No More Swaddle

I just had to post quickly tonight to commemorate a moment that I thought may never come. Tonight is our second swaddle free night! I looks like we have broken free of the swaddle forever! Now she is sleeping in her crib with nothing but her sleeper and her lovey... I peeked in on her last night before I went to bed and started to get misty... she looked like such a big girl all sprawled out in her crib!

Here are some pics of our solid food escapades... much better than day one... we love Sweet Potatoes!

5 Months!

Today is Regan's 5 month birthday! So many exciting things have been happening this week. She's finally starting to roll over a little bit from her belly to her back, thanks to the fact that she still hates to lay on her tummy. Here is an action shot of her rolling over:

Regan has also become a lot more social. She actually doesn't mind as much when people come up to talk to her, and sometimes even smiles back. She still saves her really big smiles for Mom and Dad.
She loves playing in her entertainer now and her feet are starting to touch the bottom. She is beginning to understand all of thing parts that make noise, and can spin them around and play by herself for quite a while.
We had decided about a week ago that we were going to give solid foods a shot. Regan has been showing signs of being ready and we got the green light from her Doctor last month. So yesterday we decided to give it a shot with Rice Cereal; just to get her used to the experience of the spoon and high-chair and stuff.

She really liked her bib, and sitting in the chair:
But the cereal part did not go over as well...
Most if not all of it ended up on the outside when we were done. So we will keep at it now, just to get her used to it. Eventually I think she will get the drift - especially when fruits and veggies are on the menu.
Here is Regan's official 5 month picture with her bear. I couldn't get her to smile this time...

...she was to distracted by wanting to smush her sign and put it in her mouth.

Week 21

This week mommy had lots of fun taking pictures with her new camera; the Nikon D-40! Kevin and I decided to make the investment in a nice camera as our anniversary present to one another. Here are some highlights from this weeks photos: (if you click on the pics they look nicer)

Pretty Face! (won't flip this picture for some reason)

Surveying the backyard that daddy is fixing up for her

Look! The sweater and hat Great Aunt Joanne made for me finally fits! - too bad it's 90 degrees out.

Gerber baby face

Spending time with Grandma G

And Grandma Kerl

"Hmmmm, I think I'll have the Philly Cheese Steak..."

"Enough with the camera already!"

It's All Happening a the Zoo!

Today was Regan's first trip to the zoo! We went with Grandma Judy, Great Grandma Jean and Derek.

We saw Lorikeets at Lorikeet Landing

Here's Grandma and Derek checking out the little crocs

Regan was so interested in the zoo that she stayed awake the whole time! Right thru her nap time!

The Ocelot came over to check us out

A cute spider monkey in the Rainforest

We all had a great time, but it was really hot and humid out. Next time we go will be a cool day!

Week 20

Another weekend, another family picnic.

Sunday was Regan's first (the 52nd annual) Kinmartin Family Picnic. She seems to be getting much better with meeting new people because she did not get upset once! There were many many new people to meet, and lots of new babies!

Here's Tammy with Brock and Grandma holding Regan

The Bean was ready for her close-up

Kelly and Rehgyn, and Kelly and Regan!

Aunt Rita,Great Grandma, and Aunt Mary

Regan meeting her Great Great Aunt Ruthie (who is celebrating her 68 year marriage with Uncle Dick!)

"Who are you exactly?" - Regan meeting cousin Lisa

All this picnic business can sure wear a girl out!

In other news Regan has rolled over from her belly to her back twice this past week, and she seems to be almost able to go from back to belly. This week our noise making abilities went from beeps and burps to full on yelling. One night, Regan just decided that she new how to project her voice and started yelling! She seems to think this is great fun. Mom and Dad have other ideas.

Week 19

So this past weekend we went up to Canada to the beach house for Gannon's Graduation party. This was Regan's first time in a foreign country! When we crossed the Peace Bridge she passed that interrogation with flying colors.

At the party she was bombarded by all of the relatives wanting to see her/hold her... which was all a bit much for the tiny bean! So it took a little getting used to, but once she realized that Grandma was there too, and made fast friends with cousin Erin, all was good. She even managed to take a nap for about an hour in her Port-a-crib.

The Beach House

Regan fell asleep during dinner at the boat house

The Bean with Erin

First time with toes in the sand... not too sure what to think

Also today we went over to Great-Grandma Flo's for lunch. Regan was happy and played, smiled and talked the whole time. Also, instead of getting fussy and tired, she just fell asleep with her dolly in the couch! What a good Bean!

The evolution of speech

Regan is beginning to recognize that she has a voice. She likes to "talk" to us and have conversations. I have been trying to get her to say "mama" since the day she was born, to no avail.

At first Regan started out "coo-ing" like an owl. She also did this while she was falling asleep for her naps:

Then it turned into beeps and lip smacking, and laughing...

Now, if you listen closely, it's a mix between that guy from the Cantina in "Star Wars" and the Swedish Chef from the Muppets:

+ =

I can only be lead to hope that "mama" is not far behind.

One Year Ago Today...

...we found out that we were pregnant!

It's so hard to believe it's been a whole year already. It truly seems like only yesterday we were telling the good news to family and friends. Now one year later, we have this:

It's amazing how things can change in just one year.

Also today we got a visit from Rachel and Giulianna! She is getting so big, and she can walk now, which means lots and lots of movement! She gets into everything! It gives us a look at what life will be like for us in another year.

Here is Giulianna sitting in Regan's chair:
The girls playing with the entertainer:
Auntie Rachel trying to please two at once. Think you're ready for another Rach?
Regan Jean is 18 weeks tomorrow!

4 Months!

As promised here are some pictures from our 4 month old photo shoot today:

Week 17 & 4 Month Dr. Visit

This week was Regan's First Kerl Family Picnic, on Saturday. It was held and Grandma and Grandpa Kerl's House and everyone had a great time. Mom and Dad were worried that Regan might be cranky and not take good naps while we were there, but we were wrong!

Here is a picture of Regan fast asleep in the pack n' play at Great Grandma's house. She took a two hour nap while we were there. She slept so well, that some of the relatives didn't even believe she was at the party at all!
All of Regan's older second cousins, and big cousin Derek decorated the "gutter sundae", which is a big plastic gutter filled with ice cream! Then you just fill it with whatever toppings you want. They all did a great job, and it was very yummy!
Regan was being her usual anti-social self. She's not to fond of other people holding her, or fussing over her. Somehow Great Aunt Barb managed a "conversation" with her, and even got a smile or two.
Or maybe she was smiling because Dad needed to change her...
The man in action:
Daddy also said that since Regan was so good this weekend, we could go to Carters for a shopping spree! To show her gratitude, Regan picked out this onesie:
This morning was Regan's 4 month Doctor's appointment. Here are her stats:

Height: 23 7/8 inches - 37%
Weight: 13# 2oz - 41%
Head Circ.: 16 inches - 41%

So she is really moving up in the growth curve. Everything checked out fine and she had to get 3 injections and one oral vaccine. Regan was not fooled by the nurses this time, and decided that she was so mad she was going to hold her breath. Needless to say she turned a shade of purple until I picked her up and the screaming commenced. Within a matter of minutes she was out in the car recovering with Grandma while Mom set up an appointment for the next "torture session".

We also got the go-ahead to start her on solid foods. She can have rice cereal, and stage one fruits and veggies. They said we didn't have to start her right away if she seems satisfied with the feedings that she is getting now. Mom and Dad have already decided that we will wait until she starts showing us she's ready. We anticipate it will be closer to 6 months when we start.

That's all for now, I will post a 4 month picture in 2 days!