Do You Believe in Angels?

....I do!!

Trick or Treat!

Morgan had a great time trick or treating on Halloween. She was confused at first but soon figured out that if she went up to the door she got candy and was loving every minute of it! At one house she turned around and announced "I have SO MUCH candy!!"...Not that her Mean Momma lets her have any....is that wrong?

We started the day off with a party at her Gymboree class.

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch!

Today was gorgeous outside, perfect for going to the pumpkin patch!
Look at our big girl!



Morgan and our neighbor's son, Troy


She tried to pick up every pumpkin she saw....



Til she found the perfect one!



She was so proud to carry it all by herself!







Last year: (sniff sniff...she's so tiny!)

18 Months and Counting!

Morgan went to the doctor for her 18 month check up and everything is wonderful! She weighs 19 lbs 5 oz (STILL not on the chart), and she is 31 inches tall, (10-25th percentile). She is just a little peanut! Cullen (the precious 6 month old I watch during the week) weighs 17 LBS! A year younger than her and just about to pass her in weight!
She now knows her shapes and is close to counting to 20! Can sing chunks of the alphabet and loves loves LOVES to sing! She sings "Twinkle Twinkle" and "Mary had a Little Lamb", and "Frere Jaques". She made up her own song the other day:



Where is Daddy? Where is Daddy?
I don't know.
Where is Daddy? Where is Daddy?
I don't know, I don't know.
Where is Daddy?
He's at work!



On Sunday Morgan spent the day with Grandma and made cookies for the first time! She stirred and stirred the oatmeal and transferred it from bowl to bowl. It was messy, but she had so much fun. Grandma even bought her an apron for the occasion. (Wish I had gotten a picture of her stirring the oatmeal, it was precious) Thanks Grandma for a fun day!




And finally, after drooling over the cute Halloween decorations on other blogs, I decided to do my own (for cheap)!
The mantle: I feel like it needs something else but I figured its ok considering it only gets displayed for 31 days :)




Got the glass jar in Canton last weekend (20 bucks!) and went to Hobby Lobby and got 3 little pumpkins, hot glued them, then wrote BOO. I also cut up a black feather boa and that went into the bottom of the jar (also HL). The frame I already had and I just printed out a picture of a raven.




The twigs in the glass jar I already had, just added little bats! And the mongrammed pumpkin I saw on another blog and loved it! So made my own and glued some feathers around the stem.




This is the table in my entryway...I got the argyle pumpkin in Canton and used some of the cut up boa to make a wreath for it to sit on. And for the black feather wreath on the mirror, I used a hanger (bent into a circle) and hot glued the remaining boa on it. Voila! Cute.


Close up of pumpkin....gotta love Canton. 12 dollars!



And my Prissy Plate that I got at...where else...Canton! Love that I can change the color of ribbon for the seasons/holidays. Here is orange/white for Halloween.



And I found this at Canton (my whole house is Canton, I'm telling you, it's the best place EVER), and my mom had the idea to put these little pumpkins on there instead of candles. Might be fun to do beaded balls for Christmas? Anyways, I love it! It is so fun to decorate for Halloween and fall!



And one more thing....I found this sweet sign in Canton also. It greets our visitors when they come to the front door!

Oh, Sweet Girl of Mine!

Our sweet Morgan just learned how to count to 10! She counts buttons on shirts, bubbles, pieces of cheese, everything...it's pretty cute!
I got some video of it the other day but of course I had taken her shirt off so her sweet potatoes wouldn't stain it...so here she is, shirtless and all!



Hard to believe she is almost 18 months. She is so full of life and laughter and fills our hearts with such joy! And what a ham...




Peekaboo!



I see you!



Playing at Market St

We're Still Here!!

Whew...we are sorely behind on blogging... This past month has been insanely busy and seems everyday is nonstop til 10 pm and then I don't feel like blogging! The house is awesome, we love it so much. Closing was a nightmare, but that's another post in itself....I will post pictures soon. I keep wanting the house to be clean to post pictures but that never seems to happen, as there is usually stuff everywhere! One of these days.
Just wanted to update on sweet Morgan. She will be 17 months on Sept 4th. She amazes us constantly. Her vocabulary is unbelievable. She says pretty much any and everything. She goes around pointing all day naming stuff: tree, leaf, doggie, milk, chicken, ketchup, helicopter, cool whip, cheese, outside, orange, corn, and the list goes on and on. She is now starting to speak 2 to 3 word phrases: I love you is "I wub bu", "I comin", "bye Daddy" (or whoever is leaving at the moment), and she loves saying people's names. Getting quite good at it too! I love her sweet little voice, makes my heart swell every time, I swear. She knows the colors red and blue, and knows what a circle, triangle, and square are, and the letters A, B, C, and M.
She loves going to Gymboree classes, to see "Gymbo" the clown. She loves Dora, which is crazy because she really doesn't watch it, but we have tons of Dora books. Gotta love that Map and Backpack. Loves to play outside, I can't wait for the weather to cool down a bit.
She loves playing with her play food and her tea party set. She also really likes the daily craft we do, especially the glue stick!
She is still such a tiny little girl...still wears some of her 3-6 months clothes but is getting taller and moving into size 9 months. How does that seem like such a big size to me?
Every stage of her so far has been so much fun! I was looking at baby pictures of her the other day and boo-hooed: how could this time have gone by so quickly? I treasure every moment with her; they are far too fleeting to not do so!

