meghan reese is 16 months old, my baby girl is growing up...

.....and taking her darling time to walk!
Meghan Reese is 16 months old and is still such a happy little baby girl. She just goes with the flow all the time and is constantly being taken along everywhere her brother and sister has to go. Which of course probably has something to do with not walking yet. Unfortunately we are always on the go and when we aren't there isn't a lot of down time practicing to walk. We run in the door from the gym swap, playgroup, school and dance and then its time for a nap and then it's up from the nap and run to get Connor off the bus and then stuck in a wagon or stroller while the kids play outside. I finally just gave up that she can't be stuck in there forever and now just let her crawl around in the driveway and let her do what she wants. She loves to play with the stroller and the tricycle and tries to pick up stones, rocks, and flowers too.
Meghan did finally take 3 steps on her own but that was on March 8th and now we are on March 16th and she hasn't tried it again. She balances herself very well and can push the car or walker ride to go toy all over the house. Meghan still loves to eat, she loves baby dolls, and still loves hiding in small spaces. She is a great sleeper and loves her baths at night too. Meghan still sucks her thumb but mostly only at night or in the car. Meghan has learned how to feed her self and drives me crazy with the mess that it creates. She loves ice cream and Pop Pop spoils her once a week with Carvel and she goes to town with her own ice cream cup and spoon.

 Our great wagon rides to the bus stop with her big sister. Mara often gets out and pushes Meggie around while we are waiting for Connor. She laughs so hard at whatever it is Mara is doing. She loves her big sister so much. One of her favorite things to do is to wrestle on the ground with Mara and be tickled.

 Meggie eating french fries at the park. She loves snacking on just about anything. Her favorites are baby goldfish and grapes.

 Usually when Meg wakes up from her nap I let her play a bit in her crib before we get her out because 9 out of 10 times she likes to do her duties after her nap(hope you know what I mean) and she likes her privacy. I was watching her throuh the monitor and she was reading her first book and turning the pages all by her self. I could hear her talking about the pages and saying, "hi, baby" "bye baby" as she turned the pages to her first board book. She is starting to say a lot more words and loves to wave hi and bye to everybody with a great big smile.

 She absolutely loves, loves, loves every baby doll and carries them everywhere we go. She gives them great big hugs and kisses and loves to snuggle her "Violet" teddy bear at night in her crib. I am so happy we have the video monitor because these sweet moments would sure be missed without it. For some reason she loves to play pretend when she is all alone in her crib.

 Having a great time on the swings with her baby doll. We say "weee, there goes Meggie and baby" and if Connor is with us we sing his new favorite song that he picked up at school a few weeks ago that brings back so many memories of my days on the playground too. "Meggie and baby sitting in a tree, Kissng(we had to teach him how to spell kissing the right way and now he knows it is kissing)...ing, first comes love, then comes" He thinks it is so funny. He said all the kids say it with who your best friend is and when I said it with me and Don's name he thought it was even funnier and then asked a million questions about why I married Daddy and why we kiss and sleep in the same room and who is he going to marry and can he marry Mara and who is he going to live with when he grows up and the questions just kept going but he sure does love to sing his new song.When him and Mara laugh at the song together, Meggie jumps right in and starts cracking up too.

 Meghan is out of her wagon and stroller, Horray, and why haven't I been aloowed to explore before, because this is so much fun.

Meghan was at a playdate today with Mara at Courtneys's and was obsessed with this necklace. She will defintiely be the super girly girl and I can only assume that she will be ten times more into dress up and princesses than Mara ever was. Happy 16 month birtday Meggie. Mommy, Daddy, Connor and Mara love you to pieces and can't get enough of  your hugs and kisses and that super big tummy of yours.

Happy Birthday Meggie!

CAN YOU GUESS WHO JUST TURNED ONE?

A LITTLE SWEET PRINCESS CUPCAKE

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BABY MEGHAN

11/12/11

bAbY sTaTs:

WEIGHT: 19LBS(10%)

HEIGHT: 27" (25%)

What Meghan is doing: Standing(first time:Sunday, Nov 13th),Today, standing all day long

crawling, laughing, smiling, teething, cooing, eating(eating and eating), drinking from a sippy cup, trying organic whole milk and spitting it back out(like mommy's milk better), playing peek a boo, singing and dancing to music, blabbing on the phone(knowing the difference between the real phone and toy phones), loves her puffs and cheerios

 Mommy made Meg's cupcake cake and Daddy made it even yummier with his fantastic special icing making. He made tons of icing and then took it up a notch by decorating the entire cake from coloring the icing to the finishing sprinkles. The kids did help put on a few sprinks but Daddy made it look perfect for our Meggies big Day!

 "The Masterpiece Cupcake"

 We tried all we could to make Meghan's day as special as possible but she was fighting a terrible cold that made her look very tired and she had dry patches all over her face. She was of course still as happy as can be for a special birthday girl.

 That's right Meghan, get a piece of that yummy cake. She did taste the icing and thought it was delicious!

 Samara took over the show, but Meg was back there hiding behind her. It was all smiles during the "happy birthday song".

 My friend made the favors for the party and they turned out phenomenal. She made all natural cake pops and she made all the dips for the party too. If you ever need any baked goods or appetizers I highly recommend "anca bakes".

