Conversations with an eight year old

Riley: lalala sing a happy song

Mommy to Caleb: She's singing a happy song

Riley: It's from The Smurfs don't judge me.

Brings Caleb to play in her room

Riley to Mommy: You can have peace and quiet now my dear

Mommy: Riley don't sit on your brother.

Riley: ugghhh I sit on him because he's my chair 

{Face swapping on snapchat}

Riley: Can I do an old face?

Mommy: {looks through pictures} I don't have an old face.

Riley: Your face.....

Conversations with an eight year old

Riley: I tried to wait for you mommy but my tummy said "eat, eat, eat"

Mommy: Mommy needs a break

Riley: She means she doesn't want to take care of the crazy children.

{Going shopping}

Mommy: Riley I need to use your gift card.

Riley: Toys R us is also available. 

{Listening to her ipod before going to bed}

Riley: I put "All of me" on. That's a sleepy song.

{Watching an Aurora Teagarden movie}

Riley: Someone threw a body out of an airplane? How terrible. Must've hurt.

Mommy: Probably. 

Riley: Mommy sometimes I can't believe this is real life.

Mommy: You watching too much tv?

Riley: Yeah. 

{Riley finishing last few bites of dinner}

Mommy: Come on you can do it! I believe in you.

Riley: I believe I can. I believe I can fly. 

Mommy: Ok R. Kelly. 

Riley: Huh?

Conversations with an eight year old

{Brother annoying her}

Riley: He keeps yelling at me and I don't want to deal with it. 

{Starts clapping from across the room}

Mommy: Thank you Riley

Riley: I don't even know what we are clapping for.

Riley to Grandma: Mom said you had hot chocolate. Do you have marshmallows?

Grandma: No

Riley: Of course you don't.

{Sits on mommy}

Riley: You want a massage or something?

Mommy: I did just have a 2 hour massage.

{Starts chopping my back}

Mommy: Actually he didn't massage my head you can do that. 

{starts scratching my head}

Riley: You have sand in your hair.

Mommy: hahahahah that's dandruff

Mommy: What's daddy doing?

Riley: He's on the computer 

Mommy: What's he doing on there?

Riley: Either the bank or sports they both look the same.

Conversations with an 8 year old

 

 

 

 

Riley: Caleb just farted!

Grandma: Yeah that's what babies do.

Riley: He just farted on the way out {grossed out face}

Putting up canopy in her room.

Riley: I'm just going to watch the professionals 

Grandma orders two small sides for dinner

They bring food to table

Riley to Grandma: Where's your real food?

Walks into kitchen with Pj's and cowgirl hat doll dressed the same 

Riley points to doll: It was her idea!

Conversations with an 8 year old

{Getting nails done for her birthday. Grandma decides to get gel.}

Riley: Why does Grandma have to be so fancy and take a long time?


{Big storm + tornado watch}

Riley to brother: Did you hear the precious sound of thunder?

{Brother jumps from coffee table to couch. Riley catches him mid jump.}

Riley: I caught him! I popped the weasel.

Mommy to Daddy: Do they have a Yard House here? {Restaurant}

Riley: I think they just have a backyard.

Conversations with an 8 year old

It's the beginning of a new chapter. We have now reached a new age and the things that come out of her mouth are getting funnier and funnier. 

{Talking about her day at school}

Riley: Steve won so we had to do medium and it was hard....it was my nightmare!

Mommy: Who's Steve? What are you talking about?

Riley: Minecraft

Mommy: Chocolate makes me happy!

Riley: Chocolate makes me crazy

{Hanging out with her uncle}

Uncle: Do you want to take the car over there or walk?

Riley: Walk! Walking is better than driving.

{Playing a new family game}

"Which school subject will be the most important in your life?"

Riley: Gym

"If there were no kids your age to play with would you rather hang out with the older or younger kids?"

Riley: Younger so I can be the boss.

"If you could go to the olympics in a sport which would you choose?"

Riley: Thumb wrestling

"What do children know more about than adults?"

Riley: Adverbs

Conversations with a seven year old

Photo: Simply Beauty Photography by Ashley Reed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mommy: Why are you watching the news?

Riley: Cause I like the news

Mommy: Why?

Riley: Cause I like to know what's going on

Mommy: Papa loved to watch CNN

Riley: I like Fox news.

Riley: What song is this?

Mommy: It's Sam Smith....I don't remember the name of it though.

