A Weekend Away!

Andy and I enjoyed our Memorial Weekend away without the kids.  This was our first weekend away since Morgan was about 20 months old.  Considering she is now 4yrs. old...this weekend away was looong over due.  The last time we even had an overnight away from the both kids was the end of last summer for our anniversary. 
Andy was an usher in his friend's wedding up in Nebraska.  We had a great time!  We slept in both days until 8:30.  If you know our children 6am is usually the morning wake-up time, and sometimes even earlier.  In fact, I don't remember ever sleeping in two days in a row since Morgan was born, except maybe when we had our other weekend away.  It is always such a fun time to get away with your spouse.  Of course we missed the kids, but it was nice to just have some us time!  Hopefully we won't let it go 2+ years before we have a weekend to ourselves again! :)

14 Months!

Our sweet girl continues to grow and change daily!

• Size 4 diapers still
• 18 month clothes - 2T
• Shoe size is a 4
• Your favorite activity is climbing on the kitchen table.  You will do it over and over again if I let you. :)
• You are a GREAT sleeper!  You go to bed at 7pm and wake up between 5:30-6am.  You sleep ALL night every night unless you are sick.  You go down for bed easy too.  We read 3 books cuddle for a few minutes and you go down in your crib awake and fall asleep happily on your own.
• You nap well too.  Again, you go down so easily.  Most days you take one nap that averages 2-3 hours.  Sometimes you wake half way through your nap and like to finish the last hour snoozing on mommy's shoulder. :)
• You are loving your water table outside and can play with it for a long time.  Of course, I think it is because you enjoy scooping the water up and drinking it.
• You enjoy your bike rides with Daddy.
• You love to comb your hair and brush your teeth. 
• You love signing "more" especially when anyone sings to you.  You favorite song is ABC's and you love to clap and sway to the song.
• You have started coloring this month with your sister.  She has a lot of patience letting you color with her.
• Your new adventure in early May was walking for the first time.  I figured by now you would be running, but just like your laid back personality, you walk when you feel like it.  You still prefer your Mommy to carry you. :)
• You are definitely laid back, happy, and relaxed.  I always get people commenting what a content little girl you are.  I hope the happy attitude continues into your two's!!
• You are a people watcher!  If we are anywhere where there are other kids (especially big kids) you are content just watching whatever they do.
• You love snuggling and you love to twirl your Mommy's hair before your bedtime.
• Your favorite thing to do each day is whatever Morgan is doing.  You also love your baby dolls, play kitchen, and books.
• You still aren't saying a ton of actually words, but you definitely "talk" all the time!
• I know I am forgetting a million things...maybe I will remember more next month.

We love our little pumpkin!  You are such a blessing in our lives!!!

Berry Picking

Morgan and I enjoyed picking strawberries this morning from a local mini farm.  (Thank you Jennifer for recommending the place.)  It was supposed to be a family outing, but Mackenzie has been battling a fever for a few days.  Morgan really wanted to go, so Andy was a good daddy and stayed behind with Mackenzie.  Morgan loved picking the strawberries and wanted to show me each berry she picked. :)  The strawberries are delicious.  We picked enough to fill a gallon bucket and I have a feeling they will all be gone soon.  Andy mentioned we may have to go back in a few days to get some more.  We can't wait until it's time to pick the peaches!

Library Card

Morgan got her very own library card yesterday.  The summer reading program started at the library yesterday and Morgan really wants to earn the "free" books for reading.  For every 24 books she listens to me read/reads with me she will earn a free book.  She can earn up to three free books this summer.
Let the reading begin!!!

Morgan holding her new library card!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so thankful to be the mom of these two sweet girls.  I feel so blessed that they are my full time job! I love being home with them and not missing a single moment of their lives.
Happy Mother's Day!!!

These legs are made for walking...

Mackenzie is a walker!!  She walked across my sister's living room two times last night.  What a great 30th birthday gift for my sister!  I think Mackenzie walking was a highlight of the night!  I loved watching her big grin as she took such controlled steps with her sweet arms out giving her balance.  Is their anything cooler than watching your child take those first precious steps??!?!  LOVE!  She has walked quite a few times today too.  I know she will be running before long.  I am so excited that she walked, but it is bittersweet for me.  I knew that once she walked it means she is a true toddler now.  I am a little sad my baby is growing up so fast.  I will try to post a picture of our big girl later this week.

