Baby Bear

Baby Bear is a newborn (6 weeks younger thanTate) from Haiti that my bible study and I have been praying for. He is currently here in Austin with his host mom (Sara) because he's needed numerous life saving surgeries. I'm including Bear in our blog so that we all recognize how blessed we are for our health and our children's health but to also ask for prayers for this precious little boy. The Rileys will be meeting baby Bear and Sara this weekend. Here is some information on Bear and I've linked to his blog as well. Thank you for your prayers.

"So to talk more about the medical stuff going on with Bear- here is what we know so far:
Bear has Spina Bifida and everything that can come along with that (hydrocephalus and chiari). Bear will need a VP shunt placed in his brain to drain the excess fluid. He will likely have this surgery done on Thursday.

Bear also has bilateral club feet. He will have care and surgery for this later on- he has several more urgent things going on. He is paralyzed from the spina bifida- we don't know how much- but likely he is paralyzed in his lower legs. This means that Bear- like we did with Angeline- might need to use a walker or wheelchair for mobility. He will also wear AFO orthotics on his legs to help keep his feet straight once they are repaired. (Through a combination of serial casting and surgery I would assume- his little toes are misplaced a bit- almost above the fourth toe- so I am not sure how this could affect things or if it will.)

Bear also has a neurogenic bladder and bowels. We aren't sure yet about long term CIC (clean intermittent catheterising) and such. He had his kidneys and bladder ultrasound done and has had a foley catheter (one that you leave in) for the past few days. He has a hernia in his boy parts and it is making his pee tube (real technical I know) a little "different" so they had the urologist put the catheter in. The tube is being pushed by the hernia. The hernia might be getting repaired on Thursday when they do the surgery for the VP shunt. Bear also has a thing- campo (something or another) from Haiti that is giving him terrible diarrhea. They are giving him medicine for this. Later on, when Bear doesn't have diarrhea, he will be on some sort of bowel management program that will keep his stool regular. There are several blood tests, stool samplings etc. that are still pending so we will know more soon if there is anything else going on there.

Bear has a really hard time burping (like he doesn't hardly burp at all) and was really FULL of gas the past 24 hours. So they did an xray to make sure that was all it was. But it made his belly big and his breathing harder because his diaphragm had less room to move! He also has a rash that is eczema and fairly significant on several parts of his body. This could be from dry skin or perhaps an allergy of sorts. We are putting stuff on it and keeping an eye on it.

Bear has a lot of skin breakdown on his bottom from the diarrhea so we will have to be diligent about keeping his bottom clean and dry until he can get over the diarrhea.
So for now- that's all. I am sure that there are things I have forgotten. It's a lot to think about all at one time!!"

The photo shoot

I had to stay home from swimming today because I have a cold. Mommy said we would stay home and have fun in our pjs all day. Yeah! So, what do you think we did first? Color? Paint? Charades? Movie time? Nope. None of the above. Instead, mommy set up a photo shoot! Here are some of the pictures from this morning.

Mommy's beautiful girl Mom! This bow is taking over my face!I love being FREEEEEEE!

Pretty girl Mommy's babies

Kisses for my baby

Victoria's Birthday Party

My sweet friend, Victoria, had her 2nd birthday party at the Austin Children's Museum. What a fun time we had! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VICTORIA!

Her cake matched her invitations!

My baby in her party dress

The birthday girl

First Fall

It was bound to happen sooner or later but I was hoping for later....and not on my watch. Tatie was on the couch and decided to throw herself forward and off the couch onto her head. Boy did I feel bad. It sure didn't help when Wes walked in with one of many safer baby chairs/seats/bumbos, etc. asking which one I preferred to put her in. Ouch! I guess we had to even the score a bit since he was on watch when Tripp fell off the bed for the first time at 5 months.

