maryland pics

Auntie Nikki (with baby) and RJ

Aunt Meggie with RJ

Uncle Bobby with RJ and Morgan

Uncle Andy with Morgan and RJ

Today we had a relaxing day! It was a little bit chilly out so we didn't really want to do anything outside with the kiddos (still working on colds). We just spent time together and had a really nice time! Uncle Bobby and Auntie Nikki came over in the afternoon and stayed for the yummy supper Aunt Meggie made (Anniversary Chicken with broccoli and rice). Auntie Nikki made brownies and rice crispy treats for dessert! Yum all around!! Morgan really enjoyed spending time with her Aunts and Uncles!

The trip down!

We made it here to Megan's place in Maryland safe and sound! Let's back up!

RJ had his 4 month check-up! 4 months already! I can't believe it! He weighed in at 13 pounds 10 ounces (25% percentile), height of 25 1/4 inches (50% percentile) and a head circumference of 15 1/2 (5% percentile). Doctor gave him a clean bill of health!! He ceases to amaze me every day! He is really starting to grab at things now and hold on! He has seven or eight different talking-vocalizations. He still is a Momma's boy (I guess I got what I wished for!) and I am the only one who can comfort him a lot of the time. He really likes attention! He loves to be held and played with! He is only taking cat naps throughout the day! Morgan would take several 1-3 hour naps throughout the day but RJ sleeps 10-15 minutes here and there! Not enough time to get anything accomplished! He is my baby boy, and I love him to death!!

After our well visit (which I also had Morgan's ears checked...free and clear) we started our adventure down to Maryland! About 30 minutes into our ride we were stopped to watch a 70+ freighter train go by. Morgan was excited...I was anxious for it to pass by at it's very incredibly slow pace! We had free sailing until we got into Maryland onto I 95 where we sat dead stopped for 20 minutes. After we started moving again there was no reason for the delay?! Urgh! We got down safe and sound. Morgan watched Mickey on the way down while RJ slept until the last 10 minutes when he started crying his hungry cry!

We all (A Meggie, U Andy, A Nikki, and U Bobby) went to Boston Market to support A Meggie's school. Within two minutes Morgan had fallen asleep in the car! RJ fell asleep to...however RJ woke up after we got to the Market, Morgan however slept on U. Andy the whole time we all ate then woke up an hour or so later ready to eat her meal (after we were all finished of course!). U Andy was very nice to hold her the whole time! I wish I had my camera, it would have been a sweet picture! Back to A Nikki and U Bobby's house to hang out before coming back to A Meggie's for bedtime! Let's hope we all sleep ok!

Snow-Ice-Rain Day!

Today was a lazy day all around! The ground was covered with snow when we woke up with the freezing rain starting! I took one look outside and decided it was a day to stay inside all warm in the house!

The kiddos both still have their colds so I continue to wipe noses all day...and wash my hands after every wipe...sore/dry hands! Knock on wood I haven't gotten the illness yet! I have been trying hard to drink lots of hot tea, take lots of vitamins and take herb immune boosting pills that MeMom said she swears by! We'll see! So far so good, but I'm sure the bug will get me, and if not I will thank my lucky stars!!

I feel like I haven't updated information on Morgan in a while. Morgan update:

Morgan never ceases to amaze me with how much she is learning! Tonight she brought over a new coloring book I had bought that she hadn't seen yet with a picture of Charlie Brown on the front cover and said "oopy!" (Snoopy) She made the connection between Charlie and Snoopy! It is so exciting to see her new connections to things!! When we read her big book of animals she goes through and points at the animals and does one of three things. If she knows the animal's name she says it's name, if she does not know the animal but knows it's sound she will say it's sound, and if she has no clue what the animal is (chinchilla) she looks at me for guidance! She is learning to sing the alphabet song, although she doesn't know all the letters yet she gets the basic rhythm down. She also likes to sing the song "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with her favorite word being "washed" in the middle of the song! She exaggerates the sound (probably like I have to prove a point!). She has also almost mastered the ability to flip her jacket onto her self (up and over)! That will be exciting when she can put her jacket on all by herself! Her newest comment to the family is "blue eyes". PopPop commented on all our blue eyes (everyone in my immediate family has blue eyes) at breakfast one morning and now she comes right up to everyone and says "Momma blue eyes" or "PopPop blue eyes". She is so proud of herself! She is getting much better at her colors too! She can recognize the letters "M and O" and sometimes "A and P". She continues to clean up when asked nicely and still can entertain herself or will ask us to play. She loves to brush her teeth before bed, and we are working on going "pee-pee" every morning after she wakes up. We are 50-50 right now! I'm not pushing her, when she is ready it will happen! Before bed she must give everyone a kiss and hug including baby RJ and all the dogs! You can see from the picture she actually has enough hair now to put up in a little pig tail! Her hair is actually too long now in the front not to put it up! Morgan is getting better at leaving her hair-do in, but still at times pulls it out at which time her hair goes everywhere! She continues to experience her environment and is using her new skills all the time! This paragraph jumped around a lot, but I just wanted to get everything written as I thought of it!

