Ode to Riley

Riley climbed in my lap this afternoon and said, "Mama, hold me!" I know the days of this happening will come to an end all too soon, so you better believe I grabbed all 35+ pounds of my 3-year-old and cradled him like a newborn. I then started telling him what I used to do when he was a newborn - rocking him, shushing him when he was crying, singing to him, etc. And then I began to sing to him. A couple of times I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish the song as those big greenish (sometimes blue) eyes stared up at me. I couldn't help but go back to the days when he was so tiny and so new to our family. And then I became even more emotional when I got to the song I used to sing to him every night while he was in the womb. Whew! Thankfully, as soon as I finished that song he jumped up and started running around again. Otherwise, I may have been a complete basket-case on the floor of our living room!

It's hard to wrap my brain around the fact that Riley has been ours for 1100 days now! He entered the world at such a tiny 6.1 lbs.

It certainly didn't take him long to begin packing on the pounds, and by his 1st birthday he had the most squeezable little chunky legs!

 

By his 2nd birthday, he was leaving the baby stage and walking straight into the little boy stage. Loving all things trucks, tractors, cars, etc - basically anything his daddy loved! :)

 

And now, even though he's only 3, I definitely think there are days when his little brain thinks he's 13! We are daily (sometimes hourly) amazed at what comes out of that mouth! His vocabulary is massive - we can say a word one time and it's planted in his head! He observes ALL and does not miss a thing!

Riley,
    What a fun boy you are! You keep us all laughing. In fact, when no one else can get your sister to stop crying, you can! All you have to do is walk into a room and her little face lights up. Thank you for being such a good big brother to Ella! One of your favorite things to do right now is run in her room after her morning nap, crawl into her crib with her, and "cuddle" (as you say). I can tell she loves every minute of it. You, also, love to "pet" her. This is when you gently rub her curly head and usually say over and over, "Oh Elwa!" (you have a little trouble saying L's).
   You may be very gentle and caring with your sister, but you are definitely all boy! You love to play outside - especially riding your bike or throwing a baseball. Speaking of baseball...you are a big fan of baseball and football. I'm curious to see if you'll play either one day. Neither your father nor I have much athletic ability, so I'm excited to see what your future holds as far as sports. :)
   I'm pretty sure your Daddy could ask you to go jump off a bridge with him and you'd say yes. You love spending time with your Daddy, no matter what it may involve. I love that you love him so much! You can also be a Mama's boy at times, too, though! It made my heart smile the other night when you looked at me and said, "Mama, I love you so much. Will you put me to bed tonight?" (your daddy normally puts you to bed)
   You are an amazing eater! There are very few foods that you refuse to eat. You love all kinds of fruits and vegetables. I never have to worry when fixing meals if you're going to eat what we eat. I'm really praying your sister follows in your footsteps in this area!
   You are still an awesome sleeper! You go to bed around 8 pm and usually wake up between 7:30 and 8 am. You then go down for a nap at 1:30 and I have to wake you up at 4! I think that's one reason you're such a sweet boy - you're well-rested! Don't get me wrong - you have your moments when your sin nature comes out in full force, but for the most part, you are an incredibly well-behaved little man.
   You are very kind, compassionate, caring, cautious, concerned about others and most of the time obedient. You love Jesus and enjoy hearing Bible stories. It's completely normal to you to live right behind your church and walk there whenever you want (that's all you've ever known!). The other day when Ya Ya was visiting, you took her to the church to show her some of the remodeling. After you were finished giving her a tour, you both went into the sanctuary where you began "preaching." She told me you began the service with prayer and then immediately jumped into your 'sermon.' You told the people that Jesus was life and they all needed Him. You also told them it was good to be in church and that everyone needed to go to church. Wow, Riley! How I pray you follow these truths as you continue growing up. Jesus IS life, and you DO need Him! Your Daddy and I pray all the time that you will choose to follow Him and serve Him all the days of your life! We pray that He will be glorified through you! The verses I have claimed for you since birth...

Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
     unite my heart to fear your name. 

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:11-12

You are SO loved, Riley Bo! Don't ever forget that!

With ALL my heart,
Mama