3 Months Old!

Where does the time go?!
Reagan is now 3 months old... grabbing her hands, smiling at anythng that smiles at her, had her first belly laugh yesterday, and is sleeping like a champ!  We have been EXTREMELY blessed with an awesomely happy and healthy baby!
I am back at YAS three days a week at 6:00am...Jim has been busy with work... and Maggie has slowly made her way back upstairs (after being re-desginated as a downstairs dog).  No major complaints in the Barry home.
We hope this post finds you all well...
Hoping to see you all soon!

Reagan's First Photos...

We had a good friend, who is a FABULOUS photographer, come over to take Reagan's first photos.
What a fun day!  We had the HEAT on full blast... trying to get her to fall into a deep and restful sleep.  After 2 hours of our HOT attempt, and us stripping off our clothing, she FINALLY closed her baby blues and allowed us to position her in all sorts of funky positions.
Our favorite is the "pissed off ballerina" photo..... she does not look like she'll be wanting to attend any dance classes anytime soon. 
Enjoy! 




Check out Eva's website to view Reagan's photos:
Eva Lempert Photopgraphy
-  Eva's Website Link:  http://evalempert.net/?p=2177

-  Reagan's Pictures:
http://evalempert.nextproof.com/galleries/barrP/password
The username is "reagan"
The password is "triplechins"

My Favorite Things... for Baby.

Top FAVORITE things that have made "babyland" a bit easier... and "No" I am not going to give away these things like Oprah does.


1.  Recliner 
Monte Design Group  http://www.montedesign.net/grano.html 
We purchased this after speaking to a few of our "seasoned" friends who have also stepped into the world of diapers and sweatpants.  It has been the BEST thing!  It was purchased with the idea that it would go into Reagan's room.... it currently lives in our living room.... and I don't think it will ever go back into the nursery.


2.  Baby Blankets: 
BabyJade http://www.babyjadeusa.com/
This blanket is the SOFTEST, WARMEST, and MOST COMFORTABLE thing that Reagan owns.  I hear that they make BIG BABY (aka...ME) sizes too..... My birthday IS coming up people!
I have the skull and crossbones print.... adorable!


Purl Sohohttp://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7825-Purl-Soho-Super-Easy-Baby-Blanket-Kit
This link brings you to a kit... but I was blessed by receiving a handmade blanket by my good friend Jen and her princess Bobby Rae.  Beautiful blanket... a perfect gift for that new addition.


3.  Baby Cottons
http://www.babycottons.com/store/content/71/Our-Stores/
I love this brand.  So soft and washes VERY well.  I cried when Reagan grew out of her newborn pieces.  Seriously... I did cry. :-)


4.  Sleep Sacks
Any sleep sack is my best friend at 2:00 am and I have to change her diaper.... the LAST thing I (and Reagan) wants to do is to deal with snaps and buttons.  I wish I had a sleep sack for those nigh time visits to the WC


5.  Pacifiers
THANK YOU!!!!  These things have helped me obtain a few extra hours, yes HOURS, of sleep each night. 


6.  Baby Bjorn
http://www.babybjorn.com/
I tried a few different carriers... swaddles...wraps... and the Baby Bjorn has been Reagan's favorite so far.
I kid you not... that as I write this, Reagan is in her Baby Bejourn on my chest.  Today was not the best of days for our sweet girl....cried forEVER... so in the Bjorn she goes and to sleep we stay.  I have been wearing this since 1:00.... it is now 4:30.
Gotta do what I gotta do to let princess sleep. 
When Jim gets home... its my turn to get into it and sleep. :-)  Hope he can carry us both.


7.  BOB
http://www.bobgear.com/revolutionSE
Why get anything else.... I do not know.  This stroller incredibly easy to get in and out of the car, maneuver, AND it has a lot of places for me to place MY junk...like my coffee, shopping bags, extra blankets, my ridiculously oversized diaper bag, and Maggie's doggie bags.  Love it!


8.  My Breastfriend.... yes, this is the real name.
http://www.mybrestfriend.com/about-my-brest-friend/features-benefits
IF you have a baby...and plan to nurse... you HAVE to get this pillow!
When I first saw this... I almost bought it for the sake of how silly the name was.  I did pass on it because I bought the Boppy Pillow.  BIG MISTAKE!  Jim ran out the day after we had Reagan to purchase my VERY OWN BREAST-FRIEND. It has been a life (aka: breast) saver!

9.  Last but NOT least.... Mr. Hippo!

http://www.cateandlevi.com/
Each animal is one-of-a kind, all natural & reclaimed materials.
Jim bought Reagan her Hippo and Penguin before she was born. 
He just knew that these would be special!
Reagan takes her photo with Mr. Penguin (not shown) every week.
You just pick out the animal that you'd like... and they decide the color and fabric.  It is an awesome gift for anyone....






10.  My Family and Friends
Do I need to explain.... they are THE BEST!  We have had visitors from near and far... meeting our sweet little one.  Thank you to everyone for your love, time, and support.   We thank you for being in our lives and blessing us with yours.



THAT'S IT... MY FAVORITE THINGS for Baby.
If you have anything else to add... let us know.  Always looking for ways to make living with baby a bit smoother.

What's New???

I have noticed that I am doing EVERYTHING that I said I wouldn't do:  allowing her sleep with us at 3:00 am when NOTHING else works, giving her a pacifier when she is throwing a tiff, and many many other bad habits that seem to make her happy :-).  Whatever works!!!!  If baby is happy = all others are happy.

