Moo-ving onward

Morgan turned five months old on Sunday. At this point she is enjoying a variety of Gerber's 'supported sitter' foods and is rolling around the house when we put her down on the floor. Time is moving quickly and it is so fun having her at this interactive stage!

Last Friday we did not have school. I ended up turning our living room into 'blanket central' and just letting her roll all over the place. We fell asleep together on the blankets after a while. One thing we have noticed (we actually noticed it in early January) is that Morgan has something against cows. Tyler has a little toy noise-maker that you turn upside down and it makes a moo sound. Well, Morgan HATES that and will go from smiling to crying in no time flat. Lately, we've found that even making a 'moo' noise makes her cry. We've hypothesised why- anything from being a cow in a past life and meeting an untimely end to having dreams about stampeads. Who knows. I'm glad we don't live in the country.

Today was Morgan's first experience with Bananas- she loved them! Her favorites right now include: Peaches, Sweet Potatoes, and Bananas. Dislikes: Anything cow related, Green Beans, Lack of direct attention.

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

No More Prunes... EVER.

We embarked upon a new stage this week: baby foods. I must say that it has been exciting and has opened our eyes to a whole new world of diaper changes. We've had parent teacher conferences this week, and I've been getting home rather late in the evenings (when we don't have snow days, that is). Tyler decided that yesterday would be a good time to introduce Morgan to prunes. Yes, prunes. Needless to say, he left this morning and revenge of the prunes: 1 began. OH.MY.

Prune poo aside, Morgan is doing well. At our last appointment she was 14lb 10oz. Our play-yard holds her in the upper area to 15 pounds, so I made the decision today to lower the play-yard to its typical setting. She is in the yard, beside me, just checking out the new digs. I think she likes it, from the sound of the coos she is giving me.

Although she is far from the 'mobility stage' (we hope), she is a smart little booger. She gets up on her knees and will rock but has learned how to scoot across the floor and to roll when she can't quite scoot. We have a 3' by 3' area of blankets we usually lay her on to play and roll around. She'll stay on the blanket area for five minutes or so and then she's off. If I am sitting to the side of the blanket area at my computer, she'll roll over to me until she is under my feet and looking up at me. It's pretty funny. I've also watched her roll to the cat, who quickly exits the situation. Last night, she rolled over to my bag of school goodies and was trying to pull herself off the ground to a sitting position- she would get up to about a 30 degree angle and then lay back down. I took a video of this but haven't managed to upload it yet.

We've been treated to so many snow days this season that we've taken to calling them 'Morgan days'. I mean, in all actuality, that's what they are. We've enjoyed being able to be home together to introduce her to baby foods such as applesauce, carrots, and sweet potatoes. In one sitting the little booger will eat about 3/4 of a little container of baby food. She loves sitting in her new highchair and will open her mouth wide and lunge for the spoon when you have it in your hand. A couple of times she has grabbed for the spoon but usually drops it pretty quickly.

We went on a Morgan-themed shopping trip a couple of weeks ago and ended up coming home with some new, medium-flow bottles, fore mentioned highchair, a new car seat for Tyler's car that holds her up to 100 pounds, some outfits, and a few other misc. items. I think, though, that another shopping trip is in order, as she has outgrown her 3-6 month footy sleepers because she is so darn long! We're planning on a four-generation (gg thompson, gma thompson, mommy, morgan) shopping trip to Legends this weekend so that we can pick up some good buys at the Carters & Osh Kosh outlets (I've got coupons!).

Plans are in the making for Morgan to travel on her first plane ride at the end of May. It will be in the same company as our shopping trip- with GREAT-GREAT grandma! It will be such an awesome thing to capture a five generation visit (again, she visited her other gg grandma when she was a couple of months old). We have pictures of me with my gg, great, grandma, and mother when I was a little bigger than she will be. Sadly, I don't think Tyler will be able to go on this trip. However, we'll be driving to Phoenix with Nana Cherie in June or July so that Morgy can meet her gpa gregg, so we will get a full family trip in as well. It looks to be a busy summer, as I have trips planned to both Atlanta and San Diego for work and a nephew due in mid-June!

I've been working on plans for the March 20th shower, and almost have the invites designed and ready to go. It's so much fun to plan events- I would honestly love to do something similar as a career. Speaking of career, Tyler recently recieved a promotion to 'team facilitator' at his job and is excited about the new changes that brings to his position.

Well, time to take advantage of this Morgan-day and shower while she naps. Tonight, she'll get to spend some time with gma leslie while I go and scrapbook for the first time since her birth (YIKES... time to catch up!)...

Natasha

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Four More Months! Four More Months!

This is how we spend our snow days in the Jenkins household. Is it possible that Morgan is a little over four months old? Why, yes, it is! We celebrated her four month birthday with some singing of Happy Birthday and some shared giggles.

As for milestones, she's keeping us on our toes:

In mid-December her first teeth began coming in. Now, her two bottom teeth are through and she has another starting on the bottom, right side. Although she was born with a full head of thick, dark hair, it started falling out and is in the process of coming back in lighter- more of a chestnut color (beautiful!). As for her eyes, they are still a beautiful blue- a hue darker than her daddy's and just a shade lighter than my own.

