Mommy Notes

Hello everyone! March is almost over, and it has been one busy Month! Some notes about Riley: He is getting so big, he's 10 months old now, and quickly growing into all of his 12 month clothes. With the late appearance of his other top front tooth this week he now has 6 teeth, and with all the crying and chewing we are sure that more are on the way! He also has started cruising (or walking holding onto furniture), but it's more sidesteping right now than walking. He is also getting much braver and letting go more frequently and for longer times, especially when Daddy's laying on the floor and he has a softer cushion to land on!! We're sure he'll be walking in no time! He talks ALL the time, although not really saying much of anything we can understand. The only thing he seems to say consistantly is what sounds like "key, key, key" when he's chasing after the cat!! Everything else is Da-Da, or Do, Di, etc. Every once in a while we will get a Doggie, or Ma-Ma or Ba-Ba out of him. With his birthday coming up we are trying to work out all the details, and it looks like a large chunk of the family will be coming out for a visit!! Yeah!!

Other news: We are losing our wonderful babysitter Katy! She has found a better job (full time), closer to her family in North Dakota, so she is moving at the end of this semester. She has also cut back her hours now so that she has time to get everything in order before the move. Riley will miss her, and it has been difficult to find a replacement. We were very lucky to have her. And we are still looking for someone to Nanny for this summer. (So any of you reading this from the Fort that need a summer job . . . )
Aliy has entered into the downhill of the semester, but it's going to be a bumpy ride. Two of her three classes have huge final projects that she has begun, and they are very time and thought consuming for her. The remaining class also requires a lot of lab work (which needs to be done on campus computers) so she's making many evening trips back to school. Her summer internship search is still going on, but she has an interview in a couple of weeks with Boulder County Parks and Open Space. This is an ideal job, and would relieve a lot of stress about money and cut back on class scheduling for the fall (she can combine one required class (that won't be offered before she graduates) with an extra project for the organization). So prayers please that this is the job for her!! That would leave just two classes in the fall, and then Graduation in December!!! YEAH!!! (you're all invited)
Cameron seems to have the most stable and consistant routine right now, and has been wonderful to pick up all the slack in taking care of the house and Riley. The two of them are a joy to watch, especially now that Riley likes to roughhouse more and more each day!!! Cam has cut back on his biking a lot, but hopefully that can pick up again with the nicer weather, and thoughts of buying a trailer for Riley to ride along (don't worry, Aliy won't allow any drastic mountain biking tag-alongs!!) He is still keeping his eyes peeled for any new job opportunities, but only a few have presented themselves.

Yesterday we found a great deal on a backpack carrier for Riley, and we hope to use it a lot this spring and summer. So look for lots of hiking pictures to come!!