On another note.... So many people have ask if we have been able to get her on a schedule... and the answer is YES!  Can you beleive it?!!  The schedule is HER OWN schedule that she makes day by day and WE have had to follow and adapt to it.  She definitely beats to her own drum...and let's us know about it!

Good news is that we have had some nice nights of sleep... I LOVE her even more for that!

Grandma is here visiting from Indiana... she is the master of burping the baby.

Great G.G and Papa Stan from Chicago was here... loved every minute we had with them. 

Reagan is sooooo blessed with all of our fantasic family members and friends...she can't wait to meet more of them! 

Its been 5 weeks and I am ready to get my body back!!!  Went to Lululemon and tried on some yoga pants.... OUCH!  What happened to my bootie!?  So... if any of you out there want to meet for a walk, give me a call.  I could use a little push and motivation from you guys. 

As for my mission to make more dinners... did it only once!  Successful too!  I am still taking easy receipes from those who want to share. :-)

Congratulations to Mayor Mike Henn

Last Friday Night, we celebrated Mike's new title and role as Newport Beach's very own MAYOR! 
The family attended the mayor's dinner at the Marriott Hotel with a few hundred people.  Mike delivered a wonderful speech on his plans for the city and his visions for making this city an even better place to work and live.  We all were so proud!  Reagan even received a "shout out" from her honorable "papa" and was a hit with MANY people... especially the republican participants. :-)
I may be biased.. but I think Newport has the best mayor around!

You can follow Mike on his facebook page...
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Mike-Henn-Mayor-of-Newport-Beach/183913901638500

Back to Normal???

Back to Normal Mistake #1:
So... my BIGGEST mistake is that I was going to "get on a schedule" this week.  Jim is now back to work and I THOUGHT that I would take the "bull by the horns" and develop a bit of a schedule for Reagan, Maggie, and I. 
I KNOW ALL of you veteran mommies are all laughing at me right now.  2.5 weeks out... I am thinking like a CRAZY woman I know!  So far, I have ONLY been able to conquer ONE thing in the past 48 hours that I actually PLANNED to do.. and that was to take a nap!  Success!!!!  :-)

Back to Normal Mistake #2:
I was able to sneak a walk in my day yesterday while Reagan was sleeping,  and I happened to wander into one of my FAVORITE clothing boutiques..."Sydney Michelle".  I saw my favorite "clothing professionals", Norma and Courtney.  After a few hugs and introducing my pride and joy, they immediately began to dress me in adorable tops, bottoms, and the best of bling!  ONE PROBLEM.... NOTHING FIT!  My bootie is definitely on the JUICY side, my thighs are filled with baby love, and my boobs.... Wowzza!!!!   
Here I was, feeling good about myself... having lost some weight, and had a whisper of hope that I would be able to squeeze into some fashionable pieces.  Ahhhh... not so much! 
I think I'll stay out of the stores for a while. :-)

Back to Normal Mistake #3:
To begin with ... I have become the worst cook!  I have had numerous attempts to fix a fabulous dinner for Jim when he returns from work... and they have all resulted in FAILURE!  Thank goodness that we both have a sense of humor!! 
So...why would it be any different now that I am "with child"???  Could I become the "Next Top Chef" overnight???? 
I REALLY wanted to turn a corner and start preparing nice dinners for my husband.  Yesterday was my first THOUGHT of doing such a thing.... didn't happen.  Tonight... again I am thinking about it...but not/can't make it to the store.
So... that will be my GOAL next week.  My plea to you all.... If anyone has EASY recipes for me.... "Step 1,2,3...and done" type of meal, PLEASE send them my way!!!  Email them to cimobarry@gmail.com...  I need alll the help I can get!



In my life, "Back to Normal" needs to have a new definition.. a new end point... a new place for me to rest my soul. 
For now, NORMAL is going to mean being happy with each minute, wherever it may take me.  It means, loving my new figure because it gave me Reagan.  It means, only focusing in the things that matter... that make a difference in my day to day life.  It means, being thankful for my husband, daughter, and the family we have created.

With all that being said.... I guess I AM "Back to Normal"

16 days down.... :-)

What a ride!  The past few weeks have been exciting, adventurous, challenging, exhausting, endearing, and blissful!  Reagan has turned our world upside down, which in my eyes is NOW right-side up!

We finally were able to leave the home and venture to the real world last Wednesday.  On her 2 week birthday we, the family :-), took a trip to Fashion Island.  I wanted to show my baby girl where we were going to spend most of our time together, trying NOT to spend any $$$.  It was so much fun walking around and having my inner smile shining the ENTIRE time.  I think they call that smile "peace".

We have also continued to be blessed with WONDERFUL dinner from our fantastic friends.  I have high expectations of writing thank you notes to each and every one of you... but I am beginning to have to accept that I might not get to it anytime soon.  SO... here is my public THANK YOU to Carrie, Jen J, Jen S, Denise, Kirsten, Aunt P, and Kelley!!!!!  We have been eating like kings and queens here! We can't thank you enough for your kindness, time, support, and culinary gifts!

AND... we have also been shower with very kind gifts and tokens of love from all of our FABULOUS family and friends.... thank you, each and everyone of of you.  Your visits and gifts mean THE WORLD to Jim and I.  We can't wait to share more of Reagan with you as she grows up. 

We can't wait to see everyone!  GG and Papa Stan are flying out next Wednesday, and Grandma Vicky is on her way on Valentine's Day... could have chosen a more perfect gift for Reagan!

Looking forward to more visitors!! Just know that I AM that "over-the-top mom" who will make you wash your hands and get your flu shot :-)  
I am everything that I said I wouldn't be... sorry guys! :-)

Well.... I am signing off.  Have to go gaze at my beautiful baby girl!!!!