The Touchtons: One day at a time...

Big changes!

2009-07-05T16:14:00.008-04:00

We moved into a house! It's big, gorgeous, & has a great backyard. Dave & I managed to basically move by ourselves (we rented a U-Haul) & got everything done in 2 days. That includes cleaning the old apartment! My fingertips are still rubbed raw!

This is such an incredible step for us. The neighborhood is quiet & lovely. Riley has been having trouble waking up. He doesn't recognize his room right away...so he gets scared. I don't think it'll take too much longer until he understand that this is home. He can also say a few words. "Up" is one of them! Mia loves tummy time. Here's proof!

Rob spent the 4th of July weekend w/ his grandparents at their farm. There are a lot of natural springs there & he loves it. The little ones are still too young to go - but we had a good time!

Well I just thought I'd write a little bit...we're all doing wonderfully & wish the same for you!

=)

A treat for your ears!

2009-05-14T18:50:00.003-04:00

As you may (or not) know Dave makes music. Great music at that. It's sort of rockabilly, rock & roll, & a smidge of alternative. Simply put...it's chock full 'o' awesome. Even cooler is that the music is now available on www.amazon.com & iTunes.

Click here for the link to amazon.

As for iTunes just do a search for 'Love Songs For Junkies'. At least give his music a listen.

You won't be sorry you did!

We're still plugging along!

2009-05-09T06:19:00.007-04:00

It HAS been a minute since I've posted! We've always got so much going on that I'm afraid I've neglected the ole family blog.

Let's dish out the updates starting with little Miss Mia!

Mia will be 3 months on the 12th of May. She is really developing so quickly. It's wonderful & a little sad at the same time. She has never once asked our permission to grow so big! She cannot fit in her newborn sized onesies anymore! =( Her social smile & coos are absolutely heartwarming. She is an angel & it's difficult to think that we were ever without her!

Riley is also being selfish & getting to be SUCH a big boy without taking our feelings into consideration. He'll already be 15 months on the 22nd of May! He's a full-on walker & even practices walking backwards! No more bottle for him - he's a sippy cup boy through & through! Still no real words, but don't mistake - he is one vocal little boy. Well 'little' might be a bit of an understatement - he's almost 25 lbs!!!

Moving on to our big man, Robert. He's the most self-centered of them all! He's HUGE & is become so mature. He wouldn't stop chattering about Twilight (the movie). So Dave & I previewed it & it was good. So we watched it together & he got most of the more complicated concepts of the movie. I thought I'd have to explain a lot more than I did. *sniff*

He also had to get glasses & while I'm not happy that he needs vision correction...I am just so pleased he looks so handsome in his spectacles! He gave me my Mother's Day present early today. A beautiful carnation & a tear-jerking poem he wrote. He is definitely my first love. =)

Here he was dressed up as President Eisenhower for a school project!

Dave & I are doing well. We are always busy...wonder why? =P True it's no simple task to care for little ones - but out lives would be so empty without our kiddos. We're thankful every day that they're with us, safe, healthy, & happy. Simply put...we LOVE our family!

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

WARNING! CUTE TODDLER ALERT!

2009-03-07T12:00:00.009-05:00

OMG. I just typed 'toddler'. *sniffle* Riley is what he is...ONE YEAR OLD.

Presents!
The whole gang!

CAKE!!!

No longer my little baby. So far his max step count is 4. Soon he'll be walking & then I'll lose this baby weight in a snap - chasing after him! He still has the 8 teeth - no sign of any new chompers. It's been quite an experience taking care of him & his new little sister. He's the more challenging one! He's a little jealous & wants attention ALL OF THE TIME. When he gets the idea that you're doing something else that doesn't concern him - he voices his opinion...loudly. He's lucky he's cute, lol, because he sure is good at trying one's patience. =P

See what I have to deal with? =P How can you NOT give in to this little face?

Well that's it for my quick little Riley update!

=)

Introducing Mia Taylor-Grace!

