33 MONTHS and TICKING...
It just seems like yesterday he was crawling and we were giving up the bottle for sippy cups...tick,tick...now I have full out conversations with my little man. His wonder amazes me. Knowing why and all the possibilities and ins and outs of a topic are so important to him. He just organizes all his information in his big boy brain and you better believe he will remember it! There is no longer a 'distract him and he will forget about it' clause in our lives. Tick, tick...
Reagan still enjoys all the dramatic play and practical life interactions and play time. He cooks, writes our orders and creates menus. He loves to dress up and really likes hats. He goes on bear hunts and hides under the covers too. Two of his favorite toys are a flashlight and a camera. Reagan loves to just act it all out. He even includes imaginary items or people--that takes a high level thinking brain if you ask me. He totally gets the concept of pretend. I get little glimpses into his world even as he sleeps. He often says words or giggles or yells 'no.' I just wish I could see what he sees. That is really the goal I have each day. I want to look through his eyes and listen through his ears just to live in his world for a moment or two. As a mom I often wonder if I provide all the things he needs to grow into a healthy, happy, well rounded little man. I pray that I do. We all know that the world is not providing what our kids need and it is not a child friendly place any longer. I feel like I walk around with a censor button...earmuffs! Tick, tick...
We recently visited with RGT's allergist and he will return to his meds next week. We have been dealing with a runny nose turned slight cough since the last week in July. We are still not exactly sure what his asthmatic triggers are...we probably won't until we repeat his allergy testing around the age of 4. So, for now, we are just trying to prevent the reactive airway issues and bronchitis. We are crossing our fingers and saying our prayers that this year we can keep ahead of it all and keep Reagan healthy. Tick, tick...
Reagan is still receiving speech therapy, swimming and doing gymnastics too. I laugh because now I know what a 'soccer mom' feels like. He really enjoys his big boy activities and recently moved into a more advanced swimming class. He has a new buddy in there a year older than Reagan. His first class was our first day back to school and HIS TEACHER NEARLY DROWNED HIM. What a day! Until now, Reagan always had a private lesson. I guess she just assumed that he knew how to take a breath and hold it because she pushed his head right under and made him swim--COUGH, GAG, SNOT! I think she will practice that one a bit slower next time. Oh, I was the mom watching behind the window...yes, I was tapping and calling to her...no, she did not hear me. Whew, he took it like a champ. He wiped his face and nose and tried it all again...with a smile...what a kid! Tick, tick...
Reagan still loves the color pink. It is always the first color he chooses; from bath crayons to sidewalk chalk pink is it! He still loves stickers too. He loves to get the mail and then sort it too. He jumps in the cozy coop and holds his legs up so we can push him to the mailbox (down the road.) Reagan is in charge of holding the HUGE PILE of mail on the way back home. It is a challenge to say the least; we only get the mail 1 time a week if that. He gets so excited to open letters and see the magazines that come. Thinking back, I guess we did too. My Mamanez bought us a subscription to Highlights each year for Christmas. I think I know why...she must have been a genius...she found a magazine just for kids, all about reading and animals and we got mail! I will do the same for Reagan this year. There are so many great ones to choose from. He will love it! Reagan is also really enjoying being a cameraman. He loves to take pictures and believe it or not usually gets the image he is aiming for. Add another item to the Christmas list. Reagan needs his very own indestructible camera. Tick...tick...
On to the things that his parents are lovin'...we love to hear Reagan sing. He knows so many songs and will just start singing when one pops into his head. So sweet! These are the moments you want on video and yet never seem to catch. I love to hear his simple requests for hugs, snuggles and of course his prayers. We love to hear him read too. He will pick up books and just start "reading" the words and pictures to himself. I beg for him to read to me at night too...sometimes he gives in and trades one of my stories for one of his. Again, where is the video? I love that he can explain what he is feeling and thinking and doing. I love that he can change my day with just a few words and a single look. Just yesterday we were getting ready to meet the family for dinner. I came out of the bedroom and was gathering a few things when Reagan walked up to me and said "Awwww, you look pretty. I want to hold you." Oh my gosh, my heart just melted! I really do have the sweetest child on earth! I love that he understands how much he is loved and knows how much his mommy needs to be snuggled right back...I love that he is still a snuggle baby.
Time is flying by and before I know it Reagan will be turning 3! He is already holding 3 fingers together and telling me that he will be 3. He wants to be 4 or 5 ("all of them fingers") like some of his friends, but I am just not ready for that. For those of you who plan ahead...his party will be at the JV park the weekend of November 16th so mark your calendars and celebrate with us! We are looking forward to a pirate party and lots of memories to treasure.


Flashlight in hand and prune in cheek trying out a new hairdo. Reagan was so proud of his daddy-do. Preston tried to make his hair a comb over no curl look. It held for a few minutes them pop, pop, pop the curls returned. I love um!

