Raegan and Mary Colman

BFF

This past weekend, Chuck, Raegan, and I ventured down I-65 South to see some of our best friends. We were so excited to visit Cali, Colman, Lili (sweetest dog ever), and to meet their sweet, little baby - Mary Colman. With Gabby riding "shotgun" and the car loaded down with diapers and bottles, we were off!

Mary Colman was just as precious in person as in the pictures that Cali and Colman sent. What a little doll!

Mary Colman and Raegan were fast friends! They played and spoke in "goo goo gah gah" all day. Colman is convinced that they were definitely communicating with one another. Too cute.

As Colman predicted, very quickly after we got there, there was a

BABY SWAP

Please look at Mary Colman propping her face on her fist-what a little poser

Chuck WAS there...I don't know how he got out of getting his pic taken...

While the guys played golf, Cali and I set up camp in their living room.

Welcome to BABY CENTRAL:

Hannah and Sean (and Aiden and Noah) came to visit!

Hannah and Mary Colman

Raegan loving Mary Colman's Activity Mat

Lili wondering who the heck Raegan is and what she is doing in her house

We had such a great time. The four of us have always had a good time together. If it's even possible, we had even a better time with the two little additions in both of our families. What I wouldn't give for all of us to live in the same city. Not to worry, though, I'm sure there will be plenty of shared family vacations together in our future.

Thank you so much for hosting such a fun weekend in Birmingham! Raegan says, "Please come to Nashville to see us soon!"

We love you!

Bon Appetit

After experiencing a sleepless night last night (Raegan was constantly hungry), we decided to introduce rice cereal. Our Pediatrician has been encouraging this for a week or so. For irrelevant reasons to everyone else, I had been hesitant. After last night: Hesitancy Over.

Before you ask why on earth we are in the floor of the nursery...

We started out in the kitchen, and well, let's just say that through trial and error-we have learned our lesson with the sequence of evening events.

Our big girl:

not sure what to think

ready for bath #2

holding my own spoon

i wasn't kidding about that #2 bath!

Praying for a full tummy.

Mommy and Daddy both have to work tomorrow...

A Note to Baby Graham!

Dear Baby Graham,

I'm so excited about you being born!

Your mommy and my mommy are friends. My mommy says that you and I will be friends too. Sometimes, I even hear her singing something like, "Raegan and Graham sitting in a tree...." I don't understand what that means.

Here is a picture of me with a headband that your mommy sent me a few weeks ago. My mommy likes to dress me up. I amuse her by smiling for a while. Then, I fuss a little bit so she will end our silly photo sessions. It works every time. You will learn the drill.

Anyway-

I can't wait to meet you.

Don't cry too much. It gets warmer out here.

Love,

Raegan

Happy 4 Months, Raegan!

Raegan is 4 months old!

This month has been extra fun! Raegan is developing the cutest personality. Almost everyone who meets her says, "She is so alert...she just sits back and observes..." She is...and she does...

I don't want to brag; All babies are precious and have their own little unique talents. But, I have to say that I agree with my friend, Dana, when she continues to tell me that she really thinks that Raegan has a "sweet spirit". That Dana is a smart girl. :)

Here are some of Raegan's new interests that have developed this past month:

One of the first things that happened this past month was Raegan rolling over. In fact, she did that on the 1st day of her 4 month of life. We were lucky enough to get it on camera.

(If I could, I'd like to throw out an all-inclusive disclaimer with videos that I post: Pay no attention to the mom behind the curtain. I do not look my best early in the morning.)

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  Recently, Raegan has fallen in love with a new toy. Chuck came home from work the other day with a little "Happy" for Raegan. (Does the shopping for your children instead of anyone else-including yourself-ever end? I love it.) The "Happy" was a cute little duck rattle. Thinking that she will enjoy playing with that when she's not interested in exerting too much energy, I add it to the basket of small toys in the living room. After a week or so, I notice that during our regular "toy rotation" (it's all about keeping her stimulated), she inevitably is entertained the most by the duck. And, it's not necessarily the rattle that she likes about it. She loves the beak...in her mouth.
  
  

mmmm.....

...tastes good...

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  Raegan continues to talk more and more. She loves when Chuck just sits and talks to her-she grins and talks back. Of course, I kiss all over her all the time...this gets her talking back too. Here is a sample of some chitter chatter a la Raegan:

 

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  Raegan is all about poking her little bottom lip out. I think it's cute. Chuck told me to enjoy it now, because in a few years-it won't be so cute anymore.
  
  
  
  

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  This past month, Raegan has also been entertained by the wildlife in our yard. (Yes, we still live 10-15 minutes from downtown Nashville-ha!) Her daddy often takes her outside to see the bunnies, chipmunks, and the newest addition: the hawk! Although she isn't really sure what she is looking at, our whole family is loving having our own little zoo in our yard!
  
  

Hey, Mr Bunny Rabbit!

Hello, Mr. Hawk!

