Father's Day 2011

I love Father's Day!  I am the luckiest girl in the world-I found my perfect match in high school.  We became the best of friends and have always had the most fun together.  We have been through much of our "growing up" experiences together.  We have made good decisions and bad decisions together.  But perhaps the most important thing we have done is the decision to start a family. 
We always knew we would have kids-it was never a question.  But the moment Connor was born changed our lives forever.  I watched Ryan change into a father instantly.  It is something I'll never fully to be able to explain into words, but a change I will never forget.  When he laid eyes on Connor, his world was turned upside down in the best way possible.  He has always been there to change diapers in the middle of the night, get cranberry juice while I was nursing, comfort me while I cried (happily) for no reason.  He has cheered Connor on through ever new step in his life.  He encouraged him to roll over and manned the video camera to capture it on tape.  He laughed as Connor did his "superman".  He stayed home for a couple weeks while I went back to work to bond with his son.  He has been there for his tumbles, his tears, and his triumphs every step of the way.  Now, he hurries home from work to wrestle with Connor and spend every second he can with him before it's time for bed.  He takes him outside to swing and blow bubbles, and shows tremendous patience when whining takes place and tantrums are thrown. 
The point is...he's not just a father, he's a Daddy.  He is Connor's favorite man in the world, the person Connor will look up to all of his life. 


So, we made sure Ryan knew just how much he was loved this weekend (or at least that was the goal!).  He works so hard at his job every day to support us, and often works just as hard around the house on the weekends.  This weekend, we found someone to come do the front, back and side yards.  It's a TON of work!  We had many bushes and plants that needed some help from the winter freeze, and it's hard for Ryan to keep up.  Ryan supervised, and was amazed at how quickly they worked and what a great job they did.  He would have been out there all weekend for two weeks in a row to do what they had done in 3 hours.  Whew!  He loved it!
The morning of Father's Day, I let Ryan sleep in and when he got up I made coffee and pancakes (a specialty of mine, not to brag!  I just love pancakes, what can I say!)-some with blueberries and some with bananas (and chocolate chips for me).  He opened his presents-two new books to read to Connor that teach him about basketball, a picture collage of the two of them, and a stepping stone with Connor's cute footprint in it for his nice, clean yard!  Then we got ready and went to the Diamondbacks game!  Ryan's sister and husband invited us along to a friends' suite for the game, which was perfect for Connor, their little one, Jack, and Ryan's oldest sisters' kiddos, Alyssa and Brendan to run around the room and play while still watching the game.  It was AWESOME!  A great day with family, kids, hot dogs, popcorn and baseball!  (even if the dbacks did lose!)
We came home and played some more before heading out to Ryan's favorite BBQ place, Bobby Q's.  PS-I'm so glad I made a reservation.  That place was packed!  We had some yummy bbq, and I even let Ryan pick dessert.

Ryan said he felt the love, so I think we did our job.  I sure hope he knows how much he is loved and appreciated by us every day.  I don't know what we would do without him!

Swim Lessons Round 1

I've been wanting to put Connor in swim lessons since last summer.  Many of my friends take their kids to Hubbard, which has an amazing reputation, but is also year round and a whopping $75 a month for one day a week.  So, I decided to wait until this summer to make sure Connor is old enough to start understanding the lessons being taught in the water...even better, the City of Glendale offers swim for $21 a session, four days a week for two weeks.  It gives us something to do to burn off energy in the hot afternoons when we can't go outside.  Plus this preggo enjoys the water as much as Connor does!
Connor did A-MAZ-ING!  I knew he was a water kid, but he literally cried when he saw the water...and not because he was scared-it was because he wanted in RIGHT NOW!  As we stood there with our instructor getting introduced, Connor cried because he saw the giant pool of blue, and could not understand why we were not in it.  This happened every single day for the first week.  I think he finally got the drift by the last day of class.
Each day, we practiced skills like blowing bubbles in the water (yeah...we'll work on that.  He swallowed more than anything else), singing "Pop Goes the Weasel" to learn to splash, singing "Motor Boat" to get used to the chilly water, climbing out of the pool (Connor's personal best, my little monkey!), Monkey Walks on the side of the pool (did great with support), Back Floats (hated), and holding on to a noodle while kicking (also one of his strong points). 
I loved our routine.  We went a little before 5:00, which gave Connor some time to have a drink and snack and play a little before we were out the door, and by the time we came home, Ryan was home and we ate and got ready for bed.  I have never seen this boy eat so much in his life!  He ate at least two helpings of whatever we had for dinner-meats, veggies and fruit-it didn't matter, he was starving!
This week, we are getting ready for our big trip to Montana, and would miss half of the session.  We'll be back at it again in July, and we can't wait! 
Ryan was able to come to one of the lessons, so here are a few pictures of my two favorite men.  It was so cute to watch them!

