Reagan @ 6 months old

Our favorite little lady is 6 months old!! Maybe it's because she is baby #2 but it just seems like she is growing so fast and is hardly a baby anymore. I always thought that I only wanted to have boys but I am so glad God gave us this sweet little girl.

Height: 24.5 in

Weight: 13 lbs 15 oz



Likes: Being held, sitting up, Bo, Bo's toys, water bottles, baths, being tickled, her doll, chewing on everything, paper, the dog, reading books, singing, watching Bo jump up and down, peekaboo, sleeping on her back, going outside, riding in the car, pulling hair, mommy, daddy, watching people, and being the center of attention



Dislikes: Getting her diaper changed, getting dressed, lying on the floor, scooting backwards when she wants to go forward, getting stuck, being alone in a room, napping, and sitting in her swing.



New Things: Had her first Thanksgiving and Christmas with Dean's family, started scooting backwards, rolling from her back to her tummy, getting her first tooth, first Christmas parade, craft fair trip with friends, tried sweet potatoes, started sitting up by herself.




Reagan loves Bo. It is so much fun to watch them start to play together. She loves to touch him and try to play with him. He loves to lay on her, sit on her, and tickle her. He is very observant and worries when she puts things in her mouth, especially his things. I know that will only get worse as she gets more mobile. She is always watching him and gives him the biggest smiles. It's so cute to see them interact and see him take care of her. Hopefully, they will stay best of friends.

   

She is such an easy going baby. As long as she is included, it doesn't matter what we do. She loves to be carried around and in the middle of everything. We love watching her experience and learn new things every day. I love to imagine what it will be like when she starts crawling, walking, and talking. We are so blessed and couldn't imagine life without her.

Resistance Band Arm Workout 1

This is my first try at a fitness video. It's purpose is just to give explanation on how to complete the exercise. It isn't a full workout. All the exercises can be done with a resistance band, free weights, or even canned goods. Complete 2 sets of 15 of each exercise.

A friend and I have been working out together since the beginning of November and I have been creating the workouts. We text each other each day after we finish to help keep each other accountable and motivated. I never thought that just a simple text or knowing that someone else is working out too would be so motivating for me. I know she is doing it so there is no excuse for me not too. Of course, I have those days where it would be easier just to skip. I can't expect her to do it if I won't. Honestly, I feel like I can get through the day better if I get to exercise. My energy level is better and my attitude is better. I can definitely tell a difference if I don't get to workout. Even for just 10 min. I am sure my children and husband appreciate a more patient, kind me. It is hard to get up early. Some days it is exhausting just trying to be quiet so I don't wake the kids up or hoping I can just get in a few more minutes before they do. But each day it is worth it. Each day I feel better about myself.

I am hoping to make and post more videos as we go through each month exercising. I would love to have you join me or follow along. If you want more information about my workouts or even want to use my workout calendar, I would love to share. I will be making some new things for January.

Four months old

Reagan is four months old!! These last four months have flown by, especially this month. Reagan is growing so much and it is such a joy to see her experience life every day.

Weight: Maybe almost 12 lbs-we haven't weighed her and don't have a scale here. Is it acceptable to use the scale in the produce section at Walmart?

Height: Approx 21 inches long

Wears: size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes. Some of her onesies are getting a little snug. Just in time to transition to long sleeves.

Likes: Bo, laughing, bath time, reading books, getting her diaper changed, stroller riders, being outside, sitting up, being held, sleeping on mommy or daddy, chewing on everything, her fingers, watching Bo play trucks, sleeping on her side, rolling over

Dislikes: riding in the car, having a dirty diaper, napping, the swing, her bed, hair bows, socks, her hat and jacket

New things: "talking" all the time, sitting in the bumbo, teething-bottom two are almost through, chewing on things besides her hands, wearing a bib, drooling, laughing to get attention, refusing to nap anywhere besides being held, touching Bo if he is close, trying to scoot forward and backward

Adventures: ran a 10k and 5k with Bo and Daddy, went to the circus, went to a pumpkin patch, went to the fire station, went to the zoo, dressed up as a skeleton and went trunk or treating

It has been so much fun this month to see her interact more and watch as she discovers new things. She likes to be the center of attention and is starting to enjoy playing with Bo. He even gave her her own trucks. It won't be long and she will really start playing with him. She is so easy going and doesn't mind being carted everywhere. We love her more and more each day and can't wait to see what this next month brings. 

