Reagan's Five Month Birthday (and First Christmas!)

Well, hey again!

I sure have missed you guys!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas 

with your families 

celebrating the birth of our Savior---

I know I did!

I feel like it's been for-ev-er since I've posted, 

so let's catch up on what's new with

myself and Baby Girl!

Let's see, where to begin...

We managed to survive our first "family virus" 

that made it's way through our home...

Blah.

At first, it was a head cold that started
with a sore throat,

fever, congestion, etc. and lasted

a good two weeks.

My hubby got it first, then two weeks

later I was lucky enough

to experience it. 

(Joy...lol.)

Two weeks after THAT,

Miss Priss caught a little different

strain of it (it only lasted a few days), 

so of course, the hubs and I caught that 

one from her, too.

Just when we thought we were all

in the clear, here comes the flu.

No lie.

So now Reagan has a fever, aches, and is just 

generally whimpy.

Poor kid!

And a month from being able to get the 

flu shot, too! 

Anyway, I'm hoping this is the last

of the sickness for this family for a while!

---

Christmas this year was 

definitely "different" 

(babies have a way of changing things---

but for the better, of course!).

But it was also, hands down,

the best Christmas ever since we 

finally got to enjoy it

with our sweet little blessing!

Reagan got to meet Santa (pics below),

who she wasn't too sure about.

She didn't cry (PTL), but

she sure didn't smile either! lol

Christmas morning,

we "helped" her open her gifts,

which she had little interest in.

She was much more into watching

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 

and taking a nice long nap, lol.

But she really did an awesome job of 

going with the flow as we went from one 

festivity to another!

As long as she had her bottle and a place 

to take a siesta,

she was good to go! ;)

Now I can't wait to experience Christmas with 

Baby Girl 

as she gets older!

---

My parents, younger brother, sister-in-law,

 and niece all made the trip up 

here to see us over the weekend, 

which was such a treat!

I always love seeing their faces, 

and being able to finally spend some quality time

with my sweet little niece was

just icing on the cake!

---

After my last round of mastitis, 

my husband and I made the decision to

wean Reagan to formula so that 

I wouldn't get that sick again.

Trust me, 

that was one of the toughest decisions 

I've had to make as a

Mommy so far!

Luckily, I had PLENTY of breastmilk 

stored in the freezer for such an occasion,

so we were able to able to transition her

slowly over a 6-week period.

Christmas Day was her last day of 

"Mommy milk",

but she seems to be doing just fine

on the formula!  

PTL the kid just loves food, 

so she made it easy for us! lol

---

Unfortunately, though, we've been battling

with the dreaded "R" word...

Reflux.

Ugh.

We started to notice it more

around her 2-month checkup.

She would almost always spit up after

her bottle;

sometimes it was only 

a little bit, but most of the time

it was like a volcano.

It got progressively worse 

over the next two months, but her 

weight was steadily 

increasing, so we figured it wasn't 

something we needed to rush to the pediatrician 

for.

At her 4-month check up, however, 

I couldn't take it any longer.

We were going through as many as 28

burp cloths in 4 days,

and I felt like I couldn't 

take her anywhere because I wasn't 

sure if she was going to puke all over the place.

Sad, I know! lol

The doc recommended we try a tsp or two of

rice cereal in each bottle to thicken it.

We tried that for about two weeks and it didn't

really seem to help.

To make a long story short, 

we have been through every trick in the book

to help this kid keep her food down.

We've finally ended up with this concoction, which seems

to be helping over the last few days:

-Formula + 2 tsp of rice cereal to each bottle

-Zantac (to reduce the acid in her belly) twice a day

-Reglan (to help her stomach empty better) three times a day

-Burp about every ounce during her feeding

-Up after meals for at least 15 minutes

It seems like a lot of work just to keep

the amount of spit up down, 

but when it's your child throwing up all over 

herself, you, the floor, her toys, 

and your loved ones, 

you'll do just about anything to make it stop! lol

Please pray this continues to help until

Lil Bit grows out of this reflux stage!

---

Now for Miss Thing's monthly "update":

-Temperament-

She has her moments, but she is mostly a happy little camper!

She loves to smile and gives 

us a good belly laugh every now and then

that just melts our hearts!

She loves to do the Hokey Pokey and play

Peekaboo.

She also loves to be put up on her Daddy's shoulders

so she can see everything.  She grabs 

his hair to hold on. 

Cutest. Thing. Ever.

-Weight-

Chunky McChunkster is weighing in 

at a hefty 15 lbs now.

Yikes!

