First day of preschool

Dear Raegan Grace,

This morning I woke up in a panic! I slept 30 mins past 5 alarms and was running late to get out the house! I stayed up way too late making a frame for you to hold for your first day of preschool! Haha, mommy problems!

Somehow your daddy and I managed to snap a few pictures and out the door we went headed to preschool!

When we got inside your teacher was waiting for you in the early bird room. You wouldn't let go of me but watched all the other kids play. I sat on the floor with you and you held my hand with one hand and played with a toy car with the other hand while your teacher, Ms. Cathy and I talked. When I told you it was time for momma to go you clung on to me for dear life. Ms. Cathy asked you if you wanted to see the fish and I walked you over to the fish tank where Ms. Cathy took your hand and mommy and daddy said a quick good bye and we walked out the door. 

When we got outside we could see you through the window and you were holding Ms. Cathy's hand walking around the room. I started crying and your daddy held me in his arms and reassured me you would be fine. And off to work we both went.

A few hours into work I was wondering how you were doing so I called Chesterbrook and they transferred me to the principle who assured me she checked on you several times already and you were happily playing and doing just fine. She got my cell number and told me she would have your teacher call me later. About 5 mins later she actually text me a pic of you playing at recess. And then two mins later she text me a pic of you and Landon playing together with the caption BFFs! She told me y'all were so happy to see each other on the playground!

After lunch Ms. Cathy called me and assured me you were fitting right in and having a wonderful day. She told me you didn't eat much lunch but were now laying on the cot ready for a nap. Not sleeping but laying there quietly! 

Around 3pm I text the principle how you did for nap and 5 mins later Ms. Cathy called me and told me you slept for an hour and half and after you woke up you laid on the cot until you were told to get up. She told me you had a perfect first day and that she couldn't have imagined it going any better and that she was so proud of you. I was so happy and relieved my sweet girl!

When I got there to pick you up you were sitting in a chair playing with a toy. When you saw me you just sat there and when I  kneeled down beside you you gave me a big hug! Melt momma's heart! I asked you if you were ready to go and you got up and got your backpack and after talking to your other teacher about your awesome day we walked hand in hand out the door with you carrying your backpack! 

When we got home we played outside with daddy for a while, Skyped with granny, and rode your tricycle! We ate dinner, gave you a bath, and you were in bed and asleep before 8pm! Such a big day you had my love!

It was such a relief to have you do so well today! Mommy & daddy are so proud of you! And so happy you love your new class! I will be praying for this transition to be just as easy as today was! Keep up the great work!

I love you my sweet blessing! Such a big girl you are!

Love always and forever,

Momma

tomorrow my baby starts preschool

ohHHHHHH MY goodness Raegan Grace....

You my dear are officially two (as of yesterday at 6:16pm hehe). Yesterday we had a beautiful birthday party for you filled with so many wonderful friends and family that LOVE and ADORE YOU! I just cannot believe two years ago I held you for the first time and that you are now a big TWO years old. Time surely flies and you can't blink at all...it's been the best two years of my life filled with so many happy memories. You are my oh so sweet blessing and such a special and perfect gift from God and there is not a day that doesn't go by that I don't thank God for you!

Tomorrow is a big day for you (and me): You start two year old preschool. I can't believe the day is here. I am so thankful I haven't had to send you to daycare for the past two years and have had some amazing people help with you while I was working (Tracey, Jordan, and Sara will always hold special places in my heart). You are such an amazing little girl and I know that you truly will only flourish as you begin this new journey. It's going to be an adjustment not to able to call/text your sitter to check on you, but hopefully preschool won't be annoyed as I call and check on you throughout your day some (at least in the beginning). The only thing I am worried about is your naptime. You have ALWAYS been such a light sleeper and all of your sitters have had to let you sleep in a room by yourself because the slightest noise would wake you up. So huge huge prayers are going out for you that this adjustment will be easy for you and that you will get some rest while you are at preschool. Today we went shopping and you picked out a new blanket and pillow so that you could cozy up with at naptime. I hope it helps some! Mommy also finally got you a new jacket because wrapping you up in a blanket like I have been doing the last week and dropping you off at your first day of preschool might be frowned upon. haha! Seriously though, you needed a jacket! So new jacket you got for these cool fall mornings. You are going to look adorable in your new outfit too! I am sucker for little girl clothes and I can't wait to see you dressed all sweet in your smocked school outfit and bows in your hair! Such a cutie pie you are!

