A Year in Pictures - 2010

It is really hard to believe that 2010 is coming to a close. While I often ask myself where did this year go, I then take a look back through the blog or through pictures and realize we've done a lot of great things and have made a ton of wonderful memories. This year I started out as the mother of a super adorable 16-month-old and I am ending the year as the mother to a super independent (and still quite adorable) 28-month-old. Let's check have a quick recap of all the awesome adventures, firsts and memories made over the past 12 months.

January was great - Riley rang in 2010 as she peacefully slept in her crib. She started going to My Gym and was growing and thriving just fine!!

In February Riley was able to experience a big snow storm and play in the snow for the first time. She turned 1 1/2 this month and we celebrated with cupcakes. Riley learned how to say her whole name, was saying the entire alphabet without help and was learning how to count past 10.
In March Riley moved rooms at daycare and was placed in the Toddler room. It was this month that Riley began her potty training and did pretty ok with it.

In April Riley enjoyed the spring air, a Girl's Weekend and Easter. What a fun month!

In May Riley experience snow on Mother's Day but by the end of the month she was hanging by the pool - gotta love springtime in Syracuse.

In June the Clarks went on their very first family vacation. We headed to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We had a week of fun, fun, fun!!

July was the month of changes! We came home from vacation and converted Riley's crib to a big girl bed and her room went from a baby room to a big girl room. Riley also converted from baby sippy cups to big girl cups. This is the month where I began to feel sad that my baby was no longer a baby and I had to come to accept that she was offically a big girl now!

We said Happy 2nd Birthday to Riley Paige this month. She loved her Dora the Explorer themed birthday party complete with a bounce house.

The month of September was a doozy for us. Riley had surgery in the beginning of the month which put us out of commission on the potty training front for a little while. Once she healed from her surgery, we spent the rest of the month participating in fall activities like pumpkin and apple picking. This is also the month we finally gave up the pacifiers for good!!

October was a month of a few firsts. Riley got her 1st haircut and went to the circus for the first time (and loved it). Riley was a pirate for Halloween (her choice) and if you ask me - she was the cutest pirate I've ever seen!!!

November was an interesting month. November was when we truly realized that we were the parents to a 2-year-old. We found ourselves in the throes of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad twos!!!! There are moments when it seems as though it's getting better and then there are moments when I think "is this ever going to end???" We are looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel.

December has been great! We enjoyed decorating the house, getting to know our Elf on the Shelf, visiting with Santa and enjoying Christmas. We are looking forward to celebrating New Year's with Grandpa, Juh-Juh, Aunt Laurie, Uncle Schneckie, Aunt Jenny and Keira.

We're all excited for the New Year and new changes! The Clarks have some pretty big plans for the upcoming year and we're hoping that all of our hard work pays off.

We hope everyone has a fabulous New Year!!!

How to have an awesome Christmas

I can't even remember the last time I posted myself, but this seemed like the perfect occasion to get back into my blogging. Christmas this year was so much fun. I cannot believe that all that hype and the day has come and gone. Now that I have 3 Christmases under my belt, I believe that I may have found the best recipe for having an awesome Christmas.

Step 1: Track Santa to make sure that he is en route to your home.


Step 2: Make sure that you put out the right amount of cookies and carrots for Santa and Rudolph (and of course don't forget the milk and bowl of water)!!

Step 3: Wake up and check to make sure the snacks were eaten and there are presents under the tree.

Step 4: Get down to business and get those presents open!!!!

Step 5: Don't forget the stocking!!!

Step 6: Play, play and play some more!!!!

What an awesome Christmas I had this year...so far the best one yet! Time to work on staying on the nice list for next year!

Lots of Lights ... and Santa too!!!

What an exciting week Riley had. Snow hit Syracuse last Saturday and kept on all the way until Thursday morning. By Thursday night the snow had stopped and so like the past 2 years, we piled into the car and went to see Lights on the Lake. Riley loved it even more this year than she did last year. We've already had to promise Riley that we'd go back in a few weeks when Aunt Laurie comes up for a visit.






Tonight we went over to Johnson Park for the Liverpool tree lighting. Between the snow from the days before and today's rain it was a little icky outside - but we made sure to get some pictures in front of the tree before heading indoors to see Santa.


Riley really was not into talking with Santa or sitting on his lap. However, she allowed for me to sit on his lap. He asked her if she wanted a dolly for Christmas and she shook her head no and said "I want a Buzz Light toy." Santa said ok. But I had to quickly remind Riley that she needed to be a good little girl in order to get that toy!


She did get a present from Santa tonight that was perfect - a Tinkerbell marker set! She loved it.


What a great few days. Now only 2 weeks left until Christmas!!!

The Elf on the Shelf

Ever heard of it?? I never did until this year. After hearing about it and reading up on it I decided it would be a great idea for Riley seeing as we are in the midst of the terrible twos. So one day last week after work I decided to run over to Barnes and Noble and pick one up. I think I was not prepared for how creepy this little elf was going be, but this did not seem to phase Riley who seemed (and still seems) pretty happy with our new pal.


Riley excitedly opened the package and we sat and read the story about the Elf on the Shelf and why he was now a part of our family.


After carefully listening to the story it was time to name this magic elf - which Riley named completely uninfluenced by Jeremy and I. Our Elf on the Shelf is "Macaroni Cheese" or "Mac" for short. Mac has returned from the North Pole and has found different places in the house to keep an eye on Riley. Here are some of the places he has called his "home" for the day.

On the DVD shelves

In the Christmas tree

Guarding the wine :)

A view from the top

Another view from above

Stealing Riley's seat

Mac seems to work about 80% of the time. She will sometimes apologize to Mac for being naughty and even sent Mac back to the North Pole with a letter to Santa. Riley was so excited when she got one in return (even when it said that she needed to "listen to your mommy and daddy better"). We are loving Mac in our home and Riley loves getting up every morning to see where he decided to spend his day. I hope to keep this tradition in our family for years to come!!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

This is what we woke up to this morning! The first real snowfall of the season. Believe it or not I was actually excited for the snow because (a) I knew Riley would be super excited to be able to play in it and (b) I didn't have to drive to work in it.

So of course we didn't wait too much longer after we woke up to go outside and play in it. First we had to get bundled up (thanks again to Riley's cousin Keira for giving us her snowsuit from last year - it's a perfect fit).

Then we headed outside.

Jeremy taught Riley how to make (and throw at mommy) a perfect snowball. The snow was perfect today for making awesome snowballs.



Riley remains obsessed with eating and catching snowflakes on her tongue.

It was some good 'ol family fun!!!


Enjoy some videos from our time outside today!

Tis the Season to be Jolly

It's Christmastime!!! I do love the Christmas season...just not so much the hustle and bustle at every single store you go to!

After Thanksgiving we came home and decorated the house for Christmas. It was a fun time and Riley was the best helper. Here are some of our decorations.






The Christmas tree:


Our little elf by the tree!


Riley seems very excited about Christmas this year. While she is not ready to sit on Santa's lap, she certainly is ok with telling us what she expects Santa to get her. Her top 3 requests are a Buzz Light toy, Vidia (the Tinkerbell fairy) and a piano. I have a sneaking suspicion that she may have been a good enough little girl this year to earn those toys! Stay tuned to see what Santa brings!!