CherrickVille

Four Months Old - Got Sleep?

Reagan is now four months old!  She is just tons of fun, smiles and a giggle every now and then.  She continues to be very mellow and happy in her demeanor.

We are going through what Dr. Google calls the "Four Month Wakeful Period."  She is waking up more often at night and taking shorter naps during the day.  Experts disagree as to how to handle this change in behavior.  But, most say that she is becoming more aware of her surroundings and may even want to play in the middle of the night (ugh:-) both good signs of healthy development. 

Additionally, this is a common age for growth spurts, so, some argue that she may really be hungry upon waking up at 2 am - when she was going longer stretches at night between feeds.  Just in the last week, she started taking 30 minute naps - this is also a sign of hitting a developmental milestone.

One Web site said that she might be practicing sitting up or other new skills in her sleep and could wake her up.  Who knows what happens in her little mind, but, for now, I am happy to be woken up to help her figure out how to make it through the night...  This too shall pass.

For Christmas, my Dad (his book), and Kevin's parents came to enjoy the holiday with us and spoil us and Reagan and to participate in our dedication to raise Reagan in a Christian home and teach her about Jesus and pray that she will one day receive Christ as her own Lord and Savior.

Granddaddy Warren and Reagan - together for the first time!

 

Tom (my Dad), Dave (Kevin's Dad), Scherry (Kevin's Mom), Reagan, Me, Kevin

 

The Bib Club Gets Dedicated (Here's Kevin and Alan holding Reagan and Nora)

Christmas Delights

I love traditions.  I love using things that have been passed down (i.e. skills or recipes).  So, in the spirit of tradition, I am happy to share one from way back.

My great grandmother was born in Germany and came to New York via Ellis Island when she was a teenager (when Hitler was doing his thing).  She would send these cookies to my mom and her siblings when they were little.  To me, they taste like Christmas.  I like to imagine that she picked up this recipe from her mom, but who knows.  Thus, the tradition of making cookies for Christmas- specifically Butter Cookies - came to be.

Butter Cookies:

1 lb sweet butter (salted butter - room temperature)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
beat until fluffy
4-5 cups of flour
1 lemon zest

refrigerate dough overnight - roll out and cut out shapes - decorate with sprinkles and holiday embellishments before baking (hint: brush cut outs with egg whites to help stick)
Cook time: 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes

Some Things We Can't Resist

Kevin and I found two things that we just HAD to have for Reagan.  Kevin stumbled across this cute little beany when he was purchasing some stuff for the gym.  And I found some cute socks at the baby boutique (Blossom) that one of our members owns.

I love them both for different reasons.  Enjoy:

Can't Get Enough of You Baby

Today, she was extra smiley.  We went shopping and she was so happy looking around at everything, taking in the colors, sounds and people and even talked a little bit while I was checking out.  She's not taking naps as easily when I take her out.  It seems like she's just having too much fun!

Here's some pictures of Reagan - just cause:

A Fireplace, Some Hot Chocolate and Good Friends

We spent the weekend after Thanksgiving outside of Payson, AZ in a cozy cabin with some of our closest friends!  We played games, read by the fire and took care of babies!

Reagan was completely wide-eyed the whole time we were there.  She wasn't as chatty as we are used to and definitely took in the new environment.  On Sunday, it SNOWED which was a huge treat for us Valley dwellers. 

From the Left: Nora, Alan and Steph Flies
In Front: Denise, John and Madison Gusich
Top Right: Michelle Broek, Joy, Kevin and Reagan Cherrick

Here we are braving the chilly weather.  All the babies had pink noses when we returned.