Smile!



Her hair is growing in the back but not much on top yet!

Home Sweet Home

We had a very exciting day today...we signed papers for our new home! We close in a week and half and could not be more thrilled. We made an offer on another house over 2 weeks ago only to find out last Thursday we didn't get it. We were pretty disappointed but didn't panic (like I always do), as we knew God had something else in mind for us! Well, He did us one better; a brand new house! We are so blessed that we are able to move. It never ceases to amaze me that God's plan is always better than my own. :)


PS: Still needs some finishing up and the new front door!

That's What Friends Are For

Today was a wonderful day spent with 2 very dear friends and their sons. Got to see Jessie and her son Ben, and Jenny and her son Zach. Jessie just moved to a beautiful new house that we got to visit for the first time, and Jenny is back from Alabama for a few days! We just found out Jenny is moving back to Houston next summer! YIPPEE! These ladies and I have been friends for a very long time, and I am so beyond blessed to have them in my life!
Taking a picture of the 3 kids was impossible...we couldn't get all of them to look at the same time! AND Morgan had a small meltdown...which is SO not like her! She was exhausted and she was also teething on top of that! :( Poor baby.

The Gang's All Here!

During the week, I watch 2 little guys in addition to Morgan! They are such sweethearts. While it does get a little busy at times, it is a lot of fun! Cullen is 3 months old and Nico is 20 months old (they are not related). When Melissa dropped Cullen off last week, he was wearing this shirt:


How CUTE is that??? She even had Morgan's picture on it and everything! I loved it!




Here's Morgan checking out his shirt....hmmm, this little guy is pretty cute!



Nico wanting to come and play with the camera :)

Happy Father's Day Dada!

Happy Father's Day to the best Dada in the whole world!
Thank you for always singing me silly songs, and for reading my favorite books over and OVER again, and for the hours and hours you play with me!
I love our special times together and can't wait for many more!
I love you!
Love, Morgan

Gymboree Play & Music

Our sweet little girl is BUSY BUSY BUSY! She is always moving at 100 mph and has so much energy. We decided to enroll her in the Gymboree Play & Music classes and she LOVES them. She climbs, runs, rolls, slides, plays with parachutes, goes over bridges, through tunnels, and up ladders. Her actual "class" is on Saturday and there's music and clapping and they work on upper and lower body strength, along with teaching them appropriate motor skills for her age level. Tuesdays and Thursday nights are "open gym" where you can go and free play. Those are her special dates with Daddy! Needless to say, when she comes home, she takes a 3 hour nap.....

Give Peas a Chance

A-Splishin and A-Splashin!

Took Morgan swimming today...she loves the water! The baby pool was great for her..it's only 1 foot deep. She wants to independently walk around in it by herself but I'm too nervous and paranoid to let her (shocking, I know). She kind of fell once and I instantly felt dizzy from worry, but she was fine.

Dancing Queen

Morgan's current favorite book is Disney's "Ballerina Princess". Each time we are done reading it , we always twirl around with her. It didn't take her long to catch on to what a twirl was! We asked her to spin and twirl tonight and this is what we got........we could barely contain our laughter! Especially when she puts her arms up like the ballerinas in the book!





Tonight we got out her pool and let her splash around in it, and guess who wanted to join her?

Memorial Day Fun

We went to Judi and George's house for a cookout today. We had a great time!
Got to see Melissa and Zach's little baby, Cullen. (I get to start watching him in 2 weeks, yippee!) Here is JD holding the little guy. Isn't he precious??


Morgan and Dada



Judi and George have a huuuge backyard and Morgan loved running around!



Running with Joey




Morgan even got to go swimming...she loved it so much! I need to get her in swimming lessons.



On a pool raft with Wendy. I forgot Morgan's hat so she borrowed Wendy's nephew's hat...she totally could pass for a boy!

Fun in Frisco!

Stayed here.....



and wanted to swim BUT,



It was pouring down rain! SO



We splashed in puddles,




Climbed in suitcases,




And jumped on beds.




