Quirky!

Every child has things that make them quirky in some way. The first one I noticed about Morgan was actually brought to my attention by my mother. One day my mom mentioned that Morgan really likes her feet. She was right, Morgan likes to play with her toes. I really noticed this during Christmas when she would take the pine needles that had fallen from the Christmas tree and put them between her toes. Hey, I was just happy that it kept her busy for extended periods of time and yes, I was watching to make sure none of the needles made it into her mouth. But the strangest thing I have yet to witness Morgan put in between her toes are her cheerios. I'm sorry to say the Cheerios were eaten even after being placed between the toes. See below....

I've been so excited to see Morgan learn to do something new every day but this past week Morgan learned she could do something that really annoys Mom and Dad. She likes to take off her pants! We keep the house pretty cool so it annoys me when I find her like this.

On second thought....

Daniel and I have discussed the fact that at some point we'd like to try for a second child but it occurred to me this weekend that I should really reconsider. On Saturday, Morgan took a 3 hour nap and I spent the first hour vegging on the couch and then spent the next 2 curled up in my down comforter in bed. As I lay there I thought about how if we have another then I would have to give up the luxury of napping when Morgan naps. Then to top it off, Daniel and I were invited to 2 different dinner parties at 2 restaurants Saturday evening. Normally we would simply decline but these were people we hadn't seen in awhile so we decided to bring Morgan along. Morgan was great all evening and even allowed us to stay out until 11 pm! She was still happy when Daniel and I looked at the time and decided we better rush her home to bed. We had a blast! It was so much fun not only being out together but it was fun having Morgan with us too! Of course we're not going to make a habit of having her up so late but we sure felt fortunate to have such an easy going child who allowed us to have a great evening with friends. Here's Morgan watching Mom and Dad eat Sushi at the first restaurant.

She ended the evening with us and her Aunt Dusty at TGIF.

Of course the positive aspects of having a second child will outweigh any negative for us but I have to say that I did have second thoughts this weekend. I'll just enjoy my time with one until things change.

Precious Time!

I was a little annoyed that I had to take a vacation day in order to stay home with Morgan on Monday because we didn't have anyone to watch her but the day turned out great! Morgan was an absolute delight! Even though we missed Daniel while he was away this weekend, I felt that Morgan and I really bonded. I think I heard her laugh more times yesterday than I have all month. I was able to unpack, get the house in order but most importantly Morgan and I spent the majority of the day playing together. We even made dad a cake to welcome him home.

Spoil me!

It's late Sunday night and I'm sitting here writing this blog at home after just finishing a 3 hour trip from Sacramento. Daniel visited his friend in Texas this weekend and while he was away, Morgan and I visited my mom and dad in Sacramento. It was a much needed get-a-way! Saturday, the family relaxed, did some shopping and went out to dinner! Papa even watched Morgan and her cousin Chase while my mom, sister and I went and got pedicures together!
While we were getting pampered, Maggie made a new friend.

Morgan and Papa!

On Sunday, all of us wanted to go to the park or the zoo but it was a rainy weekend so we settled for bowling instead. The bowling alley we went to was great! It had the nicest bowling lanes I've ever seen, equipped with huge TVs, a huge sports bar and grille, and an entire arcade section.

Morgan kept pointing at the bowling balls and getting really excited so Papa let her inspect them.

Everyone had a blast!

Cousin Chase is great with Morgan!

Morgan even gave bowling a try for herself. She definitely got the idea and would try to push the ball down the lane.

Nana loves her Ski Ball!

The whole family pitched in on playing games to earn Chase as many tickets as we could. Nana's purse became the holder of the tickets.

While driving home I couldn't help but feel spoiled. Even at nearly 30 years of age visiting home makes me feel so loved and special. Mom and Dad cook for me, help with Morgan and basically spoil me. Someday I hope when Morgan is 30 years old she'll bring her little one to my house and I can make her feel as good and happy as my parents make me.

First Steps in Dog Heaven

Taking Maggie to the dog park is something our family enjoys doing. It's something for the family to do together that's positive, fun and free! Tonight was extra special though because Morgan took her first steps! We'll try to get video of it in the next few weeks. Here are some pictures of Morgan's milestone reaching evening.

Below are some pictures of Maggie's heaven taken over the last couple of months.

Every day brings something new.

Lately I have felt that every single day Morgan shows Daniel and I something new she has learned to do. It started a couple months back with Morgan brushing her own hair. She actually grabbed her brush and started brushing her own hair. The bristles clutched her hair as she would start at the top of her head and then lead the brush down to the ends of her hair before she would repeat the process. It was at that moment that it dawned on me that there will be a day where Morgan no longer needs me to do her hair. That realization made me very sad.

A few weeks back Morgan was sitting in her high chair eating while I was cutting up some fruit and she got my attention by yelling "hi" at me. When I looked up she was sitting there waiving and saying hi as if she had been doing it all along. Since then "hi" is one of her favorite things to say. That along with "uh oh", "daddy", and "mommy" which she has been mastering for awhile now.

Just a few days ago, Daniel asked Morgan to give her doll a kiss. She floored us when she actually puckered up and gave her doll a huge smack on the lips. We had never really shown her how to kiss and we've never asked her to give us one. My sister was the person who gave Morgan this doll for Christmas and she has really surprised us with what a great little mommy she is to it. She'll brush her hair, hug her, and feed her some of her bottle and sippy cup among other things. I had no idea she understands all of these processes enough to imitate them with her own little doll.

Morgan will give you a high five when asked and she continues to love to dance. She's just recently added some impressive dance moves. I know Daniel enjoys watching Morgan enjoy music as much as he does.

I'm learing to not underestimate Morgan's abilities. Occasionally I'll ask Morgan to do something new to see if she understands me and more times than not she'll surprise me by doing whatever it is I ask of her. This is a fun time of discovery for not only Morgan but for her dad and I who are very new at this parenting thing. I'm sure Morgan will teach us many more things as the years pass.

Christmas at Nana and Papa's House

While at Nana and Papa's house we found a basket that used to be mine when I was exactly Morgan's age. Nana let us take it home so we could fill it with Morgan's toys just like when I was her age.

Daddy helped Morgan discover her stocking first thing Christmas morning.

Cousin Chase, Maggie and Morgan spent some quality time together.

Nana and Papa enjoyed watching the family open presents.

Daniel felt it necessary to stack his presents...

Morgan did really well with opening her first few presents.

Looking forward to next year!