Morgan Is Three!!!

Three years ago today, Morgan Siena was born! Looking back, I was so clueless about what parenthood was like and how much she would change my life. After three years of motherhood, I feel like a 'veteran' of sorts, mainly because I can't quite remember the 'me' that I was before she came into my life. She has taught me so much about myself in the process, and the world...as strange as that sounds. Having a child puts everything around you in a new perspective, teaching you empathy, forgiveness, determination, patience, and what it means to finally grow up.

I hear people say that your child's birthday should also be a celebration for the mom, because you made the day possible and put in all that work. But I see Morgan's birthday as such a celebration of all that she has accomplished already. This third birthday is a much bigger deal to me because now she suddenly seems like a little girl, so independent and on her way in the world. So many big changes have happened lately as Morgan heads into the 'kid years.' She is suddenly so helpful and pretty cooperative most of the time. She plays by herself and with other kids independently, making up games and using her imagination. She even thinks about the new baby a lot, telling me that she wants to share a certain toy with him/her or help me change the diapers. She has been really fun to be around lately (not that she wasn't before, but...you know). But I've been warned about 3s being harder than 2s, but so far, she is such a joy. Another milestone this month was Morgan saying good-bye to her bedtime binkies. The binky fairy came and took them away to new babies and left her a big girl backpack!

Morgan also had her first haircut! She was pretty worried that it would hurt, but by the time we had the appointment, she was fine with it.
Before picture: long, baby curlsDuring: thinks its fun to touch the hair that was cut off
After picture: she has cute, bouncy hair!

On Sunday, we had a great celebration for Morgan's birthday with family and friends. Despite the rain, Morgan met a few neighborhood friends at our park and played and had cupcakes. She especially loved carrying the balloons all the way there. Morgan has a new 3 year-old girl posse, and they all love the tire swing and could spin in circles all day long.

Later, we had quite a few friends and family over to our place for an 'Oktoberfest' themed party (I am a firm believer that kids parties must appeal to adults as well!). We had some German food and good Oakshire microbrews (or so I'm told). Morgan ran around playing with Avery and other kid friends, and the grown ups seemed to be having a good time too. Morgan got some very nice presents that she was too busy to open (but she had a ball the next day opening and playing with each one - like the Halloween pj's and dressy skirt she refused to take off - in the top photo). We got to watch the flock of migrating swifts fly into the school chimney at dusk, so that was some fun entertainment. Then we came inside for Morgan's monkey cake that she was so excited about. She loved getting sung to - her smile was priceless - and blew the candles out all by herself this year. As she was eating cake, she turned to me and said, "Now am I threeee?!?" Even though it wasn't officially her birthday for three more days, I shouted, "Yes!" I figured I brought her into the world, so I could proclaim her three a little bit early! Happy Birthday, Morgan! We love you!

Ahh....September

I can't believe we are already near the end of September and Morgan's third birthday is nearly here. This has been a mellower month, after a summer of busyness, but I am tired! I guess it has to do with the little one in my belly more than the little one I chase after every day. But it's also been a fun month. Morgan and I had a relaxing Labor Day weekend at the beach house with my parents and Auntie Erica. We were blessed with beautiful weather - if I wasn't in this odd, misshapen state I could have been in a swim suit laying in the sun, it was that warm. Morgan also got her first visit to the Octopus Tree and Lighthouse at Cape Meares. Now she likes to tell me, "Mommy, when you were my age you used to go to the Ockapus Tree just like ME!!!"

That weekend was followed by a fun weekend in Seattle, staying with our newlywed friends, Sue and Joe, in their new home at Alki Beach. It was a part of Seattle I had never experienced and it was awesome! We played with Morgan in the sand, Sue and I rode along the beach on their new cruiser bikes, and we had the best cinnamon rolls on the planet at a nearby bakery (cinnamon rolls have become a recent obsession of mine). We were also in Seattle to attend a wedding of a college friend, so it was a good reunion of old friends (and mainly a chance to hang out without our kids!) The wedding was on this rooftop along the waterfront and we were treated to sunny skies, a view of downtown Seattle, and Mt. Rainer peeking through the clouds at sunset. We were so lucky that our friends, Candice and Cameron, could watch Morgan while we were at the wedding. They adore her and she loved being with them, and their new puppy, Kingston. Morgan had them wrapped around her finger, because she got them to swing her between them forever as they walked down then sidewalk. So cute! The weekend was fun for many reasons, but mostly because it reminded us how lucky we are to have such wonderful friends.


