Sunday fun day

This week, Riles got some playtime in at the library. She really enjoyed building big towers out of the blocks and then knocking them down. On Saturday night she attended another ODU game and tailgate and got in some more quality playtime fun with her crazy cousins. At the game, she wasn't afraid to show her support for ODU by cheering and clapping. Mom, Dad, Ski and Riles then started off a Sunday fun day with some time at Mount Trashmore. While Riles roamed the playground, having a great time climbing and going down slides, Ski was getting a ton of attention from all the little kids at the park (we don't think she minded one bit). Their trip to Mt. Trashmore wasn't complete without a climb up the big hill (Riley insisted on climbing up the stairs herself), along with a bunch of running around and goofing off once they got to the top. Later the gang headed home for an afternoon of relaxing, eating pizza and watching football.

On Tuesday, Riles got to play with Colton and Levi again when Gigi offered to babysit so the parents could all go out to eat. Although she wasn't fond of their dog Chipper at first, she quickly warmed up and had a blast with her cousins. Yesterday, Mom and Riles ventured to the children's museum for the first time. Riles was absolutely fascinated with anything that moved or that she could manipulate by pulling a lever or pushing a button. She tried out almost everything there, but her favorites were the huge elephant that moved and tipped his head back when you pushed the lever, and the ball that was suspended in the air (she loved putting the ball back in the air flow and watching it leap toward the ceiling!). In the train room, Riley was quick to point out that they had a Mickey Mouse train on display! All in all, it was a great week.

20 months old

As usual, Riles has had a busy couple of weeks since we last updated you.  Once Nana left, dad was the next one to take off.  With a quick trip to Orlando for work planned, Riles got to show off her Facetime skills.  The last time we tried facetiming, Riles was a little skeptical and didn't know what to think of the whole thing.  This time, Riley was a pro and loved giving dad hugs and kisses through the phone.  While dad was away, Riley was treated to dinner with Nene and Papa.  Riley loved her time with papa and really enjoyed sporting his glasses. 

In some of the bigger Riley news, she has graduated from her crib into her "big girl bed."  It is an exciting transition for her and she has done relatively well with the move.  She still enjoys cuddling with Mickey and dad added Minnie to the mix following his work trip.  Mom did a great job getting the room set up and Riley has enjoyed having so much space in her bed.  She is still adjusting but has done well overall.

As Riley's favorite college football team (ODU) tried to upset NC State, Riley hung out with her friend Maisy as Uncle Davy and Joey and Aunt Michelle and Leah gathered at Joey and Leah's house for a cookout and to watch the game.  Riley enjoyed showing off her dance skills but it wasn't enough to propel ODU to victory.

The next day was the start of the Pittsburgh Steelers season.  Riley joined her cousins at Shorebreak to cheer on the black and gold.  Riley loved riding on the motorcycle as her cousin Colton drove her and Levi around.  Aunt Michelle and Levi were even kind enough to share some tickets with Riley so she could win a prize.  In the end, the Steelers won and Riley had fun.

Over the same weekend, Riley had tons of quality time with Aunt Lizzard.  Riley made a guest appearance at Lizzard's work meeting and then Liz and Conner watched Riley as mom and dad had a date night.  They enjoyed another quality Bravo meal and also some playing by the fountains.

All in all, it has been a crazy and fun couple of weeks.  Can you believe that Riley is already 20 months old?!?!  More updates to follow.

30 Days Worth of Updates

They say “time flies when you are having fun” and fun we have had with Riles.  It is hard to believe that she is 1 ½ years old already.  For her half birthday, Riles got to visit the doctor and receive a few more shots.  Mom was a great helper as the nurse administered the shots.  Riles got a clean bill of health and the doctor said she was progressing nicely. She weighed in at 21 lbs 4 oz and 30 1/4 inches tall.

