Tag Archives: playing

Swimming With The Cutest Little Fly Catcher

06/13/2015 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

I don’t know about where you live, but the heat wasted no time making its way to Texas. Good thing Avery loves swimming, as I have a feeling we’ll be making use of the pool in our neighborhood quite often. Notice the pics of her in the pool, and then the one back in the stroller.

Where does she look the most comfortable? Hint: NOT the stroller!

We’ve already made several trips to the pool and summer hasn’t even officially started yet. I have a feeling we’re in for a long, hot summer. Oh wait, that’s how it is every year. Meh, I complain too much about the cold, so bring on the heat! But, please, not too much because A/C = $$$$$$$$$$$ if you know what I mean.

Trying to get a good picture of Avery in the pool is like, well, trying to get a good picture of her anywhere; she hardly looks at the camera! But, Going Mom and I made sure to flash our squinty smiles for a family selfie in the pool the other day.

Avery was apparently lost in deep thought. Probably trying to figure out why the other kids weren’t in a cool inflatable thing with a canopy.

This is how she looks about 80% of the time while we’re at the pool. We tell her she can get out once she learns to swim. I have, actually, taken her out and started getting her to kick her legs as I skim her across the water. She doesn’t kick long until I’m just dragging her around and doing all of the work, but hopefully she’ll get a grip and swim like a pro in no time.

Speaking of “grip”, she definitely keeps a firm hold on my hands when I try to throw her in the air. Really makes it difficult to get a good launch, so I tried giving more force in the pool and, viola!, she let go and flew a little higher than expected.

Oops. Didn’t seem to bother her though.

What has been bothering all of us are flies in the house! Between letting the dog in and out and constantly opening the door to get something while working out in the garage, we have quite the collection of flies. Seeing as to how I stay home most of the day, the little pests are driving me mad and have me swatting like a cat throughout the day. At least Avery gets a kick out of watching her dad swat the air like a lunatic, and she’s even caught on to helping me out.

Don’t worry, that really was just fuzz she handed me, but we got a real live…errrr, now dead, fly right after.

It looks like she’s saying I’m her hero, right? Hey, let me pretend!

She’s been helping me spot flies at the dinner table too, and I’m keeping her new skills sharp even at the pool.

Yeah, Instagram video overload, I know. But it’s hard to resist this cute little fly catcher. She has yet to “catch” her very own fly, but the day is fast approaching, I’m sure of it. I’m also sure there will be more family pool time this weekend, so look out for Instagram overflow! Ha, get it? Pool….overflow….water….eh?

Quick update before I’m out. My staph checkup was moved from last Tuesday to this upcoming Tuesday, so I still haven’t heard the word from my butt doc yet. All I know is I’m feeling almost 100% and hopefully I can put it all behind me. I’m leaving on that note, have a wonderful weekend!

One last thing, please, if you can, help needy families by donating to the #MilkDrive campaign I’m a part of. It would mean so much to families missing out on important nutrients that they usually depend on for their kids while in school.

Just click here and you will go right to the donation page.

#MySundayPhoto, Parenting

Daddy’s Workout Partner: #MySundayPhoto – 05.17.15

05/17/2015 R.C. Liley 4 Comments

I’ll never forget my first workout with our daughter. She was all but 2 weeks old and obviously as cute as can be in her little red jumpsuit, but still so intimidating.

Well, time has flown by (just as they all say it will) and that same baby is still coming to the garage with me and performing her own “workouts”. She’s even given a tutorial for toddlers that want to partake in a little kettlebell training.

This week’s picture is of Avery with her toy kettlebell getting ready to do some swings with Daddy as we get warmed up. I love how she knows to get her kettlebell when my wife or I ask her to find it. She also has a “barbell” (wooden rod) that she knows to get when we say so. You can see the rod beside her.

She’s grown so much and I look forward to more exercise and playtime fun as she grows. But there’s no rush for that!

Do you ever bring your kids to workout with you?

Do your kids have any play exercise equipment?

Life, Monthly List, Parenting, Photo Journal

18 Memories From My 18th Month Since ‘Going Dad’

05/15/2015 R.C. Liley 4 Comments

The months and memories have been flying by, and now we’re a year and half into this parenting gig. From what I hear, it only gets better with time, and so far, I would have to agree.

What’s better at this point; saying “18 months” or saying “a year and a half”? I’ve heard people refer to their kids’ age up to 24 months and that’s the max for me.

