Real FOOD!!!

Riley got to try real food for the first time! One afternoon he attacked my apple, and loved it. He made some really great faces as he explored the new taste and texture. Since he liked the apple so much this weekend we gave him some pears. He is doing great with the spoon, except for the times that I'm not going fast enough and he tries to shove it down his throat. Spoon feeding has moved us to a whole new phase of messy eating!

Things are going well in our house. I'm adjusting to life back at work, and Mckenna is doing a fabulous job watching both boys.

I loved the time I had off to spend with Riley and to get McKenna settled into Portland while Megan got back into the working life. We spent the mornings driving Megan to work, getting home to play, eat, and take a nap before heading over to the Daby's to meet up with Wilson and Kenna for the afternoon. One day, Kenna and I took the boys to the "Mommy Matinee" at the Kennedy School, Riley hardly slept and just enjoyed looking around at everyone and the movie. We also went to lunch a couple times, Riley now prefers to sit on my lap at the table and bang on the table while we eat. He is very curious when we eat and wants to join in the fun. We also went on a nice run together over to the Daby's one afternoon, Riley decided to sleep the entire run while I huffed and puffed as I'm horribly out of shape. In all, it was a great week, but it flew by and I would have loved to spend many more weeks at home with him. He's a joy.

Riley's First Xmas

WOW, what a busy month. I know that the holiday's always seem so fast, but this year was especially quick! Once again we found ourselves back in Minnesota this time to celebrate Christmas, Riley's Baptism, My 30th birthday and New Years. It was nice to be back for such a long time, but it was also very tiring. Unfortunately I had a horrible sore throat pretty much the entire trip which really sucked. Luckily Grandma & Grandpa were anxious to tend to Riley in the early mornings so Brendan and I could take advantage of some much needed shut eye (thanks Mom & Dad!). Riley was able to spend extra time with his aunts and uncles and get know them better, he seemed to grow up a little more on this trip. He also made his first trip to Iowa (his 3rd State) to see even more family members and experience the bitter wind chill, which he hated (he told me). In all, Riley had a great first Christmas in that he received wonderful gifts, and had lots of laughs.

On Sunday the 23rd we had Riley Baptised at my parents home. It was a very moving evening attended by just our immediate families. The priest, Father Tim Power, did an amazing job honoring Riley's new life and our beliefs. He had baptised all the Flynn children at the Flynns homes in St.Paul, so it was great to continue the tradition. Jeff and Daynia are his spiritual advisors. Brendan and I are confident that he will be in good hands.

The 3oth was my 30th birthday. We meet up with a bunch of friends and my parents and brother in Minneapolis for dinner and drinks and then went to the VFW for a night of Karaoke. I had an absolute blast, it was great being out on the town with friends once again!

We spent ringing in the New Year at Peter Sauers wedding to Amanda Copper at the Wabasha Street Caves. The ceremony was beautiful, and the vows moved us all to tears. Riley spent the New Year with my parents. They said he woke up just minutes before the ball dropped. He never wants to miss a party!

The best Christmas present I received was an extra week of maternity leave. I was supposed to return to work on the 2nd, the day after coming home from MN. Fortunately, I am returning to a new position and HR wanted me to start at the beginning of a new pay period. Which granted me an extra couple days off, what a treat!

Mckenna arrived on the 3rd to start her adventure in Portland and to nanny for Wilson and Riley. Brendan is taking off from work until the 14th to help Mckenna get settled and to spend some guy time with Riley. We are so grateful to have her here watching Riley.

Monday begins a whole new routine for the Flynn family as I return to work full time. I have loved every minute of my 19weeks of Riley, but am looking forward to getting back into work.

The things I will miss the most about being home:

- Hanging out with Riley in the morning (his best time of day)

-Drinking coffee in my PJ's at 11am

- Seeing Riley figure things out for the first time (ie rolling over)

-Having a free schedule to move at our own pace and do whatever we want

Things I'm excited for:

- Eating out, alone!

- Contributing to the savings account.

- Regular adult conversation, but if you need someone to sing itsy bitsy spider I'm your girl. I can even do the hand motions!

Riley had is 4 month appointment on the 3rd. He received his second set of shots, which of course he hated. He screamed bloody murder, it didn't help that he was also starving. He weighed in at 14.5 pounds, 26 1/2 inches. Still in the 75% for both.

Here are pictures from December. Hope everyone is well.

Cheers!