Mommy's Little Helper

I don't cook. Anyone who knows me can attest to that statement. I wish I enjoyed cooking like other people, but I simply don't. Last week we were out of all breakfast food except oatmeal (the real kind, not instant) and I attempted to fix that for breakfast. Did you know that milk actually burns on the stove top? Yep, turns black and affixes the pot to the top of the stove. If you didn't know that tidbit of knowledge before, consider yourself enlightened.
Anyway, I'm really trying to be more domesticated so tonight I enlisted the help of one very cute aid.

She showed me how to effectively use my materials

She watched intently to make sure I didn't burn anything.

The finished product! Okay, I admit that I really used a container of frozen gumbo that we fixed (from a mix) over Christmas break, but I really did cook the rice and that, my friends, can be a big deal for me! =-)

She helped me eat it.

And then, after bath time, she helped me do the dishes.

Maybe with my sweet girl's help I'll spend more time in the kitchen, but I'm not making any promises.

A New Throne for the Princess

Most of you are aware that one thing that stays consistent with our little MES is that she is not a good eater. When we put her in her high chair, she always fusses and doesn't want to eat. It is a battle at every meal. A friend of mine wanted to get rid of her daughter's high chair and asked if we wanted it. We got it, but I had my doubts that it would really make a difference with Morgan's eating. We put her in it for dinner tonight, fed her more than usual, and she ate every bite! I even fixed her more and she ate all of that as well. Could her eating problems really be solved by simply changing her high chair? Let's hope so!

Ready to dine!

Mom, you've been holding out on me!

Such a MESS!

Happy bowl!

Potty Training?!

Is a nine month old ready for potty training? "Of course not!" you're probably thinking. Well, our little MES has now officially done "number one" and "number two" in the potty TWICE this week. How? She's in the bathtub playing like this



and we begin to see "bubbles" in the water so we move her to the very conveniently placed toilet next to the tub to let her do her "business."



I'm sure she thinks we're nuts, but it's much easier than cleaning out the tub!

Sad Day!

Today is a very sad day for the Auburn family. A selfish person has stolen something from us that can't be replaced. When "Al from Dadeville" decided to take it upon himself to poison the Toomer's oak trees, he made a huge mistake. I don't think anyone is happy about what he did, Auburn fan or not. How could you be? There's something to be said for tradition and this is one tradition that has been part of Auburn for several generations. I remember rolling Toomer's Corner as a child and I was looking forward to sharing that special tradition with Morgan but now, because of "Al's" selfishness, that is a memory I'll never have. These pictures are the closest I'll get.



I'm now even more grateful that my dad was able to be in Auburn for the national championship game and we were able to go to the sacred oak trees together for what just may be the last time they will ever be rolled.




"Al," you may have destroyed our beloved trees, but you (or anyone else) will never be able to destroy our Auburn family.

Terrific Tuesday!

Tuesday is one of my most favorite days of the week! This is the day that Steve has his weekly band practice in Prattville so that means "Mommy & MES" time! I admit it, I'm selfish. I love my job, but I love my daughter more so any time I can have Morgan to myself is much appreciated.

Once again, I couldn't pass up the chance to take Morgan outside to enjoy some fun in the sun. I opted out of the walk today and chose to play in the backyard instead.

My childhood best friend Beth got married this weekend (that will be another post) and we had some bubbles from her wedding. I wasn't sure what Morgan would think of the bubbles or being put down on dead grass and leaves, but she really seemed to enjoy herself. Below are some pictures of our little backyard adventure.

Can you spot the bubbles?

Trying to catch them...

Studying the leaf...

Eating the leaf...

We also practiced what the word "No!" means, but we didn't have much success. =-)

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is one of those "holidays" that I just don't get into. As a teacher I receive enough boxes of chocolate to send Jenny Craig to The Biggest Loser and, to tell you the truth, I don't really like chocolate. I'm not a big flower person either because I don't see the point in spending a bunch of money (at least twice the price at V-Day!) on something that is going to die within a few days anyway. All that being said, Steve and I made the decision to "borrow" a friend's tradition of ordering a heart shaped pizza and spend the evening with our sweet little girl.
Well, plans have a way of changing around our house, but this time it was for the better. The weather has become something I do love and I was eager to pick Morgan up from the sitter and bring her home so we could go for a walk and soak up some sunshine. Steve got home in time to join us so it was a nice little family outing.


