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...

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...

2013 Show me what you got!

As I'm reading through the PILES of old blog posts I neglected over the holiday season I'm seeing a theme that I love and want to participate in.  Everyone is jumping on the reviewing band wagon and so shall I!  Let's recap, shall we?!

*Warning: Dangerously long post filled with awesome pictures!*

January 2013- Business as usual around the Ladd house!  I was busy coaching cheerleading and D was reffing.  Yes, we were totally that couple!  Our weekends were spent in the gym, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Also, we got our October 2012 wedding pictures back!  This was an exciting time!

Febuary- More gym time and more tournaments!  The Iceworm festival was the big highlight for this month!

I just lurve watching my man play bball!!

One of my favorites running the variety show & me doing Ms. Iceworm makeup!

March- District Basketball and I was voted South Central Conference Cheerleading Coach of the Year!!!  For my first time coaching- EVER... I took this as a HUGE compliment.  Working hard to repeat it this year!  Go Wolverines!

Cordova still lookin' like a winter wonderland!

April- What a crazy month!  April was the month I plunged head first into blogland and created Life, Laughs and Ladds!!  Check out my very first post, here!

It was also our year anniversary and honeymoon time :)  What you got married twice?  Yes, little viewers we did!  We got married in April (for military reasons) and then had our wedding in October!  For our anniversary, we stowed away on a Carnival ship- destination Bahamas.  It was an amazing cruise where we met some great people and spent time enjoying each others company, relaxing and sun bathing!  A couple weeks later we were lucky enough to attend the wedding of one of D's best friends in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

1st anniversary is paper.  D handmade me an origami flower and crane!  Major points!

It's always been the little things for me!

Selfies underwater?  Yes, please!

D, the handsome groom Ron, Jen and Chris!  Love them!

May- the month we started to say goodbye to our friends, my first Coast Guard "goodbye".

Favorite posts:  Letting my freak flag fly, What do I do? and 10 Things that make me smile!

June is one of the months where Cordova shines!  We had some beautiful weather which encouraged outdoor activities!  D and I hiked quite a bit and I even took a dip in glacier water.  D said this officially made me Alaskan haha  I'm not so sure of this, but it was fun!  May/June also brings a whole new batch of CG families to Cordova and most importantly, fishing season to the Copper River!  Ever heard of Copper River King Salmon?  Yep, we're spoiled to say the least!  I also got to see my father in law in action, it was very cool!

Favorite posts: I am thankful, Greek Spinach Feta Chicken Pockets and Breakfast Ham Cups! 

July was all about the girls!  My step daughters came up in early July and we had a whirlwind adventure.  We started out in Cordova and then drove through Alaska to Denali National Park and back to Anchorage.  It was SO fun!  We visited many places along the way including Talkeetna, Denali, North Pole, and everything Anchorage had to offer.  Denali National Park was by far everyone's favorite.  The trails and wildlife were awesome and our ranger cabin was an adventure!  I also ran my first 5k in July during the Salmon Jam festival!  The first of many hopefully!

Favorite Posts: Cara Box Reveal, Cordovaisms Vol. 2 and Salmonberries, like the fish?

The 4th was a little soggy, but we still got out and had some fun!

Left: Ice museum- seriously cool!  Right: A long lost friend I haven't seen since I was an exchange student in Belgium!  It was SO awesome/random to see her in the middle of Alaska!!

We were falling off the bear- what?

We never have ANY fun ;)

My first 5k!

Family picture time!  We had an amazing day with Cherie from Dashing Life Photography!

August- one of my best friends came to visit me in the Last Frontier! We had SUCH a great time while she was here.  I can't wait for her next visit!  I also caught my first halibut, which checked another thing off my 35x35 list!

Favorite Posts:  Are you ready for some football?, Searching for Nessie and Liebster Award

September- Hello 30, you little minx!  My friends and amazing hubby helped me celebrate in style!

Favorite Posts: Zuppa de Anna, El Presidente and Lions, Tigers and 30s Oh My!

   
October was our first Hawaii wedding anniversary, Halloween and a fun trip to see my parents!

Favorite Posts: Frank Fridays: Glee Club, What the Pho and Better than WHAT cake?!

This is what an anniversary dinner looks like when your husband is sick :(

November was my second sobriety celebration and D got a moose!  Oh, and I crossed another thing off my 35x35 list- my first homemade Thanksgiving!!

Favorite Posts: Balsamic Pot Roast, Sobriety Festival and Thanksgiving from scratch!

December started cheerleading, brought some snow and the girls were back for winter vacation!  It was a busy month!  Oh yeah, and football :)

Favorite Posts:  How to up-cycle Thanksgiving leftovers, Photography/Frank Fridays and Holiday Party Navigation Guide! 

Yep, we're those parents!  I love this picture :)

What a year!?!  As I look back it's nice to see how far we've come and think of all the exciting things that are going to happen next year!  In a few short months we'll be heading out on our new adventure to San Francisco!  I'm excited for the next chapter in our story!

Until next time...