Ok, fine, I think it's allergies.

Sooo...this morning was almost one of the worst yet in terms of pain/throat/blah but sure enough by mid-late morning I think, I *think* I might be a little better. Fine whatever, doctor I don't always like person (Adam keeps asking me why I don't get a new one, I'm lazy and only see them once in a blue moon...), you might have been right that I have a raging case of allergies this season. Awesome. But if taking Zyrtec is going to help, I'll take it. Whew.

Things I've learned today so far:

1. One should clean out their food pantry more often. There were 142 boxes of various things that had only 1-2 items left in them. Holy space waster. Also, beware - one might also not realize she is hoarding ingredients to make chili with, hence, the reason we are having chili tonight. :)
2. Morgan + China Garden = bad combo. Apparently we've either fed her enough healthy/good food so she knows that this "good food" tastes funny or she had too many cheerios before we left for errands. Keep in mind I was able to find her plenty of her "regular foods" on the buffet. It didn't help that we had hoped to meet up on time with Adam and life said no (thank you eye doctor's office) and he was late (totally not his fault). Meh, McDonald's it is next time.
3. I am dying to clean/organize Morgan's room since she's at a clothing swap out point but since she's all sleeping in there, I can't. Hopefully I'll have time tonight or tomorrow after all the relative prep and general house cleaning is done.
   
4. Morgan will dance on the toilet in a public restroom while saying, "Dance!" if she hears music over the intercom.
   
5. I can't find any tiny backpacks for Morgan and have been looking everywhere. She loves her friend's tiny one at daycare and I'd like to get her one too (hello, do I LOOK like I enjoy carrying all her stuff all the time?) but I hope I don't have to wait until the end of June when they start putting all the 2011-12 school year stuff out; you know, just when we're starting to really enjoy summer break. :-/

Ah, procrastinating, you're almost over (ie. Days is almost done). I see some outdoor fun in our future this afternoon after Little Miss M wakes up seeing as it's all sunny and upper 40s. :-D

Allergies?! What?!

My first year at college, I was sick for about a month that fall or sometime and came to find after several trips to the college doctor place, I had allergies. They bothered me and I took Claritin if I could afford it but it was relatively manageable. It got better and then worse again when I got to Iowa...well, I finally had to go to the doctor today b/c it took me 5 swallows to get one sip of water down when I woke up this morning (can you say painful throat?) and sure enough, allergies. No. Thank. You. I was ready to ask the doctor for Vicatin or something it was that painful this morning and recent mornings/days too. Stupid allergies making me feel like junk. But I'm bound and determined to have a great rest of my spring break (I'm off the rest of the week! Yeah!) which includes a "cleaning day" Thursday while Morgan is at Mary's. Anal me is sort of looking forward to it. :)

In other news...Adam's truck's detailing isn't done yet. We/He can't wait for it to be done.

I can't think of anything else other than I could be making lists of things to do the rest of the week...or napping with Morgan right now...or organizing the food pantry (otherwise known as a tiny hole closet). I like the list better. Bye.

When did that happen?

I've had a few thoughts that start with this lately such as...

• When did she get tall enough to push the buttons on the washer/dryer? I've always had to lift her up...
• When did she start using all these sounds? And with all the single words she's using, I give her 2-3 weeks to seriously start being a consistent 2-word utterance kid.
  
• As I said in my last post, when did she learn some of these letters?
• When did she learn to independently use a spoon to eat yogurt? Because now she does. And understands what I say when I tell her, "Keep your spoon flat."
• When did she learn how to whistle!? When we were making cookies this afternoon (oops, kid fell off chair while helping, big owie), I swear I heard a little whistle come out of her when she was playing with her refrigerator letters. I would have thought I was nuts but she did it again later. She can't do it on command and I think it's just when she's inhaling, but that was odd.
• To answer a yes question, Morgan now says, "Mm-hmm. Yeah!" and occasionally "yes" after prompting. I don't know where she got this "yeah" from...oh wait, when I paid attention to us talking, we say yeah all the time. Woops. :)
  

I think that's it for now. She's also starting to become more consistent with family member's names on the "family board" (frame of 21 pics of all close family) which is fun.