2009-02-11T13:31:00.001-05:00

Yay! Our little gal is finally here. Miss Mia Taylor-Grace Touchton was born yesterday (Feb. 10th) at 9am. I was thinking that because the c-section was scheduled a week before her due date & she was conceived so quickly after her big brother was born that she might weigh less than her brothers (Her 11 y/o brother weighed 8lbs. 5oz & her 11 m/o brother weighed 8lbs. 13oz.).

Well that WASN'T the case, lol. Mia weighed 8lbs. 13.4oz.!!!! She's a big girl with an angry face, lmao. The c-section went smoothly (there was a little scar tissue to contend with as this was my 3rd c-section) & her birth was complication-free. My recovery is going amazingly well. My IV & catheter are already out & I'm up & walking around. I can go home whenever I like. However, I think I'll stay until Friday & be waited on just a little more! =P Here is our little girl!

It's (almost) time!

2009-02-09T00:39:00.003-05:00

Well, well, well...we're about to experience the final culmination of these past exciting, sometimes grueling, & certainly unforgettable 39 weeks! I'm to report to the hospital at 5:45am on Tuesday February 19th, 2009. The actual c-section is scheduled for 7:45am.

39 weeks!

I'm praying that everything will go smoothly & without incident. We were so blessed & lucky with Mr. Riley - I hope everything is just as great this time around. I do know that there is some risk of hemorrhage due to the pregnancies being so close together. The previous incision might have not had proper time to heal & there is a chance of excessive blood loss. I've been pretty dang lucky thus far with no complications, so let's hope we continue that trend.

We are all very excited about our little one's arrival. Life will be different for all of us & we can't wait to get the show on the road. I cannot express how much I can't wait to not be pregnant anymore, lol. I've think I've done pretty well for being told after Robert was born that I probably won't ever conceive again. I feel overjoyed & fortunate to be able to share the joys of parenthood with David. I'm proud to be his wife & the mother of his monster children.

We've all come so far as a family. Our journey thus far has not been without it's trials & tribulations - & we are all stronger for them. Robert is doing better in school & his therapist has given us some ideas on how to gain some better behavior in school. He had his final tutoring session & gained half a year's improvement in a rather short amount of time. The tutoring director said that he didn't think Robert needed any more tutoring as he's a bright boy...he just needs to focus & apply himself. So, we all are going to continue to work together & do what's best for him. He's the best firstborn son & big brother anyone could ever ask for!

Riley is growing, growing, & growing! I think he knows that something's about to happen. His first birthday is almost upon us, too. So much is going on & we have so much to look forward too with that stinky little boy. It's hard to imagine having another baby - I'm so used to just having him. He's so full of personality & life - he's definitely like his daddy - a natural center of attention!

So, here I am...sitting here at approx. 12:30am on Feb. 9th - unable to sleep. That's partly due to pregnancy-induced digestive issues (ugh!) & excitement. I can't believe the time is almost here. I won't say it felt like it's gone by quickly...because I surely felt each & every discomfort of this pregnancy, lol. I really can't wait to be done. If I ever get baby fever again...I think I'll just smack myself in the head! I'm kidding...it's a wonderful privilege to be "with child" - but one that I'm over, lmao. I'm ready to have my body back to myself & raise these kids!

Thanks for reading along & keeping conversant with the latest in the Touchton Chronicles! Your thoughts/prayers/wishes are always appreciated.

Over & out.

Current Events

2009-01-20T14:54:00.003-05:00

So...life has been good. Kinda hectic - but I won't complain (too loudly). Robert will turn 11 this Thursday (Jan. 22nd) & Riley will be 11 months old on that day as well. We have a birthday party planned at Chuck E. Cheese for Rob & he'll get to have 3 friends from school & his cousin as guests. Should make for a nice, calm, & orderly affair =P

Riley had a couple of weeks recently where he was a NIGHTMARE & always cranky. He had a tough time wanting to take his naps, but I'm pleased to report that has been remedied & he's back to napping twice a day & being a more pleasant baby. =) He hasn't gotten any new teeth & shows no interest in walking other than cruising furniture & the rails of his playpen. All in due time!