My friend Jennifer called to say that she was going to be here for the afternoon and had a craving for Cock of the Walk so we joined her and a friend for an early dinner. It was a wonderful (and much needed!) break from our traditional Monday night routine. We don't get to see Jennifer nearly as often as we'd like, but we do enjoy the times we have together. Here are some pictures from our LOVEly evening:

Happy Valentines Day

9 Months!

February 7 was Morgan's nine month birthday. I am amazed at how much she changes and grows each and every day. I remember when we first brought her home from the hospital and I thought that life couldn't get any better than it was right then, holding my perfect little angel who loved to snuggle. Well, I was wrong. Thankfully she is still a snuggler, but she has developed quite a little personality and is more of a little girl than a baby. She is the most independent, determined girl ever, much like her mommy. She is, however also extremely obedient. If she is crawling somewhere she shouldn't all we have to do is say her name and she turns around and comes right back. I'm not sure how long that will last, but we sure are enjoying it right now. Here's what all our little MES has been up to this month.


You weigh 17.4 pounds (25th percentile) and you are 29 inches long (90th percentile).
You are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes even though they are big around your waist. You're wearing size 2 1/2 shoes and size 2-3 diapers.


You couldn't care less about food. I wouldn't necessarily say that you are picky, you would just rather be doing other things. Some of your favorite foods are Veggie Straws, bananas, squash, peas, and yogurt. You'll eat most any baby food as long as it doesn't have chunks of things in it. You like to play with real food and you'll eat some things, but eating just isn't your "thing". You are offered three "meals" (oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast, a fruit or vegetable for lunch, and some kind of solid food like oranges, green beans, or something off our plates for dinner) along with a couple of snacks (puffs or Veggie Straws) and 3-4 bottles each day. Miss Mary and Miss Brittney (your babysitters) have a hard time getting you to take a 4 oz bottle during the day, but we've upped your night bottle to 8 oz before bed and you're doing pretty well taking that.


You love to explore and study people and so far we haven't seen any of the dreaded "Stranger Danger." You will go to anyone and you give that "million dollar smile" to everyone we pass.


Your new tricks this month include waving (and saying) bye-bye, clapping your hands, and pointing. You can pull up on most anything and you can walk across the room if you're holding onto someone's hands. You went through a week long phase where you were fake coughing all the time. You would cough, we would look at you, and you would bust out with the cutest laugh ever. You are such a little HAM!

Here you are pointing...

and saying "Bye bye!"

standing on your own,

and reading your musical book.

I wouldn't say that you have a favorite toy. You're pretty happy with anything we give you to play with, but you continue to love anything that lights up and/or plays music. Books are another favorite. On a recent 2 hour car trip you "read" us a book the entire way home. I'm pretty confident you're going to be quite a little talker.


I love watching you "dance" every time you hear music. When you get excited about something, you start waving your arms around super fast and Daddy and I say that you are being a music director.


This month you got your first two teeth. Your bottom, front, left tooth came through first and about one week later, the right one joined it. I had heard teething nightmare stories, but you did really well with it. You did have a stuffy nose for about a week and that caused some sleeping issues since you are such a paci lover, but other than that you handled it like a champ! I have been unable to snap a picture of your teeth, but Amy did when she took your 9 month pictures last weekend.


This month we also helped Aunt Joy celebrate her 75th birthday. We went home for her surprise party and your Uncle "Hot Shot" thought it would be fun to give you a cupcake. I tried my best to stop him, but I was unsuccessful. Luckily you were dressed in your cupcake dress and I was armed with the camera. I guess it was a good trial run for the smash cake you'll be diving into in just three short months. Here are some of my favorite pictures of you and your first cupcake.




Thank you for being the fun-loving, go with the flow, sweet, happy little angel that you are. I can't remember life before you, but I do know that it couldn't have been anywhere near as good as it is right now. We love you MES!