 A little tug of war between sisters is always a good time. Mara was practically tearing Meg's face off so she didn't eat her shoes. Meghan has a fetish with shoes, any size, color, or shape! She is a woman after my own heart. She just LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Shoes!

 and balloons too for that matter!

 and of course...her mommy!

 Meghan opening her presents and reading her cards, surprisingly my first child that actually cares about reading cards first before diving into the presents. She got so many cute gifts and she is having a ball playing with all her new toys and wearing all of her cute clothes.

Meggie's friends and family at her party

All about our day and the fabulous celebration!

Party started at 3pm, Mommy and Daddy cooked all the food, we had sausage and peppers, tortellini in vodka sauce, roast beef sandwiches, chicken nuggets, sweet potato fries, salads and a ton of appetizers including spinach and artichoke dip, hummus and pita, a huge pretzel tray and a veggie tray. We ate our lunch and mingled before the magician arrived at 4pm and then all the kiddos gathered around the living room for a very entertaining magic show and singing and dancing, meg was given her first animal balloon and then we headed outside for a cupcake pinata(aka extreme chaos), after the candy rush we went back inside for the ultimate happy birthday and cake. The kids enjoyed getting balloon animals and their faces painted. By 6pm we were all exhausted and it was time to start cleaning up and opening presents! 

 Meghan loves to chase the balls that roll away from her. She is in her squatting mode here, but has mastered the squat and is now standing on her own!

We love you so much Meghan Reese and are so glad you had such a fun and exciting first birthday. Many thanks to all who shared in her special day and for all the wonderful presents to brighten her day.

Meghan's Dedication at Church Today

A Baby Dedication is a ceremony in which believing parents, and sometimes entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God's will and to raise that child according to God's Word and God's ways. Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God's Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God's ways, and praying earnestly for the child.

We have the dedication on video, so we hope you are able to view it and we are sorry that you couldn't be here to share in Meghan's special day, but we know that you were all thinking about her and giving your blessing along with all of us.

 The proud God Parents

Uncle Mike and Aunt Jess

 Aunt Emily was the star of the day along with Uncle Dave(sorry Dave, didn't get any pics of you, because you had the camera most of the time)  who captured our special moment on video so we can all look back on Meghan's special blessing for years to come.

 The kids were so well behaved for most of the time. Towards the end of the service they started to get a little restless but we were so proud of them for sitting still and listening to what Pastor Mark had to say to them.

 Another proud moment for Pop Pop with his extra special little girl, Meggie.

 Meghan was still going strong at 1pm without her morning nap,  still putting on a good smile and playing with all her toys. We had a little luncheon back at the house for Meg and Allison, who is my good friend Jess's daughter who was also dedicated today too.

Meghan was dedicated today by our Pastor, Mark Barnish, at Crossbridge Community Church. The service was all about raising your Preschooler and how much God loves us and his children. He made a statement that all you need is three specific things to teach your children to have a spiritual life. Most importantly that God made us, that Jesus loves us, and that we are beautifully made. Meghan did great and was a very happy baby during most of the service. She was a Daddy's girl today, blabbing all day and saying, "da,daaaadaaaa", she even was arms wide open for Daddy to hold her during church.

I woke up this morning and looked out the back door to a new friend just hanging out watching over our house. He must have ate the rest of the leaves off the plant and then needed to take a little break.

Guess what tonight is....Family Bingo!

and guess what my text message spat at me at 1pm today....

from Don: i have an ERCP Today and don't know what time yet....which means he isn't going to Family Bingo.

Hopefully, it will get done at a somewhat normal time and he can meet us there. If not, at least we know we have him with us for the weekend.
This week has flown by so fast and I can't even keep the days from running together. Meggie just turned 11 months and just got her top two teeth this week too.

 At 11 months Meghan is trying to start to talk. She is babbling all the time and now I can understand that she is trying to say Mammmmmaaaa and Daddddaaaaa!
 Favorite toy this month Strawberry Shortcake race car and Dollhouse(as long as she isn't stuck in it)
 Favorite food this month: pancakes....she can't get them in quick enough.
 Favorite snack: puffs and goldfish
 Favorite fruit: bananas
 Favorite time of day: bathtime, she loves to splash in the tub with Connor and Mara
 Favorite person: Mommy
 Favorite song: twinkle twinkle little star
 Favorite book: any cookbook she can tear apart

Meghan's Stats

teeth: four, two on top, two on the bottom

weight: 20lbs

diaper size: 4

clothes size: 12-18 months

shoe size: 3

What Meggie can do:
 stand in her crib when she is done her nap, try to stand and crawl at the same time, roll over and make it impossible to change her diaper, walk in the walker in the basement, stand at the ottoman and her leapfrog toy, say da,da, ma,ma, cry when the food isn't coming fast enough or when mommy walks away, takes two naps, loves the car, loves the stroller, plays more independently with toys, loves keys and phones. She also loves her sippy cup and loves it even more when she gets a hold of Mara's and a sip of applejuice. I caught her twice

 who needs toys when you still love to play with tupperware and snack cups

 This is Mara's usual passed out on the couch look on Wednesdays and Fridays. She has school on tuesdays and fridays so on the other days we put on a show and she conks out with in 5mins. Don't know why she won't sleep on the days she has school but for some reason on her off days she is more exhausted then ever and just goes right to sleep when she hits the couch for down time. Wednesday she fell asleep watching care bears.