Speaking of due time...I met the Dr. that's to yank Mia out of me today. She's very nice. She said I'm about 1cm dilated already. Which lets me know my body's progressing, but dilation's not really an issue b/c Mia's not coming out of "there" any way. I've been having SO much pain & pressure down there lately. It feels like my pelvis is going to break apart. The Dr. assured me that she's never had any patient to explode =P Sometimes...it feels like I'll be the first - it's rough! 21 more days to go (if I don't go into labor on my own) & I couldn't be more ready!

Here I am at 36 weeks!

Dave's in the full swing of classes again. He's taking Spanish this year - which should be fun. For some odd reason I'm not attracted to Hispanic men, but I can't help but think it's the hottest thing ever when white guys speak Spanish, lol. So, I can't wait for him to learn, learn, learn! =P

Everything is going pretty well & I'm eager for Mia to be born so we can get started as a family of 5. Plus it'll be pretty great to NOT be pregnant, lol. I can hear a bottle of White Zinfandel just CALLING out to me! I'm also eager to get this baby weight off. I'm super motivated (let's hope that stays with me!) & have already informed Robert that he'll be pushing the double stroller (DOUBLE stroller - yikes!) while I walk w/ my arm weights. He's excited & so am I! Everyone is actually. Dave can't wait to see her & I really want to see how Riley will react to his new baby sister.

Well, that's about it for now. I shall keep you all updated on the ever-changing, never boring, & always endearing life & times of your favorite Touchtons.

Operation Mia Extraction

2009-01-06T21:28:00.001-05:00

is officially set for February 10th, 2009 at 7:45AM! I am sooo very
excited/relieved/nervous/anxious/thrilled
to finally have an exact date & time.

Woohoo!

I'll also be getting a tubal ligation during my c-section - so this is my last hurrah!

The countdown is ON!!!

Gettin' that Christmas-y feeling!

2008-12-24T09:25:00.009-05:00

I can hardly wait! Well actually if you've read anything below, you'll see that we haven't entirely been faithful to waiting (present-wise), haha. Still...this is our first Christmas together in Florida & I'm excited. It's a pleasant 69 degrees right now & we're digging it. White Christmases are overrated, lol.

Dave's dad's wife's family celebrated Christmas on the 21st as they'll be out of town on Christmas day - so we spent some time w/ them & took a few great shots of the boys.

These were taken at our apartment before we left:

Riley was with his grandparents, so that's why he wasn't in this pic below. Dave got me a tripod for Christmas (yes, I already opened it - we have TERRIBLE self-control!) - so maybe that'll help in my endeavors to capture FULL family photos!

There are surely more fun & festive photos to come. I'll post accordingly. Happy holidays everyone!

It's always fun to cheat!

2008-12-18T12:32:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess that depends on what KIND of cheating is being done, lol. Dave let the boys open up a couple of Christmas presents early. The Touchtons can tolerate that kind of cheating! =) Here's a video of the fun, chaos, & cheer!

[SIGH] of relief

2008-12-17T07:52:00.001-05:00

I passed my 3-hour glucose test! It's the weirdest thing - the same exact thing happened last year w/ Riley. I guess 1-hour glucose tests & I don't get along. Strange. Well, no gestational diabetes for me.
Yay! =)

Us: Still Alive & still kicking!

2008-12-11T18:30:00.009-05:00

It's funny how updating the family blog & cleaning the bathrooms seem to slip your mind!

The week before Thanksgiving was an interesting one. In a bad way, unfortunately. On Thursday (11/20) we had FINALLY gotten Riley a crib. Poor baby had to wait 8 months for one. He had been previously sleeping in his Graco Pack 'N Play. It was around 8:30 PM & Dave was in Riley's room putting it together. I went in to check on him then came out & putter around in the kitchen. I heard funny sounds like boiling water. Or a waterfall. I wasn't boiling water & certainly don't have a waterfall in our apartment. I looked up & through the air conditioning vent was a steady stream of brown dirty-looking water. I just stared. Then it really started coming down. Through the fluorescent light in the kitchen, even. Then through the a.c. vent in front of Robert's room...I didn't have enough pots & pans to catch it all. Shortly after the smoke alarms started going off. There must be like 6 in here. It was wonderful.