Morgan has been the napping queen this weekend taking no less than a 1 hr nap (1.5, 1, 1.5, 2 between the two days). I've taken advantage of 3/4 of those naps which is great b/c I feel like crap. I have exactly what I did a month ago which I even had antibiotics for...but it must not have gotten it all. Really sick of this sore throat. I think I'm going to ride it out and see if anything happens...One work day (Monday) this week and then it's finally my turn for a real-live spring break the rest of the week. I plan to have Morgan go to Mary's Tues morning for sure (have to take my truck in for maintenance) and all day (or a good chunk of) Thursday so I can clean for my ILs coming this next weekend. Should be a good one...except I have my 2nd of 3 classes on Saturday. Oh well. Morgan will be busy with Grandma Sherri & Grandpa Al.

I'm tired and need a nap. Tomorrow's my Friday...yeah!

Letters

I have 10.3 minutes until I promised I'd shower, so why not blog since the floors are spotless and I have all day tomorrow (save for church) to clean the bathroom?

I originally had 12.9 minutes but SOMEONE (who shall remain cute and nameless) kept talking to Bunny, playing with a pillow, and not sleeping. Shocker. I still hear her talking. Doesn't she know she needs to sleep now so we can get our errands done before our family dinner date?! Bah.

Morgan is now recognizing letters. This wasn't how I planned her development to go, as I had intended for her to learn to count to 3, then colors, and letters/shapes down the road. She has one of those leap frog letter things for the fridge which was intended to mostly keep her entertained when she was smaller from crawling up my leg and onto my nerves while I was trying to make dinner. Apparently either that, Mary's version, or something they're doing at Mary's is teaching her letters as she now readily recognizes and names: W, B, E, F, L; still a bit shaky on: M, A, H, O, D. Fine by me. She had an odd morning bath today since we were gone last night and out tonight too so I brought out all her bath letters and we had fun til the water got too cold. She's terribly interested in them. She'd look at me intently and try to say them after me. *rats 3 minutes left*

As I said we're also working on colors which is especially good when eating M&Ms after successful potty use. Perhaps we shouldn't phase them out as I had planned since she's only getting 1/successful potty trip and learning her colors...today after one such trip I asked her what color she wanted...yellow. Ok, yellow it is.

Why won't the kid nap!? Maybe it's b/c she took a 1.5 hr nap this morning during which time Adam and I accidentally went back to bed for naps too. Perfect. :)

And now it's 2pm. Shower time. First upstairs to tell the kidlet to hush her mouth and go to sleep. Perhaps today will just be a resting afternoon nap day? And how does a mom/dad know when to phase out morning naps? Do they do it themselves? She's still very much into her morning nap.

*1 min past. bye.*

I'm a Mom and I brag about my kid.

I will say it up front. I am going to brag incessantly about my kid in this post. I'm going to think of it as "documenting her development" but really I am going to brag about her of course because she's the greatest little person that ever lived (in my world). If you bail now, I'm sorry you won't get to hear about how amazing Miss Morgan is.

Morgan is pretty well potty trained during all awake hours. Naps are hit/miss. I don't remember her last accident unless it was the time she peed her pants after our cold family run several weeks ago; however, she had an accident at Mary's today simply b/c she couldn't get to Morgan fast enough - no worries - Morgan will learn to hold it better and she has in the past. This past weekend (as I mentioned 80 billion times in previous posts) we went to St. Louis for Adam's softball tourney. It ended up being about a 4.5-5 hour drive on the way there and we only stopped once. Morgan took just over an hour nap after watching some Dora and we didn't end up stopping until about 2.5-3 hours into the trip. When I took her to bathroom (fully expecting her pull up to be wet (ps I got pull-ups b/c using the potty and then putting a diaper on in a gas station bathroom sucks)) she was totally dry. What?! She then made it to the restaurant and went there...NO wet pull-ups. The whole trip. On the way home we stopped at a gas station prior to lunch and the line was too long, so I told her we'd go at the restaurant...dry again. An hour after lunch she said "potty!" and we stopped about 5-10 minutes later (what!? no potties in the boondox?!) and she was fine. I am not confident yet to let her in just undies on a long trip but I'm confident that if she goes before we leave to go anywhere (ie. QCs 40 min away) she'd be great. Holy cow my kid's potty trained. Awesome!! And I can safely say she was PT before she was 17 months old (even if it was only a day before). Yeah!

The hellish 8th tooth has arrived. It's her right top eye tooth and it was a bugger but it finally appeared Saturday (03/19/11). Sweet. Don't you ever do that to my kid again (hello molars later). I bet she tried 2-3x to get it in and it finally happened.

