October Feats and Treats!

October was a great month at the Weaver house.  The cooler weather was welcomed with almost daily walks, trips to the park, a visit to my dad and of course Halloween!

For those who know me quite intimately, I have been held back by an old anxiety for many years.  It is something I have been deeply embarrassed by and have tried to hide at all costs.  It is something that has held me back and driven a number of choices we have made, always trying to accommodate my ridiculous problem. After a car accident back in college, I subsequently suffered a severe panic attack driving home for Thanksgiving.  That single panic attack resulted in years of fear over driving alone on road trips and on the interstate.  Slowly, I got over the interstate considering I lived in Houston, but stayed within my little box and never ventured far.  Long story short, this month I decided I had to get past it to be the best example to my kids and the healthiest, most able mom possible.  I drove, five hours, to my dad's new beautiful lake house at Lake Sam Rayburn!!

His girls...

So happy to swing!

David LOVED the boat ride!

...and the swing!

David's look alike, Uncle Pat!

Wind blown...

It did not come without anxiety, but my dad and his wife were kind enough to meet me half way, mainly to help with the kids and I DID IT!  I must say, I am proud of myself.  If you only knew the internal stuggle that has gone on inside of me and the shame I have felt because of this, you would know that this is huge for me.  It is a step in the right direction and while I still feel quite a bit of fear about driving the unknown, I know I can conquer it.  Two weeks later, Margo and I drove to Houston.  I am officially no longer imprisoned by my driving issue and I feel so much freer, AMEN!

Halloween was great!  Margo selected a Raggedy Ann costume over all of the other fancy costumes in Chasing Firefly.  I think it fit her personality perfectly and I was so delighted that she picked something wholesome and innocent instead of the typical character, princess or fairy.  She looked like a real live doll and I had so much fun helping her dress up.  She was equally excited by her adorable costume!

GiGi carving pumpkins!

Daddy concentrating on his carving skills!

She went to school on Halloween and had a little costume parade that I shortly attended because the moment she saw me, enormous tears erupted.  I quickly hugged her and snuck out before I caused any additional stress.  My mother-in-law was visiting that week, which was a huge help as always and I know she enjoyed experiencing Halloween with kids, but we missed our annual trick-or-treating with my sister's family.  The weather was too bad to travel and we drove up to Houston the next day. 

...and then she saw mama!

That night Cary and I took her around our neighborhood which was wonderful.  Every single family was out, mostly with young children, and it was a beautiful, clear night.  Margo was not as shy as I expected and quickly got into the swing of things.  She sweetly chimed "trick-or-treat" at every doorstep and was so excited about her growing bucket of candy!  We covered about 2.5 blocks and then grabbed GiGi for a few stops so she could join in the fun as well. 

David slept through the doorbell and Halloween traffic like a baby and was none the wiser for it.  He donned his cute little Halloween jammies, but I decided against a costume, thinking it just wasn't necessary for one photo op... although Raggedy Ann AND Andy would have been adorable! Another year of Halloween memories were made and it is special moments like these that make being a parent especially fun!  I find my serious self acting like a kid again over excitement for all the fun that awaits our kids. 

Month Eight was oh' so Great!

David's eighth month has been tons of fun!  In milestones, he cut his first two bottom teeth and sits up beautifully, without any props or assistance.  He also started saying, "mama" especially when he is crying or upset.  "Dada" was his next new word and Cary is thrilled of course.  Last but not least, just one day shy of his nine month birthday, David started saying "GoGo" for Margo.  Now all the family members are covered and his little voice is so sweet and surprisingly more masculine than his sister's.

Eight Months of Heaven

David is loving finger foods!  Puffs are an absolute favorite and he has tried some shredded meat, bread, and the biggest hit is French fries.  I could have never imagined feeding fries to my eight month old three years ago.  Unfortunately, solids are not particularly agreeing with David.  While his reflux seems remarkably improved, he is having worse symptoms of gas and is experience discomfort all too often.  His pediatrician is concerned about possible allergies and wants to take caution in introducing any other new foods without an expert opinion, so he will be seeing a gastroenterologist this month.