FACES EVERYONE...
My face says it all and I have so many expressions! Mom gets tickled when my tone, face and words all match up. I can be so dramatic and so serious for 2...I think I must be going on 32! I try so hard to be a big guy that sometimes I forget I am a little guy too. I set the table, clean up and try to be the star helper at all times. MR. INDEPENDENT with a touch of mommy do it...it's hard to do...help me (when I need some extra lovin'.) I understand emotions these days and even tell people when I think they are being ugly or rude or mean. WHOA, that is hard to hear! Mom had to say her apologies just last night...she hurt my feelings when she told me to lay down and go to bed. I just wanted to read another book and sleeping was not on my agenda! As my words become more clear and my vocabulary and language grow too (it way exceeds a 3 year old) I'm sure I will have even more to share. For now though I am telling it all with my face! No matter the expression it sure is a cute one!

I CAN'T WORK LIKE THIS!...
One of my favorite places to be is in dad's computer chair smack dab infront of the 3 computers. Can you blame me? Noggin pasted across 3 screens has got to be better than 1! Dad says I have to use mom's computer and that I can't work on his, so I just pester him! I always get a lovely reaction...a little attention please dad! I love it when he tries to chase me out of the study or yells, "come back with that..." So, getting me out of the study is not as easy as it may seem. I am a tech kid and I love clicking, typing and trying out all of the buttons. Keyboards beware!

MY MANY, MANY FACES...
You have to be fast to catch my cheese smile these days. I have so many other faces to share. I love acting silly and getting a reaction of giggles and laughs from my audience. Hum, I wonder where I get that from? Mom is sure that I will be the perfect balance of serious/studious and class clown. I'm not worried about that though. I am content being a combo of pirate and Spiderman...check out the bags Lala made for me. I go to school and everywhere else in style...I can't leave home with out them or the goodies that I pack inside.

FAST TRACK!...
I can pedal! No more flinstone feet for me. I am still working on my big bike...the brakes are tricky, but I got the trike under control. Mom whooped and hollered for me while I made laps around the house. I was SO PROUD of myself! It thrilled mom to see my face knowing the pride I had and what an important mile stone it was for me. I am independent to the nth degree...mom has to help me understand that some things are just for big mommies and daddies. What a concept. I'm not sure I like the idea, but I am polite and go along with what she tells me. So sweet should be my middle name.

HI HO, HI HO, IT'S OFF TO SCHOOL I GO...AGAIN!...
I'm not sure how mom and dad are handling this whole process, but I am just a bit stressed out! What happened to summer vacation, sleeping in and all my morning time snuggles with mom? What happened to fun in the sun and mommy/Reagies outings at mid-day? I want to go back to that...no school is just enough for me.
Mom and dad have been trying to talk me into loving it...HA! I get dressed just fine, have my breakfast and I am ready to play...just not there. I want to play with mom in my playroom. I get in the car and go along with the process, but when dad hits the drive at school I am a totally different kid. I refuse to get out, cry and cling for my life. I guess my parents are stressed out too because they have been trying to figure out what part of this process has gone wrong. Is it the school, the new school year routine, my teachers or what??? Well, I had a talk with mom one night over dinner and I explained it all. Here were my words...and I quote...
Mom said, Reagan how was your day at school? "Good." Did you have fun with your friends? "Yes." Who did you play with? "Christopher, Joshie, Reagies...spin around and around and around..." What did you learn today at school? "I don't know mom." (Typical kid) What about your teachers? Are they nice? Ms. M is nice, right? "Sometimes angry." What about Ms. R is she nice? "Yes, sometimes nice, sometimes angry too. And Ms. D angry too." Baby, why are they angry? "They say, No, no kids sit in your chairs!" Did you get in trouble? "No, not me..."
Needless to say mom had a talk with the teachers and I am movin on up to the 3-5 year old class on Sept. 8th. Mom and dad are checking it out to make sure they agree with the philosophy there. Mom is praying that it will be a positive change for me. Please pray for me friends and fam. I need to love to learn and feel at home and confident at school. I will keep you posted on my new class.

