Look at Me!!

YEA!!! After working so hard over christmas, she finally did it! She managed to push herself up from lying down to a sitting position. I snapped the first shot right afterward. She looks so happy because Mommy was jumping up and down like a mad woman cheering for her! We're so proud!

Texas Christmas '08

This year took us to Texas for Christmas! 70 degree weather, ice skating, bowling, presents and mexican food rounded out the trip. other than the 12 hours it took us to get there (damn you snow!) and Layla getting slapped by an 18 month old (she shook it off like a champ!), it was a great trip! here are a few pics chronicling our southern style holiday (gotta love broccoli/cheese casserole and sweet potatoes)!

"LEAVIN'....ON A JET PLANE"
as most of you know...we had a terrible snowstorm throughout much of the states on christmas eve. as a result, we had to get rerouted out of madison, to avoid the 30 hour delay chicago ohare airport was encountering. the original 6 hour trip turned into 12 hours...but i guess it could have been worse. other than puking all over mommy, daddy, and herself 10 times, she was great! though, even the best of them have their end points. bed time shortly followed.

CHRISTMAS DAY!!

Layla had a great time opening presents from Santa and the Riddle/Robinson clan! there was an abundance of toys, books, and snazzy new outfits. of course, she was mostly interested in eating all the wrapping and tissue paper....and hanging out with her cool cousin Kade!

THE DAY AFTER...

after some silly kids were done playing under the christmas tree, we ventured out to the ice rink (yes, daddy, uncle brian, and kade skated in t-shirts!), bowling, and yummy mexican food! layla loved groovin' in her stroller at Rock-a-Bowl under the black lights!

It was a wonderful holiday and we enjoyed spending time with Mimi, Marty, Uncle Brian, Aunt Shelley, and cousin Kade! We look forward to visiting with Pop, Nana, Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Katie, and cousin Allison this summer! See you soon Lone Star State!!

Madison Christmas '08

Since we'll be going to Texas for Christmas, Nona, Grandpa, and Uncle Ross came down to celebrate the holiday before we left. We ate ALOT, Layla opened tons of presents, even mommy and daddy had some great gifts under the tree! It was wonderful to be able to spend time with the Dyer side of the family this year, too! However, the old camera broke...so this is the ONLY picture (other than some videos) we captured this year. No fear...Mommy got a new camera for christmas, so we should be up and running soon!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

From our home to yours....we wish you all a wonderful holiday season!
--The Riddles

Mommy's Little Helper

Layla LOVES to help out with the cooking! For those that know mommy, they know she can use all the help she can get. poor mommy...she's just not a kitchen dweller.

Peek-A-Boo

In Layla's daily struggle to push herself up to a sitting position , we found a new game! She also likes the variation of us putting a burpie over her face and pulling it off herself.

Don't Judge Us...

We'll do whatever it takes. If that means bribing our 7 month old to crawl with caffeinated beverages, that's what we'll do! :-)

River Dance

It seems our daughter has taken up the popular irish jig. she's so advanced.

Baby Got Back

Layla's falling asleep checklist. Roll over onto stomach, check. Insert thumb in mouth, check. Cheeks up to the sky, check check.

GG and Me

This is one of my favorite photos from our family session. This is Layla with her 92 y/o Great Grandmother, Helen Flaminio. It's a treasured moment that was captured...and i'm so grateful to have it.

Dyer-Flaminio-Riddle Family Photo Shoot

Well, here they are...but just a few. These are the family photos we had taken in late September. We're pleased with the many beautiful shots we were able to get of Layla and the rest of the family. Enjoy!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we know we did! I had to work the actual holiday, but we all went up north to Nona and Grandpa's house for a belated Turkey Day celebration. Here are just a few pics from the weekend. We certainly feel we have alot to be thankful for!!

Layla and Laptop...a Love Story

We could post a hundred pictures of Layla and the Laptop...but here's just a couple. If you have it, she wants it. She can't get enough. We've decided to ask "Santa" to bring an age appropriate one for her for Christmas. Though, she seems to navigate around ours better than we can.

Splish, Splash!

Here's a short video of our water baby. She'd stay in there for hours, if we let her. I'm thinking swimming lessons with Daddy this winter are going to be a bit hit!

Happy Belated Anniversary!

Shane and I finally celebrated our first anniversary in Chicago this past weekend! Nona, Grandpa, and Uncle Ross kindly came down to babysit Layla and Oscar, while we were away. We drove down early Saturday morning and went to "Amadeus", which was a phenomenol play at the Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. A steak dinner followed, with a "sweet" surprise at the end. The wait staff at Kinzie's were very thoughtful. Even though we missed the babe (this was Mommy's first night away), we had a wonderful time! It reminded us how important it is to spend some quality time, with just the two of us. Here's to a lifetime together...

Happy Halloween!

Here's our sweet little flower!! Layla had a great first Halloween. She loved wearing her costume, but after literally being stuffed in her carseat several times...the fun was over. The things kids have to endure for their parents entertainment!

Here's Layla visiting her daycare love interest, Dane, and his big sis Kendall.

The Leaning Tower of Layla

Okay, in the first picture she looks panicked...but she held in there for quite awhile. She loves to sit, and she's working hard to do it all on her own. Though, once she tumbles over, she gives me that look of "i'm okay, right?"

Colorado, The Finale: Swinging

We found Layla's new love...swinging!! She absolutely did not want to get out of that thing. I haven't seen her smile and laugh that much about anything, so far. Though, maybe it was the just the high altitude. "Hey Kendall and Dane...can i come over and play on your cool new playset??"

Colorado, Part III: It's the Great Pumpkin, Layla Riddle!

The girls headed to the pumpkin patch after the boys had left for hunting! Ella loved the maze, the scary monsters, and picking out several pumpkins. Layla, on the other hand, was a tough sell. She's teething and wasn't feeling the best that day, but hung in there like a trooper!

Colorado, Part II: First Haircut

When Aunt Elissa kindly pointed out Layla was sporting a mullet, I decided it was time for baby's first haircut. We took her to this adorable kid's salon called, LolliLocks. Layla did great!! She begged for a mani/pedi after her cut...maybe next time.