Just a quick note...

What is Daddy saying?

Today was a great day at swim class! Morgan laughed and played around in the water like a little fish! Still won't let me totally let go of her, but she is getting closer!

Their colds are getting...no worse! Still runny noses, coughs, and sneezes like crazy with lots of Momma hand washing...but other than that they are still completely full of energy! (Thank goodness Morgan understands the concept of hand washing!) RJ had another rough night waking up every 1-2 hours with a cough or sneeze so that led to a rough night for me too, but somehow we managed through the day and are hoping for a better night tonight!

Bob had to work today so the kiddos and I went out to eat with MeMom and PopPop. They were very well behaved at the restaurant. We had a very friendly and attentive African American man as our waiter. I had to nurse RJ (VERY discretely) at the table... Our waiter came over and I guess noticed what I was doing and commented, "I see we are ALL eating here" and as soon as he said it if you could see a black man blush...he was as red as an apple! I don't think he realized what he was saying until he said it! Now, remember I wasn't showing a bit of skin, he just noticed the position and put two and two together! I got a good chuckle out of it, I wasn't at all embarrassed!

Tubing Day!

Today we took a family-day trip up to our land in the mountains. We have land in a 'resort' gated community that one day (in twenty years...I'm estimating) we will build a beautiful house on! They give free ski/tubing passes in the winter and golfing passes in the summer. They also have ice skating in the winter and lots of fun things to do in the summer like hiking trails, swimming pools, a lake, canoes, paddle boats, a man-made beach, etc... it is a fun little trip up, I just wish we got there more often!

Back to today...Daddy and Morgan went snow tubing while RJ and I hung out in the lodge for a little bit and then ventured out to see what Daddy and Morgan were doing closer up! Morgan had so much fun! She kept telling Daddy "mere" (more) over and over again! They stayed out there going down the mountain and back up the mountain for a bit more than an hour! I dressed her so warm I'm sure she didn't feel the cold breeze! I jokingly called her my little marshmallow! RJ too looked like a stuffed marshmallow in his nice cozy monkey snowsuit! (Thanks Great Aunt Daisy!!) RJ's favorite part of the trip was our outing to the bottom of the mountain to see his sister whizzing down the mountain! He loved looking at all the bright white snow!

After our tubing fun we drove around for a little while and hunted down where our land actually existed! We were excited to see there was a road to our land! The last time we visited we had to go 'off roading' to find our piece of forest! We had a great "family" day together, something that is hard to come by with Daddy's busy work schedule! The drive home signaled a tired Morgan, RJ, and Momma! Daddy got us all home safe and sound!

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING!

MORGAN PEE-PEED IN THE POTTY!!!

A dry diaper two days in a row...and she went in her potty this morning! I am so excited for her!! Go Morgan!!! (She thinks I'm crazy, but I even did a little dance for her!!)

New President!!

WOW! The 44th president of the united states! President Barack Hussein Obama! Although I have my hesitations about certain things that Democrats believe in, it sounds like President Obama has a lot of new and fresh ideas. I hope he follows through with all his proposed ideas!

Today the kiddos and I had the inauguration on all day to watch the many festivities that went on! It amazed me that within two minutes of Barack reciting back words put forth by Chief Justice John Roberts he no longer was Barack or Obama as he had been referred to for months, he is now the President of the United States of America! Enjoy your day Mr. President, because you have a lot of work ahead of you!!

The following are just a few excerpts from President Obama's speech that I have and will ponder on! "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics." "America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

These pictures were created using a program that imitated President Obama's Change poster. Thought it was fun!

Snow marshmellow!

We were not predicted to get snow... yet we got enough to play in! These weatherpeople need to start getting the weather right! Why do I listen if I can know more just by looking out my window?? Daddy took Morgan outside to play in the snow while RJ and I stayed warm inside! Poor Morgan was so warmly bundled she didn't think she could move! She and Daddy had a great time and she was forced to come in after almost an hour outside! Hopefully we'll get another storm before winters' end!

Eagles...tried...

touchdown!

All decked out in Eagles gear! Although we aren't die-hard fans of football, we do have football on every Sunday. We were very hopeful for the Eagles. We were hoping the 'good' team would be out on the field...nope...not in the first half! Second half they tried to have a come back, just not soon enough. Morgan says kick straight through the field goal! We always have next year, as we said last year... Hopefully the team will get rid of some of the old and come in with some new faces!

