Raegan | 5 Months

 

I cannot believe Raegan is 5 months old already.  It’s true what they say “the days (or nights) are long but the years are short”.  Raegan is constantly changing before my eyes.  Just last week when we put on her 3mo footed pjs I noticed that they were quite snug in the length and we needed to get her the 6mo size, yet when I picked them up at the store I gawked at just how large they looked.  After putting them on  her last night I almost started to cry, they fit.  Well… they kind of fit.  They’re still a little too long and of course too wide, she's my skinny Minnie, but overall they fit.  And just like that I find myself wondering where the last 5 months have gone.

 

Raegan,

This month you have experienced so much!  You had your first Father’s Day and daycare took the cutest picture of you in a tie.  Your Dad, a natural softie, was in tears.  Good job!  You met your step-sisters and are in LOVE.  Seeing all three of you together melts my heart.  You three instantly loved each other.  You love your sister Dayna so much you spit up on her every time like you’re marking your territory.  And yet, she still loves you!  Every time Caitlyn looks at you, you smile from ear to ear!  You went on your first road trip and were a champ!  You felt a lake, sand and snow all in the same week!

Sister friend, you are consistently changing and figuring out what you like and dislike.  You have no problems letting us know either way!  You are no longer satisfied to lie on the floor under your toy gym.  The moment we set you down, you roll over and want to see what else you can explore and how to get off your stomach as soon as possible.  Mama thinks it’s time for a jumper since you constantly want to stand.  Papa even had you standing on your own while holding his hands! 

Anything and everything you can get your little hands on winds up in your mouth.  Teething much?  There are some definite ridges where your two front teeth will be and I’m thinking it’s almost time.  You’re so interested in our food as well.  One more month little one and we’ll start playing with food.  You’re so eager to explore the world around you in every way!  Trust me, we’ve got time.  Slow down little Roo, slow down…

R A E G A N   T H I S   M O N T H

rolls over (front/back,back/front)

laughs

head/neck control

sits w/assistance

sleeps in crib all night

smiles at everyone
is very vocal on likes/dislikes
holds bottle on her own

coo's, sings and chats us up

is 13lbs and 25in long

recognizes  voices

reaches for everything
is interested in food

loves eating her toes

all 3-6 mo clothes, almost in 6mo pjs
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry are your jams

loves her boobies and bottles

alllllmost sleeps through the night, wakes when hungry

cuddles with the boobie when nursing

eats 41/2-5oz every 3ish hours

Nicknames: Raegan Roo, Nugget, Monster, Princess (even school calls her Princess)

wants to stand always, stands on her own while holding hands

loves to fly

loves her teachers and friends at school

wears size 1 diapers

favorite toys: Dino - sophie - musical play mat
dislikes: being flat on her back, her 4Moms mamaroo (sold!), nose frida
i want to remember: your first roadtrip, your first snow and lake experience, first father's day

Until next time...

Raegan | 4 Months

I'm sorry, what?  Four months?  Where did the time go?

It's been a hard adjustment to go from new mom, and back to work but this last week made me feel like we were actually getting in a groove.  Our time is short and precious on weekdays with our little so we tend to soak up every minute we can.  Our weekends have mostly been spent by the pool, on an adventure or just enjoying each other's company.

Raegan, 

You've changed so much over the past few months and the past few weeks specifically.  You amaze me daily with your little personality.  You know what you want and you make sure we know it too.  You're a pretty "easy" baby and have a laid back personality until you need something.  You are a chatt.er.box with a capitol C!  I love the sound of your little voice and am so in love with our daily conversations.  However, let's try to keep the conversations to a minimum before 6am- ok baby girl?  K, thanks.   

You've started movin' and shakin'!  The first time you rolled over, on purpose, I was headed out to get my hair done.  Wow, you sure know how to stop your Mama in her tracks!  I was gladly late to see this action again and again.  The look of surprise and then pride on your face made my heart glow.  

