Maddy at school

This morning, Reagan threw a holy fit before going to school. She didn't want to go. Jim put her in the car for me while I grabbed her lunch. By the time I got to the car, she had wiggled her way out of her seat belt and was screaming hysterically. Uh oh.

I put her back in and told her to stop and "carried on" as you do with toddlers.

She wouldn't calm down - or she couldn't. I'm not sure which. Either way, Reagan was really worked up about something. By the time I got to the fire station, she was completely out of the top part of her seat belt and was leaning sideways out of her seat - all the while screaming hysterically. Hmmm.

I knew I couldn't drive that way and I didn't want her to puke, so I pulled over in the fire station parking lot. I got out and held her for a bit and just tried to talk to her. I finally got her to calm down and start talking to me. "Maddy" was all she said. I, of course, thought she meant her little sister. But she didn't. There was a girl at her school that was mean to her - she didn't want to go.

I convinced her to go to school to talk to her teacher. We did. She was telling the truth. Her teacher said "she can be not very nice" and that she'd watch them interacting to make sure she was behaving. Ok. She was still clinging to my leg as I left. The cool thing - the dance teacher offered her a free lesson for the day. I grabbed that and left her in her first dance class. That was a good distraction for her to start the day better. I left her with the promise that I'd pick her up early. Whew.

So I did... I picked her up a little after 4:00 pm today. She and Maddy were friends again. I had asked her what she did today and who she played with. Maddy was at the top of her list.

I'm not ready for the "girl mean thing" to start. Apparently it starts at the age of three. Hmmm.

Dualling contractions

Tonight we went out with Paul and Emily. Em and I are due three weeks apart. It's nice because we will be off from work at the same time together again. Hopefully with the second kid we can be more relaxed.

Anyway, we got our parents to take our kids and took off for downtown. We had Boi Na Braza (all you can eat meat) and walked around the Square a bit. I honestly didn't think I could eat as much as I did.

The funny thing was that we both ended up having contractions one after the other at times. I stood up from dinner and almost immediately had one while trying to walk to the bathroom. We decided that the "girls" were trying to talk to each other.

Reagan & Sean's first date (LOL)

Tonight, we met the Cahills out for a visit at the Newport Aquarium. Both Reagan and Sean we very excited to see each other. This was also Reagan's first trip to the Aquarium. When Sean arrived, she giggled with glee and they both ran to each other.

Both kids had a great time looking at the fish. They held hands and even hugged at times. Emily dubbed this "their first date". Awwww.

Reagan's favorite part (probably) was the shark petting area. She wanted to dive into the water with the sharks. She got such a kick out of being able to pet them. I think the other part she enjoyed was the large fish tank. She loved crawling into the bubble to watch the fish.

Unfortunately, I left the camera in the car so I had to use my camera phone (which stinks). I'll post some pics later.

Cookie Club 2009 ROCKS!

Tonight we met, ate and traded cookies. YUMMY!!!

Thanks Ladies! You are all wonderful women - I love getting to see you.

Hangin' with Sean!

Tonight, we got together with Emily and Sean at Totter Otterville. Since Jim was not home, I decided to find a way to let Reagan run crazy while I didn't have to. Johnny's is the perfect place. We got there about 5:30 pm and let them go. They played on the trains, the make believe room, the padded area, the blocks.

After we all ate, we made our way over to the ball pit. Oh My! They were hysterical. Sean did these dive bombs into the ball pit. He'd get prepared and then just launch himself forward and giggle. Reagan would just scream with glee watching him. Every once in a while, she'd jump down into the balls. Way too cute. Eventually there was enough static electricity built up that their hair was standing on ends. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of that - my camera died.

They played on the slides and finally starting showing signs of wearing down about 7:30 pm. Whew. I had a great time relaxing with Emily. It was a really nice way to spend a Friday evening. Thanks Em!

Sean - my buddy Sean

Last night, after running some fun errands, we dropped by Paul and Emily's house to pick up the speakers for our new basement. Turned out that Mr. Sean was still up and ready to go. I asked Reagan if she wanted to see Sean and she lit up like a lightbulb.

So we all climbed out of the car and piled in the front door. The kids were off and running. They played and giggled. We went upstairs and saw Sean's playroom (very cool Em!). It was nice. We actually hadn't seen each other in a month - I'm guessing. So it was nice to let the kids play and chat with some grownups too.

Taco Tuesday and beyond

Tonight after work, we all met Emily, Paul and Sean for Taco Tuesday! Woo hoo. We love Tacos from Margaritas and we love them even more when they are cheap. The kids did well during dinner, but as soon as they were done eating, they both wanted down.