18-2T + 3-6

RJ yawning, Morgan blowing a kiss

I can't believe my kids are getting so big! Where does the time go? Morgan is growing (slowly) but is finally out of 12 months and working towards 2T clothes. I put the outfit in the picture on him (knowing it would be big) after Morgan picked it for him. Nope! The adorable 3-6 month outfit fit great...oh boy...he is starting to wear 3-6 months clothing! He is getting big! Morgan didn't go up to 3-6 months until she was around 7-8 months!

RJ still wants to be held all the time to be happy! I really do love it, except nothing else gets done!! When he is put down for more than five minutes without attention, he fusses! Must be a spoiled little guy!

Sleeping & Playing with Aunt Meggie

Not too much to report. Couple pictures of Aunt Meggie with the kiddos.

Today the munchkins and I went to Aunt Jo's and played with Claire and Zandi. We had a great time! Claire and Morgan only had one instance of 'not sharing' and only a few times that Claire tried to tell Morgan what to do (even though Morgan is fine with that, Aunt Jo doesn't like it!). Zandi and RJ baby-talked back and forth! Aunt Jo and I talked! We even caught Claire and Morgan coloring together without arguing and without being guided to do so! Wow, our kids are growing up!!

RJ is starting to really stare at things now! He isn't just scanning the room non-stop! He is growing up so fast!!

Progress on our house!!!

Morgan, RJ, and I headed out to the outlets to do some shopping today so that Daddy could study for a police exam he has coming up! By the end of the trip I was leaving with more bags of stuff for the kiddos than for me (even though I went to the outlets to look for me!), two fussing kiddos, one large poop and one saturated diaper, one very hungry baby and one messy from the greasy hot dog she kind-of ate...I was ready to head home! 5 hours of shopping with two little ones alone wears a gal out!

On the way home I thought it would be a good idea to swing by, pick Daddy up and head up to see our house... (crazy?) Our structure is starting to really look like a house!! Almost the whole kitchen is in!! Yipee! Imagine that granite on top of the cabinetry in the kitchen!! I am envisioning how great it will look (I hope!)

Master Bath

Upstairs hall bath (kids bathroom)

The upstairs bathroom cabinetry was in with their counter tops! This house is becoming a (scary-house poor) reality!! It is so exciting and scary at the same time!!

Pretend to potty...

Today a funny occurrence happened...

Morgan, RJ and I were upstairs organizing and putting clothes away when Morgan said she had to go potty. I took her to the bathroom (where her potty is) got her undressed sat her down and said, "Ok, go potty" in which she responded "away." I left the bathroom (standing just outside the door so I could still see her slightly)...two seconds later she was coming to find me proudly saying, "All done Momma!" Retreating back to the bathroom we looked in her potty to see...NOTHING..."Good try" a kind-hearted Momma said...we got her redressed...

Back to working on folding clothes in one room, Morgan playing in another room making some noise (noise is always good, silence is the concern!). Then I heard silence...I gave it a few minutes then went to investigate... she was completely naked in the bathroom sitting on her potty, "away" she said! Away I went...but when I came back and redressed her again nothing in the pot, "good try" I said yet again!

You got it...a few minutes more of cleaning up with Morgan playing in her room when silence struck...I figured I knew what she was doing, but this time when I found her she was walking around with her clothes in one hand and her diaper in the other! This kind-hearted Momma had enough of that! I prayed she didn't pee somewhere in a corner, redressed her and moved my folding pile into her room! No more of those tricks! It still made me smile! At least I am still smarter...

Halloween revisited!

While I was cleaning up a pile of odds-n-ends Morgan found the bag with her Halloween costume in it and insisted in wearing it! She ended up wearing it for hours until supper time when we had to bribe her into taking it off!

3 months (and a little)

I finally went to get RJ's 3 month pictures done! He smiled like a champ...he also chewed on his fists like a champ too! It was so nice to actually have a few choices to pick from with his big open grin! With Morgan it was MAYBE one picture...take it or leave it and often times we just hoped to get her looking pleasantly at the camera!

Morgan had her second swim class this morning! She LOVED the water! I was so relieved! I was very nervous that she had taken a turn for the worse and would not like the water anymore! (I started her in the pool around 3 months old!!) She had a blast! She kicked and "reach-and-pull-ed" all around in the water...as long as I held on to her somewhat she was content! Thank goodness! She even went down the big water slide! Yes...by herself! I asked her if she wanted to do the slide, she said yes...so we climbed to the top and I sat her down...she said "no," I said too late (rough Momma I am!) and gave her a little push (she did have a bubble on her back) and down the slide she went, dunked under and up into the arms of her instructor! The other moms who were at the bottom said she came up smiling! She told me "Meere" (More) as soon as she was back to me! My brave child!! That is what I like to see!!

