10 Weeks

How Far Along: 10 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: No Change

Size of Baby: Kumquat (I've never even seen one of these)

Maternity Clothes: Sometimes... they are more comfortable

Gender: ?

Movement: No :)

Sleep: Good, especially naps

What I miss: Nothing at the moment

Cravings: Spicy food

Symptoms: Fatigue, fatigue, oh, and fatigue

Best Moment this week: Not this week - but two weeks ago was our first doctor's appointment and we got to see our little baby with a nice, strong heartbeat.

It's Spring!

Raegan,

We have had quite the week.

Tuesday morning I fell while carrying you down the stairs in the garage on our way to school. I was able to brace myself with one hand and hold on to you with the other. We banged heads pretty hard and I have a nice bruise on my arm, but other than that it appears everything is okay.



We've done tons and tons of playing outside this week. It's been nice and you love it!


Silly Boy!

You are very brave. You like to climb up the slide all by yourself and then go down as fast as you can. We used to count to three first, but now you have no time for that silly business!



Friday I had to judge a contest in Stillwater. You stayed in Medford and went to Uncle Tanner's baseball game. It was storming really bad there, and there was even a tornado warning, but the sirens were broken and the TV was not working, so you, Tanner, and grandma never went to a shelter. Luckily nothing touched down, but your mama was scared in Stillwater knowing what was going on where you were!

Saturday we made a late trip to Cherokee. We went and ate with your grandpa, picked up our taxes, then came home. You like your baseball cap that grandma's friend Tammile got for you:



Today we have done absolutely nothing. We took a long nap earlier and when we woke up, your daddy had done the laundry and had cleaned the kitchen for me. We played inside, swung outside in our backyard, and you chased Bruiser and Daisy around in the backyard. After dinner, you played in the bathtub and brushed your teeth, and now you are out for the night (hopefully, probably for three or four hours ;)





Love, love, love you my sweet boy!

6 Weeks

How Far Along: 6 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost 2 pounds

Size of Baby: Sesame Lentil

Maternity Clothes: None

Gender: ?

Movement: No :)

Sleep: Besides getting up to use the restroom, pretty good.

What I miss: I want a sub sandwich like you would not believe.

Cravings: No cravings, really, but the thought of most foods just gross me out. There's not a lot that sounds appealing. I tried to eat a hamburger and spit it out and almost threw up.

Symptoms: Fatigue, fatigue, oh, and fatigue

Best Moment this week: Looking for a new crib since Raegan's was recalled. And I'm adding this for this week - Worst Moment: Falling down the garage stairs before work while carrying Raegan.

5 Weeks

How Far Along: 5 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost 2 pounds

Size of Baby: Sesame Seed

Maternity Clothes: None

Gender: ?

Movement: No :)

Sleep: I'm sleeping okay, just using the restroom approximately 587 times a night.

What I miss: Vanilla Diet Coke... and I really want a sandwich.

Cravings: Nothing really, ice cream a couple of times

Symptoms: Headaches, nausea, fatigue like you wouldn't believe

Best Moment this week: Telling a few more people, counting down the days until our appointment with the doctor

Dear Raegan,

I can't get over how much your simple little life is about to change. I know you will love your baby, but it will be so different to not be the only one anymore. In the meantime, your daddy and I are trying to spend as much time doing the things you love with you before we add another sweet baby into our lives. You will forever and always be the one who made me a mama, and will forever be my baby... no matter how old you may be. :)

If Only I Were a Little Bit Older....

Daddy was mowing tonight and someone couldn't stop watching:



Right after he realized it may be a while, might as well take a seat:



Maybe it will be easier to do this in the yard now:



I'm certain before long you will be right next to your daddy, helping.... or trying, anyway.

4 Weeks

Dear Baby G #2,

Wow! What a shocker!! I never imagined this day would come so soon or so quickly. I decided to take a test today but never thought it would be positive. I'm excited, nervous, happy, scared, shocked, and feeling every other emotion possible.

I can't wait to feel you, see you, hear your heartbeat, know if you're a boy or girl. I can't wait for you to eventually meet your big brother, Raegan. I love you already, even though you are the size of a poppy seed.

Your due date is December 4, 2011. But because I will have a c-section, you'll be here before then. Eight months is a LONG time to wait, but I'm ready for each week to change and for you to grow and develop.

