THE CHILDREN'S ZOO...
Mom and I took a day to ourselves. We went to the zoo. It was such a beautiful day, we just had to get outdoors. We saw lots of animals, some new and some I had seen before. My favorite this time was the bird house. We stood very quietly on a bridge and birds flew all around us. This was really exciting for me; really scary for mom. She is not a huge fan of birds. What a testiment of love. Mom watched for birds all day just for me. She even wants to put a bird house and bird bath in the backyard so that more birds will stop by to visit. More on that later. We had lunch infront of the Meerkat exibit. Needless to say, I did not eat much. I was too busy watching those little guys run and dig. Their funny!
Then we made it to the Children's Zoo exibits. WOW! I had a blast with all the things here. It was chilly out, but the sun felt great so I decided I needed to try out the water park. I didn't mind getting wet. It was fun! Mom had to take my shoes off so I could walk around with dry feet later. I can't wait to get back there. Then we headed to the petting zoo. Mom decided...GOATS ARE JUST NOT NICE! I was so sweet. I pet them gently. I pointed at them, laughed at them and brushed them too. Mom just kept taking pictures. And then...I got a head butt. That goat knocked me over. You should have seen my face. I had the biggest frown, tiny tears and look of shock ever. Mom didn't know what to do. She told on the goat and he had to go to "time out" for awhile. Don't worry about me though. I got right back up and found a new goat (after some mama lovin' first.) Bad thing is, it happened again. Mom is starting to worry if I will develop a fear of goats. 2 head butts, 2 knock downs and I was so sweet! We found a new place to play. 
Sunday, March 04, 2007
TRAINING PASTE...
You can't fool me! I know there should be something on my toothbrush besides water. That is where the training paste comes in. I love the taste (Fruit Splash) and I love to brush my teeth. I CAN DO IT MYSELF...Mr. Independent! I have molars now. The 2 on the top are half way in and the 1 on the bottom right is poking through. I've been working on the top ones since December! Mom can't tell if it is another ear infection or the teeth hurting me. I just keep pulling my ears and banging on my head too. It is hard being a little man. I'm up to 11 teeth and 1 more on the way.
MY LITTLE CHEESE BALL!...
Reagan is a healthy happy 15 month old. He just had his check up with Dr. Nguyen and after 3 shots and lots of tears he is doing GREAT! He weighs 29.4 pounds and is 33 inches tall. His head is 50.4 cm. All those brains take up lots of space. He ranks between 95-97% for all of the above. And, we have good news! After a month of antibiotics and Zyrtec his ears are finally infection free. A 2nd test (I won't try to spell it) revealed that there is still some fluid behind his ears so we have an appointment to see an ENT next week. This has been going on for quite awhile and RGT has been off balance. If you notice in the picture with Dam-Ma his mouth is cut. We were scared it would be the 2nd round of stitches. Reagan was walking behind Preston and fell at an angle into the railing of our bed. RGT is an active little boy and I don't want fluid in his ears slowing him down. I would rather be proactive then just wait and see. Please keep him in your prayers.
So, as for the silly grin. RGT is showing you his band-aid. He took it off his leg. Like I have said before, it is impossible to get the picture shot you want. He moves too fast. That is why lots of the pictures are blurred. We need the sports mode on the camera. The plan was to take his picture, as I always have, on his comforter with his shot bandaids on. Not this time! This time, he rips them off and brings them to me. Then he walks us both to the bathroom to throw them in the garbage. Oh, my little MR. CLEAN baby.
So, here are the things that he is up to now. So much has been mastered in the last 2 months. I am amazed each day as we add another to the list. Monkey see, monkey do. Reagan loves to copy you. He can blow his nose, clean up a mess, wipe himself with toilet paper--watch out, he will try to wipe you too :) brush his hair and his teeth, climb anything infront of him and point to his eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, head, ears, and more. He actually requests a bath. He gets so excited he runs to the tub. He blows on kisses and gives open mouth kisses and hugs. He is still in swim lessons and has mastered the wait and go commands. He is trying to put his face in the water, but mostly drinks it. YUCK! We are working on closing his lips together and blowing bubbles in the water too. Reagan can blow on hot things though. He blows on his food, the night light, the candle, and anything else that he knows is "HOT." Funny how children lump it all together. His innocence makes me smile each day. And then...He will throw a temper tantrum just to get your attention and make his point known (This happens mostly with me,) stand on his head in a tripod position and just about flip over...this makes us VERY NERVOUS! He has a small chip in his front tooth now. We don't even know how it got there. Reagan loves to chase Sassy and Buster. This child has no fear of animals. Not even of goats! He can take you to what he wants, point at it or shake his head no if he decides it is not what he wants. We get lots of answers to our questions with the head shake. He likes to help clean up and has started putting things away on the shelf or cabinet when asked to help. He puts his instruments and balls away at music too. He loves to turn lights on or off and to ring the door bell too. He is trying very hard to open doors and as soon as he can get the knob turned and push at the same time he will have added another feat to the list.
