Saturday, December 12, 2009

Raelye's First Christmas

We had our Christmas today! Here are the links to the videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe7rG4rlgV8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fampk7jtwKI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDR975n6Xs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lla0k_50wsc

Friday, November 6, 2009

Whew its been a long time

Wow I didn't realize how long its been since I've posted. Raelye is literally running all over the place. She's eating mainly all finger foods now. She is getting her top two fangs in (without the teeth inbetween them). Its too cute!
Raelye is growing like a weed. She's over twenty pounds now and had a growth spurt a grew taller not long ago. She likes to "shake-a shake-a" where she shakes her hands & claps. She blows kisses (after she licks her fingers). Here are new pics!




Monday, September 14, 2009

WALKING!!!!

Raelye just took her first step!!!
The popper pic was this morning and the others are over the past couple weeks taken by my phone.








Saturday, September 12, 2009

Growing baby & growing business

Wow just realized its been a while since I blogged. So much is going on and so much is changing so quickly. Raelye is getting closer & closer to walking! She's standing on her own for a good 15 seconds now. Pushing herself up instead of pulling, knealing, and squatting. She learned how to scoot backwards on the kitchen floor and thinks its quite humorous. Daddy said last night she took a step in the bathtub.
Raelye says mama and dada very well now. She also practicing all other sounds and letters. She loves to squeal when she's excited.
She is able to wave and pat things now. Raelye started sleeping through the night when we got back from Texas a few weeks ago. Its been extremely nice getting a full nights sleep. We had to do some schedule adjusting otherwise she was getting up before 5. She sleeps now from about 830-630/7. Much improved! Daddy & I usually hit the sack shortly after.
With Raelye's inspiration, I have started a new business called The Purple Cheetah. It is a online store filled with baby clothing and accessories. I hope to extend to maternity and women's soon. I set up my website this week and will have products up hopefully soon. Please check it out! http://www.thepurplecheetah.com
We're traveling back home the last weekend in Sept for a wedding in Snyder then the next weekend we'll make a trek through San Angelo, Austin, and Temple. Hope to catch you somewhere along the way!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

First Words & a little more

So much has changed here lately, most of which has been captured in the videos. Raelye is crawling super fast! We've made the dining room into her playroom so we can keep her corralled. She started pulling up once we got back home from Texas. She loves to stand up and hold onto whatever she can.
Raelye is also eating everything in sight. She has started chewing and loves to eat yogurt melts, puffs, freeze-dried fruits, and pancakes! We talked to Nanny & Daddy Bill other morning (they are on their way to see us next week) and told them all three of us had pancakes for breakfast! Nanny said she didn't think it was such a great idea to feed Raelye something so sweet. I had to remind her that pancakes don't automatically come with syrup on them :) Raelye loves them plain.
Raelye is sleeping almost all the way through the night. She wakes up once for a bottle then goes back to sleep. We have weaned completely to the bottle.
Today was challenging at times. Raelye was crabby throughout most of the day. I believe she is getting more teeth is as the drool has increased dramatically in the past few days. She was standing in her playroom and I was in the living room. She pulled up on the babygate and fussed out a few m's and a "Mama" mixed in. She hasn't wanted to eat as many solids in the past few days except what she can chew (this issue reiterates the teething hypothesis). She went to bed tonight then woke back up and wouldn't be patted back down. Daddy brought the bottle back up to us and she drank the rest of it down. She reached up and grabbed two of my fingers and pulled my hand down onto her chest and held her hand on top of mine. Made me forget what a challenge today had been and then I had a hard time putting her down in her bed.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

More videos

Raelye eating 7-31


Raelye in highchair 7-31


Raelye caught Lucy 7-26

Raelye's New Videos

Chasing Lucy 7-26


Swimming 7-28


Crawling around & playing 7-30

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

July Pics
























































Raelye pulling up!