Morgan is an expressive language and articulation genius. Ok, and receptive language too. Her speech continues to explode and get more clear every day. She's really in tune to how we say new words to her and does her best to repeat them back the same way we say them to her. A few short weeks ago, "puppup" meant puppies. Now she's saying puppies clear as day. This weekend she was trying to lift things that were too heavy for her. Now she's walking around trying to pick anything up and saying, "Hebby!" "Ih hebby!" (heavy, it heavy). She will also say hi/bye to anything with a pulse and her eyes light up when she gets a response even if it's just one of us in a different room. I don't know why but ever since Morgan started talking I feared she'd be a final consonant deleter. Maybe this was b/c I have some of these kids at work and they can be difficult to correct...but I no longer have that concern. I don't know how else to explain what Morgan is all saying and how well she is saying it without having an audio of her talking. PS. She now says "em-an-ems" (M&Ms) clear as day and remembers to ask for her single M&M after every successful trip to the potty. Hmm...I think it's almost time to phase those out. ;-) Maybe.

Morgan is now picking up on tons of nonverbal cues/actions. She seems me crouch down to get Jessie riled up outside and will walk up to her and bend over at her waist with her little knees bent too. She sees us clap to get the dogs' attention and will start clapping and yelling "Dettie!!" too. She's got quite a sense of humor and as soon as she realizes we're joking about something, she says, "Mah-MA!" or "DaDDEEE" with attitude and try to get a rise of out us to be funny. She LOVES hiding things under her legs, blankets, anything and watch with a "I have no idea (wink wink)" look on our faces as we pretend we have no idea where the hidden item went. Yesterday we were in a gas station for a break and snacks and I started hiding behind an aisle thinking she won't care I'm hiding/playing and will run back to Adam (who has all the popcorn, Morgan's new love). Nope, she crouched down with me and ended up finding me in a tiny crack between the Snickers and Starbursts. She's so intuitive. I can't get over it.

Amongst all these good things, of course Morgan is still my "world is ending" tantrum thrower. Dora's over and Daddy's going to put in a new DVD? Scream like my arm is being cut off (ps. and without a nap yet). Go to the kitchen to get my M&M for going on the potty? NO WAY, it's always in the bathroom so I'm not having the wait!! Much of this is her age and comprehension level. I'm working my way much more quickly now through the Happiest Toddler on the Block and it's making tons of sense. I made good headway on it this weekend ... now if only it were a book on tape right this minute so I could listen to it on my run later... I know it likely exists but don't feel like paying more and tracking it down. So on we go, my dear little tantrum thrower Morgan pants.

Let's see, what else. Morgan is using her fork and spoon, but typically she prefers to hold the fork with one hand and eat with her fingers on the other. It's quite comical to watch as sometimes she even pokes food with her fork, takes it off with her other hand, and then eats it with her fingers.

Morgan's new BFF is being outside. Watching her explore the world outdoors isn't just a new obsession for her, but sort of for me as well. She watches birds, loves the moon (reference previous recent moon post), and tonight while we were at a friends' house cutting up a tree, she wandered all around giving small sticks to "Puppy!" (Ferdinand) and showing us the "Hot!!" (fire) (sticks burning in the pit). Good times.

Thinking of more things to brag about (since I made it blatantly obvious that I was taking this post to do just that) ... Ok, I think I'm done. Here ends the open bragging from me for now. ;-) I'm sure I'll have to do it again after she continues this amazing growth/development spurt.

Moooooon!

Morgan has a new sort of obsession with the moon. This really got going on Monday afternoon when we were at the park. We were sitting on the bench eating raisins (ok, she was, I think they're gross) and she was just sitting there, being distracted from the swings by her raisins, and she pointed and yelled, "Moo!!" Sure enough, the moon was up there in the bright blue sky, waiting for Morgan to say hi. Yesterday was even more beautiful here (mid-50s) so we hung out outside after dinner and again, "Mood!" So tonight since it was in the low 60s today (ha ha WI-ites) we spent all time but dinner outside and she became obsessed. And much better at saying moon. She'd go down the driveway until she could see it and yell "Moon!" Then she'd play a bit and not be able to see it around the giant tree in our front yard so we'd go to the other side of it, she'd help me find it, and yell, "Moooon!!" Dear God, what if she grows up someday to be ON the moon? :) (I swear I won't have a heart attack from being scared...)

