Hanging in my Sling!

Not the best picture, but I thought I would share anyway! This thing is a life saver!! Its a Hotsling..it comes as one big piece of fabric and I have this puzzled look when I took it out of the box, but after watching the video a million times, I figured out how to use it. Its hard to get Riley comfortable in it, and if she is fussy its almost impossible, but when we work together, it works great! This is how I got the house cleaned today. We made the bed, swiffered and vacuumed all while she was in the sling. I also have a front/rear carrier that works good, but its hard to go on by yourself. I plan on using that a lot this summer for hiking in the woods when we are camping. Some mothers have even mastered breastfeeding while the baby is in the sling, but Im not sure we will venture there! I am just happy w/a content baby and having 2 arms to get things done!

A Shopping Day w/Grandma Jackie

Monday we spent the day with Grandma Jackie doing some shopping and errands. I found a Fisher Price Spacesaver highchair like mine on Craigslist for my Moms house. We ended up getting it for $35 and its almost brand new, so that was a great deal! Then it was off to the bank so Grandma could show her off to everyone! She was like a celebrity when we walked into the bank!! We also stopped at the kids consignment shop and picked up a few outfits before heading to Babies R Us.

On Friday when we got home from running errands there was a baby gift left in my truck from Chuckie and Hollie, unfortunately it was already too small, but Hollie enclosed the gift receipt, so while at BRU we exchanged it for a few bigger outfits. Riley also got her next summer dress from Grandma that will probably be her next photo shoot outfit! A quick trip to BRU ended up w/2 diaper changes, 1 requiring a complete onsie change and a feeding! We finally made it to lunch at Panera to feed Mommy and Grandma after Riley was clean and full!!

It was a fun day w/Grandma...not sure who was more tired from the whole day...Riley, me or my mom!

One of the diaper changes in the Mothers Room at BRU, we spent a lot of time in there!

Lunch at Panera's...very yummy!

Hanging out w/Grandpa w/her Calvin Klein outfit on

The new outfits from BRU...Did I mention that I am obsessed w/Carters clothes!! I absolutely love them!! I just cant get enough!

A Very Wacky Weekend

Last week, Riley and I didnt leave the house for 3 days straight, so by the time Friday came we were going a little stir crazy!! Friday we ran a few errands w/Daddy. We took Long Dog and went to Tractor Supply, she was very confused as to where we were, but made herself comfortable by laying down in the middle of the isle as Kennie was looking at something. Then we stopped at the vet to get her weighed...Longie was 117 in July and she is down to 96.8...I find it hard to believe she lost 20 pounds, so Im thinking the scale was off in July and she has maybe lost 10! But I was glad that she has slimmed down on the diet doggy food because she gets a lot more treats and table scraps lately.

Friday evening we headed over to Mike and Stacys to have pizza and a few drinks and hang out with everyone! Riley and Christopher are so cute together. Riley isnt so sure what to think of him, but Chris is very interested in Riley, and wants to grab and touch her! After our usual evening of the same stories and laughing at them over and over again, Riley fell asleep in her jammies in her carseat, we left and go home, I swaddled her and put her in bed, without her waking up and she slept until 7 am!!! So about 9 hours, I couldnt believe it!! Which ended up being good because Saturday was another busy day!!

Getting ready to go see Christopher

Riley and Christopher hanging out!

Saturday Kennie wanted to take a little four wheeling adventure up to the campsite we camp at all summer! So after it taking 2 hours to get out of the house, we were all bundled up, coolers packed with beverages and lunch we headed out. It ended up being a failed attempt. The snow was too deep for Kennies truck to conquer, but it was fun to try! We ended up spending the rest of the day and most of the evening hanging out at Zack and Cheryls...and it was another late night getting home, but Riley slept for 7 hours straight...I was beginning to think that we conquered her sleeping patterns..but Sunday night didnt end up going so well!

Riley and Mommy in the truck on our adventure!