Here is what Bo was doing at four months old . It's amazing how similar they are. 

It's Friday!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!!!! Here is what has been happening this week around here. Everything's an adventure these days. :)

1. Weekends
We have always loved weekends but now that we don't get to see Dean much during the week, we appreciate them so much more. We will be running again-I love all the running we have been doing, going to visit the fire trucks, and trunk or treating at the local park. Our weekends are always full and I love the memories we are making here.

2. Halloween Candy
We have never really celebrated Halloween and are not big fans of trick or treating door to door. We have never handed out candy either. The last few weeks we went to parades and Bo got loads of candy. Now we have two more times of trick or treating. We don't let Bo eat much candy besides fruit snacks and don't eat much ourselves. What are we going to do with all the candy. If you have a local dentist that participates they will buy your candy and then it gets sent oversees to US troops. There isn't one in our area but I think we will send it on our own through this site. I love that they do this and what a great small gesture to our troops overseas.  Here is the link on how to participate.
https://www.operationgratitude.com/halloween-candy-buy-back-2012/ and find a dentist near you http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com



3. Napping
I love naptime. It's so peaceful when both kids are napping at the same time and doesn't happen often enough. Reagan does not like to nap on her back or alone. I am not ready to let her sleep on her tummy. If she is being held, she will sleep all afternoon. We also added the joys of teething to our lives so that doesn't help our sleep either. Oh, The joys and struggles of baby sleep.

He was just pretending, I think..

4. Potty Training
We are not doing it. Well, not officially. Bo has discovered how much he likes to be naked and sit on the potty reading books naked. He says he needs to go, but hasn't yet. He is like the boy who cried wolf. It wasn't so bad letting him run around naked, until he peed all over me. We are trying to let him figure it out in his own time with our help but he isn't quite ready yet. Truthfully, I'm not either.

5. 5 weeks!!
Five weeks until Dean is done with tech school. Five weeks!!

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Half Marathon Recap

Saturday, I ran my third half marathon. I'm pretty proud of myself so I thought I would write about it. I almost didn't run it because I didn't think I would be able to finish or get the time I wanted. I loved/hated my first two half marathons so I was nervous I would feel the same way this time. I didn't hate it at all!

 My training schedule was pretty simple. I only had five weeks to train and I didn't want to wear myself out running too much and adding miles too fast.. Instead of running x amount of miles every day, I used x amount of minutes. It was better for me because I had to push the double stroller on all my week day runs and it took off the pressure of getting so far each day. It is more difficult running with the stroller because my stride is different and I have to keep my hands on the stroller. 30 or 40 minutes was manageable to keep two kids happy in the stroller. I really think all the stroller pushing made me a stronger runner.

Long runs were really hard for me. About two weeks in, I just felt tired. Like I was working too hard and my body needed more rest. I was/am still getting up two or three times at night with Reagan and sometimes Bo and wasn't getting much sleep. So I cut out the long runs for rest instead. We ran a few 5/10ks on Saturdays but nothing longer. The rest really helped. My weekly runs got easier and I was getting faster. As nervous as I was about actually running the half, I thought I could do it.

Race Day!!
Saturday morning it was beautiful. A little chilly but almost perfect running weather. Dean and the kids were running the 10k. We got them all bundled in the stroller and were ready to go. 

