Thanks "Big Ken" for a great trip!

Spoiled

Our cruise ship docked in Jamaica







I could not post last week that we were leaving on another trip because it was a SURPRISE for my mother-in-law's 60th birthday! She knew she was going on a carribean cruise but did not know that all of her kids were coming too so it was a really fun vacation. The surprise part could not have been better coordinated, and the trip was all around awesome!

A BIG BIG Thank You to my generous father-in-law for spoiling ALL of us rotten for 5 days, and a very special thank you to my parents and friends Brenda and Joel for taking care of RG for the week. Again, we are too blessed!


I will post pictures later once I have the house back in order!

Swingin Sling

I just have to post my newest baby gadget that I got for Christmas. I was looking to find a sling that I can use both for our newborn, but also for RG since she likes to ride on my hip so much and it's really starting to kill my back.
So I found this one on-line and of course because it is used by all the celebrities in Hollywood it was right up my alley. =)

(Thanks, US Weekly)

Actually, it was highly recommended on the website because it's great for nursing (i.e. "hiding" your baby in public). I was all over that!

I have to admit, I was a little intimidated at first, but thanks to my gear-head friend Brenda, we figured out how to adjust it and properly "fit" it on me. Emma, being the tiny peanut that she is, was a perfect model for my first wearing. I think she liked it.

RG, on the other hand, feels like a jumbo sack of Idaho potatoes positioned on my hip. The sling does help with her weight a bit, but it will take some getting used to for me to wear her in it! It still feels a little awkward.

For those of you interested in getting in on the sling action check out:

mamma's milk slings

Kind of a kooky name, but I think most hard-core sling wearers might be a bit on the kooky side...

teachable moment for ME

This morning RG and I sat down for breakfast. She had her strawberries and cereal bar and I with my cereal. I was just about to dig in, waiting for her first demand (as she seems to have several when I'm trying to eat), and she looks at me and say "Pay Pay!" I say, "No Raegan, we're eating now, we'll play after breakfast". She tries again..."Pay Pay!"

Only when she tips her chin to her chest and her big brown eyes gaze up at me do I realize she is asking me to PRAY.
Oh Lord...thank you for these precious moments. As if I don't cry enough these days!

New Year, New Project

Alot of changes happening at the Kreider household this coming year! In preparation for our family expansion we are finishing our basement. Brad is looking forward to "man-land" (i.e. a place to hang the deer heads and someday...a large flat screen t.v.) while I am just ecstatic to have a new spot where Raegan can make a mess and I can just shut the door. =)

I am so proud of Brad and the abilities that I see coming through in him. I have to say that my mouth literally dropped open when I came down for inspection and saw two walls and a closet solidly constructed and in place. I honestly did not realize he knew how to do stuff like this!

Future "Man-Land" area

Inspecting the new closet in the future back bedroom

Another big change, (hopefully in the next month or two) will be moving Raegan into her "big-girl" bed and new bedroom. I am excited to be able to paint and decorate something girly since her nursery has always been neutral. Right now I'm searching for the perfect paint colors and some new furniture. I have her quilt bought and a bunch of ideas in my head, so now I just have to pull it all together. I'm excited to have my own project to work on since the nursery is done and I'm starting to get into "nesting" mode! Stay tuned for more pictures in the month(s) ahead.

A Great Vacation Getaway

We had such a wonderful time on our vacation! Thanks again to my parents for having us and to my In-Laws for lovingly caring for Raegan for 7 full days! We are so blessed.

Home again Home again...

Wow! I feel like we've been gone forever and yet just left yesterday. Woke up feeling groggy and sad missing the 79 degree temps at 8:00 a.m. that my parents are still having in Marathon Key. Ugh. Gotta love Michigan.
Now I have the daunting task of cleaning up my house of laundry piles, suitcases, Christmas gifts, food, decorations...and oh, did I mention our tree is still up and wilting in the corner?
And here I am at the computer while my kid wrinkles in the tub. Such a good mom and housewife...
I'll post pics and a review of last week once I get some semblance of order around here...Happy New Years everyone.