Daddy's "little bear"

"So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone..."


Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella

Pictures speak louder then words sometimes.

Things we've needed and not needed the last 6 months...

Every mom & dad has them. Their favorite baby things. From carriers to bottles to toys. My opinion might not count for a whole lot but I'd like to share some of our favorites and not so favorites with you. Teagan asked me to share her favorite toys with you and I will do that in the next post!

Favorites:

1) Boppy was by far (and still is) one of our favoirte things. I was blessed to be able to breastfeed Teagan and this helped during those times when I was tired and wanted us both to be comfortable. We also used the Boppy pillow to lay Teagan in for naps on the couch (with one of us right there with her) in her early months. Actually, for the first month she was either in our arms or the Boppy for most of the day! Until she could sit up on her own we used it as a cushion for if she would topple one way or the other and I seriously think this helped her sit on her own so early & so well.

2) We loved (she doesn't use it anymore) the Boppy Bouncer in Pink. For the first 3 or so months she would take naps and watch me get ready while relaxing in the bouncer. She doesn't really like it anymore because she would rather be able to move around so it's fixing to go into the storage closet but we loved it while it lasted!

3) The Bumbo seat has been wonderful! She started sitting in it around 2 months to help with her neck strength and now we use it for feedings! We use the Bumbo with the tray attachment and she loves it! It helps her sit straight up and she does really well during feedings.

4) A nightlight. This is more for my benefit then hers. This is so I don't fall when I go in to check on her at night.

5) Medela pump has been a God-send. Teagan has been able to continue to have breastmilk at her afternoon feeding at daycare (I feed her at lunch) because of this pump. It is a little pricey but if it means that Teagan is still able to have breastmilk when i'm not around (on top of the money we've saved not having to buy formula) then it's worth it.

6) Her exersaucer is her new favorite thing! She has the "fun at the pond" version and loves the ducks and fish and flowers on it! It has been incredible to see how she has come from just looking at the toys on the exersaucer to manipulating the toys like a champ! It has also helped with her leg strength!

7) The SwaddleMe was another God-send. I didn't swaddle her for the first few weeks because I was scared she would get too hot. After a few nights of nothing calming her to go to sleep if I put her down I decided to swaddle her and I swaddled her using the swaddle me until she was around 4 months old (JUST at night). She slept through the night every night with it!

8) Sleepsack . Since we stopped swaddling Teagan we have used the Halo Sleepsack instead of a blanket. I have an extreme fear of SIDS and there is NOTHING in Teagans crib other than her and the mattress. She does have a mirror that is attached to her crib but it is where she can only see and not touch.

9) Huggies diapers. We tried pampers and a couple of other brands but the Huggies little snugglers and the Huggies Pure and Natural have been the only two that fit Teagan the right way. We thought about using reusable diapers but the daycare won't use them due to sanitation rules. We haven't counted them out and are still thinking about using them when she's at home. We just haven't decided the brand and type (we're relying on my best friend & mommy of Teagan's bf for this help! =-D ).

10) The Baby Bjorn was something that when we had the oppurtunity to use it we loved it but we don't have many oppurtunities to use it. I think if we lived in the city or somewhere we could walk a lot it would be different. I was able to get some house work done with it while she napped on my chest and she watched fireworks in it next to her boyfriend, Miles, who loves his as well!

11) Graco Townsend Pack-in-Play. This was our changing table for downstairs and this still is Teagan's bed for when we travel. We like it a lot and she hasn't had a problem sleeping in this vs. her crib.

12) Graco Towndsend Travel System. We got this pattern because we want to be able to use it again (at least the car seat part). The car seat was/is top rated and Teagan is very comfortable in it. The fabric does get a little warm but for the most part it's great. The seat will grow with her and isn't very heavy by itself. The stroller is a little bulky but it is very sturdy and I feel safe with Teagan in it. It also holds shopping bags really well (haha)!

13) Nuk Binkys and Bottles. These has been wonderful. I was worried about the transitioning between breast, bottle and "binky" because of the horror stories I'd heard about breast rejection after introducing bottles and pacifiers. Teagan did great with the Nuk pacifier and bottles. We decided to use the same brand for these so their would only be one different nipple so there wold be less confusion. She adjusted well and we've had no problems with her rejecting any of them because of the other!

Our Least Favorites and stuff we could live without...

1) The swing. When Teagan was staying with Mom she loved swinging while looking out the screen door. Her love for the swing didn't last long. I'm just glad we didn't buy the swing and waste money on something she didn't really like.

2) Her mobile. She could absolutely care less about the mobile. It never calmed her. She didn't really like to look at it. So, that was a waste of money. It did look pretty though, lol.

Our little bear is 6 months old!

Wow, Teagan turned 6 months on July 23rd. She is growing in personality and skill on a daily basis. I've decided that I'm going to break up her 6 month blog entry by her stats and pics and then my favorite/least favorite things the last six months. So, here is the first one:

Weight: 13lbs 2oz (we've finally reached 13 pounds!)

