Santa Has Arrived!

Well, Santa sure didn't skip this house! Morgan had such a great time. I think she was in stimulation overload, but I really think she had a great day. She got Elmo Live, a rocking horse, a vaccum, dress up things, table and chairs, books, jewelry, clothes, etc.... I could go on and on. Halfway through opening presents, Morgan had had enough, and I had to finish opening her presents. She just didn't know what to do. She had so many things that she wanted to play with and didn't want to leave those things. It was really a blessed day!

Yesterday, we went to Bok Towers and did Christmas at Pinewood. This years theme was storybook stories. It was so cool. Morgan enjoyed the outside and loved running around. That evening, we went to Christmas Tree Lane and looked at all the lights. It was so much fun. Morgan kept telling me "Santa is everywhere!" It was so cute.

Christmas Parade and Making Cookies

Bartow had another fun Christmas parade this year and it was actually cold, so it felt like Christmas. Morgan had a great time. Uncle Benny and Aunt Marilyn came and Morgan's grandma and grandpa.

That sunday Miss Morgan and I baked cookies. She had so much fun. We made peanut butter cookies, brownies and raisin oatmeal cookies. We had to make sure Santa has a variety of cookies. We also sent a tin of cookies with pictures of Morgan helping to my grandpa in Maryland. We thought he would enjoy that. Morgan loves helping and she likes tasting the products also. Cooking wears Morgan out, cause before we were done, she crashed right on the counter. It was the cutest thing. Poor baby.

Sorry it has taken me so long to post Nana. Check out the picture with that red turtleneck with the scotty dogs on it. Isn't it just adorable?

Morgan's First Halloween

We have had quite a week. Miss Morgan's class was having a halloween party on thursday, so I made goodie bags for everyone. I put spider rings and playdo and tootsie rolls in there for everyone. Then I made tags that said Happy Halloween from Morgan. They turned out really cute. I only worked half a day on thursday, so I picked Morgan up at lunch and sat with her in her class. She was so pitiful. She wanted me to hold her and feed her. It was very Morgan like. Thursday afternoon Bartow had their annual Halloween parade. Bartow shuts down for this event. It's so exciting. Everyone puts their chairs down Broadway by 9am so they have their spot set. I do love the small town events that Bartow has. If only we could change the weather! morgan was fascinated with the parade. She loved getting that candy and putting it in her bag. I don't think she had any clue what she was putting in there, but she had fun doing it.

Friday, Miss Morgan dressed up as a ladybug. She was the cutest ladybug ever! We went to my mom's house so they could see her and then we went to Benny and Marilyn's. By the time we went to those 2 houses, she had had enough. At mom's she saw some of the kids dressed up in their costumes and was just amazed. She kept running back to the door to check them out again. It was very cute.

I think Miss Morgan really had a great time. I'm sure this will be the only year that she won't want to bust open some of that candy before we even get home!

Feeding the Swans

Last friday, Miss Morgan had to go to the Dr.'s for her 2 year old well visit. She ended up getting 4 shots that day. She did so well. After that traumatic experience, I took her to feed the swans around Lake Morton in Lakeland. She was so funny. That made her forget about those bad shots. Of course, it was like 90 degrees, so we were both sweating. Some things are just not enjoyable sweating. There was a little pumpkin patch down the road that I was going to take her to and just take some pictures of her, but it just didn't feel right looking at pumpkins drenched. This is the hardest time of the year for me. I miss home the most in the fall. I love the pumpkin patches, hot apple cider, and the smells of the brisk air. I've got a goal to get to Tennessee before Morgan starts school, so everyone pray for us. There are so many things that I want Morgan to experience that does not involve 90 degree heat. Enjoy the pictures!

Morgan turns 2!!!

Morgan's birthday party was October 4th at 2pm. The theme was a flower party. Her grandpa and Nana were here from Michigan to help celebrate. There were flower balloons, flower and butterfly cutout sandwiches, chocolate fountain and lots of presents! I'm not really sure Morgan understood what was going on. At the end of the day, she was very overwhelmed. It was a great party. Morgan enjoyed her cake. It was so comical watching her expressions while she was eating her cake. Morgan got a kitchen from her grandpa and nana, which she was very excited about. She also received money for her bank account, lots of clothes, an animal hospital, kitchen supplies and a battery operated car. There were a lot more gifts, too many to list. Let's just say she definately made out! Thank you to all those that helped!

I Love you Dad!!!

