Watch Out Tiger & Phil, Here We Come!

It's been since January 2004 that Tim and I have picked up our golf clubs. Golfing was something that I learned in order to "fit in" to the Riley family and have something that Tim and I could do together that we both enjoyed. Well, Jack and Mason have both begun to show interest in golf as well, as we walk down to the Ballwin Golf Course 3-4 times a week on our nightly walks.

Tim and I have talked about teaching the boys how to play when they get "older" and with Jack's insistence, Tim went out and bought the boys their first set of clubs this weekend. They aren't anything fancy. Just plastic ones. A driver, an iron and a putter along with a few golf balls to practice with.

Last night we held the Riley Open in our backyard to try out the new sticks and see what kind of future golfers we have on our hands. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

First Mommy showed Jack how to hit the ball

Please notice the nice form that he has!

Then Mason took his turn Okay, so he has the form of a hockey player, not a golfer. We'll work on that!

Then Daddy took a try at his shot

And ended up teaching Jack about finding your ball in the rough

So what I can I say? Tiger & Phil, watch out! Jack and Mason Riley are ready to hit the circut - someday you might face them in a PGA Tournament!!!

These Pretty Much Sum It Up For Me

It's A Birthday Party!

We are now at the stage in Jack's life where the invitations for birthday parties begin to arrive. Saturday was our first official Birthday party to attend for friend Anna B. from KinderCare. Jack and I headed out for the festivities while Tim and Mason went to swimming lessons. The party was short and sweet, just perfect for the attention span of a 3-4 year old and not too long for the Mommies either. It ended with cupcakes and a pinata FULL of goodies!

I Survived - I'm Two Teeth Lighter

I remember sitting in the chair in the room and the Dr talking to me about how much "STUFF" I must have to transport having two small children and then I woke up in the little recovery room with Tim next to me. I slept yesterday from about 12:30 until 7pm. I woke up once (or twice I can't remember) to eat some pudding, take my Vicodin and that was it. I tried to eat some yogurt and jello last night to take my medicine again and almost got sick to my stomach so I took to tylenol PM and went back to bed. I've had ice packs on my face since we left the Drs yesterday. He said that removal wouldn't be a huge deal but that my teeth on this side don't line up properly so there's a chance I may have to have another tooth pulled later on (we'll see) if it moves down b/c there is not another tooth below it.

The boys have been so wonderful. They are very concerned about me and Mason keeps saying "Mouse hurt"? Both of them will kiss me gently and then leave me alone but were coming back to our room periodically to check on me. Tim's been a saint too. As much as I hate to be "out of commission" like this, it's nice to know I have a VERY CAPABLE husband and children that behave themselves when they need to. Makes things much easier on me.

Today, I'm home just laying low. Am working on my second cup of luke warm coffee (so that I could take some Motrin) and then am going to TRY to watch some of the shows that I've DVR'd while Tim and David work on the new kitchen behind me (may be a pipe dream as I'll have to hear over saws, hammers and the what not).

As far as I can tell, my jaw just aches. I don't see any swelling or bruising so I'm hoping that I'm not going to have to deal with that and look like I'm storing nuts in my mouth like a chipmunk preparing for the winter. I guess we'll see how today plays out.

So that's it. Thanks to great anesthesia, I dont' remember a thing - just like I wanted it!

TOTALLY Dreading Tomorrow!

16 years ago, I had my left two wisdom teeth removed. I asked my Mom recently WHY I didn't all four removed at that time but she didn't know. Tomorrow, I have the pleasure of heading to the Oral Surgeon to have my two remaining wisdom teeth removed. Oh Joy! I have been dreading this for the past 3 weeks.

I have NEVER had problems with my teeth until I had the boys. I guess two pregnancies and nursing two babies really does suck the calcium out of your body b/c at my past two check-ups I have had cavities that have needed to be filled. This last check-up, it was discovered that my wisdom teeth had cavities in them and instead of filling them, my wonderful Dentist, Dr. Kevin Postol, said they needed to be removed.

Now I am not scared of pain. I have had two babies, had lasik surgery, had my hand slammed in a car door in college, and endured a wonderful bladder surgery that resulted in fun complications, but when it comes to my mouth.....I'm a whimp!!! I am petrified! Completly scared to death. I don't like being "out of commission" and not able to function. I don't like the boys seeing me not feeling well, nor not being able to help Tim. Yes, I am human and not Super Mommy, but it's just NOT something that I'm looking forward to.

