Why the break?

Cause life has been crazy! Right now, Riley's going through more medical problems. In short, she eats a lot and doesn't grow. So we're seeing lots of specialists to try and figure out what's up with that. I'm actually turning in a food diary for her next week for a dietician to go over. And she's behind in her gross motor. So she receives physical therapy for that a few times a week. In the next couple of weeks she'll go through a variety of tests to rule our some different things. See those red shorts? Those are her special shorts, designed to keep her legs together, otherwise she'd be doing this crazy split thing. Therapy is physically demanding but productive. On Friday, she stood, unassisted a few times, once for about 30+ seconds. Other than those two things, Riley I a happy, fun loving baby. She says a handful of words, loves to swing and play with balls. She loves Hannah so
much, and Hannah showers her with attention. There's lots of other stuff too, but I'll save that for another post! Maybe. ; ). By the way, I'm trying out Bloggers new mobile app. I have no idea how this will look when I hit publish.

This is Riley's crazy contortionist move.  Well, one of them.  

Standing unsupported!!!  Those shorts are called hip helpers.  They're lycra and the crotch is sewn together, forcing her legs to stay together.  

A swing a therapy.  It's blurry, it's a long and narrow sling swing.  She loves it! Heck, I think I'd love it.  

Another swing at therapy.  We work alot on her abs and core.

I love this picture!  This is a big ball pit and the balls are made out of tempura-pedic foam, so they're stiff and it's hard to move around in this ball pit.  

Catching up with Casey

David and I had an agreement in place when I conceded to pack us all up and move to Illinois.  The agreement was that I would fly to see Casey after she had my niece, without argument from David.  I bought my ticket at the end of May.

And waited, excitedly, for August 2nd.  

Just 3 days before the girls and I leave, I found out that Ethan wasn't going to be there for most of my time there.  I struggled for about 24 hours over what to do.  I pondered putting off the trip, so that I could be in California with Ethan.  Eventually, I decided to continue with my plans, because I couldn't guarantee I would be able to go later in the.  If something were to prevent me from going I at a later date, I would not be able to forgive myself for passing up this trip.  

So Hannah, Riley and I flew out to see Casey, Matt and Annalisa.  We knew it wouldn't be the same.  We knew it would be hard when we talked to Ethan.  But we also knew that we'd still have a good visit.  The other downside to my trip was that Casey would have to leave for 3 days.  She actually had to fly back to NC for family court (it's a super long, complicated story).  

Since getting to Casey's house, we've spent hours talking.  It's been so good to catch up with her.  Casey and I have always been close.  I feel blessed to be as close to my sister as I am.  

We haven't done any exciting things yet.  We did make it out to the wineries.  When she gets back with Ethan, we're going to head out to the ocean.  I've never seen the Pacific.   

Today, Casey flies out for NC.  She'll be back on Friday with Ethan, and a whole new set of fun times will begin then.  In the meantime, the girls and I will explore California and spend time with my friend Pam.  

A Visit with Grandpa Bob

After leaving Brittany's house, we drove an hour to Grandpa Bob's house.  I figured there was no reason to not spend some time with him and Susan, since I was already so close.  It's really important to me that my girls know their family and spend as much time with as possible.  Especially their grandparents. Plus, grandpa Bob is newly retired, and has plenty of free time now.  

Riley, just hanging out on the back deck.  

Pool time.  

More pool time

While with Grandpa Bob, Hannah learned to drive a golf cart.  She started out a little rough, driving all over the drive way and almost running into the car but by the end of the of trip she was pro.  We went swimming every night.  Hannah gained a lot of confidence in the water.  At the beginning of the trip, Hannah was pretty timid in the water but by the end of the trip she was going in with wings only.  Grandpa had a lot of fun throwing Riley in the air.  

While hanging out, Grandpa and I talked about all kinds of exciting stuff: politics, money matters and homeschooling.  And I discovered the joy of shopping at a Goodwill.  Like I said, exciting stuff.