Our Family Space

Our princess is now 5 years old!!! I cannot believe that 5 years have gone by since I first held our beautiful little girl.  This is so hard for me to say but Meggan is now a girl, not a baby, not a toddler or "little" girl.  She is a 5 year old child (although you will always be my baby Meggan!), and what a wonderful child she is......

 

Miss Meggan, you have had quite the year honey.  A brand new brother to adjust to, getting sick with salmonella (our poor girl),Daddy being in the hospital for awhile, more days at playschool (3x/week) and Mommy going back to work.  You have coped amazingly sweetie and Mommy and Daddy are always so amazed with your ability to turn any situation from a bad one to a good one.  Your perspective on life and other people is one which we could all learn from.  You love everyone...and see the good in everyone.  What a wonderful way to be!

 

Physically, you are growing like a weed...you are now in 5-6 clothes!  It is so hard to believe that at one time I couldn't find anything for you to wear because even the preemie clothes were too big.  You are still a picky eater but meal times are no longer a problem.  You always eat your veggies and quite well on everything else too.  You are SO much like your Daddy with that sweet tooth though, "baked goods" are both of your favorites!  You may have to get your tonsils out this year, but Daddy got you all excited about "not having to eat vegtables for two weeks" so you keep saying how you can't wait for your operation.  You really, really want to start loosing your teeth and keep checking to see if any are loose.  At first you thought that maybe if you stopped brushing your teeth would go rotten and fall out sooner.  Then Mommy explained that the tooth fairy only takes nice, clean teeth and now you do a great job on your teeth every time.  We are growing out your hair right now for Auntie and Uncle Joe's wedding in the summer (you are going to be the flower girl!) but you and I both can't wait to cut it back shorter again.  You are a beautiful girl Meggan, on the outside and on the inside.

 

You are becoming very independent and are doing so much on your own now.  You can make your own bed, you set the table every night for dinner, water the plants, give Cleo her water and are always asking to help Mommy with chores.  What a sweetheart you are!  You are so proud to show us how you can manage these tasks and we are so proud of you for doing them. You are still in swimming lessons and love it.  Your teachers are always telling us how hard of a worker you are and it is paying off for you...your swimming is really good.  We registered you for soccer this spring and also acting/musical theatre.  We are so excited to see you in both and are hoping you have lots of fun!  As for school...again, your teachers are always telling us what a hard worker you are!  You will stay at the table and keep practicing your letters and numbers long after all the other kids have gone off to play.  You take school very seriously and you do a wonderful job.  Your Kindergarten assessment went very well, the principal really liked you and you are SO very ready socially and academically to go to kindergarten in September.  You are writing your name now, and little notes: To: Mom/Dad/Pa/Damma, Love: Meggan.  It is really cute and we all love to get a note, or picture from you, especially because you always remember the xoxo!  You love to color lately and you Mommy and Daddy sit down most nights to go through your learning workbooks.  Whether it is letters, numbers or connect the dots.  You really love to learn Meggan, and I love hearing all your questions and curiousity about the world.  You are still a nature lover and frequently are asking about animals, space, trees, plants, flowers, bugs, the earth, etc.  We still always do a book before bed and you still love that too.  We go to the library every few weeks and get new books or CD's  but lately (for the past year!) your favorite is your Scooby-Doo books....(and movies, and games and really anything Scooby-Doo).  We have also started family gametime.  Every week night we play a board game and you have come a long way.  At first you did not do so well with losing!  Now, you still don't like it, but you can handle it and you never forget to say "good game"  nomatter who wins or loses.  Way to go Meg! 

 

You remain quite the social butterfly...you have lots of friends and have even had two sleepovers with your buddies Alyssa and Kaitlyn this year.  It seems we are always at a birthday party or social event of some kind and you definately like it.  You are learning to play on your own too, although you would always rather have a friend or family member with you.  Of course, you still love spending time with your family!  You LOVE spending time with Pa and Damma and have a sleepover with them every second weekend...you never want to leave their place once you get there!  Its never long enough!

 

Your favorites "toys" right now are:  Scooby-Doo, Hanna Montanna, High School Musical and you are a little into Barbies. 

Your favorite colors are: pink, purple and orange.

Your favorite foods are: Strawberries, milk, soup, pizza (cheese) and "baked goods."

 

Our dear Meggan, you are a special, beautiful, kind, loving, smart little person!   You are a sweethaert and I love you more everyday.  I love spending time with you and there is no other girl I love more on this earth than you!  Forever and always!