Raelye has started to pull herself up this week! She's doing a fantastic job and trying to start stepping to the side.
She is crawling superfast! She's so hard to keep up with. She likes to follow you if you step out of the room. Raelye loves chasing the cat and is getting better and better at catching her.
I believe I heard "mama" come out this weekend. We've been practicing for a while but she likes to just smile really big when she hears "mama" or "daddy".
We were in Texas for a week to spend time with Gabby & Pa & Aunt Jadie for her 21st birthday. Raelye rode the donkey, surfed on the donkey, loved the dogs, played with a new boyfriend (Wyatt - Angie & Chris Adams' little boy), swam in her pool, traveled to see Gaga, saw Granny's house, met Kayla & Brandon, ate a Pappadeaux's, and helped Jadie recover on the way to the airport. This was our first trip without Daddy. Raelye was really good but missed him terribly. She talked to him on the phone then was searching all around for him.
Couple other things I forgot to mention: Raelye is starting to sit up from the crawling position. She started this when we were in Stephenville. She is also starting to chew on her food, which means we will be heading towards table food before long! We have also started weaning, not fully yet but working about 50/50.

Raelye pulling up


7-21-09

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Six Month Dr Appointment

Raelye had her six month doctor appointment this morning! She did fabulous and only let out a little whimper on the 2nd shot. Dr. Husarik said Raelye is 17.1 lbs., 26 in., and her head is 17 in. She is in the 75th percentile for weight & length; 50-75th percentile for head circumference. Dr. Husarik said we can continue with all the fruits & veggies we want just no citrus, protein, or dairy yet. Raelye's next dr appointment isn't until 9 months and Dr. Husarik said Raelye ought to be running by then!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

June Pics


New shades! Its bright in Texas! Love my catepillar!

Ready to go swimming
Hold on I got this!
Lovin the water
Just let me swim
Helping Daddy cook
Crawling like a pro!

6 Month Update

Wow so much has changed this month!
Raelye has two teeth now. Both the bottom teeth came up. They are straight & beautiful white!
She recognizes her name some now. Sometimes she'll be listening to you but won't turn directly to you. She stops whatever she's doing to hear whats going on.
Raelye is sitting up on her own pretty well. She holds it for a few seconds depending on what she's after or if Lucy walks by. She sits extremely well with a little support. We've been practicing her supporting herself. She even sits in a highchair at restaurants now!
Raelye started crawling about a week ago. She had been practicing for a long time. She just popped her legs underneath her and lifted that belly like she was a pro when we got home from our Texas trip.
She loves to jump in the rainforest jumper that Tom & Becca loaned us. She really gets it going fast!
We took a trip all around Texas in mid June. We traveled through Austin, Temple, Stephenville, Rowena, Brady, & Mason. We got to see most of our families and everyone was shocked with how big & pretty Raelye was. Here's a quick run down of the trip: She charmed the CEO, CFO, and president of Daddy's company at their annual meeting. Played with Gabby, Pa, Aunt Jadie, Uncle Colt, & Aunt Teddy. Laughed at Pistol Pete run circles through the living room. Went swimming for the first time in Grandpa Galen's pool & celebrated Uncle Stephen's 18th birthday. Got to love on Granny Jean, Granny Germaine & Pepa. Hung out at Brady lake & went swimming in the lake. Helped Daddy BBQ and try to fix the boat. Planted a oak tree for the baby. Went for a boat ride on Uncle John & Aunt Karen's boat with Mommy, John, Karen, Keri, Dub, & Reggie the border collie. Celebrated the marriage of Matt & Sherry with rehearsal dinner, wedding, & reception. Daddy looked handsome in his tuxedo. Danced to the music from the deejay. Held "highly explosive" sparklers for Dub. Finished the trek back at Mema & Papa's house with lots of hugs & kisses! Played with the flight attendants on the plane back home!
Yesterday was Raelye's 6 month birthday!!! We celebrated by lunch & shopping with Laura in Tacoma. Raelye got her ears pierced at Claire's in the Mall. She has a pretty little white gold ball in each ear!
Raelye has her 6 month dr appointment on Thursday July 2 and we'll update then with details on height & weight!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