Weight:  18 lbs. 7 oz. = 40%
Height:  28 inches = 27%

David is getting up on all fours and rocking like crazy with tons of forward motion.  He is so close to crawling, but not quite there.  He loves to be on the floor and always wants what his sister has which is quickly proving to be a challenge.  Margo takes it in stride most of the time, and I am already trying to teach them both the concept of sharing and taking turns.  The small items have been moved to her room and she knows to play with them with the door closed since his room is right across the way and he is capable of getting there. 

Playing Peek-A-Boo with Margo

Playing in David's Crib

Playing in Margo's Bed

Our darling boy is the sweetest, smiliest thing!  He always has to be fidgeting with something and I love the way he holds his arm under me and strokes my side under my arm when I feed him.  He LOVES his daddy and has even reached out for him (something Margo would have never done at this age) and loves to hold onto his goatee.  The sight of Margo is pure excitement for David.  He adores her and is fascinated with everything she does.  He laughs hysterically when she sings and dances and he thinks it is hilarious when she cries, LOL!  As soon as she enters the room, he lights up and kicks his legs in excitement, it is so heart warming to watch.  Margo is going through a bit of a jealous phase right now, so I wish the feelings were reciprocated, but I know they will be eventually. 

David thinks it is funny when I use my electric toothbrush and loves to spin around and dance with me.  Bath time is a favorite, especially since he has graduated to a much bigger bath tub and he can sit and play.  Getting out of the bath is a completely different story, crying like you would not believe.  He does not like to be cold or to get dressed. 

He is much more independent than Margo, I guess because he has to be.  I know this is a good thing, but I constantly find myself feeling guilty that I cannot spend more one-on-one time with him, reading, playing music and teaching--all things I was so diligent about with Margo.  He is happy and smart though and is a bright and shining light in our world.  Not so long ago, I could have never imagined that I could love another child so incredibly much and that I would be so full of joy because of him.  My cup overfloweth and we love our boy more than words can say. 

Our Sweet Pea is Three!

Where has the time gone?  This past year has zoomed by at a pace that is uncomfortable to me.  Our beautiful Margo Faye has blossomed into an amazing little three year old girl.  No longer my baby, but always my baby, I am wishing for time to slow down.

This year Margo's birthday fell in the midst of a major home disaster that was so traumatic for me I will spare you the details.  Nonetheless, we made her actual birthday special and I think she loved it despite it being a somewhat disappointing day for me.  Margo woke up cranky to balloons, a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse wall mural and a few presents from mommy and daddy.  She tried to really love it, but it overwhelmed her and she was not feeling well.  I realized after I picked her up from school that the fluid on her ear had most certainly turned into an infection.  A good dose of Advil and an antibiotic we had on hand helped a lot.  She came home to a special surprise in her room, which was a baby changing station from grandpaw and maw maw that included a baby mobile and a washing machine (recently saying it was her favorite toy).  Pretend play with her babies is one of her most favorite things, so she was beyond excited!

Early morning gifts!

Our delight!

Beautiful in every way!

Changing her baby

Figaro!!!

When daddy got home she got her BIG surprise which was a little trampoline for toddlers in the back yard.  I cannot remember the last time I saw her so excited!  She jumps everyday and it has been the best medicine for falling asleep at a much faster pace than usual.  As you will see on her birthday questionnaire, this was her one wish and she had been asking for a trampoline ever since her first trip to a trampoline park.  I am so happy we could make it happen for her and I have been so impressed with the quality of the little trampoline we got her.

Margo's birthday questionnaire is not surprising to me at all, except maybe that elephants make her laugh.  That came out of left field, but tickles me.  It gives a little glimpse into who our girl is and I plan to do this every year.

What is your name? Margo
How old are you? Three

What is your favorite thing to do? Go to the park with Daddy

What do you want to be when you grow up? a flower girl

What is your favorite food? M&M's

Who do you like to spend time with? GiGi and Papa

What do you do really well? Take care of my babies

What makes you laugh? elephants

What is the best time of the day? time with mommy
What are you afraid of? alligators
Who is your best friend? lucas
What do you like to do with your family? make banana bread
What do you love to learn about? abc's
Where do you like to go? the grocery store with mommy
What is your favorite book? carl's birthday
If you had one wish, what would it be? for a trampoline

My precious Margo, she is just about all girl, without too much prissiness, and is of course amazing to us. At three years old, her incredible imagination exceeds her age. Her teacher recently described her as liking to tell stories--that's our girl. She loves to mimic just about any experience in her life and embellish, from playing restaurant, school, cleaning house and the endless care of her animals and babies such as doctoring their boo boos, packing their lunch box and soothing them goodbye at school drop off to changing endless poopy diapers and giving baths. She entertains me all day long and is so fun to observe.

