San Diego!

Bright and early Tuesday morning my alarm went off. I needed to be 100% ready, Morgan ready, and packed by 6:00am so we could leave for the airport. When Donna and Charley arrived to pick us up we were just about ready. We loaded up the CRV and headed in a very crowded car to the airport. Sometimes it feels like I am traveling with 7 kids rather than just 1 with all the stuff we have to bring. In all we had: 3 suitcases (one for each of us), two backpacks for carry-ons, a bag with the braces, the carseat, stroller, and walker. It was crazy trying to get through the airport to check-in with all that stuff. Thankfully the check-in counter wasn't crowded and within a few minutes we had downsized our load to just: 2 backpacks, the braces bag, the carseat (on a rolling cart) and the walker. We then headed for security which is always fun with all our stuff. Each time we travel it seems to be a different thing that stops us at security, but without fail we are always stopped and pulled aside. Sometimes its Morgan's braces she is wearing, the meds, the carseat, or in this case it was the walker. Once we were pulled aside they swabbed the walker. For whatever reason it 'failed' the swab test so that meant I got to receive the nice pat down treatment. That was fun...especially when the lady said "I am just going to feel around your waist line now" and then she wasn't sure where to feel seeing as how I don't really have a waist right now. She was trying to find the waist of my pants, however, I decided to go the comfy route that day and was wearing a pair of maternity jeans. Anyway, after all that fun we were finally cleared through security and proceeded to our gate. Thankfully the rest of our trip over to San Diego went well. Morgan was a champ like always on the plane and just played quietly on the i.pad the whole time.

Once we landed in San Diego we made our way to baggage claim and then started the fun challenge of getting the: 3 suitcases, 2 backpacks, braces bag, carseat, stroller, and walker on to the bus to the rental car with a 4 year old who can't stand on her own and only 2 adults. It was an adventure. Once we finally got our rental car and figured out how to get all that stuff to fit in a tiny F.ord Fo.cus we headed to get some breakfast. It was then off to Ta.rget for some bottled waters and thankfully a Sta.rbucks. We then took off to spend the next 5-6 hours at Sea Worl.d while we waited for David and the rest of the gang to arrive in San Diego.

As soon as we entered the park Morgan was in heaven. Right at the entrance were all kinds of 'characters' or animals available for photo opts. Morgan just loves people in costume!

Morgan and I posing with Pete the Penguin.

After that we thought the best thing to do would be to introduce Grandma to the rides. Since I can't go on any rides Morgan was very excited to torture, I mean introduce her grandma to all the rides.

The first ride of the day, Elmo's flying fish.

Then it was on to Oscar's Eels.

After that we just started walking around and checking out the different animals. We stopped in and said hi to the polar bears and the penguins. Then we headed to the Pet show. Morgan LOVED this show. She is so infatuated with animals, especially dogs which there were plenty of in this show. Her favorite part though was after the show was over when they invited the kids in the crowd to come up to the stage to pet some of the animals.

Morgan and I waiting to pet some of the animals.

Morgan getting to pet one of the dogs.

Can you tell she was in love?

We then headed back towards the Sesame area in hopes of seeing some of the characters for a photo opt. As luck would have it we walked up about 2 minutes before Elmo, Cookie, and Zoie were due to be out. It was perfect timing too because there was only 1 other group in line at that time. All the characters were finishing up a performance and that's where the crowd was currently at. As soon as the show ended the line grew in a hurry. We were able to get right in to meet them. Morgan loved it! She even got a special escort by Elmo when it was time to leave. The only accessible way out was through the entrance which was crowded with people. Elmo offered to clear Morgan a path. He then waited at the bottom of the ramp for Morgan and gave her another huge hug goodbye!

Morgan with Zoie, Elmo, and Cookie.

After that we wandered around some more and caught the Sea Lion show. By the time that was over the guys were getting close to the hotel and Morgan was pretty wiped. In fact, while we were walking out she fell asleep in the stroller. Unfortunately she did not transfer from her stroller to carseat, so her nap was VERY short. After making our way to the hotel we met up with David and took a few minutes to relax. That evening we headed out to dinner just Donna, Morgan, and I with Georgia and her family. The guys were having to take the boys to dinner and then their game. Morgan was so exhausted during dinner that Donna took her back to the hotel early. By the time I got there she was in her pjs and nearly passed out. I slid on her braces and by the time I was finished she was completely out. Having Donna there as a built in babysitter was great. It allowed me the chance to leave Morgan at the hotel sleeping and go watch the game that night.

The next day we were all up by 7 and heading downstairs for breakfast. The guys had an early game that morning and we were going to be taking off to spend the day at Lego.land! Morgan was so excited. She didn't really know what Lego.land was, but from her experiences at Disneyl.and and Sea Worl.d she knew she was going to like it.