What had ended up happening was that the gentleman who lives above us on the 2nd floor had somehow managed to break a water line behind his fridge. The line that makes ice or something. It's a small pipe so he REALLY must have let it flow to create the disaster that occurred. We had to move (temporarily) to a different apartment on the 2nd floor (with NO phone or internet). Those stairs were really convenient. *rolls eyes here* Everyone was out of sorts.

Then on Sunday I was having some sharp pains. I called my OB's office & they told me to go to the hospital. I got checked out & they gave me some antibiotics because they were afraid that I was in the beginning stages of a urinary tract infection - given my history. Last year in Oct. I was hospitalized for a week because a urinary tract infection had progressed into a kidney infection. This time around they weren't taking any chances. In our apartment they had to tear out the ceiling in the kitchen/dining room area to dry everything out & prevent any mold growing. They had to dry & shampoo the carpets. Someone even went so far as to clean our microwave, lol. They earned a special spot in my heart for that one. We got to come back home about a week later. Too much adventure for my taste, thankyouverymuch!
Next, Turkey Day was wonderful! I made turkey (surprise, surprise), scalloped potatoes, corn, peas, brown sugar-glazed carrots, stuffing, rolls, pumpkin pie, & for added delight...a pineapple upside-down cake. Mostly that was because I don't like pumpkin pie. I know, that must make me not human. =P It was lovely! Although at around 4:30 I went to take a nap & didn't wake up until 8:00! I was completely drained. I missed my in-laws coming over & everything! I was thankful for such a luscious nap, though. =) So that means I didn't take any pictures at all. The only one I got was of Riley & I feeling stuffed.

Just glamorous!

In other news...I failed my one-hour glucose test! The same exact thing happened last year when I was pregnant with Riley. So I had to take the three-hour one - which is fun, fun, fun! I passed the three-hour one last year, so I'm hoping that this time around the same will happen. I have an OB appt. on Monday (12/15) so I'll find out then. I feel tired, achy, & nauseous! I'm ready to get this baby out. We still have yet to find out when they're going to do the c-section. All we know is that it will be a week before her due date 2/15. I'm anxious, scared, excited, & a million other emotions. I would like an elective ultrasound to see her though - just to make sure she's still a girl, lol.

Here we are at 30 weeks & 1 day. I don't know about the flowers...I just felt compelled to sprinkle them everywhere!

Robert is doing well. We still have issues in math, but with hard work I know that we shall over come! He's getting so big & handsome, I hardly know what to do. When we pick him up from school they have the students who are afternoon safety patrols open the vehicle doors for the students to get in. They tell the safety patrols to tell the parents, after the student climbs in, to "Have a nice day!". Well, whenever it's a GIRL safety patrol they always say, "Robert, have a good day!" Not us, lol. A sign of things to come? Lord help us all...

Riley is just crazy. He had 8 teeth now & likes to use them - on people sometimes. He's getting to be so BIG! He likes to talk, scream, & generally make annoying sounds.

His mama's & dada's are getting pretty fancy, too. I'm not sure that he knows what he's saying, but it's entertaining to watch!

My precious husband had his 29th birthday on 12/4. It was so much fun. I had a custom cake made & got him an iPod Nano. It was a blast & he LOVES his gift. No really, I think he wants to divorce me & marry IT! =P

Dave is working hard in school & his business. He had some trouble with school because we were out of commission for that week during the Great Flood. He does his classes online & that apartment was without phone/internet - so doing much school work was next to impossible. He explained that to one of his professors & she told him that she didn't see why he didn't take a laptop to do work while I was in the hospital. I couldn't believe that one! Anyway, we're back on track & he's doing well!

We cannot WAIT for Christmas. It's nice to have Riley out of utero so that he can join in the festivities. It will be lovely, though when NO ONE is utero so that Mama Dev can have a glass of Christmas wine! =) That is all I have to report for now. Stay tuned =)

Fun, fun, fun!

