Morgan Turns 2!

Catching Up :  November 30, 2013

___________________________________________________

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN

Age: 

2

Height:

32 3/4" tall

Weight:

24 lbs

Potty Trained:

Not yet. This is something that we have been working on since she was around 22 months old. She makes it into the bathroom to her potty but hasn't yet figured out that it goes IN the potty. We aren't worried yet that she isn't potty trained but it is something that we hope happens soon.

Words:

Morgan talks a lot! she can repeat anything that we say with about 75% accuracy. Sometimes, we will says words like shirt...and they come out of her mouth without the r. It's actually pretty funny. I will repeat shirt and she screams the other word! Kale and I do correct her but...we laugh so hard when this happens.

Words she uses regularly: (to get what she wants)

Please
Thank you
I love you
I love you too

A little humor:

When our little Morgan does her business, she politely tells me that she has a stink pickle. WHAT? A stink pickle. It's hilarious and I am really not surprised that she followed daddy's lead on this one.

Diaper is not a diaper. It is a dipe. Pronounced just like ripe.

Sippy is not a sippy. It is a sip. 

Morgan is really funny when she talks. She talks so well that she can hold a conversation with us. I love it!

Favorite foods:

Eggs

Cottage Cheese

Yogurt

Toast

Bacon

Venison

pb & j

Pretzels

Steak

Corn

Peas 

Cereal

Ice Cream

Cookies

Foods that she will eat any-day and every day: CORN. We like to think she got that from daddy.

Favorite tv shows:

Jake and The Neverland Pirates

Sofia the First

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Good Luck Charlie
Spongebob

Favorite Movie:

RIO

Without a doubt...hands down...Rio. She wants to see RIO every single day. Of course we let her! It's adorable to watch her laugh hysterically at the movie {part: when Blue is sipping his hot cocoa and the two geese throw a snow ball at the window: she just laughs hysterically}

Favorite things to do:

Morgan loves to play with her babies. You can't touch her babies. Only Morgan can touch her babies. Unless her baby is "crying" then you can help hush her baby to sleep :) She also loves her new tea set she got for Christmas. She started screaming out of joy that she got a new baby and made us open the gift. She started feeding her baby right away. She feeds me, daddy and her babies.

Dance. She loves to dance. It can be a commercial, my phone, daddy's radio...any music that she hears...she immediately starts dancing. And when the music turns off, she goes back to doing what it was that she was doing. I think this is one of my favorite things at this moment!!

Firsts:

Morgan got her first hair cut while we were in Texas for the Holidays. I am not happy with the results. I very clearly asked the stylist not to cut off any length. I asked her to just trim it all even. Well, I don't really know where my brain was. She ended up giving her a real bob. It is actually really cute. However, I really miss her curls. I don't think we will be experimenting on our daughters hair until she is like 12 now!

Morgan also had her first pedi for the Holidays! Yes, a little extreme for being 2 BUT she is a mini diva. I was shopping with a good friend of mine and our first stop was the nail salon. Morgan asked for a pedi. Yep. She can say pedi :) It was cute. I really enjoyed that little moment with her.

We decided this year would not be an all out birthday party for Morgan. I was closing out the year in my business and Kale was working so that he could take his full 2 week vacation for the Holidays. I really don't think Morgan would have known the difference. We went out to eat as a family to TGI Fridays and then I made a cake at home. She was really excited to sing Happy Birthday and blow out her candle.

A few Candids of Morgan in her natural non-posed state:

Dressing daddy just like her

With bubby at Qdoba

There's that smile!

Morgan's official birthday session will be coming soon :)

~ The Shank Family

Morgan's First Birthday ( the inspiration )

Morgan's First Birthday is coming rather rapidly. Up until about a week ago...it seemed as if it was months away. Kale and I were having a conversation and out of nowhere he asks, "You do realize that her birthday is just two weeks away right?" I freaked. I mean freaked!

If is was an already hosted party somewhere like Chuck E Cheese or somewhere that only involves bringing a cake and buying pizza than I think I would still be in the safe zone. But nooooo...little miss crafty crafter DIY'er has to go all out and get crazy with it.

So... I did. I got a little crazy. All of these photos were pulled off Pinterest (of course)!

