CherrickVille

Fun at the LAME Pumpkin Patch

Since I missed a field-trip with a group of lady friends and their kids to a (real) pumpkin patch out on the West side of Phoenix, I thought we'd used the missed opportunity to have a family day and introduce Reagan to some outdoor activity and take a family photo.  While we got a couple cute photos, and enjoyed little hay ride out to the "pumpkin patch," we were completely disappointed by the false advertising of the Scottsdale version of a pumpkin patch.  Stacks of hay with scarecrows and mounds of pumpkins heaped around does not = a "pumpkin patch."  (That's FYI for YOU McDonald Ranch.)

Here are our pics despite our disappointment:

(And yes, Reagan is being blinded by the sun)

 

Daddy's Girl

 

Does that scarecrow have a stake coming out of its heart?  (Happy Halloween I guess?)

  

This was our ride to the piles of hay aka "pumpkin patch"

 

What Kind of Woman Will You Be?

I am absolutely in LOVE with children's literature right now.  I look at it like I'm researching the stories that will fill Reagan's imagination as she grows.  But, in my heart, they bring me back to my own childlike sense of wonder and imagination.

I just finished reading "Caddie Woodlawn."  A sweet story, based on a real person, about a little girl who was raised in the Wisconsin wilderness.  There was a passage that resonated with me both as a woman and as a mother of a girl.

Caddie's father speaks these words to her and they are enough to help me remember how important my job is:

"It's a strange thing, but somehow we expect more of girls than of boy.  It is the sisters and wives and mothers, you know, Caddie, who keep the world sweet and beautiful.  What a rough world it would be if there were only men and boys in it, doing things in their rough way!  A woman's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness.  It's a big task too, harder than cutting trees or building mills or damming rivers.  It takes nerve and courage and patience, but good women have those things... A woman's work is something fine and noble to grow up to, and it is just as important as a man's.  But no man could ever do it so well... I want you to be a woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy in body and honest in mind." - Caddie Woodlawn written by Carol Ryrie Brink

This week's milestones:

1. Reagan's neck is getting much stronger - she's still a little floppy, but she certainly has more control
2. Cloth diapers are fantastic!
3. Cloth wipes are also fantastic!
4. Big week for eating and sleeping= growth spurt!
5. Good bye NB size clothes!  Hello 3months!

Notes:

Thanks Erin M for introdusing me to Caddie Woodlawn

What Works? or What Works.

I never paid attention to the many different parenting styles that are embraced by well-meaning parents.  But boy are there a ton!  And it seems as though each school of thought has judgments and hostilities toward those that are different...  and I'm not entirely sure that it really matters if you schedule your baby minute by minute or let baby sleep when tired and eat when hungry.

I have surprised myself in that I've been happy to just go with the flow.  I try to get as much snuggle time as I can with our little Peach... She's not going to be this little for long.  And, I'm sure she's not going to want to snuggle with mom and dad when she's 15.  I thought that I'd want to implement a schedule, but our pediatrician doesn't recommend it and my personality doesn't require it.  (And, just in case, I asked my pediatrician if it hurts or helps the baby to be on a schedule and she said it doesn't matter - it's adults that want a schedule - babies will let you know what they need.)  Here are a few little tips that different people have given me that I've used to keep my sanity and has allowed me to enjoy the baby stage thus far:

1. "Trust your instincts - you will know what to do and what is right for your baby" (my friend Andrea)

2. "Trust the baby's needs - she'll let you know when she is hungry, tired, hurting" (my pediatrician)

3. "You can't spoil them at this age" (this quote is all over the place and it's so freeing)

4. Do what works for you (it will be different for each personALITY)

5. "Establish a bedtime routine" (the Baby Whisperer)

6. "Do what works for you AND your spouse"

7. Focus on the essentials - eating, sleeping and diaper changes (Joy original)

8. Don't be afraid to get out of the house with the little peanut

9. "If it ain't broke don't fix it" (Southern Wisdom)

10.  Find ways to include your husband in the daily grind - it makes everything so much fun

Reagan's Stats - 2 months

Weight: 10 lbs 13 oz (56th percentile)

Length: 23 inches (81st percentile)

Head: 15 inches (55th percentile)

The Bib Club

It could be argued that I am completely crazy.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I get to hang out with not one but TWO bib-wearing droolers.  Nora Marie is just 6 weeks older than Reagan.  I've been able to juggle the chaos pretty well so far.  It has been fun to see just how different we all are from day one! 