We took off with Georgia, Lucas, her parents, Matt's parents, and the 3 of us.

Our first stop was the boat ride. Morgan and Lucas decided to hold hands in line. They were too cute together.

I love the look on Morgan's face here. She was just so excited to be experiencing Lego.land with her best buddy.

After the boat ride we headed to the Bo.b the Bui.lder 3D show.
Morgan was so excited to wear her 3D glasses.
She was so funny, she kept jumping at all the different things that popped out at us.

Morgan and Grandma then checked out the flying airplanes.

The highlight of Morgan's day came next when we found the jousting ride. It was a ride on a horse that went around a fixed track. Morgan had to go all by herself, which made me very nervous, but she did great.

Ready to take off on her horse.

Off for her ride.
All the other kids riding were just smiling sweetly as then went past.
Not my child.
Morgan was shrieking at the top of her lungs and yelling "giddy-up!" and "yee-haw!"

Getting her picture taken with Princess Lily.

Morgan felt it was time to introduce Grandma to her first roller coaster ride.

She and I then got to enjoy a quick "safari" ride together.

Then it was back to the horses for another go round.

I promised Morgan that if she was a very good girl and stayed dry all day she could get a prize on the way out. Not only did she stay dry that whole day, but all three days we were at the parks. I was just so proud of her. On our way out we headed into the big toy store so she could pick her prize. Can you guess what she picked?

Of course, a Lego stable complete with two horses!

The next day we were all up bright and early again. This time we were getting ready to head to Sea Wor.ld with the whole gang and we wanted to get there right when it opened to try to beat some of the crowd.

Again, we couldn't enter the park without stopping for a photo. This time Morgan took her picture with the penguins and Lucas!

She then spotted the otter and had to go say hi.

We then headed for all the rides while the lines were short. This picture is funny because it almost looks like the two Grandmas are riding together without kids.

Morgan and Grandma getting ready to take off on the flying fish.

Waiting for Shamu to start.
Donna went ahead while we fed the sea lions and saved us seats.
They were perfect because the kids could see everything and they were center stage.

We then of course had to go say hi to Elmo again.

Morgan and Lucas were so excited to see Elmo and Cookie.
Again, Morgan was given a special escort out by Elmo.

We spent a few more hours at the park catching the dolphin show and the pet show again, per Morgan's request. By 3ish we were all pretty tuckered out so we gave the guys a call. They were getting ready to head to Belmoun.t Park, down by Missio.n Beach. We decided it would be fun to meet up with them and hang out by the beach for a bit. By the time we made it down there about 30 minutes later a very thick fog had moved in. If you stood at the end of the boardwalk you couldn't even see the ocean. It was hard to see more than 20 yards ahead of you, but Morgan still took advantage of the time down there to catch a few rides on the carousel.

First it was Grandma's turn.

Then Mommy, and finally Daddy's (I can't seem to find the picture of her and David together).

While the boys had time to explore and play at the park David snuck away with us to have some dinner at a place nearby. While eating I looked over at Morgan and saw this:

She had completely passed out while eating and it was only 5:45. Surprisingly she stayed asleep the rest of the night and slept till about 6:00 the next morning.

That morning we were all up early again. We filled our tummies at breakfast, finished packing, and prepared to leave. Thankfully Georgia and her in-laws both said they would take a few of our things home for us so we sent two bags of luggage and our stroller with them. Since we were leaving that day we wouldn't need the stroller and I figured I could just get my bags this morning from them. It made getting on the rental bus and through the airport SO much easier. I am so grateful to them. We opted to keep the walker with us so Morgan could get down and walk around while we waited for the plane. I am glad we did since after getting through security (today it was the meds that stopped us) we found out we had a 3 hour delay. Since we had arrived early for our flight (like recommended) we now had a 5 hour wait! Morgan thankfully was yet again a fabulous little girl. We took walks around the area, ate some lunch, played the i.pad, and just waited patiently until our plane was finally ready to go. As we taxied out to the runway Morgan crashed. She slept the entire flight through take=off, landing, and getting off the plane. It wasn't until we were almost to baggage claim that she woke up so excited to be back in Tucson.

When we finally arrived home Morgan's first words were "where's cookie?" She didn't care that it was after 8 at night, she wanted to ride her horse. I let her ride for a few minutes while I got settled. We then enjoyed a late night snack of cereal, brushed teeth, and read some books. She was out a little after 9 and woke up this morning ready to play with all her new horses! It was a great trip, but we are all thankful to be home and relaxing today.

Horsin' Around This Christmas

Ever since becoming parents Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning. David and I were discussing the other night on our drive home which we feel is better, Christmas as a child or Christmas as a parent. We both agreed hands down that experiencing Christmas as a parent is better. It is just so exciting to watch your child be so excited about the magic of Christmas and with each passing year of being a parent it seems to be getting better and better.