Riley: Just turn on Siri and say love songs...cause it's a love song. 

Conversations with a seven year old

 

{Daddy on the phone talking to his soldiers}

Daddy every time you talk to your mates you sound so low and serious

{watching sister act 2} 

Is this in the olden times?

What's the olden times 

1982

...... No it's in the 90's

Daddy tucked me in at the wrong time. So me and Claire {doll} watched the sunset.

Riley: How much farther is it?

Daddy: Like 20 more miles

Riley: 20 aisles!!!

Mommy: We can go to the library and check it {how to spell a word} out in the dictionary.

Riley: What's a dictionary?

Mommy: A big book with all the words in the english language. It tells you what the word means and how to spell it.

Riley: Isn't that on the computer?

Mommy: HAHA This is what we used before the internet Riley. 

 

Conversations with a six year old

"When I go to the beach I'm going to go bananas! "

"When I'm eleven I'm going to be as tall as my mom."

{Jaguar Commercial}

"Yeah I'm getting that car!"

{Driving in car}

Riley: It smells like farts!

Daddy: It's tires....

Riley: You know who has the biggest feet?

Mommy: Who?

Riley: God!

{Driving in car}

Mommy to Daddy: You better stop while you are ahead you keep digging yourself into a hole.

Riley: What are you guys talking about?

Daddy: Mommy's being sassy and I'm being sassy back and she doesn't like it. 

Riley: Maybe you should just stop talking and just enjoy the ride. 

{A place for mom commercial}

Riley: I need that!

Mommy: ..... {turns to her} For what?!

Riley:....... For you.

{Cleaning up room}

Mommy: Riley what's this? {beads in a cup}

Riley: It's from your bracelet.

Mommy: So you broke it and hid it from me?

Riley:.......I was pretending it was soup!

{Playing dress up} 

Riley: Mommy you look beautiful with those earrings!

Mommy: Thank you.

Riley: You should take your hair down because you're too beautiful I can't look!

Riley: Why do you like Ariel so much?

Mommy: I think it's because it was my first favorite movie...The Little Mermaid.

I think it came out when I was born.

Riley: That's really old!.....Like really, really, really, really, old, old, old, old!

{conversations with a six year old}

Riley{Talking to friend}: Do you know Beethoven?? He was a real person 

Wanna hear his fifth symphony it's soo cool !

Riley: How come you can't fly a kite In traffic ?

Riley {on the phone with Daddy}: Daddy I wish you were here... So you could feed me. 

{Playing Restaurant}

Mommy: What's with the phone?

Riley: In case I get a text

Mommy: From who? Do you have a boyfriend?

Riley: No from daddy 

Riley: It's the statue Olivia!!!

Parents singing: Whoop there it is! Come on Riley sing it

Riley: No I'm not going to sing it

Mommy: Shakalaka

Riley: I guess mommy is a big fan of this song

.... This is terrible change it !! 

{Riley playing in car with boy}
Put my scooter in the back

And turn up the music really loud !!

{Riley talking to baby brother}

Are you trying to do business?

Are you trying to do business ?

.....uh huh are you trying to poop?

I'm going to call you wetter your real name is Caleb but im  going to call you wetter like a kidder .....mmmm I'm going to call you kidder that's someone who jokes around.

Look at your little hands why are you attacking me? 

Riley:Look at my shiny legs 

Riley to parents: Can you be quiet I'm trying to focus on my shoe!

{Mommy Monday} Breastfeeding, the struggle is real!

I knew that when I got pregnant I was going to exclusively breastfeed. At least for a whole year. I breastfed Riley but because of slow weight gain they suggested I supplement formula. Being a young mom at the time I didn't question it and just have her the bottle. Then I got my wisdom teeth pulled and miscommunication with medication I couldn't breastfeed. She didn't want it anymore. I only got 5-6 months out of it. I even tried pills and tea to help me get my "milk" groove back. Nothing worked I was done. So I swore this time around it would be nothing but the boob juice. While there is nothing wrong with formula I am just a firm believer in the idea of "breast is best". I don't have the best health at all. My allergies turn into full blown colds that lasts for weeks. I am no

 stranger to an emergency room either. I want my kids to have the best they possibly can so I vote for boobies all the way. 