This is about as close as they come to playing together, but the day will come when they are stealing each others toys and crawling around from room to room. 

2009 Members of The Bib Club

Bib Club Members must drool without cause or meaning

Bib Club Members may be barefoot or sock-footed at anytime

Milestones:

1.  Reagan's discovering her toes!

The Many Faces of Reagan

I noticed that I have several photos that aren't really good for anything other than showing off some of the many faces that Reagan makes.

I continue to be amazed at how she is such an individual with a unique makeup from this young age.  She is able to express herself (even without words).

So, here they are:

 

#1 - "What's going on over there?"

 

#2 - "I will stick my tongue out at you... haha - you think I don't know!"

 

#3 - "I'm not very comfortable right now... please do something."

 

#4 - "I have some serious gas."

 

#5 - "OMG!"

 

#6 (for this face, she actually says something) - "BAH!"

#7 - "I know you!  I know you!"

 

#8 - (the blank stare) - cue the crickets

#9 - "Getting sleepy, very sleepy."

Drum roll, please.......

#10 - A picture is worth a thousand words

Thanks for enjoying her with us!

Play time and bath time - 8 weeks old

This week we have seen a lot of Reagan's little personality come out.  (Or so we think.)  She is such a mellow little lady.  She spends most of her time looking around and observing the world.  She isn't very fussy unless she's hungry or tired.  She can sleep just about anywhere (for now).  Here are TWO pictures that I took while Reagan and I were hanging out with Stephanie and baby Nora.  Nora had a nap, awake time and a feeding all while Reagan slept the afternoon away.  It was pretty funny.

Her little hands have started to grasp things. (Check out those long eyelashes!)

She was sleeping on her side with her back arched. 

 

Bath time allows for hairstyle experimentation. 

Reagan seems to love bath time when Daddy is the one giving it.  She just looks at him the whole time.

Playtime with Daddy!

This weeks milestones:

1. She can grasp a finger with her hand

2. More smiles

3. First bath in the baby tub

4. Playtime with Nora on Tuesdays and Thursdays

5. First time to Bunko

6. Getting a consistent bedtime :-)

 

Sad and Happy all at Once

I can't believe how quickly she is growing.  I find myself being sad about the stage she just left, pleased that she is doing well where she is and enjoying her right now and then anticipating what is to come - all at the same time.

I wonder if that is how God feels about us as children? We feel so lucky to have such a happy (and easy) baby!  She is such a content little lady.  We've been getting in as many snuggles and cuddles as we can.  (She is growing up so quickly!)

A few things I've been surprised about so far:

1. I like the color pink on her

2. Getting up with her at night is so special

3. She's so entertaining - even when she's doing nothing!

4. We go through a ton of burp cloths

5. How much of her little spirit comes out in this little baby body.

This week's milestones:

1. Sleeping in her crib at night- she was in a bassinet in our room (this was hard for mommy; but daddy is sleeping better:-)

2. First time hanging out with baby Nora (Mommy is watching Nora on Tuesdays and Thursdays)

3. Getting more hair - first it fell out and now it's growing back!

4. Met Aunt Bonni and Uncle Dave from Oregan

5. Some walks during the day and a morning stroll at D.C. Ranch with the whole family

Reagan is 6 weeks old

This has been a big week for Ms. Reagan.  We are beginning to see more of her personality come out each day!  She spends her days eating, sleeping and now observing the world around her and playing!  We can't get enough of her!  Today, she smiled at me for the first time!  What a way to melt my heart!

There's a smile there!



She's looking at her daddy!



This is the famous feet-clapping pose.



Pretty sure it doesn't get sweeter than this!  Look at those blue eyes!

This week's milestones: 
1. First smile
2. Using the pacifier to pacify
3. First long walks in her Red Stroller with mom and dad
4. More clothes are fitting now
5. First time to poop on dad :-)
6. Mom fitting into pre-prego jeans!