Reese Garner Bender

Reese Garner Bender
born: 10.18.2011
A baby, almost three months ago and just now blogging about it...

Well that doesn't sound like me, or truth be told this isn't surprising any of you!

7lbs 10oz. and 20.5 inches long

Yep, that's her dark hair and all. Lots and lots of dark hair! There is so much to share. She is the perfect addition to our family. We are loving our time with her. She is sweet and full of smiles (she started smiling at 2 weeks).
She battles with Colic and Reflux (...aaawesome) but "bless her heart" (as any good southerner would say) she tries so hard to not let it get her down. She will cry and smile all at the same time. She was blessed with lungs. She can wail and scream in a way that lets you know she is in pain. She is on medicine and it helps some. But she still gets the most precious squished, red face that goes silent right before she lets you have it. This usually happens when she is tired, in pain and offended that I might think she wants to eat or be rocked. She is easily soothed but the pattern repeats when she has another episode. You can just hear her tummy rumble and roll. A good burp or passing of gas usually follows. To which Amelia always announces with a surprised delight...."Reesie toot!"


She is a talker like her momma! She coos and smiles A LOT but also can coos in a way that sounds more like she is chewing you out and I think she is. I can tell her personality is a little stronger than big sis's.

I cant believe I'm subjecting myself to public humiliation but here we are baby voice and all. 

 

Amelia is in love with her "baby Reesie." She has been amazing. That's not to say she hasn't tried to pull her off while I've been feeding her ("Reesie off, Reesie off... why do toddlers say it twice, unfortunately, child I heard it the first time) or accidently sat on her (I think it was an accident, she's not the graceful kind). 

We've had our moments but I couldn't be prouder of Amelia. Its the sweetest thing to watch her love and care for her sister. It makes me so happy to know they have each other.

The other day she was in the swing and began to fuss. Amelia stopped what she was doing and went in there to help. I could hear her saying "Its alright Reesie, smile, Reesie, cheeses Reesie..." When I walked in Amelia has placed her lovie, 3 pacifiers, and a stuffed animal in the swing with her. I love listening to their conversations.

These days
Amelia is way into her babies. Caring for them the way we care for Reese. These babies are diapered, swaddled ("Momma, help Mia swaddle baby") and Amelia even feeds her babies the way I feed Reese. She is frusterated at her lack of milk production though and often asks me to feed her babies as she tries to shove them up my shirt, when desperate she does this to Kyle. She has also asked me to feed her and Kyle as well. I have walked in on her a few times with my pump and she is trying to pump milk from her belly button.

Here are a few of Reese over the past 3 months

Pumpkin Patch

 this is mid stride

 Jo, the only true ring around the rosier

We had a blast at the pumpkin patch this year. Amelia loved running around and being with her friends.

First day of Pre-School

Amelia started pre-school today at the church. She did great! We went to meet her teacher last week and check out the room. She was already very familiar with the room because it's the same one she's been in for Sunday School for the last 6 months. She also knows that dad's office is literally around the corner about 10 steps away. 

 Girl has been all about her back pack but then today

mom: "Amelia, want to put on your back pack?"

Amelia: "no, mommy do it." "mommy, get it"

Drop off was very smooth. Amelia opted away from the class' chaos and drop off drama. She used the opportunity to snag some one on one time with the coveted baby in the class and the kitchen, so we snuck out too. She was all smiles when we returned. She saw Kyle and just pointed and said "dada!" but kept on playing, she has gotten used to him passing by. But when she noticed me she knew it was go time! She booked it to the door, running into a table, falling down (have I mentioned she isn't that cordinated?? She comes by it honestly, I never know where my bruises come from), getting up, waddling fast (which is her run) to the door.

Kyle said he is slightly distracted taking note of every cry to judge if it is Amelia's (it was not thankfully or I'm sure he wouldn't be able to help himself from peaking to see her). He reported that each time he walked by she was very content. She pretended to wash her hair a lot with a bottle of shampoo (as I've noted before she is really into good hygiene).

She is still reserved around her teachers and keeps a good distance from them. I'm sure she will grow to love them though. She loves playing in all the centers especially the home center with the kitchen, the books and balls. She mostly keeps to herself playing with various toys and offering an occasional toy to a friend if they are near by. I cant wait to watch all these relationships grow over time. 

The teacher noted that she was "so good and calm." Its just a matter of time before she lets loose :)

We celebrated a great day by going to Chick-fil-a. Amelia was so excited that Kyle and I were both going to lunch with her. She insisted on using the adult fork and did well. She then climbed all the way up the play scape by herself (huge accomplishment, she is typically timid and requires company). 

