PlayGroup

Message from Jen:
Ok, my attempt to download a video of Reese at her playdate...
We had about 10 babies in one room (at this point, the playdates are more for us moms than for the babies, but it's so cute to see them start to notice each other). We were trying to line all the babies up in front of the couch for a group picture, but that just wasn't working. Reese who is sitting up very well could not keep from falling into her friend, so as you see, she's now just lying on her back kicking with joy!

On another note, Reese has learned how to get herself into a sitting position. She can go from her tummy onto her butt. She still struggles and squakes her annoyance, but she's getting there!

What a pretty face...

Reese at Bathtime

I know I've said this before, but my baby is getting so big. She just recently upgraded her infant bath to an inflatable duckie tub (thanks to the Musalo's). She really enjoys the ability to sit up and when she falls she hits an air mattress rather than hard plastic. The only down side is that she has more room to fall face first into the water (as I learned last night!) What a scare!!! She plays with her little rubber duckie and when it swims out of reach she always tries to grab it. Well, if she grabs it, she usually leans on it and PLOP, face first in the water. Luckily I caught her, but she did inhale some water. Reese is such a mild tempered baby, though, not one cry. Just a few deep breaths and than back to trying to stuff the entire rubber duckie into her mouth!

Jen's Attempt to post

This is my first attempt to blog...I have a lot to say, but am just not too computer savy! Since our last post we've been VERY busy. Between work, traveling and tailgating we've barely had time to just relax!

We took Reese on her first plane ride the weekend after labor day. Paul and I were extremely anxious, but I doubt Reese even realized we were 30,000 feet off the ground! Of course, the child who will go days without pooping had a case of diareah (I know TMI, but whatever, new moms love to talk about poop). Besides having her first accident in her bed the night before we had to leave by 5:30 am, she chose to go as soon as the plane took off. Poor Paul changed her in the tiny bathroom WITHOUT a changing table. I can just picture his 6'2" frame having a hard enough time fitting into those tiny stalls let alone trying to change a squirming childs diaper. At any rate, we had lovely accomodations at casa del zellen and really enjoyed spending time with great-grandma and all the family. I wish everyone lived closer!

I tried to attach a picture of Reese with her Uncle James...for all you gator fans, don't be too upset. As Paul and I said, "when in rome!" Besides, she was just being nice to her Uncle!

Reese at the Swamp

Well, Reese may have been the youngest Gator fan in attendance this past Saturday as the Gators took on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The almost 90 degree heat was made worse by the 500% humidity, but Reese stayed cool with her hand-held fan and her shady location in the south endzone. Although the heat wasn't a problem, the noise level didn't agree with Reese.

As the Gators ran out of the tunnel to the cheers of the Gator Nation, the tone for the day was set (pun intended). Apparently, Reese only likes it when she's the one screaming, not those around her...something she'll no doubt have to get used to as there are many more Gator games in her future (but we'll probably wait til the end of the season when the temp. isn't at a heat index of 110 degress!)

We managed to enjoy our time at the game, and Reese settled into the gameday revelry...she even managed a nap just before halftime.

We've put together a short video of the day's events...enjoy.

Gettin' ready for gameday

Reese will be attending her first Gator Game on Saturday when the University of Florida takes on Western Kentucky right here in Gaines-vegas! Reese is very excited and can't wait to experience the pageantry of being at the Swamp with her closest 90,000 friends as the defending National Champions take the field!

This outfit is for 12 month olds, but Reese isn't too far from filling it out completely. With all of the tailgate food and beer this season, she'll probably be ready for an XL #15 jersey by the time we play FSU.

Picture of the Day

Nugget* containment



* for those of you that don't know, Reese is affectionately referred to as 'Nugget' by her Mom and her Dad

Giggles

For some reason, Reese gets the biggest kick out of feeling my face when I haven't shaven...enjoy.



The audio only version can be heard here. Copy the link, and listen to it whenever you'd like.

Picture of the Day

Reese laying in her Pack-n-Play while visiting MeMaw and Poppy

Picture of the Day

Reese sitting up, enjoying her cousins at her uncle Brett's 40th birthday party this past weekend.

"Larger-Baby"

This past weekend Jen and I had to finally adjust the harness position of Reese's carseat to accommodate our growing baby girl. We moved the straps up to the top slot, re-fastened everything and thought that we'd be good to go. The shoulder-straps were now in a good position, however, the waist straps were too short to comfortably contain Reese's belly.