In the beginning I was on a roll he was gaining lots of weight and was good to go. I got permission at his two month check up to go a little longer between feelings. He went a little bit longer than every three hours. Sometimes as long as seven hours at night. I was grateful for the sleep for sure. If you know me you know I love me some sleep! Then he started spitting up... Like a LOT! After every feeding like everywhere and so much of it. I was told it was cause he was getting too much milk. So I backed off and started giving him one at a time at each feeding. 

Fast forward to his four month check up this last week. He had lost weight! He went from 9.6lb in February to 9.2 in a matter of two months. Let's just say I felt like a failure. One of the worst feelings is not being able to give your child what they need. It can be extremely frustrating and emotional. The dr again suggests supplementing formula. So I went out and bought some after our appointment. I  brought it home and wanted to cry. Here I was again not being able to give my child what they needed. So I stopped and practically slapped some sense into myself and texted another breastfeeding mom who gave me some tips. I decided to listen to my instincts and not what the dr said and here we are a week later extremely exhausted but gaining weight luckily. We immediately started nursing every 1-2 hours even at night. We are running a marathon and I'm surprised I am can even stand up straight. There have been moments at night where I can't even open my eyes. I've wanted to give up so bad. I've wanted to just give in and give him a bottle and get some rest. I just keep reminding myself to take one day at a time. One feeding at a time.

Breastfeeding is a hard job but so worth it. I'm really pushing through and trying to make it eight more months without formula. It's definitely a day by day experience. Some days are hard some days are slightly harder and some days are a breeze. Usually the days where I can sit on the couch all day and be a breastfeeding slave. But we are making it work. We are a mommy-baby team. I believe we can make it to the other side!


I've also been looking into lots of breastfeeding super foods.

Oatmeal
Leafy greens
Nuts {not so much, but I'm trying}
I even looked into lactation cookie recipes. Cause I mean come on who doesn't love a good cookie!
Any other ideas you can send my way feel free to leave a comment!

Mommy Mondays: Props to the Single Mom

I am wrapping up my very long 2 1/2 weeks as a single mom today. 

Being a military wife we have constant "single mom"days, weeks, and months at a time. 

With one kid I had a small taste, a tiny little glimpse of what it is like to be a single mom. But this was the first time alone with two kids.

Let's be real folk! No one is perfect and there are no perfect moms. I don't like the different stereotypes there out there. Or the constant mom judging that goes on on a regular basis. I know we've all been judged and I know we've all done some judging. But one thing I learned this time around. That infamous phrase that has been passed down through generations is so true. "Don't judge a person until you've walked a mile in there shoes."

....And let me tell you my feet are tired!!! I am so burned out this time around that I can't even imagine how moms do it with more than two kids. 

If you don't know what it's like to be a stay at home mom or even a stay at home mom/blogger/entrepreneur/photographer/home-schooler or whatever your vice may be. Let me give you a glimpse into our world. 

It's not always good days. 

It's not always hair curled and makeup done.

It's not always well-behaved children.

In fact I'm not sure I curled my hair the whole time. I barely wore any makeup and most certainly did not always have well behaved children. I do not always have it all together. I'm sure I'm not the only one either. I know it can't completely come close to being like this but sometimes I compare being a stay at home mom/mom in general to being on deployment. It's quite often a war zone sometimes not near death of course but playing referee to kids all the time can be exhausting. But I think it's mainly the on edge feeling. Being a mom you can't really let yourself relax.You have to be ready at a moments notice to jump out of bed to tend to a crying baby or child. With a newborn you are afraid to fall asleep in case they stop breathing, roll on their stomach, pull a blanket over their face. You have to be ten-twelve steps ahead of your child. Constantly thinking of consequences and different scenarios of a child hurting themselves. A million and one things can happen when you turn away to take a drink or bite to eat. Even take a shower or go to the bathroom. You can't be selfish even in the tiny bit. I wake up every morning doing my children's bidding. Feeding them, cleaning up after them. Being pulled in a million different directions. When I said we live on edge...I mean on EDGE!!! 

I am so blessed beyond measures to have the husband that I do. He cooks dinner/breakfast, he does dishes, he changes diapers, he brings me chocolate when I'm literally going insane. I'm glad that I have him. But some do not have a team-mate to tag in on those crazy days. So this one goes out to all the single moms/parents. They meet each day being brave and fearless. They keep it together not only for themselves but for those babies. They continue on most of the time without getting any kind of break. I salute you Mom's!!