The whole reason we went up there:


Seattle Sounders were playing FC Dallas (Soccer),



Plus it was Drew Carey night so fans got a pair of glasses!



All in all, a very relaxing weekend away from home!

Mother's Day

Today was a wonderfully relaxing day! We spent the day at my Mom's house and Morgan played outside with her new beach ball sprinkler and with her water table. She loooooves playing outside. Later we grilled steaks and ate way too much yummy food! Morgan and I got to curl up and take a long nap...she is the best to take naps with...just a little snuggle bunny! :) Here are some pictures of our sweet girl from today.







I love this picture of her!



Water table: $40
Beach Ball Sprinkler: $12
Playing with the hose: Priceless

Where the Wild Things Are

I know, I know! I have been gently reminded from a few people that I am very behind on blogging .....so hopefully this long post makes up for it :)
A couple of weekends ago, Grandpa took Morgan to the Zoo for her birthday. It was a beautiful day, and we all had a great time walking around looking at all the animals! Surprisingly, Morgan never seemed to get scared of any of the animals. I thought she would be frightened by some of them, but she liked looking at them all. Thank you for a fun day Grandpa!



The giraffes were so cute!


Riding the carousel with Daddy


Checking out the llamas


Being silly with Grandpa


Laughing at the monkeys with Daddy


This adventure left us with one very tired little girl!


Grandpa bought Morgan this table for her birthday...she loves it and plays with her dishes on it all the time. Thank you Grandpa!





Last weekend, my mom and I and Morgan went up to CANTON!! I just love going there so much, I can't get ENOUGH OF IT. I will post some pics soon of what I bought for the house, but I found Morgan these adorable shoes! She was so cute walking around in them, people were stopping to comment and these little old ladies even crashed their scooters into each other because they were staring at these shoes! They were fine but it was hilarious.








Here's a little video of Morgan bustin' a few moves :)




This is a video of Morgan putting on some "makeup". She sometimes sits on the counter when I put on my makeup and my blush ran out so I let her play with the empty case. This is what she did: I didn't show her what to do, this is all apparently from watching me do it. Too funny!







And finally, here is a video of Morgan saying "bye!". She says it then gives a big smile. You can see her top two teeth when she smiles like that...very cute stuff!

Little Miss Sunshine

Aunt Megan surprised Morgan (and me) by coming in a day early so she could be at Morgan's party. Morgan loves her and loves the water table Aunt Megan gave her for her birthday gift.


How sweet is this picture?



Water table fun!



Grandma bought Morgan a slide for her birthday......she LOVES it and goes down over and over again! We have had some amazing weather and we enjoyed it outside all week.



Uncle Bob, Aunt Vickie, and Kristen came for the week from Pittsburgh to relax and see Morgan. They bought her a shopping cart and a play ice cream shop set. You guessed it...she loved it too! She's so easy to please!



Bye everyone!

Birthday Party Pictures

Here are some pictures from Morgan's birthday party! She had a great time...and seems to love every minute being the center of attention. Where does she get this from?? Not me. And the theme was pink and brown......


JD and I got her a wagon which she got first thing that morning. She just came in and stared up at it, amazed. This picture pretty much sums up her reaction. Once she figured out you can ride it, she didn't want to come out of it!


The Party Banner: I made this!!




I had her dress made on Etsy.com. It has her name embroidered on it with 2 big bows at the empire waist and a cupcake sewn on the bottom. I will try to find a better picture of it...it was so adorable.

Oh My! Baby's Turning One!

Our sweet Morgan turned one today! I can hardly believe it. I spent the day choking back many tears, and filled with much emotion. I am amazed how quickly one year has flown by. I will never forget the feeling when I got to hold her for the first time. A feeling of being complete, of pure joy. And it's just grown every day since then.

Dearest Morgan,
I remember the moment I knew you were coming. I was so happy, so excited, and scared, not sure what to expect of this journey, but knowing my life was going to change forever. Seeing your perfect face, tiny nose, lips, and chin, I couldn't believe how much I loved you, and was amazed how God paid perfect attention to every detail.
I spent hours reading books, understanding the science of your development, how you morphed from tiny embryo to a willful one year old. Still, it amazes me, stumps me, humbles me. Every night I watch you sleep, counting breaths, marveling at your long lashes, and the rise and fall of your chest. You have always been ahead of the game, eyes open and searching even those first few days of life. Later, you would lift your head and arms trying for hours to push yourself up, wobbling, concentrated, determined. How strange it seems those months ago you could barely grasp a rattle and now you march triumphantly around the house, banging a pot lid on the floor, carrying your baby. At 5 months you decided to crawl, rocking carefully, then springing forward. Soon came pulling up, then standing, then at 9 months you took your first shaky steps. The rest is history, you run circles around us, climbing and rolling, squatting and reaching, always learning.
You have taught me so many things this year, the delicious cuisine of soggy puffs, the joys of saying the same words over and over just to get a laugh. You have taught me that the simplest things are the most fun, and that a piece of paper can provide hours of entertainment.
You have taught me patience, love, and terrible fear. Crouching over you with the nose bulb as you struggled with your colds, reaching you seconds too late after a nasty tumble, and whacking your back every time you cough while eating. Every day brings me to my knees in thanks for your existence, for your love, and for your health.
And so, my dearest daughter, on the anniversary of the greatest day of my life, I salute you. May this next year bring you many discoveries, may you feel loved and cherished by your family. May you keep that wonder, and may you continue to find the joy in the small things.
I will always be here for you, when you want to play peekaboo, or snuggle, or when you want to be a monster and chase me. When you wake up at 4 am crying because your teeth hurt, I will always hold you and keep you close. I will try to let you go, to let you discover, I know you need that. As I watch you explore your world, always know, I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN.
I love you always and forever,
Mommy