Our friends' baby, Cooper, had a few trial runs at daycare the past few days (mom goes back to work next week). Morgan used to call him Pappi, but now he's very much called "Baby." I'm glad they get to grow up together at Mary's. :)

Holy crap Morgan's expressive language continues to amaze me. Today when I went to pick her up from daycare, (mind you, it was a birth-3 day for me so I got to see kids who struggle to say words) she walked out of one of the playrooms upon Mary's suggestion (hello, mommy's here!) and Morgan took one look at me, looked down at the two babies she was carrying, and yells, "Mommy!!! Babies!" Did anyone else notice that there was an -ies at the end of that word?! Plurals!? Yeah!! *

I LOVE my new Droid Incredible phone. For serious. I can't believe I haven't had one for this long and now do. I win. After I figure it all out, that is.

Still SUPER excited about this weekend in St. Louis!! Which reminds me...off to go make packing lists. Squeee - I love making lists but if you know me at all, you know that already.

Someone told me today (ahem, Sarah, ahem) that I am a bit of a control freak. Well duh. ;-)

Last night, Adam asked me if he could catch pink eye from Morgan. Um, yes, dear, it's only one of the most contagious things in the whole world. Sure enough, Adam's got pink eye. With all of the less than careful acts that I did while she had it and the fact that Adam wears glasses, touches her a little less throughout the day simply b/c I am with her for more minutes in the day, and he gets it. We all suck at eye drops although he gave himself props for his lunch-time ones on his own. ::crosses fingers big time that I don't get it b/c I might die if I have to intentionally put drops in my eye::

I had a GREAT day at work today. :) It was a 0-3 day for me but one of my favoritest co-workers, Sarah, was also in for an office day so after 2/4 kids no-showed me, we had tons of time to swap/make materials and I am SUPER excited to try out some of my new stuff. Huge team work = more confident SLP. PS. My eval did not qualify. And I also found out that by June, 7 or 8 of my kids will turn three (and go to PreK) along with another three in July. I win. :)

Today with all the great weather, I had a severe itch to go running. Soooo, I thought hey, I'd hurry home from work, pick her up, and get us ready to go for a quick run before dinner. Just a little something. So I had her pee before we left and off we go. (PS. She wore undies to Mary's for the first time after Mary's blessing!! Wooo!) We get about 2/3 of the way out (I just wanted to get a quick mile in (almost all uphill one way) and sure enough, she turns around and yells, "Poop!" I asked her if she was sure and she said "Poop!" again. Bah...so I turn around wondering the whole time if she really meant it...and after racing home (we were gone 10 minutes. Seriously, kid.) she didn't even want to go in the house! BIG fit b/c she was all ready to play outside. Turns out this time, POOP meant I WANT OUT. And now I know. Which means next time she'll poop her pants. ;-P

What a great day. Only one more day of work, drop off kid on Friday, run errands, finish packing, grab husband, pick up kid, and vacation. Ahhhh...

*Disclaimer: I realize that I can't seem to get over Morgan and all the things she does/says/knows/etc. Keep in mind that this is my sounding board to brag and tell anyone who's interested in reading how great my kid is. I also realize there are other great kids out there, but I don't know. I think Morgan might be the greatest one that ever lived. Mostly b/c she's mine. ;-P

Pictures

I haven't posted pics in a while and have some time (gasp) to do so, so enjoy!

Going down the stairs like a big girl on her heiny.

For some reason she seems to enjoy getting her fingers stuck and making a fake "ow" face...even though it can't feel all that good!

Going for a horsie ride on the new rug that finally came!

More bows I made for a rather big order.

She's ready for spring, folks! (so am I!)

Counting

Mommy: "One..."
Morgan: "Twooo....Deee!"

Yup, she's counting. Sort of. I say one, she says two automatically, and once in a while a three comes out. :) Today we were at Kohl's and she needed new sunglasses that didn't squeeze her head for next week's softball tournament in St. Louis. She had a pink, blue, and purple pair to choose from. She eliminated the purple pair (sniffle) and wanted to take both the blue and pink pairs. I told her, "Just pick one..." and Morgan promptly said, "Two!!" (me) "No, honey, just take one." "TWO!!!" So she ended up picking the pink pair even though the blue pair was cuter. But hey, I'm not wearing them. ;-)

So, best parents ever award goes to ... US for taking Morgan to the QCs this morning even though she woke up with a low-grade fever and more ick. In our defense, A) the Tylenol we gave her worked, B) she was happy and in a good mood, and C) her boogers had taken a significant decrease. She was a trooper and we got all our errands done and home in time for Adam to have lunch and head to softball practice. Nice. Then I went online later and ordered a crazy ton more stuff with my 30% off coupon and now we have $40 in Kohl's cash to spend in the very near future. Cha-ching.