That may sound like a lot, and those cheeks

do have their own zip code, 

but it's really only in the 50th percentile, so

she's perfectly "average" for her age!

She's 24 inches long (as of her last appointment), 

which is also in the 50th percentile.

So Baby Girl is average all around!

-Clothes-

She's what I'd call "in between sizes" 

again.

3-months seems a little tight in some

brands, 

but 6-month is too big.

But I love that we've gotten into 

some of the winter attire (even though we haven't

 really had a true "winter" here yet),

so I can layer stuff and not

be as worried about her overheating.

The only problem is that she takes 

after her Mommy...she hates to

have anything on her feet.

I put the cutest little boots on her and she kicks

them off before we even leave the house! 

Bummer, lol.

-Milestones-

Reagan isn't much for rolling over these days.
She still can go from
tummy to back when she wants to,
but she's usually perfectly content to just
prop up on her wrists and take in
the view from her belly.

I keep trying to work with her on
rolling more often and going
from back to tummy,
but she's just not diggin' it.
Oh well.
I'm sure she'll learn when she's good
and ready! ;)

Something she does enjoy is sitting up, though!
She can balance herself
by leaning forward just a little or putting
her hands on her feet.
I'm so proud of her!
Her GG bought her an adorable pink
stuffed chair with her name on it
for Christmas,
which she likes to prop up in and watch
her toons.
(Crazy kid, lol.)

-Pictures-

She doesn't look so sure about this bearded man...lol.

My lil' cutie patootie.
:)

VERY into her toys.

Reading a story to Sophie the giraffe,
her new BFF.

First outfit of the holiday season!

Happy, Happy, Happy!

My silly monkey in her Christmas PJ's (this is going
to be my yearly Christmas Eve gift to her).
This was before the marathon of gift-opening began!

This is what she gave me when I said, "Say 'Yay, Aunt Jenn!'"
LOL!

This girl loves her rice cereal!
It's finger-lickin' good.

Trying out her new chair!

"Whatchu lookin' at?"

Giggles for Mickey!

"Look, Mom!
I feel better!
No more fever!"

Penny for your thoughts, Baby Girl.
:)

Alrighty,
I think we're all caught up now!

I'll be back next month for another update,
and possibly a little post here and
there (if I can find the time
in between bottles, naps, and chores! lol).

I hope you all have a safe and blessed New Year!
I have a feeling 2014
 is going to
be even better than 2013!
That God of ours is always up to something! ;)

Till we meet again...

Verse/Thought of the Day (or Month, I suppose):

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation.
The old has passed away;
behold,
the new has come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

We don't have to wait till the New Year 
rolls around
to make changes in our lives.

God honors "resolutions"
(spiritually speaking)
all year round!

And the greatest resolution we can
make it to invite Jesus into
our hearts and give our lives over to
Him.

When we do,
(just like the above verse says)
the old passes away
and you become a new creation
in Christ!

To learn more about how you
can make this ultimate, 
life changing decision, click here.

Happy New Year, y'all!

Reagan's Four Month Birthday

I know, y'all...

I'm extremely late on posting this!

We had company staying with us all of 

last week for Thanksgiving,

and then, of course,

 I caught a lovely virus from my husband (thanks, honey!), 

which I still have.

So to say it's been a little cray-cray around here is an understatement!

But, I finally had a few minutes 

to myself while Miss Priss 

is sleeping, so I finally get to update you

on how she's doing!

She officially turned four months
last Friday, so let's see what's
happening in her world...

Temperament:

She's a happy, smiley baby...most of the time!
Take her bottle from her or ignore her
for too long and you're bound to hear some fussing.

She is laughing a lot more, and loves it when
her Daddy sings "her song" called Baby Bear.
(Yes, he made it up.
And yes, it's quite hilarious, lol.)

She also thinks it's hilarious to be naked.
As soon as I start to take off her clothes
she giggles and smiles the cutest smile ever!

Weight:

According to our home scale,
her weight has tapered off a bit at
thirteen and a half pounds.
I'm assuming that's somewhere in the 50%
percentile, but we'll find out
for sure at her four month check-up
tomorrow!

Clothes:

She's still in her three month clothes,
which makes me happy---
I'm not ready to have her move up to the
six month stuff already!
That would mean she's really growing up!
The way I see it,
the longer she stays in three month clothing,
the longer I can pretend she's still
my little bitty baby.
:)

Milestones:

Reagan is grabbing for her toys on
the activity mat now
and continues to roll over (most the time)
when she does her tummy time.

Still no belly laugh, but I think it's coming
soon!