By the time Sunday rolled around we were all pretty exhausted, so it was a bummin day, Riley took a long nap in the afternoon, and I took advantage of it, and slept myself!! It was nice to take an afternoon nap! So after a dull week, we finished it up with a fun and busy weekend!! Now its back to the week, with lots to get done!

Time sure flies...2 months already!

I cant believe it was 2 short months ago that I was in the hospital and Riley was born. It seems like yesterday, the details of the day are so vivid in my memory still, and I hope they always stay that way. I cant imagine life without her now, its amazing how one little person can change everything!! She is getting so big, and changing everyday! We are finally into a bed time routine, and Kennie and I are getting a few hours of alone time at night after she goes to bed. Although we pretty much eat dinner and try to stay awake for some time on the couch, we usually end up asleep, and dragging into bed, at least its a little adult time. As soon as shes asleep, I think to myself that I should be asleep soon so I can get some rest before she is up again! She is starting to sleep longer stretches at night, which Im hoping lasts for me to go back to work, I find myself much more refreshed in the morning, and not dreading getting out of bed.

I also started taking baths with her, she loves the warm water and floating around! I think she would like bath time every night, but I don't want to dry out her skin! And I think the nighttime bath soap and lotion is also working wonders!! I love once she is all clean in new jammies, she smells so good and is so cuddly...heres a few new pics!

Hanging out in front of the wood stove, trying to stay warm during our freezing winter!

Sleeping in w/my doggie

We got the All Clear...

Today was my 6 week post partum check up...although it was a little delayed, as last week there was a snow storm on the day of my appointment. Kennie was home and was going to stay w/Riley, but I never got a picture of Riley w/Dr. Doan on the night of her delivery so I wanted to take her! We started the day w/ a stop at Grandma Jackies and then off to the drs.

So Dr. Doan said I am all healed, and everything looks good! Not that I thought anything was wrong, I'm just glad a doctor confirmed it! I have lost 29 of the 37 pounds I gained, so I'm feeling really well about that!! Miss Riley started to be quite fussy during my exam and after, Dr. Doan is so sweet she rocked her in her carseat while I got dressed and kept her occupied! While at the doctors, I discovered my old friend Julie is now working at the office. Her and I have lost touch in the last few years, but I think we have rekindled an old friendship, and Im very excited about it! Hopefully Julie and I can get together in the next few weeks and catch up on everything thats been going on!

A quick trip to Babies R Us(more to follow tomorrow on this...), to get diapers and a few odds and ends, then it was off to Applebees to have lunch with Jen. I was starving by that time, and Jen scooped Riley right up so I could eat! We also had our first experience of a diaper change in a public rest room. It went well, but Riley thought it was kind of cold in there, and was not happy until her clothes were back on! After lunch it was back on the road to stop at the post office, and drug store and a stop for a latte for me. I decided to give Shan a call on the way home to catch up, which was funny because she was going to call me that afternoon also. Although I enjoyed our conversation, it was short lived, as soon as I pulled in the driveway and put the truck in park, Riley reminded me that she hadnt ate in awhile...so Im sure our chat will get finished on another afternoon!

By the time we got home, it was way after 4...so the day was pretty much gone. Riley decided to take a nap after her day of travels, so I sorted through baby clothes from Shannon, since I had some stuff that she has grown out of to put away. The first time I sorted through the clothes in October, I was being OCD and everything is sorted in groups of Newborn, 0-3 months, 3 months, 3-6 months, 6 months, and then a few 6-9 months, sometimes I wish I wasnt so OCD about things because it causes way to much time in things that dont really matter, but it feels so good to look at when its done! Riley and I took a bath before bedtime, and she really loves the water! I think she likes the semi floating feeling, and just hanging out with Mom. I have always loved the warm water, I think she is taking after me already!!

So Im off to bed after a busy, but fun day! Its below 0 right now and even though the house is at 70, its still very chilly!! I'm counting the days to spring and at least days that are a little warmer!

