You Have to Walk Before You Run . . .

Except if you're Dylan McCarthy! Although he's not walking by himself yet, Dylan has discovered the thrill of walking (running) on his own two feet. He is definitely ready to go and it's amazing how quickly he's become much more steady.

Dylan loves to "run" after Reagan around the island in the kitchen and obviously thinks he can go much faster than he's really ready to do.

Thank goodness I'm short enough that I can stand mostly upright while he holds on to my fingers or my back would really hurt by now!

It's hard to believe that Reagan was walking by herself at this point. She didn't seem so small at the time, but Dylan just seems so little to be able to walk. Now I understand why I got so many comments about Reagan's size when she started to walk.

I remember Reagan's walking started not too long after she started doing similar things that Dylan is starting to do, so I'm mentally preparing myself for the day to come soon!

THE Bicycle Helmet

Here is the now infamous bicycle helmet that has barely left Reagan's head since we got it last week. She has worn it to preschool, ECFE, church, Target and while playing "a-naked" at home.

This was pretty funny ~ Reagan was ready to go ride her bicycle (it's always a bicycle, never a bike or trike) at 8:00am. She was still wearing her pajamas (and the bicycle helmet), so I told her that she couldn't go outside with her pajamas on. She then preceeded to take them off her pajamas, ran over to me and said "I'm a-naked, Mama. Now we can go outside."

Off to church with Nana, the umbrella, backpack and of course, the bicycle helmet.

Sun-shiny Day

What a gorgeous day to live in Minnesota! After dropping Reagan off at preschool, Dylan and I made our first trip to Lake Calhoun for a jog around the lake and a stop at Whole Foods.

After our run, we still had time before picking Reagan up, so we went home and spent some time outdoors. When Reagan was Dylan's age, she loved to walk behind this shopping cart. I had Dylan give it a try and he had a blast walking outside.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Here I go!"

One of our neighborhood friends stopped by to encourage Dylan along and play some peekaboo.

Target Field

We all got to meet Target Field today, compliments of NorthMarq. They were very generous with a "Family Day" as we were able to host Lindsay's parents.

And many compliments to NorthMarq as we got to sit in the company's suite! It doesn't hurt that we are under the same ownership as the Twins.

Since we knew that we would have the space, and an extra set of hands with Jim and Jan in attendance, we took the kids. The view from the seats was great.

We had big, soft chairs to sit in.

And Reagan was lucky enough to pick up some insight from Popa.

Dylan was lucky enough to catch some shut-eye with Nana.

Lindsay & Dylan

Reagan was lucky to get ice cream. It helps that her mom is addicted to ice cream.

After the ice cream, she got to try on the hat that it came in.

And if baseball and ice cream weren't enough to hold her attention, she played with her cars.

She occasionally paid attention. Really, she was going to check how thorough the cleaning crew is. She left plenty of smudges on the glass window at the end of the steps.

Even with our support, the Twins did not win. It wasn't for Reagan's lack of cheering though.

Our tired Twins fan on the way home.

Farm Babies at the MN Zoo

We made the trip to the Minnesota Zoo again this year to see the baby farm animals. The day we chose to go was kind of dreary and drizzly, but it was nice because it kept the crowds away and the little girls were able to see everything without having to fight their way to the front.

Melissa got most of the pictures since my hands were full with Dylan too, but I did get some.

Reagan loves to be outside and was so excited to see everything. Many times she was so excited, that she ran so fast we could barely keep up. We had Sophia hold Reagan's hand to keep Reagan with us.

Reagan and 'Phia



Climbing on the pig statue

I would say the cows were our favorite. I feel a little strange saying this, but they are really pretty animals close up. They have such big eyes and long eyelashes and their coats are so shiny.

This cow was my favorite. Reagan wanted to pet her, but I was too scared to let her.

Playing in the cut outs

All three of our future farmers (?). Probably not.

Easter 2010

Easter was our first holiday where we had to navigate around Reagan's peanut allergy so we could still introduce her to the traditions surrounding the holiday.

My mom was nice enough to bring over some boiled eggs for us to color the day before Easter. After all the questions I was asking her about boiling eggs, I think she decided that it would just be easier for her to do!

Checking on her eggs!

We used a Sesame Street decorating kit and Reagan had fun making Elmo and Addy 'Dabby out of the stickers.

Later in the day we had a 'trial' Easter egg hunt. Reagan had never done one before so we wanted to see if she got the concept. Instead of chocolate or jelly bean (even jelly beans are on the no-no list, they may contain peanut flour) filled Easter eggs, we got Little People Easter eggs with cute little people Reagan could play with in her princess castle.

This was the last egg of six to find and it took about twenty minutes for her to find it. She had lost interest after about four eggs.

The Easter bunny left some fun summer activities for the kids!

No chocolate bunnies at our house. Reagan got bunny shaped marshmallows instead. My parents did find "nut-free" chocolate bunnies and lollipops at Peanutfreeplanet.com.

Reagan left carrots out for the Easter bunny to eat as a snack. When we were at church though she said she wanted to feed the Easter bunny. When we returned home and the Easter bunny had already eaten the carrots, she was heartbroken. She dramatically threw her head down on the plate and cried, "Oh, dear!"

Our little Easter bunnies

Reagan was the only participant in the Nardinger Easter egg hunt. This time we used playdoh filled Easter eggs for her.

Happy Easter!

Dylan - 9 Months

I think we neglected to post the 8 month pictures last month, but we do have them. It was a busy month between Arizona and all the time we spent at the doctors during March.

This latest group of pictures required two people. One person to set up and place the baby while the other person had the camera at the ready. Our little man doesn't stay in one place for long anymore.

Dylan is "Soooooooo big!" This is one of his very favorite games.

He much preferred eating the sign to laying on the floor next to it.

Look, Mom! I got the letters! Nice try!

Dylan was 17.5 lbs (5th percentile) and 28 inches (25th-50th percentile) at his 9 month checkup. His ears were clear (finally!) so let's hope they stay that way for a while.

At 9 months:

• Dylan has perfected the army crawl. He knows how to crawl on all fours but the army crawl is his preferred way of getting around.
• He is getting really interactive. He loves to play peek-a-boo and "So big."
• Dylan has started to pull up on everything. Some things are not as stable as others and he's had quite a few bumps because of that. When he gets to standing he looks around with a huge smile on his face. He's so proud of himself.
• I swear he's starting to talk. When we pull out a ball for him to play with he'll say "A ba" which I take to mean "A ball." When he gets really upset and wants me, he'll say "Mama Mama Mama Mama."
• Last week he started clapping and will clap if someone else does or if you say "Yay Reagan or Twins or whoever."
• He loves to play with balls, cars and anything Reagan is playing with at the moment. He will take his toy bat while laying on his tummy and swing at any ball that might be on the ground.
• Teeth #3 and #4 (his two top teeth) arrived in the midst of an ear infection, so that was a fun week of no sleep.
• This little boy LOVES his Cheerios. Keeps Mommy working.
• Poor boy gets hit, pushed and shoved almost every day by his big sister. He is always following her close behind. Her biggest complaint is that he is always there and gets her toys wet with his drool.
• There are times when she can be really nice too and call him "Buddy." Reagan's moved on from calling him "Brother" and now calls him "Buddy." She uses "Dylan" a lot too now.