Daddy and I both will be dropping you off in the morning so we can snap a few pictures and kiss and love on you goodbye. I will be counting down the minutes until I can come pick you up and hear about your first day of preschool! Your teachers and classmates are going to be soooo lucky to have you in their class! You are such a fun, loving, energetic, sweet child! I cherish every moment I get to spend with you and I know your new teachers and classmates will too! You light up a room and I know they will enjoy you as much as every one who meets you does. Hope you have an AMAZING first day of preschool my sweet sweet blessing! I hope you have so much fun meeting new friends, playing, learning and growing!

I love you my oh so sweet blessing all the way to the moon and back! 

Love always and forever,
Momma (or mommy, you call me both, hehe)

all ready for preschool

Happy Birthday my love! THE BIG TWO!

it's hi ho off to work I go in the morning

I don't know about the rest of y'all but this summer flew by me so fast I hardly had time to catch my breath. Heck I can count on one hand how many days I actually had "relaxed days" (yea y'all try relaxing with a 22 month old jumping beside you on the couch). Kinda sad really when you think about having two whole months off when you are a teacher.

But us teachers know we don't get 3 months off like some think we do. We get 2 months off, and of those two months you are spent busy in trainings for new textbook adoptions, or new leadership programs, and team planning days, and a week to set up your classroom, and another week of kindergarten camp...etc. And then we are researching pinterest, or making stuff and crafting away, and planning and designing lessons so that we will have the perfect classroom with the best management systems in place so WE feel organized and ready for the school year. So that we can have a smooth meet the teacher night, a smooth first week of school, and ultimately a smooth school year. So that when our students walk in they are excited about what they see, and when their parents walk in they are confident in you because your room is in order and you are organized. And because we feel ready as a teacher, we are bubbly, we are excited, we can't wait to dig in with all our new ideas and lessons! It weighs on us heavy as we try to do everything in advance as we prepare for a new school year. Because what we did last year, well that's not going to work, all that research, reflection, and new innovative ideas we got this summer, well ALL that is going to work THIS YEAR! And we all know next year we will tweak this and that and start the whole process all over again. WHY? because we don't do the same things every year. We learn and we grow as professionals, we gain new ideas from one another, each year we gain more experience, we want what is best for our group of kids so we change and adapt our lessons, our environment, our philosophy  our thinking. And all that GREAT stuff takes time. I started all my new ideas at the beginning of July, I don't think I have gone to bed early not once since July because I have been busy working on SOMETHING for my classroom rather it was a new sign that will surely fit perfect on that one shelf and surely it will inspire SOME ONE, or it was making a list in my EC planner so that I don't forget to set out the camera to take a first day of kindergarten picture with my new students next week. It's a million little things with a million lists running around floating here on my cell phone, my planners, my desk at school, my purse, etc. They are every where in hopes I don't forget that one little thing that  may not matter to some, but matter huge to someone else. My life as teacher is constant. It WAS summer, but now it's over and I can seriously say this summer I did some serious reflection on my life as a teacher. And I am so thankful for that time to better myself as a professional.

This summer wasn't just about professional growth, for I know that transferring to a different school did help ignite some new passion for teaching, but it's also about personal growth. My sweet little Raegan Grace kept me busy. Last summer she was only 9 months old, she crawled most of the summer (learned to walk towards the end of the summer which I will be forever grateful I got to witness) and was easy to please. This summer, well this summer,  my bouncing energetic toddler needed to be entertained. We went to the zoo, edventure, play dates, lunch dates, etc. Our mornings were extremely busy entertaining my loving toddler who had no intention of sitting and relaxing on the couch with momma she wanted to be running, she wanted me to chase her, read books to her, color with her, just sit on her little couch with her. She wanted apple juice one minute and milk the next AND she wanted to help me pour it and we all know a 22 month old pouring something leads to spilling something. In the afternoon she napped, and well sometimes I did too, but the last month or so I didn't because well that's prime time for this teacher to get stuff done because my head was filled with new ideas and a new classroom theme. But I am growing as a mommy. I am learning with Raegan as she learns. I attempted potty training this summer, and that was a BIG whomping fail. But you know, I tried. And really those 3 days of attempting to train her were the ONLY THREE days in a row we were home ALL Summer. So please don't tell me teachers relax all summer, because my only 3 days "OFF" were spent attempting to potty train a toddler, and well if anyone needs to see those pictures please check my Facebook page for July 2-4 to find out how that really went. Failure is not something I like to do, but it happens. And you know I don't let it get me down. I keep trying, because that is what momma's do. We keep going, because we have to, because we must show our little ones that we must keep going. And success well it will come.

