Riley turns two today. We’ve already had this little joy in our lives for two years!
She’s been in the toddler stage for a while. She runs, she climbs, she’s a big girl. Tall for her age, she looks more like a three year old. But there are still some traces of babyhood, when she’s sleepy, or tired. She says a lot of words and phrases, but doesn’t quite pronounce all the consonants yet, so you have to do a little interpretive work to follow her conversation. Still, it’s obvious that she has the family gift of gab.
She’s a bit of a foodie, fascinated at her young age with life in the kitchen. She loves to explore in the pantry, and she knows where her favorite foods live in the fridge. And she likes to stir things.
She’s a modern child, she knows how to push buttons to get things…at least some things…that she wants. She watches babies and cartoon characters on You Tube. She likes to play little games on her parents’ Kindle Fire.
She knows the word “no.” She sometimes says, “No, Riley,” as if practicing on herself. She drops the “l” in Riley (one of those consonant things), but she gets the tone jussst right.
She rides a little trike, a “Dora the Explorer” trike that has lights, turn signals, and plays music. She has a few books. Just a few! The child has her own mini library, but I like that. Always a reader myself, I love to see that potential for children.
She has a bit of a temper. She’s explored the terrible twos, wandered in and out a bit already. But she’s a happy child most of the time, and is a cheerful little companion, singing in her car seat while out and about, chattering in her Riley-speak about whatever is on her mind at the moment.
She has nicknames…”Little,” or sometimes, “the Little,” and “Poo.” She knows them too. She hears them often enough, at least from me and Stephanie. I’m not sure if anyone else uses these. But they are names of affection and play. I am “Gram” to her, although I haven’t heard her say that yet. But she knows Rob’s name, “PB,” and she says it frequently, putting the emphasis on the “P,” “PeeeBe,” she says, calling him to come and see something, or identifying him in a photo.
This little girl has made a place in my heart, effortlessly climbing in and making herself at home. The child of my child is reminding me of the joys of discovery, the value of intangibles, and the strength of ties that bind. Happy birthday, Riley girl! Happy birthday, Little!
A delightful post about a “little” package of joy in your life 🙂 MJ
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Thank you! From one grandparent to another, I know you appreciate your little joys too! They are wonderful additions to life! ~ Sheila
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absolutely! 🙂 MJ
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How sweet and touching. She’s adorable and lucky to have such a terrific grandmother.
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Well, I’m trying! We need to live closer, that would make it easier, for sure. But maybe in time! ~ Sheila
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Riley looks like Robbie in the last picture! I miss you!
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Hey, she does sometimes look like a Gibson!
I miss you too! It has been fun for me to see you on FB. At least I feel like I get to keep up with you and your family a bit! There are some good things about social media, huh?
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“This child of my child”… Aren’t grandchildren a precious gift. What a delightful story about a wonderful little one.
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Yes, one of the wonders of a grandchild is how you fall in love all over again, just like with your own children. They are irresistible!
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Oh, how precious…I love the description of her in the “twos”…Sounds about right! ~mkg
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Yes, she’s changeable, that girl! One day so sweet, then the next, a little rotten! Stephanie and Matt are really working to establish boundaries and expectations with Riley. They don’t want her to be spoiled, and I appreciate their intentions. Tough to be two!
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