So do something nice for a single mom/parent out there today.

They most certainly need it!

{conversations with a six year old}

Riley: Aren't you glad I helped you find my stuff?

Daddy: You didn't help me

Riley: I told you where it was

Riley: Mommy! My voice camouflaged into the song......... {new song comes on} Mommy it camouflaged again.

Riley: Mommy how old do you have to be old?

Riley: I know why they call it IHOP because it's so good you jump up and down!

Riley: I feel different today.

Mommy: Like in a good way?

Riley: I feel older.......

On JOBS:

Riley: You and mommy are just one thing. I'm four things.

Daddy: What's mommy's job

Riley: Mommy works for groceries and toys. Daddy works for money. 

Mommy: What do you do?

Riley: Read, curious, play and.....just sit around.

Daddy: I'm the boss. What does Mommy do?

Riley: Mommy sits with Caleb and watches tv all day.. {my kid ladies and gentleman... thanks a lot Riley!} 

Riley: I like fancy hotels

Mommy: What makes them fancy?

Riley: Carpet and dresses.

Mommy: I wish people would just pick up their dogs poop. I mean they don't let their kids poop outside and leave it for us to walk all over. 

Riley: Yeah they would freeze their butts!

Mommy Mondays: stop growing!

                       

                                          

As I sit here still in my pjs with a sleeping babe and one off to school I pondered.......

So this is what life looks like as a mom of three? Two itty bittys and one angel baby. I still can't believe I've birthed three human beings. I don't feel old enough.. Ha I don't really feel young enough either. 

I'm in mommy limbo!

I am a week away from little man turning 4 months old. Where has the time gone? I'm still gathering my bearings here and I already have a 4 month old!! That's almost half a year and then what he turns  one!!?? 

When I sent my little lady off to kindergarten I was an emotional wreck. But now I have the blues! This is a real thing. The realization that time goes fast at a dramatic speed. And your once tiny little babies will be going to high school and getting married and driving cars before you even have the chance to blink. I have a hard time being in the moment with them. Because I'm trying sooo hard to cling to this age, this time in their little lives that will never happen again. I find myself staring {too long actually} trying to memorize every part of their little faces and little hands and little feet. 

Tell I'm not the only mom out there who does this? 

One thing they don't tell moms who bring home second baby. How instantly it makes your older child look like a giant. My sweet, precious little baby girl grew drastically overnight. I'm not even kidding her arms and legs were longer! Her hands were the size of human adult hands! She wasn't a baby anymore she's running around having grown up conversations with me. She's even reading to ME now!! I seriously want to cry! Time is seriously precious and is over  like that {snaps fingers}. No do overs, no pause and rewind buttons just one chance. 

I can't be bothered to waste time with silly things like cleaning, bathing or watching my shows. I have to spend every second just soaking up my time with them! Because I could never ever live without them! 

P.S I was kidding about the cleaning and bathing part. ;)

{Conversations with a six-year old}

Mommy: Riley I'm so upset I pumped 3oz of milk and then I didn't close the bag right and it spilled on the counter and I lost an ounce so now I only have 2oz of milk.

Riley: Does that mean you have to squeeze more?

Mommy: Haha Yes!

Riley: Siri I have a new baby brother!

Siri: I bet you say that to all your apple products.

Riley: What's apple problems?

Mommy: Make sure you sit on the floor with your cup....I mean juice box.

Riley: You said cup, it's a juice box....CRAZZZYY MAMA

{Clipping baby's nails}

Mommy: That's my worst nightmare {cutting their little fingers}

Riley: But it's not a nightmare this is real life.

Riley: Mommy in minutemen did they have TV's and electronics?

Mommy: No

Riley: Then what were they fighting for?

Mommy: What is that?

Riley: Stickers from the store.

{pulls out blank price tag stickers out of pocket}

Mommy: You took that many? What are you a trash collector?

Riley: Just curious.

Riley's Frozen Tea party

So this year we did a frozen tea party for Riley's birthday. It ended up being a month late because of having a newborn and availability at the community center on base. It was originally planned as a low key tea party at home for a few friends. Riley just loves everybody so she wanted to invite all her friends. I had no choice we had to have an enormous "low key" tea party. 