Raegan is one beautiful little girl. And she keeps me busy and on my toes for sure. When she smiles her whole face lights up with those big brown eyes that surely bring a smile to your face if you ever saw it. She is passionate about everything, curious about the world we live in, and sooo sooo sooo very much fun to watch and enjoy as she learns and explores every single little thing like attempting to escape her crib. And those seldom random hugs she gives well those are worth every bit of energy it took for me to clean up the water she dumped out of the tub with her hair washing cup. This child, my child, my oh sweet child fills my heart with more love than I could EVER imagine. This sweet child of mine that keeps me on my toes, well she gives me a good taste of just how much my God loves me and well that my friends, makes my whole life worth living. I know what love is because I have Raegan Grace.

This summer has been busy. Right now Drew is still operating his GF store and helping out with the new store as it is being built as well. So he has also been very busy this summer too. It's been crazy transitions going on in The Smallwood house this summer for sure. I was beginning to think he was too busy to get my stuff in my new classroom, but he did it, and whew, I am so thankful my stuff is there and unpacked! One less thing I have to worry about! 

But anyway, tonight, I have been a complete emotional wreck. And although Raegan has already gone to her new sitter, Sara, 4 times now, it's still soooo very heartbreaking to know that she will continue to go to Sara (and not momma) for the next 7 weeks. and then will be heartbreaking again when she transitions to preschool (and not momma) when she turns two at the end of September. SO heartbreaking. HeartBreaking because I know she will love Sara and get use to her and I will be removing her from that environment and I am already praying that transition won't be too hard on us. And that's one heartbreak. And then there's the heartbreak of leaving her all together. Although she has spent a few days here and there this summer with different people for my training's etc, it's just different when you HAVE To drop your child off with someone because you HAVE to go work. Tonight is hard for me. Hopefully tomorrow morning won't be so bad on me. But it's hard knowing as her mother I have to send her to SOMEONE else to take care of her while I GO to work and take care of and teach SOMEONE else's kids. The heartbreak of that reality sometimes to me is just too overwhelming. I literally sat here and cried buckets of tears holding Raegan wanting to keep her to myself and not share her with the world. It's tough. So tough being a working mom...and being a teacher working mom to me, well I can't vouch for all working moms, but teacher moms, we ROCK IT because we want is best for ALL kids but most importantly our own!

I am also emotional wreck about learning to balance it all. Going to a new school this year and back to a grade I haven't taught in a few years I will be learning every step of the way. I know I will have a lot to do as I hope to be a good addition to my team and help all my little students be successful in all that they do. I also want to make sure that I am being balance at home. I don't want to miss anytime with Raegan and I want to be the best momma I can be to her. And I already know my house will take the back burner, it's okay no guest allowed, y'all just invite me to your house and we will all be okay... deal? No judgements on this dishes or the laundry that I seem to struggle with being HOME all summer! ha! And my husband, well he is going to be so busy at the new store it will take us a little time to find balance in all that, but that's okay, because God will bring us through this. We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. I love my husband and so proud of his new adventures too. Together we will make it happen!