(PS-The baby chipmunk was too quick to capture)

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  One "not so cute" interest that has come to fruition this past month is Raegan's newly acquired talent of "the squeal". It is loud. It is shrieky. And, if she weren't my baby, it would undoubtedly be annoying. I can't figure out if she just enjoys making the sound. Or, if her purpose is to get a reaction? "What to Expect the First Year" says that "During month 4, your baby may learn to squeal in delight". Squealing in delight is one thing (She does do that and it's quite...well...delightful), but the squealing I'm referring to is not in delight...it is 12.7 pounds of loudness. Here. See for yourself.
  
  

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  So, Raegan's been pretty much right on track with all of her milestones...Although, honestly, we haven't really focused too much on the timeframe for milestones. I promised myself that I wouldn't really obsess over if she is a little "later or earlier" than the standard for certain things as well as whether or not her weight/height is in a specific percentile. (I personally feel that all of that forces unnecessary comparisons.) If the Pediatrician says that she is normal and healthy, then we are good. However, one area that we have been waiting for but that she has been somewhat holding out on us is that of laughing out loud. For the obvious reasons, we are excited about this one. She gives us TONS of grins, open-mouth smiles, and happy sounds. But, she's slow to laugh. Maybe she is going to be like her mommy by not so much making a noise when she laughs, but shaking instead? Here is the closest we've come. She's such a little teaser. Maybe next month! :)
  
  

• 
  
  Speaking of milestones, Raegan has definitely mastered the art of gripping and holding onto things. This, of course, includes small toys as well as mommy's hair and jewelry. Bye, bye over-sized earrings. *Sniff*

Holding on tight!

I'm happy to announce that in addition to all of the other interests that Raegan has acquired this past month, her ability to sleep for long lengths of time is another one to add to the list. Her naps are still unpredictable in length...30 minutes here...2.5 hours there...even when put down at the same times every day. I can live with that, though, as long as she continues to sleep at least 7.5 - 8 hours straight-then, another 2.5-3 after she nurses. There have been many nights when she's stayed down for 10-11 hours as well. Can I get an "AMEN"?

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  Raegan loves to stand and look in the mirror...with some help from Mommy or Daddy, of course. She watches herself and giggles. She thinks she is so funny. We laugh at her while she laughs at herself. This is usually a little activity we all partake in while we are getting her bath ready. Oh yeah, did I mention that she is usually naked when she does this? This would be the reason that there is no photograph. I hate to expose her like that. :)

• 
  
  This past month has been full of play-time. Raegan continues to love to play. She definitely loves us to interact with and entertain her, but she is very content playing on her own as well. The former Recruiter in me likes to believe this is a sign of her future ability to "work well in a team or independently".
  
  

Exersaucer fun!

Cozy in my swing

Daddy is so strong!

I love blowing bubbles!

Watching Mommy cook

Okay...watching Mommy heat up oatmeal ;)

Still loving my Activity Mat...

And my fingers...

but not so much Tummy Time

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  Last but not least, I have to say that one of my favorite new things that Raegan has started doing is turning the pages of books while I read to her. Is that normal? Is she gifted? De De and Pop Pop say "definitely". ;) I'm teasing. Really, though. I think it's so cute. I honestly didn't think she was paying that much attention to the books as when I read to her at this point. She's usually starting to fight sleep a little bit. Little did I know, she was learning all along. Aww...our little "sponge". So, about 3 weeks ago, I had one of her little board books out reading to her and she reached up (with her left hand, might I add..."lefty"?) and worked really hard to grab the page and turn it. At first, I thought it was a fluke. Then, she did it again. Then, again. Then, again. Now, she does it almost every time I read to her. I love it. (Ps-if this is normal or if babies are supposed to start doing this, I don't know, way before 4 months old-please don't burst my bubble. I like to think of this as her first little special talent.) No picture of this yet. It's on the To Do list.
  
  

I can't believe it's possible, but I love her more and more every day. I love that she's her own person and I can hardly wait to learn what she enjoys for the many months to come.

Happy 4th Month, Bits! It's been a good one!

Poor Baby...

My heading back to work and Raegan going to Daycare (or, as I like to call it "school" to make myself feel better) was the planned topic for today's posting. However, as fate would have it, neither of those scenarios took place.

Raegan is sick.

I'll spare you the mucusy details.

In short: fever, completely congested (imagine your air passages in your nose completely blocked, not being able to blow your nose or breathe out of your mouth), red watery eyes, and the saddest little cough in the world. After 2 trips to the Pediatrician, it has been determined that she has a virus...not a HUGE deal. At the same time, it doesn't take away from the fact that my little baby doesn't feel well and there is nothing I can really do. We just have to "let it run its course".

Meanwhile, my heart aches to see her sick for the first time...whimpering in pain...and struggling to breathe.

I don't want to sound overly dramatic, because, let's face it-there are parents who deal with a lot worse than this. I know that. And I also know how blessed we are to, overall, have a healthy baby girl. My heart and prayers go out to those who have cared and/or continue to care for children suffering from a lot worse than a standard viral infection. I know that what you have dealt with is far more trying than anything I have even thought about experiencing. Bless you.