Here is the big boy stuff. RGT has always liked sleeping in a bed better than his crib so we got rails for the bed in his room. He takes his naps with out a problem in the big bed. He still snuggles with us at night. We are trying whole milk for the 2nd time. Too bad, he still does not like it. I don't think it likes him either. He has a bit of a rash on his face and elsewhere that came just after the milk did. This is pretty funny though. When I give him his milk, he takes a sip, makes a face, says "ughh" and then chunks it on the ground. It happens everytime. I bought some soy milk at the store this weekend so we may be trying that soon. I will call the doc to check in on that one.
All in all, I have to say again how blessed we are to have Reagan in our lives. The joy he brings with his smiles and laughs can turn any day around. I have heard so many people say how "brave" I am to make it through the chemo and keep doing all I am doing. Reagan is the reason. He made me get up and go. He went to each appointment with me, sat with me, played with me and made me remember that I have the #1 reason for fighting, for pushing though, for being the best I can be. God has a plan for all of us. He knew what he was doing when he gave me Reagan. He is my encourager! Reagan sees all the little things with amazement. An ant, a leaf, a pinecone, dirt. Everything is new to him and his since of wonder makes you stop and think about all the things you just walk by each day. Take it from RGT the birds are worth listening too, everything you touch has a new and exciting texture and fresh air will fill your lungs as the wind takes your breath away. Appreciate the things you have, the people who are in your life and the gifts and talents you bring to those around you. You may be someone's reason for making it. So, be a CHEESE BALL!
Mommy's EVERYTHING!
WATCH ME...I CAN COPY YOU!...
Monkey see, monkey do. I can copy what you do too! I think I am big stuff and I am willing to give anything a try. Except turkey hot dogs. Those get fed to Buster. YUCK!
We spend a lot of time at the park these days. I need a place to run and climb and play. Mom takes me to the park where she used to play in JV and now to the school playground too. Mom keeps telling me that eventually we will have our own fort in the backyard...come on dad...give in! I have a ball everytime play. Mom has to run to keep up with me at times. Sometimes I think I can do the slide all by myself (mom is too scared.) Other times, I want to hold mom's hands. I see lots of new friends at play too. I greet most of them. Mom has to remind me that I don't know them yet. We even share some of the sandtoys. Mom can tell that I am growing up. I love my interactions with other little guys and gals like me. I think I am going to be ready for school next year. Mom thinks I will like it too.
OH-WEE!...
That's what my family says when I am so sweet. And these days, I love giving hugs and kisses. I make all the sounds that go with them too; Mmm-Ahhh. I can squeeze your neck tight or plant a big open mouth kiss right on your mouth. Sometimes I just lean my head into yours so you can give me a kiss too. I love being loved on.
Sweet Baby Reagan!
I AM NOT HAPPY!...
Clean up-STAT! What is mom doing to me? First she makes me green play-doh that smells like peppermint and then she tells me that I can only smell it...not eat it. Then, she has the bright idea to stamp my hands in plaster for a keepsake ornament. I DO NOT LIKE STAMPING MY HANDS! She should know this.
Last time I had my hands and feet stamped in black ink and I cried like you have never heard before. Mom had to do my feet first then cover up the ink on my feet with socks so I couldn't see it. Then she stamped my hands and the crying started all over again. She thought it was pretty funny when she put me in the tub though. I tried to wash it all off. When it wasn't working the tears started rolling. I did not want to stay this color forever! Then she took my socks off. I screamed! Why were my feet black? What had she done to me?
Well, same story here. Exect this time white plaster. I was not so happy. Yes, that is snot rolling out of my nose from all of the screaming and crying. I tried to run away into the livingroom, but she caught me. I tried to clean my hands off too. See my shirt and pants? Mom finally got smart and we practiced stamping our hands in the play-doh. It stays put. Whata know? It worked. Mom got to finish her project and I stopped panicing. I even make my own handprint in the play-doh and the sandbox now. Just ask me and I will show you how.
Is this really worth it Mom?
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!...
