35

Well I turned 35 yesterday! It was a good day! Darrell took me to dinner and to see the movie Julie and Julia. It was such a good movie. I had been a little depressed earlier in the day and that movie cheered me right up. I'm thinking I need to get Julia Child's cookbook and give a few of her recipes a shot. I'm certainly no cook but I think it would be fun to try.
We ended the day with cake and ice cream with our sweet friends Mark and Mindy. Thank you to Mindy for watching Riley for us while we went out.
I took 35 a little harder than I thought I would. I know I'm still young and all that but there's just something about turning 35 that got me a little down. I'm over it now and I am determined to make 35 a great year.

Riley's Birthday

Riley turned 1 year old today. We had a great time celebrating Riley's Birthday with friends. He had such a great time and really enjoyed is cake as you can see from the pictures. Darrell and I feel so blessed that God brought Riley to us. We have enjoyed every minute of his first year and can't wait to watch him grow up. We love you Riley!! Happy Birthday!

Florida Vacation

At the end of June we went to Orlando and St. Petersburg, FL. Darrell had a work conference in Orlando so Riley and I tagged along. We spent most of the week at Universal Studios. We got to stay at the Royal Pacific Hotel on the Universal Studios property. It was beautiful. As you can see from the pictures we had a great time at the parks. Riley even got to ride a few rides in Seuss Landing. At the end of the week we went to our family condo in St. Petersburg and spent the weekend. We had a great time. Riley got to go to the beach for the first time and he even ate sand. I'm sure this won't be his last time to eat dirt. I can't believe my little baby boy is going to be one in less than a month. Where does the time go.

Boston Riley goes to Boston!

The last week of May we flew up to Boston to surprise Darrell's twin brother for their 40th birthday. This was the first time Riley met all of his Aunts, Uncles and cousins on Darrell's side of the family. We had an amazing time. Riley got to visit 3 states on this trip. Of course Massachusetts, also New Hampshire and Maine. The weather was rainy and cold with a couple of nice days thrown in. It was so good to see everyone and we had the best time. We can't wait to go back up for Christmas.

9 months old

Riley turned 9 months old on May 8th. Today he had his 9 month check-up. He weighs 21.8 pounds and is 27 inches long. Dr. Wiley said he was doing great and was very healthy. He has one tooth and he is so close to crawling. He will get up on all fours and rock back and forth. He can scoot backwards. He is growing up so fast. It seems like yesterday that we brought him home. He is such a joy!

Easter 2009

We had a great Easter with my family in Lubbock. Riley looked so handsome for his first Easter. He went on his first Easter egg hunt. Daddy helped him find lots of Easter eggs. We had a great time celebrating Riley's first Easter.

Riley and Darrell - Go Red Sox!!

It is such a nice day today here in Abilene. Darrell and Riley dressed up in their Boston Red Sox shirts and we went outside and took pictures. Don't they look cute. We are obviously big fans of the Boston Red Sox. We hope to take Riley to game at Fenway park when he get's older.

Adoption Finalization

This past weekend we went to Ft. Worth for Riley's adoption finalization. On Friday we spent the night with some friends of ours, Marcus and Cassandra Lopez and there two kids, Gabby and Gavin. We had a great time catching up with them. On Sunday we had lunch with some good friends of ours that used to live in Abilene and now live in Denton. They have a sweet baby boy, Sawyer who is one month older than Riley. They had a great time getting to know each other. On Monday we went to downtown Ft. Worth to the Family Law Court and had Riley's adoption finalization ceremony. It is so great to have everything finalized and know that we are a forever family. Below are some pictures of our weekend.

Riley is growing, growing, growing

Riley is now 7 months and is cuter than ever. He is doing new things all the time and is really enjoying a variety of baby food. I feel so blessed every day that God gave us Riley. I am reminded constantly of the unselfish love of his birthmother and am so grateful to her that she chose us to raise Riley. Adoption is such a wonderful thing. I wish more people were able to experience it.

Riley loves to get a bath and we have moved him from the baby tub to a blow up duck tub that fits inside the bathtub. As you can tell by the picture he loves it.

6 Months Old Today

Our little man is 6 months old today. He's growing up so fast. He is rolling over and sitting up on his own. He's such a big boy. He has the sweetest smile. He has brought such joy to our lives. We feel so blessed that he is our son.

Sweet Potatoes! Yummy!!

We are introducing baby food to Riley. He really likes Sweet Potatoes. He is growing so fast and getting cuter by the minute. He is developing quite the personality. I'm am loving every minute of being at home with him. He is such a joy.

Happy New Year

Hope that every one had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We had a wonderful 1st Christmas with Riley. The picture of him is with his monkey that he got in his stocking. We were so blessed in 2008 with the gift of Riley and we look forward to what God as in store for us in 2009. We wish every one a happy and blessed 2009!