Her First Fair...

We survived the fair! Taking Reagan out of her routine for 7 days straight made me a tad nervous especially since she has been teething (although we don't have any yet!). However, Reagan took it like a champ! She kept her same sleep schedule, loved all the stroller rides, loved all the sights and sounds and loved being around all the people who absolutely adored her. She was quite the attraction and a lot of people remember her from being the first baby of the new year. While I did have a lot of work to do we got some great family time in. Usually every night we would walk around just the 3 of us and call me crazy but I have always wanted to walk around the fair pushing a stroller with my little family.

Hanging with her new bff Zaine

Who needs a horse when you can ride a calf

Dairy Feeder day so we had to rock our dairy bib

Checking out the goats. Matt is now convinced that we need to have some goats.

Just being a rockstar

I let my food standards fly out the window last week so we are back at this week. I am going to start taking an exercise class 2x a week starting next week. Wish me luck!

6 Month Pictures and Farmers Market Goodies!

The fact that I have a 6 month old just blows my mind. Seriously, she is a half a year old and it seems like just yesterday Matt and I were bringing her home! She is growing and changing everyday it seems. She does get up on all fours like she wants to crawl but is only able to go backwards. She has lunged forward a few times so it won't be long before she will be all over the place. We still have no teeth but she is just working away at chewing. She can now sit all by herself for extended periods and hates to be on her back about as much as she used to hate tummy time. We have "conversations" and we are working on mama and dada, nothing yet. I have told Matt that if she says dada first that doesn't mean she is his favorite! She had her 6 month appointment Friday and she weighed 17.6lbs and is 26.5 inches long. For the past appointments she has been right at the 50th percentile but this time she jumped above it. Both the doctor and I were pleased with all the progress. He did still hear her heart murmur so we are still going to see the cardiologist on August 6th.

Saturday I had to work at noon due to wheat harvest but I was able to run into the farmers market in Tiffin and get some good produce. Matt and I planted a garden but the only thing that has been growing is the lettuce and sweet corn. Call me crazy but I have been making all of Reagan's baby food and frankly, it is really easy. So having a variety of fresh vegetables for her food was the main reason for the garden. Anyways since the garden isn't growing I've been relying on the farmers market for items and I got some yummy goodies! Peaches, blueberries, green beans, cherries and since our sweet corn isn't ripe I bought some sweet corn as well. So my goal this week is to make the cherries, peaches, green beans and sweet potatos for Reagan. She has ate everything so far (carrots, peas and squash) and loved it. We try a food for about a week before moving onto the next.

Since it's been a while I apologize for the picture overload!

The professional 6 month pictures. To view the rest go to www.photographybyluann.com and click on view images.

This picture finally happened after many many many attempts.

She loves going for walks!

Aunt Katie thought it would be fun to spike her hair after her bath.

First pony tail!

Aunt Katie was showing her the chickens, Reagan was intrigued!

  Also if you notice up in the corner I added an Instagram feed. I would love for you to follow me! My username is mefredritz.

Blog Lovin

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5057851/?claim=b74ew2sh5b3">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Apparently I live under a rock and google reader is going to expire? Another blogger had this posted so I am following suite so I don't loose you guys!

Another Spin Around the Sun

This is a submission for PAIL Bloggers June Theme which focuses on looking back.

June 2012. What a whirlwind of a month. Matt and I were pregnant, we saw the test, had the betas and at the beginning of June saw our little peanut and heard the heartbeat. I remember lying on the table with tears in my eyes and Matt squeezing my hand as we looked at the screen. It was such an amazing sight and sound. After that appointment we said goodbye to Dr. S because we were moving on, back to my regular OB. It was sad to say goodbye because even though we had only spent 2 cycles with him he was the reason we were seeing and hearing that heartbeat. I was going to miss the nurses and their excitement for us. Don't get me wrong, I like my OB but to them I was just another pregnant lady, well until they saw my chart.

My favorite part of June was scheduling the appointment with my photographer to do a fun shoot announcing our pregnancy. L our photographer was so excited for us and loved the ideas I had.

My favorite picture and the way we told friends, family and of course facebook!

