Everybody get your roll on

So, I put Raegan down for a nap today, made my way downstairs to-of course-immediately check the video monitor to make sure that nothing happened to her during the 1 1/2 minutes it took me to walk to the living room, and stop. the. press. SHE ROLLED OVER! How did that happen? How did I miss it?!?! Be alert, Kami, be alert! Bless her little heart. She is growing up. Loving the milestones. Speaking of, since about week 5, she has been smiling like crazy. We are enjoying watching her personality come to life. Check out some recent pics of her smiling (and snoozing):

Future Senior picture pose, Class of 2017

First trip to a patio with daddy, mommy, and friends

"This is the life"

Enjoying Mr Walt's story

Big grin!

SYTYCD!

For all of those who don't know what the acronym in the posting title stands for-you must tune into Fox tonight at 7pm CST to find out. My friends are acutely aware of the obsession that I have for the show, "So You Think You Can Dance". I know, I know-television is flooded with reality tv shows. Most, I am not a fan of. Ok, well some, I am. But, for the most part, it includes only the reality shows that are based on talent. (Or, I don't know, a bunch of Hollywood Hills 20-somethings living it up on daddy's dime and creating drama all over the place) Anyway, the shows based on talent: What better way to utilize the reality tv show craze than to use it to discover raw talent? American Idol and SYTYCD share the same producers. Hence, the level of talent is equivalent in their respective areas.

(PS-I don't agree with the public voting on SYTYCD. But, that's a whole other posting in itself...)

Now, please don't confuse this show with Dancing With The Stars. SYTYCD doesn't train you for 5 minutes on how to dance and then let you perform on national television through the guidance of a professional dancer. What the show does do, however, is challenge each dancer by introducing brand new genres than what their original forte is. Typically, in dance, you are either a Jack of All Trades and Master of None or you are a Master of One Trade and no others. The dancers on this show are so good, that they are able to be introduced new genres and master them in a week...literally. (Example of a hip hop dancer doing a contemporary routine) One word: Talent.

I can't even go into all of my thoughts on the show (there are just too many)-but, let me say this: I think it's phenomenal that there is a show for dancers to showcase their talent. There is not a huge number of opportunities for dancers. In addition, it has a short lifespan in the art.

The level of talent out there is unreal. And, most of those who are just that, unreal, are jobless or are dancing, yet broke! I have friends I've danced with who went on to be back up dancers for stars as big as Christina Aguilera and Will Smith (in his "Welcome to Miami" days)-and, I'm here to tell you-that job is no glory and no money. Is that really fair? When the best of the best at a "sport" are either A-jobless or B-poor b/c they are making no money playing their sport? Especially when there are football players making millions upon millions each year? There are so many less opportunities for the best of the best in dance.

SYTYCD hasn't completely turned that around, but it's helped. There are a vast amount of dancers from the show who have gone on to have lucrative jobs in choreography (I love you Travis Wall) as well as jobs on Dancing With the Stars as professional dancers (not glamorous, but-hey-it's a job doing what they love. Chelsea Hightower, you are my hero!), and even roles in films (lead role in the new movie, Fame: Kherington Payne-bravo!).

Now that I've dorked out, let me tell you where this passion is coming from. I am an old soul when it comes to dance and performing. It was literally my life as a child and all the way through college...well, the summers in college. I'm certainly not tooting my own horn. Let it be known that my biggest failure in life was when I did not make UT Knoxville's dance team/pom squad. I didn't even consider going to a different school in the SEC where I could have gotten almost a full scholarship to dance-no, I would like to try out for the nationally acclaimed UT Dance Team. (Who, by the way, just won their third consecutive national title this year). It was the first time that I tried out for something and didn't make it. Talk about humbling. The worst part? I made the top 18. 16 made the squad. For the record, I totally didn't deserve to make it. These girls were much much more talented than I was. Either way, while it was a blessing in disguise (can you really see me getting up at 5:15am each morning in college and working at? No, thanks. I'd rather be sleeping in my extra long twin-size bed.)-I still would have loved an opportunity to partake in my favorite hobby besides teaching and judging with UDA and directing Carnicus for my sorority. However, there were no opportunities. So, now, you are left with the baggage of that. I must have something to fill that void. Thank you, So You Think You Can Dance. So, I need an outlet in which I can talk about it, analyze it, make predictions, etc. In lieu of driving my friends crazy with individual discussions, I'm opting to blog about it. Brilliant! Thank you, Rhondi, for inspiring me! Rhondi Cissell (see blog list to the left) debriefs on American Idol every week. While I will not be as witty or entertaining as her, I'm following her lead. It will begin once the top 20 are chosen, tune in!

For those who also love dance and the show (you know who you are)-please feel free to leave comments on the blog with your thoughts as well. I hope you enjoy! I will undoubtedly get on the nerves of anyone who doesn't share the same enthusiasm for dance. To you, I'd like to apologize in advance.

Big Girl

It is with a bittersweet heart that I share the following news: Raegan has graduated from sleeping in mommy and daddy's room and is officially in her nursery.

I realize that the last time I blogged about Raegan's sleep habits (or lack there of), I revealed that it was virtually impossible to get her to sleep on her back. I will save you the details and simply say-we've been to the moon and back again with where she sleeps. T

here has been little to no consistency with this and I have to say-it's really not healthy for my OCD. Can we get some kind of system here? So, my mom (AKA "De De"), graciously came into town to lend a hand for a few days this week. During her stay, she got to witness the fickle, little baby girl as we would try to get her to sleep.