Here is a small sampling of the ideas I have been eyeing for at least 6 months now!

( the link for this image goes no where from pinterst )

This table is more or less the inspiration. Along with about 1200 other Soiree inspired tables I have chosen from Pinterest. This is so beautiful. I just can't stand it!

( Tutorial Here )

So cute and thankfully Tyler loves the IZZY Clementine pop drinks from Starbucks.

( Tutorial Here )

These look so delicious. I can't wait to make these and then eat them all up before daddy Kale gets them! I want to make these minus the stripes and sprinkles. I'm thinking edible glitter.

( Tutorial Here )

These look so good too. Can you see a pattern yet? Yes. Pink everything.

I can't remember where I scored this photo. It must have been off Pinterest. I am thinking pink and silver instead. I love the glitter. It could be overwhelming if I go too crazy but at this point I think it will be alright.

( Tutorial Here )

These are adorable. I love the little flags and the polka dots. I definitely am loving these polka dots!

I think you guys get the point. This is going to be so much fun to create. I can't wait to get started on all of these fun projects. First...I must go SHOP!!

Love,

The Shank Family

( and your crafty little crafter DIY'er ME )

FIVE MONTHS

Morgan Elaine

* Five Months *

*****{ STATS }*****

                                                           

 12.5 pounds 

23 inches long

size: 3-6 months

You are wearing 3-6 mo's clothing now. You can still wear some 0-3 mo's but I'm starting to pack them up already. You stayed tiny for so long...now that you are growing normally...it's like you are flying through your clothes. Exciting but fast. I have gone shopping about 6 different times now. I had to go get you new sleepers 0-3 mos. Just 2.5 weeks later you outgrew them. So onto the store I go again.


You are now wearing your size 1 diapers. I think we've had this box for about 3 months now {pre-bought them thinking ahead}. And of course we bought the largest box of pampers they make. It sat and sat and sat. Now we can use them up before you get too big for them. I will probably end up passing what's left down to your baby friends :)

*****{ HEALTH & DIET }***** 

You are very healthy. Morgan...your a chunker! It's about time you showed off a roll or two!


One morning about 3 weeks ago you woke up with green goo from your eyes. Took you to see your pediatrician. He said you have blocked tear ducts. I was given eye drops to prevent infection and have to massage the glands around the sides of your nose each day. If this continues they will have to do a small procedure inserting a catheter into your tear duct (corner of eye where tears come from) and blow it out. I'm really hoping this doesn't happen.


Eating:  Oh goodness. Your messy! Really messy. You LOVE food. It's like one day you woke up and developed an appetite. When we first introduced food you weren't exactly interested. You ate what we gave you. Now you actually get hungry for something other than your bottle. You LOVE when I am making you food. You lean over in your bumbo and stare at me while I mix your rice cereal.


You favorites:
rice cereal
applesauce
prunes
carrots
squash
bananas
peas
oatmeal & apples


You dislike:
pears
peaches
green beans


Your on fire when it comes to eating food. This is great!


Currently I buy Gerber but have the plans on making you some homemade baby food using these frozen baby food trays I've had my eyes on in the stores.


I have recently been feeding you food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in hopes that a schedule can be formed. Not sure this will work right now given that you are still on a bottle. My attempts at this will eventually pay off.

My messy Morgan:

                                                             *****{ SCHEDULE }*****     

You sleep like a little person. You go to bed when we go to bed. You wake up when we wake you up.

During the day you still take about 4 naps. They are about 1.5 hours long.

*****{ FIRSTS }*****

April 1st - first time you laughed out loud

April 5th - First plane ride

April 7th - First time on the Beach

*****{ MOMMY'S FAVORITE THINGS THIS MONTH }*****

My favorite thing this month is my time with you. I get to spend all day with you Morgan and I love it.

I'm in love with your smile!

I am in love with your baby talk. All your babble is funny to hear. Interesting too.

~ mommy

                          *****{ DADDY'S FAVORITE THINGS THIS MONTH }*****                        

My Favorite thing this month is getting to feed you your baby food.  You are such a veracious eater.  You chase the spoon around and pounce to get some squash and rice cereal... ( Yuck).  It is our little ritual after I get home from work.  