Last year Morgan understood Santa. She knew what presents were and appeared to be excited, but this year was different. This year she really got into Christmas and was very eager for Santa to come. One of my favorite memories from this year's Christmas will be the songs. I love to listen to the Christmas songs on the radio starting after Thanksgiving and this year Morgan loved listening too. She would try her best to sing a long with all the songs, her favorites being Let it Snow, Oh Christmas Tree, and of course Jingle Bells.

Morgan woke up the morning of Christmas Eve so excited. She knew that Santa would finally be coming that night. Before heading down to spend the afternoon and evening at her Grandparents, Georgia and Lucas stopped by to drop off two presents for Morgan. She was so excited she wanted to immediately open them, but we told her she would have to wait. She then started begging for just one present, "Pretty please, pretty please, one present" she said. She is killing us right now with that pretty please in her cute, sweet little voice, we just can't seem to tell her no. So...instead we told her that since it was part of her daddy's family tradition when he was a kid to open one present at his grandma's house on Christmas eve we would let her open one as well, in addition to her pjs (It was my family tradition and has become our family tradition to open new pjs every Christmas Eve).


With two packages in hand (her pjs and the 1 gift she would get to open, she chose the one from Lucas) we headed down to spend Christmas Eve at Donna and Charley's. Almost as soon as we arrived Morgan reminded us that we said she could open one present. We decided that it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to let her open a toy to keep her occupied (not like Donna and Charley don't have a whole room full of toys just for her, but...).

Opening her gift from Lucas.

He, along with Georgia and Matt, got her princess walkie talkies.
Morgan LOVED them! She couldn't quite push the button down on her own, but with my help she talked with each family member from different rooms. We taught her how to say "roger" and "over", she thought this was hilarious!

Morgan lately is what David has called "the Queen of Random." She will bring up the most random things at the most random times. On Christmas Eve it was her "Buzz" chair. It is a mini-wheelchair that Charley made her about a year and a half ago. Something she hasn't used in a very long time, but all of a sudden that night she wanted to roll around and chase Sophie (the dog) in her "Buzz" chair. She of course needed to wear her Santa hat too.

After enjoying some yummy dinner and a little replay of U of A basketball it was time for Morgan to open her Christmas pjs. Part of our new family tradition has been that my mom buys all the grandkids their Christmas pjs. After a little mishap about 2 years ago when all the packages were lost in the mail my mom now just sends us a check and has us go buy the pjs. This year I wanted to get Morgan the kind of pjs that come with a matching outfit for her baby doll. I just knew she would go crazy for them.

Here she is modeling her new pjs.
Don't mind the left over food on her face.

After getting cleaned up and getting baby dressed too Morgan decided to take her baby for a ride.

Posing with her baby for some pictures.

Before leaving Donna and Charley's that night we tracked Santa online to see where he was at. Morgan was just so excited for him to arrive. We headed home and before we could even hit Sahuarita Rd. Morgan was fast asleep in the back seat. She stayed asleep when we got home, so David and I set out the glass of milk and Christmas cupcake (Morgan made him gluten-free cupcakes) that she wanted to leave Santa.

The next morning David and I woke up around 6:30. Morgan was still asleep, but neither one of us could fall back asleep, we were both just too excited to see Morgan's face when she woke up. We decided to quietly get up (although we wanted her to get up we also wanted her well rested) and start the coffee, breakfast, etc... An HOUR later Morgan FINALLY woke up. She yelled from her bed "It's TODAY! It's time for presents!"

We helped Morgan into her wheelchair and told her that Santa had come. We told her that he had left her a present, one that was too big to fit inside the house. Her face lit up with excitement and she took off into the living room to look. As soon as she rounded the corner from her room and saw into the backyard through the sliding glass door she hit full speed for the backyard. She had spotted what Santa left for her, a new swing set!

It of course was freezing cold that morning, so we bundled Morgan up with her slippers, robe, mittens, and hat, and headed outside. She was so excited to test out her new swings. While swinging she shouted "I love Santa!" It was too funny.

After a few minutes Morgan decided it was a little too cold so she asked to go inside and open the rest of her presents. David and I were freezing too so we thought that sounded like a great idea.

In Morgan's stocking Santa brought her the reindeer she had asked for. She also received a new horse book, some lotion, a recorder, and new hair ties.

From Mommy and Daddy, Morgan got a new hot pink cash register for when she plays boutique, lots of new books, and a new Moxie doll in riding gear. From her baby ??? she got a new snap and style doll.

We finished opening presents as a family (for the last time of being a family of 3) just as Donna, Charley, and Brad were arriving. Every year since Morgan was first born it was become our family tradition that we open gifts as a family and then the rest of the Spies family comes over to join us for breakfast and more presents. Almost as soon as she swallowed her last bite of breakfast Morgan said "It's time for presents!"