Emily started Sean off by walking around the restaurant. As soon as Reagan saw that, she wanted in on the fun. We eventually had two adults chasing two toddler walking around the circle at the restaurant. GOod thing they are good kids and not totally obnoxious. Most the other adults in the place thought the kids were cute and didn't seem to mind them stopping occasionally to say hi. :)

After we ate, we took off for the park. Reagan loves the park. The kids ran around, went down the slides and climb walls. It was a blast watching them goof off. I think we were all secretly hoping that we'd wear them out enough that they'd sleep through the night. :) He heee.

Jack Fox turns 2

We all packed up today after Reagan's nap and headed over to Christy and Spanky's house for Jack's second birthday party. Woo hoo! Mr. Man is growing up. He is just way too cute. Super blonde hair and blue eyes and just a cute personality.

Reagan had a blast with his toys. :) Christy had set up the water table for the kids to play on and Reagan had a blast. She played with another young girl for a while - even shared some. But for the most part, she just splashed and got completely soaked.

She and Jack played with some ballons in the house for a bit. That was cute. They both were juming up and down for a while and having a great time.

After a few hours, she had a meltdown which caused us to leave. Unfortunately it was right in the middle of them opening gifts. Ugh.

Busy day

Today Jim and I decided to be lazy. He was still not feeling real great because of brochitus and neither one of us felt like running around. Reagan played great all morning and went down for an early nap. But after the nap, we got a call from Emily saying "I'm bored can we come over".

The kids played well together. Reagan hovered over all her toys which made us all laugh. She has a set of discovery cards that she is very particular about. I tried to get the both of them together to look at them. They did ok. But Reagan did not want Sean to touch the "dog" and "cow cards. But he could have the "cat". Hee heeee. By the end of the evening, they did much better. They are both just so darn adorable.

One hilarious thing - Sean can go down the stairs backwards. All she had to do is say "go down down" and he sat, turned and slid down the steps on his belly. Hmmm.

Going out - I'm free

Tonight I went out with my friend Cristina. I haven't seen her since before my surgery. It was REALLY nice to get out without anyone. It was nice to have something be all about me. Man.

So we went JoAn's in Florence to eat Sushi. It was the best! I hadn't had sushi since I quit breastfeeding in June or July when Andrea came into town. MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!

We talked about everything except men and family. Of course we talked about Reagan - why wouldn't we. Right? :) But nothing else. We talked about us - girl stuff. WOW! What the heck is that like?

I felt so much better after I got home.

I was able to get home in time to put Reagan to bed. I actually did it too. I gave her a bottle in the rocking chair and then she got so antsy I couldn't wait on Jim to carry her to bed. I put her on the floor and she walked to her crib. So cool.

Emily and Paul

Tonight, we met Emily and Paul out for dinner with the kids. We probably had not seen them in over a month. It was really good to see them and see how much the kids have changed. Sean has grown so much - it's just amazing. Tomorrow is his birthday too. Woo hooo - he's one.

The kids did great - they both ate and played. We even got them down to watch them walk. Sean was hilarous. He would pick his little feet up and kick them out before putting them back on the ground. Just so darn cute!!!

After we got Reagan down, she "ran" to catch up to them. After a few moments of play in the restaurant, we bundled them back up. I didn't want to be "that parent that lets her kid run crazy". :)

Panting?

Ok, my friend Emily told me a little while ago that her son was panting. Yes, like a dog. Hmmm. I thought it was really cute. Here's the funny thing - now Reagan is doing it. What the heck? Is this a thing that all babies do? She just started doing it yesterday morning and did it again thismorning. She picks up her toys, wanders around and pants - fast.

It is way too cute.

Thanks

I got a phone call from my friend Emily today. She let me know today that the girls are going to be providing our family dinners while I'm laid up with my leg. Holy Cow. I was just amazed. I had not even asked for any help. How amazing is that?
All I know is that I have some great folks around me and it reminds me how grateful I am!

Paul, Emily and Little man Sean

The Cahills came over this afternoon for a visit. They showed up about 2pm and stayed until a little after 7pm. As soon as Reagan got up, the kids were playing on the floor together. Since Reagan is getting more mobile, it's easier for her to play with Sean.

They did really well together. I don't think Reagan hit him once. Ha ha. I took tons of pictures, of course, of the two of them together. It's been so long since I've seen him. He's just so darn cute and photogenic. he heeee.

After we ate some of Jim's new chili, the guys passed out on the couches. Emily and I were on the floor with the kids. Sean eventually laid down with his daddy and it made it "the boys are sleeping and the girls are playing". Too cute.

We had a nice visit with them. Hopefully next time we'll hit the pool.

Into the evening

As soon as I got home, I had to hand my little angel off to Jim to attend a 5pm Conference Call and then I had to get to the chiropractor by 615pm. As soon as I got back from all of that, we bundled the kids up and took off to have dinner with Paul, Emily and Sean at Margaritas.

