Other October Happenings

Okay, so I know that it is April but I am determined to get this blog up to date...so if you are reading just bear with me. My mom bought the cutest apron for Bailey, and she would not wear it for the longest time. Finally one day the promise of cupcakes was enough for her to put it on, and now she wears it everytime we bake & sometimes just because!

We painted with pudding

We went on lots of walks

And we had lots of SISTER time

Best Friends in the making...I hope!

The Great Pumpkin

While preparing for the Halloween festivities we decided that Bailey is still a little too young to be carving a pumpking this year, so Clint & I carved while she finger painted! She had so much fun painting the pumpkin with every color we had, and the end result was a "scary" masterpiece!

The Holloway Pumpkins

Bailey's favorite part of Halloween was NOT wearing a costume or trick or treating...it was watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. She asked for it everyday, and I am pretty sure we were watching it til Christmas time rolled around! I was so bummed Halloween night, I wanted a Halloween redo! I made her tutu about a hour before our Ward party, and she dressed up and looked adorable but of course we didn't take pictures that night. So we tried again on Halloween, but a very late nap resulted in one unhappy witch who didn't want to do anything! At least our chubby pumpkin was happy!!

Better luck next year!

Our Fall Fun...still catching up

I love fall and how it is the beginning of the best time of the year...in my opinion! This year I was so excited for all the fun fall has to offer and to watch Bailey loving every, well almost every, minute of it. This year we started off our fun at the Phoenix Zoo's Pumpkin Palooza, and it was a lot of fun. Bailey had fun petting the animals, walking through the "corn (hay) maze," and most of all watching the animals eat their pumpkins!

After the zoo we meet up with Blake, Liz, and Finn at a nearby pumpkin patch to let the kids pick out their pumpkins. Last year Bailey hated the pumpkin patch, she seriously cried the entire time we were there. I was keeping my fingers crossed that this year would be different and for the most part it was. Bailey and Finn had fun running around and picking up all the pumpkins!

The Search for the Perfect Pumpkin

Let's be honest one trip to the pumpkin patch isn't enough, a few days later we headed back with Sam, Kristy, and the boys to really play at the pumpkin patch. We walked through a real corn maze, pet animals at the petting zoo, rode a "train", high speed biking with daddy, and much more. We had lots of fun and are training Bailey everyday for Halloween...trick or treat!

2, 3, 4, and 5 months

Life with two kids has been crazy, but wonderful. My poor little Reagan has been neglected in my lack of posting so here's what has been happening in her life the past 4 months...

2 Months

• Weight - 13.5 lbs putting her in the 96%
• Length - 24.5 in putting her in the 97%
• Head - 16.25 in putting her in the 93%
• She is super smiling and I love it
• She is sleeping through the night...love this girl
• Loves bath time
• Doesn't take a paci, but sucks on her bottom lip until she falls asleep
• Is wearing 3-6 month clothes
• Talks ALL day long
• Loves to be held, by mom...sorry daddy
• Doesn't like tummy time
• Still spits up
• Is wearing size 2 diapers

3 Months

• 1st Halloween
• Moved up to size 3 diapers
• Loves going on walks
• 1st visit to the zoo
• Is wearing some 9 month clothes

4 Months

• Weighs - 16 lbs putting her in the 90%
• Height - 25.5 in putting her in the 87%
• She started waking up once at night around 3am...I still can't complain
• She is wearing 6-12 month clothes
• 1st Thanksgiving
• She is happy ALL the time (unless it is time to eat or sleep)
• She can roll to her side, but won't roll over
• Holds her head up while on her tummy
• Loves sitting in the bumbo
• Giggles at lots of stuff...my favorite is her laughing while watching Bailey walk downstairs

5 Months

• 1st Christmas
• Still gets up one time at night
• Still not rolling over
• Can sit up for a little bit, until she gets too excited
• 1st trip to California
• Her bottom teeth are starting to break through...so sad the gummy smile is leaving
• She likes to sit in the exersaucer
• Tries to grab on to anything your holding
• Prefers her hands or arm over any teething toy
• She got her 1st cold
• Loves to watch Bailey and giggle at her

Reagan has some similairities to Bailey, but she is already showing her OWN personality! She is a chubby happy baby and I wouldn't have it any other way. I mentally prepared myself that life with two kids would be crazy hard, but she has made it very managable. She is super easy going, likes to be held (which is opposite of Bailey), tries to grab everything...which makes me wonder if she is going to be our mischievious one, smiles at pretty much everyone, and can fall asleep at a high school basketball game with the band playing right behind us. She is starting to interact more with Bailey which I love to watch and hope that they continue to love each other. We love you Reagan so much and are so glad your joined our family!

