I don't have a picture of this (you'll see why in a minute), but it was so darn funny...

In order to take a shower, every once in a while, I put Megan on the bathroom floor with a pile of toys. For some reason, she's been extremely fussy and needy today, so I had pretty much decided a shower was out of the question. However, I could smell myself (you know, that baby puke smell?), so to the shower. I plopped her on the floor with toys, but she cried and tried to get in the shower. Cried, cried, cried. So I hurried, but then, she stopped...hmm...what could be so entertaining to make her stop crying? How about a pile of carrot-colored puke on a white tile floor? She entertained herself for over 5 minutes with this wonderful new finger paint! Not only that, but she was very proud of her creation. She kept getting my attention (with EEEEEEEEEE of course), "showing" me, and smiling. I should keep a water-proof camera in my shower...holy moly...I AM addicted to scrapbooking! :)

Megan spent the weekend with Gran, Daddy, and Grandma while I scrapbooked with my friends. What a refreshing, relaxing weekend! We cropped (the offical scrapbooking term for working) from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday! I had my first Dr. Pepper since I found out I was pregnant with Megan, which helped the energy level tremendously. I have MUCH more to do to get caught up on Meg's book, but oh, I had a ton of fun. I'm waiting for pictures from my friend Gina (I left my camera at home in case Megan did anything spectacular). At first I felt guilty for leaving her for the weekend to play with my friends, but I feel so relaxed and recharged. I needed that time to myself. I missed her, and wanted to be home with her, but I enjoyed my adult time as well. I'm not going to feel guilty about it!

Now while I was gone, Megan decided to grow up and walk even more! Friday afternoon Daddy called to tell me that she was walking between the ottoman, couch, and loveseat for his mom and him. Uh, why does she wait until I'm gone to do things? The little nut! Today she took 10 steps and even started turning around while walking. Maybe if we stop clapping and cheering every time she'll quit trying new things to impress us...

Two new tricks: I start singing, "If you're happy and you know it..." and she starts clapping. Also if anyone coughs, she becomes sickly, too. Some of her coughs are quite dramatic!

I heard those words growing up, but I experienced the reality for the first time today.

In attempt to keep Megan busy while I finished up around the house today, I gave her a ladle from the kitchen utensil set. A harmless little ladle. She crawled around the kitchen and living room with it for a long time. I heard her banging on something in the living room (I was standing out of sight in the kitchen) that I thought was her toy drum. So I'm in the kitchen coaching, "You hit that drum! Keep it up, girl!" etc. Fast forward about two hours. Daddy got home from work and was playing with Megan in the living room. He inquired as to what happened to the coffee table. Yep, you guessed it...the "drum" was not the drum at all...it was our very nice coffee table. It has a nice 7-8 inch square of indentions courtesy of a nine month old with a ladle.

She's standing unassisted for a long time (several minutes) and she's taken up to three steps at a time (again unassisted) now!

We saw Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Scotty tonight. Uncle Scotty got to experience Meg's version of kisses...nice, wet, slobbery open mouth on the cheek. Fun!

Lately, if it isn't "big people food" it's not good enough for Megan. When we sit down to eat, she becomes quite the beggar as she moves from one to the other looking for a fork-load of food. The current favorites are broccoli and spaghetti, with the sauce. Tonight's gourmet combination included: spaghetti, broccoli, and peaches.

I'm getting brave! I am not so scared about giving her what we're eating....of course, she is getting older. But I like to think that I'm brave.

Speaking of brave, I'm hosting the play group this week. I'm so nervous about having other moms and kids at my house! What if it isn't child-proofed enough? What if I missed a spot? There will be other moms, ones that likely have their act together, in my house!!

Oh, she's saying "momma" and "dada" like crazy! Way to make my day!

Our next door neighbor's grandson is visiting this week! Colton came over to play, yet judging from the first picture, he wasn't as enthusiastic about it as Megan was. Of course, what child is as enthusiastic about anything as Megan is? She also decided that it wasn't so bad that she can't walk...she just crawled behind.

