Riley and Vincent

My friend Maryanne is not only a wonderful friend, but she is very talented. Ryne and I are so fortunate that we live in a community like we do. We have many neighbors who have children and they all live so close! Riley especially loves to play with Corban and Vincent. I just love the pictures of Riley's face and her messed up hair in the picture with her and Vincent. She is growing up so fast and it is hard to believe that she is almost 1!!! So, enjoy the snapshots that Maryanne took of Riley the other morning while she was over to play :)

11 Months Old!

It is so hard to believe that my little girl is almonst one! Today she is eleven months old! I tried to capture some pictures of the evening, but all we got were some of bath time. Riley LOVES her baths. She will even crawl up to the tub and "help" me by throwing all the toys in while we run the water. As you can see, she loves the whole experience. After bath time I tried to get our usual month picture but she did NOT want to smile for a picture. She wanted to play with the camera and I told her no, so... we got crying instead. I thought that I would give the book that has become her favorite lately. It did occupy her for a little bit but I still didn't get the perfect picture I was hoping for. She loves her new book. It has different farm animals and when Ryne and I read it to her she just laughs and giggles at us when we make all the different sounds. She will even try to make the "woof" sound when we get to the dog but it comes out more like a grunt :) She enjoys turning the pages while we read it over and over again. She isn't walking quite yet, but she is standing up all on her own. She loves to dig through bags and drawers and anything that she can get her hands on. She is starting to say "dada" and "mama"; however, she only says "mama" when she is whining and wants something, but she will say "dada" when she is happy and playing. Of course she wont do either when we want to show her off :) but I suppose thats just the way it goes. She is also feeling much better from the cold that she has had for the past couple of weeks.
All in all, Miss Riley Anne is doing wonderful. Happy 11 months baby girl. We love you.

What a big girl!

For the very first time, miss Riley wore a pair of jeans today! It was hard to believe how much older she looked just sitting on the porch in her new jeans. Sad thing is, the jeans are already, almost to small. However, I did like how at the end of the night I didnt have worn down dirt spots over her knees from her crawling around outside. Riley also did something very exciting today. She said "mama" and I think it wasn't just a coincidence. My neighbor was over and we were talking about how her little boy was saying different things when she asked him to say "mama" and of course, when you want them to do something they dont. Anyways she tried to tell him that he better start talking soon or Riley would pass him up. I said not to worry because Riley wasn't quite there yet. I then turned to Riley and said "Riley, say mama", she didn't and I turned and said "see"! Thats when she piped up and said very clearly "mama". We both went a little crazy, not sure wether or not that was just a coincidence. So I said, "Riley, say mama" and lo and behold, she did it again!! I was so excited. She really likes to whine "mama" as she crawls around the house crying when she doesn't get her way. She just goes "mamamamamamamama" as she cries. So maybe she really is starting to connect the dots. None the less, I am counting it as the real thing and I am SO excited. My baby girl is growing up...

It's Official...

Last week we had another Dr's appointment and sonogram and we confirmed that we are having a little BOY!! We are both so excited. So far, everything looks great! He is healthy and he most certainly likes to move. (especially at night) I will post some sonogram pictures if I get the chance.

Miss Riley

These pictures serve two purposes. 1. to show you one of Riley's new favorite things to do: go through our kitchen drawers! She loves to crawl over and dig things out. I think she also enjoys how much she is in the way when she plops down right in the middle of the kitchen floor but... 2. to try and show you just how sad it was this past week while Riley was sick :( All last week she had a runny nose, a slight fever, puffy, red, watery eyes, and more snot and boogers than I thought humanly possible. However, she is feeling MUCH better now.) Grandma and Grandpa Bergren came down on Sunday and gave her an adjustment and baby massages. She still has a little cough but I am so thankful that she is doing much better.
Thank you both so much for coming to see us on Sunday. We always love it when you come!

Busy Weekend!