Morgan has been rolling over (and over, and over) for about three weeks now. She spends more time on her tummy now, as she is happier when she can flip over on her own and decide to go back to her back whenever she pleases (and can manage to get her arm out from under her). Now, she's proceeding to the next step- using her knees to push up. However, this is a rare sight at this point- but we've noticed it a couple of times. My main worry at this point is her rolling over and sleeping on her tummy. I know it is going to happen, but it just worries me, as it supposedly increases the risk of SIDS.

We recently completed are taxes and are getting back a chunk of our hard-earned money. So, this weekend we will purchase Morgan a few of the items we held off on (a walker/bouncer, a high-chair). Morgan has tried applesauce, carrots, and fried egg yolk at this point- I think in the next couple of months we'll venture closer to 'high-chair status'.

Tyler is doing a remarkable job as a stay-at home daddy by weekday and full-time worker by weekend. I don't know how I ended up with such an awesome guy, loving husband, and fantastic daddy- I surely don't deserve it. I hear people say all the time that they have 'the best' husband/wife, but I get to live that situation daily- for that I am indebted to fate. As for Tyler and I, we celebrated 8 years as a couple (seven years of marriage come this may) this January. Is that even possible?!? It seems like only yesterday we were sitting at Barnes & Noble on our first date, writing letters throughout his basic training, and walking in the rain down the streets of Baltimore... oh, life's surprises.

Kibbles is adjusting to Morgan and the fact that she is not always front and center these days. Although she's been scolded for acting out and climbing on the counters, she is still a loving kitty. Morgan has started to take note of her presence and has even reached out and pet her with an open hand as of late. Kibbles is taking it all in stride and I have to applaud her for that.

We had a photographer here at our house today to take photos (we had a free sitting/8 by 10)... I'll plan on posting those in a couple of weeks.

Until then,

Whoo Loves You Valentine's Day Card

Create personalized greeting cards and invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Natasha (and the rest of the Jenkins clan)

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Milestones

It took three weeks and eight days, but our little Morgan rolled over onto her tummy (from her back) yesterday. We were lucky enough to catch her in action and get the video camera before she rolled back. It was funny, Tyler and I had her on the floor between us and had both turned to check our e-mail; when he turned around, he said, "tash, look," I turned and looked and sure enough she was on her tummy, propped up by her darn left arm (stuck under her). We grabbed the camera and watched as she struggled to turn over, getting pretty darn frustrated in the process. However, the smile and her reaction afterwards was priceless. It took a lot for me to stand back and not help her when she got frustrated but I am SO glad that I did.

anything, I think this foreshadows the type of parent I want to be and the effort it is going to take to restrain myself in any situation where I could make things 'easier'. I want Morgan to be independent and to experience such joys without my assistance, but I'm sure there will be times (again) where I want to intervene but I think this experience will help me to remember to take a step back and just watch her succeed (or fail and learn from it).

Natasha

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Once upon a Morgan

It is a little hard to believe that Morgan will be three months old tomorrow. When I look back on the photos of her first month of life and stare into her eyes today it seems like we have an entirely different baby in our house! The growth, development, and personality that we've witnessed over the last three months leaves us in awe.

Her last appointment with the pediatrician was on 11/24 and at that point she weighed in at 12lbs, 3 oz. and was 22 3/4 inches long with a head circumfrance of 40.4cm. Our growing girl!

We aren't quite at the point of 'rolling over' yet, although she can roll onto her side and back onto her back. In the past couple of weeks her grasp has developed and she loves to hold to her little maraca rattle that daddy got her and has grabbed onto my earrings and gave them a tug more than once.

As for words, she LOVES to babble! Whether it is in her carseat babbling to whoever is sitting next to her or laying/sitting around the house, she has stories to tell! In general she is such an easy, happy baby. We couldn't be luckier in terms of her personality and enjoyment of life.

One of my most recent 'favorites' was waking her from her crib one Saturday and placing her on her changing table as she woke up to focus on my face and give me a great big smile. That sure starts your day on the bright side!

If you've seen Morgan's share site (photo/video site) than you are aware that she loves to giggle, smile, and eyeball her daddy! Seriously, seeing Tyler's face or hearing his voice makes her eyes light up and her lips creep into a smile- we have a daddy's girl on our hands! I can only imagine the bonding experiences to come between father and daughter.

As for mommy and daughter, our favorite pastime is singing. Lately it has been Christmas music, but Morgan will smile and coo and gurgle to almost any song as we sing along. It seems like almost daily we sing-song together for at least a short period of time.

Winter break is here, so there will be more mommy-daughter and family time to go around! We have quite the agenda on our hands, as Morgan will get to see and or meet many family members that she has not yet, including her new baby cousin, Jonathan. It will surely be a holiday season to remember and we'll be sure to capture it in photographs for all to see.

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Two Months & Growing Strong

Morgan turned two months old last Saturday and she's just a trip! We are soaking up as much 'Morgan time' as possible and really enjoying her little quirks and developments. Over the last two months we have settled into a routine and learned how to enjoy her while making sure she is happy and content.