So as I lay down tonight (at some point if my mind stops racing) I probably won't sleep much because I don't sleep: This mom is constantly working on something rather for school or attempting to clean my house. But I am going to sleep kind of bittersweet I guess. So very sad to end my summer days with Raegan Grace, but also excited about changing the world one child at a time. I am so very excited about this new journey at a new school. I have only worked at WE and well change is sometimes nerve wrecking and scary. But I am anxious and excited about this new school year. But everyone at my new school has been so helpful, caring, and welcoming. And well that, that is all I need. Because where I work, they become family to me, we are all in this together. So if you see me tomorrow give me a hug, or I might just hug you, I promise I don't bite. Break that bearer because I am ready to expand my family! And if you ever need prayer, come to me! Together we will make a difference. 

Let us pray...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this day that You have given us. We lift up all of those working mommas out there who find a hard time balancing it all. Give us strength Lord as we aim to be that beautiful Proverbs 31 mother and wife Lord. May we bring all the glory and honor to You. May others see You in each and every one of us.

God, we pray for teachers. We pray for inspiration and excitement as the new year starts Lord. God, help us to manage it all. Help us to get some sleep, to take some me time. Help us get every little thing done that we need to get done Lord. Help us be successful as we prepare our classrooms, help us be inspired and renewed as we sit though meetings. Help us be productive. Help us be good teammates. Help us be proactive. Help us to build relationships with students, parents, coworkers, and administration. Help us be supportive of one another and helpful. God, help us teach through You. Let others see You in each of us Lord. Help us we ban together in Your name to do Your work Lord. God, we pray for the new chapters You have laid out before us. For these great new beginnings and opportunities. God, help us be successful as we work for You lord. You know what we need Lord, and we thank You for giving that to us. May this school year be the BEST yet in our professional career!

God, we pray for mothers who will be leaving their babies tomorrow to return to the classroom. God, summer has come to an end. We have savored every moment with our sweet children. And we know now that we must share our precious little ones with the world. We pray that the world sees Your love and grace in our children. That our hard work in raising our children to do Your will will be evident. May they be kind, caring, and loving Lord with their teachers and friends. Protect our children in mind and body. Bless our heavy hearts as we trust someone else with our little babies. May they find as much joy in our babies as we do. Comfort us as we transition back into our teacher roles.

God, continue to use this next week to bless our students. May they enjoy their last week of summer vacation. May they come prepared and ready to learn. May they be full of excitement and eagerness to learn. We pray over their home environments that their parents will be supportive and play an active positive role in their education!

God, use us all to bring glory and honor to You. May each day we wake up, may we be renewed in Your word and may we go out and conquer all that You have set before us.

Thank You God for all that You do for us!

In Your name we pray,
AMEN!!!


and to my sweet blessing...

Dear Raegan Grace,

I haven't written  you in quite a while. Mommy has been crying nonstop tonight at the thought of having to leave you in the care of someone else. I want you to know that although I work, you are my number one priority and that I do not love you any less. You are my oh so sweet blessing and I would do anything in the world for you! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF! I thank God every day for blessing me with Your love! I am so grateful to be able to have summers off to spend with you! You have been such a blessing to watch as you have grown and learned so many new things this summer. Your vocabulary is really taking off and I just love to hear you talk about everything! I know that God will take care of us both (and daddy) as our little family transitions into new rolls. Together we will trust in Him and His plans for our family!

I love you my sweet blessing! I love you all the way to the moon and back! Forever and always!

Love Momma!



Well later my readers... I need to go pack my teacher bag, and lay out my clothes (aw man, I never did go shopping for myself this summer, dang no new clothes YET, oh well). I still need to go clothes shopping for myself, and go to the eye doctor, and get my hair cut...dang if I come in to school tomorrow looking shabby I'll blame my eye sight? ha! Need to ADD ME to my to do list! Well it's on there but at the bottom, I better fix that soon! Anyway night friends!

Perfect day!!

Today was the perfect day with Raegan Grace!

When I woke up this morning I has no idea where I wanted to take Raegan! I knew I wanted to take her somewhere fun but couldn't make my mind up.

After much debate I decided to take her to Edventure! I think the only reason why I didn't take her before now is because I was waiting on daddy! When I take her somewhere for the FIRST time I like Daddy to be there to witness and enjoy all her excitement too. And since he only has Sundays off we normally go to church, lunch then it's nap time. And by the time she wakes up and we get anywhere everything is closed so we normally don't go anywhere like that on Sundays because there is no time.

