Smokin Hot!

Saturday was Bentley's first birthday party. I kept it very small and simple (boy do second children get jipped :) and had it at the park in Katy. The park is close to my heart because it reminds me of the time we shared fathers day there as a family. They have a lake to fish in and it is a beautiful park. Well, when it isn't 104 in Houston and hasn't rained in forever. Needless to say, it was very very hot, but we made the best of it and had a good time. She was the only girl there (lots of male cousins). The boys had a good time fishing and destroying the balloons. Riley was the only one who caught a fish and he thought that was so cool. Thanks everyone for coming....I know it was hot.

Pre-sweat pics

The fishin action

The cake was melting

Casey's mom, Nana, couldn't make the party because she had to work, so she came over Sunday evening and brought presents. We had a really nice visit and she brought Bentley many cool clothes and toys. Bentley had a great first birthday :)

Happy Birthday Angel

Today is Bentley Addison's first birthday. She came into this world a year ago today at 35 weeks gestation weighing 5 lbs 14 oz and was 18 inches long. She was beautiful and perfect. She and I share such a special bond for more than one reason. First, she was prayed in by many folks. Mom and Dad (and the Bryants) wanted me to have a baby girl since I had already had a son. I can remember the day of the ultrasound, I called mom to tell her it was a girl and when I got home, she and Riley had already bought 3 "pink" outfits. I fondly remember calling my parents house while carrying Bentley and after talking with my dad, he told me to take care of my baby girl. So sweet.
Secondly, I lost my Dad while carrying her and she kept me strong. There were SO many days that I didn't think I had the strength to carry on, but I knew I had this little person inside me who was 100% dependent on me and I had no choice but to keep my head up and keep living. She gave me more strength to push on (and so did Riley) than they will ever know. I wish every single day that she could have known her PawPaw. Riley was in awe of him and I know she would have been too.
Thirdly, I started having some diabetic related complications toward the end of my pregnancy. In a nutshell, my placenta was starting to fail which was Bentley's support system. That is why she arrived a little earlier than planned. Casey and I were told that because she was early, she would have to spend some time in the NICU and we might have to leave her in the hospital for a few days. Well, the power of prayer proved that wrong. Bentley graced this world on June 26th at 12:46 pm and only spent about 4 hours in the NICU (routine time) and came home after 2 days (pays to know your gyno really well). She was perfect. Dr. Rockman had sent my placenta off to the lab for further examination and at my 6 week check up told me that Bentley would not have made it through the weekend (she was born on a Thursday). So she truly is an angel and she means the world to me.
Today she is 22 lbs 3 oz and 30 inches long and healthy as a horse. She is getting closer and closer to walking. She says Momma (all the time), Dada and buba, and has her own lingo that she understands. She is such a blessing to our lives. We love you baby girl!!! Happy First Birthday my beautiful Angel!!!!!

Busy Bees & Father's Day

We have been really busy lately. This last week, I volunteered at our church for vacation bible school. It was great!! I taught the 4 year olds and they were really good. I know now what I can look forward to with Riley in about a year. There was one little boy named Joshua who grew very attached to me. He was a handful. Riley loved going, primarily because they served chocolate chip pancakes and donut holes. Bentley hated it on Monday, but finally warmed up by Friday. We also have been going to swim lessons at the YMCA. It is a very basic class, but Riley is doing really good. He is much more comfortable in the water and will now jump to me and go under water. I know he will have a blast in Mexico in the water. Bentley sits on the sidelines and cheers him on. Memaw also joins the cheering squad.

Casey had a great father's day yesterday. We went to church and to eat at Lupe Tortilla so the kids could play. It was all fun and games until Riley pooped in his pants (he hasn't done this for about a month). Needless to say, Dad was not happy. Casey is a great father and I am very thankful for him. Father's day is still really hard for me....I miss my dad so much. Yesterday, I silently lived a lot of my favorite moments with him. He was such an awesome man who taught me so much. He was a great dad and husband and is missed greatly by many folks. I love you daddy!!!!
Riley LOVES taking pictures, can you tell?

Officially Potty Trained

Riley is officially potty trained. He earned his new big boy bicycle by being accident free for 2 weeks. Casey took him on Saturday and they picked one out. He is learning how to petal and we have a little ways to go, but he thinks it rocks. He has done so good with potty training - I am so proud of him. It is bittersweet...mommy loves the raise with him being out of diapers, but he turning into such a little man. He warms my heart everyday.

Move Over Billy Currington

Funnies

The past few days, I have had several funny things that I just have to share. First, last Saturday night, Casey was putting Riley to bed and he always says his prayers before bed. Casey usually prays and Riley helps, but Casey does give him the option of Riley praying himself or Casey praying. Riley opted to say the prayer that night. Here is how it went down:

Casey: Ok Riley, say your night night prayer.

Riley: Dear God. Amen. (giggles)

Casey: Riley, when you pray, you need to be serious.

Riley: Ok....Dear God. I am serious. Amen.

It was hysterical!!!

On Sunday, we went to eat lunch after church. I took Riley to the restroom with me for a potty break. He went first and then I went. As he was going, he said, "Momma, since I go teetee, I can get a sucker?" (he is still into the reward thing) and I said sure. So when I went, I told Riley, "Riley, go ask Daddy since mommy went potty, can she have a pedicure." I was obviously trying to snake a pedi out of this Sunday afternoon for myself....well, Riley decides he wants a pedicure. So he goes back to the table and announces that since I went potty, he gets a pedicure. Memaw asked him where you get those and he said Walgreens. So now he wants to go to Walgreens for a pedicure ;)

Finally, on Monday, we took a little shopping trip with Aunt Tricia and Riley's 3 cousins. We went to the Children's Place and I am sure they were ready for us to leave. Four little boys ages 5 and under running around playing hide and seek at the store isn't very relaxing, so Tricia and I hurry to make our final decisions on our purchases. When alas, Pierce feels the need to crap in his pants and take his diaper off. Lucky for mom (and the staff), Pierce's poop was just a little ball that rolled on the floor. Tricia and I quickly picked up the mess, got Pierce dressed, paid for our stuff and high tailed it out of there. We then proceed to McDonald's. We get our food and head to the play area. All of the boys are playing and Tricia, Bentley and myself are eating. All of a sudden, there is a big ruckus among the kiddos in the play area. Little Pierce had once again blessed us all with some more balls to play with. This time there was about 10! All of the kids are screaming poopoo and parents are staring at us. Pierce is naked as a jaybird. We got him and the playground cleaned up. Poor Tricia had to head to swim lessons after that and I just hope Pierce kept his pants on!!!