First Tooth

Raelye has cut her first tooth! Front bottom right tooth is about half way in. The one right next to it bottom left is poking through the skin as well. She has had a few hard days of sleeping but she's feeling better with a little Tylenol and teething tablets.
She has learned the idea of transportation. She rolls or spins around to get what she wants. She has become a lot more mobile very quickly when has kept Mom on her toes! Raelye has ended up under the coffee table twice!
Mom is making all different baby foods for Raelye. She loves most of them; except avocado which she thinks the texture is a little funky. Quite humorous to watch the look on her face when she takes a spoonful!
Saturday we took a family outing to Orting. We walked the trail and Daddy tried to catch a fish in the river. We found a Trout Farm south of Orting and caught two Rainbow Trout. Raelye loved watching the fish jump up after the food.
Raelye pictures are posted on www.spottedlimephotos.com. They are amazing!!! (If you can't get the link to work, let me know and I'll send you the direct link which works without Flash.)
Raelye has started talking more. She yells at the cat trying to get her to come close. Mom believes the teeth have changed her ways of talking. She talks more high pitched with more squeals now. She will throw her tongue all around her mouth to make more noises. Sunday she was playing on her floor mat and she stopped play with her toys, looked directly at Lucy (the cat), and started going AaaaahhhhH, AaaaaahhhhH, Lucy ignored her though.
Daddy's birthday is Sunday then we'll be all heading to Texas on Wednesday June 10th. We are all so excited for our vacation & Matt & Sherry's wedding. Hopefully Kirk, Kyra, Jake & Kaylee as well as Ranran, Memaw, and Uncle Kurt will make it to the lake to see us. We will get to see Mema & Papaw in Austin, Gabby & Pa in Stephenville, Granny, Granny & Pepa in Rowena, and all the friends Raelye hasn't gotten to meet yet in Rowena & Mason!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Trip to Snyder & Beyond

Last weekend we took a short trip to Snyder. We flew into Lubbock on Friday night and tried to quickly drive to Snyder dodging lightening and rain the whole way. This is the 2nd time we've been home and the 2nd time its rained when we've been there. We see enough of it up here. Raelye need some 90 degree sunbathing weather! We had a great time seeing Ranran & Memaw, Uncle Kurt, and Nanny & Daddy Bill. We weighed at Nanny's house at Raelye is up to a whopping 15 lb 14 oz dressed. So I would assume she's about 15 lb 10 oz. She loved to play with everyone. Ranran would kiss her neck and his whiskers tickled her so bad she'd laugh, squeal, and curl up into a ball. Memaw cooked dinner and Christina, Mark, & Foster came to play. Raelye liked watching Foster run around all over the place.
Sunday we had Raelye's pictures done and some family ones as well by Miller Nunley Collections (formerly Spotted Lime). We are all awaiting anxiously to see them! They have to be precious as she was a ham the whole time Nikki & Carla were taking them. We took them all around Nanny & Daddy Bill's land & house. Raelye had her own little fashion shoot; we started out in a sunsuit, then naked (she begged to stay that way), a pink onesie with a cross on it (thanks to Uncle Colt & Aunt Teddy) and denim shorts, and finally a beautiful white cotton dress with eyelets on the ruffles and sleeves.
Ranran barbecued some ribs and Memaw & I fixed the sides. Everyone came out and she watched the boys play anxious to join them. Our flight out was early the next morning so we crashed early. We flew back on Monday morning and was back home by 1:30. We've decided she travels better when we travel in the mornings, might be a little rougher on us but its worth it.

