Not All Who Wander...

...Are lost.

Or have busted out of their crib.  Just my kid.

 The other morning, I'm getting ready after my shower and I hear Joey on the monitor.  He's just woken up and babbling in his crib.  I hurry to finish getting ready before I go upstairs to get him.  Only, before I can finish what I'm doing, I hear "Hey Mommy?  Hey Mommy?" and it sounds A LOT closer than on the monitor.  He was out in the hallway of the upstairs, walking back and forth, hollering at me through the railing.  What. The.

 I never heard a thud, or anything that sounded like I child heaving himself out of the crib.  I was totally shocked (and a little creeped out - I don't know why but the thought of my children roaming freely throughout the house when I think they're in bed scares the living daylights out of me.  I'll probably legit have a heart attack when they walk up to me when I'm in bed asleep!)

"Here, have some blue cupcake and get over the fact that I can jump of my crib Ma."

My friend Mica said maybe he'd forget, and so far, it seems he has because he hasn't tried it again.  But just in case, we are taking the frame out of his crib and putting his mattress on the ground.  That oughtta prevent another escape.  I'm not ready for him to be in a toddler bed just yet.

House Updates: Morgan's Room

Slowly but surely we are making tweaks to our new home.

First up, I replaced the light fixture in the foyer.  We decided to try the Ballard version of the Orb Chandelier because the price was so much better.  I'm not sure if I totally love it.  I like it, it goes well with our decor...but it almost doesn't feel large enough for the space or something.  It seems a little too low-key and I think I was hoping for something a little more "WOW".

Here it is from a weird angle:

And here it is lit up at night:

Next up is Morgan's room, which is really the only room that's received any sort of attention.  She wanted PINK! Walls! PINK! Everything!  I've been trying to tone it down a few notches with some white & gold and so far, I'm happy with the results.  But I feel like I'm just winging it.

I'd love to replace the ugly ceiling fan but am unsure with what?  That's not something I want to replace every few years like the rest of the decor as she grows up.

Both kids' rooms are not very large so I don't want them too cluttered.  I have plans for that rocker & ottoman to move out, but I'm getting resistance.

I've been able to re-use some things from the old house.  Like the big "M" above her toddler bed, I had for forever but never used.  I bought a can of glitter gold spray paint (and someone better stop me with that stuff because it's freaking fabulous and I just might paint a child or two) and went to town.

 The wall dots and sheets were from Land of Nod.  We are thinking of adding more dots on the "M" wall.  The quilt is from PBKids.  (And Morgan hates it.  Threenager much?)

 I got this sweet print from Society6.  She's very into "Ballaweenas".

 I also ordered this adorable gold glitter heart pillow that has yet to show up.  Apparently it's lost in transit.

And if you ever talk to my husband, PLEASE make no mention of the fact that the cream colored furniture does not match the white trim and white toddler bed. #sorepoint

So far, that's all I've gotten done.  I have a really pathetic guest room that needs a major overhaul.  We hosted our first out of town guests this past weekend and I was embarrassed, but comforted by the fact I could use the out "We just moved in!"

Morgan's 3rd Birthday Bash

I forgot just how much I love to throw a good party, and this one was SO much fun!

Saturday late afternoon, we hosted about 40 family members and a couple of our friends (who also have young children) over to celebrate our sweet girl turning 3.  We also invited our new neighbors across the road - their little girl is in Morgan's preschool class and I see them every Tuesday and Thursday -- small world.  We went through a lot of food, a TON of beer and lots of bottles of wine.  Sunday was rough for this old lady, but we had friends staying the weekend and we all just lounged around while the kids played.  It was perfect.

Anyway, I didn't get many pictures because I was busy conducting house tours and having fun talking to everyone!  The birthday girl had a BLAST.

My dear husband wanted to be in charge of the cake and he did an incredible job! 

We had Chick-Fil-A catered (her favorite) and I swear every last crumb of food got eaten.

Her gift from her cousins was a Plasma Car. SO. MUCH. FUN.  Though I may have been a little too lenient letting them drive it all over the hard wood floors because now they're all scratched to hell.  Oh well.

By Sunday night she just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.

I've learned turning 3 means a whole lotta crowns/tiaras/sparkly shoes/sunglasses/and Minnie Mouse EVERYTHING.  She insisted on the birdie shirt before her party, then switched to her Minnie Mouse (Halloween Costume) dress for the party.  As long as she was happy, I didn't care.

We love this little sweetheart more than we can express!  

I'm off to continue cleaning my house...it's been an all-day affair but I'd do it again in a heartbeat for my sweet girl.

First Time Fun in the Snow

OK, I will confess:  I hate the snow & the cold.  Most people do, right?  But I REALLY hate it.  So much so, that I don't even take my kids out to play when it's cold outside.  Easy to see why I'm not the fun parent, right?

Last Sunday, after a few more inches fell on top of the few inches we already had, we ventured out into the mild (30's!) temps and had some fun.  Daddy was working allllll weekend long and we needed to get out!

Luckily I had bought snowpants on clearance last year from Target and they were perfect for this year (probably next year too, score!)

"You're telling me this is going to be fun, right?"

"What is this contraption you have me in Ma?"

It's deceiving, but just past that snow in front of them, it drops off significantly.  That would be our front yard.

The snow was up to his knees

 We built a sad little snowman and I really wished I had a sled to pull them around on...but we still had fun.  I taught them how to make and throw snowballs, haha!