Trying to figure out some of these "baby apparatuses" seems to require a mechanical engineering degree...or at least breaking down and looking at the directions. So we dug into our over-stuffed file folder containing warrantees, product information and directions to all the "baby apparatuses" we own.

After quickly thumbing through the carseat manual, we realized that we'd need to "Lengthen waist straps for a LARGER baby". Apparently our pediatrician wasn't exaggerating when she told us that Reese's weight and length put her in the 97th percentile of babies her age.

Don't let this be a one-sided conversation...

Now that we've finally made this site public (and by public we mean private to just you select friends and family) we're going to be a bit more dedicated to keeping up with posts. Check back often and then check back again...and when you do, be sure to leave your comments.

As much as you all like reading and viewing what is (and what will be) on this blog, we like reading your responses. I know, I know...some of you are shy when it comes to expressing your thoughts and feelings in a public forum (and by public we mean private to just you select friends and family), but rest assured that there are only a few privileged members of this highly sought-after membership.

We're greatly looking forward to everything you have to say!

Music Video

Clips of Reese that were shot between the ages of 2-4 months.
Song titled Bubbly, by Colbie Caillat.

Our little sunflower

Just filling in the Pieces

Welcome to A Little Piece of Reese. This is a private site for friends and family to see how our daughter is growing. Pictures, stories and random tid-bits from the life and times of Reese Addison Messal.

Check in as often as you'd like to experiance Reese's growth through our words, videos and pictures. We hope to make this site as interseting to you as our lives with Reese are. Enjoy...

Proof it wasn't the milk man

originally posted on 5count 5-23-07

As those of you with children already know, people like to assign parental characteristics to newborn babies; i.e., "Oh she's got Jane's eyes, or, "Little Billy sure has his dad's nose, or, "He must be Tom's kid, they both have the same huge ears"...you know what I'm talking about.

This is a topic that has come up numerous times since the birth of my daughter. BUT, I've always maintained that babies look like babies. Sure they all have their differences, but I'm talking about the proportions of a baby. All I'm saying is that any judgements as to if the newborn looks more like the mom or the dad should be withheld until the child reaches between 4-6 months of age.

To this point, most friends and family have said that my daughter looks more like her mom (which is fine with me, my wife is super cute), BUT there is one little characteristic that everyone has agreed is all me. That's right, there is an undeniable feature which we both share that proves the Milk Man had nothing to do with her conception...no, I'm not referring to our farting habits, I'm talking about our "Lip Dimples".

I was mildly unaware of my Lip Dimples prior to my daughter's arrival. I always thought that everyone had them, mine were just slightly more pronounced. The similarities might be slight, but I'll take it. I've gone ahead and put together a magnified comparison of my lower lip/chin and the lower lip/chin of my daughter (I'm the one with the 5 o'clock shadow...if I didn't mention it, one of you yahoos would've). See for your self:



There you have it...undeniable proof. We'll check back after a few more months to see what other similarities surface.

Being a Dad...by the numbers

***Originally posted on 5count 4-27-07

I have recently entered into the realm of fatherhood. My daughter, Reese, was born on the thirteenth of April, two thousand and seven. How's it been going?...I'll give you the numbers:

8 - number of pounds Reese weighed
13 - number of ounces Reese weighed in addition to the 8 lbs.
21.5 - number of inches long Reese was at birth
2 - number of hours I slept on the day Reese was born
3 - number of hours I slept the day after Reese was born
4 - number of times I've been spit up on in the past 2 weeks
8 - numbers of hours spent on the bike in the past 2 weeks
252 - number of hours spent staring at Reese in the past 2 weeks
3 - number of episodes of 'Live with Regis & Kelly' I've watched while on vacation in the past 2 weeks
3 - number of times we've filled our Diaper Genie II
0 - number of times I've prepared a home cooked meal since Reese's arrival
5,000 - number of congratulatory emails, text messages, phone calls, visits and gifts we've received in the past 2 weeks (THANKS)
10 - number of trips to pick up take out in the past 2 weeks.
24 - number of different onesies/pajamas Reese has worn in the past 2 weeks
50 - number of time per day I wash/sanatize my hands
10 - number of fingers and toes (each) on Reese (long monkey toes at that)
24 - number of years before Reese will be allowed to date.