Sadly I don't really have any pictures of this past weekend but it sure was wonderful. Ryne and I made a quick trip down to Waco this past saturday. Ryne got to have some time with his dad and others at the Baylor vs. Missouri game, while I got to have some girl time with both my family and Ryne's. First of all, to all the Blanton women, I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! It was so wonderful to spend even a short amount of time visiting with all us girls. Mom, Sarah, Hannah, Leah and myself, all got together Saturday morning and finished our time up with lunch at Rosa's Cafe. After that, Mrs Bergren, Hannah and I got to hang out and go shopping!! We had a great time chatting and shopping. Thanks again, I can't wait til the next time I get a smoothie at Panera Bread :)
After the game and all of our shopping, Ryne's parents, Caitlin and her friend Whitney, Hannah and Nathan, and Ryne and I, all stoped at this wonderful Italian Food place in Waco to eat dinner together before Ryne and I headed back home to Longview. It sure did make for a long day, but Ryne and I had the best time. We love you all...

November already?!

I can't believe how quickly time flys. I don't have a whole buch of pictures from this particular trip home but... Ryne and I had our fall break a few weeks ago so we decided to head to Clifton for the weekend. We had a wonderful time. We went to see Aunt Lizzie (Hannah Blanton) play volleyball, then the football game Friday night, Fall Fest on Saturday where we got to hear the wonderful Jazz Band play, Ryne got to see some of his buddies, we went to Kristen , formerly Moore's, wedding, we headed to FBC Sunday morning, and on Monday I kindof got to each lunch with my sisters :) The only bad part about the trip, was that my dad left early Saturday morning so we didn't get to see very much of him; however, him and Greg left for Mexico and despite many different obstacles to overcome, their week went great! All in all we had a wonderful time, visiting and being loved on. Thanks for the great weekend. We love you all!!

10 Months Old!

Today was full of fun and surprises! Riley Anne is now 23 lbs and 29 in. long! She is waving hello and goodbye. She now has 4 teeth comming in up top and loves to show them off with her big smile. She also discovered all sorts of new things today. The pictures are somewhat out of order but I will try and explain them. Also, we were given a little playhouse and today Ryne put it together (and Corban helped ) 

One of the things that Riley learned today is that there is a world beyond the porch!

She would turn around and look ever so often. She thought it was great to go beyond the porch and explore.

Today Riley also started crawling at different heights. What I mean is, she used to be so scared of the 1 inch drop in this picture, but she just stepped right up. She even crawled up the deeper part of the porch which is about 5 inches. (she hasn't quite gotten how to crawl down :)

She also discovered how much fun it is to play in the toilet water. In this picture she has pulled her bow down around her neck and has a cardboard thing full of hair clips. I was trying to do homework and didn't notice until the cardboard was almost completly dissolved :) I took one quick picture before telling her "no" and closing the lid.

Riley LOVED the new house. It was really nice because she would sit inside there while we did other things around the yard, and she had so much fun! I think Corban was probably the most excited though. 

This is Riley waking up from her nap. If you look in her crib you can see that her bumber is gone. It has become more of a challenge to re-tie the bows everyday from her lounging her feet on the bumper, or pulling the strings, than I care to repeat. So... for now, the bumper is gone.

Please notice that although she has slimmed down some... She still has those wonderful chubby thighs. 

This is Riley and Corban both helping Ryne put the house together!

Corban loves Ryne so much, and we sure do love having him around too.

She loved to stand up in the window and say hello. Then she would crawl to the other side and do the same thing :)

Another thing that Riley learned today, was how makeup tasted. I couldn't get a picture because I was franticly trying to rinse her mouth out because at first I didn't know what she had gotten into. I was at the computer and turned around and she crawled right up to me and smiled. Black tar looking goo was all in her mouth and all over her face. I jumped up and ran into the bathroom to get all the black stuff out. After inspecting my floor, I had found that one of my eye shadows (grey and black tones) that had broken pieces in the case, were all over the floor and most of them missing. Basically, it just turned all her slobber a nice black color. She didn't seem to care at all, but she didn't like me trying to clean her up :)  She is really becoming an adventurous girl!

