6 Month Photo Shoot

A big THANKS to Kayla Ellison Dyal for taking these pictures for us! We Love them!!

6 month update

So hard to believe that my baby boy is already 6 MONTHS old! It's a bittersweet day for me. I want him to stay little and stop growing so fast, but at the same time I LOVE watching him grow into such a sweet, happy little boy! Happy Half Birthday Reeden!

 Height/Weight: He weighs 18 lbs 8 oz. 28 in long and his head circumference is 44 cm. That put him in the 95th percentile for his height and 75th for weight and head. He's definitely a growing boy:) He is wearing 6-9 months, 6-12 months and 9 months clothing, depending on brand.

Daily: His routine has definitely changed! He was taking 3 or 4 naps a day, but now he has one big nap (2 hours) mid-day and another in the afternoon. This does vary, but most days that's his schedule.  He still loves jumping in his exersaucer, or any where for that matter(ie: my lap, crib, changing table) haha. He is pretty much content sitting on his play mat, couch, or play pen with his toys:) He "talks" all the time,(even when no one's around) I love to stand in the next room and listen to him jabber away! He can now say mama, dada, and baba. He is such a happy baby.

Bedtime: We have finally put him in his crib :(  He still sleeps through the night, but here lately has been waking up once to eat, then goes back to bed? Maybe just a growth spurt.

Eating: He is still eating 3 baby food meals a day, along with 6 oz of formula, usually every 4-5 hours. We are now in 2nd foods, lots of new flavors! I'm excited to see how he does with them!  He is taking his bottle better this month, I think he was teething so much last month, and that affected his eating.

Milestones: He has 2 teeth! I'm sure another is about to show up, he has been attacking anything he can get to his mouth!
Saying mama and dada and baba. Along with jabbers this is usually what you hear from him and I LOVE IT!
Has learned to squeal! Talking, crying,happy,sad there's usually squealing involved!
Of course jumping! He could go all day! The boy has energy!
Sits up on his own. He was doing this last month too.
Sleeping in his crib. I think this was harder on me, than on him!
Growls! He has been doing this for a while also
Snorts- Instead of laughing he does this and it's the CUTEST thing I have ever seen!
I think this pretty much covers everything for his 6 months! We are truly blessed to have such a happy and healthy baby.

To my Mom

Sometimes I wonder how I could survive without you.  I am so thankful to have a mom who is not only my mother, but my friend.  You have always been there for me, cheering me on when no one else would.  Now that I am a mother too, it only intensifies my love for you.  I now see the many sacrifices you have made for me. You always put your children first, no matter what!  I can only strive to be the mother to my son, that you have been to me. I Love You!

My 1st Mother's Day

It seems funny that a national holiday is dedicated to us when, it's "them" who make us what we are.  I feel a little biased celebrating this holiday having been blessed with the incredible gift of loving this life we created, but at the same time I want to share my joy, my gratitude, my love with everyone!  There are so many wonderful people, craving this unearthly motherly love feeling, and haven't been able to taste it. Motherhood is a constant, beautiful journey.  I don't need gifts or material things.  Reeden is my greatest gift, and no joy can compare with that of his simple existence.  It's not my day, but his, for loving him is what makes me happy.                                                                                               

                                              

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all feel adored, appreciated, valued and honored! And for those who have lost or are longing, please know I remember you, and believe you deserve to be celebrated too! 

Can't Handle It

I just can't handle the cuteness! He is too handsome for his own good. I am obsessed! Sitting up like a big boy at 5 1/2 months.

Mommy Self-Esteem

     First off, I contemplated posting this, just because I am more of a private person (says the woman with a blog) about myself. I love sharing about my son and family, usually just leave myself out of it. This is in no way a search for pity or sadness I just want to share what I have been feeling as a new mommy, and hopefully some can relate.

     Five months after giving birth, I look in the mirror and realize I look nothing like I did as a newlywed. I realize that I will probably never look the way I did when I was 18. And in my heart I know that it is okay and I am enough. But my head feels differently... and so do my thighs!

     I would like to say that I look at my son and all of the insecurity goes away. I do feel that way at times, but sometimes I just feel blah and I fall apart.  Seeing your body change when you didn't have the best body image to begin with is hard, no matter who you are.  I felt it before I was pregnant, while I was pregnant, and I definitely feel it now!

     I find my self needing reassurance that I am beautiful, that used to not be as important to me. I usually don't need people to tell me I am worth something to believe it.

     To combat this feeling of inferiority, I have been taking some steps to feel better about myself:
First I have been trying to get dressed for the day, everyday. This truly helps boost your self-esteem, even if no one else but my handsome boy is going to see me:) I have been exercising and eating healthier. Drinking more and more water and less diet coke.

    Secondly, I'm not comparing myself to others-what is the point anyway? I do not lose anything when someone gains- I am enough. Being kind and truly happy for others helps me to be happy with myself. It really does. Selflessly serving others is a good way to let go of yourself.

     I am so blessed with a sweet husband and son and I am making great strides in letting this feeling of inferiority go for good!

Peace and loving others so we can more fully love ourselves- thanks for reading!
                                                         Rachael

5 month update

                                             Reeden's 5 month update

Height/Weight: I don't have the official measurements for him this month, but there's no doubt he has definitely grown!! He is now wearing 6-9 month clothing. Still in size 2 diapers but could bump it up to size 3, just trying to use up what I have:)

Daily: His personality is really starting to shine! He loves to laugh and growl. He is definitely in tune with his surroundings, nothing gets past him! I had to put away his swing, he has outgrown it! It was a bittersweet moment for me, but in its place is the exersaucer.  He would jump in it all day if we let him, he is a very active little guy! He grabs and touches EVERYTHING!! Time to baby proof the house:)

Eating: Pretty big month for him! He has 3 baby food meals a day now, along with 4-5 six oz bottles of formula! He has tried apples,bananas,prunes,carrots,sweet potatoes,and peas. He loved all of them, except the peas, he wasn't too sure about those! He still loves his baby cereal.

Bedtime: His routine is still the same as last month. He still sleeps through the night, but taking longer naps through the day. He isn't in his crib yet,still in the rock n play, but that's our goal for this coming month!

Milestones:

• Said mama!! <3
• First tooth popped through
• Sitting up on his own
• Gets upset if we hold another baby!
• Rolling over (finally) 
• Notices everything