Spring, Sunshine and the Sharratt Household

Man, we have had some beautiful weather lately!
And isn't it amazing how the
sunshine just makes everything better!

Crazy to think it is officially Spring!
I am so glad that winter is out the door and am looking forward to all the fun things to come this spring/summer!

Now that Tegan is getting a little older and can occupy herself for short periods of time, I have an intense itch to pick things back up at the homestead!
I cannot believe how long I have neglected our new home.
First on the list.. finish buying the rest of our blinds!

I am also on the lookout for some cute counter height stools. I cannot believe how hard it has been
to find the right style and the right height!

Some other things on our to-do list:
-frame and hang our photos
-rearrange the office/craft room
-put together the bonus room
-put together the guest bedroom
-fix our yard…

Our poor yard..

Randy and I are both so excited to get back outside and
start working on not just our yard, but our garden too!
We have SO much to do!
Weeds to pull, plants to plant, grass to fix and re-grow.. it is seriously going to be one busy spring!

Add our first family Vacation to that list, and Summer will be here before we know it!
In just over a month, California here we come!
This will be the first time Tegan gets to meet my mom's side of the family
and I cannot wait for beautiful weather, good Korean eats, and down time/pool time/tanning time
 in Palm Springs!

I can already tell that Tegan is enjoying the
benefits of the sunshine and spring so far!
It's been so nice to be able to get out and go for walks lately.
I'm bummed we don't have any good parks within walking distance, but
look forward to finding one we can drive to and set up picnic for the afternoon!
Also, once the weather is warm enough, you better believe I am going to pitch a little pool in our backyard! I can't wait to stare at Tegan's chubby little thighs
all summer long!

So… over the past month, Tegan has been:

Sleep training and is now sleeping in her own room all night.
Started drinking water from a sippy cup (still needs my help tilting it back).
Is obsessed with avocado.
Loves snacking on her Organic puffs.
Says da da da da.
Loves sucking on her own tongue (so cute, yet weird).
Sings along when she hears music or when daddy is singing and playing guitar.
Claps her hands and gives you high-fives.
Is still working so hard on trying to crawl forward.
She gives mama kisses (more like slobbers and eats my face) and is attached to me come night time.
She loves to go for walks.
Jump in her jumperoo.
And her silliest thing, she loves to fake cough.

Happy 1/2 Birthday!

So I have been a mommy now for 6 whole months! 

And let me tell you… in that time I have learned so much about myself!

From the get go, my daughter has taught me the real meaning of love.

She has taught me what it is like to be strong, in times when I want to be weak.

She has taught me about sacrifice and selflessness.

Because of my daughter, I want to be a better person.

I have learned to feel empathy like I have never before. 

She has taught me what it is like to feel true joy and how amazing it is to feel so proud. 

I mean, this list could go on and on... but I think one of the things I love the most..

is that my daughter has allowed me to understand 

what it truly feels like to be needed.

She doesn't just want me, or like me.. but she truly needs me. 

and just so you all know, I have quite the mama's girl on my hands. 

While we all know she loves her daddy, 

she is seriously my sidekick.

We do everything together.

So it kind of makes sense that she can get upset when I walk awake and leave her side.

With that being said. 

I am learning I have to draw the line at some point, as I don't want her to become 

a "clingy" baby and not want to be with anyone else but her mommy.

This leads me to say…

Parenting is HARD! 

And no parent has all the right answers!

If someone says they do.. they are LYING! 

It is so easy for someone to say (parent or non parent).. 

"Oh, I would never do that."

or, "My child will never behave that way."

Shoot. I am guilty of it.

I still am guilty of it.

But let me tell you,

when it comes down to it.. sometimes it is just easier to do some things 

a little bit differently or to give in when the going gets rough.

I have loved children for as long as I can remember,

but the kind of love you have for your own child cannot compare to anything else. 

That is why sometimes it is harder to stick to your guns than you thought it would be. 

I never thought the sound of a cry could break my heart as bad as it does 

when it is coming from my daughter.

There is nothing more I want to do than swoop her up and make her world better. 

Unfortunately, I am learning I can't always do that

(especially given certain circumstances…. such as sleep training).

So as of few weeks now, I am starting to learn the hard parenting lesson of 

… tough love. 

Although it is tough, I continue to remind myself the purpose of my actions.

I remember that my daughter is still going to love me in the end,

and I reiterate how what I do now will only benefit her in her future. 

That leads me to end with this.. 

and maybe not every parent feels this way..

But I have suddenly come to realize..

we really shouldn't give parenting advice unless the parent in need is the one asking for it.

I think when it is unsolicited, it is too easy for one to take it the wrong way and for that advice to become hurtful instead.

No parent is perfect, we all get that. 

But we are all striving to be perfect which means, we are much harder on ourselves than we should be.

xoxo

Wt: 16 lbs 5 oz (50%) Ht: 26 in (50%)

Things Tegan has done over the past month:
Started saying ma ma ma (without intent of course).
Fights her sleep (which is why we have decided to start sleep training).
Sits all on her own.
Gets up on all fours, rocks back and forth, and tries to crawl.
This has resulted in her crawling backwards instead.
Just started eating solids and has tried sweet potatoes and peas.
Sits in her stroller without her carseat insert anymore.

Where Did My Baby Go?!

No really. Where did she go?

The last 30 days have brought about so much change in Tegan.
It's as though one morning I woke up and out of nowhere my baby was no longer a baby; instead, she was a living, breathing, moving little being that was suddenly full of life and personality.

