Playground Fun

On Wednesday last week it was SO nice outside for once! We headed over to Fairmeadows park (one of my favorites here in WDM) for some fun.
Let me just say that Reagan was unusually cautious on the playground equipment. We haven't been to the playground since the fall when Reagan was 15-17 months old. She's now 21 months old and is so much more grown up. It was definitely a lot more fun for me. I didn't feel like I needed to follow her around everywhere. I only had to get up on the equipment when she climbed the stairs to the big kids part of the playground (as you can see in the background in the above picture).

Here's Reagan flashing her signature smile. She was soooo cautious walking over the bridge. I think it must be because she's hit her head about 900,000 times at least in her short life.

She really likes the swings a lot. We spent a good portion of our time there. She had fun watching 2 older boys swing next to her. She was laughing at one of them because they would kick up dirt now and then. I love how she is starting to see humor in things. She has the best laugh! I'm really excited that spring is almost here. I can't wait to get out every day!

Fortunately Sarah was pretty good just chilling out in the stroller. It was definitely a different experience trying to keep my eye on 2 kiddos!

I'd like you all to take notice on how I've posted several entries in a row. Pretty exciting, huh?

Easter

I actually bought these bunny ears last year when Reagan was 9 months old. She had fun trying them on.
We did a small easter egg hunt in our apartment the day before Easter (boring, I know) but the weather wasn't the greatest. It took Reagan awhile to fill her basket. She wasn't too sure about the whole thing.Once she figured it out, she was totally into it!

Here's a video of Reagan trying to figure out the whole easter egg hunt. We think she's pretty cute. As you can tell, she's pretty obsessed with identifying colors these days.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and were able to reflect on The Savior and His Atonement. I am definitely humbled and filled with grattitude for His gift and sacrifice.

Congratulations Dave and Laura!

I just wanted to congratulate my older brother Dave and his new fiance Laura on getting engaged a few weeks ago! They'll be getting married in the San Diego temple on July 25th this summer. I've honestly never seen my brother happier. I'll probably be the last person to meet her since I won't meet her until they get married. I'm excited to have another sister :)

Oh how they grow up so fast!

Ok, so this picture was taken around a month ago but I just think this look is priceless! We get a lot of interesting looks like this from our little Sarah bear.
Now this is more like it! I just can't believe Sarah is already 3 months old! She is such a joy in our family. Always, always smiling :) At her 2 month appointment she was 12 lbs 6 oz. and 22 1/2 inches long. A pound heavier ans an inch shorter than Reagan was at the same age.
Now Reagan has been growing like a weed- she is taller than a lot of kids older than her but she's just plain growing up into a little girl. She just recently moved into a toddler bed and loves her new "big girl bed." In fact, today she shooed me out of her bedroom, shut the door, and got into her bed all by herself and took a 2 hour nap. I couldn't believe it! She's already acting like a teenager- closing herself into her room all of the time. I'm worried.
One of Reagan's favorite things to do every day is paint. At first she was relly sloppy and didn't have much of an attention span. Now she tries to carefully blot the brush in the paint. I just love watching her little face full of concentration. I can see a look of pure satisfaction on her face.
Other things Reagan is up to:
1. Copying everything Erik or I say. Example: Erik was changing one of Reagan's dirty diapers. As usual he was grossed out and said :"Oh sick!" a few times. Now Reagan says that frequently and it sounds really cute, especiaaly when she says it while I change Sarah's messy diapers. We better be careful what we say around here!
2. She started calling Erik and I by our first names: Denny and Eggik. Funny thing is, Erik did the same thing when he was Reagan's age.
3. For months Reagan hasn't been able to count past two. Out of nowhere yesterday she proceeded to count to ten as she ate her grapes at lunch!
4. Lastly, Reagan loves dessert. Except she doesn't call it that. Apparently dessert sounds like the s word to her. Erik gets a kick out of her saying it.

I just can't believe how big she is getting! She definitely keeps us entertained around here.