But I decided I was going to take her regardless because I don't want her missing out on things just because daddy has to work.

So off to Edventure we went! She was so excited seeing everything! She saw the Firetruck first and kept saying "truck" over and over. When we walked up to the truck she saw a firefighter statue and got scared. She backed up to me with a scared look. I had to pick her up and show her it was fake and safe. It's funny because every time she saw it she got scared and would run past it real fast. Haha! Silly girl!

We had so much fun enjoying all the little exhibits! Raegan especially enjoyed the bucket of ball area, the veterinarian adopt a pet clinic, butterfly garden, the cow (where she kept saying "moo"), the slide area, and the grocery store area, and even Mr. Eddy where she kept pointing to his hat saying "hat". Which she also did every time she saw someone in Edventure wearing a hat! Funny girl!

After we left Edventure we went to visit daddy at work and he was nice enough to feed us both :) hehe!

We then came home and she took a three hour nap! Yay! I was lucky enough to get some sleep in there too!

When she woke up we watched Minnie and then Daddy came home and we spent the entire evening outside playing and watching Daddy cut the grass! She had ball today!

After eating dinner we snuggled up on the couch for a bit and just relaxed until bath! Boy was she messy! All day fun and outside equals one dirty child. Haha!

While sitting on the couch Raegan saw me put my sunglasses on top of my head and she wanted to copy me! So sweet!


Dear Raegan Grace,

Thank you for being a good girl today! I had so much fun with you!

We had a great day! You were wore out! I know you did because even when I laid you down for the night before I even had a chance to say night night you said "night night, love you, bye bye." Eyed closed, didn't lift your head on anything! Haha! Tired sweet girl!

Raegan, I love creating memories with you! Makes me wish summer was here already!!! 9 more school days my dear! Can't wait to soak up the sun with you and enjoy every moment with you!

Tomorrow daddy promised to take us to the zoo! Should be lots of fun! Can't wait to go its been a few months since we have gone! Yay for family time! Mommy and daddy love you so very much!

Thanks for being my sweet girl! I love you to the moon and back forever and always!!

Love,
Mommy!!!

guilty mommy

I'm been feeling kind of blah lately. I get home from work and I am completely exhausted and have literally no energy. I love playing with Raegan, but lately I was enjoying her wanting to watch tv and cuddle with me on the couch, enjoying her sitting next to me playing with the ipad, or watching videos of herself on my phone. Not that any of those things are bad in small segments, but the last few weeks, that's pretty much what we have been doing because I have been completely burned out. 

And then of course I was feeling guilty about it. I wasn't taking her outside to play, we weren't going on wagon rides like we usually do, and I wasn't sitting on the floor playing blocks with her or racing cars down the hallway, etc. 

Today, I vowed that I WAS NOT going to be LAZY~! 

So, after dinner I sat down on the couch (out of a few weeks of a bad habit), and as soon as I sat down, Raegan comes over saying "video video" wanting to watch a video on my phone. 

I was like... No, let's go outside, so she ran ever so excitedly and got her shoes and bow (the girl knows what she needs hehe) and we went outside and just played. We chased each other, we played some t-ball, we tossed the ball back and forth, she went down her slide, watched things roll down the slide (dirt, balls, etc) and climbed the mountain (our table). She even pulled a few weeds. She laughed, she giggled, and she filled my heart with so much joy. More joy than I have felt in a long time. 

Moments like this evening warms my heart. It puts a memory in my mind which makes a smile come across my face.

It's easy to get caught up in life. It's easy to become overwhelmed with work. It's easy to want to just sit down when you come home from work because you really are soooo tired and wornout. It's easy to want to be lazy. And there is not a dang thing wrong with that, as long as it doesn't become consistent. We of course have to take care of ourselves. Nothing wrong with that. And I do and don't feel guilty for it all at the same time. But I think that is what makes me a mother. I'm real. I am not perfect I have flaws. Nothing wrong with that....as long as you learn from them along the way.

