Full Day of Work

Yesterday was my first full day of work. It was exhausting, but fun. I treated 4 kiddos...cute kiddos! For me, it's a little bit difficult to come in and do my own thing with kids that have been treated by another therapist for quite sometime. In a way, I feel a little bit restricted to do what they have been doing, but I'm going to have to change my thinking and remember that I'm not a student anymore. Once I get in the mindset that I am a Physical Therapist, I think I will become a little more comfortable. There's also a period of adjustment, with children, that they must develop a trust in you and you must discover their likes and dislikes, how to motivate them, their capabilities, etc. I look forward to that day. But make no mistake, this is what I was meant to do. I LOVE IT!

Reese had a crazy day at school too. When I dropped her off, she sat beside another little baby and they started picking at each other. The other baby was picking at Reese's lip and Reese was picking at that baby's ear. Reese was smiling and talking (squealing/grunting) to the baby...it was SO cute! She seemed to have fun, but I'm discovering that she might be getting picked on a little bit. The little boy in her class stole the toy that she was playing with, she got pinched in the head, and she fell and hit her head on a toy :( Poor thing. She's not only the "new kid in class", she's the smallest one too. She's a tough little cookie. Her daddy was not happy when he heard about her getting pinched. I think he tried to crawl through the phone and come up there. He said, "Who was it? Did that baby get put in time out? What did the teacher do about it?" he was so mad...the baby that pinched her is only 8 months old too.

Speaking of 8 months old, Reese just turned 8 months old on Saturday!!! Still doesn't seem like that long ago.

Sunday

I have to admit that Sunday was rough for me. I had a lot to get done for work and for Reese's 1st day of preschool. Not just that, but I was more nervous and anxious than I had let on. I guess I was trying to convince myself that it would be easy to hand her over and let someone else take care of her for the day. Trying to convince myself, someone who doesn't trust just anyone with her daughter. This nervous, anxious, overwhelmed feeling is the one I woke up with.

THEN, I got the call from my best friend, Kristen, that she was in labor and heading to the hospital. I was able to talk to her up until she was admitted, then I only got text updates from her mother and husband telling me how she was doing. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for those updates and don't know what I would've done without them. For me though, knowing that Kristen was in the hospital, about to go through something so life changing...I just wanted to be there. I know that she had TONS of family with her and was well taken care of, but the feeling of being so far away with no time or feasable means to get there (not to mention my first day of work the next day) just added to the anxiety. I worried about her all day. I kept thinking about how they must have been feeling and it took me back to the day Reese was born. Like it was yesterday, I remember the emotions and feelings I had the first time I saw her. The way she looked, the facial expressions she made, how tiny she was...it all came back to me. Dowell and I talked about how amazing it is that you see this tiny baby for the 1st time and you can't imagine loving anything more. All of this, I knew Kristen and Trey were about to experience.

Their baby boy, Ty, was born at 6:54 p.m. on Sunday! Just as I thought, Kristen did fantastic. I'm so proud for her and her husband. He's absolutely adorable and looks just like his Daddy. He has sandy blonde hair and blonde eyebrows! I know one thing...he will never lack in love. I'm not in any hurry for them to grow up, but I look forward to watching Reese and Ty play and become friends.

I felt much better after I talked to Kristen Sunday night and heard, with my own two ears, that she was ok...Congratulations Holloway family!

Extras

She's starting to get herself on all 4s

Playing with Cooper

Her shirt got stuck when we were getting her undressed.
Dowell and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Playing on the Computer

New Job

Today, I started my 1st day of work! I took a PRN (as needed) position with a pediatric therapy clinic, High Hopes. I did a clinical there while I was in school and loved it. In fact, I remember coming home from my clinical one day telling Dowell, "this is where I want to work!" The Lord definitely has a grander plan! I am working on Mondays and Reese is able to go to the preschool/daycare next door...it works out perfectly! Anyway, today was our 1st day. I was a little nervous about leaving her, but the fact that I can walk down and check on her whenever I need to, makes it a lot easier for me (and her teachers are fantastic).

