Riser is 11 months old

One more month with this sweet boy before he is a one year old! Riser is around 20 pounds and in size 12-18 month clothing mostly, still some 9-12. He still only has his bottom two teeth. He is capable of standing for a few seconds unassisted but still no significant steps yet. He did start using the walker this month and absolutely loves it. He gets very frustrated when it stops (he runs into something) and he needs someone to turn him around. He also has figured out clapping and loves to clap with people. He is big into mimicking what we do which is also a lot of fun.

Riser loves playing outside and will eat handfuls and handfuls of dirt if I let him. He wants to get into everything. This month Bonnie and Riser had their first sleepover, sharing a room for the first time. The first night went great (although they were up earlier than usual) and the second night was a disaster. We don't plan to have them share a room permanently yet but are working toward it eventually. 

This month also consisted of a week or two of sickness as he ended up with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. He was covered in blisters and a rash on his face and body. Thankfully he seemed to fare better than he looked. He is officially all healed and healthy once more. 

Big girl bed

After 3+ years, Bonnie felt ready for a big girl bed. We told her she had to earn it by doing a better job for bedtime consistently. This went on for weeks. One day in the car Bonnie said out of the blue "Mommy, I'm ready for my big girl bed. I'm a little bit tired of thinking about it." She was tired of waiting and talking about it, she wanted some action. I told her she was right, and we got to work setting it up. 

This was a big deal for her. If you don't already know, Bonnie has always had a hard time with bedtimes and nap times. She still goes through phases of crying herself to sleep (much less than ever before) and gets very stuck on her 'rituals'. If any part of her bedtime routine is out of order or out of place, it can cause some anxiety. So we were also very hesitant about such a big change.

She had some expected anxiety her first night, but took to it very quickly and did a great job! She loves her bed and the freedom she has to get up and get books or play during her quiet time if she isn't sleepy. She still struggles at times for bedtime, but she is definitely making progress.

It has been about a month since the transition and she is doing great. In fact, as I write this, Bonnie and Riser are upstairs sleeping in the same room for the first time. Slowly but surely this girl is becoming more flexible with her sleep and we are so proud of her!

January extras

January was a month of getting back into a normal routine, and continuing with the busyness of life with little ones! 

When we started taking ornaments off the tree, Bonnie found one last present that we hadn't noticed in the tree on Christmas - a fun surprise (a harmonica of sorts).

We made one last visit to Christmas Town as a family.

We sit on the floor these days more than the couch.

You can find us at the library just about every week.

We've had lots of play time with cousins. Sweet Aunt Katie is always willing to hold Bonnie when 'her legs are tired'. 

We've met up with friends for walks in Colonial Williamsburg.

These two are so cute together. Riser loves every bit of attention his big sister will give him.

The Christmas decorations finally came down.

Bonnie is just looking older and older these days! 

We met up with some friends at the Botanical Garden. 

I took Bonnie to another open gym day with friends.

We got to celebrate a sweet friend's first birthday.

Bonnie had her first dentist appointment! I wasn't even sure she would open her mouth but she did a great job and was super cooperative.

We met some new friends through another moms group and all the kids loved playing on a dirt mountain. They all ended up barefoot even though it was freezing cold outside.

We've definitely got our money's worth out of the playset. We are out there just about every day the weather will allow it. 

Benny's parents sent everyone (except me, rightfully so) Cowboy's swag. They had visited the stadium earlier in the season. I begrudgingly put them in their new gear for a playoff game once the Commanders were officially out for the season.

We got to go to the bus stop with the cousins one morning and everyone took turns to see if they were still strong enough to hold Bonnie.

This girl loves dressing up. 

I've been fortunate to get to do quite a few mom's nights lately. 

We met up with a couple friends at Busch Gardens - current celebration is for Mardi Gras. 

It's been a pretty mild winter. We've had some cold spells but there have been plenty of nicer days spent outside, rolling down hills. This is the first year Bonnie has really anticipated snow and asked about it (I think she really expected it from all the Christmas movies). It's looking like we may have to just hold out hope for next year. In the meantime, we'll take advantage of the warmer days.