Girls Rule

The poor men that were involved with this years Thanksgiving deserve medals! We were a party of ten. Eight girls with ages ranging from 8 months, 15 months, 24 months, 7 years, 29 years, and more (it's not polite to list a lady's age after they hit 40 :?) and two very patient and possibly traumatized men. We had a blast. I'm so bummed it is all over. My mom was a great hostess with the mostess and she cooked an amazing meal or two for us all. Here are a couple of pictures from our weekend. We had a blast. I loved every second of it!

Emma doing her "I don't like it" lips

cousin Maddy practicing her sprints

Emma's cousin Gretchan (aka Gretchie)

she is the sweetest baby I've ever seen

look at that big girl who refuses to sit in the high chair

because she clearly doesn't need one....

Me and my Gretchie!

Isabelle (Emma's cousin) built an amazing tower that

was quickly bulldozed by two toddlers that will

remain unnamed :)

Emma and her favorite Aunt Kiley. My sister

is the best mom ever. I worship her.

Emma and cousin Maddy lovin' it up

(don't be fooled, they spent the rest of the vacation

as the stars of our very own Thanksgiving WWF smackdown event)

Emma and Maddy trying to work out their differences

over a meal (it didn't work). I do believe this was a few minutes

before Emma's very first "time out"

The word "mine" is now part of this girls vocab and

I believe Maddy now says a lot more "no!s"

Thankful, Thankful, Gobble, Gobble

Its almost Thanksgiving! I love love love the holidays. We are thankful for so many things including our health, family and friends, our home sweet home, jobs, our freedom, and our steamy hot date afternoons (just kidding. I had to see if you were still reading...wink. There is a story to that comment that involves us seeing a movie, gorging ourselves on dinner, and discussing whether the babysitter would mind if we took a short 2 hour nap when we get home) to list a few. I looked back at pictures from this time last year, and I am shocked by how much my baby has changed and how much older I look and feel. I know next year I will feel the same way about this year. It's going to be my new goal to slow down and bask in every second that Emma is little. It is going by so fast, too fast. So happy happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! Make some great memories!

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” –John F. Kennedy

“Thanksgiving is the day when you turn to another family member and say, “How long has Mom been drinking like this?” My Mom, after six Bloody Marys looks at the turkey and goes, “Here, kitty, kitty.” –David Letterman

Date Night

OH! Date night, how I love you! Let me count the ways. 1)diving into a plate full of food but void of tiny sticky fingers 2) sitting in a public place with an empty lap and free from death welcoming humiliation 3) going to the ladies room when I want as many times as I want 4) going to the movies 5) riding in the car, not rushing to get anywhere...... Date night, you are too good to me :)

"Now You Know" Stories from a Crazy Mom

For this weeks story I decided to pull out one from my childhood. Mostly because I think it is only fair to assign proper blame to the one who is responsible for my insanity (Hi Mom!). This is how the story goes.

Mom with three small children leaves a grocery store. Everyone gets into the family's blue horizon (if you were born after 1980, it's a car, google it you won't regret it). I digress.

Mom: "kids make sure you all have your seat belt on"

Mom: "That's funny, this key won't go in the ignition?"

Mom: "HEY! Who was eating McDonald's in here!?!"

3 Kids: "Not me! Me either! Can we GO to McDonald's?"

ALL three kids begin begging, bargaining and demanding...............

Mom: "OH MY GOD! GET OUT OF THE CAR!! WE ARE IN THE WRONG CAR!! GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!"

Mom and kids all scurry out, get into the correct blue horizon, buckle up, and get the H%*! out of there before anyone notices.

Its in my genes. Now you know.

Prematurity Awareness Day

Today is the March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Day. I'm so bummed that Kentucky scored an F on their 2009 Premature Birth Report Card. To check out your states score click here. Prematurity is on the rise and is higher in the U.S. than most other developed countries. Today our thoughts and prayers are with the many babies who were born too soon and their families. Our family is thankful for the modern technology and many doctors and nurses that took care of our baby girl so she could grow and look like this today.

(not a fan of leaves)

Thank you Norton Suburban NICU.

xoxoxx,

The Riggs

You wish you looked this good!

Nope, this is not Kate Gosselin! It's Emma eating breakfast watching her current obsession (Shrek). She has the best bed head I've ever seen. There is no such thing as brushing this wild do into place! It will not be tamed!

Daisy Dog Love

Emma: Deedee you can't go out without a leash

Daisy: Emma you can't go out without pants

dreaming of pooping in the front yard paradise

"Dad it seems like since that kid came home we

never get to spend any time together"

"CHEEEEESE!"