South Carolina

Jessica graduated from high school on June 1 and we were blessed to be there!  We are very proud of her accomplishments and look forward to watching the Lord's plan for her life unfold.  We had a great visit with Philip, Julie and Jessica.  Michael of course loved all of the attention.

Philip and Julie took us to Billy Graham's library...this is a MUST SEE for everyone!  I hope to go back again some day when I can focus and not keep up with a toddler. It was an absolutely gorgeous and perfect day.

 

After Adam's recent trip to Germany, he has quite the appetite for German cuisine.  Good German food in the USA is hard to come by, but we found it South Carolina, right down the road from Philip and Julie's house!  It was delicious and very authentic.

Michael had fun climbing on the big rock in Uncle Philip's back yard. 

May Happenings

May was filled with swimming lessons for Michael at Acro Sports.  The first lesson consisted of Michael watching the other little boys and crying if asked to do anything.  By the last lesson he was the leader of the group: kicking his feet, splashing, scooping his hands, jumping in, etc...  He loved it!  Unfortunately, I do not have any photos or videos of his lessons because I was in the water with him.  After his last lesson he was given a medal from his coach.  Watch out Michael Phelps, Michael Richards is on the rise!

Adam traveled to Munich, Germany for seven days.  While he was gone Michael was super sick with hand, foot and mouth disease.  Daddy was greatly missed and we were SO HAPPY to pick him up at the airport!

I think the Richards household is keeping the watermelon growers in business.  Michael LOVES watermelon.  It is by far his favorite.  This picture was taken in April by Pop, but it sums up my boy's love of watermelon.  On this particular day we were at the park with Nan & Pop.  Michael spotted a lady with a watermelon across the park.  My little man marched himself right up to her and charmed himself into a slice of watermelon.  After he finished that slice he walked back up to her and said/signed, "more, more!"  Oh my...

Around the middle of May we began spending a lot of time in Huntsville helping Grand-Daddy and NaNaw.  Grand-Daddy's lung cancer is now very advanced and aggressive.  NaNaw broke her leg and is also requiring a lot of help. Grand-Daddy says Michael is "good medicine!"

 We pray for both of them every day.

Michael getting "good night" snuggles from Grand-Daddy. 

April Adventures

We had a very special visit from Nan and Pop!
Nan and Pop are Michael's honorary grandparents that live in Wyoming. They have been Rachel's "second set" of parents for about 25 years. We were thrilled they were able to come for a visit in April. Michael was spoiled absolutely rotten ~ he had Pop to fulfill each and every need/wish! Michael would probably tell you that one of the best things about Nan and Pop's visit was Ziva, their sweet Schnauzer. Michael of course fondly called her, "pup." We can't wait to go visit Nan and Pop in Wyoming!

Fun play dates with friends
Parker

Micah

Zachary

SUPER Fun trip to the Kemah Boardwalk
We went to Kemah with Michael's big buddy Zachary. We played on the splash pad, rode the train and then had to run in the rain!
Michael had the most fun I think I've ever seen him have on the splash pad. This boy loves water!

Easter

Easter Egg Hunt at church on Palm Sunday. He was fascinated by the bubbles bottle. He loves bubbles.

Michael's basket on Easter Sunday Morning

Easter Sunday

Easter Egg Hunt in our backyard
Michael really enjoyed hunting for eggs. He got the hang of it quickly and was so proud when he found each egg!

March Adventures

Planting a Tomato Garden with Daddy

Fun on a Rainy Day
I pulled him around the house in this laundry basket and he thought it was the greastest thing and laughed, laughed, laughed! He then decided to pull a few of his "friends."

Who knew how much fun you could have with a box of straws? He sat there for a solid five minutes entertaining himself.

Rodeo Fun with the Salzman Family
We were so excited to have the Salzman Family visit for a few days...Michael experienced life with 3 girls!

Zoo
We had a fun day with the Stanley's...should have taken a group photo! Micahel fed lettuce to the giraffes.

Michael at 18 months

Michael's stats at 18 months (March 9, 2012):
weight: 28.44 lbs ~ 80th percentile
height: 36 inches ~ 97th percentile
head circumference ~ 18.90 iches ~ 55th percentile

Favorite Things: his belly button, being on Daddy's shoulders, his sheep, his toy cookie monster, books, brushing his teeth, washing his hands, playing at the park and "cooking"

Favorite Books:
Our Life Book
The Story of Michael Addison Richards by Mommy & Daddy
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton (b/c it has the word "oops", he cracks up laughing every time)
My Very First Book of Words by Eric Carle - he likes to name all the pictures

Favorite Foods:
Grapes, Cheese, Yogurt

Favorite songs:
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
ABC's
Ring Around the Rosie (will grab your hands to play and say, "Wing, Wing")
This Little Light of Mine
I'm a Little Teapot (so cute to watch him act this out)
If You're Happy and You Know It

Lots of new words:
peese - "please"
K - okay
down
up
gook - "drink"
way - "put away"
tash - "trash"
graet - "grape"
op - "apple"
cook - can mean "to cook" or "cookie"
knock knock - this is what he says at doors, because when Daddy comes through the door each evening he says, "Knock Knock."
ot - "on" or "off" (light switches, tv, lamps, fans, etc...)
chish - "fish"
cup
hot
cold - he pretends to shiver and hug himself, so cute!
sheep
pup - "dog"
cat
house
plane - he looks for them when he hears them and shouts "plane, plane!"
pouch - he loves Happy Tot's fruit and veggie pouches
squeeze - he either wants us to squeeze his pouch or this refers to play dough
toes
clock
swing
play
bon - "Barney" He loves to watch Barney
spoon
ch - chair
baby - when he sees a baby
hat - he loves to wear hats and likes to point them out
uh-oh
oops
wet - for wet or a wipe
choo choo

We turned Michael's car seat around on his 18 month birthday because he is super long. He loves his new view of the world in his car seat now. He is wearing a size 2T in most things. He is wearing a size 6 or 7 depending on the shoe. He is our constant joy and is at such a super fun age. It is so fun to watch him explore and learn. He does know how to throw a temper tantrum, but they are mostly short lived. He is such a loving child and loves to give hugs and kisses ~ mommy's favorite!

Micahel and His Favorites

(As you can see, Michael likes to share!)

"Mama," Finally!

I know I am behind on my blogging...still need a March/April update, Easter, etc... BUT I have to do this blog update NOW! Michael, at 19 1/2 months, finally said, "MAMA" and has consistently called me "MAMA" for the last 4 days!! I am a VERY HAPPY MAMA!!! I was beginning to really get concerned. He has a large vocabulary, but yet wouldn't say my name until Wednesday. We were at a play date at Parker's house (super cute 2 year old buddy)and Parker was saying Mommy to get his mom's attention. I said to Michael, "See Michael, Parker says Mommy." Then, Michael looked at me and said "Mama!" Just like that. I love my boy and knew he would come around.