It was a good day, yea Mia!!!

goggles

The other day while at The Malachowski's house Amelia found these pink goggles. She knew exactly what to do with them and did not see reason to ever remove them. They especially became handy during bath time to keep the water out of her eyes. This is the face she made at herself in the mirror for a good 5 minutes. 

Thank-you Lauren for sharing your goggles.

That is one sick mullet, but what am I to do, I cant cut those curls are you crazy? 

Apparently...

clothing is now optional during nap time

When I opened Amelia's door this afternoon to get her from her nap I noticed on the floor her diaper and clothes (as she's pointing and saying "diaper, clothes"). There she was just wearing a smile. Luckily no accidents. She was so proud of her accomplishment. 

I hope this doesn't mean she's a liberal. 

  At least we dont have to worry about her being a "Never Nude." (Arrested Development anyone??? all five of you???)

PS, she's so tall, I feel like she could just hop over (luckily she has my "hopping" skills, which means she aint getting Up and over anytime soon. :)

chicken wire hair bow frame & the best hot pads ever

 So I wanted to hang something above Amelia's changing table and I needed a place to put her bows. So I thought of this. At first I just was going to put chicken wire in a frame but it needed something more so I took a piece of fabric and used adhesive spray to the back. The picture frame I found for a few bucks at the clearance isle at Hobby Lobby. Then I painted it tiffany blue then a wasabi color and scuffed it up so the blue would show through. I then antiqued it with my favorite glaze (American Traditions in Raw Umber). 

moving on

So I can be quirky and wait to purchase an item I need until I find "the perfect one." I have to love it! I will wait (years) and search (for the perfect item at the perfect price). I know that this item will be with me for the long haul and my home is too small to fill up with stuff I dont just love.

Lately, I have been checking items off my list. 

 And recently crossed off hot pads. I love the Home Goods (Marshalls) store and I found these for $7. 

which means I can retire these

 These look like something out of Edward Scissor hands kitchen...or mine. 

 

Cooking inspired me to add an aloe plant to my collection of greenery :)

 

and on a second note I noticed a trend with my husbands closet...

 more shirts are starting to pile up on the door (5) than inside. He had me cracking up when he placed the last one on the handle, I guess the top was full. I'm just glad they're not on the floor.

 

time with friends

Settle down folks its not what you think (we aren't finding out the sex so you'll just have to wait with us, its only 19 more week...ugh).

A couple months ago (I'm real up to date) Amelia and I had the pleasure of hanging out with Cal (Julie and Rob Smith's son) on Tues and Thurs. We had a blast! Amelia adores Cal! These two had a blast talking and playing together. Amelia was ready to care for his every need and made my job a lot easier. I tried to get some video or them "talking" and playing but failed, I'll post what I did get but it just doesn't compare. Amelia is tricky and has let it be known that she is not a performer. BTW "boom" you hear me asking her to give Cal "boom." Kyle taught her to give daps and she kept doing it to Cal and he would just squeal with delight. The first video is a little short due to Amelia placing the lens cap on. Again not a performer.

Here is Julie and A. She has just "twisted" her arm to read her a few of her favorite books.

Here is a more recent picture of Cal with our friend Sloan (her son, Jake was asleep in the next room). Amelia loves her friends! She often still talks about Cal, especially when she sees a toy or the chair he liked to play with. Abby and Luke came to visit and she called Luke, Cal for the first day or so. She's got it down now! She is still talking non-stop about Abby and occasionally Luke. She calls Abby on her phone and was really excited to find her in our wedding album.

This was the shirt Amelia wore when went to see Luke in the hospital!

I found Amelia enjoying her old chair that we had out for Luke. Watching her get out was awesome! I was dying laughing (which she did not like) and she kept saying "oh..oh..no, no, no....help." 

Luke and our house guest at the time Marcus.

"Marcus" was the first word Amelia said when ever she woke. Pretty sure he is her favorite! She would get nose to nose and just chat him up. He's clearly a great listener. He loves her as well, he was always right behind me when I went to get her out of her crib. He'd sit next to her changing table and they would be nose to nose for A to pet him while I changed her diaper.

She was so sad when he left. (She sat on the porch and pointed down the road and kept saying "Marcus." So she was thrilled when he and Jen returned a day later. Every girl wants a horse :)

We're gearing up to see Annie tomorrow, when Mike and Deb come to town!!