2008 vs 2009

2008

2009

I've really enjoyed taking look back at the pictures and blogs from last year and am just amazed at the difference between this time last summer and now. They are so much bigger and I think Ryan doesn't even look like the same child. Ok - so the 2009 shot is not the best picture of Ryan, but you get the idea! While I'm thinking about it seems that this was one of the years they will change the most in their lives (maybe other than puberty) in so many ways. This time last year there was no talking and this year they will say just about anything you say - mostly single words. They have started saying 2 word phrases like "Thank You Riley" (ok that is actually 3) and "More Please". They have each said thank you without being prompted! It probably doesn't sound like much to everyone else, but it's huge in our world. I am constantly amazed at how they are developing. They "get it" most of the time and are so eager to please (most of the time).

A little story from this weekend...
I spend most of my time in the kitchen with them fussing at me for attention and wedged between me and the counter. Yesterday Kevin had taken Ryan on an errand, so it was just Riley and me left to do some cooking. I really needed to get a few things knocked out, so time was of the essence. I had a brilliant idea to pull up the step stool and let Riley "help" me prepare the food. I gave her a spoon and a measuring cup and she had a blast. I gave her some craisins in her measuring up and she loved scooping them up and pouring them back and forth to the bowl and the measuring cup. She hardly even spilled any and loved sneaking a few bits. I was thrilled because it was a way to include her and make fer feel special while being able to actually accomplish something in the kitchen! Win win for everyone. We're hoping this will work for us again. I will note that when Ryan got home he wanted up on the stool and they don't both fit - so that created another issue we'll have to face, but for yesterday it worked!

Tomorrow is Riley's MRI. We will be there at 8am for the test at 9am. They said we should expect to leave around lunch time. I'm not really anxious about the test itself, but I'm not overly excited about her being sedated. Please pray for great results from the test as well as a perfect experience with the sedative. We will keep you posted on the results as soon as we know the them.