Last of all- I would like to apologize again for the lack of blog posts. Not that I've ever posted regularly but that's besides the point. After a series of unfortunate events in the Rosenlof household, I think I'm back on my feet (sort of) and hope to post more regularly. That's if my little rugrats allow me the pleasure :)

An Easter post with pictures and a video to come soon.

A Little Perspective

Looking at wedding photos yesterday while I was working on my blog entry, I got seriously depressed. What has happened to me?!?!? The picture above is me in my glory days- 4 months after we were married and I was at my all time low weight- 118 lbs. Ah, to be that thin again... Long gone are the days when I didn't have massive red stretch marks all over my belly, thighs, and who even wants to know where else. Gone are the days when I had the freedom to exercise like a maniac for 3 hours a day burning 2500 calories (yes, I was that psycho but it felt good). Heck, gone are the days I have even a relaxing few minutes to enjoy taking a shower. I'm packing around a good 15 extra pounds these days and only yesterday fit into a pair of non maternity jeans. For some reason I've got serious hormonal imbalances and my face is covered in hideous, painful zits. It's finally starting to get a little better but c'mon, I'm 24 years old already. I'm ready to move past the acne.

As I was wallowing in self pity, I realized that these unpleasant changes and sacrifices I've made were for a great cause. What have I gained in all this? I have two beautiful, precious, and perfect daughters to show for it. They are everything to me. I may not be in shape and thin anymore (I'm definitely going to try to get there again) but for now, my time is focused on my sweet babies. They really do bring so much joy into my life. Being a young mom with young kids is so hard but so rewarding. Some day I'll have time again to do some of the things I once did before I became a mom.

I'm in Love...

with my sweet hubby and two precious daughters! This entry is in honor of Valentine's Day. A little late, I know but my V-day was not so wonderful. Reagan woke up that morning burning up with a fever. She was miserable most of the day and as a result, so was I. I vowed that day that I wasn't going to have any more kids. Kids get sick...A LOT and I just don't deal well when my babies aren't feeling well. It just breaks my heart to see her miserable and not be able to instantly make it better. I'm sure it will be a lot easier when she's older and can actually communicate what she needs.

Erik and I met just over 4 years ago on January 7th, 2004. For those of you who know me, I'm a freak when it comes to dates. Any date my brain deems important is stored permanently and recalled very easily. For some reason my brain thought it was important to remember random birthdays of kids in my elementary school classes, etc. Erik thought I actually tried to memorize dates ( I guess he thought maybe I didn't have anything else to do?) but I don't. It's just a freakish talent (maybe not?) that I have. Anyways, we got engaged on May 15th and were married on August 14th, 2004 in the Dallas temple. Here are 10 things I love about Erik:
1. He has worked so hard the past 3 years in medical school to do well, despite some difficult setbacks
2. He loves to joke around and make me laugh
3. He totally accepts me for who I am and still loves me
4. He is always encouraging and positive with me (so wonderful!)
5. He appreciates all that I do at home and with the girls
6. He raves about my cooking all of the time (which I secretly love to hear, even though I tell him it's not anything special)
7. He's an amazing father to our girls- he is so good at playing with Reagan (some day Sarah too)
8. He has put up with me and my whining during my 2 long, VERY LONG pregnancies :)
9. He has an amazing testimony
10. He's very thoughtful and generous
Thank you so much for all you do--I love you!!

Here are 10 things I love about my Reagan:

1. She's sensitive- so many times she gets upset and sad if she sees mommy crying

2. She's incredibly driven. I love that she has an agenda every day. She keeps herself busy doing the most adorable little tasks. I love to watch her organize things in her own little way.