For me, September has also been about spending even more time with Morgan since she hasn't gone to preschool this month. I've been trying to keep us both busy and the change of routine has been nice. We are doing a "tumblebugs" movement class, rejoining the Spanish play group after many months, and going the library story time a lot. We have also spent more time at our park with new friends. I met a new mom recently who has a daughter just one week younger than Morgan. She is not only very nice and easy to talk to, but seems to know every other parent at the park. Yeah! Just what I have been looking for. It is so nice for both Morgan and I to have someone to "play" with on a regular basis, as well as connect with other people in the neighborhood.

Morgan's birthday is next week and we are having a party for her this weekend. Once she turns three she will start two full days a week at her new Spanish immersion preschool. Sam and I are very excited about this, and Morgan has been itching to go to her new school for weeks. I am looking forward to having more time to myself - such a luxury! But then I realize that this will really only last a couple of months. After December, I won't be alone....ever!

Morgan Funnies

I'm starting to crack up pretty much every day lately with things that come out of Morgan's mouth. Here are some that she's said in the last month or two:* After reading some books in Spanish, she asks, "Mommy, how do you laugh in Spanish?" (although she calls it "Fanish")

* She's started hitting us (well, winding up her tiny fist and jabbing at us in the air), and I know it's because she is frustrated with something. So when that happened the other day, I encouraged her to "use your words" instead of hitting. So she says, "Mommy, can I hit you?" At least she asked!

* "But I want to go potty outside," she says after I make her come inside from the back yard. I tell her that dogs and cat go outside, but people use the bathroom inside. Then she says, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a cat and go potty outside."* We were leaving my parents' house after swimming and dinner, and it was well past her bedtime. Hoping she'd fall asleep in the car on the way home, Sam tries singing her a song. He picked an old Bon Jovi song which didn't really sound much like a lullaby. After a few lines of listening, Morgan tells him, "Shhh, Daddy, I'm trying to sleep."
* Morgan was going to watch TV and I offered one of her favorite shows that I had "taped." She looked at me like I was talking crazy, because in her mind, tape was the sticky variety that could be used to fix anything. I realized I dated myself with that term, and explained that she could watch a recorded show from the DVR, but she didn't let me get away that easily. For the next couple days, she would look at me, roll her eyes, and say with a giggle, "Mommy, you can't TAPE a show! Ha ha ha!"* After mentioning that I would have to go to the doctor to have the baby born, Morgan proceeded to tell me how she was born. She said, "Mommy, you went to Dr. Russak (her pediatrician) and she put a machine in your tummy and I came out into the world!" If only it were that easy...
* We were playing with a shapes puzzle and practicing some Spanish. I held up a green piece and said, "Qué color is este?" (what color is this?). She said, "green" and I responded "verde" (green). Then she says, "I call it green, you call it verde."

Whew, What a Summer! My Top 8 Summer Moments...