At 2 years, I’d say we can get rid of the months reference. Or maybe it would be cool to go retro and use weeks. Maybe even put 104 candles in a cake for their 2nd birthday. Actually, it would be 104.355 candles.

Anyway, I’m still not feeling well from my butt issue the other day, so lets get on to these memories.

1. Avery, Mommy and I have known you were crazy for a long time, but now even the way you fall asleep has reached a new level of crazy.

2. Your crazy sleep position was the same day you had a mystery rash that didn’t seem to bother you but looked horrible. Luckily, it came and went away within a couple days.

3. That rash appeared the same time you became really ill with the highest fever to date. We missed seeing our crazy little girl run circles around the house, but it was kind of sweet to have in such a cuddly mood.

4. You figured out your diaper a few months ago, but never repeatedly pulled it off until recently. When it’s just you and me, your diaper stays put, but when Mommy comes you, you go right for those snaps. No matter how many times we put it back on, you just undo it right away. So we’ve taken to duct tape diapering which proves quite effective despite the trashy look.

5. I had a NuttZo tasting party for our neighbors to try all of the delicious varieties, and you took advantage of all the samples with gusto! I’m surprised there was any left for our guests!

6. Rain has taken over pretty much the entire month, but we didn’t let it stop us from our daily walks. I even wore you in the Onya NexStep baby carrier which had been a while since the last time we walked with you on my back.

7. On our rainy walks, we found and rescued several turtles, big and small, by returning them to one of the lakes in our neighborhood. You’re still not sure what to make of them, but we have plenty of time for you to get the turtle experience. Except for the last one we saved, he almost bit off my fingers!

8. You’ve exclusively had Mommy’s milk and water for drinks until this past month when I introduced you to Zevia. I explained how it’s a great treat to enjoy after playing under the hot Texas sun or anytime really, and how it’s worlds better than other sugary or artificially sweetened alternatives. Obviously, you like it and will be enjoying Zevia with Mommy and me for a long time to come.

9. One day, during lunch, I picked your nose. Then I posted it for the world to see. You can hit me for this later.

10. Turtles aren’t the only wildlife in our neighborhood. We have been watching these 8 goslings grow into the full-grown geese that they are as we pass them on our daily walks. The Mommy and Daddy aren’t too friendly as seen when they stick their tongue out at us. but you can’t blame them for being protective. Just so you know, I’d stick my tongue out at people to protect you too!

11. I found my old boots I had as a kid and, like any parent would do, we put them on you to take pictures. The results were pure cuteness as always. You also seemed to enjoy the clunking noise you made when walking.

12. One of the days that gave us sun instead of rain happened to be on the weekend, and Mommy had the awesome idea to bring you to a splash pad. It was your first time and although you weren’t too interested in the actual water part, we had fun slinging you around in the water.

13. During dinnertime, where we usually take turns feeding you with our utensil or putting food for you to grab, we gave you a try at using the spoon yourself. After a few fumbles, you successfully brought food to your mouth several times! Yay, trial and error!

14. A current favorite of yours for breakfast is sliced banana with NuttZo. You are practically crying with impatience the moment I show you the banana, but once you get that first bite, it’s bliss!

15. Keeping still is not your forte, but running around and playing with several toys at once is. I’ll go about my business cooking our next meal or washing dishes as you go crazy all around me. Of course I’ll stop to read a book or three and throw the ball too!

16. Right after writing a post about your bottom lip, you went and busted the thing while playing with Mommy’s sweater. That was your first of many more to come, I’m sure.

17. Mommy had a blast with you bouncing on our bed and trying to take pictures of when you were 6 months old. Turns out, you’re a little more mobile than you were back then. But still freakin’ cute as ever!

18. You have a growing collection of balls that I’ve been finding on our walks and they provide plenty of entertainment for you at home. You’re even learning how to put them all in your basket when done. They usually come right back out, but it’s a start!

The fun times just keep getting more and more interactive as she grows. I remember when Avery was just 6 months old, someone told me how it starts getting really good at 18 months. Now that we’re here, I’m excited to see this for myself since she’s already fun as it is.

Maybe actually talking or at least being more clear about her wants/needs? Yeah, I know, doubtful. Guess we’ll find out now!!

When did you start using years instead of months to give your child’s age?

What’s something noteworthy about your kid from this past month?