So, far be it from me to complain. It's just the first time she has been sick...and I'm going on zero sleep since Sunday night. In addition, this has all happened the day before I was supposed to go back to work.

Is it me or is that crazy? Did you read that? I was supposed to go back to work today.

Truth be told, I was in a good place before this (regarding going back to work, sending Rae to "school", etc) I didn't think that I would be, but I had been offered what I consider the best possible scenario.

Remember my very first posting when I was so shocked that we needed to get on

Waiting Lists for Pre-Schools/Daycares so early?!? You laughed (and I did too), but had we not signed up so soon, I would not have even had the opportunity to go back to work. Isn't that insane?

Out of 7 Waiting Lists that we got on, Raegan only got into ONE! Can you believe that? ONE! And, we signed up when we were 13 weeks pregnant. The DAYCARE just so happens to be my favorite and has won boo coos of awards.

I have found out since, by the way, that a large amount of couples get on Waiting Lists as soon as they get engaged. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I'm missing out on an opportunity to be successful in the world of childcare. I don't know the faintest thing about taking care of 1 child-much less an entire facility of them. But, hello?!?!?!? Where are all of those students I used to run into on my way to Glocker in college who were majoring in Child and Family Studies? I know you're out there. Peeps-you are leaving a lot of money on the table!

No time for details because I HAVE to get some sleep. But, let's just say this:

Once she got into this Daycare, Chuck and I made a shift in plans. I could potentially go back to work. After Raegan was born, I'm not going to lie, I had no intention of doing so.

For those who really know me, that is a bold statement for me to make. Working and being successful in business has been very important in my life. I have always been extremely driven and have wanted to accomplish a lot in the workplace. I can't really explain the void that it fills for me. But, let me just say that it's a big one. Granted, being blessed enough to stay home overpowers that; however, wouldn't it be great to have the best of both worlds?

Up until this point, I had really blocked that possibility out of my mind because, what were the chances that we'd get into our Daycare of choice (the only one I'd really consider leaving Raegan in at such a young age and going back to work)? Odds were slim. So, when we got into that Daycare, I had to make a decision...and fast. I only had a few weeks.

I knew that I couldn't leave Raegan full-time...but what about part-time?!? No way, I thought. My company rarely allows colleagues to work part-time. In this economy, I will really be pushing it to even bring up the subject. So, conversation over. No reason to even think about it. Chuck disagreed. "What do you have to lose if you just ask?" It really annoys me when he's right.

So, after much coaxing from Chuck, I decided to send my boss, who I love, love, love, and adore, an email being 100% honest. The gist? (I'm ad libbing here.)

"Hi Andrea....I love being a mom...etc etc etc...I have realized that it's the most important job for me in the world...etc etc etc...I love my job at Healthways...etc etc etc...But, I can't come back full time...etc etc etc...I will be no good to anyone if I do...etc etc etc...I would entertain, though, the possible opportunity to come back part-time etc I know that scenario is unlikely, etc I understand the position you're in, etc But, I had to ask, etc. Let me down easy.

Yours Truly, Kami"

Not really. But, you get the point.

Her response...also somewhat ad libbed:

"I will do absolutely 100% of my best to make this happen. 1/2 of Kami is better than no Kami at all."

Besides my thinking, "wow. I sure do have her fooled" ;), I was shocked that she was potentially going to try to make this happen.

THE RESULT?

She made it happen. I'm working part-time. 20 hours. 2.5 days a week.

The plan was ready. Decision made. I felt good about it. Raegan is in, what I feel is, the best Daycare/Preschool in Nashville. I have been offered the opportunity to work 20 hours a week for the company I love while doing a job that I know I'm meant to be doing. I truly believe that it will ultimately make me a better mom.

I have a schedule that allows me to be with Raegan 4 full days and then working the next day (when I probably will need a little break), then working a half day the next day, and then working a full day the next day (with knowing I will be with her for 4 full days after that). I am seriously the luckiest person in the world.

Fast forward to last week:

I send Raegan to Daycare for a few days. The goal was to get her used to her teachers, the class, etc. More importantly, I wanted to keep her first day from being the same day that I went back to work. WAY too many changes in one day.

The result of my grand idea? She got sick.

Fast forward to now:

I've come full circle with my feelings about work and staying at home. Let me invite you into my mind: "Raegan is sick because of Daycare. She's going to Daycare so I can go to work. I don't HAVE to go to work. I am being selfish. I should stay home and take care of her 100% of the time. I'm a bad mom. Am I sure I'm doing the right thing?" The list goes on...

I know, I know, I know...she's going to get sick. It is building up

her immune system. etc etc etc. But, it's only natural for me to blame this all on myself and to feel super selfish. As she feels better, I do feel more and more okay with the situation. I also feel that the "right thing" is not to give up this wonderful opportunity that I have. At the same time, I hate that my confidence in my decision has been somewhat shattered.

Please pray that I'll have peace of mind again with my decision.

I will be working half the day tomorrow while my Mother In Law watches Raegan.

PS-her fever is gone. God is good.