4th of July Weekend--Part 1

After Riley's baptism, we were able to make it home in time to cross the neighborhood to see the local community Fourth of July parade at 10am. This was the 2nd year we have been to the parade and my family was here last year as well (while Adam was in Ireland). It is becoming quite a fun tradition and though it was hot and we arrived close to starting time, we were lucky enough to find a shady spot. Conor loved picking up all the candy that was thrown out, but he also wanted to eat it all right away!

We made it home in time to pull out the little pool for a swim. Funny how perfect that pool seemed last year, yet how it seems so small already--he can barely lay down and spread out anymore to practice "swimming". But he sure loves the pool toys we bought while on vacation last month!
Grandpa brought along a box of about 500 flags (or so it seemed) and had Conor help him line them up along our sidewalk. We are happy to see that Conor is as patriotic as we are.Teaching Riley how to wave the flags.She'll probably have it figured out by next year.This is one of my favorite pictures. Could be an ad or a magazine cover huh?

4th of July Weekend--Part 2

After a yummy meal of steak and potatoes, and a good nap for Conor (and some others, who will remain unnamed), we hung out and played for a while before heading to a local park near the Fox River to watch the fireworks. We arrived early enough to get a great spot and were able to play soccer and enjoy the playground before it got dark.

Me, my mom, and my baby sister proudly sporting part of our red, white, and BLUE.

My dad, Adam, Conor, and Riley kicking around a soccer ball waiting for it to get dark.

Staking out his spot

Despite the fact that it was past her bedtime, Riley stayed awake for the whole display and was simply mesmerized.
Conor, on the other hand, enjoyed the pretty colors, but was not a big fan of the loud noise. He seems to have been very sensitive to loud sounds lately--firetruck and police car sirens, trains, thunderstorms, fireworks, etc.--and covers his ears. So this is how he watched the 20 minute fireworks show.

4th of July Weekend--Part 3

How to cool off on the dog days of summer. . .

Lay around lazily inside playing with your sibling. Conor is always happy to tell me he will "pretect" Riley and even promises to do so when they get older.

Go to the local splash park. If you have never seen the primetime TV show, Wipeout, it is basically like an obstacle course over water. Conor refers to that as the "silly silly water show" and as he got wet in the dancing fountains, he kept saying it was just like he was on the silly silly water show. Ha ha

Don't Worry, Mom...and Dad's Melons

Last week, we had my annual company picnic at the local minor league baseball game. When I took a bite of my cookie, it was crunchier than I expected and some large crumbs fell to the ground. Conor was right next to me and said, "Don't worry Mom. The bugs will eat it."

A few days ago, Adam did some grocery shopping and came home with some fruit. He had some on the counter waiting to be cut up and Conor walked by and said, "Dad, what are those?" Adam replied, "A cantaloupe, a watermelon, and a honeydew melon." So Conor asked, "Dad, can I touch your melons?"



Oh yeah...and it's official. Conor is POTTY-TRAINED!! We learned that it is definitely a process and there is not necessarily one day where you say, ok this is it. You can only look back and say, well, as of such and such a day, I think we've accomplished this milestone. It is so great to only have one kid in diapers! We have now had at least a month of wearing big-kid underpants and Conor is proud to be such a big boy.

Riley's latest milestones involve rolling over both directions and smiling, giggling, and cooing...some of the sweetest sounds to a parent's ears! She is truly a very happy and carefree baby, such a relief compared to Conor's colicky early months. Hopefully she will remain this easygoing and joyful!

Riley's Baptism

On Sunday, July 4th, Riley was baptized into the Catholic church. She wore the christening gown that Mommy wore for her own baptism 30 years ago and she looked beautiful. It was a special day. She was surrounded by her godparents Turk and Kari, big brother Conor, Mom and Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Aunt Laura, and about 20 other people who came to the 8am (!) mass to see her special day. Father Linster carried her around during his homily, just as he did with Conor; and Conor even got to go join him for a few minutes. Riley had just fallen asleep when it was time to pour the water over her head, so that woke her up, but otherwise she did quite well overall.

Conor and Grandpa celebrating Riley's special day! Happy buddies.

Riley and Aunt Laura, who has promised to help if and when Riley gets into a "girly" stage since that will not be a strong point for me.

Proud Grandparents and their two grandkids!

The girl of the hour...

...and her proud and loving big brother, who was happy to be told he looks "spiffy"!

After the baptism, we had a family-only celebration, combined with a Fourth of July celebration...see future posts for pictures.

However, the following weekend, we had a brunch at our house to celebrate the occasion with friends. Riley got some very special gifts, we had some great food (thanks to the help of friends), and we were able to enjoy the company of some wonderful people.
Riley and Noah, who is 6 months older than her.

Riley and Noah with older siblings Conor and Madelyn who are only about 5 months apart and very good friends.

Catching Up

Well, I warned you that when I went back to work I would have a hard time updating regularly. Here are some pics from the end of June! Riley had been sleeping through the night since she was 2 months old, but has not adjusted well to my return to work and is no longer sleeping as well. Bummer for me, but we'll get through it.

I had a dream the night before my first day back that I was really late for work and that when I got to the hospital they had remodeled and I couldn't find the operating room for over an hour. Whenever I asked for directions or followed the signs, I was led to a dead end. Luckily , in reality, I was right on time (despite having a hard time leaving because Conor didn't want me to go to work...or at least wanted to come with me)...and there had been no remodeling at the hospital or clinic! Work has been going fairly well overall. I think it is harder for Adam to be home with both of the kids all day than it is for me to go to work. It has been pretty busy for me so the days usually go by pretty fast. Nevertheless, I am always eager to get home! This will be my first weekend back on call (though I have already done some weeknights, weekends are always inevitably a little busier.) Will do my best to keep the pictures coming.

White Sox Game

In honor of Father's Day, we are trying to make a tradition out of taking Daddy to a White Sox game. (It is usually the one day a year I wear my White Sox jersey, otherwise I'm still a Twins fan.) It was hot. Conor was restless, and more excited about the hot dogs and the organ than about baseball. Riley slept through almost the whole game. We spent more time in the car and on the trains than at the stadium. But, the White Sox won on an 8th inning homerun and it was still a fun day!!

That was then (2008)--first Father's Day with ConorThis is now (2010)--first Father's Day with Riley