You're growing like a weed Raegan Roo!  Daily, your Dad and I look at you and swear you look bigger.  Everyone thinks you're so small, and you are quite petite, but you've now gained two thigh rolls that I'm quite proud of.  You're too long for newborn onsies but too skinny for 3mo.  Go figure, pants are the same.  Your newborn pants fit perfectly in the waist while the 3mo practically fall off or look like they're up to your armpits.  I've just started telling people you're wearing baby capris- shhh, no one will know.  

I'm so excited to watch you grow but already sad at how fast it's passing.  Slow down baby girl, we've got plenty of time.

R A E G A N   T H I S   M O N T H

rolls over

laughs

near prefect head/neck control

sits w/assistance

sleeps in crib most of the night

smiles at everyone

coo's, sings and chats us up

is 12lbs and 25in long (estimated, dr on 15th)

Turns toward loud noises or our voices

grabs, and gets almost all things she reaches for

found her toes

3-6 months clothes with some newborn
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry are your jams

loves her boobies and bottles

alllllmost sleeps through the night, wakes when hungry

gives me feet to cuddle while nursing

eats 4-5oz every 3ish hours

Nicknames: Raegan Roo, Monster, Princess (even school calls her Princess)

wants to stand whenever possible

loves to fly

loves her teachers and friends at school

wears size 1 diapers

favorite toys: Dino - zebra - musical play mat
dislikes: tummy time, being flat on her back, her 4Moms mamaroo, nose frida
i want to remember: my first mother's day, first swim, first rollover, first sleep through the night in your crib 

Until next time...

Dear Blog,

Dear Blog,

I miss you.  I miss the time I used to have to focus on you, b*tch about my work and other life things.  I miss being able to spend countless hours researching how to grow you, make pictures beautiful for you and devote time to JUST you... well, me really. 

However, things have changed.  I'm breaking up with you.  Ok, not really but I'm temporarily putting on hold the expectations that I once had for you.  I do promise to spend more time on you, but it wont be enough time.  It will never be enough time.  It will be just enough time to have a written journal of our life to look back on because Lord knows I don't have the memory for it all. 

You see, there's this girl.  She's my tiny human and she's really more important than you if we're being honest... and I'm always honest, to a fault.  Getting up for work at 5am, feeding her at 6 and on to my commute, just to spend a day at work, commute home, feed her, feed me, get things ready for the next day, pump, go to bed at 9ish and wake up to feed her before continuing my nap just doesn't leave enough time for you.  I am hopeful that on weekends when the tiny human is napping I may be able to spend time with you and then I think I hear the voice of the washing machine and I'm not so sure.  Also, on these weekends I need to soak up as much of the tiny human's time and essence as I can.  I may even try to see this giant ball of light in the sky people keep telling me about...I'm not convinced.   

So, my dear friend, I can promise you this.  I will commit to trying to make more time for you but I can promise you that I love you, and miss you, and will one day be able to nurture you like the diamond seedling you are.

Until next time my friend...

Newborn Pics

It's no secret that I love photography, so newborn pics were a no brainer for us!  We were fortunate enough to find an amazing photographer for my maternity and newborn pics!  I realized that I didn't post my maternity pics, and even though R has already made her debut, I'll post a couple now!

Now, for the main attraction!  If you're ever in the Bay Area, I highly suggest using Capturing Grace Photography!  Kristy is an amazing photographer and we had the best experience!  She was very patient and so caring during our shoot, it was such a memorable experience- especially when Raegan "let loose" a couple times.  Babies, you just can't take them anywhere ;)

These are the moments captured in time that you remember forever.

Until next time...

The end is near.

...and just like that my maternity leave is coming to an end.  I have just two short weeks left to wear yoga pants, binge watch tv, eat what/when I want (haha) and snuggle my little lady.

I would like to say that these last few months have flown by and I am dreading May, but the truth is I'm ready to go back.  Gasp!  What did she just say?  Blasphemy!  Yep, I said it.  I'm ready.  I'm ready for adult conversation, I'm ready to be a productive member of this household again and I'm ready to have someone else, other than the cutest little dictator in the world, telling me what to do.