Morgan and Uncle Brad opening her stocking from Grandma and Grandpa.

It is part of the Spies family tradition that every year our stockings have the same three things: a new toothbrush, lifesavers, and an orange.

It was then time for the big reveal (well the first big reveal) of the day. Donna and Charley had been working very hard to build two therapy swings for Morgan that we could use with her new swing set. I had asked them to build a platform swing, which is a flat board that Morgan can swing on her tummy on, sit on, or when she is ready stand on. The second swing is called a bolster swing. Morgan however has always referred to the one at therapy as the 'horsie' swing and loves to pretend that it is a real horse. She even asks her therapist to help her feed it pretend treats when they are done riding. So, Donna and Charley worked hard to make these two swings and decided that the 'horsie' swing needed a little special touch.

Can you believe it! They made the 'horsie' swing really look like a horse rather than just a round bolster complete with a real saddle blanket, saddle, and reins!!!! Morgan was in heaven. She immediately decided to name her horse Skittles. If it wasn't for the cold (and perhaps the awaiting gifts inside) I don't think Morgan would have gotten off that swing all day.

Back inside we opened more gifts with the family. Morgan is so loved by everyone that even her therapist from TROT, Jess, bought her a special gift. She knew about Grandma and Grandpa's secret project they had been working on , so she decided to get Morgan something extra special for her new "horse." Morgan opened her gift to discover that Jess had bought her a HOT PINK halter and lead rope. Not having a horse indoors to attach it to her Daddy decided he would become her horse (which she always pretends he is when she rides on his shoulders).

Daddy being a very good sport and pretending to be Morgan's horsie. The rest of the day she kept asking Daddy if she could lead him around the house.

With our tummies full and gifts opened we decided it was time to finally clean up from the morning. Donna, Charley, and Brad headed back to their house to prepare Christmas dinner while David, Morgan, and I finally showered and got dressed for the day. After much convincing that Morgan could play with her new horsie later and that there was one more VERY exciting present waiting at her grandparents Morgan got off her horse and allowed us to put her in her carseat.

When we arrived at Donna and Charley's house Morgan instantly noticed a green and red ribbon that was running along the floor throughout their house. She was so curious about the ribbon and kept asking Grandma what it was for. Grandma explained to Morgan that Santa had stopped by there and left one last toy for her, but she would have to find it. Morgan was so excited to hunt down her surprise by following the ribbon (I would have pictures for you, but after almost 2 hours of working on this blog I just can't wait for blogger to cooperate and upload more pics). Morgan followed the ribbon and found hiding at the back of the house in her grandparents bedroom another new horse. Not just any horse, but an almost real sized pony that you can actually ride!!!!!! To say Morgan was excited would not do it justice. Let's just say that once she got on that thing she did not want to get off. We had to persuade her to get off for dinner and that lasted only about 20 minutes.

Morgan and David taking her new horse for a spin. For the first time Morgan was stumped on what to name this horse. I think with all her new horses she finally ran out of names of horses she knows from TROT. It wasn't until this afternoon (December 26th) that she finally settled on the name "Cookie."

Morgan riding her horse inside. She kept going from the front of the house to the back and then back again.

Finally around 6:30 we convinced Morgan that it was time to say goodnight and promised her that we would stop by the next day to pick up her horse. (We had driven David's car so there was no room, besides, the horse was supposed to have been a present for Grandma's house. There is just NO room at our house). Anyway, we thought for sure that Morgan would pass out in the car on the ride home since she had been so active all day, but once again she surprised us. Instead she babbled about all sorts of things to stay awake on the way home and once we pulled into the garage she instantly asked to ride Skittles.

Riding Skittles indoors where it is warmer.
Around 8 we finally told Morgan that it was time to put her horse to sleep for the night. She was disappointed, but so tired by that point that she didn't put up much of a fight.

When she woke up this morning the first thing she asked for was of course to ride her new horse. Thankfully it ended up being a very nice day outside so we were able to spend it riding!

As Morgan put it "It's a beautiful day today!"

By the way, we did pick up "Cookie" from Donna and Charley's and when she wasn't outside riding Skittles she was inside riding Cookie. I am not sure how long Cookie will last at our house though. I keep walking through the house and catching him in the corner of my eye and he keeps freaking me out.

Okay, after all this I am finally going to hit publish and then hit the pillow. Tomorrow my alarm will be going off at 4:50 am so that we can be out the door by 6:00. We are leaving along with Donna, Matt, Georgia, Lucas, their family, and the whole varsity boys basketball team for four days in sunny San Diego!!!! And the best part of it all is thanks to my mother-in-law, she, Morgan, and I will be flying there non-stop while the rest drive....suckers!!! Since we will be getting there about 8 hours ahead of everyone we are going to spend the day at Sea World!!!! Okay, now I am hitting publish!