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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

SANTA CAME, SANTA COME MOMMY!!!!!!

This was Riley's phase this morning when she woke up to all the presents under the tree. Being here in Michigan there were lots of presents because of all the people in the house. Both Brenden and Riley had their fair share. Both enjoyed opening and seeing their new toys. Here are a few pictures of the children opening and playing with the gifts they received today. Thank to everyone for all your support and prayers during this holiday season with Ben being gone. Thank you again and enjoy.

Merry Christmas!!

Look Molly has a new outfit and stroller to ride in.

Brenden playing with his Kick-n-Crawl Aquarium.

Brenden opening his first Christmas present.

Ok, so now what do I do with a box?

OH, I see its an inch worm. He is longer then I am right now.

Wait I am not done with that, yet. I want to talk to him some more.

The most important gift of all a Barbie. Riley did not just get one but two Barbies.

And the most famous Barbie Car to go with her two Barbies.

The kids had a wonderful Christmas. The one thing that we are all wanting for next year is to have our Daddy, Husband, Son, Brother, BEN home in time for the holidays. Keep praying and asking and hopefully it will come true with enough of us asking. Thank again for all your support.

UP Close and Personal

Yes this is Riley taking pictures. She likes to take pictures all the time and if I dont watch her she will take pictures of nothing around the house and of her fingers. Here a few that I saved because they were not too bad. There are a little close up but she did it all by her self. She is trying to help me take pictures so I can be include on some of the blog post too. The last pictures includes me but its not a good picture so enjoy.

SMILE
Not too bad but I have a silly face.
Photos by Riley Elizabeth Ringman (2 yrs 9mos)

Up Date on the Ringman's

Life here at the Ringman House has been busy. I started to work full time at a local school here in Clarksville and the kids are still attending day care. They are doing well with the new schedule. Our schedule is the same everyday. We are up and getting ready for work/school around 5 AM and then we leave around 715 AM to make to schoool/daycare by 730 AM. Riley is very helpful getting dressed by herself and helping me get Brenden's diaper bag packed. I am back at daycare to pick them up around 430 PM. We get home around 500PM when I start dinner and get baths and everyone ready for bed by 800PM if not by 730. Brenden had been falling asleep by 730 each night leaving Me time for Riley and mommy to read books, play tea party, or trains. Then Riley goes to bed around 900 and I get the house cleaned up and go to bed myself. Then we make through the night just to start all over again.

Brenden at 4 months

Watching the lights dance. He has learned that he can pull the animals and the lights and music with play and dance.
It's hard work to play all day. Brenden taking a nap during his tummy time. At his 4 month appointment we learned that he is going to be a small boy. Surprise, surprise. Looks like he will take after his daddy.

Brenden now weighs 12 lbs 4.5 oz and is 24 inches long. He is growing normally and his development is on schedule according to the doctor. He has learned so much in the past 4 months that its hard to believe. He is smiling, laughing, and cooing more and more each day. He knows his family's faces and voice when they enter the room. Brenden also notices what you are wearing too. The other day I had my winter hat on when I picked him up from school and he could not stop looking at me. When I took it off he smiled big and started to coo. He is holding his bottles and has started on cereal with fruit juice. He is starting to fill out more too. He does not have the rolls that Riley had at this age but he is smaller too. I will give him a few more months and he will start to fill out more and more.

Little Mommy and her new baby!!

Riley thought it would be fun to push Brenden around the house in "Molly's" stroller. Molly is Riley's baby doll that she received from her Aunt Andi and Uncle Micheal for her first birthday. So her are a few pictures of Brenden enjoying his ride around the house in Molly's stroller. Riley is very proud and had a fun pushing him from room to room.

SMILE!!

Brenden is starting to out grow Molly's stroller but for now he will have to play along with Riley and Molly (the baby doll). It wont be long and Brenden will be on the move and Riley will not be able to keep him in one place for long.

Cute as a Button!!!!

Brenden sitting nicely in his sissy's rocking chair. Look at that face. He is once again laughing at Riley for being silly and talking to him. He will talk to her and laugh at her all the time. I think is he is thinking about all the things he will do to her when he can move around on his own. Riley picks on him so much that pay backs are on the way.

Christmas Fun

Pictures for a Christmas card here at the Ringman house with a two and an half year old toddler and a four month baby is not a task that comes easy. We tried to get a cute picture of the two kids together but I was not real successful. Here are some of my attempts.

This picture is cute but Riley started to cry because Brenden was falling and she could not pick him back up. I guess Brenden did not care because look at his face.
Riley being a pretty, pretty princess. She wanted to take a picture without Brenden.
Brenden trying to tell me that he is hungry and teething. His hands are in his month 24/7.
Here is another picture of the two of them together. Not to bad but Brenden has to cover his face with those hands all the time. I will try again later to see if I can get one for a Christmas card. I might have to choose one of these which would be ok too.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.......

Riley is not too much into the Christmas mood just yet. She did not want to have her picture taken with Santa Claus but we are still working on that. Riley did not want to help put the tree up (together) but she did want to put the "toys" on the tree. There were a few that needed a hook so she sent those under the tree until we got the hooks to hang them. When we were all finished we turned the lights on and she was very excited to see what we had done together.

Our finished product.

This is what Brenden did while we put the tree together and added the toys. He has learned to wiggle himself out of this seat if he is not buckled in so we make sure that he is buckled each and every time he is in his seat.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Ringman

Grandpa Ringman with his two grandkids, Eddie George and Suzie. I know they look a lot like my two kids Brenden and Riley. We had a great time playing with Grandpa and watching Christmas movies. Elvis was the popular music choice for dancing.

Grandma Ringman had the job calming the kids down when they were upset or if they got upset while sitting on Grandpa's lap. The kids had a great time sitting and sharing with both Grandma and Grandpa. They look forward to returning in just a few weeks for Christmas.
Thanks to Grandma Ringman's working oven Riley was able to make some beautiful suagr cookies for Daddy, Uncle Dustin, and Uncle Tommy. Our oven at home is not working correctly so baking cookies was out of the question. She had a blast. Just look at how serious she is when she works.
Riley took a time-out to smile for the camera.
Look at that mess those should taste great. The bigger the mess the better the taste as my mom always says.