He fell a few times and couldn't get up

His little profile kills me!

 We came back inside and I made hot cocoa for all of us.  They both went down for a nap, although only one of them slept.  When Joey woke up later on, some of our friends were passing through again.  Joey says "Deers!  Look!  Deers!" and Morgan yells at them "Hey Bambi! Wanna come play with me and Minnie?"  I wasn't up for another 30 minute bundling session in one day so we watched from inside, ha!

Who's the fun mom now?

Thursday Brain Dump

A few things on my mind lately:

• This article about asking more thoughtful questions of your spouse was floating around Facebook.  It's a good read if you haven't seen it already.
• Then there was this article about why Moms who have 3 kids are more stressed out than Moms who have 4 kids.  Hmm, wonder where Moms with 2 kids rank?  My husband is on board with 4.  One second I look at my two healthy, beautiful, sweet children and I absolutely want 2 more RIGHT.THIS.SECOND.  Five minutes later I'm thinking we are definitely tapping out at 2.  The timing of this article was ironic, considering we'd just had dinner Saturday night with a couple who has 4 boys and that Mom is super chill.  I just really like being around her.

Hmmm....2 more?

• How do people get moved and settled in so quickly???  I am STILL unpacking.  I blame it on the children.
• We finally got our condo listed for sale this week.  We still have some junk to clear out there, but I'm praying it sells quickly.  The weather needs to warm up so people will go out house hunting.  And so I don't lose my marbles.  There's an app that shows me all the activity and I check it way too often.
• Speaking of winter weather, everything has been canceled for the past couple of days around here and with the exception of Tuesday night's ice storm, it hasn't even been that bad?  Trust me:  I'm Minnesotan and I've seen much worse.  So if Preschool could just go ahead and get back in session, that'd be swell.  Morgan has had TWO days of class in the last month.  TWO.  You know it's bad when your almost-3-year-old is begging "Can we PLEASE go somewhere today Mama?"
• I will say that going down the driveway has been an adventure this week.  I ride the brakes and say a prayer the whooooole way.
• Morgan has kindasorta given up naps.  I feel cheated - is this supposed to happen already?

• I'm obsessed with decorating her room.  She won't let me pick her clothes?  Fine.  But I'm decking out her room since I will be the one cleaning it for the next few years.  Post to come.
• This shirt makes me incredibly happy and is THE SOFTEST thing I've ever worn. I realized I'm dressing like my sparkly heart-lovin' toddler.  I'm OK with it.  And I'm ready for Valentine's Day.  I had a credit from the fall to use (that I had totally forgotten about!) and had been eyeing this for a minute.  

VIA Hot Mama

• And lastly, since my current situation is not allowing me to get to Pilates class, I decided to try T25.  I found one on Craigslist for a STEAL (brand new, unopened!) and two hours later was meeting some stranger in the Walmart parking lot to make the exchange.  Of course I text the husband starting out with my usual "If I get kidnapped or murdered....here's why" text.  It was some kid, who I'm convinced stole his Mom's brand new workout DVDs to hock for drug money. 

 I figure I can definitely get up 25 minutes earlier in the mornings to knock this out, right?

Morgan Lately

I wanted to do a post to remember all the things about Morgan right now.  I can't believe she will be 3 years old in a few weeks! 

She already has her birthday party planned (I'm glad someone does!) and it will be allllll Minnie Mouse.  She informed us she is NOT blowing out the candles.  Not sure what that's all about, but she's adamant about that.

She was obsessed with the new house and telling everyone she was going to have a pink room (true), the potties were dirty (true) and the shower heads go "Spray spray spray!" (also true). 

She has become such a sweetheart lately - so cuddly and will just give me or Daddy the biggest hug and say "I love you Mommy!"  One day I coughed a few times and she came up to me, very concerned.  She patted me on the back and said "You OK Mommy?  You've been coughing a lot!"

We've been working on saying her prayers every night and it's the most precious thing in the world to hear her say "Lawd" for Lord and hear her talk to God. 

She loves to talk about the traffic lights and test our knowledge; "Mama, what color is the light?"  Me:  "Green".  Morgan:  "Right!  Green means go!"

She's getting a smidge nicer to Joey.  Smidge.  They are playing together a lot more these days.  She could live on crackers, fruit and carbs.  She devours spaghetti and has taken to eating the raw/crunchy pasta noodles.  She also steals my "Pwotein Bars" and coffee when I'm not looking.

And at almost 3 she is completely against potty training.  She always says "No...not today.  Maybe Sunday (or any other day that is not today)" or "I don't like sit on the potty!"  I don't push it.  However in the past few days there has been major interest, including some successful attempts, so I'm just as confused as before.  We are at the point where we have to go inspect the potty everywhere we go (restaurants, school, grocery store, etc.).  But we're just looking.

Other funny things she says:
While staying at Nana's before the move: "Mommy, can we pack Joey in a box?"  She was dead serious too.

Last week, one morning when I went up to her room to get her up for school:  "No Mommy, don't come in here!  I'm not done sleeping yet!"

And she's entered the "Why" stage.  Already.  Every thing I tell her...."Why?" and it goes on and on no matter what kind of dead-end explanation I give her. 

She loves Minnie Mouse, princesses, and dancing.  She's turning into a little girl way too fast.  Joe and I often comment on how much she's grown up and what a sweetheart she's become.  We love her more than I can put into words.