First Basketball Game

Mommy and daddy had a special surprise for just me! They took me to my very first basketball game to see the Aggies play the Longhorns here in Austin, TX. Aunt Brenda, Uncle Shelly and Victoria watched my baby so the 3 of us could have a special big boy night. I had a great time although I kept clapping at the wrong time and danced to the 'Texas Fight' song. It had such a catchy tune and I couldn't help myself! Daddy got me popcorn and mommy even let me have cotton candy! I must be pretty loved to get to have such a special day. Unfortunately, my Aggies ended up losing to the Longhorns. Thank you Gillian and Joel for the great tickets!!

Heading to the Aggie game

Love the cotton candy!

Great seats. Gig 'em Ags!

Bathing Beauty

Bathtime is so fun and I think my baby likes them almost as much as I do. I can't wait until she's big enough to take bubble baths with me but right now, she's still too little and gets hers in the kitchen sink.

Just Imagine

Mommy to Teacher: What were y'all today?

Teacher to Mommy: We were baby elephants looking for mommy elephant.

Mommy to Teacher: And what did Tripp dress up as today?

Teacher to Mommy: Tripp was a yellow birdy.

Mommy to Teacher: Yeah! That's a great thing for him to be!

Teacher to Mommy: He was a yellow birdy with a feather boa.

Inauguration Day

Today in school, we were part of History in the making! We watched the Inauguration of President Obama and carried flags as we paraded upstairs. During the ceremony as the crowd cheered, so did we while waving our flags. Miss Patti said that we could all be little future Presidents and future first families some day if we wanted to.

He's growing up

He's no longer a baby.

1). Tripp in the backseat saying 'No! That is not a nice way to play!'

Mommy: Who are you talking to?
Tripp: Don't worry mommy. I'm just having a conversation with my monster.

Yes - he used the word 'conversation'.

2.) Today after naptime:

Mommy: Hi little guy. Did you sleep well?
Tripp: No. Unfortunately I didn't sleep too long.

And again, Yes - he used the word 'unfortunately'.

Daddy's Helper

I'm such a big helper around the house for both mommy and daddy. I help mommy with my baby and even help clean up, when I'm in the right mood. I like to help daddy outside in the yard and also when he makes a fire in the fireplace on cold nights.

I'm a happy helper

Helping my daddy bring in the firewood.
Check out my official hard working gloves!

Gaby's Birthday Party

This weekend, we went to Gaby's 2nd birthday party at Gymboree and had so much fun. My baby had never to Gymboree before so I showed her the ropes. I think she had more fun than I did! Happy Birthday, Gaby!

Trying to give birthday hugs but the birthday girl ain't having it.

First slide ride for my baby.
My baby had fun playing in the colorful scarves.

This birthday party is so much fun! This finger puppet sure tastes good.

Having fun in the inner tube with my baby.

Getting after the birthday cake. YUM!

Happy birthday, Gaby! We enjoyed being a part of your special day.

I'm a big girl now!

Look at me sitting up so big in my bumbo! Ok - so it's Gaby's bumbo but she's letting me borrow it. Thanks, Gaby! I love sitting up and being a part of everything. Most times, you'll find me on the kitchen counter cooking with mommy and Tripp or on mommy's bathroom counter while she's getting ready. It makes me happy when I'm sitting up big which equals keeping me quiet which equals happy family all around!

Cooking with my awesome big brother. He's quite the chef!

Look at me so big!

My brother being silly. Daddy told him to make his 'mean' face. He doesn't fool me though. My big brother is a big softy - or at least when it comes to me.

Life of a farm boy

Daddy and I went to Mama's farm when mommy and Tate went to Atlanta. Here are some pictures of me working on the farm. I'm a big helper and had lots of fun being a cowboy.

Feeding the moo-moos

Working on the tractor
Mama's littlest ranch-hand

Putting out cubes for the moo-moos

Tate....in a few years

I imagine this is what Tate will look like in a few years since she's a spitting image of her brother. Despite what you may think, I had nothing to do with this although I thought it was hilarious. Daddy on the hand was not amused.