20 weeks and 19 months

We say it constantly, but time flies by!  I am half way through my pregnancy.  HALF WAY!  It seemed like forever to get here with Connor, but life with a 19 month old seems to make the days zoom by.  Here is a quick update in the life of our busy household!  *Disclaimer: it may not be so quick!*

Pregnancy:
On Tuesday, I went in for my 20 week appointment.  I've gained 7 pounds now since the beginning of my pregnancy-I was concerned I may not be eating enough, but she says all is fine and that I should be gaining about a pound a week from here on out.  She got the heartbeat after this baby girl bounced around my belly for a minute.  She moves ALL. THE. TIME.  Seriously-Ryan felt her for the first time about a week and half ago.  After breakfast yesterday (blueberry pancakes-apparently, she's a fan!) I had Ryan put his hand on by belly and she gave him a huge kick!  It freaked him out how strong she is already.  I told him that's exactly what I feel literally all day long.  I swear she's just swimming from one end to the other and bouncing off the walls.  Let's hope she gets it all out now and is nice and calm when she joins our family in a few months!! 
I had my ultrasound at 18 weeks, which hasn't given the uterus much time to grow.  Therefore, my placenta was just a little too close for comfort to the cervix.  Not a big deal from what the ultrasound tech said, but my Dr. wants me to go back on the 22nd just to make sure it's moved a safe distance away.  If not, it'll be some rest for me because of a little previa.  I'm not worried about it-I'm just excited to see our baby girl again!!!  What luck!
Nesting is in full swing already.  I think that's due to the fact that I know how fast the days are moving by.  I put my poor husband to work this weekend rearranging the house.  We switched our living rooms (again!) and moved the sectional back into our living room for more seating space.  Connor is sitting on the couch with us more, and our little couch wasn't cutting it.  So, when we have 4 of us that want sprawling out space, we'll have it!  Not to mention the visitors that will come meet our baby girl!  Then, Ryan gave up his office and moved the computer and all that comes with it into our other living room.  It actually looks pretty good!  Next to that room is a small carpeted dining room which never gets used.  That is now a play area for Connor, and hides all of his toys nicely when people come in the door.  Now all I have to do is finish cleaning out the office and guest room, and start buying some furniture to put in her room.  Goal: get it done before school starts again!
I'm very lucky to be feeling so good.  My appetite is back to great, and I'm eating a lot of small meals throughout the day.  Since Connor wants what I have, it's a good reminder to choose some healthier snacks.  My energy is back, and I'm still sleeping great.  I know I have to savor this-in another month or two, my stomach whill shrink and I'll be peeing every hour through the night! :)

Connor:
I could go on and on about my little man.  It could be the pregnancy emotions, but let's face it: I'm a cryer anyway!  For the past 19 months, it's just been the two of us, and I'm about to change all that!  So, I'm trying so hard every day to make sure we are making the best memories together.  I know he won't remember, but I still feel the need.  Here are some of the things I don't want to forget at this age!
*his "shake" game-he shakes his head til he's dizzy, then I shake mine to tickle his face and kiss him all over.  He giggles like crazy!  I love it!
*playing chase around the house with Ryan.  He grabs my hand and we have to go find him.  Ryan will jump out and scare him, and we go running laughing around the corner to find him again.  (on this note: how he LOVES when Ryan comes home.  It's automatic wrestle time-these two are best buds-it's amazing to watch)
*kisses-only for the people he knows well.  So far-me, Ryan, Nana, and his sitter Rachel.  Sometimes, if he's in a really good mood, other people will.  He even gave Aunt Jennie kisses when she was in town.
*his love of the darn DVD player.  I'm not sure other kids his age know how to work the DVD player as well as he does.  And I swear it's not because he sits in front of the tv all day!  He just loves to press the button, take out the DVD, and push it back in.  This happens OVER AND OVER.  My mom brought over her old dvd player just so he doesn't wear ours out.  Best toy ever.
*he brings his shoes whenever he wants to go outside, which is often.  I laugh every time because he brings them, sits down, and sticks one foot up in the air.  You can't resist kissing his little fat feet.
*his friendship with Sammi, our dog.  He goes up to her, and whacks her three times on the back.  Sammi loves it because she's getting attention.  They also both love bubbles equally right now...and water.  They'll be good friends! 
*his OCD with having doors shut.  If it's the refrigerator, drawer, or doors in the house, he has to shut them.  It's cute, but sometimes I get slammed with the refrigerator door if I"m not paying attention!
*He knows I kiss him all over right before I get him out of the carseat.  As soon as I open the door, he gets a big grin on his face and prepares himself for our kissing game.
*At naptime or bedtime, when I say "Let's go nite-nite", he grabs my hand and his blankie, and we walk to bed.  On the tile, we have to pick up our right leg and stomp, but that stops when we hit the carpet.  Then we read two books (after he's opened and shut the door a few times), and off to dreamland he goes.
*Our sneak peak before bed-Ryan and I sneak in, give him a little rub on the back or kiss on the head, comment on how huge he looks and how peaceful he sleeps all snuggled with his blankie.
*His love of starbucks...well the cups anyway!  I'm threatening to get him his own because he loves drinking out of my reusable cup so much!