Pictures:

This is her "stank face".
Little stinker, lol.

Well, excuuuuuse me for interrupting
your Doc McStuffins,
Miss Thing.
No need to pout.

Tummy time!
(While watching Toy Story, of course.)

Ducky face!

Checking out all the ruffles on
her Thanksgiving dress.

Annnnd there goes the hand in
the mouth.

Little Miss Photogenic,
herself.

Four Month photo shoot!

Well, guys, that's is for today!
Sorry it took so long to finally post!

Seeing that I'm always behind on posting lately,
I was starting to think maybe it would
be a good idea for me to spread the posts out more...
like, maybe once a month?
Then I could sit down and focus on
writing a really good post,
instead of always rushing to get a short
one in every week.

Whatcha think??

Let's try it out next month and see what happens!
I'll miss y'all in the meantime!
:)

I hope you have a blessed Christmas,
remembering what this time of year
is TRULY about:

the miraculous birth of our Savior!



Verse/Thought of the Day:

"For unto us a child is born,
a Son is given.
The government will be on His
shoulders.
His name will be Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Praise God for the birth of His son,
the reason for the season!

I'll Be Back...

...later this week!

Since Baby Girl turns four months on Friday, 

I figured I'd reserve my 

Monthly Update post till then!

I hope you all have a FAB Thanksgiving week!

Verse/Thought of the Day:

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and 

His court with praise;

Give thanks to Him and 

praise His name!"

Psalm 100:4

Week Sixteen

Alright, guys--I'm back!

Sorry for the delay in posting...

after last week 

I've had a rough time getting back 

on schedule.

Last week, from Sunday to Wednesday, 

I was down with what I knew 

was another bout of mastitis (my third since

Reagan was born).

Fever, aches, chills, sore tahtahs, 

low milk production...

D) All of the above.

After trying everything I could think of 

to get better (including an antibiotic 

and regular doses of Tylenol

and Motrin), 

the doc and I decided it might be

wise to put me in the hospital 

overnight to run some tests and give me 

some fluids, medication, etc.

Let me tell ya, that one night being without

my baby girl was the hardest night of my life!

Luckily, my wonderful MIL and parents (who drove five hours

as soon as they heard I was going to the hospital)

were there to take care of Reagan.

And what a good job they did--I'm soooo 

thankful for them!

Everything checked out okay and the doc released me 

the next day (the day before my birthday!)

with different antibiotics, 

which seem to be doing the trick! 

I feel 99% better (just tired)---PTL!

So, now that I'm back on track, it's time 

for another trip out of town!

My husband received an early Christmas present,

(tickets to go see his two alma maters play each other)

so my hubs, Reagan, myself, and two of

our best friends are all headed down there tomorrow.

While the guys watch football (booooring, lol),

my bestie and I are going to go hit up the nearby outlet malls.

Oot oot!

Okay, now for a little update on my Peanut,

who is sixteen weeks old this week!

She is enjoying play time a lot more now

since she's able to grab and bat at her toys.

She can even hold her teething toys and bring them 

to her mouth! 

(Although she much prefers chewing on her fist, lol.)

She's rolled over from tummy to back several 

times, but she seems more content

to just prop up on her wrists and look around.

Here are some of her recent photo ops:

I think she comes up with even more facial expressions

as she gets older, lol.

This little ham loves to see herself, whether on my phone or in the mirror! 

Snuggles with Mommy are the best.

Who doesn't love a little animal print? 

;)

"How did you get in here?? 

I said no paparazzi!"

Apparently the episode of Doc McStuffins she was 

watching was a nail biter.

Sweet girl snuggling with her Mommy in the hospital.

(Yes, she got to come and see me!)

Biiiiiig stretch! She does this every single time we 

let her out of her swaddle sack, lol.

Oh, you know. Just chillin' with Bella the Bunny.

This was her expression when I told her Santa was coming 

to town in just 34 more days!

Love. This. Girl.

Now for a little packing...

anyone wanna come help??

See y'all next week!

Verse/Thought of the Day:

"When I am afraid, I will trust in You."

Psalm 56:3

This verse was perfect for me to recite while I was

sick and in the hospital last week.

And look--once again, God took care of me!

He's just awesome like that.

:)

Don't Worry!

I'm still here!

Just had a rough week.

And by "rough", 

I mean I was admitted to

the hospital Wednesday for double 

recurrent mastitis. 

I know---that sucks, right?

But don't fret! 

I'm alive and well

and will be back for a full post

next week after I get my house (and self)

situated again! 

For now, it's time to relax, recoup, 

and enjoy my birthday.

