The "D" Word

http://www.toddparr.com/books/

You probably know what I am talking about, right? I don't have one, but I am starting to get curious.... Even back when I was 18 months old, I pointed to a male cashier in the Babies R' Us and asked if he was my Daddy. Now that I'm two I've come to terms with the fact that I don't have a Daddy. However, I'm still curious. About a week ago at dinner, I enjoyed pointing out the fact that me and my moms were all girls and not boys. I then tried to reassign one of my moms and labeled her a daddy. She didn't go for it. So many family units have a kid that has a mom and a dad. There are all types of families out there, and I know when my moms are ready that we will have the "Daddy" or in my case, "Donor" conversation. In the meantime, The Family Book by Todd Parr has been really helpful in showing that there are lots of different kinds of families out there. I have several friends who were adopted - some by a mommy and a daddy, and some by two mommies. Whatever kind of family you have, I realize that this is a time to be thankful. Thankful that we have families that look out for us and love us. Because really, it doesn't matter how we got here. It only matters that someone is there to wipe my snotty nose, pick me up when I fall, and love me even when I'm showing my worst self. All you need is love people. Now go out and be thankful for someone you love and who loves you back. Happy Thanksgiving.

Pint Size Productions

You may have figured it out already, but one of my favorite things to do is read books! Mommy and Mama read me books every night before bed, and we read together throughout the day. I'm so glad that Mommy and Mama both read books and magazines too, because seeing them read has helped me to want to read on my own. I'm 15 months old now, and I enjoy crawling into a chair or on the couch with a good book and making up my own stories. Mommy and Mama think I am adorable when I turn the pages of the book and explain aloud what's going on in the story. They can only understand about half of my words right now when I read, but I know they will understand everything I share with them very soon.

Three months ago for my first birthday, Mama made a very special present for me and Mommy since we almost share the same birthday (we are 1 day and 34 years apart). It was through a company called, Pint Size Productions where you can make your own custom board books! Check out a few of the pages from the book Mama made for me and Mommy to read together. I love looking at pictures of myself and reading about my family. If there are any Moms and Dads out there that need some last minute gift ideas for Moms, Dads or grandparents - this is a real winner! The pages are very sturdy and the book is a perfect size to hold. You can make your own words and upload your own photos to the book. I especially love the back because I know I will always treasure this little book forever, and it is a way for me to see (since I likely won't remember) that my Mama made this especially for me and Mommy to share. This little book and pint sized company get the Riley Recommends stamp of approval!

Holiday Photos

About a month ago, my Mama received a groupon in her inbox. It would only cost $25 for a "$50" package. Included in the $25 was the sitting fee as well as two picture sheets and 3 images on CD. Not a bad deal thought my Mama. As soon as Mama purchased the package, she immediately called the department store photo center to book our appointment for a family holiday photo. She was able to land us a 9:20am photo spot for Saturday, November 9th. Perfect, I thought. I'd have plenty of time to have an enjoyable breakfast and be back home long before it was time for lunch and a nap. My moms always attempt to plan things around my food and nap schedule - even now that I'm older. However, sometimes the best made plans are an absolute failure...

Fast forward to yesterday morning. I woke pleasantly enough. In fact, I even slept in until 6am due to being up a little past my bedtime playing with a friend the night before. My moms came into my room and greeted me with big smiles as usual. They were excited to have our family portraits taken for the annual family Christmas card. I ate a nice breakfast and then crawled up the steps for a bath (I walk like a pro, but still crawl up the steps for safety reasons). After my bath, I played with my old school Fisher Price Toys until it was time to get into my dress. Mommy bought my shoes, tights, and dress especially for the occasion. My moms then oohed and aahed over my adorableness. They are so easy to please. All I have to do is say a word or point to a color when asked and they flip out with excitement. Anyway, so my moms got dressed and off we went to the "portrait studio." 