If anyone even reads this thing anymore, you can enjoy some of her development through the videos and images we post at her website. Tyler spends at least one hour a day with her, getting her to babble and talking back and forth with her- there are some great videos of her 'talking' and one where her babbles even sound like she is saying 'hello'!

The holidays are upon us and we are staying at home this Thanksgiving, starting new traditions with our little family of three. Tyler's brother, Matt, and his wife, Crispian, are going to join us at our Thanksgiving table- we have lots to be thankful for this year. Christmas is still a little sketchy at this point, but we will travel to Topeka and Wichita at some point to share Morgan with our family- the best gift of all!

In an effort to fill you in on some recent happenings, here's a few things that have recently made the 'headlines' of our lives:

• Morgan had her two month appointment today and is making good progress. At this point she is up from her birth weight of 9lb 9oz to a total of 12lb 3 oz and has grown from 19in to 22 3/4 inches. Her growth and development is going very smoothly. One milestone was accomplished early on- she's been sleeping through the night (for the most part) since November 1st- the night before I went back to work. I think she sensed my stress and worry about going back to work and leaving her at home.

• In exciting news, Morgan will have a cousin in a matter of months! My sister recently found out she is expecting and so there will be another little one in the family around Morgan's age that we can enjoy and Morgan can bond with. I am hopeful that this will also bring my sister and I closer together.

• This afternoon Morgan met Santa for the first time! The experience went fairly well, with the exception of her being a bit hungry. The first picture came out nicely but the second captured her mid-cry. We ended up purchasing a couple of 5x7's of the non-cry shot. I'm sure next year's picture with Santa will find her much more animated.

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

The Swing of Things

It is hard to believe that in a few days I will head back to work and daddy will be home all day with our baby girl. I enjoy my job, although I complain about all of the hard work that goes into it. However, I think this might actually be one of the first times where I DISLIKE going in to work on a daily basis, just because I'll miss out on Morgan time.

Anyone close to our family knows the struggles I've had with balancing 'Mrs. Jenkins' and Natasha time; however, now I have more of a reason to work my hardest to ensure that 'mommy' comes first. I'm sure that finding the balance of good teacher, good wife, and good mommy will be a struggle- but I must continually remind myself how important my family is and keep myself in check so that they come first. I'm sure a panic attack will ensue this weekend, but hopefully I'll manage that well and transition back into working with as much ease as possible.

In Morgan news, I created a multi-media hub so that family in Topeka, Wichita, Arizona, etc. can keep up on her progress and growth since they don't see her as often as others. You can access the site by visiting http://adventureswithmorgankaye.shutterfly.com/ This is our primary hosting site for our family's photos, so it will be updated regularly!

On Monday we had our one month visit to the pediatrician and Morgan is growing nicely! We were given the okay to stop waking her up to feed (we were since she had lost so much weight initially) because she is now up to 10lb. 15.9oz! That places her in the 83rd percentile for weight and she is also in the 83rd for her head circumference. She's a shorty right now, in the 51st percentile at 21inches long. They were super pleased with her development, as she is ahead of her time in terms of rolling over (she can from her back to side), grasping objects (not intentionally yet, but very strong), and holding her head up. Her latest accomplishment is following her toys, particularly one rattle, with her eyes and head; it's cute to watch:

I can not get over how thankful I am for our family and friends. If not for the kindness of our co-workers, I don't know how I would have made it through the first few weeks- they fed us nightly! Having Tyler's mom and my mom here (and my grandma) was also a gift, it made the difficult transition into parenthood that much easier. Also, being able to go to Grandmas or mom's on the weekends helps since Tyler is super sleepy after his 13 hour shifts. I am just SO thankful for that and everyone's generous gifts to Morgan- her little 'nest egg' account is growing nicely and not having to pay for diapers, wipes, and formula to the extremes has been nice due to everyone's gift cards. WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO THANKFUL for your friendship & love!

Tyler and I are to the point now where we are enjoying Morgan more than worrying about sleep, what she wants, etc... We are figuring things out and moving into the stage of 'ah ha'. Morgan slept pretty much non-stop from 5:30a until 11:30a this morning- a major milestone! That meant that Daddy slept for a few hours since he goes in for a bit tonight and Mommy even caught a nap while snuggling baby girl. Right now, she is out in her bouncer after a little bit of fussiness and I am making cupcakes to decorate for Halloween!

This weekend, my last of maternity leave, we plan on making a trip to her great-great grandma's house so that we can take a 5 generation picture! Maybe, if it is nice we can FINALLY squeeze in the pumpkin patch, too! Before the weekend, though, Morgan has two more fun-filled days! On Thursday I have my appointment to clear me to go back to work and then Tyler and I are going to head to Lawrence for a 'date night' while Grandma Leslie watches Morgan. On Friday I'll take a little 'mommy time' as well as work on some lesson plans while Morgan and Daddy head to Olathe to hang out with Uncle Matt. So, busy, busy times in the Jenkins household!

n

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com