Her First Steps!

This morning Reagan took her very first unassisted steps! Two of them!!! She hasn't done it again today, yet not for a lack of bargaining and coaxing. All of these milestones are so special and memorable!

Reagan's Baptism

Reagan was baptized this past weekend at our church. It meant so much to us to have her baptized there with our church family and Pastor Seale. After the service, Reagan walked around and greeted everyone. Grandpa Keith was here from North Dakota, as well as Grandpa Tom & Grandmarie from Virginia! We had a lovely time the entire weekend, despite the fact that the Jets lost.

Ringing in the New Year with the Clavet's!

We traveled to Lexington, South Carolina (near Columbia) to visit John, Shana, and Campbell Clavet. Campbell is just 9 months older than Reagan, so we all had play mates! New Year's Eve we watched the Chick-fil-a Bowl among the land of the Gamecocks. New Year's Day we went to the Columbia Zoo, a park, had a tea party, and watched football. Spending time with such dear friends was a great way to start the year!

A Special Guest - Reagan's Navy Recruiter?

Reagan was greeted upon her return from Northern Virginia by our friend, Max. Max lives in beautiful California and is an Assistant Prof. for the Naval Postgraduate School. He continued to drop hints throughout his stay that Reagan seemed a good candidate. We planned for a low-key visit, but instead offered Max a visit with us to the ER, an opportunity to put together Reagan's first stroller (for her first baby doll from Grandma Gayle), and a tour of Duke's campus. The ER? Yes. We thought Reagan had gotten into something she wasn't supposed to. Thank goodness she hadn't! Needless to say, we are much more careful and aware that the home was not completely baby proof. She spent the night smiling at nurses and doctors...and Max. Thanks so much for visiting, Max! "Until we meet once more. Here's wishing you a happy voyage home."

Reagan, "All I Want For Christmas Is...."

1) A Front Tooth
2) Lots of toys!!!!
3) Lots of love and play from my Barnes' Uncles
4) A Sleepover with Grand Marie
5) Watch my Uncle Stephen play organ and sing for a church Christmas program
6) Dancing and singing with Grandpa Tom
7) Play piano with Uncle Stephen
8) Learn how to climb stairs
9) Visit the restaurant where my Uncle Michael is manager and have him cook me a yummy meal!
10) Meet Uncle Stephen's girlfriend, Rachel

We had a great time at the Barnes House in Winchester for Christmas. Reagan was ecstatic with so much attention from her uncles and grandparents. She even spent her first night away from Mom AND Dad, and had a sleepover with Grand Marie, Grandpa Tom,and the Uncles (which just happened to be the night she cut her front tooth - thank you, Grand Marie!). Of course, she was showered with all of the gifts a little 10 1/2 month girl could want. Her family in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Texas made sure she knew how much she was loved from afar with gifts and phone calls. Thank you to all of our family for making her first Christmas so special. We hope that the joy of Christ's birth brought you and yours a Merry Christmas as well.