Sunday Funday with Daddy

Ryan is so busy during the week with work during the day and classes at night that he obviously then misses out on time with Reagan and I.  That's where we all happily welcome the weekend!!  Our weekends are usually packed catching up on things around the house, running errands, and spending lots and lots of time together.  This weekend was definitely one filled to the brim with activities.

Friday was rainy and yucky (but mild!) so we stayed in during the day to rest up for the busy weekend ahead.  But just because we didn't go anywhere doesn't mean girls can't have fun!  Reagan dressed up in one of her many tutu's and loved posing for the camera.  Note to those of you who know Reagan.... yes, Reagan took her headband off after the pictures were taken.

Friday afternoon came a special visit from Grammy and Pop to play with the pretty princess and have an early dinner with us all.  Reagan always loves to show everyone her playroom and how much she loves her books, especially Dogs.

Saturday was another busy day of running around.  We took Reagan to the mall to get a few things for her and soon-to-arrive brother, and to let the little lovebug run around to burn off some energy.  She loves to say "Hi" to everyone she sees and be the greeter of the mall.  Then it was off to Babies R Us to again get a few things for the nursery so we can continue along with finishing that up before our bundle of joy makes his appearance.

Rise and shine for a busy Saturday ahead!

And finally getting to the good stuff.... SUNDAY FUNDAY WITH DADDY!!!!!  Reagan finally appears to be getting over her cold and ready to be back in action for the good stuff that comes with being a curious one year old.  We thought today would be a good time to tryout the finger paints Santa brought Reagan for Christmas, especially since her former teachers always told us how much she loved arts and craft time.  They were right!  I have to admit though that just as much paint got on Reagan and her highchair as did on the paper :)

Handprints!

All cleaned up after the fun!

After getting all cleaned up and changed into clean clothes, Reagan and Daddy decided it would be fun to go outside and drive her Barbie car!!  Even though Reagan's feet touch the pedals, we're still working to teach her to push it down for the car to move so Ryan doesn't have to keep operating the car for Reagan.  

Waving to Mommy & Roxie 

What a fun time these two have together... it's so great to watch how much they enjoy their quality time together and fill it with all kinds of fun activities!  Now on to the rest of our day... Reagan's down for her afternoon nap, Ryan's again working on the nursery, and now that I'm done capturing a great weekend family memory, it's off to straightening up (again!).  

Growing Up Is Hard To Do

Reagan started going to "school" back August at The Malvern School... just three days a week.  Something to do so her curious nature was met, and play alongside other little kids since she seems to enjoy that so much.  I thought, never would my baby want to leave and go here, but boy was I wrong.  She loves school... well, the correct phrase would be LOVED school.  She did love school when she was in the infant room with Miss Nadine and Miss Stephanie and her typical routine was practiced.  

She has now been bumped up to the "young toddlers" room where the requirements are more fit for her capabilities and age... walks unassisted, feeds self, naps once a day, etc.  At first we were excited because she can do all of those things and then some, but then comes the emotional attachment Reagan has to certain people and specific routines.  After four months in her infant room, she grew to love her teachers and knew what to expect of her day in that room.  Now in the young toddler room, she has new teachers and a whole new routine to become accustomed to.  Thankfully, the one thing I swore she would have trouble with - sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag - was her easiest transition yet.  

Because this change in rooms happened right after the Christmas break, where she was home for 11 days and used to being with Mommy & Daddy all the time, Reagan is having a much harder making the switch.  Drop-off has become torturous for whichever one of us does it, since Reagan will attach to you and make sure to start crying lifting her arms up to be picked up.  When I return at the end of the day to pick her up, I'd expect to hear that the crying ended and she had a great day.  But each day now comes with the feedback that "she had a couple of crying spells when she would see her former teachers walk by" or some similar type of event.  

With all of this information and my being on maternity leave for the next 6 months, we decided that Reagan will be in school only Tuesdays and Thursdays for February and we are highly considering bringing her home all together.  I'm sure she would adjust to the new routine and new teachers but since I'm going to be home with the new baby for a while, there's really no necessity to keeping her in school.  More work for me?  Absolutely.  Worth my pretty princess' happiness? Absolutely.