8. Family Vacation Time This was the first summer in a long time that Sam and I were literally on vacation....like teachers were meant to do. Of course I'm not working, but Sam was able to be home so much this summer as well as enjoy a couple of vacations together. Now he has started back at work, and Morgan keeps asking where Daddy is. I think she got used to having him around. I know I did!7. A healthy, happy kid! I love the fact that I have not taken Morgan to see her pediatrician or forced medicine down her throat since April! We have enjoyed a healthy summer and the ability to play and explore and do new things without being sidelined by a sick kid, lack of sleep, or worries about what's wrong with her. Of course, as I write this, Morgan is sick with the first cold of the season, so I am really appreciating those glory days of summer!6. Stepping Back in Time My last two posts already made this point, but I have to say that taking the trip to Montreal without a child felt like stepping back in time to my pre-kid days. Of course I am pregnant so I wasn't partying it up, but having time just with Sam and being able to spend several (five!) consecutive days any way I chose was such a treat. Traveling and exploring a new city together reminded me of who we were a few years ago. As parents, you really don't get time off...ever...and a few hours here or there just doesn't quite bring you back to yourself. So while I would never change my life or the rewarding experiences of being a mother, it was incredible to have that chunk of time "off" from real life. (A huge thanks to my parents, sister, and in-laws!)5. Hanging with Naomi I was so happy and impressed when I found out my best friend, Naomi, was willing to fly from Texas to Oregon alone with her three kids (ages 6, 4, and 2) for a visit in August! We had lots of fun hanging out with the kids....swimming at my parents, going to the zoo, and on a longer-than-planned downtown excursion. We even got to have one girl's night with an amazing dinner at Andina. While I wished we could have had more time together, considering we have 4 1/2 kids between us, it was very fun getting to hang out together. (And she is a superstar mom!)4. Weddings! Weddings! Weddings! I tallied the number of invites we received for weddings and receptions this summer: eight! We haven't had this kind of streak since right after college. And most of the weddings this summer were of close friends or family, making them very special. From the impromptu living room wedding of a colleague of Sam's (who's wife had a baby two days after the ceremony), to a countryside wedding in Eugene, to Kim and Sanju's romantic and intimate ceremony, to seeing our match-making skills end in Sue & Joe's marriage, to watching our daughter as a beautiful flower girl.....it has been very very fun. And with us celebrating our 10 year anniversary this summer, it made witnessing these ceremonies even more touching.3. An International Reunion When we set up our college friend, Joe, with our Prague teaching friend, Sue, three years ago we didn't imagine (okay, maybe just a little) that they would be getting married a few years later! Not only was it fantastic to see two amazing people find each other, but it was also incredible that we got to have a reunion with friends that we taught with in Prague. It had been at least four years since had seen Christine, Anita, Mandy, and Michelle - who are all teaching overseas in new countries. Christine visited first, actually unable to stay for the wedding, but we had a great visit with her. She and Sam were office mates in Prague, and now she lives and works in Jakarta. We toured Portland and went up to Mount St. Helens. For the wedding a week later, we hosted Mandy and her boyfriend, Florian, who now live in Vienna. They were on an American road trip and so much fun to have around. We had an impromptu barbecue with them, Michelle and Anita the night before the wedding. Michelle and I had fun sharing mommy stories - she has two kids since I last saw her. Seeing everyone brought back so many great memories, it also made me a little envious of the life we used to live overseas. Yet all of us were nostalgic for our glory days in Prague, but life goes on and so do we. I'm just thankful for those amazing friendships and memories.2. Growing Up Fast They say that kids grow a lot over the summer, but I think that refers to their height. Morgan has grown up in so many other ways this summer, and it has been so fun to watch. First of all, we are finally in the home stretch of potty training! She finally seems to be consistent (you may recall we began this in January!) and taken ownership of this very personal skill. Second, she has been swimming like a champ. Give her goggles and water wings and the girl is swimming! She loves the water and has learned so many new skills (caution, however, is not one of them). Third, she loves doing things "all by myself," which is music to my ears when I imagine adding a newborn to the mix. Whether it's climbing high on playground, playing independently in her room, or helping out around the house, she is growing up fast. Her third birthday is coming fast too! 1. Expecting New Joy I am so lucky to be experiencing a healthy pregnancy and awaiting a new life that will add joy and new experiences to our family. Watching my body do it's thing and grow and change while the new baby grows inside of me is pretty amazing, even the second time around. We had a bit of a scare that something was wrong with the baby early on, so knowing that everything is okay so far makes me count my blessings even more. I definitely grumble about the discomfort of pregnancy, especially since it isn't as new and exciting the second time, but then remember how lucky I am to be able to experience this at all. I am definitely getting excited to meet this little one. It will be a very special Christmas this year!

