What we have been up to...

Thursday ( I know, I am behind).... Jon didn't have to work until 4, so he kept Reagan home while I went to work. They took Butters on a walk out on the trail. The last time we did this, Reagan couldn't walk, this time was a little different. Jon said that she had a lot of fun out there. She would run and then stop and dance, and then run some more. That afternoon she took a 3 hour nap. When she got up we went with Jamie (friend and neighbor) for a long walk. After our walk we had a little picnic in the front yard- Reagan has a hot dog , chips, and some apple. Jamie and I had a MGD 64! Then to top it off we went over to Dairy Queen and got ice-cream. Jamie was feeding it to Reagan on the way home and then when we dropped Jamie off, Reagan started crying saying "Jamie, my ice-cream!" Once I showed her that I had some as well, she was fine! It was a great day!!

Friday... We didn't do much during the day. Friday night the boys I used to nanny came over to play. Reagan LOVES the boys! They played, watched movies, ate ice-cream sundaes, and fell asleep. It was fun to see them and catch up with their parents.

Saturday... We did a lot of cleaning. Jon and my dad went to gun show while Reagan helped me with the chores. In the afternoon I ran some errands in Ames. When I got back Phyllis was here to stay with us. (Jon's grandma) She hasn't seen Reagan for a few weeks, so we thought she should come and stay. Reagan was very excited to see her and had lots of fun playing with her. She sat on her lap for almost an entire movie.

Here they are! Phyllis doesn't like getting her picture taken AT ALL!!! But I got a few!

This is a picture of the yummy dessert I made! Here is the recipe:

Mix an angel food cake as directed. Bake it in a Jelly Roll pan for about 15 minutes. (I bake mine on parchment paper- if you don't use it, you should!!)

Once it is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then roll it up. (you can put a towel with powdered sugar or more parchment paper before you roll) Then let it cool.

The filling I made is a big container of cool whip mixed with a little chocolate sauce and lots of crushed butterfingers. ( You can use any kind of candy bar you want. )

Unroll the cake, cover it with the filling and roll it back up!! Keep it in the refrigerator!

Sunday... Reagan slept in until 8am!! So I slept in! We got up and Reagan played with Phyllis. Then we got ready and went to Valentinos Brunch Buffet! I can't believe how much Jon and Phyllis love this place! When we got home Phyllis took off for home to try and beat the storms. We were so happy to have her stay with us and can't to see her again! After she left we attempted to lay Reagan down for a nap. She played for about an hour, then Jon got her up. I cleaned out my half of the closet and went through my clothes. I got rid of 4 garbage bags full of clothes! Now, I just need to get Jon to go through his... It was a lazy night and Reagan was in bed asleep before 7! It was a great weekend even though the weather wasn't very nice!

Just one day...

Dear God,

I need just ONE day of no ear infection! I will take screaming, kicking, hitting, yelling, crying, throwing, puking, pooping, whining, and whatever else you got, just not ear infection!! Just one day of no medicine, no runny poops because of medicine, no good looking pharmacist filling our medicine (:)), no tricking Reagan into taking medicine!! Just ONE day! That is all I need to get my head on straight and my act together to make me feel like I am not failing as a parent! Just ONE day (and if it is not too much to ask, could you take away my ear infection too!!) ONE day would be a good start.....

Dressed in Easter Best!

I can't think of anything to write...I am speechless at how cute she looked!!!

Hoppy Easter!!

Reagan has no idea what was going on Easter Morning... but it didn't take her long to figure it out! She found her Easter basket right away. In her basket she had:

• Polka dotted sun glasses
• A baseball hat
• A camouflage hat
• "Over the Hedge" Movie
• A yellow chocolate bunny
• Eggs filled with M&M's and Money (this is also what was in the eggs she hunted)
• Marshmallow and Chocolate Bunnies
• An octopus cup with a straw
• A Finding Nemo Coloring book and color wonder marker

Reagan hunting for eggs!

Here she is wearing her new glasses and hat while putting all her money in her piggy bank!!

SUPERSTAR!!


Egg Hunt #2...

