Miss Avery

Recently, I wrote about how much Morgan adored her older cousin, Noah. Well, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't also write about how much she loves her cousin, Avery. The two girls have had a lot more opportunities to play together since we've moved back to Portland. Morgan and I have gone over to their house recently on their days off from school to hang out with them. It's been very fun for me as an aunt to spend more time with my niece and nephew, but it's also so much fun to see Morgan interact with her cousins.

Avery is four years older than Morgan, yet the two of them play so well together. Morgan loves all of Avery's toys and, being girls, they have a lot of common interests. She tries to keep up with Avery and listens to her better than her own parents! And Avery is so patient and kind with her. She treats Morgan like a friend and equal, yet is always watching out for her and making sure that she stays safe.The last time they were playing together, they had even more fun. Avery is a natural teacher and decided to open "Miss Avery's Gymnastics Academy." It was pretty hilarious. Avery would say things like, "Okay, Mowgan, first let's try stretching, and then later we can work on cartwheels." Morgan also shared some of her expertise with Avery, singing the "ABCs" at least ten times throughout the day. Eventually, Avery exclaimed, "I can't get the ABC song out of my head!" While Morgan napped, I enjoyed playing baseball with Avery in the garage, who is a natural at sports like her brother. Later I had fun towing both girls around the neighborhood in the red wagon. Noah joined in on the fun and was a good sport, giving the girls ride after ride in the wagon.I can't wait to spend more time with Noah and Avery. I have missed out on a lot while we lived in Prague and Eugene. They are growing up so fast, yet are turning into awesome people already! And I know Morgan can't wait for the next time she gets to play with her cousins!

Autumn is Here!

Being back in Portland, our lives definitely seem busier. We are lucky to have many friends and family here to spend time with. But it sure makes the time go by fast....as does a busy toddler! And it seems lately we have been very busy being sick! Morgan has had cold after cold and been sick to some degree for about the past six weeks....and it's only October! If I look at a different way, we are busy building up Morgan's immune system, but it's hard to think that positively when dealing with fevers, runny noses, horrible sounding coughs and trips to the doctor - all new territory for us. Morgan has always been very healthy and protected from the petri dish of day care because she was home with me or her nannies her first two years. But I cannot postpone the inevitable and since she is really enjoying "school," I just hope we can get through this winter without being sick the entire time (and hopefully avoid H1N1!) Morgan has been a trooper and has only been mildly crabby at times. I, on the other hand, suddenly am a worrier and lay in bed at night (after waking from her coughing) with a mind racing with fears about her health. Fortunately, we have a patient pediatrician who is counseling me through this parenting rite of passage - it's just part of life!

So despite the sickness, I love this time of year and we are enjoying it here in Portland. From Duck games, trips to the zoo, taking the street car to the farmer's market, walks in our neighborhood, and a drive to Hood River and the pumpkin patch, we are cherishing this beautiful (and short-lived) time of year.

Tailgating in Eugene with Ian and Elizabeth.

Visiting the zoo with Grandma Gail on a beautiful October afternoon. The Saturday Farmer's Market at PSU.
Morgan at a pumpkin patch in Hood River, with Mt. Adams in the distance.

Morgan loves to run at "her" park by our house.

As parents, trips to the pumpkin patch or a walk through the park now become such memorable moments that we are making as a family. If Morgan wasn't around, I think Sam and I would have a pretty boring life. The other morning I went on a (rare) run around the neighborhood, as kids were walking to school, leaves were falling, and the sun was shining through the golden trees. The smell of the leaves and sights and smells of that morning are what I am going to hold onto as our weather changes and the days grow darker. But there will be a lot more firsts for us as a family to look forward to as the holidays roll around and Morgan grows and grows!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Morgan!

Our little girl turned two years old the other day! In many ways, it's hard to believe she is already two, but seeing her run and talk and play, I swear sometimes she is older than that. There were certainly lots of changes this year, but I didn't realize how much she had changed until I started looking at photos and videos of her a year ago. She was still a baby when she had her first birthday, but now she is such a little girl.

Since her last birthday, Morgan has learned to walk, run, jump, and most recently, gallop! She explores the world around her with such enthusiasm and wonder, particularly when new people are involved. We have had such fun seeing her experience so many new places and people and things, and we find ourselves looking at the world a little differently because of all the things she points out to us. Her speaking abilities have really exploded and she is now talking in paragraphs, I swear! She is also picking up Spanish from me and a play group we go to, and she uses it correctly on her own a lot. Her imagination has also ignited, so we are witnessing making "dinner," forks and spoons that talk to each other, and tucking in her "babies" on a daily basis. It truly is an amazing age to experience.We had a fun birthday party for her with our families weekend before last, and Elmo was a big part of the festivities. Morgan handled all the adult attention quite well, opening her many presents, thanking everyone, and holding it together through the end. One funny moment was when she had her birthday cupcake. After blowing out the #2 candle, she wouldn't eat her cupcake (after I spent the morning making them), and insisted on getting a fork and poking it like a big girl. She is growing up fast! We are so thankful to have been blessed with this darling, smart, and caring little girl. We can't wait to see what she teaches us in this next year of her life!

We love you, Morgan Siena!