Looking back, I didn't know if we would be where we are today, with a little girl who is almost 6 months old. Who has started to have her own personality, is trying to crawl and growing up way to fast. When we started this journey in January of 2011 I had no idea that the things I know now existed. I knew people who had trouble conceiving but didn't know more than that. I didn't know about trigger shots, femera, HSG's, or heck what an RE could even do. The journey wasn't what I wanted but I think in a weird way it was what Matt and I needed to strengthen our marriage. I know so much more about myself and my body that I wouldn't take back.

While there are moments that I still look back at our journey, wondering how I made it through without falling apart, I prefer to look forward. I look forward to watching Reagan continue to grow and come into her own and what Matt and I's next venture is (actually more on that after tonight hopefully!!!).

Happy Happy Happy!

Seriously over joyed with some wonderful news that started Friday and has carried into today. A dear sweet friend (who my mom had in school, our moms are friends and her mom was the major mastermind behind so many of the decorations and such at my wedding) got her BFP on Friday. I know I've mentioned before that Laura is the reason that I blog. Her blog opened up the whole world of infertility to me. I thought I was alone in my struggle but her openness about her heartaches and hope allowed me to connect with her and so many other amazing ladies I have met along this journey. When I saw the picture, I was sitting at my desk trying to think of how to not let the tears spill down my face just in case a farmer should walk in and want to talk about the markets. Like I wouldn't have been able to focus on the markets anyways!!!

When I saw Laura's mom on Saturday she started tearing up just talking about it which made me tear up since I am such a sap these days! I am so overjoyed with this news. I cannot wait for your u/s on the 3rd. I can't wait to follow this pregnancy like you did with me always being there with sweet words when I needed to hear them.

Congrats dear friend!

24 Day Challenge-Checking In

So here I am, day 12 of the 24 day challenge, halfway there. The best part is being done with the cleanse and the nasty fiber drink. I would seriously chug this drink in the morning then chug 1-2 glasses of water after. I will admit that I wasn't perfect on the cleanse. The way I see it, life happens and circumstances are out of your control sometimes. Even on the days I didn't do the best I still only strayed maybe 15-20%. Plus, I felt like crap after eating crap which just proved a point that I don't need that stuff. I will say the hardest part was making sure I was eating enough. I was so full at times that I know I wasn't getting enough calories. Finally though, I think I have it figured out.

Some random things I have learned:

-I tried Almond Milk for the first time. It's okay. I still prefer a glass of dairy milk but I do have to watch how much I drink because it can give Reagan gas and that child does not need any help in that area =)

- My sleep has been so much more refreshing. I've even been going to bed later and still waking up at the same time and I'm not sleepy.

-PB2 is amazing, seriously

-I have a peanut butter addiction

-Washing your fruit is an absolute must! No more waxy grapes and strawberries going bad after a few days.

-Apples and peanut butter are amazing together

-Did I mention I love peanut butter?

-Quinoa is good, I made a burrito bowl to rival Chipotle with it and it was darn good.

I made a promise to avoid the scale and measurements until the challenge was over. I will say that some pants fit better as well as some shirts. Most importantly though, I feel better

24 Day Challenge

Here we go with my first ever 24 day challenge with Advocare. I started the challenge on Saturday that way it was the start of a month and my OCDness would be happy. My plan is slightly modified since I am still nursing. D (the friend from HS who is helping me out) made an awesome spread sheet for me so it is basically idiot proof which is exactly what this busy mama needs.

Also at her suggestion I took some before pictures. This is the one time I wish there was a full length mirror in my house but it is okay. I tried looking for a full length picture of myself and to no surprise at all I didn't find one.

I've said it before, I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I wish there was a magic pill to make it go away but there isn't. This challenge isn't going to be a cake walk. I'm sure there are going to be days when I want a diet coke, or that candy bar from the machine but it just ain't gonna happen.It is going to be a slow process, I didn't put the weight on in a day and I can't expect it to come off in a day.

What I'm really hoping to get out of this 24 day challenge is the motivation to keep going. I'm hoping I see some results and it helps pull me through the next hurdle.

The goods

I actually thought I should have done a duck face

Yup still look pregnant here

And I couldn't help but add a picture of this smiling through her hands cutie!