And the Baby Proofing Begins!

As of August 31st, Reagan is crawling. She has been so close for several weeks now, but just the other night, I set her down to get her bath ready, and when I looked down she was slowly making her way toward me. It was so cute to see that she finally figured out how to pick up one arm and balance on the other. She is still pretty shaky, but every day she gets a little more confident. My first reaction was pure excitement as I watched her accomplish something I'd seen her try so hard to figure out, but now, I'm a little sad as it serves as a clear indication of just how fast she is growing up. I know this is just one of many many more milestones to come, but a part of me just wants to keep her at this stage forever. She has also learned to make raspberries with her lips and it is so funny. It just cracks her up! Her favorite time to do it is when I am feeding her her rice cereal, so she essentially spits it all over me! She finds that hilarious as well! What a girl!

Our Little Mexican Creeper

The first two pictures are of Reagan in the little dress we got her in Mexico, and the second picture captures Reagan's new favorite stance. She loves to be on her hands and knees, and although she cannot yet crawl, she does scootch or creep. She just inches forward or rocks back and forth. She is even developing rug burns on her knees, but they don't seem to bother her. I know she will be taking off any day now!

Cabo

Steve and I had a wonderful time in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for Cap and Wendy's wedding. Although it was very hard to be away from Reagan for the week, it was so nice to relax in the sun and to visit with friends and family! We all stayed in a beautiful 13 bedroom villa on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean. We spent one day deep sea fishing and the rest of the time lounging by the pool. What made the trip even better was the fact that every time we called home to the grandmas, we were informed that Reagan was just an angel. She did very well in our absence, and she definitely didn't have any shortage of love, cuddling, and attention! Needless to say, Steve and I were both pretty ready to come home after 7 days and get back to our little one. We couldn't believe how much more mobile she had become in just one week. She is so close to crawling, and she even looks more mature. All in all, it was a great week, but there is no place like home!

She is growing up so fast!

Reagan is now 4 and 1/2 months old and is getting bigger and more mobile by the day! Every morning when I pick her up I swear she is heavier, and now when I leave her on her play mat for a minute, I return to find that she has rolled ten feet away. She is now also rolling from her back to her tummy, and she scootches both forward and backward. Steve put together her Exersauser last weekend, and she absolutely loves it. She loves to bounce and spin around, play with all the toys, and put then all in her mouth :) I have started a play group for babies 0-6 months on the Charlotte mommies website, and Reagan and I have both had a lot of fun meeting other babies and moms. There are 6 babies in the group and Reagan is the only girl, but she can roll, scootch, and hold her head up just as well as the big boys!
Reagan has also recently started sleeping longer at night and taking more predictable naps during the day. She still doesn't love the stroller or car seat, but she is always happy in the Bjorn. Today we took her to the pool and it was the first time that we actually put her in the water. Steve, my mom and I took turns carrying her around the pool and she seemed to really enjoy kicking her feet and looking at the water. She is such a good baby! There is no way I could imagine my life without her. But next week, Steve and I are going to Mexico for 7 days for Cap and Wendy's wedding. I am very excited for the trip, but I am also very sad/nervous about leaving Reagan. She will be in great hands, as my mom, Denise, and Karly will all be here to take care of her, but I just can't imagine how much I'm going to miss her. I had my hair done today and was away for 2 hours and that was hard enough. I know it will be harder on me than it will be on her. I just hope everything goes smoothly for the grandmas! Steve and I have the 2 best moms in the world....not to mention the best little baby girl!

Our New York Visit

Reagan and I just got home from spending a week in New York with my Aunt Jeanne and Uncle John. My mom and Karly also met us there, so it was so nice to have everyone together. I met up with Steve in Syracuse for the weekend as he was in the wedding of one of his Marine buddies from 29 Palms. So it was also my first time away from Reagan for more than 3 hours. But she had wonderful babysitters so she was fine. I honestly think it was harder for me than it was for her. Uncle John would walk her around in his beautiful flower garden and sing to her and play her songs on the guitar when she got fussy, and Aunt Jeanne, Mom, and Karly would cater to her every need. It was also her first time taking a bottle, but she got the hang of it very quickly, and she liked it so much she was eating 6 ounces per feeding! During this week we also gave her her first solid food in the form of rice cereal. At her 4 month Dr.'s appointment, the pediatrician recommended that we start it once a day. Above is a picture of the first attempt, and she did very well! She sucked it down and even cried for more in between spoon fulls. I guess she takes after her dad when it comes to eating :)
During our visit, Reagan also got to meet my grandma's sister (her great-great Aunt Ruth), my Aunt Suzy, Uncle John, cousins Shaun and Sarah, and Aunt Rosie and Uncle Rudy. We also visited Fort Frey were my grandmother grew up. Reagan also did very well on the plane both ways! All in all it was a great vacation. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Reagan's 4 month Check Up

Reagan is now 4 months old and yesterday we went to the doctor's for her four month well baby visit.  We found out that she is doing very well and growing according to schedule.  She weighed 13 pounds 7 ounces and was 24 and 3/4 inches long.  This puts her at the 50th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height.  It looks like she got her dad's genes in the height department, which is a good thing :)  The doctor also informed us that her head shape is much better and there will be no need for a corrective helmet!  I was so relieved to hear that.  They also gave her four vaccines (3 in the form of shots), so she cried for a few minutes, but was very brave and looked very cute with 3 little Tasmanian devil band aids on her chunky thighs!

   Unfortunately, she does have a head cold at the moments.  She has been coughing and sneezing and had a runny nose for the last few days now.  She and I are scheduled to fly to NY tomorrow to visit my mom, Aunt Jeanne, and Uncle John and then Steve and I have a wedding there next weekend.  I am very nervous to fly with her when she is congested.  Especially because it is just the two of us.  I am just praying that she will nurse well during take off and landing so her ears don't bother her.  The doctor said she is okay to fly, so I hope he is right.  

    I can't believe Reagan is already 4 months old.  Looking back, the time has flown by (thinking in terms of some of the long nights, it may seem longer).  But I wouldn't change one moment of her life so far!  She is truly a blessing!  Everyday she is a little more alert and affectionate.  I am excited for my family in NY to be able to spend some time with her.

Congratulations CAPTAIN Pinkerton!

Today Steve was promoted from a 1st Lt. to a Captain!  Major Zimmerman and SgtMaj. Thetford came up from Columbia for the ceremony which was conducted in Steve's office here in Charlotte.  Even though it was a brief ceremony, our little Reagan managed to fall fast asleep and miss her daddy's big moment.  I felt so proud to pin on Steve's captain bars (with a little help from the major) knowing all that he had put into his career and all the sacrifices he as made for our country.  It was so nice to have Denise, Cate, and Karly here for the ceremony!