My son.....the princess

Tripp is in a class each week called Just Imagine and he loves it! It's theater for kids and each week, the kids are the creators, directors and stars as they travel the world using their vivid imaginations. The teachers bring tons of costumes, hilarious props and imaginative stories and through fascinating stories and fun legends , they travel in the kid-created travel machine to places like England (to find the lost crown), the Congo (to swing through the trees and to help a baby spotted neck otter build his home) and many more exciting places.

This week, they 'attended' pirate school to help a tired, cranky pirate school instructor find his parrot. PERFECT for my little guy who HAD to be a pirate for Halloween and constantly sings the 'Pirates who don't do anything' song. Right? Wrong! I asked Tripp what he dressed up like today and he said 'A princess and a switch witch'. This is a typical answer from him and so I asked his teacher. The response? 'Everyone in class dressed up as pirates but Tripp dressed in a princess costume and wore a witch hat'. Way to represent, little guy.

The Littlest Jet Setter

From Tate:

Mommy went to Atlanta for work and a friend's baby shower....and I got to go too! Daddy and Tripp had a boy's weekend at the farm while we had our girl's weekend in Atlanta. I was a very good traveler and loved talking to all of the nice people around me. Once we were in the air, I slept until we touched down and mommy was a very happy mommy. I'm not supposed to tell anyone this but when we landed in Atlanta, mommy and I went and rode the rental car bus to get our rental car. When we were ready to head out of the parking lot, mommy realized she left all of our luggage at the terminal. Silly mommy! We got to ride the rental bus all the way back to the terminal, got our bags and then rode it again to get our car. I'm a pro when it comes to bus riding now.

Mommy wanted to document my first plane ride, but I wasn't cooperating much. I'm sure the other passengers were thrilled that I was going to be on the plane with them but I was a very good girl. One man even told mommy that I was so good, he might consider having another!On our trip, I got to meet some of mommy's very dear girlfriends and some of my big brother's friends, too. Here is my big brother's best buddy, Mclain.

Mclain's little brother, Hudson, sure took a liking to me. I wouldn't admit it to him but he is pretty cute!

Here are my big brother's buddies - Mclain and Jake.
Say cheese! It's a girl's picture. Here I am with mommy and her Carrie and Kari.

Miss Carrie and Tate

I always hear about Miss Kristiina and I finally got to meet her! Kristiina is from Estonia and was my big brother's nanny in Atlanta. He LOVES her and I can see why because I sure loved her too. Please move to Texas, Kristiina!

Vicki was mommy's business partner for KPR fuel. She is having a baby girl on January 20th and we flew to Atlanta to surprise her for her baby shower. She didn't know we were coming! Here I am with mommy, Vicki and Miss Betsy.

We went to church Sunday and met up with mommy's bible study friends for brunch afterwards. It's fun lunching with the ladies, although I must say I mostly loved all of the ooh-ing and ahh-ing I was getting. Mommy sure does miss her bible study friends and was sad to leave.

All in all, it was a great first trip. I can't promise mommy that I'll always be this good on the airplanes, but she sure is hopeful. Man, I have her fooled. To everyone in Atlanta - I sure enjoyed meeting you all and can't wait to see you again sometime soon. Next time, I'll bring my big brother because I missed him tooooo much!

Today's Tripp-ism

Driving down the road with mommy, Tate and Tripp when baby Tate wakes up crying.

Tripp: Mommy, I'm tired of me.

Mommy: You're tired of you? What do you mean?

Tripp: I'm tired of me waking up my baby.

Oops - maybe I say that a little too much. Sorry little guy!

Love is in the air

Today, Emmylou and Miller came to play at our house since school still doesn't start until Thursday. I think mommy and Miss Becca are ready for us to be back in school but they sure are playing it cool. Emmylou and I still have this love/hate relationship but all in all, we really do like each other. I think my baby has a new boyfriend, too. She and Miller were sure making eyes at each other and my baby even put on a new bow for her beau!

Ah.....young love. Aren't they too cute?

The Riley Boys

Heading to church with the handsome Riley boys!