New Routine

Reagan's new school routine is definitely wearing her out during the week... so we created a new routine to accompany 'down time.'  As soon as we get home she picks out 3-4 books and we read quietly in her room. 

I am relishing this time hearing about her tales of what she did at preschool and who she played with, what she had for snack, and 'did I know the nursery rhyme Jack be Nimble?' Because they just learned about it and it's one of her favorites...

Family Time

Reagan and I headed north this weekend since Andy always hosts the guys at our house for the infamous Iowa vs. Iowa State game.  It was a great time spent with family! 

We started out the day pretty positive with our Hawkeye gear; too bad they couldn't pull off a win!

Loves the park at G&G K's...

Reagan and Rose-
Rose is wearing Reagan's old Hawkeye outfit.  Too cute!

Even though baby Ari looks skeptical, she let me hold her for awhile! Baby success...

Grandpa and Grandma with the Grandkiddos....

This was a small task... cousins oldest to youngest...

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Preschool stories...

I'm quickly learning the art of 'how to ask a preschooler how her day at preschool was...' without getting one word responses.

Her first words are always, "I love it!!"  But it takes the strategic planning of a secret CIA mission to get the good elaborate stories.  And she loves to tell us about the one boy who always misbehaves (with her eyes big and look of disdain on her face). 

She did enjoy carrots at snack time, a feat I've been working on for years... so 'YAY! School!' for carrots at snack time.  All it takes is a little peer pressure from the Littles...

I will be going to her classroom for her birthday to read a story and bring treats so she is very excited for that.  We also got an email from the teacher saying that Reagan has adjusted quite well and she looks forward to seeing her in class. Such fun to read those words others write about your own children. 

And my biggest fear.... the leaving of the coveted bunny and blankie at home has actually not been a fear at all.  She has dropped them like a hot potato every morning this week.  That baby of ours...she's growing up!

A rare after dinner treat of Smarties to celebrate a great start to the school year:

1st day of Preschool

Today was the day... Reagan's first day of preschool! 

I had my meltdown the night before (how have four years flown by already?) so I was actually feeling pretty good today. Plus it helped to see how excited Rea was to go to school and meet her teacher. 

We let her pick her breakfast of choice (toast with grapes) and her lunch (McDonald's of course) and she kept asking every hour on the hour, "Is it time to go to school yet?"

When I took her picture holding her sign we made she said, "I'm a smidge nervous but a lot excited!"

I loved hearing her stories after we picked her up... she loved the silly sand and play dough fun, had a blueberry muffin and milk for snack, liked story time but couldn't remember the name of the book and really liked her teacher! 

And naturally we had to end the day with a stop at Menchie's to which Rea stated, "Mommy this could be a tradition!"  Well played toddler....

 A very successful first day!

Here's to a great school year!

Goodbye August, Hello September!

The end of August proved to be very trying for us... you know those defining moments in your life that you know you'll never forget?  Having your baby suffer from complications of surgery is one of those moments. How helpless you feel and you just want to her heal and be her happy-go-lucky self again.

With prayers and wonderful Dr.'s and nurses, we made it through.  We are on another 2 week road to recovery and I'm praying every day that this is the time when the surgery works, her throat heals and we can move on.


First Popsicle out of post-op....

Wagon rides made things just a tad more fun...

She got a few special deliveries while in the hospital, which really cheered her up!

Trying out some new games on her iPad....

HOME!

We have so many fun things to look forward to in September.... first day of preschool!! Dance and tumbling begin!  Vacation at the lake!

Philippians 4:6, "Don't worry about anything,but pray about everything.  With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God."

Recovery

We've had a pretty rough week while Reagan recovers from surgery. 

The side effects of being under, in addition to her icky meds, has not been fun.  She experienced night terrors and loss of appetite all week. There is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer. But I know this too shall pass.  In fact, we may have turned a corner.  Reagan woke up full of energy today, dressed herself and declared she was ready for church...so here's hoping the worst is behind us.

So many thanks for all the packages, visits, babysitting from grandparents and nurse house calls from Aunt Nette.  They have all helped!


Candy Land...

Candy Land...

And more Candy Land...!

Lego adventures...

Play dough fun....

Stories with Gramma K.

May have bought a few too many new games for the iPad....

Snuggles with bunny...

Finally ate! A good breakfast... and ready for church today!

Prayers Answered

Reagan had her new set of tubes put in, tonsils and adenoids taken out this past Friday. We wanted to ensure plenty of recovery time before school started and the Dr. didn't want us to wait until Christmas break. I'm so relieved it's over! 

Reagan was such a champ from the moment she woke up, even through the surgery and after care. She didn't cry once, not even when they took out the IV.  The actual surgery only lasted about 20 minutes but we were in the recovery room for almost 3 hours. 

Recovery at home has been a little on the rough side. She's in pain, which I hate seeing her like that. She doesn't have much of an appetite for ice cream or Popsicles and really really really hates the taste of her meds so we're trying as best as we can.  Her Aunt B gave us a tip to add a touch of sugar and that does seem to help!  They told us the first couple days will be hard so hoping after today she'll be her old happy self again.

The hardest part will be no outside play for 2 weeks and only soft foods... didn't realize how much she liked crunchy food until she couldn't have it! But we're hanging in there-Thanks for all the prayers, they worked!