Here's a big reason we needed to go to Kohls - I need new work pants. Why? Because several of them are too big and I look like a goon when I wear them. :-D This is something I have no problem "complaining" about. So let me "complain" a little b/c this is something I've never had to "complain" about before. I win. Thank you Morgan for wanting to go up and down the stairs a bajillion times with me every day. I truly think you are helping.

I have to take a second and acknowledge the insaneness that is going on in Japan right now. I can't wrap my head around the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that have taken place. It's all a lot to handle just watching it and I can't imagine what they're going through living it. Thoughts and prayers are over there. It's unbelievable.

Another fun thing to document - tonight while I was upstairs vacuuming, Adam and Morgan were in her playroom downstairs playing. Come to find that at one point she threw her baby out of the stroller and gently put her basketball in its place. Oi, baby. I don't know if I should be worried for a future sibling or be sort of proud of you for loving your basketball. Obviously we know how Adam is feeling about that right now. ;-/

I feel like I'm missing some other developmental milestone she hit this weekend...other than her continued expressive language boom ... but I can't think of anything right now other than it's 9:20 and I'm still not in my PJs. WHAT?! Off I go!!

Wait! I remembered what it was. Another reason we went to Kohls is b/c Morgan's 18 month feetsie jammies are too small for her now. I can't believe she hasn't sat down while wearing them and cry that her feet hurt b/c they are all smashed in the feetsie parts. So 2 more pairs of 24 month jammies later (along with a few she already had), we were good to go. So I'm at home later doing laundry and decided it's time to put away some of her 18 month things that are going from pants to capris and full length sleeves to 3/4 length sleeves along with the feet-killing jammies. She followed me upstairs to put her clothes away and I took one look at her, one look at the clothes I was putting away, and started tearing up. I tried not to b/c she kept looking at me, but I was just so sad. She's getting so big and there's nothing I can do about it but love her more each day and be so thankful for all that she is and becomes as she grows. I haven't cried about her getting bigger in a loooong time...we just love her so much and are completely smitten with the toddler she is growing into. It's a shame she can't be this age just a bit longer...

(PJs now, I swear)

Bows and Boogers

What a busy week. Between all the work junk (which, that reminds me, I need to go in for a while on my Monday off to finish report cards unless I do them here at home bah), bows (did I post that I had an order for 13? They turned out SO great - see FB pics), and life in general, I didn't have much chance to blog. Nap time? Blog time. (although secretly I should be napping too...)

About the bows...they turned out so great. My friend who ordered them gave me each girls' age, hair/eye color, and a few likes/dislikes and let me create away. I don't know where all these creative juices are coming from, but they're fun - and so not me. I'm don't pride myself in my creativity outside of figuring out a quick artic/language lesson on the fly at work by any means. I have about as much creativity as a flea. Perhaps that's changing...yesterday after my work meeting I spent some serious time in Michael's looking for just the right stuff to put on the bows and done. Whew. On to finding some perfect flowers for other orders...

Poor baby Morgan...yesterday morning she woke up and someone had turned on a faucet in that kid's nose. She didn't have a fever she went to bed although it was high 99s and she appeared miserable so she went to bed happily with medicine (refer to medicine post a few weeks ago). She woke up just over 100 degrees after having Tylenol around 2am? 3am? I can't remember...was on autopilot. She's very snuggly right now which is fabulous (refer to wiggly child post). :-P Here's the problem now - we were all set to go visit friends tonight who have three little girls who Morgan LOVES to play with...but if she's all sick, it's not fair to share her germs, so right now we're "on call" to see if she gets better. Sigh. I don't know if that will happen and I'm not sure it would be good friend behavior to bring a child leaking snot all over her face to their house. Fingers crossed she magically heals...