That's right, it's my birthday!

Oot oot!

I'm the big 2-9 today.  

Only one more year in my twenties...

better get to work deciding how to 

make this the absolute BEST year ever!

(Although I'm sure with my little

Peanut here, it already will be! ;) )

Have a good weekend, y'all, and 

I'll see you 

back here next week!

Week Fourteen

Hi again, y'all!

There's really not a lot going on this week, 

except that Baby Girl is 

a whole fourteen weeks old yesterday!

She's still working on mastering

the art of rolling over,

but so far, 

she's only managed 

to do it a total of three times.

And, of course, none of those were recorded.

Figures, lol.

Other than that (and growing like a weed), 

there's nothing new to report!

But I do have some pics to post...

I know--you're shocked, right? 

;)

Love it when she "talks" to us.

This is her sneaky face...which I have a feeling I will be 

seeing lots of in the next few years...lol.

My little pumpkin butt on Halloween.

All gussied up and ready to go see her 

boooooooyfriend, Ridge!

Sitting like a big girl at lunch with Mommy and GG

at Houlihans.

Love this tiny face.

 :)

Morning time giggles.

Enjoying the sunny but breezy weather!

I have no words for this face, lol.

When Doc McStuffins is on, things get serious 

around here.

(And yes, she's rocking' the school girl look, lol.)

Now, time for the Peanut and I to go run some errands!

It's Pho Vy Tuesday and we have to go

by my old work place so the ladies can get their baby fix. ;)

See y'all back here next week!

Verse/Thought of the Day:

"Give thanks to the Lord; call on His name.  

Make known among the nations what He has done."

1 Chronicles 16:8

With this being Thanksgiving month, 

everyone wants to jump on the 

bandwagon and 

"give thanks".

But what we need to remember is that 

God is constantly blessing us--

not just during the month of

November.

He deserves our praise 

all year long!

Repeat after me:

"God is good all the time, 

and all the time God is good!"

Now, go and have a blessed day!

Reagan's Three Month Birthday

Our Peanut is officially three months old today!

Eek!!

To keep in line with my last "birthday" post, I'll update ya'll
on Reagan's latest stats and happenings...

Temperament:

While still fussy at times (more so now that the time is changing--
I swear these babies can sense it!), she is quite the happy baby!
She likes to "gum" people (smile so big she shows her gums), giggle,
and wrinkle her nose right before she busts into a full-on grin.

Weight:

Reagan has gained another two pounds this month;
she weighs in at twelve and a half pounds now!
Gah!
(Of course this was after her breakfast...
so she was a little bloated. ;) )
She has thigh rolls and a few mid-forearm rolls, which her
Daddy insists isn't normal, lol.
But I love it!

Clothes:

Obviously, with the recent growth spurt Lil Bit went through,
some of her clothes are fitting a wee bit tighter than
they were a few weeks ago.
She is primarily in 3 month clothes, although
it depends on the brand.
(Carter's my fave, because they tend to fit the best.)

Milestones:

When I began this post this morning, there wasn't a whole lot
new to report in this area.
Reagan is working on laughing--I can't to hear that
big ole belly laugh for the first time!
She is grabbing for things (my shirt, her clothes, burp cloths, etc),
but isn't reaching out for things yet.
Buuuut...
while doing a little tummy time this afternooon,
guess what Miss Priss decided to do for Mommy?

ROLL OVER!!

That's right---my baby girl rolled over for the first time
today!  She went from tummy to back
all by herself.
Obviously, I couldn't be more proud! :)

Pictures:

"I want milk!  I want milk!
Give me the milk!  Give me the milk!"

"Boo!  Are you scared?  Was I scary??
I've been working on that all month."
:)

Miss Cutie Patootie

Working on her balancing skills in her exersaucer.

Enjoying some tummy time outside with Mommy!

And enjoying her first road trip to see her
Meme and Papa
(during which she managed to sleep four of the five
hours---score!)

Reagan and her "birthday twin", Cousin Marseille (mar-SAY)
meeting for the first time!
They were both so excited--can't you tell? lol

Pretty in pink!

During her three month photo shoot this
morning!  She's getting so big!

Alrighty, y'all.
That's all!
Time to go enjoy some quality time with the hubs
while Baby Girl is at her GG's for a few hours!
I'll be back again next week...
and who knows, with as quickly as this chick is growing,
she might be driving by then! lol

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Verse/Thought of the Day:

"If you can?", says Jesus.  
"Everything is possible for he who believes." 

Mark 9:23

'Nuff said.