I know there's a million more things, but these are part of our every day routine.  I know that changes so often, so although it may seem so common now, I know that in 6 months I'll look back and miss it.

I'm also hoping that between now and then, this boy TALKS!!!  He is so stinkin smart.  He knows absolutely everything you are saying, to the point where you almost have to spell it out if you don't want him to understand.  Yet, he's not speaking.  He makes noises, he babbles, he follows your verbal directions, etc.  But he just refuses to speak.  I repeat all the things I want him to say-just one word or two word phrases, and nothing.  I know this is the difference between boys and girls, and in children in general, but holy moly, I need him to start talking.  We are  getting frustrated with each other because he knows what he wants, and most of the time I do too (which is why I think he's gotten away with not talking for so long in the first place), but we can only go so far without some verbal communication.  I hope it comes soon!!

Other than that, we are heading to Montana in 3 weeks, and I can't wait!  Connor is going to love it there this year, and I can't wait for Ryan and I to be able to spend the whole day outside exploring with him.  Last year in Montana he started crawling and pulling himself up, so who knows-maybe he'll learn to talk with all the family chatter around him!

Sorry for the long update-I know it's been awhile!

For the Love of...Mom and Daughters days!

My sister is in town!!  It's funny, I never thought I would have to miss my sister.  We are four years apart, so when I graduated 8th grade, we were never in school together again.  That caused our perfect friendship we had as little girls to take a slight turn...my friends and I never wanted her around, and when she was old enough, she'd steal my clothes without asking.  Today, it makes me cry that we didn't spend more time together.  That's because today, she lives on the other side of the country.  Our time together is precious now, because we never know when we are going to get it again! 

For Mother's Day, my mom wanted to spend a girl's day together.  Off Connor went to his sitter, who graciously took him in for the whole day instead of his normal 3 and half hours.  We started our day with a trip to Starbucks with our new cups in hand!

Then it was off to our new favorite place for pedicures.  Even though I can't get a "true" foot and ankle massage, it felt amazing!  We all picked a nice summery color and a fun design while laughing and catching up on each other's lives. Here's a picture of the end result! :)

Then we were off to lunch, which is always a tough decision among three indecisive women!  We finally agreed upon Pita Jungle...oh so good!

After some much needed food, we shopped til we dropped at Macy's (for maternity clothes), Gymboree for Connor, Nordstrom Rack (our new favorite since it opened!) and Old Navy.  By then, our time and budgeted allowance were up, and it was time to end the day. 

It was so nice to spend some time with just my Mom and Jen.  And I love Connor, but I forgot what it was like to shop without him!  I got so much more done in such a short amount of time! 

Thanks, Mom and Jen for an the best family a girl could ask for!  

For the Love of...April! (and a little bit of May)

Holy cow, April came and went in the blink of an eye!  Story of my life these days!  First, I'll give you a quick update of my pregnancy:
Today I am:
16 weeks and 5 days
37 inches around
129 pounds
We had a doctor's appointment on Friday, and waited forever thanks to a gliche in the automated voice system that reminded me that my appointment was at 2:00, when it was, in fact, at 2:30.  Then we had to listen to an older lady complain of some very disturbing issues through the very thin walls! Ryan and I were desperately reaching for any topic of conversation so we didn't have to hear this woman! Yikes!
Finally, Dr. Jaacks came in, and measured me, and we got to hear our baby's heartbeat!  This time, the heart rate was 149, down from 155 at our last appointment.  I think it's a girl, Ryan thinks it's a boy, and Mom had a dream last night it was a boy.  We shall see in T-Minus 10 days!  I can hardly wait!

