Well summer is here, Morgan is out of Preschool & ready to go! For my birthday we had a picnic in the back yard, she loved it until the bees decided to join us. Even Sarah, the cat, got in on the action. Cooper couldn't care less. He's just so easy going.

My baby is growing too fast! He is starting to hold his head up! In this picture he is looking at himself in a mirror & smiling. Just like his Daddy!

Texas Trip

I am putting myself up for an award, or at least applying to join a mental institution. I flew to TX by myself with 2 small children. Luckily, my children we good, but that did not stop the stares & I even got asked once what seat we were sitting in & an "oh good, not by me" when I told her. On the other hand, there were some very nice people that helped us out & said sweet things to Morgan which made her be especially good knowing people were watching her. But once we got there, we had a great time with all our family. Morgan has never had so much fun! Cousins, Cousins, Cousins, 8 of them!!! Cooper was an angel & I think came back with a few of his aunts' hearts. I do appreciate all of you who spoiled him rotten & I am now working very hard to undo it! My biggest highlight was the Texas tradition of taking the kids pictures in the bluebonnets, I have been trying to time my trips home around Bluebonnet season for 4 years and this is the first time it has worked. Thanks Dad for showing us a very "Texas Day" filled with bluebonnets, BBQ and even an armadillo crossing the road.

Charleston

We took our first trip since little man was born & went with Stephen on a business trip to Charleston. Wonderful time. Morgan loved going to the Aquarium & the beach. Cooper could have cared less, he slept the whole time, which made it a nice trip for me.

I'm Back

OK, so a little has gone on since the last time I did this. You know, having those dang kids just sucks the time & energy out of you. But I am just patting myself on the back for doing this & Cooper is just 3 months old. So I will share photos from birth on... Cooper is healthy and doing fine. The C-Section went as well as it can, never any fun, but the prize at the end is worth it. Morgan is being a huge help, although we have gotten into some issues of her wanting to be a baby. But I say, if she isn't trying to hurt the child, I can handle it. She just makes sure that she gets her fair share of one on one everyday. Other than that, we have just been trying to figure it all out. But WOW how your perspective changes as you go through life. After Morgan I thought that the world was divided into people who had kids & those that didn't. Just because my thoughts about everything changed the minute I had her. Everything looked different, and selfishness went right out the window, along with sleep. And then I had Cooper. And now I am convinced, that I know nothing. I am just sure of the fact that the world is made up of many different types of people, those with no children, those with one, with 2, with 3 because I feel totally different with him here now. Your time gets split in half and your love doubles. It is the strangest and most wonderful feeling all at the same time. But we are slowly starting to figure out how to make it all work, and are having a blast doing it. Bring on the third kid! Just kidding.

So Sarah likes the crib... Along with Morgan's baby dolls. I think I will let Stephen break the bad news to Morgan & the cat that pretty soon that bed is going to be occupied and they can't play anymore. I am not sure which one will be more upset, but I am betting on the cat. It's the only place where people leave her alone.

Wee School Program

And nothing says Christmas like making 135 kids ages 2-4 stand up on a stage and sing. They were adorable and Morgan loved it, so all was well.

I just thought I would share some of the precious moments that I have had with my child due to this pregnancy. I can laugh about them now because it's almost over. I see the light!
There are lots of things that Morgan has had to be patient with me about and I truely think that her patience is running out! She will ask me to come upstairs to her room to help her find a toy, make the bed, brush her teeth...etc. When I evaluate the "need" for me to come upstairs, sometimes I tell her that she can do it herself or come downstairs & I can help her. That is when I hear the comment, "Mommy, even though you're pregnant, I still love you." THANKS KID!
Another one of my favorites is the fact that she sees being pregnant as just too hard. She tells me, "Mommy, after this one, I don't think you should have any more babies, this is it!" Am I really that bad? (don't answer that!) Then she tells me that she is never having babies. Morgan logic: Since I already have a baby, her, she can just take this one and raise him like he's hers. That way we both have a baby and she doesn't have to be pregnant. Why didn't I think of something like that before I got myself into this mess. I could have just borrowed a kid from someone.
And my all time favorite is taking her to the dr. with me. That is a good time! You know the whole "go in the cup thing?" Well, Morgan decided she would be my cheerleader during this time. I don't know if anyone else has ever had a cheering section during this very private moment but, "You can do it Mommy, I'll watch" just doesn't seem to help. Although, very funny. So I make her stand in the corner of the bathroom with her back to me and she announces, "If I get to do that, then I definitely want to have babies!" Great!