 

 

Wishing you a super year being 5, Happy Birthday Sweetie!

 

Love Mommy

 

 

 

Happy 2009 to all!  Wishing all our family and friends all the best in the next year.

 

We are all doing well around here, settling down from all the Christmas/holiday festivities. Meggan is already asking when school starts again...she can't wait to go back.  Our kids are SO routine.  They LOVE routine, they NEED their routine.  I wonder where they get that from????

 

Miss. Meggan is great.  She is happy and healthy and her sweet little self.  She loves playschool and does very well.  She loves to help Mom and do her chores around the house. She still loves to play outside (although -30 is even too cold for her) and she loves going to her swimming lessons. Of course visiting family and all of her friends is her favorite.  She is quite the social butterfly and we are always doing something with other kids.  Meggan is a wonderful big sister to Noah, more than Jeremy and I could ever hope for.  She will go into his room in the mornings and read him books, she even puts up with him going through all her stuff.  She has adjusted so well to Noah coming along and we are so very proud of her.  She is growing like crazy...she thinks she will be an "adult soon." Of course Meggan continues to talk non-stop...seriously non-stop.  The stuff she says is priceless too, she never fails to make me laugh every single day.Meg has playschool until end of June and we have decided on a kindergarten for her in the fall....of course it is not one of the schools within walking distance to our house but it is the one we think will work out best.  It is about a 10-15 min. drive away and in a great area.  I would LOVE to eventually buy a house in that area  (although the idea of selling our place and moving is not that exciting!).  The school is also K-9 which is great because that means Meg and Noah will be in the same school for longer too!  Hopefully it works out. I can't believe our baby girl is going to kindergarten next year!  Meggan has swimming lessons until March at which point we have her booked for Drama/Childrens theatre classes!  I can't wait to see if she likes it as I really think its something she will enjoy.  We are also going to have her in soccer this spring/summer, that should be fun to watch!  Meg is still totally into dogs, Scooby-Doo, coloring and Board games.  She also now loves Barbie and the Diamond Castle stuff (I think because those Barbies each have little dogs??).  She really wants to get back to going to the dog park but it has been so cold I haven't been letting her go when Jer takes Cleo...hopefully the weather will get better soon though.  Meg and I spent 2 hours the other day making thank-you cards to everyone for xmas gifts...sweet girl....expect yours in the mail shortly!  

 

Mr. Noah is always up to trouble, but is just SO darn cute.  Heis almost walking...we've seen him take a few steps but mostly he still gets around by "scooting."  He is SO fast!  Seriously you have to power walk to keep up with that little guy.  He is very smart and is really starting to use his words...Ma Ma, Da, Da, Ba (Grandpa), Do (dog), BAAA (bath), Mor Mor (more).  He is actually doing really well.  He is pointing at everything and loves to learn.  His weight and height are around the 50th percentile and he is in 12-18 month clothes.  His favorite thing to do still...is EAT! Honestly, this little man can pack it away. We are going to go broke feeding him. Noah is a very cuddly and snuggly baby...I love it!!! He is going to bed between 7:30-8pm and sleeping straight through until 7:30am...I love that too!  He is down to only one nap though, in the afternoon.  His surgery date is booked (Noah has mild/1st degree Hypospadias): January 28th.  I don't even want to think about it, our poor baby boy.   His urologist says it is just a routine, day surgery operation and they do hundreds of them....I don't care though, I m still worried.  What mother wouldn't be?  He is going to have to have a catheter for up to 2 weeks...my God!  I'm also trying not to think about how many times he's going to pull that thing out.  At least it will be over with...... 

 

Jeremy is feeling better, and is getting back to normal. He sees his doctor every 2 weeks now and he still has meds to take.  We still have no definative answers yet though...I wonder if we ever will.  Because of the Tuberous Sclerosis, the kids peadiatrician booked them for MRI's but she doesn't seem to concerned.  They show no signs and its more precautionary than anything.  Jeremy is actually finishing up school right now and just running the business part-time (just him) and applying for electrician positions with companies.  Although he had all the hours logged long ago for Journeyman, he had not completed the final schooling and so the apprenticeship board sent a letter stating that it needs to be completed.  So he is working on the schooling correspondance right now.  Actually it works out alright because that way on the days when I work he can be home with the kiddos and take Meg to school, swimming, etc. He is excited to have more "child care" duties, it is hard for me to let go...but I am sure it will be good for everyone. The goal for right now, with business slowing down and all, is for Jer to get a job with a company and just leave the business "on the side" kind of thing for extra money.  Then when things pick up agian, he will still have the business to go back to.   I am only going back to work 2-3 days per week and in some ways I am excited.  I love nursing and I really like the hospital where I am at right now.  I will be working .47 in amp/stroke rehab and casual in child and adult psyc.  I know I will miss the kids SO much when I am gone though...at least my position is days only which is nice.  I will be home by 3:30 on the days when I do work so its not too bad.  I will also continue to work part time at the YMCA in the babysitting dept. on the days when I am not at the hospital.  I can bring the kids with me and we have fun there...plus we get our family membership for free and I am doing really well at sticking to my workout 4x a week!!! I am also really,really, hoping to start some courses toward my Masters soon.....