Now, on to Mr. C.  Connor celebrated his 18 month birthday on May 3rd and I cried.  Yup, I did!  How in the world did my baby boy become ONE YEAR AND SIX MONTHS old?!?  He is growing and changing every single day.  I mentioned a lot of his milestones in the post to the family below, but he seems to be talking a lot more in the last couple weeks.  I say "talking", but he's babbling like crazy, and they are starting to sound like words.  He's INCREDIBLY close to saying "I Love You"...you can hear it! 

Back to April!  Here are some highlights from the month:

A trip to the Train Park out in Scottsdale, where Connor found a love for trains, big and small!

Easter! We started with a celebration at Stroller Strides-he was a pro since he had already hunted eggs once at his sitter, Rachels.

 Easter at Aunt Amy, Uncle Eric's and cousins Alyssa and Brendan's house with Grandma Janis and Grandpa Terry, and Aunt Carly and Uncle Gabe with Baby Cousin, Jack (who is just one year younger!)

Followed by Easter at Aunt Mary and Glyn's Ranch in Buckeye!

 And, finally, a very special visit to Prescott Valley to visit one of my good friends, Roxanne, and her little one Elly.  Elly and Connor are just 10 days apart! 

I love this little man more than words can say-that smile right there on his handsome little face melts my heart every single time!  As I'm writing this on Mother's Day, I realize how lucky I am to be his Mom.  Even on the hard days, the hugs and kisses I get from him, and the love that Ryan and I have for each other because of him are the biggest Mother's Day gift I could ever ask for.  Thank you, Connor, for making me the luckiest mommy in the world!



Big News!

Big news was sent out to family and friends this week!  We'll be adding some more "love" to our Morgan Family soon!  Read below to see what's been happening in our lives, and what is to come! 

Hi family and friends!  I hope you all are doing as great as I am!  I thought you all might want to know what has been happening in my crazy world, so I’m sending you this email.   Well, I should say I’m babbling to mommy, and she’s writing for me, but you get the picture…

I’m 17 months old now.  Can you believe it?   Mom and Dad say that I really need to stop growing, but it’s just too much fun to stop.  I learn something new every single day!  I started walking just before my first birthday.  A few wobbly steps quickly turned in to running around the house as fast as I can!  Since then, I’ve discovered all sorts of new things to get into-my favorite being the Tupperware lid drawer.  I also love to stack things.  I have these stacking cups that I hold (with just one hand, not with two!) and stack just so.  Then I knock them all down and start again.  I also love puzzles and sorting shapes, but sometimes need a little help with those because I can get frustrated easily.  Another favorite of mine is going outside.  I am my happiest when I am out playing in the yard!  I have a slide I like to go down, and a swing that lets me feel the breeze in my hair!  My dog Sammi likes me to throw the ball for her so she can chase it, or I will stack her food bowls and hide them in the yard.  I fell in love with trains when we went to the train park a couple weeks ago.  I loved riding the train around the park, and watching the models go by! (The picture below is me and Daddy riding the train-we are waving at all the people as we go by!)  It’s starting to get warm out there, so on hot days, mom lets me play in my little pool, or dad will water the plants and I can run through the mist.  It’s a lot of fun!  Although I understand everything you say to me (like getting my shoes for you, putting away lids in the drawer, finding my drink, and so much more!) I’m not really talking yet but enjoy babbling!

I got to take my first plane ride ever to see Aunt Jennie and Uncle Robert at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida!  Mom, Dad and Nana said I did really good on the plane rides.  When we got there, I loved the beach and the fresh air SOOOO much!  I had the best time digging in the sand, knocking down Daddy’s sand castles, and dragging everyone to jump in the waves with me.  I played so hard that I went to bed really early AND slept in really late EVERY DAY, which Mommy and Daddy really liked.  We spent three days at the beach and I can’t wait to go back.  It was the best trip ever!

                                     

Mommy went back to work a little bit a couple months ago.  She works at Nana’s school very close to the house for 3 hours in the mornings.  That means I get to go play with some other kids for awhile!  Time goes by so fast because I get to swing, play with blocks, and learn to share.  Before I know it, Mom is there to pick me up, and we get to spend the rest of the day together!  I love it when Daddy comes home from work.  I can hear when he opens the garage door, and I let out a gasp and run to the door to greet him.  Then we get to play outside, or he tickles me until I’m laughing so hard I have tears!

