LOVE

Moments like this are worth sharing with everyone around me.

Riley is reading the story of Franklin. We have found that Nick Jr. shows cartoons in the evenings and Franklin is one of those stories so Riley loves to share the new found stories with Brenden. Brenden who also loves books, has learned to sit and listen to Riley "read" her version of the story.

Riley

Mommy and Riley bonding. She loves to take pictures. So we sat down together and took our own picture. She loved it.

Playing in the snow at Chirstmas time in Michigan. She talked about playing in the snow a month before we went for our visit.
Jumping and learning that you can throw snow balls or kick the snow and it would fly. She had a great time. We had snow here in Tennessee the other day but it did not hang around for long.
Playing dramactic play at Nana's. She is wearing her back pack and her new pink gloves.

Brenden

Brenden is learning to use a cup. He has not yet mastered holding it on his own but as you can see he is very close. He loves to do things independently. He is just like his sister. Oh, boy watch out. Two in the same house will be fun in a few months.

Brenden loves to be up where he can get his own toys. The three of us were sitting on the couch and Brenden wanted everything that Riley had so she gave him a few toys and he loved it. He played on the couch for a good 15 minutes before he got tired and fell over.
One of the toys that Santa Claus brought Brenden was this Panda Bear. When he first opened it he was not to fond of it. But now he loves it. Brenden can move the panda's head to make it click and move his legs to make more noises.
He is moving the legs and feeling the different textures too.
Once again we are at the stage that everything goes to the mouth.

Saturday Mornings!!

Riley has got Brenden hooked on watching Saturday morning cartoons. Our favorite channel is the Disney channel with the Higgle Town Heros, Mickey Mouse Club House, and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. She watches these shows every morning before "school" and then on the weekends. I think the pictures explain themselves.

Love to watch my children bond. Riley has been the greatest BIG sister. They just love each other.

SCISSORS

Our first hair cut came for the hands of Riley Elizabeth Ringman at the age of 2 years and 10 months. Yes that is right Riley has master the use of scissors very well. She loves to cut paper into little squares and after I made Brenden a bottle I walked into the living room where she had the scissors up by her head. They were opened and she has running through like you would a brush or comb. I did not think she had cut her hair until I ran my hand through her hair and this is what was in my hand. I was not able to catch it all but most of it is here in this picture. We had a long talk about scissors and what they are used for and what will happen if she cuts her hair again. So you want to know what her hair looks like now. Fine it was not that noticeable. I notice it when her hair is up in one pony more because I can't get it to stay up or out of her face because of the length. I know that Riley learned her lesson because now she tells me that we don't use scissors on our hair. We use them for paper.

News!!!

On Saturday the kids and I had a video conference with Ben. It was great to see him and be able to talk to him in real time. We were at the Military Intelligence building on post. We had 20 minutes to talk. There were three other families that had the same opportunity. This was the first time we had anything like this available to us during deployment. It nice to see him and for Ben to see how much the kids have grown. He could not believe the difference in both Riley and Brenden. He told them to stop growing. It was great to watch Riley react to seeing her daddy. Now she can't wait to go to the airport to pick him up. She thought we were going to go right after we talk to him. I had to explain that we will go in a few weeks and you will be able to give daddy a hug and kiss. She was so excited to talk to her daddy and show him her purse, "lipstick", and ring. She also shared with daddy what she wanted for her birthday. So we will be on a hunt for the birthday gift when he gets home.



The good news is we learned that Ben will be receiving R and R around February 11th. We have been told that he should be receiving 18 days so we will see when the time comes. Ben will be home for our 4th wedding anniversary and Riley's third birthday. It's going to be a great month.

So CUTE!!!

Here is a video of my two children playing at Nana's house. Don't worry no was hurt when this video was taped. Just watch and listen to how happy they are playing together. Brenden loves that his sister will jump on him or around him when she is playing. It won't be long before I hear the two of them jumping and shouting at each other. I am going to enjoy these days of little giggles while they last.

Crazy Weekend!!

It has been a crazy weekend of cleaning house and getting things organized around here. We have lots of children's clothing that we are going through to get rid of in the next couple of months. Riley has about 5 tubs full of clothes that she can not wear any more. I think she has more clothes then any little girl needs at this point. Next week we are going to move on to the toys. Both kids have too many toys. With Christmas and birthdays we need to make room for the new toys. Riley had some many toys from living in Michigan that they were saved and passed on to Brenden who received more toys for Christmas and now we have rattles coming out of our ears. I guess that just shows that my children are spoiled by those who them.

Riley enjoying one of her many books. She loves to read.
Brenden showing us how BIG he is.
Not another picture, Mom.

5 Months Old!!!

Look Who is 5 Months Old!!!!

Brenden showing us that he has found his feet. Look at that smile so cute.
My Big is learning to get into his own toy box.
Learning to stand before we can sit. With the help of Nana.

The things that a little person learns in just a few short months is amazing. Here are a few things that Brenden has learned to do.

He rolls over from his back to his belly.

Holding his own bottle when he wants too.

Eats rice cereal off a spoon and fruit.

Sitting with assistance. Either his bumboo seat or boppy.

He talks with his sister and knows her voice and face.

Plays peek-a-boo with everyone.

Knows how to get his way by crying and smiling BIG.

Brenden is learning to say "dada" and a few other words too. I am hoping that by the time Ben is home on R and R he will be able to say "dada" so Ben can hear him. Brenden is growing up so fast that is it crazy that he is 5 months old all ready.

Siblings Bond

Riley and Brenden bonding on Nana's couch. Riley loves to see Brenden smile. She will talk to her "Big Guy" in her mommy voice that is high pitched and watch Brenden smile and laugh. Here are a few pictures of Riley and Brenden talking and smiling at each other. Siblings are a great thing to have. They help each other through those rough times and push you down when you need a reminder of who is the boss.

The joys of being the mom of these two. This is an every day things. Riley and Brenden learning from each other. Smile, it only gets better.