I never run with music. Never in high school or college. I have tried several times but I just didn't like the distraction. I tried it again a week before the race and found it really helpful. Who knew?! I hadn't ever run with earphones though because I needed to hear the kids in the stroller. Amazingly, it didn't bother me too much. I had to switch playlists every 30 minutes which was a pain but it worked. I also ran with new ProCompression socks that I had only worn once before and a new SparklySoul headband, which I had also only worn once before. While trying something new right before a race is probably not the best idea, it worked for me. I loved both my socks and headband. 

 The start was kind of confusing. Maybe because we only got there 20 minutes before the race? There wasn't really a start line or timing mat so we all just sort of took off. We had a super long, downhill section and then would have a steep uphill at mile 4. These hills gave me both my fastest and slowest mile splits in a long time.  Lucky for Dean, the 10k turned around before the hill. It was a tough climb up but I felt pretty good and knew that I could use the downhill to my advantage on the way back.

Bo fussed so much Dean let him watch trucks on his phone. He really knows how to get what he wants.

My "realistic" goal time was 2:20. My "I really wish" goal time was 2 hrs. The course was pretty nice after the hill. There were a few small rolling hills but I felt pretty strong and good about my pace. I tried not to worry about my mile splits. I just wanted to run at a pace I felt good at. At about mile 8 I knew I could be close to finishing in 2 hrs. Next up was the hill. I tried to take the downhill nice and easy. Being that it was gravel and kind of steep, it was difficult. By the bottom my knees were trashed. It was much harder on my legs than I anticipated.

I knew that the last three miles were going to be tough. I have had knee issues for most of my running life but hadn't had any when I was training. I didn't think it would be a problem but my body didn't really recover well once I got to the bottom of the hill. I was hurting and just hoping that Dean and the kids were going to meet me somewhere around mile 11 or 12 to help me finish. There was also a guy running next to me who would run in front of me a little ways then stop and walk until I passed him a little and then do it again. It went like this for my last three miles and was so annoying. I tried not to let it mess with my head and just run my own race but it was difficult.

Dean met me at mile 12 and ran with me almost all the way to the finish. I am not always very nice to him when we run together but I was so thankful that he was there that last mile. Even when he told me the finish was right around the corner and it wasn't. Surprisingly, I had enough left in my legs to speed up the last 100 meters through the finish. I finished in 2 hours and 7 minutes. I got 4th in my age group and Dean got 1st in his and third overall.

I feel good about the race I ran and I know I left it all out there. I know I couldn't have shaved 7 minutes off my time so I am happy with it. I did what I wanted to do and now I'm ready for another one. Well, maybe in the spring and maybe with less hills. 

Reagan @ 3 months old

Reagan is now THREE months old. Time seems to fly by so much faster than when Bo was a baby. I guess that is what happens when you are also chasing around a very active two year old.

Weight: About 11 lbs maybe??
Size: She fits almost perfect in her 3 month tops. Her pants are still way too long, but it's still too warm for pants here.

Likes:being outside, riding in the stroller, bath time, the swing, being talked to, riding in the car, music, getting her diaper changed, Bo, being the center of attention, blowing bubbles, chewing on her fingers, Mommy, Daddy

Dislikes: having a dirty diaper, tummy time, being left alone, napping, wearing socks and pants

Milestones: smiles, laughs, rolls over from tummy to back, grasps objects, drools, blows bubbles

Bo loves her so much. He always wants to know where she is and what she is doing. If she is napping, he has to wake her up so she can play. She is generally not amused and gives a great frustrated face. He loves to play trucks with her and she is pretty tolerant most of the time. It is so cute to watch him interact with her. She is just starting to figure out he might be a fun guy to be around. Until he Hulk smashes her. Thanks Uncle Josh!

Adventures: Branson, an airshow, ran a 10k, play group, gymnastics, story time, the park, the swimming pool, the movie theater, outlet mall

Nickname: R-egg-ie, Baby Reagan

Reagan is such an easy going and happy baby. She doesn't mind getting carted along to play group or riding in the stroller for miles and miles. We love having her in our family and can't wait to see what she learns next.

Last month

We LOVE you Baby Reagan!!