                                                                                                 

Mommy and Daddy also keep putting me in this new shirt.  They tell me that it says “Big Brother” but since I’m only 17 months old, I can really only guess what that means.  They tell me though that there’s a baby growing in Mommy’s belly, which must be why it’s getting so round!  My little brother or sister is going to be here around October 18^th this year, so they will be here just in time for my second birthday!  Isn’t that exciting!!!???

 

Well, that’s all for now!  I will have Mommy send out another email from me as time goes on.  They said they will know if I will be having a brother or sister on May 18th, so expect an email from me then!

I’m not much for giving kisses, so I’ll give you all a “high five” and “knuckles”! 

Love,
Connor

For the Love of Stroller Strides!

I love Stroller Strides!  If you know me, you know that it has been a part of my life this past year.  A year ago, I was searching for something to help me get back into shape, lose the baby weight, but also allow me to spend time with Connor.  Two friends of mine, Rachel and Ali, had talked about Stroller Strides when they had their babies.  Before I started, I always thought it would be a simple walking class where we worked out a bit and then chatted about mommyhood.  I found the information through Ali's blog and contacted Kelly to attend a trial class.  I remember I attended on a Wednesday, which, as you SS moms know, is cardio day!  I seriously thought I was going to puke!  I came home red in the face ready to pass out.  Ryan was home that day and asked what in the world I had done!  That was the day I became addicted to Stroller Strides.  
Stroller Strides has allowed me to get down to BELOW pre-baby weight.  Before getting pregnant with Connor, I was 133 pounds and wore a size 6 (although probably should have been in a size 8 looking back at the pictures).  When I had Connor, I was 165 pounds wearing the most wonderful invention ever-maternity clothes!  I began stroller strides at about 138 pounds trying to squeeze myself into my prematernity clothes.  I ran my first 5K with the SS moms at the March of Dimes, where I walked most of the way, and ran maybe a mile with my friend Ashlee.  It took awhile, but we did it!  I had a goal to fit into my bridesmaids dress for my sister's wedding in May, and was supported by the moms to reach that goal (tube top and all, so I wouldn't have tan lines!)  During the summer, when financial times got a little tough, we sold my car.  I was worried I wouldn't have our weekly outings to SS, but these amazing moms jumped at the opportunity to pick us up so we could go.  This is where Jill, one of instructors, convinced me that I was capable of training for my first half marathon!  I began training in August, running with Connor in the BOB and going to SS.  This is where I saw the weight fall off!  Katie H. told me one day while running how skinny I looked, which is something I hadn't been told by someone other than my mom in quite some time!  More motivation!  By November, I had only run 7 miles, and had to get ready to run 13.1! Ah!! I certainly didn't train as hard as I would have liked, but on the day of the half, I ran 9 miles straight, ran/walked until 12, until I saw Katie and Jamie with their "See Mom Run" sign!  I started to run again,  and had my sister meet me near the end to run to the finish line, with Ryan, Connor and my mom cheering me on when I thought I couldn't go any further.  I will NEVER forget that day and the feeling of accomplishment when I crossed that line a year and three days after giving birth to Connor.  On that day, I weighed 121 pounds, the lowest since high school, and I have Stroller Strides (Kelly, Katie and Jill) to thank for that.
But Stroller Strides is more than just a fitness program.  They have a slogan of "Sisterhood in Motherhood", and boy does that hit home!  Confession-I have never gotten along with other women.  I've been stabbed in the back by supposed friends, so now I feel like I have PTSD when it comes to relationships with women.  I am awkward when put in the position to talk one on one with someone, and never know what to say to keep a conversation going.  Being with this group of women has helped with that tremendously!  We all have something in common, motherhood, and that common ground has restored my faith that it is possible to find other women out there who are not out to "one up" you or make you feel less than you are worth.  These women build you up and support you in your goals, and for that, I am so incredibly thankful.
I know this was a long one, but a year's journey as a mother, athlete, and women are hard to sum up in just a few short sentences.
Thank you, Stroller Strides, for Kelly and her leadership, motivation, patience and genuine love of teaching mothers healthy habits.  Thank you for the endless opportunities for friendship and growth this past year.  And thank you for helping me to feel and look the best I ever have!