At grandma and grandpa Tjelmelands house, there was another hunt. It was only for Reagan! Grandma Sue and Grandma Becki hid eggs and carrots all over the front yard. Daddy helped hold your basket while mommy took pictures and grandpa videotaped!

We had a good Easter! We went to church and Reagan was good. When we got there Jon asked her if she was going to be good and she said yes! We sat in the cry room so it is kind of hard to hear. There were 3 week old twins sitting behind us, so Reagan was excited to watch the babies. From what I heard it was a good sermon. Reagan danced during all of the songs. When they were over she would clap for herself and say Yay!

After church we headed up to my parents for lunch. Becki (Jon's mom) joined us along with my grandma Ruth and Uncle Mike. We had spiral ham, corn, green bean casserole, jello fruit salad, rolls, angel food cake, and chocolate toffee pie... Needless to say we did not starve! After lunch Reagan hunted for eggs, Jon and Reagan took a nap, dad watched golf and mom, Becki, and I played WII!! It was a good day.

No More Mullet!!

Before
My friend Laura (who also does my hair) came up to our house one Friday afternoon and cut Reagans hair. She is getting ready to have her first baby in May, so we thought we shouldn't wait any longer! She doesn't usually do house calls, but I think Reagan is her exception!! I gave Reagan a yogurt smoothie and turned on "Ratatouille" for her to watch. She did great!

This is a strand of long hair that Reagan has had since she was a baby! I know what one it is every time I wash her hair... but it is gone now!

The new "Do"!

Way to Go Tarheels!!

Getting ready for the game!

Jon with Rob, Connor, and Ashlie Drew!! #1 Tarheel Fans!!

I JUST CAN'T WIN!!!

Here we go again! I wake up this morning and get all ready for work. I go to get Reagan up and her eyes are crusted over and watering, she has green snot dripping from her eyes, nose, and ears and she can't stand up holding both her "B" and "blanket". She is smiling and acting like she is fine- but she did not look fine. Jon and I both agreed it was time to take her in to see the doctor AGAIN!! I call work and let them know that I don't think I will be in, but would let them know what the doctor says. We get to the doctors office and I TRIED to confine my gross looking child in the event that she is contagious- after a bit of screaming I gave up. I figure it is a doctors office and I am sure this isn't the first time a contagious child is running around.
When we get back to see the doctor, Reagan figures out she can open the door! So then next battle begins while we wait for the doctor to come in. He came in and checked her out.... pink eye (starting) and EAR INFECTION!!!!!!!!!!!! I about started bawling right then and there. I can't win. I don't know what else I can do to protect my child from this. I make her wear a hat, I try my best to keep water out of her ears, I don't let her play outside when the weather is questionable...I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO!!! So we are trying some medicine and then re-check and if that doesn't seem to help we will be making another trip to see the ENT! Oh yeah, and she is getting a yeast infection from the antibiotics she was on 3 weeks ago..........
We went to the pharmacy to get her medicine and I left her there for 5 minutes so I could drop off somethings at work for the day. When I came back to get her Jon and I held her down to put her eye drops in. It was not pretty. Everyone says it will get better when the weather changes... if it doesn't I am moving!!
I am open for any suggestions of how to deal with this... I think I will start with a drink tonight!

Woo Hoo!!

Monday I bought Reagan a potty chair at Target. I have the ring that you put on your toilet seat, but I thought the actual potty chair would be more fun. I am by no means in potty training mode. I just thought I would see how she did. Well... she didn't disappoint tonight! She was in the middle of her bath and stood up and told me "pee potty". So I put her on there. I really didn't think she would do anything. She sat and sang her pee-pee in the potty song and danced a little, then got up and walked away. I looked in and there is was... PEE in the potty!!!! I was sooo excited! Again, I am not going to be putting her in underwear any time soon, but we made it a big deal! We called Great Grandma Phylis to tell her and daddy. Daddy had already left grandmas so we called his cell phone.
I finally got her pajamas put on. When we got downstairs she put on her bunny ears and came into the kitchen and said " I need marshamells!". Then she walked over to the cupboard where I keep the marshmallows and waited looking very cute in her yellow bunny ears. How could I deny that!!

sNOw thank you!!!