I always promised myself I would ALWAYS have energy for Raegan, and I really ALWAYS have had the energy for her until the last couple weeks. I would of course love her and play with her, but I pretty much wanted it to happen from the comfort of my couch for a few weeks now. It was not normal, and all week I was feeling really guilty about it. Maybe it's because the school year is coming to end and I really am wore out and so many things need to get done these next few weeks. But sweet little Raegan Grace is not tired. She is not worn out. She has more energy than the energizer bunny. All she wants is to be close to me. She wants to help me, she wants to do what I am doing. She doesn't mind sitting on the couch with me, helping me with laundry, sitting in the bathroom while I take a shower or watching me cook. She doesn't mind doing the things I WANT and NEED to do. But dang lately I have been feeling guilty for not doing the things SHE WANTS and NEEDS mommy to do with her (and she can't even talk yet). But tonight, I changed that and it felt really good. I loved to see my baby girl smile (not that she wasn't with some of our easier laid back fun) but I love to hear her laughter. I love to see the amazement on her face. I love spending so much time with her. It was perfect. Call me guilty working mom, but dang if I don't love this sweet child to death.

Dear Raegan Grace,

You fill my heart with so much joy. The way you run away and laugh and laugh as I try to catch you, or the way you ask me for "help" as you get dirt on your hands and you want it wiped off, or the way you climb on the table outside and you want "help up" (which means down). The way you would just smile as you ran for nothing more than to just run in the simple breeze.

Mommy is sorry I have been so tired and haven't really truly played with you in a few weeks. I apologize. One day you will understand where I am coming from, and there is nothing wrong with taking a break and relaxing for yourself. You have to do that, just make sure that after you take care of you you get back to enjoying baby and life in general. It doesn't make a lot of sense right now, but one day it will. You will have a child of your own, and will want to rest. But don't forget your baby needs you do the things she/he wants to do too. Babies grow up too fast, they don't keep. One minute you're holding a newborn, the next thing you know you're chasing a toddler around and their mind is moving a mile a minute. Create memories. Take a step back, enjoy the simple pleasures in life. One day I know you're not going to want to play with me. You're going to want to hang out with your friends, and I must not take any time EVER for granted that I have with you.

I love you Raegan Grace! You are my ever so sweet blessing. Thank You for allowing mommy to rest. For being okay, just sitting on the couch cuddled next to mommy watching videos and playing games, and reading books when mommy needs to just sit and relax. Thank you for helping me do the little things around the house. And thank you for allowing mommy to join in all your own fun too. To enjoy the sweetness of the enjoyment you get out of the very simple things in life like pulling weeds, and putting grass in a bucket, or saying "hi" to the neighbors on the other side of the fence. Thank You my sweet sweet blessing for bringing me back to reality  For helping me appreciate the little things in life. God, is already using you for his work. You are such a blessing to me and I thank you for your ever so sweet nature and care free energetic personality! You make me such a better person my sweet girl. Thank you for being your little sweet self and allowing me to appreciate all the beauty in this world God has blessed us with! You are perfect in so many ways and I am beyond blessed to call you my daughter and to be your mommy. As I write this right now it brings tears to my eyes. And it's probably because it's almost midnight and I am still not asleep because it's been weighing on my heart so much lately. Thank You for taking care of mommy while she has been so tired. I'm working on changing more and more everyday. To be the mommy God has called me to be! 

I love you to the moon and back forever and always my sweet blessing!

Love, 

Mommy

Our sad world

Dear world,

I sure wish you would change. I sure wish we could all get along. Treat each other right. Have some type of common decency....

I wish God was at the center of everyone's life. I know this world would be a better place. I know God is shaking his head at what he sees.

We all sin. Yes we do. But killing? Shooting? Stealing? Kidnapping?Hurting someone so physically??? How is this right? How can people be that hard on the inside? Do they not feel? Do they not have a conscious? I don't understand it.

It makes me scared to raise my daughter in this world. I pray over her mind and safety every day. I don't want anything to happen to her because other people can't do what is right.

Even if someone had no religion how can one do some of of these awful things?

My heart aches for our dying world. My heart aches knowing that people are so selfish so heartless in our world.


God,
protect us from the evils of this world. I know You see it all, but I promise You there are people here that love You and want to and do honor You. I know You see us God. Thank You for these people that love You, that honor You, that witness to others, that do good, that are good. Thank You for those that give us hope for mankind!

