything I write doesn't fall into this category), I always enjoy when the Riley's come to town because we (especially Corinne and I) always find time between all the Ayden playing, food making and errand running, to have some deep, thought provoking conversations.  I am thankful to call them my in-laws.

OK, touchy feely part over.......for now ;)

Following what I think must be a rule in the Grandparents handbook, they came bearing gifts and left having purchased even more gifts!!  (Trust me this kid wants for nothing.....just the way we'd have it!)

Though at first a little unsure of the activity, Ayden has since taken right to painting with his new paint set care of Grandma and Grandpa.  Also note the awesome easel he is painting on.  This was a 'purchased during visit' gift.  Ayden uses it everyday whether to draw/color or to practice is ABCs with with the magnetic alphabet.  Thanks Riley's!!

But perhaps the most meaningful gift they brought was the gift of music.  Grandpa Joe purchased a guitar to keep in Tucson so whenever he is here he and Ayden can play and sing together.  And they did just that during the visit!!

This clip would no up load, so here is the link =)

Ayden & Grandpa Jammin'

Though the next video is not representative of the fun and dancing Ayden did, it makes me laugh because he has this look of confusion (perhaps even fright) on his face that is classic.  I can only imagine what he is thinking of his family during the clip.

Loading issues!!

Ayden's Crazy Family Singing

And so for a couple weeks Ayden had not only the undivided attention of his parents, Gram-e and Nana, but also Grandma and Grandpa Riley.  I'll tell you he is one lucky lucky kid...but really we are one lucky lucky family to call him ours.

While admittedly there is always an adjustment period to get used to the full house, we are always sad to see them leave and for a few days the house seems so empty...I know little Ayden was expecting Grandma to come around the corner any minute.

Come back and visit us again SOON Grandma and Grandpa Riley!!

Molina Baby Boot Camp Comes to an End

Last week (which is now a couple weeks ago) was a sad week in the Riley household as it was the first week without either Susan or Lynnea coming bright and early to watch our little man for the day. While I'm sure they are both very excited to not have to be here at 6am any more, I know we are very sad the summer is over.  Ayden simply flourished under their love and care. Both are teachers and have taught Ayden everything he knows - they are the reason the kid is months ahead of the development game.  And for this reason we appropriately call his two summers with the Molinas (technically Susan is an Astrene) - Molina Baby Boot Camp.

We can't thank you both enough for all the love, care and learning you've given Ayden. I know he misses you guys (and so do we!!).

COME VISIT!!
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A few weeks ago Susan said something that has resonated with me.  She said she had a 'wow' moment when she took Ayden down to Nea's new classroom to help her set up.  She said 20 years ago when we all met (Nea and I were best of friends until I moved from AZ) she would never had imagined that one day she would be helping Nea set up her own classroom and at the same time watching Tessa's  1 1/2 year old son.

This moment keeps coming to the front of my mind.  How amazing is life???  How awesome that we have come full circle, back in Tucson and surrounded by not only a fabulous group of 'new' friends, but wonderful lifelong friends as well.

As you can tell, the love that continues to bless our life never ceases to amaze me.

Thank you!