As recently described by her teacher.

Reading at school to her friends

She LOVES music and can just about memorize any song or jingle after hearing it once.  She uses her musical skills to put on multiple daily performances and has quite the dance moves too.  She enjoys putting together puzzles, but lacks any kind of attention span for games.  Books are still one of her favorite things and thanks to her amazing favorite new show, Word World, she has taken a serious interest in letters and words.  She knows every capital letter by sight and is enthusiastic to learn their sounds and spell.  She can count out items now rather than just knowing her numbers and once you explain to her what something is she never forgets. 

Dancing Queen

Sweetest Girl in the Whole Wide World

My Margee!!

Margo eats really well, preferring veggies over fruit, but has a penchant for a cheeseburger and French fries.  She is on 100% almond milk which solved some major digestive problems this year, but still enjoys cheese and other dairy.  She loves treats in the form of candy and cookies, but does not like cake or ice cream.  She requires an average amount of sleep, 10-11 hours a night and a 1.5-2 hour nap each day.  It usually takes her over an hour to fall asleep and she obediently plays in her bed, but once she is asleep she is out until morning.  Early rising has somewhat improved and she is required to stay in her bed until 7:00 am when her owl tells her it is okay to wake.

Our girl is full of energy and spunk!  She is like the Energizer Bunny, our "GoGo Girl".  I call her borderline strong willed.  She tries to test us constantly and is not easily impacted by any form of discipline.  However, she has such a pleasant and happy disposition most of the time that I would consider her delightfully challenging.  We have time out WARS, which is an understatement and I have taught her the unfortunate art of screaming... at the TOP OF HER LUNGS!  Like mother, like daughter.  Margo is hopefully reaping the rewards of some of my positive traits, but without a doubt has already learned some of my negative ones as well.  Once she finally gets it through her head and gains an understanding of her boundaries, she backs down and realizes that we are in charge.  I also think she thought discipline was a bit of a game for a while and has recently seemed more impacted by going to time out and has asked me to please not be loud when I raise my voice too much.

Most importantly, Margo has the most beautiful little spirit.  She is incredibly loving and often lists out all the people she loves ending it with, "I love everybody" and holding her arms out in the air.  When I asked if she had a favorite friend at school she claimed to love all her friends.  Margo seems to be an innate caretaker and I already feel like her calling in life may very well be a mommy.  She is nurturing to everyone including her baby brother.  She is purely joyful, often exclaiming, "I am so happy"!  And she is happy, almost all of the time, she wakes happy and ready to conquer the world and she goes to sleep telling me what a great day it was and thanking God for her blessings.  I love her innocence and the way she delights in everything.  Just this morning, she marveled at the mushrooms growing in our yard as if she had discovered a rare jewel.  She is affectionate and grateful and thanks me "so much" for the simplest of things.

Happy Happy!

Joy Joy!

At her three year appointment she measured in the 25% for both weight and height.  I am so happy she is petite.  She is just starting to fit into a 3T and if you can't tell, she loves to dress-up in her clothes but hates to do her hair.  Her curls are just beautiful and getting more pronounced everyday.  Those dark brown eyes speak to me in ways I could have never imagined before becoming a mommy.  She is the definition of pure beauty, inside and out, this amazing child of mine. 

At her Three Year Appointment

My Margo, Margs, Margee, Marginator, my spunky monkey, my daily dose of delight, the sunshine to my cloudy days, the gift that keeps on giving in the most extraordinary ways... I love you plain and simple, more than words could ever say.  God gave us the most incredible blessing in you!  I thank the good Lord for you everyday.  You make my world a better place and make me a better person and I am so proud to be your mama!  There are just not enough words, my angel girl, to say how much you mean to me!