Riley and Dr Doan

Riley and Jen at Lunch

Its FREEZING out!!

Riley is not happy about the freezing temps outside!!

Its weeks like these that I wouldnt mind living in Florida, or at least somewhere that doesnt have temperatures in the single digits!! The rest of the week until Saturday is going to be around 5 degrees for the highs!! So yesterday Riley and I ran errands and went to the grocery store because we are hibernating for the rest of the week in front of the wood stove!! I'm sure by Friday I will be a little couped up and run to the bank, but no trips running in and out of stores for us!





Things have been pretty quiet around the Rutherford Ranch the last few days. Sunday, Grandma Patti watched Riley for a few hours while we went to the snowmobile hill climbs...where we also froze our butts off for 4 hours! Riley was very good for Grandma and was sound asleep when we picked her up at 9, Grandma on the other hand was still very excited we brought Riley over to her place, and cant wait for their next play date!





I cant believe Riley is 7 weeks old already! Im sure you will hear that comment from me all the time, but I just cant believe how time is flying. She is really getting so fun and playful, full of smiles all the time, and very opinionated about what she wants! Yesterday in our travels, we went out to lunch with Great Grandpa Eddie. He was very excited to be picked up and to spend the afternoon w/Riley. He even went to the grocery store with us, and insisted on pushing the cart around! I think he really wanted to show his great grand daughter off to all his pals at the store, and it was a little nerve racking letting him push her around in the cart, but luckily everyone else caught on and steered clear of him, as he proudly almost took out every end cap at the store!!

I have high hopes of getting a few more things done around the house this week...we'll see what happens though! We hope everyone else stays warm, and for those of you that dont have to brave the cold weather this week...for once I am jealous that you live someone else then New York!!!

Loving her daddy while she is getting burped!

Riley's 6 Week Pics

I cant believe how big she is getting already and how quickly time is passing!! I try to cherish every little moment I have with her this small, because each day she seems to be getting bigger!! Part of me wants to keep her a baby forever, but the other part of me is dying to know what she is going to be like as a toddler!! I just love her so much and feel so blessed!

Riley Roo's First Six Weeks

I decided to take the calender that I keep track of Rileys milestones and post it on here...this way someday when she looks back on this blog or I print it out, I have a copy on here also. I wont include all the dates but the days that we did something fun, or was a first for her! The calender idea came from Shannon, she puts each month in the boys scrapbooks, this way instead of scrap booking every little event, there is a little summary of each month for them to look back on! This one might be a long post....

November 24~ Riley is born at 7:59 pm

November 25~Kennie's Mom, Sister Elisa, My Dad and Chad and Ashley visit, Carol Ann visit

Chad & Ashley Visiting

November 26~Mom and Elisa visit, Carrie visit, last night in hospital

Aunt Carrie

November 27~Going home! 7 lbs 8 oz

November 28~Glenn and Paula visit

November 29~First doctors visit, 7 lbs 15 oz, Turkey dinner at Grandma & Grandpa Manuels

Also first bath...not a very happy experience!

November 30~Chad and Ashley visit, Mommy discovers thrush in Rileys mouth

December 1~Back to doctors for thrush, visit Daddys work to meet Joe & Sue

December 2~Shannon, Frank and boys visit for the day!! Riley was spoiled with awesome girly clothes from Aunt Shannon, her first cabbage patch doll, Frank made an awesome lasagna dinner and apple pie dessert!! Shannon also gave me a new hair do! I was so glad they came up and met Riley when she was so young, I was sad to see them leave that night, although I was exhausted after spending the day with 4 little ones!

Shannon and one of the boys checking out Riley..

December 3~Rachel visits

December 6~1st ride in Daddys truck in a snow storm...after a long sleepless night!