 

And as for Cleo.... she is a pain in the butt, but we love her.  She is a beautiful, healthy dog and always getting into trouble just like young dogs do!  She is about 45lbs now and will eat anything (just like any other lab!).  She gets lots of fresh veggies and rice and we got her a huge $20 bone for xmas...boy was she happy.  It took her 2 weeks to get through that thing! I am so scared to the shape of our backyard once the snow melts....she likes to dig!  I have worked SO hard on our yard and garden...damn dog!  Oh well....since she isn't a pup really anymore maybe she'll get better and I can re-seed or something???

 

That is all for now...wow 2 posts in a month...I guess you can expect another in about 8 months????? 

Talk to you later!  Take Care! 

I can't believe our little man is one year old today!!!!  How fast a year goes by!  Of course I have to write an update, looking back at the first year of your life little one.  We LOVE YOU SO MUCH, Happy 1st Birthday Noah!!!!

 

Where to start...? WEll one of my first memories of you Noah, was looking at you after you were first born and thinking "that is a big baby!"  You were almost 9lbs and quite a solid little guy from day 1.  It was hard being in the hospital for that week after you born, I was quite sick and felt that I wasn't being that great of a Mommy to you because I was so tired and sore.  But everything turned out just fine and I was so happy when the Dr.'s told us that we could go home, just in time for your first Christmas! 

 

From the beginning you have loved to eat!  Really, really, eat.  I tried breast feeding for almost a month, but that didn't turn out so well.  You were just so hungry I couldn't keep up.  You were on 12 oz bottles by two months.  Mommy was giving you cereal by 2.5 months (don't tell the Dr. though). You would eat any chance you had during the day and were up at least twice a night.  In fact, you just started sleeping through the night at 10 months old, you were still wanting to eat up until then...of course Mommy had a hard time saying "no."  So I kept feeding you, but I can safely say now that not only have you stopped getting up in the night, you are now off the bottle as well.  It's been a month and a half...your soother is a different story though.  You love it so much.  So the rule is that you get it at naps and bedtime...sometimes in the car if you are screaming and Mommy just needs a break :)  Back to the eating...You are still non-stop, little man.  You will eat Cheerios, fruit and a full peanut butter sandwich for breakfast.  A full can of Chunky Soup (chicken noodle with the broth drained off) with added peas and carrots plus crackers for lunch, a full serving of whatever Mommy makes for supper and a bedtime snack of rice cereal and oatmeal (all of this food and you still only have your bottom front 2 teeth). Plus, you drink about 3 sippy cups of formula per day and 1 half cup of cranberry juice and lots of water (you love water which is great!).  I don't know where you are putting it all??? Your weight is 55 percentile at 21 lbs and your height is also average at.  You are very active though, so maybe you are just wearing it all off.  Watching you eat is priceless...you are so happy to get into your highchair!  "More, More" you say, before you are even done what you have in front of you.   So far you will eat anything except bananas and chicken, and I think those are just a matter of you not liking the texture. Mr. Noah, you are already eating more at meals than your sister, it is so hilarious! You were crazy with your birthday cake...you ate a huge piece and then wanted "more!" The cake was everywhere, in your hair, eyes and all over your face. Thank-goodness Grandma put your "full body" bib on!  You were also grabbing any Rice Krispie treat you could get your hands on!  I think you had a pretty good time at your party, but the cake was definately your favorite.