Raelye has started using rolling over as a means of transportation. She rolls all around her mat and quilt in the den. She has also started teething and putting everything in her mouth. Yesterday I was finishing grabbing a bite to eat and putting the dishes up while she played on her mat. I could hear her rattles moving almost constantly. I finished what I was doing and stepped in the den to get her. She rolled all the way almost to the coffee table (a good 3 full rolls minimum) and had Lucy's cat toy in her mouth!!! I took it away laughing very hard and reminding Raelye she has tons of toys & Lucy only has one. We had to call Daddy & tell him what happened.
We went for a walk with a girl I met up here who's expecting. She brought her two Border Collies and I loaded Raelye up in her stroller. There is an amazing trail in Orting that runs along the river and gives you amazing views of the Mountain. She loved it as much as I did.
She just woke up, gotta run. Keep an eye out for pictures over the next few days: www.spottedlimephotos.com

Monday, May 11, 2009

Raelye trying hard to crawl! She's going backwards!!!

Couple of things I forgot to mention in the milestones: she loves to put mine & Daddy's faces in her hands (one hand on each cheek) and sqeeze! She opens her mouth and makes funny faces when she does it. Raelye is also grabbing things with one hand instead of both. She switches items back and forth between hands.

Last Thursday, Raelye and I went to Babies R Us in Tacoma. When we were in the mother's room, another lady & her 4 month old came in and sat on the couch next to us. Raelye and the other baby were sooooo excited to see each other. They were both jumping, playing, squealing, and grabbing for each other. It was sooo sweet! Raelye loves to look in the mirror and this time it was 3D!

Sunday was my first Mother's Day with Raelye actually here. I was almost 2 months pregnant last year during it. Raelye & her Daddy made me an awesome card with her handprint on it. We went to Emerald Downs to watch the horses race and she couldn't have been any better! We didn't win any money but we all had fun!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Milestones (4 months 2 weeks)













Just a quick update on a few new things Raelye is improving on & mastering:
She's squealing when she's happy about something, laughing more, & talking constantly. She loves her Rainforest jumper Becca & Tom loaned us. She can spin in it, jump up and down, and play with all the toys on it. Raelye is getting really close to crawling. She's getting her legs up underneath her and her arms moving like she's swimming. I can pick up her belly and she'll move easier. Her sleep is going good but still varies quite a bit. We have a pretty good routine going but sometimes she'll sleep for 30 minutes and sometimes its 5 hours. She went with me to get a haircut (finally its been since Feb) and was really pretty good the whole time. She ate some squash when we got home & drank almost 3 oz from the bottle!!!!!! Going to try to put her to nap with just the bottle in a minute!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Go Horsie Go!

Raelye in her Kentucky Derby gear! Go Horsie Go!

Faster! Faster!

If only Daddy would have bet that $2 superfecta with my Pink horse, Mama & Daddy could have that ranch and me all the horsies I need! (Just FYI: $2 superfecta paid $557,000!)



Gonna get that bird!!!

Raelye loved watching the Derby. She was napping right up until and made it downstairs just in time. We were suppose to head to Texas this week but have decide to move our trip til May 15-18 due to the flu going around. We will be in Snyder for the weekend & Raelye will hopefully be getting her picture made!
Raelye has been doing awesome with solids. She likes squash, peaches, & bananas. The applesauce & carrots were ok. She still chews on her sippy cup, getting a little water from it. I am going to start making her baby food here shortly. I wanted to start her on Gerber then transition her to our own mix. Aaron bought me a new Cuisinart chopper to make it with.
Raelye took a bottle yesterday morning (about 2 oz worth)! When she was going down for a nap, I was able to nurse her for just a moment then switch her to the bottle. She drank a few sips then closed her eyes and went on to sleep! That spells FREEDOM for Mama!!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

4 Month Appointment

Raelye had her 4 month doctor appointment yesterday. She weighs 14 lb 6.5 oz, 24.5 in, and her head is 16.5 in. She has grown 5.5 oz in a week! She's 1 in longer and her head is 1.5 in bigger since her 2 month appt. She is growing perfectly!
The doctor was impressed when she held her out on her arm and Raelye had her head striaght up turning to look at the doctor and to look at me. She had 4 vaccinations in 2 shots. She didn't even whimper on the first one and let out a little cry on the second. I picked her up and she was done crying. Couldn't have been any better.
Dr. Husarik and I discussed the milestones Raelye has already accomplished: eating, sitting up, rolling over completely, etc. I have been impressed and thought she was definately advanced. Dr. Husarik said "if I didn't know any better (meaning her knowing Raelye's age) then I would think she was older." Wooohooo!
We have consolidated naps and it has improved her sleep during the day & night! She slept for 5 hours, 3.5 hours, and 2 hours last night! We're super excited to get to go back to Texas next week. We'll be around for 12 days visiting Ran-Ran then Gabby & Pa.
(By the way: today is mine & Aaron's two year anniversary!)
Til next time~ much love~

