My New Motto

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance

~Author Unknown

My Assistant for the Day

Sami, Riley, and I had a very busy day. I got tired just watching Sami take care of and play with Riley. Started the day making sure that Riley had a full belly and then we went to Wal-Mart. Picked up a few things including a new walking toy for Riley. He must have known it was for him because as soon as I put it in the cart he placed his hand on it and he rode around the store making sure no one was going to take it away from him. Then it was off to Sonic for my usual diet coke and Sami got breakfast, poor Riley didn't get anything, maybe next time.

When we got back to the apartment is was time for our walk. When Riley and I go for our walks we kind of stroll along and look at things and take our time. Sami thought we were in a race and I finally had to tell her to slow down. We saw the ducks on the way to the playground. Sami and Riley really enjoyed swinging and going down the slide. Thank goodness Sami is a trooper because the slide was all wet but she really wanted to go down with Riley so she didn't mind getting her butt wet and Riley did have a good time.

Back to the apartment for some lunch and then it was time for Riley's nap. Of course today he slept for 3 hours, he has never done that for me. It drove Sami crazy, she annouced every five minutes to begin with and then it was every half hour. I guess Sami just tired him out. When Riley did wake up we played the rest of the afternoon away.

Got home and gave Tammy a call and found out they were going out to dinner at Macaroni Grill so it was decided we would meet them there and give Sami back. Had a great dinner, they gave us our own room (there were nine of us) and this huge table. We always have to have a big party so we can get this room.

Cole was going to come home with us but he decided he would rather go swimming. It was early to bed at our house because tomorrow we are driving Nikki and Riley to Jacksonville.

We all met up at Andy and Nikki's apartment and were on the road by 0715. The trip was pretty easy. Hadn't been up I-4 in a long time and everything looks so different. Got to Nikki's Mom's at about 1015 so we made pretty good time. One stop at Kim's exit for a soda and bathroom break.

After dropping them off we met up with Kim at the Scrapbook store on Old St Augustine Rd. Lots of new stuff. Then it was off to lunch at Taco Bell. We all got Taco Bell but Breann, she and Tammy walked over to McDonald's to get her lunch.

Then we were just killing time, went to Target and walked around and looked at books. Then we found a movie theater and saw Surf's Up, pretty cute movie and those that stayed awake enjoyed it. Next was ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. That is when Nikki called and said she would be spending the night and her dad would bring her home on Sunday. So I was on the road at about 1640 and starting from 95 and 295. The trip home was pretty good not alot of traffic and it went by fast. Got home at about 1900. I was tired but it was a good day and that is all that mattered.

Catching Up

We were without internet on and off since last Thursday and hopefully the problem is solved, we will see.

Can you believe we are under four weeks until we leave for Norway, getting really excited. Although last night had a dream that our cabin wasn't available and we had no where to stay once we got onboard the ship. I'm sure that is a good sign that all will go well.

This has been a pretty busy week (ok, six months) at Tammy, Tom, Gramma, and Grampa's. The kitchen looks fantastic and they moved onto G & G's room and that is coming along great. The walls are painted and the floor is level. The Murphy bed is getting delivered tomorrow. It takes the installers 6 hours to get it all done. Can't wait to see it all finished.

G & G are leaving for Kathi's on Friday, don't know when we will see them again. Have a good trip and see lots of things and take lots of pictures. Speaking of pictures, I have been looking through their Alaska pictures and they are just beautiful. Can't wait to see some of them printed out. Tammy printed a few of hers and they are just amazing.

Riley and I have been very busy also. Went to the lakefront again this week for a walk. Learned from last week that if we are going to walk 2.5 miles I have to wear shoes and not flip-flops. Much better this week, plus we went earlier and it was cooler. I think this will be a weekly thing for us. The rest of our walks are around the apartment complex so I can make it as long or as short as I want. We usually do at least a half hour and closer to an hour everyday.

Have a good week and you will be hearing from me again soon.

Who is This Girl?

Why it is the BIRTHDAY GIRL!
And if I recall correctly (and I am)
she is 49 today.
Who would ever believe that.
Have a very Happy Birthday and I
hope all your birthday wishes come true.

This is also one of those years that her birthday
lands on Father's Day,
So Happy Father's Day Dad!

I'm Suppose to be Retired, Not this Busy!

First about the pictures. The top two are from Leesha's we are going to miss you party. Again we had a good time and it was so nice to see everyone. The bottom one of Riley I took right after we got back from an hour walk that he had slept through. He woke up just as I rolled up to the door and this face is because he realized the stroller wasn't moving and we were done.

I know everyone knows that Andy and Nikki are pregnant again but it is a pretty funny story how I found out. I'm there with Riley playing and he starts standing on his own for longer periods of time and I just know he is going to take his first step or do something and I realize that I forgot my camera today. I look over and on the computer desk is Andy and Nikki's camera and I remember that it will shoot videos, perfect. So I get it all set up and start shooting some videos, after a while and no standing or steps by Riley I decide to view the videos I shot. As I'm stepping through them I come across a picture of a positive pregnancy test. So hours later when Andy got home he hardly even made it in the door when I asked if Nikki was pregnant. First the looks of bewilderment, (how could she even suspect that Nikki was having another baby) then the grin of utter joy and I knew that it was true. So much for waiting awhile before telling anyone.

Friday was errand day with Riley. First to the banks and then to Sonic, never miss a chance to get my Route 44 Diet Coke with lots of extra ice. We then headed out to visit Gramma and Grampa K and Tammy. Got to see the new counters, they are beautiful and that room just looks great. Can't wait for all the little touches to be done. Gramma and Grampa were painting their room and Tammy was working on the backyard. We arrived just in time for snack. Riley got to have a cracker which he really enjoyed.