A Wonderful Husband

Sadly I do not have any pictures, but yesterday was a wonderful day. I think the middle of semester blues had started to hit, because last week was an extremely long, stressful week. Of course it doesn't help that my hormones are in full swing but... Saturday Ryne took me out on a much needed date. I had been craving IHOP ever since we talked about it last weekend at Clifton's homecomming (btw, I did not take a single picture of last weekend-sorry. we will just have to watch honey's and hope she will put up some pictures) Anyways, we went to breakfast then headed over to Maudd Cobb (big building that host's all sorts of events on our fair grounds) for Christmas Corner. Christmas Corner is just a 3 day event where business's all over bring booths full of christmas things to sell. It was so wonderful, to walk around, look at all the booths, get some christmas ideas, and get samples! It took us over an hour to see all the booths. 

Thanks for having a day date with me Ryne! I love you so much!

What a joyful sound

Riley pretty much always wakes up happy, but last week was even more special. I don't know what was so funny, but for three mornings in a row I woke up to the sound of Riley giggling in her room! There is something so sweet and pure about a baby's laugh. It was so wonderful to hear that at the start of my day. -I love you so much miss Riley!

Great Weather

I couldn't really get a good picture but the weather has been SO wonderful here this past week! It was even cool enough for Riley to wear a light jacket. I just thought this little Winnie the Pooh jacket was so cute, but I didn't realize how small it was on her until I got in on her :) but thats ok. Riley LOVES to be outside crawling around the porch. I got to do some homework and she played. It was great!

Good Friends, Good Times

A few weekends ago, Ryne and I got to go to the East Texas Fair in Tyler Texas! We were so excited. (I was really craving funnel cakes and a foot long corn dog!) We went with some neighbors/friends. The couple on the left is Beth and Andrew Anderson, then us, then Thomas and Christy Reese. Christy and I have become quite close these past few weeks. We have tried to go walking together about 3 times a week. It has been great! (they have a 2 month old baby boy!)

Before we left, Ryne and I tried our hand at GG's famous blueberry bannana pie! So... Look Grandma, we did it!  And they were even pretty good. (not as good as yours though :(  

Ryne and I had a nice time baking together, and an even better time enjoying the fruit of our labor.

I was a little bit more scared on the Ferris wheel than I thought I would be. It was higher than it looked!

We all had a good laugh while Ryne did the stereotypical fair thing, as he "proved his love for me by winning me something"  Funny thing was he missed and this was the poster he got for giving it a good try!   I love you Ryne...

All in all we had a great time and ate WAY more than we should have. It is such a blessing that we can have such good friends that live so close!

Busy Busy Busy

Wow, these past two weeks have flown by, yet drag on. I'm sure that everyone has felt that way before... Well I had been waiting for some pictures before I posted again, however, the days were getting away from me so I thought I would go ahead and fill in the gaps without pictures. However, Honey and Preacher have some pictures up from last weekend when Leah came to stay and when we got to be personal assistants to GINNY OWENS!! But more about that in a minute lets start with last Monday...

Ok, so for those of you who have seen and/or know about the problems I was having with my toes, I finally went to the doctor!! I was hoping that I would just be given some medicine for the infection but instead I had to have toe surgery! As it turns out, instead of having just an infection in my toes, I had ingrown toenails in both of my big toes. After some freezer burn, 6 shots (3 in each toe) and the doctor cutting everything out, he bandaged me up and I was sent home to recooperate. I know it may sound a bit silly, but you don't really realize how much you need something til' it hurts!! I had my feet elevated and wraped up for about the next 24 hours :(   although it was WAY more painful than I thought it would be, it was all worth it. I went to my follow up appointment this past Thursday and the doctor said everything was looking great! And to finish up the story with some good news... Yesterday was the first day in almost 7 months that I wore tennis shoes!!! It was so great. Ryne had bought me a pair of really cute shoes for my birthday back in April that I haven't been able to wear since. I'm sure no one else here on campus noticed, but it was a great feeling!

Then to last Thursday... I had invited Leah to come and stay with me for the weekend. Ginny Owens was coming to LeTourneau and had a FREE concert. I am not sure if everyone knows who she is but this girl is amazing. Ginny is blind and has been since she was three years old. She is a singer/songwriter who also plays the piano and the guitar. I have been so moved and blessed by her songs and lyrics, and could not wait for her to get here. Little did I know... the Chaplain here on campus (who works with me in Student Affairs) needed someone to be Ginny's "assistant" for the day. I could hardly stay in my seat, so he asked me if I could. Well and as if that wasn't already cool, I was so excited that Leah was coming, so then we got to do it together! I met my mom and Mrs. Beard in Murchison on Thursday night to pick up Leah. -BTW Thank you SO much for dinner Mrs. Beard! I had such a good time visiting with you and mom. (We will see you again soon) So...