Christmas isn't over yet....

start off the New Year with these two stylish gals and these give aways! www.meandjilly.blogspot.com

Day 5

Today I am thankful for good friends that love my children, and more importantly they love them too!

Day 4

Please don't judge, but today I am thankful for having the internet on my phone. I didn't want it to begin with, because I figured I didn't need to have one more thing to distract me! But I have to admit it has been a nice companion during those 3:00am feedings & it is giving me the oppurtunity to blog from the comfort of my own bed! Let's be honest, you really can't complain about that! So now I will say goodnight & thank you modern technology!

Day 3

Today I am thankful for my neices & nephews, and we are excited to welcome the newest one today! Welcome to the world Chloe...we love you and can't wait to meet you!

Super Fun Blog

Hey everyone check out this blog, and their current giveaway...love these pumpkins!!!

www.meandjilly.blogspot.com

Day 2

Today I am thankful for my calling at church. I am one of three Beehive Advisors in our Ward's Young Women group, and I LOVE it. I have gained such a testimony of the Young Women & Personal Progress Program over this past year. I was not the most active member during my YW years and I never fully had the chance to participate in all the program had to offer. Now I realized I missed out on SO much. This program is truly inspired and is so important for all the women of the Church. Over the past year in my calling I have gained a stronger testimony of my Divine Nature as a daughter of God, and I know that he knows me individually and loves me. For this I am truly thankful!

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. WE WILL STAND as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith * Divine Nature * Individual Worth * Knowledge * Choice and Accountability * Good Works * Integrity * and Virtue

WE BELIEVE as come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep scared covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

30 Days of Thanks

Day 1

I have so much to be thankful for, but today I am thankful for Clint's new work schedule. He started working 10hr. days which means he is home later everyday (not so great), but he has every Monday off to spend with his girls! Thanks for all of the hard work you do for us babe...I love you!

Little White Dress

We had the opportunity to give this sweet little girl a name and a blessing on Saturday. Due to family traveling schedules we held the blessing at our home, which turned out great. Most of our family and friends were able to attend, which we are very grateful for, and we missed those that could not be there. Clinton gave a beautiful blessing, that was truly inspired by the Spirit. I am so thankful to have the Priesthood in our home, and to have a husband worthy to use it.

Men in Reagan's Circle

I think what has made my girl's blessing even more special is that both of them have worn the same dress that I wore for my blessing. My mom kept mine and gave it to me during one of Bailey's shower, and I am so glad she did. I love that this little white dress can be passed down generation to generation.

Our Little White Dress

I love my girls SO much, and am so thankful everyday that Heavenly Father has trusted me with these choice Spirits. The Spirit I felt this weekend reminded me of just how sacred parenthood is, and how these girls are relying on us to lead them home again. I pray that I may do my best to lead them and guide them with both hands holding fast to the iron rod. We love you Reagan and are so blessed to have you in our family!

You know you live in AZ when...

you're swimming on September 28th!

The girls and I met up with Kristy & the boys, and we headed down to the pool to try to cool off! This was Reagans first trip to the pool and although she was dressed for the occasion she didn't actually get in the water...sleep was more important. After swimming we headed back to the house to relax and watch Peter Pan. I guess the morning was a little too much for Bailey, because after about 30 minutes of the movie this is what I found...

Here's to the end of summer (hopefully), bring on fall!

One Month (plus a few days)

(Newborn Pics courtesy of Amanda Crookston)

On the 15th of this month Miss Reagan turned one month old, and I am sad to I have very few pictures to show for it. Trying to wrangling to kids, and a dog, leaves little time to document our life. I guess as some say we are too busy living it...and by living I mean feeding a baby every few hours, trying to clean the house, giving baths, going on walks, and occasionally a play date with some friends. Life has been crazy with two kids, but we are making it work one day at a time. Reagan is doing great and like Bailey is a great baby! She is a big girl and might pass her big sister up if she continues growing at this rate, but we couldn't be happier to have her in our family! Here are a few things Reagan's been up to this last month...

