Gig 'em, Aggies!

Hesiman, anyone?

Crazy Is As Crazy Does

For the record, I did not make a special trip to Reid's school for this.  I was passing by Dealey earlier today on my way to a 1:00 pm appointment, looked down at my watch, noticed it was 12:15 pm {nap time in room 5!} and made the split second decision to pop in for a {harmless} peek.  The thought of my baby sleeping bars-free on a cot was just too much for me to accept without seeing it with my own eyes.

*Side note: I had to take the flash-free photos from outside the class room window {lest I risk waking a room full of sleeping 1-2 year olds!}. The super imposed image of the crib you see in both photos is actually a reflection from inside the infant room that is behind where I'm standing to take the picture.  There are definitely no cribs in Reid's new room.

See that cute little thing with the green shirt peeking out of the blue astronaut/spaceship nap sack?  That's my sweet, baby boy.  You can also see his light blue lovey laying to the right side of his head.  

Oh and also, for the record, I did not get back in my car, look at the photos I had just taken and get teary-eyed just thinking about him sleeping there so peacefully.

 

Dear Reid,

Why yes, your mom is crazy!

Stay in the Light.

Love, 

mommy

Grandpa Gary

Dear Reid,

Although it was such a short time, I thank God you were blessed to know your Grandpa Gary.  Wise beyond his young years, there was so much he would have taught you about the world. Instead, your grandpa is now your guardian angel, and I know he will watch over his three grandsons and his family from this day forward.
Grandpa's memory will be kept alive by his loving family, and throughout your life you will continue to be touched by one very special angel.  Mommy will make sure we keep grandpa's memory alive and well.  
We will always love you, Gary. Peace is now yours.
Stay In the Light.
Love,mommy/michelle

Happy Nine Months!

Dearest Reid,

You're only nine months old; and despite the appearance of some of the photos below, you can't read yet much less understand what I'm about to tell you.  Nonetheless, you've inspired me to share with you the one thing that gets me through tough times.  

Love.  

Let love be your rule, my son. I have no doubt your father and I will provide you with plenty of rules as you grow, and our goal through it all will be to stay guided by love.  It may sound cheesy {and you'll quickly learn your mom's not a big fan of cheesy}, but it's true.  It's a good rule to follow, and I can't think of a better rule to live your precious life by.  Make no mistake, I'm not always successful at it, but anytime I need to take a step back and reevaluate life, the rule of love always leads me in the right direction.  Let it be your guide.  Love not only your family but your neighbors, friends, classmates, strangers, yourself and yes your enemies too as they are likely most in need of your love.  Again, no easy task, but anytime you feel as though you may be led astray, let this be your guide:

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

One last morsel I want to leave you with tonight.  I first saw this on a t-shirt during my very first Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, and it has stuck with me ever since:

Humankind:  Be Both.

Stay in the Light.

LOVE,

mommy

The Reid Report:

• Dad lowered my crib mattress because...
• I'm pulling up! :) Mom blogged about it here.
• Mom & dad added almond yogurt to my breakfast menu, and I love it!  Yum, yum!
• I wear a size Large sleep sack now.  Thankfully, grandma bought me one a few weeks ago, and I think mom had to pull it out of the closet to use it much sooner than she expected.  Thanks Grandma A!
• My 3rd tooth {top, right} has "erupted!"  Dad & mom said that is WebMD's word, "erupted."  Sounds fun to me!
• I can stay under water for four seconds now, and I don't even cry when I come up.
• I have a fascination with tags...tags on clothes, tags on toys, tags on pillows. Any tag will do really.
• I had my first "incident report" at school {actually I had TWO in one week!}. I lost my balance and bumped my forehead on the floor.  Mom says bumps & bruises are here to stay since I'm a boy.  Dad says they make me tougher.  I kind of like them because I get more hugs & kisses.
• This week is Spring Break, so I won't be able to see Dr. S for my nine month appointment until next week.  But the last time I was in his office {for my ear recheck last week}, I weighed 20 lbs 6 oz, and I was 27.3" tall.  I'm sure mom will update my stats again next week after my appointment.

Chatting with Teddy

Guess who's making him smile? :)

My little reader

On the move....

Remember those tags Reid told you about?

"Let me out, guys!"

He's attacking the paparazzi!

Skinny-eyed smile...my fave!

Happy Seven Months!