3. She loves to help me out. Lately she's been helping me unload the dishwasher and put away groceries.

4. She's such a sweetheart. She often gives me hugs and while she's hugging me, she'll pat and/or rub my back.

5. She's so dang smart! She knows all but 5-6 letters of the alphabet. I found out that she knew her letters when she spelled the word "two" to me without me even asking her to. She talks a lot for a 20 month old and is so eager to learn. She knows a lot of her colors and shapes as well. I'm so proud of her :)

6. I love it when she says "I love you momma"

7. She is so curious about the world and incredibly observant. It's so wonderful to see the world through a child's eyes. They think everything is amazing. She loves the moon (used to be obsessed with it) and gets incredibly giddy when she sees it or airplanes.

8. She always makes me laugh...especially now that she's more verbal.

9. She's very driven and motivated. I think this will help her to be very successful in life.

10. She loves to dance and climb and jump...she's so full of energy and life and it makes me happy (unless she's getting into too much trouble or hurting herself, which happens frequently)

I love you Reagan!

10 things I love about Sarah:

1. Her sweet smile...oh how I melt when her face lights up. She smiles at everything. She's such a happy baby!
2. She's so peaceful and calm. It has created a nice balance in our home. Reagan is anything but calm most of the time! It's nice to have a little of both worlds :)
3. She's made the transition to 2 kids a piece of cake (well, not quite) but I couldn't have asked or dreamed that it could be any easier
4. She's been sleeping 10 hours a night since she was 4 weeks old. All you moms of new babies, please don't send me hate mail. I promise I paid my dues with Reagan as she screamed her head off for the first 3 1/2 months of her life and never slept.
5. She's easy to please. She rarely cries unless she's hungry, tired, or lonely. Not even all the time then.
6. She's a great eater.
7. She's sweet
8. She's easy!
9. She sleeps all through the night and then some :)
10. She has brought so much happiness to our family.

I can't wait to get to know her better as her personality emerges as she gets older. I love you Sarah!!

I feel so blessed to have Erik and my 2 girls in my life.

Sarah is 4 weeks old...growing like crazy

Sarah just turned 4 weeks old yesterday. I think this picture really captures her temperament well. She is so calm and mellow the majority of the time unless she is hungry, tired, or needs to burp. She's very easy to please :) It's amazing to me how different two siblings can be!
Ok, so I'm amazed at this child of mine. For the first few weeks, Sarah went quite awhile in between feedings. Of course being the paranoid mother that I am, I had to take her into the doctor's office to have her weighed to make sure she was gaining ok. At 3 weeks old, Sarah weighed 10 lbs 2 oz! She was 7 lbs 5 oz at birth so she had gained nearly 3 lbs! I couldn't believe it. But, check out those cheeks! She weighs what Reagan weighed at 10 weeks old. Looks like we're going to have a little chunk in our family :) Reagan ate every 2 hours until 8 months and was always thin as a rail. Again, so many differences!
I just can't believe how fast she's growing!

In other news, Reagan went to nursery for the first time yesterday. I've been paranoid about sending her earlier because we're in the middle of sick season and I just hate when she gets sick. But, it's going to happen so oh well. Erik and I (especially Erik) have been looking forward to this day for a really long time! Now Erik can actually get something out of the rest of the church meetings. Hopefully Sarah decides to take her time in walking. Reagan walking at 9 months old made for a very long 9 months until she was ready for nursery.

Erik stayed with Reagan in nursery just to make sure she did ok, especially since she usually naps around 11:30 and church starts at 11:00 now. She did really well. When it was time for snacks, Reagan happened to be 4th out of 7 kids. As soon as Jordan Hansen started handing out the fruit snacks to the first kid, Reagan went nuts. She started yelling "Num, num, numinee, num num" (Num is for yummy and I WANT some) then she started chanting a series of "Pea, pea, pea, pea, pea!" (Please), "Go, Down, Go, pea, pea, go, down!" Basically she was saying any and all words, hoping that one of them would get her a fruit snack. By the time she got to Natalie Fluhman, who was right before her, she was desperate. Before the last fruit snack hit the napkin, Reagan had swiped one of hers and popped it into her mouth so fast that Natalie didn't even notice! Anyways, it turned out well and she was so tired that she passed out cold in the car before we left the church parking lot.