So after tonight, it's nothing to eat or drink before my surgery (I've requested to be knocked on the head with a ballpeen hammer so that I'm not conscious for any of it) and then it will be soup, pudding, jello and anything else soft that I can handle. I guess the only benefit of this is that it may help me drop those last 7 pounds that are so stubbon and won't leave my body! Wish me luck!!!

"The Project" - Update

In JANUARY, Tim began working on our remodel project of our main living space. On 1/23/08, I posted that "Project Redo Has Begun". Well Monday marked the 5 month mark since we started and we're about 1/4 of the way done. It's been a long project, but when you are at the mercy of your husband who has to take real, paying jobs to make the money to PAY for the work he's doing at your own home, patience and understanding is KEY!

We have moved into the new family room and are enjoying our new TV and surroundings while work on the new kitchen area has begun. That will be the biggest part of the project! I cant' wait for it to be done. I'm going to have a kitchen that I've always seen Tim do in OTHER PEOPLE'S homes - now I'm the customer!!!

If you want to see our Before & During projects, check out my album by going to www.jackandmasonsmom.shutterfly.com

Same Stuff....Different Weekend!

It's hard to believe, but I actually didn't pick up my camera this past weekend (other than to take a few pictures of our windows w/ curtains)- so sorry for no new pictures. We had the standard weekend for our house, here's a run down.

Swimming lessons on Saturday morning turned out to be better than our first lesson. With our swimming in Mississippi last weekend, it helped the boys make the transition back to the indoor pool a bit easier. Jack was more willing to get in this time and did a great job of kicking on his tummy and paddling with his hands. Mommy dunked him under the water one time which resulted in screams and tears for about 4 minutes and then he was fine. Mason couldn't climb high enough on Daddy to get away from the water but eventually got up to his shoulders but NEVER LET GO of Daddy until he was back in the shallow water. Every week will hopefully get better. Our goal out of the 8 weeks is to just get the boys comfortable in the water and not afraid of it. We don't expect miracles.

Saturday night we headed out to one of our favorite restaurants, Red Robin, for dinner and then trips to Home Depot and Lowes to find supplies for Daddy to move ceiling fans in the rooms but were unsuccessful to find what he needed (FIGURES).

Sunday was very typical for us. Weekly trip to the grocery store, laundry and misc chores around the house. Mommy got to go get her nails and toes done for her hour of "Mommy Time". Grandma Marilyn came for a visit to see us before she and Grandpa Rick head to Colorado the beginning of July - it was nice to see her. BBQ for dinner, a walk down to the golf course to look for stray golf balls, baths and then to bed.

All in all a good weekend! No major melt downs. The boys actually played by themselves in their room for about 45 minutes on Saturday. Jack was the "Daddy" and Mason was the "Brother" and Tim and I just sat and enjoyed listening over the monitor wishing they could play that well ALL THE TIME! That's it for now! Thanks for checking on us!

M - I - Crooked Letter - Crooked Letter - I .....

For Father's Day weekend, Tim and I packed up the boys, loaded up the minivan and headed down I-55 South to Ridgeland Mississippi to see my Dad and Stepmother (AKA Bear and Belle to the boys).

We pulled out of the driveway at 3:15 AM on Thursday morning and made the trip in 8 smooth hours. Our visit was packed full of fun. The boys swam in the pool, we went to the Mississippi Museum of Science and Natural History, swam, went on a Pony Ride, swam, visited a really cool park, swam, fed the ducks at the local pond, played in the fort that Belle had bought for the boys that was up in the back of the house and oh, did I mention that we SWAM in the pool?

Sunday morning at 3am, we pulled out of the driveway at Bear and Belle's house and headed home. Again, another smooth drive. Tim and I couldn't ask for two better passengers. We now know that the wee hours of the morning are the best time for our children to travel. It may not be ideal for us, but ideal for them.

The following is a SMALL sample of the TONS of pictures that I took during the course of our weekend - I hope you enjoy!

Thanks Pop & Lib for a great visit! We ALL had fun!

I'm Going To Be An Aunt - AGAIN!!

