Riley and Jeremy meet Tyler

Riley is completely enchanted with Tyler! I knew that the boys would love him, but I was really surprised to see how tender and loving Riley was when he walked in the door. The boys didn't get to see Tyler until the day we left the hospital. They wouldn't allow them to go in the NICU. Riley walked in and he was just beaming with love! It was soooo sweet! He is still the same way. He completely loves his baby brother. He always wants to hold him, and rub his head, and tend to his needs. At times, he can be a little too much help!

It's nice to have a little helper though!


Tyler Bradley Cook

A good self esteem is always a plus!

Riley surprisingly likes dramatic music that is powerful and has lots of instruments. For example, he likes Phantom of the Opera and even the Mormon Tabranacle Choir. On Tuesday, we went to meet a friend at the inside park (at least that's what we call it) at the mall. So for 15-20 minutes we had been listening to the M.Tab. choir, at Riley's request. Riley must have been feeling the spirit and just loving life and, well, himself. Right as we turn into the parking lot our conversations goes like this...

Riley: MOM, I LIKE MYSELF!

Me: I'm glad! I like you too!

Riley: I LIKE YOU TOO, AND I LIKE MYSELF!

Me: Well, I'm glad you do!

Riley: YEEEAAHHH, I CAN WRESTLE BAD GUYS, SUPER HEROS, LOTS OF PEOPLE!
(and then with way more enthusiasm)
JUST LOOK AT THESE MUSCLES!!!!!
(showing me his muscles)

It was a priceless conversation.

Treasure Hunt

The boys found a treasure map at Grandma's house.

They are ready to go find the treasure.

They have their guns in case of a run-in with pirates.

(treasure map- complements of Valane)

Jeremy informed me that he was, "getting the alligators."

The treasure map indicated that we needed "wandering stream water."

Even though we're in full sun, a flashlight is always required when reading a treasure map.

With great enthusiasm, Jeremy went and got the shovel.

The treasure has been found!!!
Riley had soo much fun, he decided he'd go find some more treasure.

"Baby," for a moment got the boot.

When I say "baby," I mean Jeremy's pink satin blanket. Uncle Chuck is going to make a trundle for Jeremy. We just got the trundle mattress and decided to try moving Jeremy into Riley's room tonight. At first, all was going GREAT! Jeremy was so excited!!! Riley was being such an example! We did our bedtime routine, and Jeremy climed under the covers. I made it like Riley's with the top sheet and a quilt. Jeremy excitedly climbed under the covers. I handed him baby. He held baby for a little bit. Then all of the sudden, he so unceremoniously threw baby across the room. As far as he was concerned, at the moment, he didn't need that old thing anyway. He is a big boy, sleeping in a big bed, afterall. Valane and I laid down with the boys for a couple of minutes while Valane told them a story about when he was a kid. Then Jeremy said, "You guys, Go Away!" So we shut the door on our way out.
Sweet success? No. Within 10 minutes, we hear Jeremy goofing around. Riley stayed in his bed and tried to do the right thing, Jeremy was too excited to sleep. The night ended, after several tries, with Jeremy in his crib. He was devistated. And yes, at that point, he had baby again. I can't say I"m surprised, but hopefully tomorrow goes better! Hopefully he willingly gives baby up without a fight. Not that I mind too much. I just don't want him carrying around a pink satin blanket for too much longer.

The Air Show

After about 20 minutes in the heat and sun, Jeremy and I were miserable! I was actually contemplating taking Jeremy home and coming back to pick up Riley and Lane. So was it worth it?! Initially, NO! But then.........................

we got smart! We relocated our chairs to the shade by the sony play station trailer. It had it all, great view of center stage, shade, and a cool breeze (because it was pumping A/C out to cool the trailer while the people payed games. That cool breeze blew right on us.). Were it not for all of this, I don't think I would ever go again, 8 months pregnant anyway.

The kids liked seeing the big jets. We missed the blue angels though : ( We were there for 4 hours, and the boys had it. So next time, we will have to plan accordingly.

Fountain Fun

Jeremy was initially very cautious about this whole experience. He was excited to go, but when he got a little bit wet....he was upset. He wanted to take it all off. It took quite a while of convincing, from Dad, that he wore "those" shorts and "those" shoes to get wet. He finally took the plunge. Riley and Jeremy had a blast!

Del-ick-o-lous!!!

Yesterday I took the boys blueberry picking. We went to 3 places, only to find them closed, before we found a place to pick. After the third place, Riley lets out a big sigh and exclaims, "THIS IS DELICKOLOUS!!!! Why are they all closed? THIS IS JUST DELICKOLOUS!!!" So it was!

When we arrived at our destination, Riley proceeded to find a few big sticks. Then, instead of picking blueberries, he played in the dirt and investigated his surroundings. Jeremy on the other hand did pick, only he ate everyone one of them, including everyone I put in his bucket.

We had blueberry pancakes for dinner. They were delicious!

Ring Around the Rosie

Jeremy is elated when he gets to play ring-around-the-rosie.

It's sweet to see how much the boys love each other!

It's so great when they play well together too!

Popsicle

Like all kids, Jeremy loves popsicles...

The funny thing, he sucks on them so hard, he actually shakes. This picture wasn't even a good one. We tried so hard, but we kept barely missing it.

The flash delayed catching it when it was really good.

It's So Hard Waiting Your Turn

...Especially when your brother is playing with one of your favorate toys.

There's More Than Meets the Eye

Riley used the remnants of a roll of wrapping paper to become........

A Transformer. He had me taping them to his back for about three days.

Independence Day!

Baby is never too far away! And always there to comfort when needed.

Uncle Biff came to visit

No, his real name is not Biff, it's Andrew. It was a nickname he aquired very young(long story) from my older brother. It stuck and that's what he's known by, both family and friends. This is our last visit with him before he is deployed to Iraq for a second time. : ( The worst part is that he'll be in Bagdad the whole time. Riley was so excited to seem him. The first thing he wanted to do was wrestle. The next day as we were in route to see him again, Riley informs me that he needs to wrestle Uncle Biff again, "I haven't gotten to wrestle him enough!"

Dirt

It's so funny how each kid is so different. Riley has always been Mr. Clean. Jeremy on the other hand, takes every opportunity to get dirty. He piles it in his lap, throws it in the air, and rubs it on his cheeks. It's a mothers dream : ) It is pretty cute to watch.

Found a Caterpillar in the Tent

Riley made a home for his caterpillar, which he named Brad. We brought it home and he put it in his bug house. It died 4 days later. When I first told him he said, "nooo, he's just sleeping." Then later when I told him again, he accepted the fact and asked why. So our new rule, he can keep a bug in his bug house for a day or two. Then we have to release it.

A Visit From A Squirel

Yummy Smores!

Our visit to the river while we were camping.