Mama went up to the counter to check us in (we got there 20 minutes early so that way we could get in and get out as soon as possible). We were told that only two people were in front of us. That sounded promising. So, we sat down on a nearby couch in the furniture section to wait....and wait. AND wait. Mama and Mommy took turns walking me around the store and pointing to all of the Christmas decorations that Mama said shouldn't really be out until after Thanksgiving. Though it was kind of ironic since we were there to get our "Christmas" pictures taken. She's silly sometimes. So, we walked around the store and then I was getting a little irritable. So, we went back to the couches and I had a snack because I was sort of hungry. Mama went to see where we were in line and what was taking so long. By now it was already 9:45am - 25 minutes after our appointment time and 45 minutes after our arrival. The woman at the counter said there were only 2 people in front of us (which is what she said 45 minutes ago. At this point we ran into my friend from daycare which was nice. I do so like to catch up with friends. Though I didn't have much to say since I was getting pretty irritable from waiting. So, we walked some more and I ate some more snack - and then I really started to get fussy. I cried, and I threw myself on the floor, which resulted in me getting a lot of dirt and dust on my dress. Mama tried to comfort me, but I just cried and drooled all over her clean shirt. Finally, at 10:20am, we were called to have our picture taken. 

I was done. 

I was done before I even saw the camera or the pretty Christmas tree background. Mama had picked two backgrounds for us to use, but we only ended up using one. I didn't want to sit, and I didn't want to smile. I was tired and I was ready to go to my crib. You can see some of the terrible photos that occurred as a result of this family photo attempt. So, what do I, Riley recommend? Don't be suckered into a portrait sitting because of a groupon or an advertisement in Parents magazine. Wait until after Thanksgiving, when the Christmas tree is up at your house, dress in something comfortable and seasonable, and then call your neighbor to come over and snap a photo with your iPhone. It will likely turn out clearer, take a heck of a lot less time, and will essentially cost you nothing. Needless to say, none of these photos will be going on a card or will be given to family members for gifts this season. One entire morning of my life, completely wasted. Along with twenty-five bucks. 

Dear photographer,  this is an extremely unflattering angle for me.
I look like a devil instead of the angel that I am!

Rawr! This is my "I need a nap" face!

This wouldn't be a bad photo if it wasn't so blurry... and crooked.

I'm really trying to "work with you" here!

Ooooo....

I'm smiling inside.
No. Not really.

IKEA

Whew! My life sure has gotten busy! I'm already almost a year old. I'm pretty active and am really close to walking, but for now prefer getting from point A to point B by crawling or cruising. I'm a rather social creature and love to wave hello and good-bye, blow kisses, and point at objects when asked. I often ask, "What's that?" or "Who's that?" when I want someone to tell me about my surroundings. Today I'm going to talk about my very favorite toy, which may be misleading since the title of my post is IKEA. That is because the only place my favorite toy can be purchased is at the store, IKEA. When I was a tiny baby, Mama got me a mouse from IKEA. I love it so very much, that Mommy and Mama went back to IKEA to get many more of these little mousies in case I lose mine. The best part about the mice is that they can be thrown in the wash with my laundry and come out looking pretty clean and fluffy - not to mention that they cost less than $1 a piece! What a bargain! Because it is my favorite toy, Mama now gives them to all of her friends who are expecting. We also decided to give them out as favors at my birthday party to all my little friends who are my same age. Hopefully they will like them as much as I do. Mama was especially fond of the way these mice are made. The material is super soft (so much so that I like to rub the little mouse on my face while I close my eyes and enjoy my bottle) and the eyes are stitched on as opposed to having a separate piece that would be a choking hazard. Sometimes if you catch me when my mood is just right, I like to swing my mouse around in the air by the tail to make him fly. Above is a picture of how we spruced the mice up just a bit to make party favors (thankfully Mama's creativity from teaching youngsters for a number of years has paid off in my favor). They look as though they ate their way through a piece of swiss cheese.

