. . . Hello Four!

Morgan is officially four years old now, and I realized so is this blog!  When I first started it four years ago, right before Morgan was born, I didn't realize what I was getting myself into.  Sometimes I am full of ideas and thoughtful writing, other times I post whatever comes to mind, and other times it feels like another thing on my to-do list.  Regardless, I am so amazed at the journey my life has taken in the last four years, and I am thankful that there are these snapshots of the highs and lows and in-betweens of motherhood and the life of my family recorded here.  I never really know who is reading this, but thank you to those that do.  I hope it is entertaining, keeps you connected to us, and isn't too cheesey or self-absorbed!

Anyway... we had such a fun time celebrating Morgan's 4th birthday this year!  By this age, she really knows what birthdays are about, and it felt like Christmas for me, seeing her so happy and joyful.  On her actual birthday, September 29, she woke up to a new big girl bike!  It was a used one we bought from a neighbor and just her size.  She even got to ride it down the hallway before she headed off to school. 

Then it was off to preschool, where she got to share a birthday poster with photos from each year of her life.  Sam and Sasha and I visited to see her get her birthday crown and sing "Happy Birthday" and "Feliz Cumpleaños" to her with her group at school.  It was a warm fall day, and Sam and Kim picked her up from school in the afternoon and we all met at our old neighborhood park to play.  We even ran into some old friends that she used to play before we moved.  Then we headed to a divey Mexican restaurant in our old neighborhood for dinner.  The margaritas are the strongest anywhere, but we went there because they have a great kids' plate Morgan loves.  Honest.

Queen for the day!

Sharing a laugh with Nana

On Sunday, we had a party at our house with family and friends.  Morgan wanted a pony/horse theme, so we got a horse piñata, cake and played a few games, including "pin the tail on the pony," of course.  Most of the adults were upstairs and the kids were in the basement.  It is so nice having so much room now in this house!  I loved seeing Morgan running around in her party dress with a pointy birthday hat (which she made sure I purchased) wearing the biggest smile ever.  She loves other people so much, and having friends and family here to celebrate, as well as games and cake.... well, it was just her best day ever!

When it was time for cake, she had an extra special treat...Uncle Ron played "Happy Birthday" on the accordion for her!  Later, it was time for the piñata.  Since it was rainy outside, so Sam got creative and was able to rig the piñata through a heat vent register in our basement.  It worked perfectly (well, the string only broke that once), so between the preschool set and the older cousins, everyone had a fun time and the piñata was a success. 

Morgan and her piñata

Noah delivers quite a blow

Avery has a graceful swing

Sasha is getting ready for her birthday in a couple months

Morgan has also taken her new bike out for some rides this week and, I have to say, she is a natural.  She can pedal quite fast and knows how to brake (and leave skid marks!).  She learned how to push her bike across the street, steer around corners, and even stand up and pedal to get going.  When she  did this going up a small hill she turned to me and said, "Mom, I like going downhill better."  I will have to keep an eye on her, for sure, but it really is exciting to see her go go go!  

 

Go Speed Racer!!!

Turning four also included Morgan's yearly check-up (and four shots - uggghhhh!) at her doctor.  That was one of my worst days yet.  I was glad we powered through Morgan's screams and fits to get them done, because she won't need anymore for many years to come (so they tell me).  But after shot #3, I was in tears and they had to call in another nurse to hold her down.  AWFUL . . . but even as we left the doctor's office, she bounced back and was her old self.  Amazing.

She chose to sit in the airplane ... and watch TV!

I can't decide if she looks younger or older now!

And to top off this week, Morgan got a haircut - a big one - for the first time at a kids' place.  I have been wanting to get more cut off because her hair, as beautiful as it is and cute as it looks in braids, is a lot of work, especially with baths and swimming lessons.  So, here is the "new" Morgan!  She was very happy to have her hair cut (although she did want to get it cut super short like the neighbor girl she idolizes!)







(PS:  I apologize for the weird formatting.  Blogger has changed their format and I am still trying to figure out the layouts. And it looks different when it posts than when I am editing it.)

Good-bye, Three . . .

Morgan's year of being three is officially over, and it was a very interesting one.  Everyone said how age three was harder than two and I believe it.  Add into that the arrival of a new sibling, and it was quite a ride.  I already saw Morgan starting to "come to her senses" (I mean that in a good way!) as her birthday approached.  Our conversations are now getting more in-depth, she asks really amazing questions, and she also repeats (loudly) whatever happens to be going through her head at the moment.  I am hoping age four will have more of this (even if it embarrasses me) and less of the power struggles and drama.... a mom can hope, right?

Here are some of the funny things that have come out of her mouth as a three year old - I can only imagine what she is going to say as a four-year old.

"Morganese:"
sangwidge = sandwich
confany = company
booktionary = dictionary
binoculators = binoculars

"Do you know how baby seahorses come out? From their stomachs!!  They don't have hospitals!"

She was home sick from school one day and was starting to feel better.  "I can't go to school today because I don't want to give my boogers to my friends."


After trying to get her to go potty before a nap, Morgan got off the potty and said, "Nothing came out.  My pee and poo poo are having a sleepover and aren't ready to come out."


While doing the pjs and brushing teeth routine one night, she turns to me and says, "When I grow up, I'm not going to be a parent. I just want to be a grandparent.  It's more fun."

She saw me sharpening a knife and said, "Are those knives exercising?"


After looking at coins a few days earlier, Mo said, "I want a ponytail just like George Washington." 

"Mom, are you 36?"  Yes, I say.  "When I am 36 I am not going to live with you anymore.  I am going to have my own house." Who is going to live with you? I ask.  "A groom/broom.  And I am going to have three kids." 


On a daily basis, we hear "Want to see how fast I can run?" "Look at how long my legs are! They grew!" "Look how fast I can go" (on her bike or scooter)

After reading books one night and turning off the light, I lean down and hug her.  She hugs me back and says, "I'm going to keep you here forever."

After a very busy and exciting day at her 4th birthday party, we were trying to get Morgan ready for bed.  She was on the verge of a meltdown from all the sugar and running around, so she shouts, "But I want this day to last foreverrrrrrr!!!"  Shortly after that, she and I are in the bathroom getting her ready for bed.  I say, "Oh, we forgot to get a picture of you and me and Daddy at your birthday party." She looks at me with all of her four-year-old wisdom and says, "It's okay Mommy.  It's over."  See, she is already more mature.  Man, I love that girl.