Monday was a pretty standard day. It has been very interesting watching what is happening with the economy. We'll see what kind of a ride we are all in for. It just so happens on the day that the majority of America decides to cut their excessive spending, my daughter actually asked me to go "shoe shop". Ooops. I guess we had better get her doing more philanthropic work? In all honesty (although Ben would argue this point), we do go to DSW but it is so that Reagan can run the aisles and she also enjoys trying on all of the clearance shoes. Most kids love going to the park, our child dreams of DSW. I promise that we haven't purchased any new shoes (at DSW) in a very long time! Now Olly and Stride Rite are an entirely different conversation.
Today is going to be beautiful. We are off to the YMCA this morning. In the afternoon Reagan's friend Sam is coming over while his Mommy goes for a doctor's appointment. Their second child is due on Oct. 28th. They are our next door neighbors and dear friends. It has been really nice to go through our second pregnancies together. Reagan and Sam have been learning how to play nice with one another. Yesterday they played outside, chasing and tackling each other. It was more Reagan tackling Sam and then laying on top of his head, but he didn't seem to mind. Perhaps I'll post some pictures later today. Enjoy your Tuesday! LBR

We have had a nice weekend. Ben was off all weekend and Reagan and I enjoyed our time with him. It rained all weekend, so you can imagine that by Sunday we were hurting for fun play ideas. By 9:00 am on Saturday, we had already made forts, played blanket-pull and mail game. I was excited to try to make my Aunt Karen's famous Cinnamon Rolls. While mine turned out to be tasty, they were nothing in comparison. I'll keep trying though. On Saturday afternoon, we took a trip into the city to the Reading Market. If you can imagine the most spectacular farmer's market ever, indoors with people jammed in everywhere - that is what it is. You can get ANYTHING (from chicken feet, caviar, flowers and sweets that I could only dream of! Baby was VERY excited!) and we had a blast. Reagan's favorite part was "interacting" with the lovely lobsters. As we left the lobsters behind, she blew them a kiss and waved goodbye. Such sweet naivete. At what point does a parent share that the most delicious seafood she could ever taste is actually Lionel the Lobster from the marketplace? We'll keep that a secret for as long as we can.

Today we were pretty much stuck at home. BUT there is big BUTT news...Reagan went poo-poo in the Big Girl potty for the 1st time today!! While we were eating lunch, she did the sign for potty and said "Potty". I asked her if she would like to go to the Big Girl potty. She replied, "Yes." I thought it would be the usual...go and sit for a few minutes but nothing will come. Instead, she asked for her Bob the fish book. I brought if for her and Voila! She did it. This child is going to absolutely rip my head off for sharing these details with everyone. I just can't help it. We are so proud of her! Now for the consistency thing. Wish us luck!

We just got in from a walk around the block. Reagan was all suited up in her rain gear and she jumped in as many puddles as possible. The fresh air was great for us and she smiled the entire time...until she bit it right outside our house!

Have a great week! LBR

Reagan is a pretty funny girl. While driving around and running errands today, I hear Reagan yell, "YEAH! Reagan picked a Boogie!!!!" Only to find that, yes, Reagan did in fact pick a boogie. Gross. Unfortunately, this is all my fault. When she was a helpless little baby and unable to actually blow her nose, I would use a Kleenex and pick her nose. I know, that is just gross. But, I also know there are plenty of other Moms out there who have made the same "mistake". We'll be working on this. There was one other time this happened. Reagan and I were in a Kate Spade store and she successfully completed a dig and shouted the same thing. Can you imagine a more inappropriate place to be digging for boogers?

At Target today, she was mesmerized by the Christmas lights that were on display (it is Sept., a little early don't you think!). She started blowing on them, trying to put them out. It reminded me of the times when we would blow at the headlights of my Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's car, as they were pulling out of our driveway. As a person who LOVES Christmas, Reagan fascination with the lights made me even more excited. Reagan is really going to enjoy having the house decorated this year. Decorating the tree will be a real event!

Ben made it home early tonight. He found us dancing upstairs. Reagan likes to cue up Sesame Street online and play games with Elmo and Zoe (her favorite characters of late). Dancing with Zoe is a game that simply plays music and encourages the kids to dance along. Believe it or not - she LOVES to dance. I cannot believe that our daughter is taking to dancing. She twirls and kicks her legs around and jumps. She is much more skilled than her father and I. While she is not yet 2 years old, I can totally see that she could end up being a cheerleader...wouldn't that just be swell?! My friends from MN can all get a chuckle at that thought!

Before bedtime tonight, all three of us laid in Reagan's bed, reading books. It was so cozy and comfy. She loves to read. Book after book, after book. We had to read "Dora Goes to School" twice (it would have been more but we had to cut her off). She has recently started to want books read multiple times in one sitting. Also, she has taken to sleeping with a chosen book each night. Just too cute!

**the picture is the one I said I added on yesterdays blog.

Have a good night! LBR

Welcome to the Herdrich family blog! My friend Brooke has set up a blog for her family and I have really enjoyed keeping up with them by way of "blogging". As life is about to become much more hectic, I thought I would attempt to keep you all informed about our days here in Pennsylvania. I have also been bothered by the fact that I am forgetting cute things that Reagan is doing as she is growing. This way, I am hoping to keep track of them on a daily basis by way of our blog. We shall see how dedicated I am to this site.

Reagan is currently napping (in her "Big Girl Bed"). She hit this milestone after much resistance but nevertheless, she did it! She didn't show any signs of wanting to move from her crib but truth be told, I had to move her because I couldn't lay her in her crib anymore due to my ever expanding belly! We had her switch over before she was ready. I cringe at that. However, now that she is permanently moved into her pretty pink room, she is so very happy! Ben and I are thrilled with the transition. Now, onto potty training.

We had been working on potty training but it has been postponed. Reagan clearly isn't ready for this step. Once she hits 2 years (3 + weeks from now), we'll kick it into high gear. All of my wise friends and family members who have gone through potty training have advised us to wait until she is ready. Reagan is getting there - we just have to be more patient.

On Friday, I hit 24 weeks. That means - the 3rd trimester begins. Oh please, let this be a comfortable last 3 months. Yeah right! While waiting for January and baby to arrive, we have a fairly busy schedule. We are all getting very excited for a weekend trip back to WI on Oct. 3rd. In the middle of Oct., Ben heads to Boston and then out to San Francisco for work. While he is away, my parents are set to come and visit for their annual MEA vacation. Reagan and I are looking forward to that. I suppose we will be squeezing Reagan's 2nd birthday party in there somewhere. I'll be planning that next! Then Ben heads out to Cozumel for a dive trip with Papa Big Guy. Gram Pam is going to travel out here to spend time with Reagan and I. We love our time with Gram! Finally, it looks like we will be heading home to MN for Thansgiving. Brayden will be getting baptised that weekend and we will be getting our floors resanded the following week. Reagan and I were advised to be away from the house while they are completing that work so Brayden's baptism/Thanksgiving/floors fixed make for a nice trip home.

Here is a picture from our Bethany Beach trip. We went at the end of August with the Johnson clan. It was grand fun!

That is all for now. Reagan will be waking from her nap shortly and there is a long list of things to be done. Toodles for now! Leah