First Bath

Owen liked his first bath but with it being winter and all his least favorite part was getting out!

Afterwards, he smelled so good and even had a personal stylist help with his hair!






So fresh and so clean!

First week home

We are all in love with this "little man" as we call him. He is a sweet little guy.

Carson is especially smitten and loves to hold him and talk to him often.



Caitlin also loves to say "hi, baby Owen!" She threw us a curve ball by breaking her leg, so I am getting a workout by carrying her and him everywhere!

I think we are adjusting; I am coping by retiring to bed at a ridiculously early hour but it's the only way to get in some decent shut eye so I am take on the day with 3!

We are lucky to have this little baby and he truly is the BEST Christmas present!

Owen Thomas Morgan

After waiting for Owen to come on his own, I was induced on his due date, December 7th. I was given Pitocin which was gradually increased throughout the day...it was pretty uneventful and pain free until 2:30pm when my MD broke my water and I got some Toradal to help with the pain and for an hour it helped and then the contractions were getting worse and although they were dulled they hurt bad! After being "forced" to push {I didn't want to because I was in so much pain} he was born at 4:32pm 20 inches long and 8 lbs. 10oz. He was a BIG boy!

I tore a little and as the MD was stitching he didn't numb me all the way so I could feel it and would flinch and being as I was holding Owen, he would cry. Dang doctor!

This picture cracks me up because it was taken right after Owen was born, I hadn't moved from the bed, nor did I freshen up I think I was thrilled that the pain had stopped!

The kids got to the hospital about an hour after he was born and the nurse was giving Owen his bath so Carson and Caitlin got to see us without the baby initially, something that I prefer and think helps with the transition.

After opening their presents from Owen, Carson was anxious to hold him.



I have never seen such a proud brother, he even reminded us by holding up both hands with a concerned look on his face that he needed to wash his hands prior to holding the baby. He is such a good boy and LOVES his little brother!



Caitlin wasn't sure what to thin of the hospital room at first. She took everything in and finally relented to sitting with me after she was sure I wouldn't bite!

We are a family of FIVE! Crazy!

Moving to my postpartum room was comical because the kids all wanted a piece of me.

Andrew took the kids home that night and when they left Cait was kicking and screaming hysterically "mommy, mommy" I cried because I felt like I was already being a bad mom. Andrew later told me that a kind nurse was nice enough to offer her a Popsicle which made her happy.

I find hospitals to be the most un-restful place imaginable so I was happy to get to home home the next day. Here Owen is ready to come home from the hospital the next day.

Oh, baby!

Last weekend, Carson went to Cayucos without us because with minus two weeks until the EDD we thought it was best not to travel too far. That meant that Caitlin had us all to herself, something that she loved...can you tell?! She has so much personality!

While we had some one on one time, I tried to ease her into the reality that we would soon be having a baby...something that I do no think she understands AT ALL!

She loved playing with the baby is is very sweet, let's just hope this is how she reacts to her little brother!

Shades

Caitlin found these glasses Carson had and wore them until I took them off of her. It was funny to see her eat and watch a show still wearing them! Her future is just too bright!

Santa

We met Santa yesterday and the kids were excited!



Carson wanted to be sure that he knew that he wanted a Spiderman suit for Christmas. Caitlin said she was going to ask for a doll and liked looking at Santa from afar saying, "ho, ho, ho" but when the time came to sit on his lap, she was not so sure...she is super shy!



She did however, like the candy cane she got and is in fact still talking about the candy from Santa today {she has a major sweet tooth!}

Next stop was Santa's Elf for balloons; the kids waited patiently and Ms. Elf was speedy and really good.



Caitlin got a purple dog (her favorite color) and Carson got a sword and holder.





Next stop was Mrs. Claus's kitchen for some cookie decorating and hot chocolate.





It was a fun afternoon gearing up for Christmas! I just love this time of year!

Buddy

We've done Elf on a Shelf for the past few years and have loved it! For preschool Carson gets to bring a share item each day he goes to preschool and naturally he wanted to bring buddy. The only problem was that one of the "official rules" of buddy is that kids can't touch him so we asked Santa for special permission to take him to school.

The morning of school, Carson found Buddy in his back pack with a note...saying that he could go!

Carson was so excited! This time of year is just magical!

Sleepless

Laying in bed tossing and turning for an hour or so led me to get up, roam around the house and eventually settle down for a middle of the night blog post. I guess my body is trying to get me used to be "up all night."

This past week was Thanksgiving and although I am suffering through a sinus infection, {hopefully} the last week of this pregnancy and the last few weeks of school I truly have so much to be thankful for.