• She eats every 3 hours, and on occasion throws it all back up (Bailey never spit up so that has been are biggest adjustment...spit up is NO fun!)
• She just started smiling at us and cooing a little
• Wears size 1 diapers, but we will be switching to 2's once this pack is gone
• She is taking good naps during the day, and is giving me anywhere from a 4-6 hour stretch at night...I know I am lucky!
• According to our scale at home she is weighing around 12-12 1/2 pounds, like I said big girl
• She is wearing 0-3 months clothes, and depending on the brand some 3-6 months...so much for her and Bailey sharing clothes
• She loves taking baths
• She has already been to her first QCHS football game
• She has had a terrible case of baby acne, which is still lingering a little
• She has been to church twice, and down pretty good
• She doesn't like to burp, hence the spit up, and gets violent hiccups
• My favorite - made herself cry because she was pulling her own hair...classic

Sleeping...her favorite past time

The girls with Grandma & Grandpa Millward

Bailey has been adjusting pretty well to having a little sister and I can say that she is more interested in her everyday. We have meltdown for sure, but she is nice to Reagan and I can't ask for more then that. She loves to hold her, touch her hair, point out all of her body parts, help change diapers, says she has the hiccups or that she's talking to you with every little sounds Reagan makes. I can't wait for Reagan to get bigger and for these two girls to start playing together...I really hope that they are best friends in the making! Happy 1 month Reagan, we love you!

Reagan's Story

Our story begins on Thursday, August 12th...

Being 41 weeks pregnant we headed into the doctor's office for a check-up & NST (non-stress test). Miss Reagan decided this would be a good time to sleep so her heart rate was a little lower then normal during the NST and she had one decel during the contraction. So my midwife & the OB decided I needed to go to the hospital for another NST and a BPP ultrasound (Bio Physical Profile), and if things didn't look good there I would be getting induced tonight. Cue Breakdown! Even though I was a week overdue I was not mentally ready to have a baby tonight, I was suppose to go into labor on my own. After calming down a little I asked Clint to give me a blessing before we headed into the hospital. It was exactly what I needed and it became something for me to refer back to and rely on over the next couple of days. We headed off to the hospital and everything looked great...heart rate was perfect and the ultrasound was too. My midwife wanted me to come in the next day to be induced, but I beg for one more day at least. So she said I had to go back in for another NST on Friday, but if nothing happened Saturday would be D-day!

Friday, August 13th

Since I was granted an extra day to get labor started on my own I was determined to make it happen. Keep in mind we had tried literally almost everything to induced labor on our own up to this point, but I wasn't willing to give up yet. So I started the morning off by walking about 1.5 miles, then I headed off to the massage therapist for a pressure point massage. They said to help the massage work I needed to walk, and walk some more...so that is what I did. Being that it was almost 110 degrees outside I decided to head to the gym where I walked another 2 miles on the treadmill (praying that my water wouldn't break there). After the walk I went back to the hospital for the NST which again came back perfect, so I was sent home with a induction time of 11:00pm the next day. Feeling a little defeated I headed home to sulk and walk another mile thinking it would maybe help (but it didn't).

Saturday, August 14th

I woke up Saturday morning knowing that most likely I would not go into labor on my own and the getting induced was inevitable, but a scripture came to my mind and became my mantra for the next 24 hours. D&C 101:16 - Therefore, let your hearts be comforted...for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. The last part of the scripture went right along with what Clinton said in the blessing he gave me a few days earlier...he said that Heavenly Father knows me and my concern, but that he knows what is best and to trust in His plan. So I guess you could say that I gave my will over and tried to "be still." We spent most of the day hanging out and getting last minute things together, but really I should have been sleeping. After dinner out at BJ's, Clint & I headed to the hospital to meet our little girl.

Sunday, August 15th

They began inducing me around 12:30am by using PG gels, that help soften the cervix. How it works...they put the gel in and I am hooked up to the monitor for 1 hour, then I am allowed to walk for 40 minutes, and then back on the monitor for 20 minutes. They will do 3 rounds of this, unless your body goes into labor then they stop and let you labor how you want, and if you don't go into labor you move onto other methods of induction.