Height: right at 25 inches

Diaper size: 2

*was "scored" at above average developmentally at her 6 mth check up!

*she can now sit up all by herself

*got her roll-over certficate at daycare!

*started solids & LOVES them! Her favorites are Bananas and Sweet Potatoes (no, not mixed, haha)

*she really loves fresh bananas. She loves fresh everything but she still loves the organic Gerber baby food.

*still in 3 month clothes...eventually we'll get to 3-6 month clothes...lol

*she did excellent with her shots! I think she only cried because she was sleepy!

*She is back down to only having to supplement with 1oz of formula!

*She loves to stand up! (Assisted of course)

*Has said "dada" a few times! We just have to get her to the point where she knows that "dada" means Josh.

*She says "ah ya" , "gaga", "baba" and some others but no "mama" yet...still waiting on that one!

*She LOVES her first two fingers and her feet now.

*She sleeps on her side even though I lay her down on her back every night.

*She still loves the exersaucer and is getting better at manipulating the toys.

*She loves to be read to and likes to try and grab at the pictures in the books.

*She is TRYING to crawl...she has started getting up with her arms fully extended and she is starting to bend her knees under her. She hasn't reached the on all fours & rocking stage yet.

I think every month that goes by just goes by quicker. To watch her grow and explore the world around her makes my heart melt. I cannot wait to see what the next 6 months are goingn to hold!

My Dearest Teagan.

My Dearest Teagan,
Today at 8:12pm you will be 6 months old. At this time 6 months ago, you were still in my stomach getting ready to come out and I was having contractions in my "cavewoman" mode. Your daddy said I became a completely different person and that he'd never seen me so calm in the middle of what was supposedly so much pain. I attribute that to the Lord my little one. He gave me the calmness and the ability to handle the pain because he consistenly put thoughts of you in my head throughout my contractions. They planned to induce me the next day but showing your true independent colors you decided you'd come when you wanted and so you came on January 23, 2010 instead of January 24th...honestly I think you just wanted to share your birthday with your Aunt Jeana ;-) !
The last 6 months have been the hardest most wonderful months so far in my entire life. Your presence in mine and your daddy's lives has given us so much strength and joy that you'll only be able to understand it when you become a mommy.
As we were driving to daycare "school" (as your daddy calls it) I cried a little bit thinking how much you've grown and how fast you've done it. You no longer have an infant face but it's equally as beautiful now as it was when I first laid eyes on you. Your infant "jerks" are gone and you have control of your limbs now. You smile when you want to and not just because your face has a spasm. You giggle and coo and talk and whine instead of just crying or opening your mouth and trying to let a sound out. Your expressions are priceless and you melt our hearts when you chose to smile at me or your daddy. I think we both would jump up and down on our hands if we knew we would get a smile out of you! You're starting to roll around and pretty soon will figure out how to crawl. You just need to figure out that you can push yourself if you put your feet down while you're on your tummy...as soon as you do that you will most definitely be off!
Dearest Girl, you are the light of our lives and we are both excited to see what the future holds for our little family. I hope and pray you will always know how much your daddy and I love you. We are trying our very best to be good examples for you and to provide you with all that you need.
These last 6 months have gone by so much quicker then I anticipated and much quicker then I'd have liked. It is a bittersweetness. On one hand I'm excited to see you learning new things and exploring your world with such innocent curiousity. On the other I know that the coming months and years will change our relationship so much for the good and different. You will be the one choosing when we cuddle and this time will get less and less. You will constantly want to walk or crawl and won't want to be held as much. My back and arms will probably thank you but my heart will ache when I selfishly need a cuddle and you would rather crawl around.
I am excited to see where our relationship takes us. Already we have a bond that exceeds anything I really imagined seeing as I've only been on one side of an amazing mother-daughter relationship. Already I know that you know my voice, my smell and who I am when I walk in a room. You turn to me regardless of what you were doing at the time I come into the room and it melts my heart. I find myself talking to you even when you're not with me. I can honestly say I love you more then I imagined I could.
So, my dearest baby girl I will close this letter to you with happiness and love and pray that you will always know how much I love you. Unconditionally and forever.

Always and Forever,
Mommy

Contractions

Dearest Teagan,
I was flipping through one of my notebooks today and found where your daddy and I recorded my contractions on January 23rd, 2010. I started and then he finished the recording. I can't believe that in just 3 days you will be 6 months old...I have a whirlwind of emotions about this...I can still remember the first time I saw you as Dr. James lifted you over that blue curtain (yes, I had an almost emergency c-section) and as your daddy brought you to me and I got to kiss your sweet face...oh my sweet baby girl, I love you so much.
Love Always and Forever,
Mommy

Mashed Potatoes

Teagan and I spent all day Saturday together up until time to eat lunch with Mary Mary and Rachel and then go to the movies. Teagan helped me make some mashed potatoes before we headed out!

Drive-In Movies!!