I also am in love with your chubby little thighs and your multiple chins.  It is good to see you finally putting on some baby fat.  I am sure it won't last long since you are already a little mover and I am sure you will be crawling shortly.

~daddy

*****{ WHAT WE MISS }*****

I am missing... your tiny little body. You were tiny for so long and now you are growing and moving.

 ~mommy

Like mom I miss you when you were tiny too. Other than that I like the way you are and they way you are growing
 ~ daddy

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT YOU }*****

You are a mover Morgan. You are rolling and starting to scoot. I saw you yesterday playing with Kandice's feet. Then you saw her bottle. So you moved your body to face her bottle. I didn't get this part on video but you were reaching for her bottle. I honestly thought you were going to scoot close enough to grab it.

You love food. You lean your body towards the spoon. If I'm not careful you will throw your head forward and the spoon will go a little too far. Yikes! It scares me every time.

You are a spitter. You didn't like your first introduction to pears. You spit them at your dad when he was feeding them to you. We both reached up and covered your mouth with our hands. This was hilarious.

When you poo....you poo!


You are becoming very vocal. Sometimes you can lay on the floor for an hour just talking away. It's adorable. Usually mommy, daddy, Colten and Tyler poke our heads around the corner and just watch and listen. It's amazing to see you in action when you can't see us!

Your teething. You tolerate this very well. I've only had to give you tylenol/orajel a handful of times.

I can see the corner of your first tooth. I'm patiently waiting its arrival! They haven't broke skin yet but soon they will. I am ready for this to happen.

You have nick-names already. 

Morgans - 
what mommy calls you. I have since you were born. Instead of just saying Morgan. I add the s.


My love - 
this is what daddy calls me and now this is what I call you


 Morgy-bear or Morgy-poo-bear - what Tyler calls you


Morgy-poo - what Colten calls you


Morgy poo-poo -
I add the extra poo when you are really stinky

Morgy super short stuff mcgillicutty -
What daddy calls you. Tyler is short stuff mcgillicutty so you are super short stuff mcgillicutty

You are very aware of your hands. Your motor skills have gone from 0 to reaching and touching everything in your sight. 

You are a hair-puller. You are always grabbing a hold of mommy's hair. Some days I think you are going to rip it out.

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT MOMMY }*****

Mommy loves you. I love you to death. I'm so glad for this God given gift of giving life to you. I am blessed to have carried you throughout a healthy pregnancy. 


I am enjoying being the mother of 3 beautiful children. 


Life is full. Hectic. Lovely.


I wake up between 5 and 6am. I usually don't get to sleep until 11pm. My schedule has changed but that's o.k. I love getting up with you and finishing chores after you are asleep.

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT DADDY }*****

Daddy must have accidentally skipped this section. 
Daddy has been busy lately. With the summer here he has been doing a lot of maintenance on the house. Cleaning gutters, mowing,  planting grass, and just the usual upkeep of the exterior of the home. He's also been working hard. As always he wishes he had more time with you and your brothers.

*****{ YOUR BIG BROTHERS }*****

Your brothers love you so much they fight over you. Yep. I'm not thrilled most days with this but it is cute after the crying is done.

If I say please help Morgan...{ then the fight begins} They both race to you fighting along the way before I can even get the rest of the sentence out of my mouth including the name of the person I wanted to help.

They love you.

*****{  PHOTOS FROM THIS MONTH } *****

{ April 5 }

{ April 12 }

{ April 17 }

{ April 26 }

{ April 28 }

{ April 28 }

{ April 29 } 

Happy 5th Morgan. This month will be very interesting as we are introducing more foods, less bottles, bigger poo's, and more moving. I am excited to do some more shopping for you. I also can't wait to see your precious face grow!

FOUR MONTHS

{ had no idea I didn't post this before I left for Florida. A little late but here it is }

Morgan Elaine

* Four Months *

*****{ STATS }*****

 11 pounds 10 oz

22  3/4 inches long

size : 0-3 mo's 

Finally wearing clothes that aren't newborn. You are wearing 0-3 mo's in clothes. You are finally able to wear your newborn shoes but they don't stay on very long.

You are wearing the last of your newborn diapers and starting to wear size.