Our next stop was the Lakefront of Saint Cloud where we took our walk today, Riley was awake for most of it. By the end it was very hot out and we were ready to head home. But I decided to swing by Wal-Mart and see if the had any shoes that would Riley and they had the cutest pair of sandals, but did I think to take a picture. Will have to remember to do that next week.

When we got home just sat back, rested and cooled off for a bit, had lunch and played the afternoon away until Andy and Nikki got home.

The biggest news of the week, Chris made an appearance at the house, I really can't remember the last time I saw him. I think it was Sunday.

Big News

As you can see there has been some news here. There should be a new little Gigstead sometime in February. We are thinking pink, pink, and more pink.

Test Time

Forgot to mention in my last blog entry that Nikki will be taking her LSAT tomorrow. Keep her in your thoughts and send some good law thought waves to her at about 1230. Good Luck Nikki

She's Leaving

After our morning in Melbourne, commissary shopping and a stop at the scrapbook store we went to Tammy's for Leesha's going away party.

We all had a good time, the kids wanted to play with Riley and he was kind of squirmy but they all got to hold him. Sami was the little mom for the day, she feed him his bottle and his food. Had a great lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers. Of course there was cake and as always Publix did a great job on the cake.

We looked at Dad's pictures from Alaska and they were just beautiful. I brought them home so I could look at them more closely and enjoy them at a slower pace.

Out to the pool after that, of course the sun came out and it started getting hot so we made our way from the pool area to the gazebo and then back into the house. Spent a bit more time and then it was time to call it a day and head home.

How Can One Little Boy Move So Fast

Another busy and exciting day. Started with a big breakfast of bananas and cereal and that of course lead to a bath which is always lots of fun.

Today our mission was to find a small stroller that is easy to load in and out the car. So off to Wal-Mart we went (where else would we go). Car seat was no problem and Riley loves to be in shopping cart, he sits there like he owns the place and everyone treats him that way too. I did my weekly Wal-Mart shopping, didn't have to get to much because Dan and I are going to the commissary tomorrow to do big shopping. As you can see from the photos we were successful in finding a stroller, $14.88, we were very happy and couldn't wait to try it out. On the way home stopped at Sonic, ok we drove from Wal-Mart's parking lot to Sonic in 30 seconds but in that 30 seconds Riley was asleep.

Got back to the apartment and Riley went down for a nap. When he woke up we tried out the stroller, well he got all strapped in and I took pictures. It was lunch time so no walk now. Got Riley out of the stroller and on the floor and I went to make lunch. When I got back with the food and paper towel (can't feed Riley with a wet paper towel or two) I found him up under the stroller just kicking back taking it easy, so of course the camera came out. Not quite sure how he got up and under that way but it didn't take him long and he was very quiet about it.

We didn't get a walk in because thunder started up and the rain was coming. Tammy and Gramma and Grampa K came to visit and it started pouring while they were there. Waited for it to let up so they could leave. Always nice to have visitors.

Both mommy and daddy were late getting home but mommy was first and Riley is always so glad to see them.

More excitement coming this weekend, so be on the lookout for updates.

Busy Days

We had a very busy Thursday in The Life of Riley. It was the first time we went out in the car. Met up with Tammy and Gramma and Grampa K. Our first stop was Weight Watchers and as always we headed to Panera to get a bagel. Riley was having problems with the car seat, he kept falling over to the left side and it looked very uncomfortable so he was kind of whiny for the ride but ended up falling asleep just before we pulled into the parking lot.

The special bagel for the past couple of weeks has been passion fruit and we have all gotten one of those. They are very good and Riley agreed, although he didn't get to have any of the crunchy bits that are on top, Grammy would only give him little bits of the inside. So between having his bottle, pieces of bagel, and banana puffs Riley was a happy camper.

Walked over to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to look around. Tammy got her bar/counter stools and Gramma K got her new trash can, we are very easily satisfied.

On the way home Riley had the same problem with the car seat and again he fell asleep just before we pulled into the apartment. Tammy can with us so she could see the new apartment and what it looked like. It passed inspection, she liked it a lot.

When we took Tammy home, I put a towel next to Riley in the car seat and that worked out very well, so we have solved that problem. Riley got to meet Luke. Luke just wanted to smell him and Riley just wanted to touch Luke, so that is what they did.

Again Riley fell asleep on the drive back to the apartment but this time I was able to carry him in and put him in his crib and he finally got a bit of a nap. The rest of the day was spent playing and having a good time. He new favorite spot is under the end table, he played under there for a long time.

Another Tooth

Today I was trying to get a picture of the new tooth. It's the top left as you look at Riley and as you can see from the photos I failed miserably. I tried every angle and I have about 50 photos to prove it but no luck. For me to see them I practically had to hold Riley upside down to get a good look. When I was able to get a look saw that the other top three are almost through too. So pretty soon he will have a mouthful of teeth.

Today he was also doing pretty good standing by himself not holding onto anything, but I also couldn't get a picture of that because as soon as the camera came out he wanted to grab for it and down he would go to get over to me. Will have to work on that tomorrow and Friday.

We were very busy today, playing, reading books and going for a walk. It was pretty warm (really very hot) but it was overcast so it could have been much worst. Might have to make the next walk one to the pool for a swim.

There has been lots of news from around the family. Christopher made Second Class, congrats to him. Kimberly graduated with a 4.68 GPA, way to go. John passed the Second Class exam but missed the cutoff by .13, I know he will make it next time. Leesha is getting ready to move to Omaha, we will miss her. All pretty exciting.