Montreal, Part Deux

In the last couple days, Sam and I have explored more of Montreal as well as reconnected with old grad school friends. We hiked to the top of Parc Mont-Real, the hill with beautiful views overlooking the city, their version of Central Park. It is right behind McGill University, a beautiful old university in the heart of the city. We wandered around the Plateau neighborhood, full of hip shops and cool restaurants - like NW 23rd times 100. We were with our friends Jonathan and Suzanne, a couple we met when we first moved to Eugene, and Sam and Suzanne finished their doctorates together. Their kids are at home also and we had a blast bar hopping, dodging a downpouring thunderstorm, and eating a fabulous french meal. We had long dinners with other U of O friends, crepes in a sidewalk cafe in Old Montreal, and lunch in a hip department store cafe downtown.While Sam was working, I got to wander around and walk until I couldn't walk anymore. I took pictures of old buildings and listened to street musicians, did a little shopping....all on my own schedule. I also made sure I took plenty of naps and read my book and let myself get a little bored. I haven't had this much time alone in years it seems - whether I'm by myself in our hotel room or anonymous on a busy street, it feels really nice. One thing I wanted to do was rent a Bixi bike. There are these bike stands all over the city where you can rent bikes with a swipe of a credit card for $5. When you finish riding, you just plug it back into another Bixi station in the city. Today was the day. Sam had to do interviews for a position they are hiring for at U of P and I was on my own. There was a nine mile jogging and bike path along a canal that I wanted to ride along, but by the time I walked down there, it was raining and windy and biking was not something I wanted to do. It wasn't supposed to rain until the afternoon, but the weather here changes pretty fast. So, I ducked into the nearest Metro station and decided to ride the subway around - at least there I'd stay dry.
It was as if some part of my brain had been reactivated when I bought my ticket and went through the turnstiles. I hadn't ridden a subway since we were in Prague, and had forgotten what a big part of my life that was. For two years, Sam and I commuted to our school everyday on the Metro (and then by bus). And once your brain figures out one subway system, riding another one is easy. I didn't realize how much I missed the greasy smell of the tracks, the whooshing wind of an approaching train, or the hypnotizing sway as you ride along. Portland has pretty amazing public transportation, but there is something about an underground metro that I will always find comforting.And despite being in a different city and country where the dominant language is not English and I feel clueless and awkward a lot, I do find it oddly comforting to be uncomfortable. My brain has to think in a different way, constantly trying to interpret clues to make sense of things. I am also filtering out a lot of input that I simply can't comprehend, just like I did in Prague. I remember that being very exhausting, but now that I only have to do it in small doses, I find it both very nostalgic and very exciting. I miss it a lot, actually.

While Sam and I were walking around the city the other day, we were discussing where we will go when he has his first sabbatical (not for at least 6 years). I have been pestering him that we have to go live overseas again during that time where he will get a gig guest teaching at some exotic university somewhere. So while I don't quite consider Canada "overseas," I could see us coming here to Montreal. It has a lot of what I miss about Europe, my French would definitely improve, and I think it would be a pretty nice international experience.

Traveling Abroad...well, sort of

Sam and I are on our first international travels together alone in over four years. And while I used to not consider traveling to Canada going abroad, I do now, especially considering the likelihood of doing it again in the next few years with two kids running around is pretty slim.

So here were are in Montreal, Quebec, Canada - to be official. It really doesn't feel like Canada, more like its own country, which is the point of all this French speaking anyway. English is definitely the minority language here, but I find myself struggling with trying to spit out a few words of French to be polite (like I would if I were actually in France), or just going with English and letting the bilingual locals switch over to accommodate us. Clearly, I am feeling like an inferior American when it comes to other languages.Sam and I arrived yesterday evening after a day of flying. It took us a while, and I actually found the ride a little slow, sitting on an airplane with no little person keeping me constantly busy pulling things out of my carry-on. But I have forgotten how nice it is to travel grown-up style, with just myself to worry about. And Sam never told me he needed to go potty, spilled on himself, or cried because he was bored or tired. He was, and always will be, a great traveling companion.We have started our vacation with about 11 hours of heavenly, uninterrupted sleep - we needed to recover from a busy week prior with international visitors and our friends' wedding. This morning we walked down to Old Montreal along the waterfront. The buildings are old, the streets are narrow and cobble stoned, and there are many beautiful buildings. We went into the Notre Dame Basilica, and being back in a huge, ornate Catholic church took me back to our travels in Europe. It was pretty hot and humid today, and we haven't experienced this probably since our travels back in New York City or D.C. Several times, we commented on how we were SO glad that Morgan wasn't along with us. Originally, we planned to bring her, but Erica suggested that we take advantage of this time and have an adults-only vacation, since it will be a lot harder to do that once baby #2 arrives. With the heat and being in an unknown city with an opinionated, "I need to go potty" toddler would not be quite as much fun.Montreal is a very cool city, just like we had heard. It feels a bit like Paris, New York, and Boston all rolled into one unique place. Unfortunately, much of central Montreal is under construction, so it's a bit noisier and chaotic than I thought, but still a very enjoyable city.The Notre Dame Basilica - looks a lot like the one in Paris from the outside (minus the backhoe and piles of dirt)....
..... but on the inside, it's quite colorful and dramatic.