On to a positive. Morgan's expressive language the past 2 days or so has TAKEN OFF. Another huge leap. She is repeating things we say often and clearly. She's been repeating us for some time, but now she's doing in right after we say it and then using/saying it herself within the next few minutes. She repeated the color blue yesterday while her BAF (best adult friend)'s daughter was here taking Morgan for an early childhood test ride for a college course. Fun time! Morgan was somewhat shy at first and very mobile (running all over the place) but in the end she did a song with Hanna and gave her a hug goodbye. (and hopefully didn't share all the snot)

I'm not sure what today will bring...I would love to go shopping a bit and go to Ries' but I'm not sure that's in the cards (killer - she needs 24 month jammies like, yesterday, and I have a 30% off coupon at Kohls). It might be a hang out, wipe nose, clean, wipe nose, sleep, wipe nose, wipe nose kind of day. At least it's a three day weekend, right? :-) That's always a plus.

Bullets of Randomness

• Morgan is "grounded" from the iPod. She finally threw enough fits after warnings and use of a timer last night that she's done for a while (meaning it's out of sight - that kid's got great eyes). The last time she was bawling about it I sternly told her, "NO crying." and she stopped, all blubbery, trying so hard not to cry. Hilarious. One of those where you turn your head and pretend to look for something b/c you're cracking up. Poor kid.
• Morgan is STILL waking up with gook in her eyes which means she's still getting eye drops. Bah. We may stop after tomorrow per Mary's (ever-knowing) recommendation.
• I saw some felt the other day at JoAnne Fabrics and picked some up for fun. I didn't realize they might be my new favorite bows and I now have an arsenal of a turtle, flowers, owl, bird, and Easter eggs on the way. LOVE these.
• Work. What can I say? Yesterday I was thisclose to tears b/c I was pretty sure I was losing a majority of my beloved coworkers to RIFs (reduction in force) and was sort of unsteady about my job next year. Today, the CEO tells a psych friend that they're somewhere between 0-7 cuts instead of the 30 they are all but broadcasting everywhere. For now, I'm a little less on edge. This is NO good for morale. Especially in this economy. It's the not knowing that's killing us all right now.
• Morgan continues to do well with potty training at Mary's. Yesterday she only had one wet diaper and it was after a nap. Today she only had wet nap diapers. :-D I also haven't cleaned a poop diaper in well over a week. Sweet.
  
• Next Friday (March 18th) we head to St. Louis!! Initially when Adam told me his first softball tourny was there I was a little like what?! so far...but then got really excited b/c it means we are going away for the weekend!! As a family. I'm VERY MUCH looking forward to it and we leave around noon that day.
• I don't know how we're going to squeeze a trip home to WI in any time soon. I want at least one buffer weekend at home on either side of St.L but I also have a class April 2nd...so who knows. Maybe the week after that. Sorry family. We're trying!
• Tonight, Adam was using one of the dog towels to dry puppy feet (yet again, bah). Morgan came running into the kitchen, grabbed a hand towel off the oven handle, and ran it to Daddy to "help." Heart her.
• Morgan. LOVES. Bubblewrap. I shipped a bow today and had to pack it in bubble wrap b/c I didn't have a box that would work for shipping this tiny little bow. So, bubble wrap and a manila envelope it was. :) Anyway, the huge amount of bubble wrap was pulled off her highchair tonight by little Miss Morgan and instead of letting her run all around the house with it, I opened it up and plopped her little feet on it. Since it was giant bubbles in the bubble wrap, they easily popped. She went back and forth walking across it. About 10 passes later, she started yelling, "GO!" every time she turned around to go again. Double heart her.
  
• While I was at the Y tonight, Adam said he let Morgan watch a little Dora. I didn't care a ton, but wondered why. He said she asked for it. Except by ask, he meant that she grabbed her Dora doll, walked her over to the TV, held her up to the TV, and said, "Dowa? Dowa??" OMG how CUTE is my kid!?!? It's ok, you can agree even if you have kids. ;-) They are all cute in their own right.
  
• Off to start a new bow order - 13 for one order! I'm eager to get started on this project b/c the friend ordering gave me details of the girls, some guidance, but said go for it! Incorporate all this together and make something great. EAGER to see what I come up with! :)
  

I think I ran out. Especially b/c Adam keeps eyeballin' me and wanting the computer. Stinker.

Bedtime

I heart our bedtime routine. I feel the need to document it b/c when she's 20 and can only fall asleep when she's lying on her left side, we'll know why. ;-) I digress: Bedtime through Morgan's eyes:

1. G'night everyone! ::blows 10,000 kisses b/c mom & dad think it's cute and can't get enough:: Either crawls or is carried up the stairs.
   