Your daddy and I are excited and anxious about our growing family.

Love,
Mommy

Big Brother

Dear Raegan,



Tonight, you became my big boy. Finding out you're going to be a big brother makes you grow up fast. I know you have absolutely no idea what's going on, but then again, you stayed on my lap all day today, like maybe you did.

Your daddy and I are excited, but know that you will always be my baby. And you will always be the one who made me a mama. You were so loved before you arrived and that love has only multiplied since then.

As you lay sleeping next to me, I can't believe how blessed I am to have you. I know you will be a great big brother. You're such a sweet, caring little boy and I can't imagine life without you. I look forward to this new chapter in our lives. We have until December to soak up the novelty of just having you as an "only child" and I hope to share many, many experiences with you before that time.

Love,
Mama

Sweet Boy

Dear Sweet, Sweet, Precious Boy,

It's days like today, where you walk around saying, "mom, mom, mom, mom, mom;" repeatedly put your finger in your daddy's ear and crack up laughing; lick the bottom of your feet and then look at me and grin; dip your chicken in ketchup like a big boy; get all your "farm" toys out and play with them on the coffee table; and open your precious little mouth to give me kisses, that I think my heart may burst because I love you so much.



We're going to the zoo this weekend and I'm sure you'll love it! Then you're going to stay and play for a couple of days with Uncle Tanner and grandma and grandpa, and then I'll come get you and we'll have a week of Spring Break to play here at home. That means summer is right around the corner and I can't wait! Especially since I'll be home with my sweet boy that I just can't get enough of. :)

Never a dull moment...

You keep me on my toes....

Christmas Break

The last month and a half has gone so fast. After Thanksgiving I only had three weeks of school until Christmas break. You finally got over the flu crud that you had. On New Years Eve your daddy and I went to eat and we also went and watched Little Fockers. There is a scene in the movie where the little boy throws up all over his dad - we laughed and laughed because that was the scene in our house for the three weeks that you were sick. I'm also glad your daddy was willing to split the clean-up duties with me...made it a little easier to deal with. :) I'm so glad you're back to yourself, and eating again!

You had a big two weeks right around Christmas. You made your first trip to Branson the first half of my Christmas break. Your daddy, Uncle Tanner, you, and I all made the trip. We were supposed to go over Fall Break, but about an hour before we left we got the awful phone call that Noel had been killed while at the lake with your grandpa and the youth group. I was worried about the drive there since you aren't a big fan of the car lately. You showed me, though, because you fell asleep in Ark City and slept the rest of the 4 hours to Branson!



We got to do lots of things in Branson during our five days there. We went to Silver Dollar City where your daddy and Tanner acted goofy all day. Your daddy took you on a frog ride and I was paranoid the whole time, even though it was a pretty risk-free ride. You laughed while you were on there, so I think you liked it.









We rode on the train, which you liked also. You and I went to the Frosty show while your daddy and Tanner were riding rides. We visited a lot of shops... We went to a part of the park that has a HUGE tree house and play area. You loved playing with the foam balls inside.



We watched the first lighted Christmas parade that evening, then made it back to the town square to watch the Christmas light show, and then decided it was getting way too cold and we were ready to go! Sadly, you missed this part because you fell asleep right before the parade was starting. We laid your stroller seat back and you snoozed away -- wrapped in blankets and coats, of course. It was COLD! I was looking so forward to watching you watch the parade and see the Christmas lights, but sleep won! There's always next year!



We did lots of shopping and spent some time at the Landing. Our last night we went to the Dixie Stampede and you LOVED it!! You loved all the animals and everything that was going on. It was so much fun to watch you.

When we got home from Branson we had a day to get things unpacked, get laundry done, finish buying Christmas presents, and then it was time to go to our family Christmas.














It was nice to be with all our family and you were of course the star of the show. You love to entertain and your little personality is so funny.

On Christmas Day I cooked and your grandma, grandpa, and Uncle Tanner came to our house and you opened your gifts from daddy and I and from Santa. I think you daddy had more fun picking out gifts than you have playing with them. He got you a remote control truck that you have absolutely no clue what to do with -- but he said it was so he could play with it with you. You ended up with lots of new, fun toys and lot and lots of clothes.