It has been 2 years! Mom and Dad needed to celebrate. They had reservations at Ouisie's Table. Aunt Courtney and Uncle Jeff came over with a movie and a motive...get mom and dad out of the house with out any tears. It worked! Mom and Dad really wanted to take a picture with me, but I was having too much fun in the sandbox and my dinner was almost ready too. They had to run for it! I didn't mind one bit; until bed time! I thought I would give those 2 a taste of what I could do. SCREAM, CRY, and just about HYPERVENTELATE! Mom and Dad came back just in time. I snuggled into their bed for the night still sniffling of course. 
Can we eat like this every night?
YEE-HAW!...
Mom and Dam-Ma thought it would be funny to put me in Uncle Dot's cowboy hat. I loved the idea. Only problem is I wanted to carry the hat; not wear it. Sitting still for the picture was out of the question. Sorry ladies! You will have to try again later.
Next time--try out your ropin' skills
SO MUCH TO DO AT 15 MONTHS...
Celebrating my birthday each month is just part of mom's tradition. The 16th of every month is a very special day. We started 15 months with a yummy breakfast. Mom made whole wheat blueberry pancakes and sliced bananas. I didn't have time to smile for the camera. I was busy enjoying every bite of my breakfast. It's is a good thing too. We had a busy day ahead of us. Mom and I took a trip to the museum. Each time we go I discover that I can do so much more. This time I really enjoyed the ramp/bridge. It has bumps and waves from beginning to end. I had to be careful. When I fell down...I got right back up again and just kept on going! It was a bit crowed indoors. I had fun watching all the children and how they moved from thing to thing too. I think we even shared a few moments of showing off what we knew how to do. Mom and I had a picnic lunch outside in the courtyard and then it was time to play outdoors. I found a wheel barrow and of course revisited the lawn mower and the fishing nets. It didn't bother me that it was 40 degrees. I was having a blast on my birthday! WHEE! The fun did not stop there. Mom took me by the gift shop and I picked out a Pound-A-Peg (like a cobbler's bench), and a new pair of cymbals, animal magnets for the fridge and a 3 piece ocean puzzle. It was great! Lucky for me we have a long drive home. I was so tired!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
IN A BOX?...
Dad has a new job with Teleflora and we get lots of deliveries. Boxes arrive almost everyday. This leaves lots of room for investigation. I have to check them out, inside and out, to see if there is something I might want to play with. I am a hands on kid. I find all kinds of cool stuff I should not be playing with in dad's office. My favorite these days is dad's Blackberry and mom's laptop. I am great at moving the mouse and banging on the keys too. I also like to rearrange the stacks of papers, sort through mail and files, etc. Mom says we need doors on the office. I think dad is beginning to think so too.
Dad tried to put several boxes together to make me atunnel, but they were too floppy. What is your vote...is dad GT or "special?" Mom still votes on the GT side. I guess it is off to the store we go. Mom has her eye on a climber with a tunnel for me to play on outside. 
NATURE'S BEST FRIEND...
Dad made a joke the other morning. He said that they were raising a HIPPY! I don't know about all that, but I do love nature. Some of my favorite moments come from finding things on the ground. I love to look at the leaves and watch them blow in the breeze, find acorns and now pinecones too. I like to put the acorn hats on my fingers. Mom showed me that trick. I wasn't too happy that the pinecone had points on it though. Plus, my thumb got stuck inbetween the seeds. I carried it to mom for removal then started all over again. I love sand and grass. The grass is a bit crunchy in our yard though. I sit it in and lift my legs and feet off the ground as I pulls blades out and examine them. Sand is another story. The socks must come off in the sand! I like to rub my feet in it, lay down it, drop a handful from in the air, and of course use all my sandtoys. I appreciate all the little things. Like bugs and spiders and a bird's nest on the ground. Ants don't scare me...only mom. I point to all the ones I see and wait to see her reaction--we usually have to look quickly and move on. I've learned a lot in the great outdoors!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dam-MA!
Dam-ma Malone had a special birthday (55--don't tell her I told you.) We celebrated at Papa's Steakhouse. Yummy! It was a night filled with family and amazing food. I tried creamed spinach and asapargus. I think I liked it, maybe. I was such a good boy too. I was passed around the table like a hot plate, but I didn't mind. I just talked to everyone and then returned back to mama for the food.
PS-I know a secret. Dam-Ma always passes me the food that mom says no to. I have her wrapped around my finger. Exactly where a grandma should be :) I Love you Dam-Ma! (translation-RGT calls grandma Dam-ma. Let's hope it sticks...wouldn't that be funny?)
55 and almost 15 months