Shortly after the doctors visit, Mom and Dad headed out to Las Vegas to celebrate Mom’s 30^th birthday with some friends.  Riles got to hang out with Nene and Papa for 4 days.  During her stay, Riles got to play in the pool with Gigi, go on walks with Nene, and we are sure she experienced some of Hampton Roads’ finest dining.  While Mom and Dad were in a taxi in Las Vegas, Riles got to facetime with us.  Riley was quite excited to see us yet quite perplexed as to this whole facetime thing.  Upon our arrival, there had to be an emergency that kept mom about 15 feet from Riley at the security checkpoint.  Once reunited, Riley took a few minutes to warm back up, but finally settled back into her routine.

After a short time at home, it was time for the annual Kletz family vacation.  This year the destination was Kiawah Island, SC.  Gigi accompanied us for the 7 hour trek down I-95.  Riley was as good as could be expected given the fact she was strapped in her seat for 7 hours.  After our arrival, Riles had a great time with Aunt Michelle and Uncle Josh, Colton and Levi, Gigi, Nene, Papa, and Maura.

During the week, Riles had no shortage of pool time.  Between the pool at the house and the others on the resort, Riles got her share of action.  Riley really enjoyed going down the slides (surprise, surprise).  One day, the entire family made the journey to the beach. One of Riley’s favorite parts of the trip was getting to be biked everywhere.  With a carrying cart hooked up to a bike, mom and dad rode Riles around in style.  It must have been so comfy that Riley even passed out on a trip back from the beach.  In the past, Riley has not liked anything on her feet (including sand) and normally throws a fit.  After some coaching from mom, Riles warmed up to the sand and loved her time there.    

What vacation would not be complete without a trip to the emergency room?  On the second night at the house, Riley developed a deep, scary sounding cough.  In the middle of the night, when her breathing worsened and her temperature rose, mom and dad sped to Charleston (about 40 minutes away) to the nearest hospital.  Upon arrival, Riley was carrying a 103+ fever.  WOW.  The official diagnosis was “croup” and after some medicine, we were sent back to Kiawah.  Riley recovered very quickly and was able to enjoy most of her trip.

There was no stopping the Riley express in August as more fun and excitement awaited.  Shortly after her return from Kiawah, Nana and UC (Uncle Colin) came to town for a visit.  Does anyone think Riley lacked attention during Nana’s stay?  Riley enjoyed a week away from day care and also a week with activities such as the beach with her friend Ellie, a trip to the play place at the mall, the pool, and Ocean Breeze.  All the while, Riley was spending almost every waking moment with Nana.

Right as Nana departed, it was time for the first ODU football game of the year.  In traditional fashion, the entire gang gathered in the Blue lot for our tailgate.  With temperatures in the mid 90’s, Riley was a trooper in baring the heat.  Riley enjoyed playing with Colton, Levi, and Maisy as well as her normal quality time with Nene, Papa, Gigi, Aunt Michelle, Uncle Josh and even a few minutes with Nana (before her flight) and Aunt Lizard.  At the game, with the sun staring straight at us, Riley hung in as long as she could as we all threw in the white flag mid-way through the game and headed for some shade (don’t worry…ODU won).

The ODU football season only kicked off a long holiday weekend.  The following day, while dad snuck in some golf, Riley joined mom and Gigi for some shopping and lunch.  Riley enjoyed showing off her hide and seek skills as she would hide behind racks of clothes and suddenly pop out.  For being such a good girl, mom even treated Riles to a stop at the candy store.  Riles didn’t see much in the store she didn’t want to try.  The night ended with a party at Davy and Michelle’s house as some friends gathered for mom’s old work’s fantasy football draft.  Riley was a needy young lady who got tired quickly.  As usual though, she was the life of the party.

The last day of summer meant the closing of the outdoor pools that Riley has really enjoyed this summer.  We had to get in one more splash so mom, dad, and Riley headed off to the YMCA pool on Labor Day.  Riley has loved going down a slide all summer, but for some reason, wanted nothing to do with the slide this trip.  Instead, she enjoyed plenty of jumping in to mom and dad and thoroughly enjoyed the splash pad.  All in all, not a bad way to end summer.