This is what it looked like in our backyard on Sunday!! Doesn't mother nature know it is April!!

Hmm..maybe this snow isn't too bad...

Yucky!!

Maybe I will try it one more time!

Watch out Easter Bunny.. you have a little competition this year!!

Because of the crappy weather, we stayed home. We spent the day watching movies, playing with toys, running around the house, getting all of the books out, making cinnamon rolls, sitting between the fireplace and tv thinking this was hilarious, jumping on daddy, and wearing our pajamas!! Although the weather was yucky outside, we enjoyed a much needed day in our pajamas!! But mother nature- you can take your snow back!!

On Saturday Reagan went on her first easter egg hunt with my mom and grandma. My aunt and cousins were there with their kids too. My mom said Reagan wasn't too sure of the Easter Bunny. She did have fun with Brock and Mackena. She got lots on little treasures on her hunt including: Easter Bunny Ears (with help for Lisa and Stefani), markers, bubbles, a flag, and some candy. I think she really likes the ears!!

These are the Days...

These are the Days I want to Remember....

The days of:

• Rubbing your hair or mine when you are tired
• Jumping in your crib and refusing to get out until you are ready
• Talking to me and daddy through the baby monitor
• Running, running, and running everywhere
• Dancing to Mamma Mia
• Getting out all of your books and reading them
• Giving Brandy and Butters toys while they are laying down and telling them to say thank you
• Picking up Brandy and Butters food bowls when they are done eating
• Dumping all your food on your tray and putting your plate on your head as a hat
• Dancing, dancing, dancing
• Saying "Good Morning" to daddy and me when we get you up and then to Butters and Brandy when we get downstairs
• Singing "Twinkle, Twinkle", "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", and "Super Trooper"
• Recognizing colors-handing mommy something and telling me what color it is!
• Eating colored marshmallows. You know what cupboard they are in and you stand there and say please until I cave and give you some
• Sitting on the potty and singing "Pee Pee on the Potty"- but not actually going
• Watching Finding Nemo
• Only wanting the Tractor Book in the car
• Watching basketball with daddy
• Saying "Again" all of the time
• Climbing up and down the stairs until we make you stop
• Sitting with me and daddy on the couch and saying "Daddy, Mommy, Reagan" over and over again
• Trying to distract us while you do what you aren't supposed to (usually taking the remote or phone)
• Talking on the phone to Michael and saying "Hi Michael" over and over again
• Attempting to throw tantrums- you are not very good at it
• Whispering - you like to whisper at random times
• Wearing hats , scarves, and gloves and telling us "Bye-Bye"
• Saying please and thank you
• Running with your arms wide open to give us hugs
• Saying "Wuv You" and grabbing our faces to give us open mouth kisses
• Cuddling with you "B" when you are tired

There are so many things that I want to remember about this age and I am afraid I will forget. It is hard to believe that Reagan will be 2 in less than 6 months. That is the one thing I want to forget- that no matter how I try to take it all in, she is still growing up so fast!

Apparently she doesn't want to turn 2 either!

Parker James Domino

Just laying around.

Wednesday was an exciting day in this house, "Parcher" as Reagan likes to call him came over with his mommy. Lisa has been my best friend since we were in kindergarten. She has been there for me through so much and has always been a true friend. Lisa and her husband Steve just moved back to Iowa about a year ago when she completed optometry school. In December they had Parker James!! We are SO excited to have them back in Iowa!!

Reagan loves to play with Parker. She likes to grab his hands and sing "Row, Row" with him, she likes to take his toys and pretend they are hers, most of all she just loves to hug Parker! She asks about him all the time and has named one of her babies "Parcher". She got to play with Parker some yesterday, but eventually had to give in to her crabbiness and take a nap. When she woke up she asked for Parker and cried when she found out he was gone. She stood at the fireplace mantle and pointed to his picture crying and asking for him. Eventually she stopped and I explained to her that we will see him again soon. Until then, she will have to settle for these pictures...

Reagan starting to rub her hair (because she was tired) while Parker is all smiles!

Check out those dimples!! So Cute!