Raelye Laughing

Friday, April 24, 2009

Almost 4 months old

Quick update while the princess is napping.
Raelye hit a major growth spurt last week. She had a hard time sleeping for 8 days; barely any sleep at night & minimal naps during the day. I took her to the doctor and the best I got was we both were suffering from allergies. The longer it went on and the more research I did, I found other moms talking about a 4 month sleep regression due to a major growth spurt. The growth spurt at this time really involves mental capacity and basically babies have a hard time shutting down their brains to rest. There was a really good article I found if anyone is interested in reading it: http://www.askmoxie.org/2006/02/qa_what_are_sle.html.
While at the doctor's office, we got a new weight for her: 14 lb 1 oz! They didn't measure her but I'm sure that will come this next week at her 4 month appointment for vaccinations.
We took a trip to Target today and found the cutest little shorts. Raelye got a pair of denim and bright pink knit ones. I had to switch out most of her clothes to 3-6 month clothes. Her 3 month sleepers are getting too short; she's having a hard time stretching her legs out in them.
Raelye is raising her chest up from being on her tummy or on her back. She's getting really strong and able to hold herself more and more.
So far she's ate: rice cereal, carrots, applesauce, and wheat cereal. She's not so found of the wheat cereal. We bought her a few different fruits & veggies today to keep trying more & more. She takes the rice cereal at a pretty thick consistency (just mixed with water). Aaron and I keep working on her taking a sippy cup. We both agree this may be easier than teaching bottle then changing shortly after to sippy cup. She'll chew on it but we're not sure how much she's actually getting from it. Practice, practice, practice!
Well the princess is back up; short cat nap!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Starting Solids!!!








We attempted a little bit of very watered down rice cereal yesterday. It went so-so. We tried again this evening with Raelye sitting in her high chair and she ate 2 servings worth (probably 2-3 oz)! She did extremely well! She would open her mouth with anticipation for the spoon and swallow the majority of it - more as the feeding went on.
Raelye and I had a laughing session this afternoon. She would laugh, I would laugh, she'd laugh harder, I'd laugh harder, it just kept escalating. I called my mom in the middle of it and she got to hear a good part of it.
We just got back on Monday from a 8 day trip back home. We spent 2 nights in Austin, 1 night in Temple, 1 night in Stephenville, and the rest in Rowena. We got to see all Aaron's family and have Kay a surprise 50th birthday party while we were in Rowena, Jadie & Bob were very excited to see Raelye even if only for 1 night as they hadn't got to see her since we left in February. We also took a day trip to San Angelo to see Deepa & Gary and to Eldorado to see Kirk, Kyra, and the kids. She flew very well and only had a hard time with her ears popping when we were landing in Austin.
Raelye is sitting up with some support and holding her position very well. She was on the floor in Rowena and started ooching backwards. She is holding herself up on her arms and keeping her head very steady turning from side to side if there is something she wants to see. She will put her legs underneath her if you lift up her belly. She also turns towards my voice.
Raelye has discovered more toys and has more interest in them. She loves hearing the tiger play music on her floor mat and starts dancing. She is getting more efficient at pulling her butterfly in her bouncer. Raelye will hold onto her rattles and other toys you give her and even shake them sometimes.
We had more visits at the end of April from my mom & grandmother and Aaron's unlce Steve & aunt Mary Lee. We got to visit a few new places such as taking a ferry ride, seeing the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and Snoqualmie Pass & waterfall.