Just a quick update. We are doing really well. Ryiah continues to impress, amaze and entertain me every single day. She can say ANYTHING you ask her to. She says 2-3 word sentences and knows what she's talking about. She is starting to have an opinion about things - This morning I asked, "What do you want to wear today?" I pulled out an outfit and she pushed it back while saying, "Nope." I pulled out another outfit and asked, "How about this one?" Again she said "Nope." The 3rd outfit I pulled out she smiled and nodded her head yes. Um, excuse me...she's 16 months old and cares what she wears. I might be in trouble! She definitely knows what she wants and goes after it. She is a little spit-fire! Sassy and sweet and keeps a smile on my face! As far as potty training goes we are doing okay. I have yet to be hardcore with it because we have several little trips we are going on between now and the end of October. I didn't want her to get thrown off by that so I decided to start the end of the year. She tells me quite often throughout the day that she either needs to go potty or that she has just gone. She is so cute when she goes on the toilet because she knows she gets her marshmallows as a treat so she claps her hands and gets so excited and you can tell she is proud of herself! We go swimming all the time. She loves the pool. Just a few days ago she started jumping off the side to me and going under the water with ease. Now she likes to dunk herself. She'll hang out on the steps and all the sudden you see her sloooowly start to go under and she comes back up with a smile. It's so much fun to see her sense of achievements. She loves her books. I catch her in her room reading them alone until she catches me watching her! She has her favorite books and then she has ones she would like to like, but half way through realizes she's bored with it so she gets up and grabs one of her favorite ones. Rarely do we get through an entire story before she's ready to switch. She just went in to her 16 month well check. Doctor Muyot said she is as healthy as a baby can be! She is just under 20lbs and 29in. She is still tiny (5-10%), but happy and healthy and gorgeous! I just love her to pieces. I fall more in love with her every day.

Just Ryiah

Lots of pictures of busy Ryiah.

4th of July

This was Ryiah’s first 4^th of July! Last year didn’t count because she was only about 3 months old. This year we went to the M hotel/casino with my brother and his family to watch the fireworks. I was a little worried that the fireworks might be a little too loud and I would have to take Ry inside. Surprisingly, they were not loud at all and we enjoyed every minute! Ryiah really loved them!

My Best Friend

This funny girl is my BFF of almost 21 years! When you can say anything about your life that begins with, “I remember 21 years ago…” you know you are getting old…er. Julie and I have always had a friendship of words more than anything. We have had distance between us for many years of our relationship and it has worked just the same as any great friendship of two people that saw each other every other day. We always catch up very easily and quickly. We get each other without having to explain much and can always count on the other to take the time to listen to laughter, tears, anger, excitement or to just ramble on about literally nothing. Well, once again, we are putting the distance between us. Actually, Julie is doing it, not me! Hehe! Her husband, Jon, got into medical school so they are off to Reno! So I guess it’s okay. As long as I get free medical advice and treatment! Don’t think I’m joking. ;) I will miss her but I truly could not be happier for them. They have a long, hard road ahead of them but it will be well worth the time invested in the end! Julie ~ I love you to death! You are the best person inside and out and I couldn’t be luckier to have you, not only as a friend, but as a BEST friend!