 

You are such a little snuggle bug Noah.  Mommy just loves it!  You have always loved being held and cuddled.  This is a secret...but I actually miss snuggling with you and giving you your bottle in the middle of the night.  I will never, ever forget those big, beautiful blue eyes just staring up at me and you just snuggling right into Mommy until you fell back to sleep. Nomatter how tired I was, I loved that feeling of just the two of us together and cozy. You started crawling at about 7 months and are now "scooting" around on your bum everywhere.  You are SO fast! You started pulling up on furniture about 2 months ago and are now able to stand all by yourself for about 30sec.  You are ready to start walking anytime now!However, you are a little bit, um, scared, I'll say.  You cry when you fall, sometimes you cry when you almost fall...and then you need a snuggle! I think its cute though. Your coordination is amazing, and you are a very smart little guy.  Your first trick was to show Mommy where "Eyore(sp?)" was in your room when I asked.  The you learned "lights."  You will point up to the lights when someone asks you where they are.  You now know Eyore, lights, microwave, clock, Mommy, Daddy, Meggan, Grandpa, and Damma. You are always pointing at things now, wanting to know what they are.  You are curious....sometimes too curious.  You love cords and electrical outlets and it drives Mommy crazy trying to keep you safe.  You also love to scream, but we are working on that (you get time outs in your crib or playpen) and you are slowly starting to stop.  You are also learning to say a few words which helps too.  Your first words was Ma Ma :) but you can now also say : More, Da Da, Bath, Book and I think you are working on "Hi." 

Wow!  I haven't had time to update this blog for awhile now.....8 months!!!! Life is good, obviously pretty busy, but good.  How can I sum up the past 8 months???? Meggan and Noah are growing like crazy, they keep me totally, completely busy, and are wonderful, beautiful little children.

 Meggan has adjusted well to Noah, and has become a wonderful big sister.  She is growing so quickly...physically and mentally.  Everyday it seems she has learned something new...spelling and writing her name, holding her pencil properly, jumping on one foot, a new song, and on and on.  Her memory is amazing and she continues to love to learn.  She is still an "outdoor" child...she loves bugs, her swing set, going for walks or to the park, anything outdoors!  Meggan is a social butterfly and gets along so well with kids at school and anywhere we go.  She loves to meet (and talk) to people.  She has a kind heart and is very caring.  Her manners are outstanding.  We are so proud of our little girl!  Her latest craze is Scooby Doo...she loves anything Scooby Doo and of course she LOVES dogs!  A new year of playschool has begun and she loves it, as well as her swimming lessons (she is quite far along in the program now) and she will be in Ti kwon do (sp?) after Christmas.  Jeremy and I are thinking of possibly getting a piano, in which case we will start lessons for Meggan as well.

 

Noah is also growing like a weed....our handsome little man!!!  He is ever so busy!!!  He is crawling at warp speed, pulling up on everything, and into EVERYTHING!  He loves to "walk"  with the help of someone, but I don't think it will be long before he is doing it on his own.  Noah loves to snuggle and is definately a "mommy boy" right now...his first word was "Ma Ma!"  Yeah!!!!  He also loves to eat...he eats more than his sister, honestly.  He is just at the average in weight and height, I don't know where he is putting it all???  Noah LOVES Meggan and follows her around, laughs at all she does and wants to be near her all the time.  It is pretty cute really.  I take Noah swimming regularly and he loves it, even dunking his head.  I love it too because he is zonked afterward and actually sleeps through the night (this guy still gets up once a night to eat!).  Poor little Noah is still having a rough time with teething though and only has 1 tooth....we have so long to go :(

 

We have a new addition to our family....Cleo!  A black lab puppy.  She was born June 5th  and is everything a puppy should be....she is also keeping us busy but thank-goodness Jeremy is doing most of the training.  She is a smart puppy and can already sit, jump, roll over, stay, come when called and shake.  We really need to work on getting her to stay down though...she loves people and jumps up like crazy (not such a good thing when she's going to be about 70 lbs full grown). She is also teething and is chewing up all my plants :(  She is mostly outside and we have a huge dog run for her and a nice little log cabin doghouse that she loves.  We take her to the dog park almost everynight and Meggan is learning how to be a good "dog owner" by helping us walk her everyday, feed her, brush her, go the vet,etc.  Meg has even offered to pick up her poop???  Crzy kid! Jeremy and the kids love her very much and she is starting to grow on me...(ok, I really, really like her!)

 

Jeremy and I are fine too.  Jer's business is still pretty busy, but it has slowed down some which is good.  He is in the process of re evaluating things and planning in case we experience a stop in new housing being built here.  Always best to plan ahead! I work at the YMCA as I can earn a little extra on my Maternity leave and it is working out well.  I can bring the kids with me (I work in the child care room) and in addition to a little extra money we get a free family membership.  Of course I have to start thinking about my return to nursing though, as my mat leave is up in two months!!!

 

That si all for now...hopefully I will have time to update sooner than 8 months from now....but probably not!  :)