December 7~Sherri and Uncle Wally visit

Aunt Sherri

December 9~Mommy and Riley take their first outing alone...to Target

December 10~Go to Mommys work for a pizza party! Grandma Jackie comes over

December 12~First Pediatrician appt~Still weighs 7 lbz 15 oz, cord falls off overnight while

Daddy is changing diaper

December 13~Mommys first outing alone, left Riley w/Grandma Patti for 2 hours

December 14~Debbie visits, Grandpa Donnys birthday dinner

December 15~Grandma Jackie comes over to help Christmas decorate

December 16~Grandpa Donny stops by on his way home to visit

December 17~First lunch outing, w/Jen to Applebees, then Christmas shopping

December 18~Weight checkup at drs...finally gained weight up to 8 pounds 7 oz, visit Daddys

work again to meet Elaine, Daddys first time alone...Mommy goes out to Whinning

Winos

December 19~ Aunt Patti and Uncle John visit

Aunt Patti

December 20~Pictures at JC Pennys, Mike and Deb visit, "Santa" brings the chest freezer

December 21~Mike, Stacy and Christopher visit

December 23~Mommys work Christmas party

December 24~Daddy and Riley have a fashion show for Mommy~Xmas eve spaghetti Dinner

December 25~Xmas...Dinner at G&G Manuel, Grandpa Ken, Lisa and Harry fly in

December 26~First breakfast at diner~Aunt Elisa comes in town

December 27~Family turkey dinner

December 28~Christmas at G&G Manuels w/Aunt Kim and family

December 29~Girls Night, Mommy & Lisa go out...Leave Riley w/the 3 boys!

December 30~Sonogram at Crouse to check Rileys Kidneys, then shopping

December 31~Grandpa Ken, Lisa and Harry leave

January 1~Lasagna dinner at G&G Manuels

January 2~Errands w/Daddy, Craig & Liz, Chad and Ashley over to visit

January 5~ Six weeks old already!! Almost holding head up on own!! Sleeping in longer

stretches at night, 4-5 hours!

Finishing off a fine Sunday

Well, as you can see, I have gotten a lot done today. Today is the first day in a long time that I feel accomplished. Although I didnt get a ton of stuff done, I was able to get enough done to feel good about it. Becoming a Mom has been one of the most wonderful experiences in my life, but there have been times when I have felt so detached because my sense of accomplishment hasnt been fulfilled because Riley is so tiny right now, and needs a lot of Mommy time

We started our new schedule today. Nothing set in stone, and all of Riley's feedings were not exactly on time, but I am going to be flexible with it anyways. Im really more concerned about her bedtime routine right now because I need some structure behind it. So tonight she ate at 6:50, and then had a bottle, then we headed into the bathroom because she seems to like the little heater we run and the lights. So she has some naked time on the floor, and then her and I took a bath together, next it was lotion, jammies, and swaddle, then she got her thrush medicine, and by 7:55 she was looking a little tired. I put her in her bassinet with the pacifier, and turned on the womb bear...about 5 minutes later I heard her cry twice, so I checked on her, put the paci back in her mouth and turned off the light and laid in the bed for 5 minutes and its now 8:45 and I still havent heard a peep...I dont want to count my chickens before they hatch...but I'm very excited right now...

Also, I got 2 closets organized...Long Dog got a bath...the christmas presents are put away...and a few other odds and ends I've been meaning to get done!

I hope everyone else had an enjoyable Sunday, and heres to the beginning of a great week!

The Story of Mickey...not the mouse!