I was dilated to a 3 when we got to the hospital, and after the first round of gel I was still a 3 and my contractions were only 3-5 minutes apart so we moved onto round 2. After the second round I was definitely feeling them more and was hoping this was enough for them to stop the gels and lucky me it was. I was dilated to a 5 and my contractions were 2 minutes apart and it was time to get into the tub. I spent the next 2 hours laboring in the tub, and it was great a little too great. I could still feel the contractions, but I could tell that they were not as strong so it was out of the tub and time to walk again. By this time my midwife had shown up and so she checked me and I was a 6 1/2, but to be sure things kept progressing we decided to break my water (this was around 10am). After she broke my water we set off to walk some more to keep the contractions going, and that is exactly what they did. We did two more laps around the L&D floor and my contractions went from totally manageable to "Oh Shoot I am in Labor" intense! Clint and I headed back into our room and I labored by swaying back and forth with my head on his chest, aka the labor dance, for about a half an hour. Then it was time to be monitored again so we moved the ball to the side of the bed and I sat on that with my head laying on the bed. Things were pretty intense at this point, and I just kept telling myself...your in transition, things are almost done, and why did I want to do this again! After about 20-30 minutes my midwife asked if I needed to push, and I said that I feel some pressure but don't need to push. She decided it was time to check me again so I got up on the bed and I was an 8-8 1/2. My first thought was...really an 8, that is it? I have to keep doing this for two more centimeters, I don't know if I can. But those thoughts were quickly brushed aside, because with my next contraction I let everyone know that I was pretty sure I needed to push NOW! My midwife came back over from setting everything up and said yep, she is complete! Basically, my cervix just melted away with that one contraction and now it was time to push. I have to admit that after pushing for over an hour with Bailey I was a little worried, but 4 or 5 pushes later Reagan was born and lying on my chest!

It was an incredible labor and experience. Everyone says that every labor is different and mine sure were, but I couldn't have asked for anything more. I was able to labor the way I wanted to, and I am so grateful that I finally let myself "be still" and trust that Heavenly Father listens to me, has a plan for me, and knows me individually!

Bailey's 1st Mustache

With the summer heat still a blazin' we made some kool-aid popsicles to stay cool, and while we waited for them to freeze Bailey got her 1st (of many) kool-aid mustache!

She's Here...Finally!

Introducing...

Reagan Holloway

Born: 8/15/10

Time: 12:19pm

Weight: 9lbs. 10oz.

Length: 21 inches

She was a few days late, 9 to be exact, but she is here now and we couldn't be happier!

Reagan's Visitors at the Hospital

So happy to be going home

(Thanks Aunt Melissa for my perfect going home outfit!)

Reagan's Birth Story is coming soon as well as pics from her 1st week at home!

Quality Time

While running all over town trying to get ready for Baby #2 I quickly realized that I only had a couple more week with my little girl...as just the two of us. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to have two girls and to watch them grow, play, & become friends. But, for me and Bailey it will never be quite the same. So I decided we needed less errands and more "quality time!"

Snack Date at Yogurt Jungle

Afternoon at the Splash Pad

I love you Bailey, and the last 20 months we have spent together. I know you will be a great Big Sis, and I can't wait for all of the fun times and memories that are in store for the 3 of us girls!

40 Weeks

Yes...I am suppose to be having a baby today, and No...I am not smuggling a basketball under my clothes. Bigger belly now or then, you decide! Here's to hoping a baby comes soon!

Red, White, & Blue

We had a great 4th of July spent having LOTS of fun with friends & family, it was perfect! We went to church in the morning, ate some yummy food as a family, and then headed over to my cousin's house to watch some fireworks. My cousin Sam & his family moved closer to us a couple months ago, and I couldn't be happier to have them only 10 minutes away! As luck would have it, their new house is right next to the Gilbert Field of Dreams Baseball Stadium and the city was doing a firework at the stadium....Perfect!

We started the night off with big wheel rides around the cul de sac, with our very experienced driver Ethan at the wheel!

Then we started getting hopped up on sugar...

Whatever is in that cup must be real good...

Then we cuddled up to watch the big show (she loves her Aunt Liz, Uncle Blake, & cousin Finn)...

After the show we headed home for some much needed sleep, but the morning after we were able to meet up with Blake, Liz, and Finn for some 5th of July breakfast...delicious! These two are cuter then words & love each other almost all of the time!

Happy 4th of July!