30 Down, 10 To Go

How far along? 30 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: 12lbs, lost 2 pounds from last week.
Fundal Height: 28 weeks (OB isn't worried yet because of the position of the baby he feels it may be an inaccurate measurement of my uterus)
Sleep:  never a problem for this girl... especially since Reagan wears me out!
Best moment this week: Finally getting a start on the baby's nursery... thank you, Ryan and Dad!
Worst moment this week: Dropping Reagan off at school this morning, she was hysterically crying and attached to me :(
Movement: He's a fairly tame monkey, except when I'm trying to lay down and relax then he moves.  Unfortunately, he's lying transverse right now and his kicks go into my hip bones.  
Food cravings: B&W milkshake courtesy of Nifty Fifty's
Labor Signs: Lots of cramping (not BH contractions) and some back pain.  With Reagan, I was a "back laborer" so it makes me think twice about doing too much activity.  
Weekly Wisdom: Don't google concerns regarding health.  
Looking forward to next week: Trying to get The Peddle Family 2011 Yearbook completed and finalize Reagan's baby book... my personal goals before Baby Boy Peddle arrives.  

*Thanks, Jen, for the above snapshot of questions!!*

So last week at my OB appointment, Dr. R and I discussed the minor issues of cramping I've been experiencing.  For the most part, this are after a long day of up/down, in/out, and running around like a psycho.  We came to a few conclusions to try to ease the burden and keep this baby in me as long as possible, especially with the history of complications I faced with Reagan starting at about the same time in my pregnancy with her.  


First, slow it take and take it easy, as much as possible, knowing I work full-time and have a miniature toddler.  With this discussion, came the mutual decision to go out of work early since that's a controllable in my life and taking care of Reagan is non-negotiable.  Making the decision to exit early doesn't impact my time off once the baby does come, but it does impact my pay, however it's a decision Ryan and I are both comfortable with if it means everything is safe & sound with our Baby Boy.  


Second, the dreaded weekly appointments started last week as opposed to at 36 weeks (typical to a normal pregnancy).  This is mostly due in part to my history with Reagan - dilating at 28 weeks, preterm labor scare at 31 weeks, etc - as well as the factors of regular cramping with this pregnancy.  Thankfully, through both checks so far my cervix hasn't changed and let's hope it stays that way with staying at home during the day.  


All in all, at least I seem to be fairing better than I did with Reagan at this point.  The weight gain is similar (I gained 19 total with her over 39 weeks), his size is a little smaller than hers so far but I'm going to trust the doctor (until I see what he's measuring next week).  On the plus side, I haven't dilated yet and if I can make it past 32 weeks then I pass the timing of my pre-term labor scare with Reagan!  

Up, Up and Away

We took a mini-vacation this past weekend to visit our friends, The Urban's, in Apex, NC.  Also, joining in on the chaos were the Naticchione's.... it's not a party unless we're all together :)  [FYI, I love this time all together.]  You may remember that when we made this trip last February that we made the insane decision to drive, which was approximately 8 hours, with a 3 month old.  Thankfully when they're that little, being in the car seat that long does phase them and we were able to leave late at night so she could sleep the whole way there.  Being that she now despises being in the car for more than an hour, we capitalized on a huge savings with Southwest Airlines and flew down this time... Reagan's first plane ride!!!

Besides the fact it was a really short flight, she did phenomenal!  She loved being in the airport watching all of the people waiting in the terminal and definitely loved sitting by the window checking out everything on the tarmac.  As expected, she put on quite a show for everyone in the terminal... classic Reagan. 

Watching the airplanes at PHL 

Who else would occupy her time on a plane besides Mickey? 

Because it was such a BEAUTIFUL weekend in NC (and up here in NJ I hear) we were able to do outdoor activities with the kids and let them release some wild energy.  Saturday's high was near 70 with sunshine so we went to Pullen Park near NC State's campus where they recently re-opened a newly renovated park that is just FABULOUS!  There was an indoor carousel, a train that rode around the entire park, "boat" rides, and lots of jungle gym equipment to keep them occupied.  After seeing how great this space was, I'm now going to go on a hunt to find something similar up here.

Reagan & Daddy waiting in line for the carousel

Brett, Reagan and Daddy on the carousel

Jeanine & Peter having a snack at the park

Reagan & Nella running around the park

Aunt Jeanine & Reagan

That's a full house there

Reagan liked the view from Daddy's shoulders 

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!

The rest of the weekend was spent playing at the house, outside in their great backyard space, meeting Jen's NC friends, and running around like maniacs just enjoying the chaos.  Of course the guys had to get a round of golf in, I don't know why I would expect any less.  I need to find a hobby that steals me away for alone time for 6 hours.

Cole showing us the lay of the land in his yard

Peter found the sandbox 

Nella & Peter cooking up a meal 

Jump, Jump, Jump

Breakfast time 

Cole & Brett

We have to send a huge THANK YOU to Brett, Jennifer and Cole for letting us come down and stay with them for four days!!!!!  There were six adults and four kids under 5 years old in one house, so it's quite an undertaking to house us all.