2008-11-01T14:21:00.008-04:00

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! Ours was great. Robert opted not to be anything scary this year, so he chose to be Anakin Skywalker. Our Riley was a scary skeleton! We had a blast & Robert scored plenty of 'loot'. Riley wasn't frightened by anything & didn't get cranky until we'd been walking for quite awhile, so I counted that as a positive.

The other development is Riley's upper tooth! It's coming in nicely. Too bad it makes him fevery & cranky.

Those are the latest updates thus far. Stay tuned =)

Time to blog!

2008-10-18T18:31:00.016-04:00

Hello all! We had our ultrasound appointment on the 14th & the sonographer said she was 96% sure we were having a little girl. So, I think it's safe to refer to the baby as my precious Mia! The sonographer said she couldn't see "boy parts" anywhere in the ultrasound pictures. Here's the lovely profile shot we got of our little one!

I already think she has my nose! =) I was talking to my friend, Verna, about how it seems only parents can appreciate the wonder of those blurry, grainy, black & white images that are responsible for all of the physical 'joys' of pregnancy. We will have our next OB appointment (as the 14th was only for the ultrasound) on the 27th. I believe then we'll know when they plan to schedule my final c-section. I'm hoping for a Valentine's Day baby myself. We shall see & I shall update accordingly.

Robert is doing very well. His chatterbox-y behavior in class has disappeared & he is really buckling down. We've enrolled him in Sylvan tutoring & he loves it. All of the teachers there have commented on what a nice young man he is. I have to agree =) His tutoring will focus on reading comprehension. He struggles a bit in math & we took him to get a math assessment at Sylvan today to possibly enroll him in math tutoring as well. Well, as it turns out...he scored off the charts in math! The problem, I think, is the comprehension problem we've seen in reading. I know he can DO the work - I think he struggles when he's required to follow instructions/directions carefully. Also word problems are a chore for him.

So, after talking to one of the administrators today - we surmised that he may not need math tutoring. We'll see if things improve in both math & reading with just the reading-only tutoring. He did see on the assessment sheet that he scored 100% on all of his math assessment worksheets. We'll just say that our doorways weren't wide enough to accommodate that ego. He's such a nut & I couldn't love him more!

Then there's my Riley Monster (that name should be trademarked!). He can now officially crawl off of his belly & very quickly. He wants to climb everything - even us! His two bottom teeth are on proud display & have met the corner of a table or two while attempting that afore-mentioned climbing. Ouch! He's developing so quickly. It's wonderful to watch & a little heartbreaking. I was watching a few of the old videos we took of him when he was about a month old. It's amazing the stuff that slips by you - how he couldn't hold his head up, smile with much enthusiasm, & was decidedly immobile. Now, he's a different baby. It's truly wonderous.

The Mr. & I are doing well. David's mid-terms are over, thank goodness! This week has been stressful for us enough without them. Right now both boys are over at his mother's for the night. Here I am - updating the family blog. He's taking a well-deserved nap. We have the UFC fights tonight. I guess that's our equivalent of football or something.

That's Dave in my eye - if you can't tell, lol. <3

Either way, we love it! I'll be leaving my precious men from the 21st of October until the 25th. I'm miserable thinking about it. I have some 'business' to tend to & hopefully we won't have to separate again. Dave will really have to be Super Dad. Well, he already is =) Robert's already promised to help him out with the baby & chores. Aye...well we're Touchton Tough (that should be trademarked as well) & can handle anything. Until next time!

As The Touchtons Turn...

2008-10-02T16:04:00.006-04:00

We are so busy these days! I meant to keep up with this thing more often - I'm slacking! Well, we had our first ultrasound on Sept. 21st. The technician said she was 80% sure the baby was a girl. Hopefully the baby is a girl because we've been running amok thinking of our possible baby Mia Taylor Grace Touchton! The tech seemed to think that I wasn't the originally thought 20 weeks, but closer to 18. Oy vey! I'm ready to be 38 weeks - not 18! The baby was also snuggled in the left side of my uterus & her profile view was obstructed. So the 4 chambers of the heart couldn't be seen, nor her profile. We have another appointment on Tuesday (10/14) to get another u/s. Hopefully our little Mia will still be a girl, lol. If not then we'll have Reese Dexter Touchton. I just hope that he or she is healthy & we'll worry about that whole blue or pink thing later! =)

Riley is doing fantastically well. He's growing & developing so quickly. He's about 21 pounds & wears mostly size 18M clothing. He wears size 4 pampers. You read that right...size 4! He can crawl now...quickly, but clumsily & his tummy still touches the ground most of the time. He now has his 2 bottom chompers. He won't hesitate to use them should you dare pop a finger into his mouth!