It was a great day for all!

Undressing-n-Redressing

Morgan continues to play the game of nap or no nap, that is the question!

Today she took a nap...but at some point decided to undress and redress herself! As evidenced in the picture, she got her clothes back on, but not quite right! Little things that make a Momma smile!!

before nap...

after nap...

It cost WHAT?

Today we had to unexpectedly take one of our springers to the vet for a teeth cleaning and to take out extra gum growth (which could be cancer) to get biopsied, and to get a lump removed from his lower neck area. Wonderful (ha). We love Nickel...we adopted him several years ago from an elderly man that could not handle his muscular body that can jump too high, pull too hard, eat too much, drink too much, and poop too much...sometimes I can't handle it either! He is part of the family, but sometimes (especially times like this) I just want to let him outside to see what happens...oops...did he run away? I didn't know! That is so mean I know, but sometimes he just gets on my last nerve...and when I saw the $500.00 bill handed to me with the strict instructions for no food until tomorrow, and no play with other dogs until his stiches come out in a week and a half (like Lacey (our other springer) will understand English...) I wanted to ask the vet, "Want another dog?" BUT he came home with me...after charging around my car eating any little crumb he could find (which I'm sure gave him a full belly!!) in the five minute drive home I already broke the first vet rule! Brought him downstairs and immediately Lacey jumped him. Guess I broke the second rule! Now they need to take turns being in their cages b/c all they want to do is play! I guess I'll have to deal with that more during the next LONG 10 days! Let's just pray that the biopsy does not show cancer or I'm not sure what we will do! If it cost over $100.00 just for the biopsy I can't even image (or don't want to imagine) what treatment for cancer would be!

I must really love this dog! He should be very lucky to have me!

The gym, what's that?!

The family has began the 'South Beach' diet! We'll see how it goes! I am cheating a little bit so that my milk supply does not go down...I am not adding any other foods in, just increasing the amount I am allowed to eat. As long as I maintain and don't increase my weight I'll be happy!

I went to the gym today for the first time in a VERY long time! (I am embarrassed to say the last time I was there) Yeah! It felt so good...even if I was exhausted after just a half hour on the elliptical machine...at least I was there! I really enjoy working out and it just felt so good to get back there! I must try and get there regularly...hoping a few times a week! Some 'Momma-only' time!!

Daddy watched the cherubs today while I went and had my time alone. He had it easy! Morgan was sleeping and RJ went to sleep while I was gone! If only my days were that smooth! I love my kiddos but they don't sleep together all day every day...like Daddy sometimes thinks!

WATER!

Picture from a swim class in the past!

Today was Morgan's first day back to swim class after a 'leave of absence' due to RJ's birth and the fact that I couldn't go swimming for six weeks (more than half the session). Let me mention how much she loved swim class at the old Y! She was always happy, loved to be dunked, and just smiled the entire time!

Change of heart! She CRIED the whole time!! Well, not necessarily cried, but at least whimpered the whole time! We started the 'older' group where you need to be 2 years old or older. The kiddos get a bubble flotation object placed on their back and they are expected to swim around and float around with less physical assistance from the parents. WELL... Morgan wanted NO parts of that! Most of the class she grabbed onto my neck for dear life! I tried to work through it and she did like the jumping in part withOUT her head going under! I sure hope that her attitude changes or this will be a LONG session of swim class!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Party like it is 1999...no wait...party into 2009! I can't believe it is 2009! What a wonderful year I had! The selling of Bob and my first together-owned house, buying our new house (currently under construction), and the wonderful birth of our son to name the most important!!

God has blessed my friends and family with such wonderful happenings, I can only hope the year ahead is just as magnificent!

My New Year's resolution is to try and enjoy everyday with my kiddos just a little bit more... enjoy when there is a near disaster, smile when Morgan or RJ tries something new for the first time, enjoy the smiles and the tears! Way to soon the kiddos will be growing up and won't let their Momma be the 'fixer' of all! I really hope to be the best Momma I can and let them grow and explore with me by their side to help them (when needed)!

This year I hope not to wish a day away...even the rough ones!

Morgan and RJ I love you both very much and can't wait to spend my first full year with the two of you! I can't wait to see you play with each other and love each other! Hopefully if you read this in ten years you will still love each other and want to 'hang' out together and still with the old parents! Then I know I did my job right! Hugs and kisses to both of you!