PS: Birthday party pics to be posted tomorrow:)

Just born: April 4, 2008



One Month Old



Two Months Old



Three Months Old



Four Months Old



Five Months Old



Six Months Old



Seven Months Old



Eight Months Old



Nine Months Old



Ten Months Old



Eleven Months Old



One Year Old

A Fun Weekend!

Things have been pretty crazy around here lately, and I have been a bad blogger/emailer as a result!
Friday my good friend Jenny and her son Zach were here from Birmingham so we got to have a brief visit. It was so good to see them. Tried to get the perfect picture of the 2 kiddos but they just weren't having it! Zach was so tired, and every time we got him settled, Morgan had walked away to play! So here's the best of what we got!

What a little cutie!


Morgan loooves blowing kisses!



Morgan had her first taste of vanilla ice cream on Saturday....she was in heaven :) It was so cute to see her get so excited about it!




After the ice cream we went into Pottery Barn Kids, and she sat at the little table for over 20 minutes playing with the play dishes/play pots and pans. It was amazing...how does she know how to do that?? She loved it and didn't want to leave! Good thing she gave us some birthday ideas.....



She has never really had a lovey or any kind of security blanket/toy. She has plenty of things that could work, but just never showed in interest in anything. Well that changed last week...she will not go anywhere without her baby "Susie" (named after dear friend Susan, who bought it for her in Canton!) She carries it everywhere, and loves on it constantly. Hugs, kisses, the whole bit! She will walk and then just drop on the ground to hug it! She even tried to take her in the bathtub! So I guess that's her security toy now?? It's just adorable. Here is a video of her loving on Susie.

It's Official!

We decided, after much discussion, to put our house on the market! We were going to move next year anyways, but with interest rates being so low, we felt now would be a good time. We have had a showing nearly every day since it's been listed, so hopefully someone will buy it soon. We are not in a hurry, but we certainly do not want to have our house on the market for several months! Not sure where we are going yet; we have spent our evenings searching har.com for the perfect house (Which by the way, is very addicting).

Morgan is doing great, we are planning her first birthday, which is April 4th, I can hardly believe it! I remember that day last year like it happened yesterday. She's gotten so good at walking and just walks all around the house carrying whatever she's fascinated with at the moment. She loves her bear (she calls it her "ba"). Really cute.



Hugs for Mr. Doggy!


She loves playing with her babies and pushing them around in the stroller!

Happy 11 Months!

As I stood in her room last night and watched her sleeping, my heart was overwhelmed with her gentleness and grace. Her tiny little hands are so precious and so delicate. The sweetness of her lips is nothing less than perfect. I counted my blessings for my sweet baby girl, for God surely heard my heart and answered my every prayer. I love you Morgan! Happy 11 Months!

Drama Queen

We seem to have a little drama queen on our hands! When she doesn't like something (especially when eating), she does these faces:





As soon as you give her something she likes or something she wants, she's fine and won't do it anymore. She's figured out how to manipulate Mommy already! :) She has been remembering the names of lots of different things....you can ask her where many things are and she will show you where it is. She can also do lots of actions! If you ask her to splash in the tub, she will happily oblige and make HUGE splashes. She can show you where her head is, where her ear is, and Mommy's nose. (But she has a hard time finding her own nose.) She loves to give herself kisses in the mirror. Its really pretty cute!
This is a video of her showing where her head and ears are. Ignore the ridiculous giggling you hear from the video, as that would be me. Usually if I giggle she joins suit but of course she didn't this time!!






Her new favorite activity is pulling clothes out of her dresser. I was getting her dressed and I went to look in the closet for an outfit, and when I turned around, this is what I saw: (she was happily talking away the whole time)





Fortunately my camera happened to be in her room at the time so I snapped away!