Last, but not least! My precious Robert! He had been having some trouble adjusting to the demands of 5th grade initially. He's got it down pat now! I am so proud of him. Even when he was having issues in class (listening to the teacher, talking in class, etc.) he brought home all A's & B's on his progress report. His teachers gloat about how much they enjoy having him in class. He's such a great kid. So very polite, compassionate, & an amazing big brother. He & his dad are rearranging his room as I type this. He loves to spend time with his dad a lot. They're working on replacing a cord for his XBOX 360. Lord KNOWS that the game systems must be in order! =P He starts his Sylvan tutoring soon. He's not struggling, but who couldn't use extra help? I'm excited for him to meet new kids. We were planning on enrolling him in soccer, but the scheduling conflicted with tutoring. There are some fun programs at the YMCA for Halloween & Thanksgiving - so we'll make sure he has his fun. Plus Dave was wanting to take him to learn karate or jiu-jitsu. Either way...he's the best #1 son ever!

I'm so grateful for our family. Dave's such a wonderful provider. He takes special care of us, does his work, & manages to go to school full time. I could not ask for more. Before him I didn't really think that a 'soulmate' existed. I now know I couldn't have been more mistaken. October 6th marks our 5th year wedding anniversary. It's been a wonderful ride & we still have so much further to go! =)

That's all for now. Take care everyone.

2008-09-03T20:14:00.009-04:00

It's been a minute since my last post. So much going on! Robert's in 5th grade & we're getting used to the workload. Math's certainly no joke. I've had to dust on certain portions of my brain to help him with his work. He's a safety patrol this year & extremely proud of it. He helps the students out of their parents' vehicles in the mornings as they drop them off & makes sure the kids aren't running in the halls. We hope to start him in soccer at the local YMCA. He has to show that he can do his school work with no trouble though. School comes first. That's our motto.

Riley turns 7 months old on Sept. 22nd. As of right now he's still not crawling. He's strong enough to get the job done, but he can't seem to get the bodily mechanics of it quite right yet. He gets to snack on rice cereal, turkey, & green beans before he gets his daily bottles. He LOVES to eat his baby food. I'd been abstaining because I was afraid that the baby food would 'clog up the plumbing'. That doesn't seem to be an issue & he is sure happy when he gets to eat his big boy food. He grunts & says, "mmmmm" the whole time! I can see the hint of one tiny lower left bottom tooth peeking up from his gumline. I've seen it for about 2 weeks now. It shows no signs as of late of breaking through. Before I know it, he'll be crawling around everywhere, be eating Gerber Graduates, & have a mouth full of chompers. Then I'll miss these times when these events hadn't happened yet.

Dave's also back in school action. He's been such a wonderful help, I was nervous that I'd lose out while he was doing his work. I forgot, momentarily, that I'd married Superman. =) He still is able to get his work done & help me out with the boys. I'm too too lucky. He's also trying to put together a new business idea where he offers his FSO (Field Security Officer) capacities to other companies. He does so much & still has time to cater to me when my tummy aches. What a guy!