Friday: Leah and I started the day by taking Ginny to get some coffee then head to Chapel for soundcheck and to prep for her speaking at chapel. We then got to eat lunch together then took her back to the guest apartment and Leah and I headed home for a much needed nap. Later we all went to dinner at this GREAT italian food place her in Longview: Joe's. After that we went to the chapel building to get ready for her concert. It was SUPER! She was just the nicest person and didn't seem to mind Leah and I acting like camera crazy fans. 

Saturday morning we took her to breakfast... at Chik-fil-A, so she could meet Ryne and get something to hold her over for awhile, then it was off to the airport. - I had so much fun getting to visit with Ginny, however, Leah... It wouldn't have been near as much fun, if I hadn't gotten to share it with you! 

Later that night, Ryne took Leah and I out for a sister/sister-in-law date. We can't tell you how much we loved having you here Leah. We were so glad you wanted to come and stay with us and we hope you will do it again. 

Sadly, leah had to go back home on Sunday. Then we start with this past week. 

Riley had a super week! This week Riley has learned how to clap, make noises with her tongue, and has almost mastered the art of waving (at the correct time :)  She also has two top teeth coming in, slowly but surely. It won't be long before they will be completly visible.  This past week was  a long one for Ryne and I. We both had our first round of tests last week and this week, so we were pretty busy with school. Ryne also started a new work schedule this week so now he is home all day on saturday! All in all, even though these past few weeks have been super busy, we are doing great! As soon as I can, I will try to get some pictures up ( I know that's what everyone really wants to see...)

LeTourneau meets IKE

As it turned out, it worked out pretty good that Ryne and I were out of town this weekend. We arrived home to campus to find some of our beautiful trees lying on their side. The first picture is of a tree just around the corner from our apartment. However, we were very fortunate because none of the trees fell on any of the buildings and to my knowledge, no one was injured here on campus. Of course there were those few college kids that were outside playing football in the winds! Sheesh! If only there mamma's were here... There are, however, many things that will need to be done to get everything cleaned up and back to order. Our campus lost power for a few minutes but the dorms all have back up generators. The powere outage has affected some of the businesses all up and down our street. Worst of all, was that Taco Bell lost power and wasn't open tonight!! Ryne and I just had to settle for McDonalds ;)   - other places weren't as fortunate though. So please do remember to pray for families that lost homes and/or businesses. There are many evacuees here in Longview and even some here on campus with family. 

On another note: I was so excited because we started our women's bible study tonight. We have a pretty good small group and I am already loving our Beth Moore study. *Isn't it great how after a day like yesterday, a group of women can all come together and talk about how great our God is?  

Last note: For all of you who have seen my poor toes, I am going to the Dr. tomorrow! 

Fun at GG and GGP's

As you can see we all had a great time this weekend at Great-Grandma's and Great Grandpa's house. It was so much fun to watch Riley explore a new place. Fritz (GG and GGP's dog) just went crazy when he met Riley. It was so much fun to watch them play together. Fritz would chase Riley and she would run off, then they would switch and Riley would chase Fritz. Any chance he got, he would give Riley a good licking from head to toe. At Grandma's Riley got to play with some toys that mommy remembers having to play with when she would go to Grandma's and Grandpa's. Riley even got to sit at the table with all the grown-ups! She really liked that. Ryne and I had a nice time visiting and getting away from work and school. One thing is for sure, we sure did eat good this weekend. -Thanks for making us pie GG! (I will try to make one soon and let you know how it turns out) Grandma even made one of my favorites: Lasagne! Sunday morning the guys stayed at home while me, GG and Riley went to church. Riley sure does love that music! She loves to bounce her head up and down to the music. 

-GG and GGP thank you both so much for letting us come and see you this weekend! We had a really good time and loved the special attention. We love you both VERY much!