Devil, you can try to win all you want but when it's all said and done, God will have victory in the end!

I challenge us to get it right. You don't know when your time will be up. When you have to stand before God at the judgement doors and have to account for our actions. We already fall so short with so much small stuff, don't fall short because you don't have a heart for mankind.

God, please change the hearts of those that don't know you. I know you see that they need you! We all do!

I'm praying God for our world. Save us from ourselves and others.

Amen!

sweet night!

Dear Raegan,

So Daddy was working late tonight so it was just me and you my sweet girl. After picking you up from Jordan's we went to the grocery store to get some things we needed. Every time I put a snack in the cart you would do the "more" sign. I think I made a mistake and took you shopping when you were hungry like mommy does all the time...whoops... But you were such a good girl. Patient throughout the whole store, starring down everyone that passed you and eyeing me every time I placed a new item in the shopping cart. You made me smile!

When we got home I was cooking us dinner. To hold you over I gave you blueberries in your cup. You kept bringing me your cup every few minutes so that I could give you a refill. You must have ate a quarter of the container. My little blueberry eater!

I was worried that when we ate dinner you wouldn't eat much since you had so many blueberries, but you ate two helpings of the chicken alfredo I made and a whole cup of milk. You must have been hungry my dear!

While you finished up dinner you gave mommy time to do the dishes and then we got to play together. You let me chase you around and you would stop in the middle of your run to see if I was really coming to get you and then off you would go just laughing and laughing your oh so sweet laugh. 

We sat on the floor together and we did some puzzles. You are so cute the way you set the puzzle in your lap and sit their with your feet all sticking out and working hard to complete your puzzles. Your focus makes me smile.

While sitting on the floor it was obvious you needed a diaper change. I asked you and you patted your diaper so we went to your room to change you. While I had you on the changing table you were getting antsy so I handed you a wipe to hold. You took that wipe and tried to clean your bottom...OHHHH MY!!! And yest that's TMI, but ohhh how it made me laugh out loud.

Instead of putting a new diaper on you I thought it was best to go ahead and give you a bath. I lifted you down from the changing table and you ran naked to the bathroom and stood there banging your hands on the  edge of the tub. It was sooo funny as you waited anxiously for me to put you in the tub. You played so sweetly as you always do in the tub. After I cleaned your face you took the wash cloth and clean the frog's face (our faucet cover). You then took the wash cloth and smoothed it out over the edge of the tub as if you were laying it out to dry. Such a big girl and so observant you are my dear.

After your bath, I got you dress in your pjs. Daddy called to tell us he was on the way home and that he wanted me to keep you up till he got home so he could give you love. So I sat in your glider and you took over your room. In the nightstand, you found a purple crayon and you were looking for something to write on so I found an envelope and you sat there coloring on it until daddy came home. When I heard the garage open, I said "Daddy's home" you looked at me said "daddy??" and ran out your bedroom to await your daddy at the door. It was sooo cute! Daddy played with you for a while. Y'all played chase, and he would lift you up and tickle you over and over. You were loving every minute of it. 

After a while, Daddy handed you back to me for me to rock you to sleep. You started to cry when Daddy walked away. So he came back in the room, picked you up gave you some more kisses and he handed you back to me... As soon as he did that you must have been content because you laid your head on my shoulder. We rocked for a little while with your sweet head on my shoulder. I was soaking up every minute cuddling with you!

Then I got up, sat you in your crib. You laid down. I put the blanket around you, tucking you in, then leaned down as far as I could in the crib, and kissed your forhead good night. It's probably one of my favorite memories thus far. It was the first time you ever let me do all that. Last night, was the first time you laid down and let me cover you and tuck you in, but tonight, I got so many kisses in as I tucked you in, and I loved every minute of it.

You are growing up my sweet blessing. . 

I really needed such a perfect night with you Raegan Grace. Today, I was missing you so much at work! I was so anxious to leave work. Mrs. Jordan was very sweet and text me two sweet pictures of you! It really made me feel so much better seeing your sweet face.

So thank you my sweet girl. Thank you for filling my life with so much love and joy!

I love you all the way to the moon and back forever and always!

Love,

Mommy