This is Mickey....About a week after we were home from the hospital, I looked out the front window and there was a dog wandering around the front lawn. I panicked, because I wanted to catch him as we live on a very busy 55 MPH road. So I set Riley down, grabbed a collar and called for him...he came right to me. Although I was very surprised when he came bounding right over to me and let me put the collar on him. So, I put him in the breezeway because he was covered in mud, and I didnt know how the girls would react to him. He didnt have a collar or tags on him, so Kennie said he would drive around when he got home from work to see if anyone knew where he belonged. While, long story short, he ended up spending the night in a crate in the kitchen and he was a very good guest. Never barked, whined a little in the beginning, but was a well behaved dog. When I fed him that night he sat on command and gave me both of his paws to shake. Then I realized that it looked like a dog that was loose in our yard in the summer of 07...His name was Mickey...so I kept calling him Mickey and he responded. Of course, Kennie thought I was nuts...but when he found Mickey's dad driving around looking for him, we both had a chuckle that he ended up at our house for the second time!! Mickey keeps slipping his collar or the gate gets left open, and he takes himself on an adventure of visiting...and crosses the busy road, and stops at our house!

Just when we thought we would never see Mickey again, I heard Kennie say...theres a loose dog in the front yard, when he took Long Dog out the other morning. My first words...."Is it Mickey" ?? Sure enough it was him...Long Dog started to play with him...So I just let him in the house, and he sniffed around, helped himself to some water and grabbed Longies bone and made himself comfortable chewing on it. This time his collar was on, with a brand new name tag w/his names and numbers. I called his owner again, he was even surprised he was at the same place, again!! Of course I wanted to chew the guy out, asking why the dog got loose again...I think hes an irresponsible dog owner...I know it happens sometimes, but I just dont think anyone pays attention...So he came and got Mickey. I kept telling Kennie we should just keep him...he is well behaved, and very happy, and a lab(one of my favorite dogs)....but Kennie said we might get caught...when the owner drives by!! My dad had seen him trotting down the road that morning on his way home from work...he is just a curious lab, that had really good luck crossing the road! I will be devastated if I ever see him get hit, because of a careless owner!

I have a feeling this isnt the last time we will see Mickey...he is such a cutie!

Riley's First Photo Session

On December 19, we took Riley for her first pictures at JC Penny's. It was a fun experience, I was very worried she would have a meltdown when we changed her outfit, but it went well. I made sure we had a bottle with us, and she ate right before. She is much more cooperative on a full stomach! Although we got some cute pictures, I wasnt impressed by the photographer. We will be going to a different mall next time! All in all I was impressed with the pictures, and the deals we got, so stay tuned for more professional pictures soon!

This is my favorite of all..

Kennie's favorite, he loves the look on her face!

The Rutherford Family Christmas Vacation

Our family Christmas card 2008

As anything with this family it seems that Christmas would only be crazy also. So instead of writing the "long" version of our holiday season I will try to shorten it up a bit!

Christmas Eve was pretty uneventful. I wanted to go to Church as we did that last year and it was very nice, but Riley is so unpredictable, and I know Church would be packed, I didnt want to take a chance. So I decided to make a huge pot of sauce/meatballs and sausage for dinner and for Christmas day when the crew from Florida came in. I had some last minute errands to run, and when I got home, Daddy and Riley were having a fashion show...he was putting her in her Jackass Motorsports atire, it was quite cute. So other then a little stress, and a meltdown I had after Walmart closed at 5 and I still had things to get, I tried to enjoy our Christmas eve, but Riley was pretty fussy and I ended up eating my cold spaghetti dinner at 10:30 with a baby on my lap! Ohh the joys of parenthood!!

Christmas day also started out a little messy! Kennies dad, Lisa and Harry were flying in from Florida, and we were supposed to spend the day at my parents. After a little confusion of getting a plan together for the day, we were finally on the road to my parents house. Needless to say, next year, per Kennie there will be a strict time table set in place before xmas day and we will know what the plan is!! Once we were at my parents and Kennie's mom got there, we opened presents! Of course Riley was spoiled by the grandparents with some new toys and outfits. We gave the grandparents, and the immediate family pictures of Riley, which went over very well. Our big present from my parents was delivered the Saturday before....a chest freezer, so the majority of present opening was for Riley. We had an awesome dinner of prime rib, while Riley got passed around the table, my dad put her to sleep in his arms and next she went from person to person, it was very sweet and nice to eat my dinner! Kennies Mom said an awesome blessing before dinner, and everything seemed so complete with our little girl at Christmas dinner!