Preschool Baby Shower

Morgan's preschool had a baby shower for her today. It was so nice & suprising! I thought it would be a little thing with maybe one gift & a cake, but her teacher went all out. She even made a diaper bag that is adorable and burp rags to match. She has taken such good care of Morgan. The theme was Cowboys to match the baby's room. Morgan could not wait to come home & play with the baby boy doll they gave her & the diapers. She now knows how to properly put on a diaper, so I am hoping to get some use out of that skill. I figured if Stephen could learn it, anyone could. At childbirthing classes before Morgan was born, he actually put it on backwards & did not know what the "sticky stuff" was for. He has come a long way, but maybe Morgan should give him a refresher course before the baby comes.

Thanksgiving

Well, we made it through Thanksgiving: kinda lonely by ourselves, but we made the most of it. Stephen made the Turkey & I made the rest. Then we vegged out for the rest of the day. Peaceful! Hope everyone had a great holiday.

Fall Fun

For all of you Midwesterners - NA NA NA NA BOO BOO! It was actually 80 degrees here this weekend! The average lately is around 72! Perfect weather for Stephen to still grill every night. We have done a lot of whining about living here in South Carolina, so I will say that the weather & changing seasons is a plus for this area. The trees are just gorgeous! All Morgan has talked about is raking leaves to jump in them. I am sorry to say that I did not capture Stephen jumping in the leaves, but I did Morgan. She thinks she is a model, check out the poses she does after she jumps in them. I did not instruct her to do that. If I ask her to look at the camera she shuts her eyes & sticks out her tongue.

Halloween! An Italian Chef! I was worried that she wouldn't want to be the chef by the time Halloween came, but the whole night she just said, "Thank you for my costume, I love it." She also liked the fact that everyone knew her name, I don't think it dawned on her that it was written on her shirt. We had a great time at a couple of outdoor festivals. The cotton candy was devoured in less than 3 minutes.

Halloween Party

Morgan's Halloween party at Preschool was today. Just a reason to get kids on a sugar rush & send them home with their parents! She is learning so much & having a great time there. I was really lucky to get her in at the last minute. This is her teacher, Ms. Anna, who really didn't want her picture taken.

Rock Wall

I have to brag on my kid a little bit. We have known that she is never going to be a Mia Hamm or Cheryl Swoops, but she tries. So anyway, they have this rock wall bounce house thing at the Pumpkin Patch. All I am thinking is, please don't ask to do that, it is so big & you will never make it up there. But like a good mom, I only think it & don't say it. While I am in this thought process I hear, "Let's do that first!" Of course. No ice cream, face painting, horse carriage rides... just the rock wall. So we take her over there & we see big kids fall down... I almost ask the kids in front of us to help her up, but think better of it. So it's Morgan's turn & the lady looks at us like, "Sure, we'll give it a try, but.." The next thing you know Ms. Spiderman is just hightailing it up that thing! I was so impressed! The people in line actually cheered her on, they were so suprised that such a little girl could do it! Long skinny legs & not weighing as much as a feather does pay off sometimes.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to one of Stephen's Customer's Fall Festival. Morgan got to pick out pumkins, thank goodness she only wanted to paint them!

Having fun

We visited the Andrew Jackson State Park... exciting I know. And of course, enjoying Texas Tech games on TV every chance we get. Stephen has already brainwashed Morgan & Aunt Kim is starting on baby boy by sending him outfits & hats to wear. Stephen & Morgan like to play "Cowboy" in the front yard.

Settling In

We are settling in pretty well. Morgan & Sarah are adjusting just fine. Stephen is doing great at work... he loves Harvest Season. The work-a-holic! We are getting to know the Charlotte area pretty well. We would love visitors anytime.

Cakes

I am still working on cakes, here is the latest I did last night for Stephen's work. Pretty simple one, but I think it turned out ok.

House

Well, we are all moved in, thank goodness! Still some decorating, but at least we can find our socks! Only 2 boxes to unpack! Baby boy's room is coming a long, which is good because it seems that Dec. 27th is sneaking up on us. He is 3lbs. 8oz. right now & I feel every bit of it! He is quite the kicker!