Reagan did much better this time with eating out. Some nights it is more work, but tonight she seemed more relaxed about it all. She even ate spinach. Whenever we eat with them, Jordan absolutely must sit next to Emily. It's cute how she feels that attachment to her and Emily seems to enjoy it.

I figured out that Reagan loves to drink ice water. She also loves to dig her hand into the ice cold water and pull out the ice and try to eat it. :) wweeeee! That was a fun learning.

The best part of dinner was little Sean and his noises (and then Reagan joining in). Reagan does her own noises - she cooes, she yells, she does all sorts of stuff. But Sean did this thing that about made me pee in my pants. Paul put his finger in between his lips and moved it up and down (I'm sure you know what I am talking about). As soon as he started doing that, Sean started making a single tone out which made the indian nose. And it wasn't quiet at all. Apparently he can do this on his own as well. Jim was holding Reagan at the time and thought - let's try it with her. She had done it on her own, but he wondered what she'd do. So it was the two of them. Bababababbbababbabba. Oh My Gosh! It was something that you'd see on Funniest Home Videos and it would win. They were loud and both dads didn't stop. Wow! I cried and snorted as I watched our kids play.

Trying to Crawl

Emily and Paul came over tonight to visit. Their little boy, Sean, is crawling all over the place. It’s so funny to watch him just go because Reagan just doesn’t [go]. As Paul says, “she’s anchored [to the floor]”. I said “well anchored”. She tried multiple times to pull on his ears and grab him. He would just crawl. She did bonk him on the head with her little tin drum. Poor Sean. He had already taken a fall earlier that day and had a knot on his head. Reagan gave him a red mark on his forehead by shoving the popcorn tin into his head. Geez. So the funny thing is, Reagan is trying to crawl. She gets so mad. She can scoot backwards and turn around, but she won’t go forward yet.

Let's Relax

Well, she did pretty well the second time in the Erlanger Baptist Church nursery. She got a little upset when we dropped her off, but we were still able to stay in the church service. And not only that, she was happy by the time we picked her up too. That’s always nice.

After church, we went to BBRus to pick up a second car seat and run some other small errands and then go home. We wanted to have a lazy day and definetly got that. Emily and Paul brought Sean over to hang out. We relaxed for a while before heading up to the pool. Sean and Reagan loved the pool. It was Sean’s first time in one and he did great. Once dinner was over, I sat down on the couch and almost passed out. I was exhausted and ready for bed. Tomorrow is my first day at work. Ugh.

Weekend with Andrea

Well, we picked Andrea up on Thursday afternoon and took her back to the airport today. The weekend was wonderful in so many ways - I just hated to take Andrea to the airport. I didn’t want the weekend to end. Reagan really got attached to her very quickly. It was amazing. She went to her almost right away and really clung to her the whole time. Reagan was in great spirits all weekend and things just couldn’t have worked out better.
Andrea (or Aunt Andrea as I call her to Reagan) seemed to really enjoy her as well.
It was a little odd this morning – Reagan actually did her little “I’m rebelling cry” after Andrea said goodbye to her. I know she probably didn’t have a clue that she was leaving town – but I wondered for a brief moment if she did.

Aunt Andrea – thanks for such a great weekend! We can’t wait to see you again.

Today was a really nice day. Reagan slept from about 830 last night til 800 this morning. Wow. After she got up, she ate and then we quickly took off for the Cincinnati Zoo. This was the first time Reagan had been. Both Andrea and I hadn’t been in probably a decade either. It’s been a really long time. And of course “we were going for Reagan”. Ha ha. Yea – we wanted to see the monkeys and all sorts of stuff. I did completely forget how much the zoo stinks. But my allergies reminded me shortly after we got there.

We had a blast – we saw penguins hanging out, monkeys swinging, babies with their mothers, the giraffes and a ton of other cool animals. Reagan did great through the whole thing. She was able to see a lot of the stuff and just absorb it. She definetly likes to people watch. About two hours after we go there, she fell asleep for her nap. It was toasty warm out which is perfect sleeping weather for her. She clung to her little snuggly as we walked around a little more before venturing into the gift shop. What a nice time.

Tonight we headed to dinner at Max & Ermas with my parents. It’s probably been since my wedding that they had seen her. It was a nice evening with them – just hanging out.

Andrea

Andrea came in town today. Yea. We haven’t seen her in a little while – and she hasn’t seen Reagan since she was in my belly.  Reagan and I went to the airport and talked about “Aunt Andrea” coming to town the whole time. We waited and waited by the escalator for her to arrive in the baggage area. When she got there, Reagan had really no problem going to her at all. It took her about 2 minutes to warm up and she was hooked. She loved Andrea from the start. She smiled and cooed. I can’t believe how easy it was.

After picking her up, we came home to hang out and wait for Jim to get home. We met Emily and Paul for dinner at Sweet Basil. Emily has taken a new job (and I have a new one) so we had decided to celebrate. It was nice having our friends together like that.