Then after loading the gifts it was back to the house to get ready for Dad, Lisa and Harry to arrive. This was the first time meeting Riley so it was going to be very special. They were so excited when they got in, Lisa dropped her bags and scooped Riley right up! We spent the rest of the day just hanging out and catching up and eating. All in all, it was a great Christmas! Kennie and I decided to wait and open our gifts when his sister got in on Friday. Between having both Grandma's at the house, Riley was pretty well taken care of, and getting very spoiled, so it was nice to have a break and time to nap!

Friday started out as a very busy day! We all got up and took Riley for her first trip to the diner down the road, pretty uneventful, she slept the entire time! Then it was off to Walmart for Dad, Lisa and I to stock up on groceries. It was honest to god, the biggest shopping trip I have ever gone on! We decided to get all easy meals to have at home, to make it less work and easier for who ever wanted to cook. 2 cart fulls later, we had enough food to last a month! We got a lot of stuff to stock the new freezer though, and Dad and Lisa came with the intentions of leaving us with a bunch of quick food! Elisa(Kennies sister) had also arrived for the weekend, so once we got home, we made some appetizers and all opened presents. Although we were not exchanging, Dad and Lisa surprised us with a digital picture frame! I was soo excited because I have really been wanting one of these! Aunt Elisa, bought a star for Riley. She now has a star in the universe named after her! That was a very awesome present!! Both Kennie and I were teary eyed when we opened that one! To top off the great presents, Grandma Patti got Riley a huge dog book, its about 3 feet tall!! I know being a dog loving family Riley will always cherish this book! Last put not least, Daddy got Riley a sled! Although its been too cold for her to use it, we plan on taking a trip through the backyard soon! Riley also got me a mother daughter willow tree angel, which was very special! My gift from Kennie is a new light for the kitchen, and I cant wait to go get it and get it installed!

The rest of the week (the Florida crew left on New Years Eve) was pretty uneventful. We spent most of the time hanging at the house. Saturday I made turkey dinner, and Harry and Kennie played in the snow all day. Harry wanted to play in the snow non stop, being from Florida he missed out on it, but usually most 14 year olds, have no interest! Poor Kennie said he doesnt want to throw another snow ball all winter! Monday, Lisa and I left Riley with the boys and we went for a girls night...Manicures, pedicures, chair massages, and dinner and drinks!! It was very fun, and something I really needed, I cant thank Lisa enough for this special treat, as it was such a fun night! Dad went out and got us a webcam, so we will be able to chat via video so they can see Riley, its a very cool thing, and I thought they were much more expensive, but its was only $40!!! A cheap way to keep in touch, and this way they dont miss out on Riley growing so fast!

So after the fam left on New Years Eve, Kennie and I were pretty much too exhausted to want to do anything. We spent the afternoon hanging around the house, and relaxing. Our special NYE night consisted of Chinese food and bed by 11!! It was the prefect night, for these new, exhausted parents!!

I hope everyone else enjoyed their holiday season! It came and went so fast, as it does every year. I was a little late on getting cards out this year, but Im just glad I got them out before February!! I hope that 2009 brings great things, and blesses everyone with good health, and much happiness!! We had our ups and downs in 2008, but Im starting 2009 with good hope, this will be out best year yet!

Riley and her cousin Lucas

Riley and her Great Grandpa Eddie

Riley and Daddy and Christmas Eve

A little Sleepy on Xmas day at Grandma's

Playing w/Elisas new camera...Kelly Harry Elisa Lisa and Riley

Our Annual Christmas Turkey dinner

Opening Riley's presents...and Elmo from Mommy and a monster truck from Daddy!

Rileys Dog book from Grandma Patti...on the Rottie page

A great pic taken by Elisa...Riley laughing at Daddy