Although months one through four had their achievements and breakthroughs; month five-- well month five has been filled with defining moments.

We are no longer on the eat, sleep, poop.. repeat routine.

Sure, Tegan still does these things.. but her awake moments are so much more fun now.

I mean seriously, this girl cracks me up.
And I love watching her develop her little big personality.

It has become very obvious that she did not inherit my shyness I struggled with growing up.
Thank goodness. 

Instead, little Miss T knows how to steal the attention and boy is she good at it.
She will literally belt out some vocals and flash you a gummy grin
 if you aren't paying enough attention to her.
She loves to be entertained and she finds most anything you give her/show her fascinating.

On the flip side, Tegan also chooses to "ignore you" from time to time.
Literally… she will give you a blank stare and act as if you aren't even there.
(Slightly hilarious, yet sometimes embarrassing).

Of all things, the best thing about my daughter right now are her snuggles.
Oh my goodness.. does the girl love snuggling.
There is nothing that makes my heart more happy than when she muzzles her face into my chest,
chooses which cheek to rest on, and lays her head down-- all the while staring up at me and letting me know she loves me.

During the day, Tegan loves to play in her Jumperoo,
even though she is still slightly too short for it.
She spends a lot of time in her Summers activity chair and
we still read tons of books everyday.
As of right now, tummy time is hit or miss since she would much rather be
 sitting up staring at her surroundings...
and I am lucky if I can get Tegan to stay on her back for more than 5 minutes
 before she decides to flip over onto her stomach.

One thing Tegan and I both love are our playdates!
It amazes me how aware she is of other babies now and she is always trying to touch them, hold their hands and give them "kisses" i.e.: suck on their face.

As we all know, running errands isn't always the easiest thing with a baby;
however Tegan really enjoys getting out of the house and she loves to
stare out the car windows while we are driving.

Oh, did I mention she is big enough to lug around on my hip now?
Say what?!
Yeah, my hip.
The girl will grab hold of my shirt, hang on, and comes along for the ride
where ever I may tote her around.
Those days of "fragile" newborn are long gone.

Some other things Tegan has done over the past month:

Sit on her own (tripod position).

Stand on her own while leaning against something such as the couch.

Grabs for objects with 100% accuracy.

Passes toys from one hand to the other. 

Tries to crawl by pushing up on her back legs (she still has a long ways to go). 

Got her ears pierced. 

Is actively teething, yet no signs of anything breaking through. 

Loves looking at herself in the mirror. 

Recognizes both mommy and daddy and always looks to us at the sound of our voices.

She is finally officially out of all NB clothes, working through her 3 mo stuff, 

and we are slowly introducing size 3-6 month. 

Happy Happy New Years!

Oh hey 2014! Where did you come from?!

I seriously cannot believe it is almost January 1st and another new year is about to begin! 

2013 was a year filled with so many blessings, that I truly cannot

 wait to see what 2014 has in store for us! 

I have never been one to make new years resolutions and don't intend to start this year.

I just try to live each day one day at a time

and whatever happens, happens. 

So what happened in 2013…

I began by ringing the New Year in with good company and a special bundle brewing inside me.

I sadly left my first real job as a dental hygienist,

but gladly so I could move back home and deliver/raise my daughter close to family. 

I became a first-time home owner.

I survived an entire nine months being pregnant,

delivered a beautiful healthy little girl,

and became a mom.

I turned 27.

I went to Colorado to see/help take care of my Grandma while she was in the ICU. 

(And by Gods wonderful grace, she is getting better each and every day! We love you Grandma!!)

Lastly, I celebrated this holiday season by watching my daughter experience her 

first Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

What a wonderful and blessed life! 

With that being said, I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years eve 

and that 2014 is everything you could hope for! 

Here are some pictures of us during the holiday season! 

1st Thanksgiving 

Her little tutu I made

On My Birthday! 

Christmas Tree Hunting

My attempt at a family photo.. fail 

Daddy and His little Bear 

We found our tree! 

She isn't so sure about this.. lol

Playing with the lights 

Such a fascinating thing 

On our way to Colorado 

Passed out before takeoff! She did amazing both flights! 

Off to her 1st Christmas Party 

Annual Damore Christmas Party! 

All tuckered out 

Her Christmas Dress

Headed to Church for a wonderful Christmas Service

Someone's Ready to Party again! 

Annual Christmas Eve Party w/ these lovely ladies! 

Tegans Christmas outfit I made her 

Loves her Auntie Kristina 

and Grandpa Rick 

Lounging with Uncle Rickey

The first present she got to help open! 

Doing Yoga stretches with Auntie Danielle 

Dancing around with Grandpa Jeff 

Merry Christmas! 

Mommy helping out 

Auntie D helping out 

Grandpa's turn 

Books from Anna!

I'd say your 1st Christmas was a success! (Plus you got even more the next day!)

Spoiled cutie in her Christmas Jammies

Wt: 14 lbs 2 oz (50%) Ht: 24 3/4 in (50%)

So now that Tegan is four months old, she has: 

Rolled over from front to back, as well as back to front.

Prefers to be upright instead of laying down, so she can look around. 

Chats up quite a storm.

Went on her first airplane ride. 

Sleeps in the playard section of her pack-n-play. 

Uses her little abs to try and sit-up, yet she is nowhere near sitting on her own. 

Is getting better with her hand-eye coordination.

Reaches for things and most always brings them to her mouth to suck/chew on.