Domestic Princess

This morning while we were packing for our trip to Schenectady for Cooper's 2nd birthday party, Morgan decided it was a good time to try on her Princess outfit (a hand-me-down from Katie.)

Once she was dressed up, Morgan decided it was time to wash some laundry in the bathroom sink. (It's nice to see that even though she's a princess, she's still just an average gal.)

Birthday Bonanza!

This week kicked-off our 5-month birthday marathon. Someone we know will be blowing out candles every couple of weeks from now until August.

On Thursday, Mayie (aka Paula) turned [age classified] while Aunt Aimee celebrated the Big 4-0. Unfortunately, we weren't able to celebrate their big day in person. But, on Saturday morning, we were able to go to a birthday party for Buttons the Hippo at Adventure Aquarium.

Before Buttons came out for her party, Morgan checked out another new exhibit at the aquarium: the rare and exotic "Giant Daddy Head" (species: cranium paterus maximus).

Finally, Buttons and Genny came out and quickly gobbled up a mountain of hay and birthday watermelon while everyone sang "Happy Birthday".

Another big attraction at the Hippo birthday party was the guest appearance by the Backyardigans. Unfortunately, Morgan still has an irrational fear of adults dressed up as cartoon characters. So we had to take pictures of Tyrone the Moose hugging other peoples' kids instead. (Oh well, maybe next year.)

Outside the aquarium, Morgan climbed aboard the giant sea turtle and smiled pretty for the camera. (So at least we got one "keeper" photo for Mayie and Aimee's birthday.)

A Beautiful Weekend

After last weekend was a total wash-out, we made sure we took full advantage of the beautiful weather. On Saturday morning, we travelled up to Fishkill, NY to see our friends Lance and Lina. Jeff, Nicole and Cooper came for a visit, too. So, all together, we had 3 pregnant women, 2 toddlers, 3 dads-to-be, and one little dog (Max) who was completely intimidated by the 2 toddlers.

Shortly after arriving, we walked to the park in Lance & Lina's development. Cooper, being the daredevil boy that he is, liked to hurl himself down the slide at top speed. Meanwhile, Morgan preferred to use her feet as brakes and just enjoy the ride.

After we got back from the park, Morgan and Cooper spent the rest of the day giving Lance and Lina a taste of what their house will be like when they become parents. They raced around the house, opened and closed the door to the deck, and generally got themselves all tuckered out.

After all that excitement on Saturday, Morgan was ready for a quiet day at home on Sunday. We picked up some fresh sand and brought Morgan's sandbox out of the shed.

She spent about 2 hours making sandcastles, sand cupcakes, and (her personal favorite) sand all over her pants and feet.

Morgan the Green Monster

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Morgan and Ariella made "Green Velvet" cupcakes (red velvet with green food coloring). Morgan, being the mischievous little Leprechaun that she is, decided it was more fun to eat all the decorations than to actually decorate the cupcakes. Yum!

Potty progress

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? We hope so. Morgan took big steps toward being potty trained this week.

On Sunday night, she asked to pee in the potty (which usually means she'll sit on the potty and read books, but not pee). Instead, she pee'd like a champ.

We mentioned this to her teachers Monday morning. That night, Morgan's daily report card said that she had used the potty 4 times (including 2 poops, if you want to know all the gory details.) She came home wearing pull-ups that night, instead of the usual diapers.

This pattern continued all week, with only a few accidents. So on Friday, Ariella took Morgan to Target to pick up a second training potty for our downstairs bathroom. And, even better, Morgan got her first set of big girl underpants.

We're not sure if this will be it for diapers for Morgan. But after a couple months of off-and-on interest in the potty, she's looking like she's ready. Hooray!

Can the Cabbage Patch Kid predict the future?

On Christmas morning, Morgan got a Cabbage Patch Kid from Aunt Aimee & Co. When Morgan opened the package, the doll's adoption papers said the doll was a baby girl, born on July 6th. We thought, "Wow, that's really close to Ariella's due date... wouldn't it be funny if it's a girl on July 6th?"

Well, on Thursday night, we found out that part of the Cabbage Patch Kid's prediction is true... IT'S A GIRL.

(In the photo directly above, the baby is looking straight at the "camera". Her head is tilted sideways right in the center of the photo.)

So now we'll have to wait until July 6th to find out if the rest of the Cabbage Patch prediction comes true.

One thing is for sure, though. We will NOT be naming the baby "Ayla Carissa" like it says on the Cabbage Patch Kid's birth certificate. No way! Not happening!

Another winter weekend

Is it just us or has this been the longest winter ever?

It seems like we've been cooped up in the house forever. Luckily, last weekend the Coleman gang -- Aimee, Russ, Henry and Alex -- came for a visit, so we were all cooped up in the house together. (When Andy's parents found out we were all getting together, they decided to make the trip down from Connecticut to hang out, too. The more, the merrier)

Everyone arrived just as Morgan was waking up from her nap. Morgan was a little shy at first, but she quickly remembered, "Oh, that's right! I LOVE playing with Alex!"

Henry spent most of the afternoon acting like a typical pre-teen... he spent most of the day playing his DS, and then sleeping on the couch.

After an exciting afternoon with the whole family, it was time for some "thumb time" with Aunt Aimee.