Cute Saying of the Day

Morgan met a new friend the other day, Sophie. She was so excited about our playdate later in the week. So the day comes & I had taken her to McDonalds earier. Right before the playdate Morgan is playing with her HappyMeal toy & said, "I am going to show this to my best friend, um.. um... What's her name again?"

This gives me hope that memory loss has absolutely nothing to do with age.

A Fish Tale

So I decided to go out on a limb and make a more that "everyday" meal. I also decided that it would be good to do this without the help of a recipe. I see all those people in those magazines winning awards for their recipes so I think that if they can do it, so can I. So I attemp to make what I call "Almond Crusted Salmon." Let's just say, I am glad the smoke alarm did not go off, because I did not know that Maple Syrup glaze will burn under a broiler *That's just a free tip to anyone who was thinking of asking for the recipe. Then we cut into it & it is not done, so Stephen takes over and gets it "edible" for us. Morgan decides that she will have spaghettios instead, I don't blame her, I wanted them too. But I stuck with the fish. Mmm Mmm tasty. Right at the end of the meal she decides to take a bite, I think because Stephen was nice enough to make it sound like it tasted good. And her comment to me, "Even though I didn't like your fish AT ALL, it was the best fish ever because you did your best." Always looking on the bright side of things.

Mom's Retirement Party

YEAH! Mom is officially retired from teaching! To celebrate, we threw her a party at her house. This is a pic. of the cake I made her, it was a little rushed, but turned out ok. The party was suppose to be outdoors, but with the floods, we had to hold it inside. Everything went great until.... the kids found the mud puddle, formerly known as the garden. So they all got a "mud bath." All in all, we had a wonderful time, Mom enjoy your well deserved time off.

Cute saying of the day: "Mommy, I love God. I love Santa Claus too, but I think I love God more." We must be doing something right.

Memorial Day Trip

This Memorial Day we decided that a short family vacation was in order. So we headed to Greenville, SC. Ever heard of it? I didn't think so, but we went. Had a good time though. We went to a hot air balloon festival & then to this beautiful park called Falls Park. There is a waterfall right in the middle of the park that you play on. And this suspension bridge that scares you half to death, Gerald would have loved it! We had a much needed escape & now it's back to the real world. Morgan's highlight: riding the roller coaster.

First Foods

So Cooper Man, some of you my remember "Fat Naked Man" has started eating baby food. Not only started, WILL NOT STOP! This little guy is crazy about food. Morgan had a sherbert push up pop the other day & we decided, "oh, how cute, give Cooper a lick, it will be so much fun." WRONG!!!!! Cooper went crazy for it. Pulling his sister's hair, leaping out of Stephen's arms to get to it, and screaming his head off. The whole time Stephen & I are frantically trying to fix him something to eat so he will stop. And what's Morgan doing, licking it 10 inches from his face to make sure he can see it. Her explaination, "I wasn't going to let him have it, I just wanted him to think he could have it." No wonder the kid has been crying. So the sibling rivalry starts at an early age I guess.

Beach & Graduation

We had a very busy week. Our friends came to visit from Iowa & we went to Myrtle Beach, despite the wind, it was a fun weekend. Beach, shopping & good food & friends, what more can you ask for! In addition to that, she graduated Preschool that week. Very cute ceremony!

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.