REAGANISMS...
-Mom is struggling with how to capture all my sayings. The way I connect things these days is just hilarious...or at least she thinks so.
The other day we were sitting down to dinner as a family. We had just started eating when I stopped and said, "Mommy, Amens!" We had not said our prayers. We made up for it though...we said at least 3 during our meal. Mom wishes she had a picture of me holding her hand, eyes squeezed tight as I say Amen!
-Well, there is one sure way to see the real you...look at your child! Mom says I am her mirror. She knows exactly what I have seeing in her by my actions and words. Just this week she got a glimpse into her organization madness! I took over the zip lock baggies and I knew just what to do. You see every toy needs its own place and baggies provide that place. I only needed like 50 of them and I was off to work. Fruit, car keys, bubbles and more were zipped neatly into a baggie. The toys I wanted to play with were put in a baggie too but they had a special home in the trunk of my cozy coop. WHEW! It was exhausting...even to watch, but I did it! I was so proud of myself. I popped open each bag and shook it to make sure that each corner was fully expanded. When Ms. Sandy, my speech teacher came by Tuesday she was impressed too...she could hardly hold in her laughter. She just said, "I wonder where he gets this from" but she knew...my mama. In fact, I was still busy organizing. I really did not want to work with her. Mom knew the trick though. She got out 2 gallon sized zip locks and bribed me into the living room with Ms. Sandy. Man, my mom really knows me. I left all those little bags and had a blast putting Ms. Sandy's things into the gallon bags. This was an ah-ha moment for mom though. She realized that this is how my big boy brain works. I am trying to put all the things I know into categories. Where do I fit in, what do I like, new vocabulary words...everything has a little file in my brain and I am keeping it all organized for future reference.

FLASHBACK...
We are starting a new school year today. I can't say that either one of us is excited about summer coming to a close, but I thought it was important to remember all the things we have already learned as a family...whew! Being Reagan's muma, momma, mommy, mom has been crazy wonderful and more of a blessing than I could have ever imagined. He has impressed upon me time and again the importance of slowing down (very difficult for me), not taking things for granted and true, unconditional love. Reagan plants a kiss on me and tells me he loves me every night as I lay with him--how on earth did I deserve this child? He has a heart that is so gentle and pure. It is refreshing to see the way he views life and all its happenings each day. As adults we can look back and find mistakes we have made...some that we would change and others that made us who we are. When I look at Reagan I see all the opportunity in the world and a lil man who is destined for greatness. He is God's gift to our family and one that I refuse to take for granted. I am open to HIS teaching moments because I feel certain that he uses my little man to win my heart time and again. So, yes our lives get busy with this or that, but one thing remains...Reagan is my priority, my daily life lesson and my whole heart. I am a better person for having him in my life and being loved as his mom.

I would have liked to add more pics and bring our slide show to a current picture of the family, but as usual I have selected too many pictures for the file size allowed. What can I say, I am absolutely crazy about him!

GO SPEED RACER...GO!...
I have a need for speed! I am an excellent backseat driver yelling faster, faster! Or, red light-stop, green go!, yellow-slow down. Mom is trying to teach me that the "pink lights" are the ones you hurry up and drive through...at least thats what dad told her. This speed boat was no different...I wanted it to go fast!

HAT WEARING GUYS...
I am one myself. I must have worn every hat in the house by the end of the week. These hats are special though they let you become their character and man did I have that down pat. I rescued cats from trees, went on treasure hunts and rode cows with big horns for a few of my adventures. I guess dad and Papalo wanted to have a little fun too...don't worry boys I'll teach you how!

RAINY DAY TURNED BIG BALLOON BASH!...
Aunt Carley wasn't going to let the rain spoil our day. She had a great idea to blow up all the extra birthday balloons from Wesley's 2nd birthday party...there must have been 50! WHEW! It took a lot of hot air, but mom, Aunt Carley and Uncle JJ had it under control. They huffed and puffed and before too long the living room was filled with the colors of the rainbow--pastels and bolds. Wesley and I ran laps trying to catch, throw and kick all the balloons...we even popped a few. You should have seen my face when I finally got the bounce just right to squish the balloon--it took me several bounces. I was in shock, but I laughed so hard I had to have a redo. Dad and Uncle JJ added to the mix by turning the average balloon into a balloon orb of 6 or 7 tied together and of course by filling the tent to play in as well. We belly laughed, hooped and hollered until at last the sun returned, but that was not the end of the balloons. We kept them around for extra entertainment...dad's practical jokes and lots of science too. I hummed into them and looked through them turning everything I saw a different shade. Who knew we could have so much scientific fun. We made static cling out of Wesley's hair and laughed all morning too. Rainy days turned balloon bash are a hit with 2 year olds and 30 somethings too.

BAD IDEA BIKERS!...
Mom was soooo excited about biking down the beach. I fed right off her excitement and was ready to steer. Then...dun, dun, dun...the bad idea bikers weighed in. Their legs were tired, they were drenched in sweat and you better watch where you are going not to fall off the sea wall! Needless to say I heard all kinds of complaints, but not from me and mom we were thrilled to have an adventure no matter the temperature. It was a memory making moment will belly laughs and sarcasism rolling all around. I think next time we will get a 2 seater...thanks Aunt Kay for getting everyone round up for the week at the beach and for encouraging all the shade seekers to bike the beach with mom!