Morgan's Interview {4 Years Old}

After seeing some cute ideas for interview your kids each year on their birthday I decided to begin when each of my kids turn 4.  I am going to create an interview book to present to them on their 18 birthday.  It will be a fun way for them to look back and see what their "favorites" where each year.  I interviewed Morgan the week of her birthday.  Her answers are below...

1. What is your favorite color? Pink, blue, purple
2. Your favorite stuffed animal?  Little bear
3. Favorite food? Watermelon
4. Favorite TV show or movie? Blue's Clues
5. Favorite food for dinner? Chicken Nuggets
6. Favorite Outfit? Pink Flower Dress
7. Favorite Board Game? Candyland
8. Favorite Snack? Graham Cracker Bunnies
9. Favorite Animal? Bunny
10. Favorite Song? What's the Weather (from preschool)
11. Favorite Book?  Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
12. Best Friend(s) Violet, Kinley, James
13. Favorite Cereal? Granola
14. Favorite thing to do outside? Play on my scooter
15. Favorite Drink? Milk
16. Favorite Holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Pink Blankie
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Eggs
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  She didn't know
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A soccer player

Morgan's Surgery

Our day started early.  Gigi and Popi arrived at 5:30am to watch Mackenzie so we could head to the hospital. Thank you so much to them for watching our little Mackenzie so we could focus on our big girl for the day.  Morgan got into surgery around 8am and was finished in about 45min.  She handled her morning quite well and she was very brave.  She really didn't get emotional until it was time to say good-bye to Andy and I.  Nothing is worse than hearing your baby cry and shout out, "MOMMY!"  It was heartbreaking.  I had to hold in the tears and be brave for her.  I knew if she saw me upset it would only make things worse.

The surgery went well, but we won't know if it worked until 6-12 months from now.  We are praying this surgery fixed her eyes.  After she woke she was really disoriented and didn't want to open her eyes.  She was also pretty emotional and her eyes were terribly irritated.  Once we were released she slept all the way home and most of the day in bed.  She didn't open her eyes until about 4pm today.  Morgan said it hurt to open them.  She ate a little for dinner and even enjoyed a chocolate shake.  After dinner she played for about an hour and actually seemed like herself.  Before bed, she kind of fell apart again.  She is now sleeping. It's been an up and down day, which I expected.  She gets pretty upset at times when her eyes are itchy and she isn't supposed to rub them.  It seems cool wash cloths have given her the most relief so that has been helpful.  Hopefully each day she'll feel a little better.  We are thankful for all the prayers today!!  Please keep the prayers coming as she recovers in the week ahead and for positive news later this year that the surgery was a success!

In the waiting room at 6:30am

Wearing her special "Dora" pj's. 

My brave girl!!!  She is actually giggling and making little poses for the camera.

Almost time to head back to surgery.  We were all smiles up until five minutes after this picture was taken.

Eye Surgery

Tomorrow morning our sweet Morgan will be having eye surgery. :(  I didn't really feel like posting about it until now.  We have know since early April that she would be having the surgery.  With my birthday and all of her fun birthday stuff at the end of April we just wanted to focus on that. 

We told Morgan on Tuesday night about the surgery.  I got some books from the library that she and I have read together many times.  She also wanted to pretend play going to the hospital and having the surgery.  I have done this with her a dozen times too.  She is handling it well.  Typical Morgan style she is asking a lot of questions and I am trying to answer them the best I can.  Overall, I feel she is as prepared as she can be.  Gigi and Popi got her special Dora pj's that she will wear to the hospital in the morning.  She will also get to take her pink blanket with her.

A few answers to questions you may have...

• It is an out patient procedure
• The surgery will be roughly 45 min. and she will be completely asleep for the surgery
• The doctor will be loosing the inner muscle of booth eyes
• When she wakes she should just need Tylenol or Ibuprofen to control pain
• Her eyes will feel itchy, especially the first week.
• The stitches will dissolve in about 1 month
• Her eyes may be red, swollen or blood shot at first
• She cannot swim for 7 days
• She can resume all activities (running, jumping, etc.) in a few days when she is feeling better
• She may see double vision after surgery, this could last up to a week
• She will continue wearing glasses the day after surgery and her glasses prescription may change in a month or so
• We will know if the surgery is successful in about 6 months

Please keep our Morgan in your thoughts and prayers.  We are praying for a good outcome!