*****{ HEALTH & DIET }***** 

Your over-all health is great little one.

Weight issues are no longer a problem. You are still a tiny little thing. You have gotten chunky over this last month. I love your thighs.

Normally you drink 6 oz of formula. We have started putting rice cereal in your bottle to give you something extra. Most of the time you barely get through your 6 oz.

Before bedtime you eat a small amount of rice cereal with applesauce. Goodness you love applesauce.

                                                             *****{ SCHEDULE }*****     

You sleep well my child. You never wake during the night. Most of the time if you do wake up before me I change your diaper and snuggle with you. We usually fall asleep together in mommy's bed until around 7:30. Sometimes you will sleep until 8:30 and I have to wake you up.

You are now sleeping in the top part of your play pin. Your crib isn't ready for you yet.

*****{ FIRSTS }*****

March 9 - First time eating baby food

March 19 - "First time rolling over" and we witnessed it

*****{ MOMMY'S FAVORITE THINGS THIS MONTH }*****

You are such a snuggle bug! You love to be snuggled with and you snuggle back.

You are always grabbing my face. Usually my nose. I love it. Sometimes if I'm not careful you will slip one of your fingers inside my nostril and squeeze. This doesn't feel too great but I usually laugh. 

You are a hair grabber. What baby isn't? I have to put my hair back in a pony if I'm snuggling or else you twist my hair into your fingers and pull.

~ mommy

                          *****{ DADDY'S FAVORITE THINGS THIS MONTH }*****                        

 Well, it's official.  You are a Shank.  I think you have even passed me on the food intake and discharge.

I love that you are beginning to make more noise in your excitement.  I enjoy making up words for you as you roll around and make baby sounds.  I just know you are trying to tell us something but you just can not get it out.

It is awesome watching you learn what your hands and feet are for.  I never knew someone could get so much enjoyment out of waving their arms in the air.

~daddy

*****{ WHAT WE MISS }*****

I think this month I miss how tiny you were. Every time I pick you up you squirm. It's cute but I can't hold you like a little newborn anymore. ~mommy

I miss how you slept on my chest when you were younger. ~ daddy

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT YOU }*****

Still stubborn as can be. 

You like to be in control of your bottle. I mean really Morgan? At four months you are holding your bottle like a little genius. The funny part is that you take control. You won't even let me hold it for you. Your little hands just grab.

Your adorable and make everyone around you smile.

You have turned into a drooler! Drooling everywhere all the time.

Mar 12

You have started moving this month. A lot. Sometimes too much. This is what I catch you doing when you use your swing. I've had to start strapping you in this month!

Mar 5

You really really like holding your own bottle! Have I already mentioned this? Seriously..With one hand!

Mar 15

You love music. Especially when daddy sings it to you.

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT MOMMY }*****

Mommy is well. 

Mommy is tired.

Mommy has her hands FULL!

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT DADDY }*****

Daddy is enjoying life.  I am taking every opportunity possible to spend time with you and your brothers.  It's just not fare that I have to spend so much of my day at work.  We will have to work on that.  

*****{ YOUR BIG BROTHERS }*****

Your brothers adore you. They always will.

They are always very helpful when it comes to your care. They will go and get anything for you.

Tyler likes to dance for you. He's always dancing and singing. You could be in the middle of a little fit and the minute he walks into the room you are immediately consumed.

Colten is still emotional when it comes to you. If you cry at ALL he totally freaks and tries to figure out why you are crying. Sometimes you are just whining. He doesn't understand that yet. He will soon enough. He is at your rescue. I think he always will be.

Mar 2

*****{ PHOTOS FROM MONTH THREE }*****

Mar 1

Mar 5

Mar 5

Mar 7

Mar 16

Mar 17

Mar 19

Mar 25

Mar 28

And I hate saying this but...you can see the difference in Morgan from the photo {Mar 1st} with her health. She looks sickly in that photo. Pale and tiny. I am really glad we were able to fix this protein allergy deal and get her back on track! Now she's healthy and glowing :)

This month has been challenging. Your teething and growing.  You are such an awesome part of this family. I think you tie us all together Morgan.

WE ALL LOVE YOU VERY MUCH