On Tuesday we went to Oklahoma City to visit your great aunt and uncle and their daughter, son-in-law and grandkids who were here from Arizona. We don't get to see them very often, so it was nice to get together. Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bobbie came to the hospital when you were born -- Bobbie came back a couple of times alone to see you before we left also -- but we hadn't seen them since then.

The rest of our week was spent relaxing and playing and watching Little Einsteins. We went to Cherokee Wednesday night to watch the OSU game with Tanner, grandma, and grandpa. On New Years Eve, your grandma came to stay with you while your daddy and I went to the Vintage House and then to the movies. When we got back, we all went to Cherokee to grandma and grandpa's house. Your grandpa had his youth group kids at the house for a lock-in, so we watched some movies and then came back home about 3:00 that morning.







Saturday your daddy decided it was time to move bedrooms around. We took the mattresses from our guest bed and put them with your crib headboard in your room. We are hoping we can get you to sleep alone. In 16 months, you have never slept without being right next to me. Even the one night we left you, you didn't sleep. So... we have to get something worked out! In three nights you have slept alone in there for about 4 hours each night. Although it's not perfect, 4 hours is more than ever before!







We are also making the guest room a play room. You have so many toys and they have overtaken the living room. We are still in the process of that, but hopefully by this weekend we can get it all moved!





You are becoming so funny! You love for us to laugh at you and you love to laugh. You will come up to us and just talk and talk and then shake your head and say, "Yeah". We have no idea what you're saying, but it's something! You love to point at things and say, "What's that?" You still climb anything and everything. You love to flip all your toys upside down. You love watching Little Einsteins and Barney. You like strawberry cereal bars, yogurt, and lately, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

We had a wonderful break, but this week it was back to reality. I miss you during the day and miss being home with you, but hopefully Spring Break is here soon, and then Summer Break.



We love you little man, more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow.

Long three weeks...

Oh, sweet boy. You have had a rough time the last couple of weeks. It started out with you getting the stomach virus that was going around. You were throwing up so, so much. Then, I thought we had gotten over it, and it reared its ugly head again. You had a second and third round of it. Also, your daddy had the virus two of the days that you did. I stayed home with you two days and two half-days. After the weekend, I was convinced we were illness-free. Then last Tuesday evening you were acting pretty cranky. You woke up at about 4:15 Wednesday morning and I knew just by feeling you that you had a fever. We got out the thermometer, and sure enough, you did. I called your grandma and she went to the school and got stuff around so she could come stay with you.

Wednesday while you were home, we kept your fever down with tylenol and ibuprofen. It finally stayed down Thursday morning, so you went back to daycare. Friday you were fine also. Then comes Saturday morning, when you woke up with a rash on your face. I really didn't think much of it, but Sunday morning you woke up with the rash all over your tummy and back. I was still hoping it was nothing, but you couldn't go to daycare without seeing a doctor first. Monday morning your daddy got up early and took you to the doctor in Cherokee. They diagnosed you with Fifth's Disease. However, by the time the rash appears, it is no longer contagious. So, back to daycare you went. Wednesday started Thanksgiving Break, so you got to stay home a little more.

Finally, three weeks later, and I think we're all better. I'm pretty sure there are some teeth coming through again, though, as you have been drooling like crazy. Your nose is also running pretty steadily. You haven't truly eaten in almost a month. When you would try to eat, it would just come back up. I'm hoping that soon you will start eating again.

One night while you were sick and throwing up, your daddy was eating sopapilla cheesecake. You were sitting with him and gave him the funniest looks while he was eating in front of you.





Thursday we went to your grandma and grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. We had a small one this year, with only my grandparents, my parents, and Tanner. It was good to be with our family, though, and they all loved spending time with you.

And, after almost 16 months, we finally left you overnight for the first time. Well, I did, I guess. You've been away from your daddy, but not me. You stayed with your grandma and grandpa and Uncle Tanner Friday night. Your daddy and I just went out to eat for his birthday and finally slept ALL NIGHT! You did not sleep all night, though. You were wide awake from 1-5 a.m. You normally wake up at home at about 1:00 and will not go back to sleep unless you are with me. We've tried and tried to break it, but so far we've had no luck. I keep hoping that one day we'll turn over a new leaf and you will finally be a good sleeper.