I loved being at work! This is definitely what I was meant to do. It was mostly orientation and observation today, but I did get to lead one treatment. Kids are so fun! I also got to meet some of the other children that I will be treating and they are super cute.

Reese had a great day at school and did better than I thought she would. I knew she would have a good time with the other babies, but I was worried about her eating and sleeping. She ended up eating great, but didn't sleep much. She's definitely not used to napping with other children, noises, and in an unfamiliar bed. The teachers said that she had a good time talking to herself in the mirror of the crib though :) She was exhausted when I picked her up. I put her down for a nap around 5 p.m. and she didn't even wake up to get ready for bed...just kept on sleeping thru the night. Bless her heart! I know she had a good time. She got her first good note sent home too! It said that she was cheerful and had a great day. They read books, went on a wagon ride, sang songs...sounded like lots of fun!

1st Tooth

I tried to capture a picture of the little beginnings of her 1st tooth. She usually covers it with her tongue as soon as I whip out the camera, but you can kind of see it in this one (I'm not really sure why I took it upsidedown, but I think it's kinda cute).

The Dentist

Reese went with me to the dentist this morning and sat with the administrative assistant, Ms. Jessica, who loves her and always wants to keep her up front while I'm getting worked on. Usually, Ms. Jessica walks around with her and all the girls at the office just "ooh and aww" over her, which is so precious. Today, I didn't hear a peep. When I was finished, I walked up to the front desk and saw Ms. Jessica on the phone trying to schedule a patient. Reese was sitting in her lap, pulling on the telephone cord, shaking a piece of paper (that I'm pretty sure was part of a patient's chart), and putting the paper and an envelope in her mouth. I started laughing so hard. It was like she was working at the front desk too! So busy. There was also a man waiting to be checked in and Reese looked up at him like, "may I help you?"...I laughed until I realized that I had better stop laughing and start helping Jessica!

Also, here are a few pictures from the playground last week!

Happy Easter!

What a beautiful day! The weather was gorgeous and we enjoyed being together as a family. Here are a few pictures from today that I just couldn't resist!

Big news: Reese is getting her 1st tooth! We felt it coming in yesterday and could see it today. She's also drinking out of a sippy cup now. Super fun!

Ok, so I haven't posted anything in, what feels like, a REALLY long time. So let me start by saying "I'm sorry!" However, it's beautiful outside today and I am in desperate need of a shower before baby girl wakes up, so I need to update quickly :)

First of all, I PASSED my board exam!!!! I took it March 18 and got my 'unofficial' letter/license to practice...HOORAY! I will be taking a PRN position at a wonderful pediatric clinic where I did a clinical rotation in school. It's called High Hopes and it is such a great place. I always loved being there and I even told Dowell during my clinical "I want to work there." Praise the Lord! I get to! I'll be working one day a week and Reese will attend the daycare that is connected to the clinic, so it works out perfectly! All the paperwork must be filled out, but I'm hoping to start within the next few weeks.

Reese is eating all kinds of foods now. So far, she's had carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, apples, bananas, prunes...and she seems to like them all. We had to go back to the pediatrician yesterday for a weight check (she didn't gain any from 4-6 months) but she is growing beautifully now! The doctor said that she is just great. She is a talker and squeals all the time. It's absolutely hysterical. Dowell and I went to lunch today and she sat in a high chair, played with her toys, and squealed. Everyone just looked, smiled, and laughed.

Last week, Reese and I traveled to Arkansas for my best friend, Kristen's baby shower. It was her 1st time on an airplane and she did great! Loved being able to play the whole way...she still hates the car seat with a passion. I have to admit that it was much easier not having to drive and stress the whole way. Kristen's shower was fantastic! We had such a great visit and Louis Vuitton, her Bichon Frise, LOVED Reese. He had to know where she was at all times and even slept with me so he could check on her throughout the night. It was adorable. Reese even made a few new baby friends while we were there. She loves other babies and just smiles and squeals/talks to them. I think she's going to like being with other babies at daycare.

Reese is just now catching up on her sleep. We have been so busy lately (hence I haven't posted), but we should be slowing down. Staying here for Easter will give us a chance to relax and start a family tradition of our own. Happy Easter everyone!