We bought a van! Yep, that's right. A 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. Van, to me, had been a four letter word - haha. But with all of these children we had to relent & get one. It's really nice, though & super sporty. An absolute DREAM to drive. Considering our other car is a 1965 Ford Falcon Futura. A classic beauty, but...it doesn't have air conditioning. We live in Florida. 'Nuff said. =)

As for the final Touchton touch...I had my first OB appointment last month & I'm in good health & the little one's heartbeat was strong. It looks like this child will have to be a c-section. With spacing pregnancies so close together & the last being a c-section - I was told that my chances of successfully delivering naturally were slim. There are also a few risks (worst case scenarios) involved with a c-section, too. First, there could be raw spots in my uterus that might not have healed yet & the placenta could have attached to one of these. If that happened near the incision, the new incision they'll make to deliver THIS baby might hemorrhage. The other situation is placenta previa. Where the placenta could have formed so that it lies right above my cervix. Same situation with hemorrhaging. The midwife said that if the bleeding couldn't be controlled, an emergency hysterectomy might have to be performed. I wasn't turned off by her being so frank with me. I appreciated being told up front. She also said that there was a great possibility that none of these things could happen & everything will turn out fine. I'm inclined to believe the latter. =)

That's all I have to report for now. Keep us in your thoughts! Take care!

2008-07-28T15:59:00.003-04:00

I was going through this & I came across the first post I wrote. I was vowing to be more active with this pregnancy. Hardy har har. Total wishful thinking! Pregnancy does NOT treat me kindly. While the nausea isn't so severe in the mornings, it still visits me throughout the day. My energy levels are a collection of peaks & valleys. I couldn't take my prenatal vitamins for about 2 weeks. Now, I'm trying diligently to take them daily. *Whew* Even typing out my complaints makes me feel tired, lol. I thank God daily that I am not a single parent. I'm grateful to have such wonderful help from my husband. Robert is also a tremendous help & thinks it's absolutely repulsive that being pregnant makes women throw up. I feel when it's his time to become a father (many moons from now) he will be sympathetic to his partner!

We're gearing up for 5th grade! Wow...FIFTH grade! I'll miss my helper, but am excited to see how Robert does in his new grade level. Dave will start his classes back up. My boys will be back in school! Riley's been eating more & more. He can now turn over if laid on his back. We're still intently watching for his first 'crawl'. I'm thankful that he naps twice a day (each nap is 1-3 hours long). Whenever I put him down I always say to myself that this will give me time to clean the bathrooms. And look at me...updating my blog. My bathrooms will be dirty for all eternity at this rate, lol.

That's about all of the Touchton news I have for the time being. I think I'll get to those bathrooms now that I've guilt-tripped myself about it, lol. Plus I've publicly stated that I have dirty bathrooms. I have to shame myself into housework. Agh - the humanity!

Take care & be well!

Keep on trucking, right?

2008-07-05T03:08:00.003-04:00

Whew! It's been a minute since I've updated...with good reason! Boy oh boy, am I sick. As fate would have it, I was not lucky & did not escape the dreadful nausea! A gal can dream right? I have been really really under the weather! Thank goodness Dave has been so great at helping out with the boys & housework. Both he & Robert are phenomenal helping out with Riley. I just wish I didn't feel so darn sick! I'm hoping that this will subside soon.

Things have been well. Robert spent some time with his cousin (playing mini golf, swimming, etc.). We're sure glad to have him home. Dave has been plugging away with school & work. Riley continues to grow like a chubby little weed! He's been more active (that equals more spit-up, yay!) & his motor skills are developing like crazy. I see the pincer grasp showing up in his near future. We're still anxious for him to crawl & sit up on his own. I say that now...once it happens I'll feel as if my baby's growing too fast, haha.

We had a low-key 4th of July. Dave bought about a million sparklers & little Riley was just completely mesmerized. Robert had fun & held SIX lit sparklers. Dave at one time held 12. Boys are crazy, what can I say? I have a different attitude toward hearing the big fireworks in the middle of the night, though. As you can see it's about 3 AM & I'm up. They woke Riley up. So, I'm a little miffed at the big LOUD displays STILL going on, lol.

That's all for now. I think I'll attempt to go back to sleep. Until next time!

Hulk Smash!

2008-06-19T14:02:00.004-04:00

Dave, Robert, & I just saw the new Hulk movie. Little Riley stayed with grandma. It was a lot of fun & well-deserved. Robert is an incredibly selfless big brother.