GREAT GALVESTON GET AWAYS!
We soaked up the sun and proved that all it takes is family to make you smile!

GIANT CRABS AT GAIDO'S...
When in Galveston always go to Gaidos! It was our first stop along the Sea Wall. The whole fam filled up on fish and shrimp before heading down to Karankawa Beach--our resort get away for the week. It only took the words "look Reagan...the ocean" and I was sold! No one could have held me down I wanted to jump in and swim at first sight. Mom and dad had to convince me that the ocean was bigger and better by the beach house. I didn't think I could wait. This is also where my phrase for the week began..."big crabs, bigs eyes, big claws, big pinchers...not small...HUGE!" I was on the look out each night during our crab hunting adventures for a crab that could live up to the Gaidos Giant crab creature. I think we almost had it. In fact, I loved crab hunting so much that we even brought 2 store bought hermit crabs home. Welcome Spiderman and Taco to the family. I named them myself and I must admit that Spiderman is as big as they come. Mom laughed out loud thinking what next year might bring...a conch shell perhaps?

CONFECTIONS!...
Big Grandma had a great idea...hit 2323 on the strand. We were hot from shop hopping and ice cream was top priority. Grandma knew that this would be fun for me on more than one level. I got an education while I was snacking and cooled off too! We saw master candy makers pulling salt water taffy...watermelon flavor was delicious and ate homemade cherry pie ice cream. Lala enjoyed expresso and joked that she could have eaten 4 bowls. Mom and dad made do by splitting the cone with me, but secretly they wanted their own. In fact I think we could have spent the rest of the afternoon just pulling samples of all the yummy yums. This spot will have to be revisited soon!
PS...what do you think about these pics...my dad took them using his new iphone...not bad, but they could have kicked themselves for leaving the camera in the car.

PIRATES AHOY...
Lala found the perfect pirate sleeping bag for me and I've been snuggled in for 2 nights now. I am ready to ship out and head to the beach. Watch out...I have all my gear....RRRRRRR!

VIC AND ANTHONY'S FOR AUNT KAY...
Happy birthday Aunt Kay! I thought you were the one to get the gifts, but I had a great experience too; my very first lobster tail, pinchers and all. This was entertainment at its finest! The lobster wanted to pinch uncle JJ, I am sure of that! I acted it all out for him and even gave JJ "the eye." Wesley and I had to be on our best behavior for 3.5 hours and WE DID IT! It was a good thing our moms brought extra entertainment. We read a few books, wrote notes and of course chatted with the fam. I thought I was a real big guy. I ordered my own dinner. I wrote the waiter a note then handed it to him as I explained what I would like for dinner. We dined on tomato and mozerella, fruit and of course lobster :) I enjoyed playing with its shell more than I like eating it though. Top all of that off with a bowl full of ice cream and I was sleeping hard through the night. In fact, I slept in the next morning too. Mom did not complain, she was exhausted, she enjoyed staying in bed until almost 10. This is a record for our house. Whew! Mom knows the secret now. Keep me out late celebrating with the fam and fill my little belly with wonderfully rich foods. We are ready for a repeat any time...how about the end part of next July? HAPPY BIRBAY AUNT KAY!













Me and dad are pirates...we caught this lobster....RRRRRR!

NOAH'S ARK...
I met my friend Collin at FUMC for a real slash park adventure. I was eager to conquer the water slides and show off my swimmin' skills in the giant kid sized pool. I sported my orange earplugs the whole time. One little boy was jealous. He asked his mom why I had plugs and he didn't. As you can see my plugs were pretty important as I have decided that pouring water on my head is great fun. WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT! Our mom's had fun too. They stayed cool and chatted while trying to keep an eye on us. WHEW~ Let's do it again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA!...
ISABELLA is 4! We celebrated her big day with splashin' shark party. I had a blast on the water slide with dad! He was my elevator and I soaked him! Mr. Danny had a great fish tank inside that I admired all afternoon. HINT!~I want a fish tank too!

MASAS...A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION...FOR TWO!
Happy Birthday Uncle Al! I love fish too! I also love chocolate mouse and Lala's raspberry pink sorbet...she almost had to give that up. Mom was so impressed with my table manners and just could not believe what a little man I have become. I picked out my most handsome khakis for this event. Mom was tearing up just looking at me...the pants fit perfectly...at Easter they had 2 rolls at the bottom to adjust the length. It won't be long before my birthday is here again. I can't wait to hear everyone sing my birthday song. In fact, I couldn't wait. After we sang the tune to Uncle Al, everyone sang happy birthday to me too. I tried to tell them that it was my birthday, not Uncle Al's...I shook my finger as I stated with a stern voice and furled eyebrows "No, no Uncle Al...My birbay!" Well, I got a song and everyone else got a great laugh! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Uncle Al!