Dear Reid,


You continue to amaze your father and me every single day.  For only being on this earth for seven months, your beautiful spirit is already so developed.  I've always believed that although environment definitely plays a role in the person each of us will become, everyone is born with an inherent genetic makeup that defines our character and personality from birth. If this is in fact true, then you're starting your life on the right {correct} foot.  It's obvious to everyone who knows you that you are definitely an extrovert, and although I'm not sure where you'll fall on the rest of the Myers-Briggs scale, I know one thing is for sure - your presence brings joy and happiness to so many (and I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother).  Simply read through all your blog comments from our loving family and friends, and you'll know right away that what I'm saying is true. You light up our lives, Reid Louis, and your dad and I will do all that we can to light up yours.  


Stay in the Light.


Love,
mommy


The Reid Report:

• After your six month birthday, we began transitioning you from breast milk to formula, and you're taking the formula like a champ...a chunky champ!
• Daddy taught you a new trick this month...High Five!  You are such a fast learner!
• We've continued our exploration of all things pureed, and as of now there are two foods you're not too fond of - carrots & turkey.  Mommy tasted {of course} the pureed turkey, and I have to admit, it was a little weird.
• You're getting better at grasping small items such as yummy puffs.  You have the hand to mouth routine figured out too.
• You are more vocal than I imagined possible for a baby at 7 months.  You're so very talkative and expressive, and your precious personality warms my heart.  
• You took your second trip to Corpus, but this time it was a road trip.  Your first!  Daddy and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.  Luckily, we had your Great Uncle Joe's help with you in the back seat. The four of you {yes, I said FOUR - you, your great uncle and your two pups} did wonderfully well cuddled up in the back seat for seven hours each way!  You're such a road warrior already.  
• Of course, you experienced your first Christmas and your first New Year's Eve.  What fun you had even at 6.5 months.  I can only imagine what next year will be like.
• You love to roll all over the place!  Floor time is one of your favorite pastimes nowadays.
• You experienced your first illness this month that mommy shared on this blog post.
• As far as sleeping is concerned, there's no real consistency these days.  Your best case scenario - you sleep through the night with absolutely no intervention.  You did this for five nights in a row a week ago.  Your worst case scenario - you require anywhere from one to four paci/soothing sessions throughout the night.  And on one night (last night...yawn!), you were not having the sleep thing whatsoever!  Thankfully, your grandparents were still in town from your baptism, so mommy and daddy had lots of help. Otherwise, it would have been an even longer night than it already was. We're hoping last night's experience was just a fluke that was a result of a couple of other factors.  More on that later....

Happy Seven Months, sweet boy!

Aunt Jamye and Grandma DeeDee helped with Reid's seven month photos, and as they are my witnesses, we did NOT put him in these different positions.  He proceeded to roll around the chair all by himself.  I think my days of containing this little guy are just about over!

Classic relaxed Reid:  hands behind his head

Reid's seven month birthday was an extra special day for our family.  It was Hudson's birthday too!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Hudson!

We love you!

Reid's 1st Thanksgiving

Dear Reid,

On your very 1st Thanksgiving and on our 1st Thanksgiving as parents, you should know that mommy and daddy are most thankful for your safe and healthy arrival into our lives.  On this day and every day we acknowledge the many blessings God has bestowed upon our family.  As dad summed up on our way home from Arlington last night, "Reid was surrounded by so many of his loving family members today, and that wasn't even half of them!"  We both comment all the time how lucky we each are to have married into such wonderful, loving, supportive families, and now we have the joy of sharing those families with you.  To say we're "thankful" is the understatement of the century. Our cup runneth over and over.

Stay in the Light.

Love,

mommy

You and your great grandfather.  He's a natural.

 As your dad so affectionately calls them - your Gruncle Guy & your Graunt Kathleen

 Mommy, son & Sophie of course!

 Rubbing Poppy's head for good luck

 Learning how to take a self portrait with grandpa's iPhone

 Chatting with grandma

 Relaxing

Grandma couldn't resist breaking out a few early Christmas presents.  Reid loved the stacking cups! 

Before heading back to Dallas, we made a pit stop at the Brazeal's house to visit with their family.  So fun!  Reid and Larkin hadn't played together since their 1st play date. You can read about it and about the Andersen/Brazeal family legacy here. 

Can you guess what {or who} they're looking at?

 Love these sweet boys!

 Larkin & his beautiful mommy

 Justin & Reid