It was awesome to just spend some time with him. We enjoyed the movie immensely & went to Toys 'R Us afterward. To get the new Hulk & Abomination action figures of course!

We also got Riley a 'I'm the little brother' onesie. He'll be 4 months old this Sunday. I got the onesie sized 3-6 months. It fits perfectly. *sigh* He's growing too fast!

What a great day!

Thank you, Hulk...for giving us a wonderful family day!

Let's take a walk down memory lane!

2008-06-18T19:36:00.001-04:00

I guess today's the day for digging around on the computer & finding old pictures & stuff.

I tend to get a little posting crazy with photos of Riley...so here are a couple with my first baby boy, Robert!

I know I look just a little different now than I did when I was 14, lol. That was a tough time for he & I, but we're fighters/survivors & we came out on top!

I LOVE ROBERT! <3

Father's Day

2008-06-18T17:07:00.000-04:00

We tried our best to give Dave a good father's day. He awoke to a breakfast of french toast & coffee. I put Robert to work a couple days before to work on a poem for Dave. Robert's a GREAT writer - just like his momma! Here's the poem Robert wrote to his dad:

Happy Father's Day

You really got me ready for math. You made me have my own writing path. You always make me laugh. You always make me smile. Like a Nile crocodile. So I started to write a mile an hour. You really worked hard with me to try to get honor roll. I will be a great role model for baby Riley. I really liked the time when we went to Adventure Island for the very first time. The Hulk was as green as a lime. I liked when we built the race car track. I like how you took the time. I also like that you introduced me to our Florida family tree. You also introduced them to me. I also on my report card scored a 'b'. So, I hope you see why I say, I love you & have a happy father's day!

This came straight from Robert's little heart & made Dave's father's day very special. I was so proud (& impressed) that he did just a great job. Riley gave his dad sloppy kisses! Dave also got his other father's day present just a few days earlier...2 positive pregnancy tests! I can hardly wait until Mother's Day! =P

~Videos~

2008-06-18T14:20:00.000-04:00

I found these videos hiding in my picture folders. It was the morning of my induction (2-22-08). Riley wasn't delivered (c-section) until 5:30pm.

I was tired, as you call can tell. Dave & I stayed up until like 3am watching My Cousin Vinny. Always a good movie, lol.

It seems like this just happened yesterday, lol. Soon I'll be in this position again =)

And here's Riley all cleaned up!

It's hard work being born!

Aww, these make me so sentimental.

Now if I could just find the fast forward button to make this pregnancy hurry up so I can see the little rascal!

And so it begins...

2008-06-18T02:38:00.000-04:00

You'll notice that it is 2:38 AM. It's 2:38 AM & I'm obviously up & awake. I feel sick, sick, sick! Dave's dad, his wife, & her son came over tonight & we ate Taco Bell, played Uno, & charades until 9:30 PM. It was a lot of fun, but I think I'm paying for the cuisine choice. Today should be a blast. I'll be nice & exhausted & my boys will be energized & ready for action. Bleh. Well, I'll try to get some rest. Keep me in your thoughts & send me anti-nausea vibes!

Riley looks more like...his dad!

2008-06-17T07:16:00.001-04:00

According to THIS thing anyway. I happen to think that Mr. Riley Pants looks a teensy more like ME. It's all in good fun!

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

Take One

2008-06-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

In this technological day & age a blog seems to be the equivalent of yesterday's photo albums & scrapbooks. I checked out a friend of mine's family blog & thought I'd join the band wagon. My 3 month old son, Riley, is watching Spongebob in his swing. My 10 year old son is eating & reading the Sunday paper comics. I'm typing, still tired after an hour workout at our apt. complex's gym. I estimate I'm currently 3-4 weeks pregnant. I'm scheduling a doctor's visit soon. Spacing our last 2 children so close together was on purpose. I'm gearing up myself to be much more physically active with this pregnancy than with Riley. So far I haven't experienced any nausea, but it's still rather early - so that fun may still be yet to come. That is about all I can think of to write off of the top of my head. Plus I hear the wonderful sounds of Mr. Riley's fussing from the other room. I guess Spongebob got old. 'Till next time!