When I first saw the previews/trailers to the Sorcerer's Apprentice I instantly wanted to see it. Also, we'd been talking about going to the drive-in with the Heavners' for a while. Well, this weekend we went to the drive-in AND saw Sorcerer's Apprentice!! It was great! The weather was slightly muggy and it rained a little off and on but for the most part it was great. The cutest part of course were the babies! Every time Teagan and Miles see each other their faces light up! Miles was especially happy that evening!

Begging time to stand still...even for a moment.

She's growing so fast.
The time that before Teagan tended to creep by is now becoming a whirlwind. It's moving so fast my head spins out of control some days.
Right now Josh is helping his sister and I'm sitting here alone in the living room. Just a few months ago I would have had Teagan asleep on my chest because she slept so much that we didn't put her in her crib until around 11 o'clock after she ate...now, she is asleep in her crib upstairs like a big girl and I am down here alone. You would think I would enjoy a little me time but I miss her. I want to run upstairs and grab her up out of her crib and snuggle her until she squirms for me to stop. Everybody told me that time was going to go by quickly and she wouldn't be an infant for long...I just thought I was cherishing every minute. At the time of the moments I probably was doing some cherishing but if there is even one detail I can't remember it bothers me. She isn't going to be as young as she was today when she wakes up tomorrow. Another day will have gone by and there will be things I forget. Like today, she said "Ba Ba" very clearly...what if there are some "words" that I missed while I was talking on the phone while she was talking? I'll never get these moments back. I know I can't shut her and I in a room and never come out but from now on I plan to double cherish every minute I get to spend with Teagan. I love watching her grow and gain more independence and more of a personality but it's sad to see that growth as well...
I have started doing something for her every time I feed her. As she eats I pray (we've of course prayed for her often but this is just something special I want to do for her). I pray for her future. I pray for her relationship with the Lord. I pray for her husband and that he is a God-loving and kind man. I pray for her education. I pray for her personality that she will be kind and good hearted but also strong and independent. I pray that she have a good group of friends. I pray that her daddy and I can set a good, Godly example for her in regards to our walk with the Lord and our marriage. I pray that the world will become better and safer but if it doesn't that she has the ability to handle it.
So, tomorrow I plan to snuggle up to my little girl, play & spoil her extra and if the house work doesn't get done then so be it...tomorrow my attention will fully be on my precious little girl.

Yummy dinner!

Shrimp & Pasta Primavera

These are my new favorite thing! These spice packets make life so easy! All the spices are already measured out and so that definitely saves time! I made the shrimp and pasta primavera last night for us (this is the second time I made it) and it continues to get easier. I changed it up a little bit from last time by using angel hair pasta and putting in red peppers and broccoli with it. It turned out really good but I think I'm going to stick to the organic penne pasta I used last time. You should definitely try it!!

Also, I have to mention that we had Mom stay with us last night (and she LOVED the primavera) because their air is out and Daddy was on a business trip! We had a lot of fun and Teagan loved having her Mamaw there to say goodnight to!

Mooooo!

July 9th was Chick-fil-A's customer appreciation day or something...all know is that if you dressed up you got free food. We went to Chick-fil-A on the way to Jeana & Seth's get together and decided it would be fun to put on the hats and get free sandwhiches...even Teagan wanted a free sandwhich (that she later let her daddy have).

FEET!!!

Teagan has been playing with her feet a lot here lately but had no interest in eating them...I love it when babies "eat" their feet and have been anxiously waiting for her to find them and stick them in her mouth. Well, she finally did it this weekend! It is the cutest thing in the world! I love it!!!

Grocery Store

Okay, so we started eating much healthier since Teagan came along because since I'm still nursing I want to stay healthy so she can continue to be healthy. I want to give her what she needs. Finding those kind of things around here is not the easiest thing in the world to do. We have a Farmer's Market but it's kind of small so I can't really count on it. So we have to try and find the good stuff at a grocery store. I have found a new favorite grocery store! Bloom!! It's a great grocery store. I was able to find everything we needed...for 1 month and a half! Between store deals and coupons I was able to get that many groceries for under $200 dollars. Over half of the groceries were organic and wonderful! Okay, enough of that...the cutest part was Teagan! She got to ride in the big girl part of the buggy and it was beyond adorable!

July 4th weekend

July 4th is one of our families favorite holidays. We don't do fireworks but we do have a huge cookout with friends and family at my parents house. It's the annual Goodhue 4th of July cookout and it gets bigger every year! This year we had it on Saturday since the 4th fell on a Sunday. We decided to have a "parade" for the kids since the big parade was going to be late on Sunday and the babies needed to be in bed. It was so much fun to see how much the babies from last year had grown and how sweet the "new" babies were!
On Sunday we went to church and then the cookout afterwards with our amazing friends the Davis family! Bryson (2 and some change) got to watch the train go by and played with his big trucks. It was great!
Then that evening we got to go to the Whitewater Center just down the road from us with the Heavners to watch fireworks. The babies loved it! We strapped them in the babies Bjorns facing out and they couldn't take their eyes off the fireworks. It was great! We can't wait to go back next year!