Lover of Strawberries

A few months back, I posted about my little stinker, and how she got into the strawberries in the fridge.

It included this epic picture, with which Hubby and I are obsessed.

I can't really believe how much she has changed since this picture, and it was only April! A short three month ago, and she got so much bigger, and dare I say, older looking. But thankfully, she still has those chubba chunka cheeks, so all is still right with the world. :)

Anyway, I came home from the store, and was unpacking groceries. Reilly loves helping me with this job. She takes things out of the bags and puts them on the floor, occasionally holding them up to me to show me what she found, and occasionally saying "MMmmm!" when she recognizes a favorite food.

Then suddenly, I see her trying to open the container of strawberries. She is fiddling with the thick plastic cover, trying to get to the berry goodness. I grabbed my camera, attempting to catch her fiddling with the package, because I thought it was hilarious that she was being so persistent. She had no idea that I was watching her.

By the time I got my camera, she had not only gotten the package open, but had a berry in each hand with a bite out of both of them. Only about 20 seconds had passed. This is the face she made when she knew I had caught her.

Regardless of the fact that she had berries in hand, she just kept grabbing for more. I think the glory of having so many at her disposal was overwhelming.

And I am happy to report, she still shoves/eats strawberries in the same adorable fashion.

Hi pretty! I love seeing you so happy and proud of yourself!

As you can see by her outfit, it was the fourth of July. My baby found independence on Independence Day!

Reilly, I am in love with you. I will never stop telling you that.

p.s. You are hilarious.

Love & Independence,
DR Mama

Mama Grows Basil

Mama and Daddy are growin' basil and tomatoes! 'Cept the tomatoes aren't red yet, they are little tiny green ones still. I can't wait till they are red, Mama says they are her favorite!

Anyway, our basil crop...wait..Dada...stand over here, that's my good side...

That's better. Anyway, we are growin' large leaf basil. This was our first leaf - it's almost as big as my head!

We love basil, and pesto, and anything involving basil and pesto.

Dada...this is not time for peek-a-boo. You are so silly.

Know what it is time for? Eating basil!

Mmmmmm!

Pesto tip from my Mama: Instead of using pine nuts in your pesto, try using almonds! They are a lot cheaper, and a lot better for you. And it tastes delicious, too!

Love & Gardening,

Rei Rei

Baby You're a Firework

If you told me ten years ago, that I was going to be dating the boy working on the ski dock at our favorite vacation spot, I would have jumped for joy. (I had a crush on the cute tanned staff member.)

If you had told me then, that we would go to college together, I would have said, "Really? How fun! Am I going to be like Felicity?"


If you had told me 10 years ago, that I would be engaged to be married to him at 19, I would have been gitty with shock and excitement. 19? That's in like, 5 years. Where will we live? That's not too far away!


And if you had told me, that in 10 short years, we would be married with a gorgeous little toddler, I wouldn't have believed you. But what I really wouldn't believe is how fast those 10 years would go. How I would look at my handsome man, and still see the boy that I fell in love with. The 16 year old that I met by the lake. The one who has made all my dreams come true.


I hope the next 10 years go slower, because I have more fun every day with you. I have a feeling these next 10 years will be the best ones yet.
Happy Birthday, handsome. I love you millions.

Love,

Me

When Dada Gives You Lemons

Last week, on our vacation, we went out to lunch at this delicious seafood restaurant, where you can eat outside on beautiful decks overlooking the ocean. I love going out to eat with people who live nearby - the locals always know all the best places to go!

At this restaurant, Reilly had her first lemon.

She had the most hilarious reaction, which was to squeeze her whole face, shimmy her whole body, and then say "please" and ask for more.

You can see in Daddy's hysterical laughter how funny she was.


Reilly loves lemons! Cross another strange food that Reilly eats off our list. Along with kale and basil leaves.

Speaking of which, our first basil crop and Reilly thoughts on it - coming soon.

Love & Lemonade,

DR Mama

Beach Baby

We took babygirl to the ocean for the first time! Or as her friend Maddie called it we "went to the sand". I swear, this girl just wants to be in water, of any kind, all the time.


We started in shallow water, thinking she might be a little scared of the bigger water.

But she wasn't scared at all! Look at her face saying, "Woah. I am such a big girl."

She cried when Daddy picked her up out of the water. It was so much fun watching her when the little waves came!



Our toes in the sand together!

It was a gorgeous day on the shores where our forefathers first settled. Thank you Amanda and Maddie, for such a fun and beautiful day.

Love & Waterbug,

Dirt Road Mama

Her First Museum!

On our trip last week, we took Reilly to her first museum! Definitely not her last, since her mama seeks out art museums everywhere we go. But this wasn't an art museum, it was the Providence Children's Museum! We had so much fun.

We started our day at my favorite place when we are near civilization - Starbucks. It was Reilly's first Starbucks trips as well - she clearly loved it. She fell asleep shortly after this photo.


Then we were off to the museum! It would have been better for her if she were walking, but then again, isn't everything? So we strolled and carried and played and explored. Reilly said hi to every stranger that she saw. The usual.

We saw mirrors that made us look silly.

We practiced with the telephone!

We went down the slide - which was Reilly's favorite part!

Okay, can you even handle her face?? She was hysterical laughing.

We played with marionettes!


And we pretend-cooked with old fashioned carved bowl things.

Then we had lunch outside and watched the kiddies play and climb!


I love her outfit. Such a little adult outfit.

That was a fun afternoon on our trip! Funny story - earlier in the week, we were by the beach and Reilly became obsessed with the sound that seagulls make. As in, she can imitate it perfectly. And she did - every time she heard one - quite loudly. It was hilarious. So while we were eating lunch outside, she started pointing and making her very distinct seagull call. So we looked at where she was pointing, and saw a pigeon. We started cracking up, then taught her what a pigeon does, and she started bobbing her head like she saw him doing. Too funny, that girl!

Love & Explorations,

Dirt Road Mama

Vay Cay!

This passed week, we took our first official week long Family Vacation!! We have taken many weekend/long weekend trips of course - but this time we went to new places, did new things, packed our car to it's limits, and set off as a family of three. We had such a great great trip. It was everything we imagined it would be, and we stayed with the most wonderful, hospitable people. Here is a little snapshot of our trip, with just a few pictures. Much more to come, as time allows.

Plymouth, MA.
BFFs.

First time in the ocean!!

She cried when we took her out.


Reilly and Mama on the Cape.


Providence Children's Museum. (Sidenote: this is my favorite face in the history of the world)

Giggles with Dadadada!
Handsome doggies! (Sidenote: Reilly learned "Doggie" and "Woof" this week!)

Reilly and Captain inspecting the water.



Nothing better than playing outside in the summertime.


Our trip was filled with laughter, some sunshine, lots of memories, great conversation, amazing company, and delicious food and drinks. We drove home thankful and blessed to be able to enjoy these things. So grateful to God for this time together.

Reilly's Firsts this week:
Words: bubble, doggie, kitty, woof, meow, applesauce
Foods: lemon, tai food (I could never pronouce/type what she actually tasted), Ben and Jerry's, BBQ ribs, apricot
Events: ocean visit, giant bubbles bigger than her, Starbucks, museum

Love & Luggage,

DR Mama