This weekend we had a little scare concerning my dad. He was rushed to the hospital with chest pains. It's so hard being so far away and not being able to be there. It scared me so much, I couldn't sleep. All the tests came out good, which is great. Dad had a stress test and they told him he was above average for a man his age. I don't want to rub it in too much, dad's head is too big now, but that is just awesome! 3 weeks from now dad and Ruth will be here for little Miss's birthday. We have been practicing saying grandpa and nana, so hopefully, she will impress them. Here's a few pictures for you dad! We all love you here in Florida! I'm not sure what I would do without you dad. I sure am proud to have you as my father.

Happy Labor Day!!!

We've had a lazy weekend, which is good sometimes. With that huge hurricane in the gulf, the weather really hasn't been the greatest. Monday, is supposed to be our best day for the weekend. Saturday, we met Benny and Marilyn for breakfast to celebrate Benny's birthday. We went to the airport restaurant. Morgan loves to sit outside and watch the planes coming in. Her eyes get all big and she says, "wow". It's just the cutest thing. Great opportunity to take more pictures of little miss Morgan! It has been 1 week post op and she is doing wonderful. Sometimes, it is hard to believe that she had a major surgery just 10 days ago. Today, we went outside and saw a beautiful butterfly. It was very hard to get good images, but it was so beautiful. I hope the pictures post. I have been having a hard time with slide.com. I need to find a different way to post pictures. Anyways, Nana Ruth,check out Morgan looking at her shoes.

Palate Surgery Was a Success!

Miss Morgan is now at home resting in her own crib very happily. It was so nice to get out of that hospital. The surgeon said Morgan was doing great. She is drinking quite a bit and hasn't complained about not having food yet. I'm sure that will come soon. She is such a trooper. It's just amazing how well she adjusts to new things. The surgeon closed her palate, but there is still an opening by the gumline, so they want to repair that in about 6 months. What a bummer. Well, I took a few pictures in the surgery waiting area and a few from friday (24 hours post surgery). Thanks for all the prayers.

Trouble with Slide Show

I'm having some issues with the slide show, so just hit view images and they should come up. These pictures are just for grandpa and nana, hope you like them. Morgan loves playing dress up and running around outside. Notice the pictures where she is just wearing her diaper, those are the ones that the pink dress was supposed to be on, but little miss chunkster can't fit into it. Morgan's surgery is in 2 days, we need prayers. This is going to be a long surgery for the little one and she is not going to be happy. We have tried hard to chunk her up so she'll be strong for this one and I think we've succeeded. Recovery time for this surgery is about 6 weeks, 3 of those weeks she can't have any of her food, and this girl loves her food! So please pray for little Morgan on thursday at 11:40 am.

Happy Little Baby

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Going Private

I've seen a lot of other bloggers doing this and I think, for Morgan's sake, that I am going to go private also. I never know who is looking at this blog and that scares me for Morgan. She is going to be going through a rough time coming up and I'd prefer that her site remain private. Those of you that do check out Morgan's site, please email me so I can put you on the list. Let me know who you are in case I don't recognize your email address. Since, I've become a mother, I've become a little scatter-brained. It's awful, I've got to write everything down. My brain just doesn't seem to be functioning like it did before. It's concentrated on colors, five monkeys jumping on the bed and doggie! So, I will probably change the site to private this coming weekend, so please email me. Thank you to those that have followed our journey and have watched little Morgan grow.

My Gardening Helper

I'm having trouble loading a slide show, so I will just post a few pictures from last weekend. Miss Morgan was helping me weed and clean up the yard. She's such a good helper. She loves the outdoors, which is so nice. She loves to smell the flowers, look at the trees, watch for birds and run through the grass. She also loves to blow bubbles. Despite her palate still being open, she can blow really well. She's such a character. She's coming out of her shell more and more each day. She may be small for her age, but let me tell you, she can definately stand her ground. She is going to be one tough cookie. She is also getting a little attitude. It's becoming obvious that she is almost 2. Time Out and her are becoming really good friends.

Check out my Slide Show!

HAPPY 4TH OFJULY!

Miss Morgan celebrated her first 4th of July at the beach. She had such a great time. She loved the water, didn't want to get out and loved playing in the sand. I was a little worried she wasn't going to do well since she doesn't do well with change, but she loved the room and was running all over the place. She had her toys scattered all over the room. It was just like home. Michelle brought her two little ones, Stasia and Neet. They also had a great time. It was there first time at the beach. The beach had a great firework display. Miss Morgan fell asleep during most of it, which was quite surprising, since she doesn't like to miss out on anything going on. We can't wait to go back next year!

Sneak Peak at Photos for Celebrating Adoption

Morgan and I met Martha Bravo and had a little photo shoot. These are just some of the images she captured. Martha participates in Celebrating Adoption. She is so beautiful, I just stare at the pictures in awe. She took about 60 pictures, now I have to decide which ones I want.