At one point, fairly late at night, I decided to give Raegan a little change of scenery, and to give Daddy a little sleep, so I ventured upstairs. Mom joined me in the nursery. We sang to her together, rocked her, etc. After she was calm (and we were exhausted), we laid Raegan down in her crib, just for fun. You know. Like, "let's see how long it takes her to cry". (I'm a mean, mean mommy.) Meanwhile, mom and I talk. As we're shootin' the breeze in our pajamas, we both realize that there is no crying. There is no "Get me out of here and put me back in my carseat where I belong!" Raegan is SOUND asleep. I mean it. Sound asleep. Mom looks at me and says, "um, what are you going to do now?" Uh....simple. "Looks like we are sleeping in the nursery tonight." (And, yes, you read that correctly: I said "we".)

That night, I got the best sleep I've had since Raegan graced us with her presence. And, that's a big deal, b/c I was sleeping in the floor right beside her! (No comments, please.) F

ast forward 24 hours: Last night was her second night in her crib. I regret to tell you that it wasn't as smooth sailing as the night before. (Why does everything seem to work with newborns once and then you're back to square 1? STINKERS!)

All of that said, it was still "ok" and we did get some sleep. I only slept half the night in the floor. :) (I know-you're so proud of me for being so good at letting go....) Anyway, I feel like since we've made that transition to the crib, we might as well stick with it. There's no sense in going back and forth right?

So, in the words of Raegan-"Bye Bye, Carseat, Swing, Moses Basket, and Cradle. Hello, Crib"

While this may not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, for some reason, it caused a few tears in my eyes. Yes, it had a little to do with my dread in having to make that hike all the way upstairs to her room each time I have to nurse her at night. (I told you, mean, mean mommy.)

 In all seriousness, I think it was b/c I wasn't necessarily ready for her to make this transition just yet. I can't help but feel that it's somewhat symbolic of her needing us less and less as she grows up.

Can you imagine what her first day of kindergarden will be like?

Heaven help me.

Happy 1 Month, Raegan!

Raegan is 1 month old today!

Time is already flying! Here are some highlights from her first year of life: (If it annoys you to hear parents talk about their babies, then refrain from reading this, along with any other future blogs :) I'm probably not going to share this stuff with you in person so if you know about it, you've read at your own risk. Don't say I didn't warn you!) Personality-wise:

• First of all, Raegan stretches ALL THE TIME...especially while napping. Chuck said that she acts like a teenager. Picture it: Dramatic------Streeeetttttccchhhhhhh.....as if to say, "Whew, life is tough." The best part about her stretching is the sound that she makes (even in the middle of the night). It is literally that of an elephant. That's right. A large, loud elephant. Interestingly enough, Raegan weighs around 8 pounds.
• Also, she loves to have her legs crossed. (Think indian style.) I guess she spent some time like this in the womb. No matter what position she's in or where she is, 90% of the time, her little feet are crossed over one another. It's just too cute.
• One of my favorites: She makes this funny face when she's done nursing. Lips pursed, eyes closed, eyebrows raised. Translation: "I'm done. You can take your boob back now." Then she smacks her lips (still in the pursed position) as if to say, "Mmmmm...that milk is good stuff." Awwww....
• And, we know all babies do this, but of course, we love it when she does it too--the yawn. The sweet little yawn. Oh, how cute she looks when she yawns. But, you better catch her before she reaches her third or it's going to be a long night.
• Another thing we love is how she suckles on nothing. You know what I'm talking about...the tongue is actively going in and out of her mouth. At times, I delay giving her the paci to just watch her to do this. Precious.
• Finally, my favorite-she does this thing when she sneezes. Sneeze, Sneeze, and then, it's like she thinks she's going to sneeze again but she doesn't so she lets out this big SSSIIIIIIGGGHHH.

Some funny moments:

• I think it was the third day that we were home. It's the middle of the night right after a feeding. I asked Chuck if I could pass her to him to have him burp her. This is how it went down: "Here, babe, can you burp her?" "Sure" I hand Raegan to him. He looks at me and mutters, "Um". I have no idea what he's trying to communicate. He mutters it again but, this time, he does it while looking down at Raegan and back at me, then down at Raegan and back at me. OH. MY. GOSH. Baby poop all over Chuck's hands, Raegan, and the Boppy. I mean-ALL OVER. It's everywhere. (And, this is probably TMI, but this was during what "What to Expect the First Years" refers to as the "brown battery phase".) If you know Chuck, this was funnier than you can imagine. I'm pretty sure he and I had never talked about poop much less had it between us. It was seriously difficult not to laugh. Lesson learned: tighten the diaper-it won't hurt her.
• Chuck is changing Raegan's diaper. I'm in the living room. I hear, "KAMI! Can you please come help me?!?!?" I race to the changing table only to find Chuck, the changing pad cover, and Raegan DRENCHED. Chuck did not think that this was very "ladylike". Lesson learned: Purchase more lappads.
• Along the same lines, Raegan's first sponge bath. We are following what were explained as "simple instructions" in our childcare class and giving Raegan a sponge bath. I'm manning the washcloth. Chuck is holding Raegan. It comes time to wash her little bottom. Diaper off. Raegan's bottom in Chuck's hand. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Chuck: DRENCHED.....again.
• As much as I hate to admit it, there is the slightest change that Raegan may be just a little bit high maintenance when it comes to her surroundings. For one, she HATES the light. Don't even think about turning the overhead lights on in the house. Moreover, forget taking her outside! The best was when my friend, Scarlett, came over and we took Raegan outside. She immediately grunted and shaded her face. Hysterical.

You live and you learn... Looking forward to seeing what's in store this second month! Happy 1 month, Raegan! We love you so much!