As a party hostess I have a huge fear. One of my worst nightmares is hosting a party and guests show up before everything is set up. Then on top of that they ask to help. This huge fear of mine has not only happened once {Riley's 4th birthday party} but now twice. Maybe I should stop having parties outside of my house! Between the outrageous amount of snow we had been having. The house starting to leak. And having and extra member of the family that slows us down more. It happened again! I got to the community center 45 min before the party was supposed to start. And of course the guests showed up on time. I barely had the food table set up. Only had time for a snowflake garland and some table decor. I was mortified! To say the least. 

Despite all of my running around like a chicken without a head. Everyone had a great time. Riley even said it was her best party ever. 

Go figure!!

Moral of the story is. I'm not perfect but i sure can give some comic relief.

Anyone else have this fear?

Now on to the party details!

I wanted to stay true to the tea party theme. So we had mini foods. We made little tea sandwiches cut into snowflakes. Along with veggies, fruit, mini strawberry cheesecakes, brownie bites, and cookie dough dip with snacks to dip. 

We played pin the carrot on Olaf

Frozen bean bag toss, and Olaf sack race. Everything was a blur. It went by super fast. We had such a huge turnout I'm surprised I'm still standing. 

What a crazy day! 

Decorations: Dollar Tree and orientral trading company.

Party games: party city 

{Conversations with a five year old}

Riley: I need to go to high school

Daddy: You are too young for high school

Riley: But I'm wearing high heels

Riley: Is that Daddy?

Mommy: That was fast..

Riley: Well, he's running

Mommy: Can you help me put my shoes on?

Riley: You can do it I trust you.

Mommy: Riley why are you so crazy and wild? 

Riley: I don't know

Mommy: Is it because your brother is coming and you are trying to cling to every last bit of attention you can get? 

Riley: YES! 

{Pregnancy} 27 Weeks/Baby checkup

Well I am 27 weeks today. That brings about a different set of fears and anxiety. 

And it's ironic because it's also pregnancy loss awareness month. 

27 weeks is when my water broke with my first son. So now that I'm 27 weeks with my second son. It gets me a little on edge. Basically for the next 90 days I will be holding my breath, on pins and needles just waiting for this little man to get here. Hoping for a healthy child and a safe delivery. 

While my water did break early with my first son I had enough fluid to not deliver. I was stuck in the hospital on strict bed rest until it was time to deliver him. Which is very similar to my knee situation now. I'm immobile yet again. It's making for a very emotional third trimester. 

 Baby Update

Baby almost weighs 2 pounds and is roughly 14 1/2 inches long. About the size of a head of cauliflower. He's asleep and awake at regular intervals and opening and closing those little eyes. His brain tissue is developing and is very active now.

He's still really active most of the time. He's really strong so his kicks are pretty intense. Super intense for a "2 pound baby". Overall he's still healthy and growing just like he should.

Conversations with a Five-year old

Photo by Kristen Booth

I am constantly amazed at the interesting things that come out of this little girls mouth. She is one smart cookie!

Riley: I have a disk in my brain that writes down everything I eat.

Mommy: Really?

Riley: Yep!

Mommy: Do you how you get to heaven.

Riley: You die

Mommy: haha I mean before that. You believe in Jesus and accept him into your heart.

Riley: Right...then you die.

Mommy: haha Yes

Mommy: How much do you love me?

Riley: {opens arms big}

Mommy: That's a lot! Don't you love me more than that? I love you more than anything. 

Riley: I love you more than grass!

Mommy: Grass hmmm?

Riley: More than houses, more than signs.

Mommy: I sure hope so! 

Conversations with a five-year old

Photo by Kristen Booth

At first I wasn't sure if I could keep this up. But Riley just surprises with the little gems that come out of her mouth. I don't think we will be having a problem at all!

Mommy to Daddy: You should have your "I'm bossy" {by Kelis} as your ringtone. 

Riley: I'm Poppsy

Mommy: No, I'm Bossy

Riley: You know who's bossy?

Daddy: Who?

Riley: Daddy!

Daddy: Because I'm the boss. You can tell everybody.

Riley: .....not my friends at school. 

Riley: My farts are silent that means quiet.

Daddy: What did you say?

Riley: None of your business

{Riley playing outside with the neighbors}

Mommy: Riley I can't see you.

Riley {yells back}: Don't worry

Riley: What's wrong mommy?

Mommy: I just miss daddy. I wish he could spend more time with us.

Riley: Here look at this picture that will make you feel better. {points to picture} That's Daddy.

Mommy: Thank you Riley. :)