Why else does IKEA warrant a post all on its own? Well, because where else can you purchase an awesome tunnel for less than $15? I love, love, love my tunnel! I love to crawl through it, lay on it, play peek a boo with it, read in it, and encourage my dog to go through it. It folds down to a very reasonable size to be put away, too (that's the reason why Mama and Mommy love it so much). Here is a picture of me reading in the tunnel (reading is one of my favorite things to do).

When I am older, I can't wait to test out the smalland they have at IKEA. It looks so neat! There are places to jump, a ball pit, and things to crawl on and through. But I have to wait until I am potty trained and can walk on my own. I was very excited to learn that kids eat for free on Tuesdays. Even though I had already had my lunch, I stopped in to the cafe and cleared a plate of meatballs and mashed potatoes. I can never resist a snack! So, my local readers out there - let me know when you want to chill at IKEA on a Tuesday. I'd be happy to join you!

Threadless!

Sorry I haven't written in over a month - we are moving soon and between all the packing and the exciting events (teething, growing, getting two new teeth, and learning raspberries) happening in my life I've been a little busy. Before I was born, Mamma started stocking up on onesies and little t-shirts for me from Threadless. I just love how soft their clothing feels on my skin, and Mamma always gets a kick out of their designs! Below are pictures of me at 2 through 6 months as I model my Threadless t-shirts. What? You said you wish they had grown-up sizes!? Fear not, there are plenty of big kid sizes, too! Who knows, perhaps you may even wish to submit your own design! I know Mamma wants to create a design to submit one day. Maybe if Threadless sees this blog post they will even ask me to be a model for their shirts - I do look adorable wearing their clothing! Be sure and check out some of their cool designs at http://www.threadless.com/. Threadless shirts and onesies make fantastic baby shower gifts and can be purchased at a range of prices from $8 for sale items to $18 full price. BEWARE! The site can be rather addicting!

2 months

3 months

4 1/2 months

3 1/2 months

6 months

Rhyme-A-Round

For the last couple of weeks I have been reading a number of touch and feel books. I really like this book called Rhyme-A-Round from my friend Charlie. It has lots of different textures (bumpy, fuzzy, flocked, etc.) and there are five different rhymes in the book. Mamma isn't very familiar with the first one, but the other four rhymes she sings to me - my favorite is probably "Pussycat" or "Wheels on the Bus." I love being sung to and if I am upset, having someone sing to me usually calms me right down. What is unique about this book is that when you open the book the page on the right is filled with nine different circles and a rhyme. The circles have different pictures on them or they may peek-through to the next page, or have a special texture on them. I love swiping my hand back and forth over the page to feel the different textures! The opposite page has a picture that uses one or two different textures in a little scene with different animals. Mamma points out the animals to me. I don't know all the animals just yet, but I'm pretty sure I will soon! I'm also getting really good at sitting up in Mommy or Mamma's lap. Also in this entry is a photo of Mommy and me reading Rhyme-A-Round in the morning. This book is recommended for babies up to age 3. I definitely enjoy reading it everyday and give it two baby thumbs up!

My Very Own Name

I just received this fantastic picture book called, My Very Own Name (thanks to Andrea and family). Have you ever heard of it? The fantastic thing about this book is that you can have it customized for whomever will be receiving the book. My copy of the book spells out my own first and last name, and even includes my birthday! There is a different animal who presents each letter of my name in a rhyming verse. I was very entertained by the rhyming sound and am now starting to get into looking at pictures in books. My attention span is getting longer and I now sit up in Mommy or Mamma's lap to have them read to me. Both of my moms have each already read this book to me twice - and I've only had it a week! I think this book will help me to recognize my own name and hopefully even teach me how to write it one day. Mamma says it's a great idea and wishes she thought of it first! If you are looking for a one of a kind gift for a small child - this is sure to be a winner! A variety of different books that can be customized with a child's name are available on this website: http://www.iseeme.com/

Be sure and have a look - they even have coloring books!

Here's a page from the book that shows my first name all spelled out.

Mommy read the book to me this morning before it was time for her to go to work.