First and foremost is my family, especially my kids.




Carson is 4 and a half and is growing out of his pants like a little weed. He is very inquisitive and LOVES school...he almost cries on the days that he doesn't get to go! He is also super social and ALWAYS carrying on a conversation or singing-sometimes it drives me crazy but what can I say, he likes interaction and he's just a happy kid. He is really into break dancing and stretching and can almost do the splits own the middle-ouch! He'll run around, stretch and do his version of push-ups and then run to the fridge for muscle milk and then ask me to feel his muscles as if they just grew right then and there!



This picture below cracks me up! Want to know why he chose this candy? He thought they were Smarties and he made the comment that they would help make him smarter! I love how naive and innocent he is. At this age, they truly have magical thinking!



Caitlin is almost 22 months and such a silly girl. She is speaking really well and clear. CArson always talked but you couldn't always understand what he was saying. Caitlin articulates well and I think this fact will make the transition with the new baby easier. On Thanksgiving, we discovered that she can count to 10--very clearly, without prompting ALL by HERSELF! Crazy!



This girl knows what she wants and has a hard tiem when she doesn't get her way-uh-oh...we're working on that! Her favorite color is purple and her attention span is getting a little longer which is nice because she'll actually sit down and watch something with us. She loves to jump and rough around up something that I know Andrew loves but she is also a true girl who already gets excited about new clothes and shoes and loves dresses and requests flowers for her hair. She also makes you feel special because she gets super excited when she sees people and will sequel and then run to you laughing in delight.



I am so glad that they are friends. The first thing Caitlin says every morning when she wakes up is, Carson. He's usually still asleep but she can't wait for him not to be!



I am also super grateful for the man of our house whom I don't take pictures of often enough...I'll have to make that a project of mine or something because he isn't hard to look at ;) He takes care of lots of things that I don't even have to think about and it's so nice!

Love them all and am getting anxious to see what personality and dynamic our little guy will bring to our family. I am truly blessed.

Scripture Power!

We have been reading scriptures with Carson every night and last month for his reward he wanted donuts and with Krispie Kreme re-opening it was a special treat especially because I don't buy donuts or haven't for almost 10 years. He loves charts and after he reads he gets to color a shape (last month was leaves, this month hearts)...he NEVER forgets to color them it's kind of cute!

Those of you who know Carson will appreciate the fact that after taking a few bites, being encouraged to eat more, he declared he was done...and this was what was left! He has so much self control!



I have loved hearing him recount the stories from the scriptures! We use the kid version with pictures and we've made it through the Book of Mormon and D&C and are getting towards the end of the old Testament! Just finished reading about David and Goliath and that is now his favorite scripture story. No greater reward than fostering a love of the scriptures when they're young!

Keeping it Real

I was recently reading an article in the Church News that I felt was just for me. It was talking about our expectations and how when we expect to micromanage and control our everyday lives is when we end up frustrated, overwhelmed and disappointing in the way the day turned out.

I like things to go a certain way {who doesn't} but this made me realize that it's ok for milk to spill and to trip over toys or to have your kids not listen all the time...it's normal! It basically was a chill-out call to myself.

On that note, I am thankful for my little one's and their pitter-patter feet and squeals throughout the house. When they are grown I know I will probably miss their little hand prints all over my freshly cleaned window or door.



For now, I am glad that they are healthy, happy and love each other because who could ask for anything more?!

Maternity Shoot

Let me start off my giving a BIG thank you to Liz. We went out last Saturday and despite the cold went on a little nature hike and she knew exactly what she wanted me to do so I give all the credit to the amazing pictures to her. When I look at these pictures all I can say is wow! I am impressed with the stellar job she did. Being pregnant I don't fell uber attractive but I these pictures make me think otherwise!

This pregnancy from the get-go has seemed like a whirlwind...unlike the others, it didn't take us as long as we thought it might to get pregnant and I didn't find out I was pregnant until 11 weeks. Combine that with school, two kids and life, I feel like I haven't given this baby as much thought. We are excited {nervous too} to be having number three and we will be officially outnumbered and that makes me feel overwhelmed but I can't wait to meet this little guy in 3 weeks!

Owen, we love you already!

Pumpkins

We haven't carved pumpkins for a few years because Carson was grossed out by the smell and texture of the pumpkin guts but had been requesting to carve them.

the plan

He still didn't enjoy the smell and minimally tolerated touching the guts but was so proud of his finished project.







Andrew helped with Carson's and I did one so I guess we had a spooky boys pumpkin and a not so scary jack o lantern.



The kids had so much fun and naturally, Carson can't wait until next year!