Lea Marie Photography: April 2013

She has been a full 9 months old for a week so pardon me for my delayed post. Last week was Easter and we had so many family activities going on that I didn't get to put this post together then. But here it is now.
Raegan never ceases to amaze me. She seems to be the smartest, most agile baby I have ever seen, but I remind myself that I am biased. She started crawling last month and within days had started pulling herself up to standing. Now she is cruising around the large leather ottoman we have in the living room. Sweet "dadadadadada" being uttered all the way around. I was taking offense to her not saying mama yet but she can say it, she just doesn't understand that Justin is dada and I am mama. We have a canvas of our family hanging in the hallway across from her room, and when we leave the room we stop and point to Mama, Dada and Baby Raegan. She laughs and claps her hands then proceeds to reach for the canvas and scratch at it saying "dadadadada" and squealing.
Justin reported to me that when he changes her during the week he swears she says " I want mamamamama!" Well I thought that was so sweet. She is playing us off of each other already. Last night I had to give her a stern "No Raegan" because she tries to roll over like an alligator with dinner in it's mouth the moment you unsnap the diaper on the changer. She does not like to be scolded. She sobs when you tell her No, and mean it. She then proceeded to look at me and I heard " I want mamamama!" I looked at her and said "I AM mama baby girl!" She looked puzzled and continued to sob. I figure it will stick soon enough.
So besides her sobbing at the sound of a stern No, she loves feeling the independence that crawling has brought her. She can now get to us in the kitchen when she hears the dishwasher open. We had to buy the cabinet locks to keep her out of the cleaners and the trash can in the kitchen and bathroom. But I am so happy that she is mobile and free to experience everything she should. She crawls in the grass at the park, sits up and claps at the dogs as they run by barking. I know that it's not going to be long before she is toddling around and checking everything out. Don't mistake my pride filled sentences as total excitement. As great as it is for her to be so mobile, it makes me a little sad that she isn't taking her time growing up. I just feel like I have waited so long for this baby girl and she is preparing to up and walk out on her own! I'm being dramatic but my feelings are true.
So without further ado here are some pictures I took this week. We were at the park with cousins Kylea and Joseph. Raegan loves the swings and she likes to go fast and high. Crazy baby girl! All the Mom's look at us like we are nuts as they gently swing their one year olds into a deep sleep, all the while Raegan is kicking and laughing, clapping and squealing. Every baby is different, and boy is this girl different. She is a mover. The thing about that, when we get home she takes a great nap and then wakes up in a happy mood. So the pictures in the crib are from after her post park nap. I love her sleepy face and her sweet smile behind the bink when I go in her room to get her. Life really is better with children. I hope everyone experiences the joy we do everyday!