Do you know what I'm NOT ready for...sending her to daycare.  Unfortunately, without any family nearby and me not working not being an option, daycare is our reality.  We have found a daycare that I'm comfortable with after googling, asking friends for recommendations and searching our new city.  Oh yeah, did I tell you we moved?  Story for another day my friend!  Daycare is a harsh reality for a lot of families today so finding the right one is critical.  I will tell you that we walked into one and I would've walked right out if the woman hadn't said hello... yikes.  But, just because we have found a daycare that I'm comfortable with, does not mean that I'm happy to send my precious little bundle of joy there, with strangers, all day, while I work, only to spend a few short hours with her before it's bedtime routine and lights out.  Insert serious mommy guilt here.

As my leave comes to an end I started to panic at all of the new things and routines we will have to do.  Gone are the days of a short, or no, shower, hair in a bun, sleeping until 8:30 (jealous?) and lounging around soaking up time with my baby.  Now I will have to shower everyday, do my hair/makeup, wear real clothes, pack my lunch, get R ready, drop her off, commute to/from work, have dinner ideas ready... whew, I'm exhausted already!  So much has changed since Raegan was born!  It's crazy to think of how much SHE has changed too.  Slow down baby girl, slow down.

So here I sit while the little naps and start to picture what our life will be like in two weeks and I realize that I was wrong.  I'm not ready.  Not even a little bit.

Crap.  I'm crying.  Thanks hormones... you suck.  

I'm going to go stare, in a not so creepy way, at my baby girl.  How could I not when she looks like this?

Until next time...

News!

Dear Blogland,

I had a baby!!!  Yep, I've been seriously MIA in a newborn haze for two weeks now.  Raegan Avery Ladd was born 2/8/15 and was 21.5 in long, weighing 7lbs 8.6oz!

There's so much to tell you that I will definitely get to, but now it's time for more snuggles so a couple pics will have to do the trick!

Shortly after our little princess made her appearance!

During our newborn session last week!

Things have changed so much and although it's only been two weeks, I just can't picture life without her... Except the sleep part!  

Until next time...

39 weeks

Holy Cow, I'm 39 weeks!  Time has seriously flown by on this pregnancy and I know it's about to speed up when baby arrives.  Can we just hit pause, just for a second to enjoy this moment?  No? ok.

How far along? 39 Weeks
Total weight gain: 10lbs, lost two pounds after the Christmas/Halloween candy was out of the house.  I'm really going to miss it when I have to watch what I eat again!
Baby is the size of ? A Watermelon- yep, you read that correctly.  Lawd help my body!
Maternity clothes? Yep!  If it's not maternity or have enough spandex, it doesn't go on this body.
Stretch marks? So yeah, within the last few weeks I think there was a mutiny and more showed up.  Not happy about it at all, but still fighting them with Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and doTERRA Immortelle blend!
Sleep: Let's not even go there.  I'll just comment that I'm ready to have the baby out of my body so sleep positions become bearable again.   
Best moment this week: All the love being shown to Raegan!  My work family completely spoiled her rotten with gifts and a lunch shower.  We, as a family, have been so blessed by these people it brought me to tears more than once!
Miss Anything? Breathing and eating more than two bites of anything.  Enough said.
Movement: Kicks and punches have turned into full on barrel rolls and stretches!
Food cravings: Anything sweet, but not really craving too much lately.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Depends on the day, but not really.
Exercise? Lots of walking around the office!  That's taking way more energy than it did before.  
Gender:  SHE
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are common place around here, along with round ligament pain and some other fleeting pains that come and go.
Symptoms: Seriously tired after doing nothing, and generally uncomfortable at all times.
Belly Button in or out? In- but I can now see both holes where my belly button ring would’ve resided.  
Wedding rings on or off? Normally I'm able to wear my engagement ring, but not my wedding band.  For the last two days, neither has fit comfortably. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty happy, anxious and generally ready to get this show on the road!
Looking forward to: Meeting Raegan!  I feel like a kid on Christmas who's been waiting 9 months for her present!  Let's gooooooooo!!!

Until next time...