We have a big week with ballgames and then Saturday you'll be going to watch a state championship football game! I'm so glad you are feeling better and I'm looking forward to being home with you for Christmas break!

Happy Birthday to Your Daddy!

Raegan,

Today is your daddy's 28th birthday. He is the best daddy in the world to you, and he loves you so very, very much. He loves teaching you new things and is so proud of you. You are a lucky boy to have him... but we feel the same about you. :)

15 Month Well Check and the Nasty Flu

Well.... the ugly flu bug has reared its head in our house. Tuesday afternoon I had to leave school and get you from daycare because you had started throwing up. Oh my word I have never seen so much vomit, especially from such a little boy. You had no energy and you were so, so pale. It was so sad. Today you were much better and have even kept four sippy cups of pedialyte down.

I had scheduled your one-year well check for today, and then of course you ended up sick. I called and they said to go ahead and bring you in. Unfortunately, they thought you should go ahead and get your shots. So... since we were behind and never got your one year shots, you got those plus your 15-month shots. You got six total. It was a whole new sad. :(

You weighed 24.1 pounds which is between the 25th-50th percentile and 33.25 inches which is above the 95th percentile. As a baby, you were short and stubby and now you are tall and slender.

You are so much fun right now! You can say mama, dada, mine, more, eat, thank you, and hi. You also will try to repeat words we say to you.

You can give kisses, wave bye-bye, give high five, and raise your arms when we say "touchdown" (sometimes on this one -- it's hit and miss).

You eat all table foods, but you aren't much of an eater. About six weeks ago I took your bottle away and you finally took to a sippy cup.

You are the biggest little monkey ever. You climb everything. There is nothing you are afraid of.

You still do not sleep through the night. Maybe soon? It would be so nice to sleep all night long, even for one night!

Along those same lines, we still have not left you overnight. Maybe soon that will happen also.

Everyday you figure out something new, and I feel like I am constantly chasing you. Probably because I am. :)

I will take some pictures when you feel better...

We love you, Raegan.

Heart.Attack.

Dear sweet, sweet, precious, sleeping child-of-mine,

If you continue to do things like STAND UP IN YOUR HIGH CHAIR AND BOUNCE AROUND, you are going to give me a heart attack. Seriously.

You fell and hit your poor little head at daycare today. You have a pretty nice size bruise on the side of your face. :( Breaks my heart. But I have a secret -- your daddy was so worried he had to go check on you at lunch. I think you have him wrapped around your finger. :)

Your 12-month well-check is Wednesday evening. Breaks my heart to think about all the shots you'll be getting. I hope daddy can make it to Cherokee to come, too. I hate seeing your sweet little face while they're giving you your shots.

I just picked up the living room -- you successfully made it look like a tornado had gone through Toys-r-Us. You're asleep, and now it's my turn.

Love you sweet boy.

Now please stop threatening my health. :)

Monkey Child

Oh, dear monkey boy....



I love you, but you climb EVERYTHING. Today you tried to climb into the window seal, but I caught you first. There is nothing you cannot get yourself into/onto.

The worst part is when you look at us and just laugh and laugh and laugh.

I love you, stinker boy. But I'd be fine if you'd stop the acrobatics.

Precious Bumble Bee

This year for Halloween we went to the pumpkin patch and later in the day we went to Cherokee to your grandma and grandpa's house. You had lots of fun playing football with Uncle Tanner and "trick-or-treating", which really only consisted of going to two houses.


I conned Tanner into holding you still for a picture:


The others turned out fairly good, especially since you don't believe in sitting still for more than 4.7 seconds.



We tried bribing you in this one with your football:






Your orneriness definitely shows in this picture:




Our trip to the pumpkin patch didn't exactly go as planned. You fell asleep on the way there so we had to wake you up to take pictures. Then you wanted to throw the pumpkins... I guess they looked a little too much like balls to throw. We were still able to snap a few pictures that didn't turn out too bad.











And this is what you did in between the pumpkin patch and trick-or-treating:



This picture was taken at the beginning of October, but it is a classic look of your daddy. Classic.





Later that evening we watched the OU game and then headed home late, late that night. Next year I'm sure you'll be more excited for Halloween once you figure out the treats you get!