2. Run to the glider!! Hurry! Hafta beat mom/dad there!!
3. Giggle while I get set on the chair first and mom/dad turns on my space heater, humidifier, lamp to read by, monitor, and white noise machine. Move over!! Mom/Dad is way bigger and need some room!
4. If with Mom: read one book. Ask me if I want to read one more and reply, "Des." (yes) Listen to mom read one more book. Once in a while squeak a 3rd out of her, ha. If with Dad, read one book, the end.
   
5. Turn light off and listen to mom/dad say bedtime prayers. When s/he stops praying right before the last word, take my thumb out of my mouth and say, "Ahh-meh." (no /n/)
6. Be carried to my crib while getting kisses, hugs, and being told how much I'm loved. And also that I should sleep all night long and not wake up until as late as I can in the morning. ;-)
7. Lie down in my crib on my LEFT side always with my back against my crib bumper. When there is no side on my bed anymore (someday for a big girl bed) I might be in trouble and have to have dad move my bed to the wall so I don't go flying out of it.
   
8. Grab bunny, put thumb in mouth, and get covered up with my soft soft blanket. G'night.

And that is that. We're lucky she's so easy at bedtime.

Few more things...Tonight shortly before her bath, Morgan saw me check my iPod Touch. She started giggling like a drunken college teenager going to a house party wearing a tank top when it's 20 degrees outside. I grabbed the timer b/c earlier today I feel like she's perhaps having too hard of a time being "done" with it when it's time. So I set the timer for 7 minutes b/c it was bath time soon...and she did great until the timer went off. I then heard sounds from her I don't know if I'd ever heard before. Think arm getting ripped off...or maybe eye actually poked out. Poor kid. Soooooo sad. Nothing a bath won't cure. Hopefully starting the timer will help with this.

Lastly, I have to give a big hug of thanks to my stepmom, Susie, for coming to stay with us this week while Adam traveled. Her timing couldn't have been better - Morgan got pink eye Monday, it has been muddier than the bottom of a river thus making my house/floors disgusting, work was nuts especially in the beginning of the week, and her extra hands and kind words helped me keep my sanity during a rather trying (not terrible, but had potential to be) week. So thank you, Susie, for everything. We were truly blessed to have you around this week. To Morgan's other grandparents, you're always welcome to do the same! She loved having her grandma here.

Cheers to a good weekend with Adam home by 10pm. We missed him this week.

Rough Week's Start & Pink Eye

But hangin' in there. You'd think I'd be in a totally pissy mood but surprisingly, I'm annoyed on the inside and holding it together on the outside. My stepmom, Susie, is here all week since Adam's traveling and she has the current season (winter) off. Praise the Lord. This is awesomeness and I am thinking of kidnapping her and/or some grandparent forever while Adam's traveling. Shoot. I'll have 8 kids then. :-D (no freaking out, I'm kidding and almost went back to change that to 4)

So...rough week's start...Morgan went to bed Sunday night with odd goop in her right eye...I was worried it was pink eye and I hate being right all the time. ;-) Monday it was all pink and goopy so I was sort of thankful for the two-hour delay in Muscatine b/c it would have been tricky going to work on time and figuring out the doctor, etc. Long story short - since I was based out of the office that day, I wasn't supposed to get the 2hr delay. It was a global misunderstanding but it was one nonetheless. The day was just rough. The end. But I had a happy little pink-eyed girl to come home to so that always helps. :)

Today I was told that our new area rug is not in. This is after some girl told me it WAS in on Monday. Phil in flooring was very sorry but ours was not in and won't be in for a week or so. Fabulous. I'm so glad that I spent all that time choosing it and now can't have it for Adam to come home to and see. I am hoping we can find a different one at this point b/c I would love to withdraw my patronage at this store.

Besides the bang up week at work and the poor poor baby's pink eye, I'm in a rather good mood. Unless I think about work. Just when I thought it was safe to be cautiously optimistic for the next yearish...but still upbeat.

My train of thought (if you're still with me) is clearly discombobulated and not connected. I blame watching TV, minding the fire, thinking about a salty snack (why don't we ever have chips in this house!?), carry on a conversation with Susie, and blog. I must give a shout out to Susie as she's been wonderful this week and is likely a big reason why I have (almost) escaped Tuesday with Adam gone (for the week) with my sanity. That, and the idea that a glass of wine would go well with that salty snack I'm about to go find. ;-)