Please click here to see the announcement from my brother and sister-in-law. It was by far the best Friday the 13th that anyone could ever have!

http://babybelz.blogspot.com/2008/06/we-will-let-video-do-talking.html

It Must Be Exhausting!

I have come to the conclusion that being a child must be exhausting. Not from the playing, romping, and just carefree having fun that they do every day but from the activity that their brains encounter on a minute to minute basis. Every minute of their life is a new experience. They are seeing things, touching things, smelling things, experiencing things they have never been in contact with before. Their thoughts are racing faster than their (or even OUR) brains and bodies can keep up with.

Case in point (and what made me come to this conclusion) - last night was a very, well should I say, ACTIVE, night for us. Bedtime was a loooooong drawn our process for some reason. Mason took about 45 minutes to go to sleep and Jack, over an HOUR!

After 30 minutes of restlessness and being up and down not able (or not wanting to go to bed), Tim finally agreed to go in and lay down next to Jack to help him settle. As they lay in the dark of the boys room, listening to the CD player quietly playing it's series of lullabies, Jack continued to flip and flop trying to get comfortable. All of a sudden he sat up straight and then leaned over and put his nose smack dab in Tim's face and said "Daddy, remember a long long time ago when I went trick or treating?" in a very enthusiastic tone of voice to which Tim whispered "Yea, I do Jack". Expecting Jack to finish his sentence, Tim just waited for the pearl of wisdom to come out of Jack's mouth and was surprised when he just lay back down and closed his eyes and went to sleep.

This was the story that Tim told to me this morning as I was getting dressed to go to work and it made me giggle to myself. Being a child must be exhausting. All of the thoughts racing through their heads that they want SOMEONE to share them with. That was just one of those thoughts......random at that, but something memorable and that has now become a part of who he will be when he grows up.

Please Say A Prayer!

This is Jack C. - a 2 ½ year old little boy who is full of life and energy. He is also the first born son of a good friend of mine from my online Mom's Group. What you can't tell from this picture is that Jack is not 100% healthy. He was born with a Childhood Heart Defect (CHD) and will undergo his second open heart surgery on Monday, June 9th at 10:30am EST.

His Mom is asking that everyone say a prayer for Jack at 6:30pm EST on Sunday night "The last time Jack had surgery, we had everyone pray the night before at the same time and I honestly can’t put into words how powerful and calming it was for us. We will do that again this time around. I am thinking 6:30 PM Michigan time (when we are putting Jack down for bed) would be a great time. If you would like to spread the word and put it on your calendar, that would be wonderful. Prayer is powerful and has provided so many miracles in Jack’s life".

If you are not familar, here are some important facts about CHD:

• CHDs are America’s number one birth defect, affecting nearly one out of every 100 births, or 40,000 babies a year.
• CHD is the most frequently occurring birth defect, and is the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths.
• For every dollar provided by the national medical funding arm of the American government, the National Institute of Health (NIH), only one penny is provided for pediatric research, and only a portion of that penny goes to support research on heart defects, the most common birth defect. (Children's Heart Foundation). This MUST change!
• CHDs are responsible for one third of all birth defect related deaths, making CHD the number one cause of birth defect related deaths. More than 91,000 life years are lost each year in the United States because of CHDs.
• CHD research is grossly under funded. Pediatric cancer research is five times higher than CHD research although twice as many children die from CHD each year in the United States than from all forms of childhood cancer combined.

Please say a prayer for Jack! His Mom says he's a determined 2 ½ year old who does not know the concept of giving up and seems to like challenges. They (the Drs) have always said, “those are the kids who make it.” his parents are betting on that once again.

Park Time

The weather's warming up....time to break out the
Stay tuned.....swimming lessons start this Saturday!

(Yes, I took that picture with my NEW camera - pretty cool huh?)

Rescue Pack, Coming To The Rescue!

Aunt Tricia and Uncle Hank took Jack to see Go Diego Go LIVE on Saturday at the Fox Theater. He had a blast!!! We now have the RESCUE PACK, BABY JAGUAR, & a DIEGO DOLL - more to add to our collection of toys but that's okay....he had a great time and that's all that counts!

Thanks Hank & Tricia - it was a special treat for Jack - YOU GUYS ROCK!