Pay Attention To Meeeee!

Today Reagan REALLY tested me and within the next 10 minutes I will be in bed, I am beyond exhausted! She has been in this REALLY REALLY clinging stage and it seems to only be getting worse. She wants me and only me all the time and not just by her side, but to be hanging on me AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!

I got an email today from the Baby Center website (which is great site) and it could not have been more right on. Here are a few of the highlights from 15 month and 4 weeks, they pretty much outline how my day went!

New this month: Pay attention to meeeee!

"Whirlwind. It's a word that aptly describes a typical 15-month-old, and life with a toddler this age is never dull. His attention is equally divided between his toys and you. Children thrive on their parents' attention, and if you happen to leave the area where he's playing, he'll come looking for you within a few minutes because he wants to know that you're paying attention to him. "See! See!" is probably a common refrain in your house as your child tries to balance his drive to be more independent with his need to know he can depend on you."

"Don't be surprised if your toddler already seems to treat you and your spouse differently. Whichever parent he spends the most time with will be the one he demands more of and is hardest on. If Mom's around more, Dad will be treated like someone special, and vice versa."

Other Developments: Busy Hands

"Keys, pencils, lipsticks a watch, anything you have in your wallet: All are likely to be fascinating to your toddler. Not just because they're fun to look at, but because she sees you using such objects and she wants to do the same. The problem is, you might not want her trying on your lipstick! You challenge is to find ways to satisfy her need to mimic the things she sees you do, but safely."

Today Reagan wanted my lipstick out of my bag so bad. Before I didn't mind if she had it but now she has discovered how to open it and it becomes a mess. So today I took it from her and then came the HUGE screaming fit. All day long she kept going back to my back looking and crying for the lipstick. I was so aggravated! She has tons of toys and she wants only my lipstick. If it's not my lipstick it's something else I don't want her to have!

After reading my email, it does make sense, I guess she is only trying to be like Mommy and how could I be mad at that!?! Thankfully I only have 5 more days until her Grandparents will be able to take over!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we were fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving with our friends the Sperrys. We met them while living in Panama and now they are living in Tijuana. We don't get to spend as much time as we would like, but I am so glad we had a family away from family to spend the day with. Darrin & I were in charge of bringing the deserts, so the night before we baked a pecan pie, chocolate pie and a pumpkin cake. We were a little nervous about how they wound turn out beings this was our very FIRST attempt at baking a pie. (once again, don't judge) I cook all the time, I just NEVER bake. Why would I make a pie or cake when its only Darrin & I? I can just see the pounds begin to pack on!

Everything was wonderful. We had great company, ate our weight in delicious food and then headed back in time to watch the Aggie game. We put up a good fight against TU, just fell a little short!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Who's attempting Black Friday?!?!

Today I Am Thankful For...

A wonderful hard working husband who lives to make his family happy. Who after knowing almost 16 years and a marriage going on almost 3 years I love more and more each day. For a man who is so loyal, happy, patient, calm, witty, admirable, respectable and the greatest Daddy to Reagan.

A happy, friendly, loving little girl who knows how to love and has taught me so much. For a daughter who is entertaining, full of expression, excitement and has a wonderful heart.

A sister that is not only a sister, but a best friend who I could not miss a day without talking to. Who I admire so much and respect. A person who knows everything about me inside out without even having to say. I can only hope Reagan will be able to share in the same sisterly relationship that we do.

A Mother and Father who love and support me and always tell me how proud I make them.

Pops, Honey, Tricia, Dustin, Dylan and Lance for being a wonderful family who are so loving.

Friends that continue to stay close despite the miles that are between us

Tache. She is such a sweet and caring person and I am so glad she is here in San Diego. I am so greatful for all her help and don't know what I would do without a friend to run around with everyday.

Being able to stay home and watch every second of Reagan grow.

For mornings spent snuggling in bed watching tv with Reagan.

For country music, well all types of music, but especially country music which can turn a bad day around.

A roof over my head; a place to call home.

A warm bed to sleep in and warm water to bath in.

Food to eat, clothes on my body.

My health and my families health which is so easily taken for granted. I hear and read about other familes who is experiencing pain and devastation and I feel for them. I can't imagine having to go through that type of pain. I pray that they have peace and strength in their trying times.

Brave soldiers who are away from their loved ones and their brave loved ones who are living day by day without them home.

Naps, that are even better on Sunday when we are all together.

My laptop and internet because without it I would have no social life.

My camera that captures moments that I am glad I was able to freeze time.

My car that gets me out of the house and out and about.

A job for Darrin enjoys when so many people are without.

Our pull out couch. Otherwise some nights Darrin's snoring would force me to sleep out on the floor.

Skype so that family far away can watch Reagan perform. She is such a show off and loves seeing her grandparents.

That others know how to cook and allow me to follow their recipes.

Dr. Pepper, without it my food would be boring.

That I began blogging so we are able look back on each memory and remember exactly how we felt at that time.

A God who loves me and continues to bring many blessings into my life.

I'm Afraid She's A Chatterbox!

Happy 1st Birthday CeCe!!

Today Reagan's BFF CeCe turns O N E!! CeCe is such a sweet and kind little girl. I wish we were back at home so we could spend more girl time together, but that just makes the time we do spend together that much more special. Jessica is a wonderful Mommy and I am so lucky to share our daughters as a common bond. There is nothing better than having best friends who understand what it's like to be a Mommy.

Happy 1st Birthday CeCe! We love & miss you so much! I hope you had a blast at your party, you looked adorable and I wish I could have been there. Isn't it fun being one! Can't wait to spend time with you in December, we are going to have a blast! Now we can walk everywhere so there is so much more we can do! Can't wait to drive our Mommy's crazy! See you soon! - Love your BFF, Reagan

Flashback Friday

We try to make it to St. Louis at least every other year for Thanksgiving, but unfortunately this year we are going to miss it again. With the amount of hours Darrin works and the time he gets off we basically had to choose between going home for Christmas or going to St. Louis for Thanksgiving. We decided to go home for Christmas, so Team Dumplin Drop will be short a few members this year, not to mention there is a NEW member to the team. Reagan has been to St. Louis once before but she hasn't seen what all goes on for Thanksgiving.

We start out the morning making dumplings at Grandma Snider's house which is HUGE. Everyone looks forward to the chicken and dumplings so we have to make sure they are just perfect. Then we all (which is about 40 people) have Thanksgiving lunch over at Uncle Steve and Aunt Becky's house; they have a gorgeous house with a beautiful backyard. It's so much fun being able to spend the holidays with tons of family, especially since we don't get to see each other that often.

This was 2 years ago, 2007, the last time we made it up to St. Louis. We had a great time as usual, gained 10lbs in one weekend, watched the Aggies play Texas but this last time we celebrated Dylan's (our nephew) first birthday! I can't believe how much he has changed, in no time I will be thinking the same thing about Reagan!