Many people tell us she looks like her Daddy; many people say she looks just like me (without the frizzy red hair). This picture looks VERY similar to my baby pictures. Scary.

Megan is showing her Halloween pajamas. We got them out tonight because it's supposed to be 49 degrees! Have to wear them while we can...next week it'll be 90 degrees. (Sorry about my white leg in the background. We just got back from the Y.)

While Grandma babysat this afternoon, she pulled Megan's hair up into a "ponytail." However, little miss active caused it to come out. Never fear...Daddy tried to put it back up for her, but quickly gave up. Unfortunately, Megan had a mohawk for the rest of the evening.

After the family reunion lunch, Megan went to Wesley's 4th birthday/Halloween themed birthday party. She went as a spider; Daddy went as "the internet." Amazingly she left that little hat on her head for a long time. Hope it cools off by Halloween...she got hot and sweaty!

...when grandmas leave our house. Look closely at the reflection of her face in the door.

(I apologize for not posting this one sooner.)

Megan is so helpful around the house. She helps me do laundry - she was in charge of the socks today. She also helps me do dishes and cook in the kitchen.

We surprised Grandma at work yesterday with lunch and a cake. Pictures to come soon.

No picture today; just my ramblings.

Megan has learned so many things lately, so I thought I'd share (some of these are hard to take pictures of). First, she learned to wave, and if I may say so myself, it is a cute wave! She "flaps" her right hand in front of her body, left to right. It's not a normal baby wave like I've seen other babies do, but it's a wave. She waves bye-bye, but she also waves greetings to the cats, the TV, people in Walmart, etc. Secondly, she has learned to blow kisses. I'm not exactly sure where or how she learned this because no one will fess up to it. I know I didn't teach her because I was going to teach her the sign for "thank you" instead of blowing kisses. It sure is cute, though. Also, she now knows the sign for "eat." I mean KNOWS it. She has recognized for some time, but she knows what it means now. As soon as I show her, I must brace myself because she's headed toward me - perhaps straight out of someone's hands. She's ALMOST clapping, but it's more like the two flappers meet every third flap or so. What else? She is not walking on her own, but she sure does like to cruise around the house with some assistance. Poor Gran took the scenic route around the house several times today in the 10 minutes she was here. Daddy got the tour after work today. Movin' and shakin'.

I've had several embarrassing/stupid mommy incidents lately...here's a small sampling. The other day I was at the car dealership getting the oil changed. Megan was a ham, talking to anyone and everyone. She caught the attention of a very pretty woman (skinny, tan, blonde, make-up), so she started talking to us. While I was talking to her, Megan vomited, not spit-up, all over me. I had puke from my chin to my jeans, covering my entire shirt. It was so gross. Of course I did not have a spit-up rag with me. The woman so kindly gave me the suggestion of perhaps carrying a cloth with me for this sort of situation. She even told me where I could buy some. I tried to explain that I normally have one, but that I just didn't at the moment; she smiled and nodded with a look like, "yeah right, stupid!" DUH!

And how's this? Yesterday at Walmart, an employee came over to talk to Megan. She said she had a grandson that was Megan's age, etc. She made Megan giggle, and while she asked if Megan had any teeth, she STUCK HER HAND IN MEGAN'S MOUTH!!!!! Have you ever heard of such a thing? I mean, come on! I don't mind if people touch her head or tickle her feet, but stick their hand in her mouth to feel for teeth? I about passed out. Good thing our Daddy wasn't with us...we'd have to do CPR on him and the employee.

I love being at home with Megan. She is growing up so fast; in fact, she changes from the time I put her in bed at night to the time I pick her up in the morning. Wonder what's in store for tomorrow...

Megan spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa - at their house. She was a tad apprehensive, but nothing like I was about leaving her overnight. It wasn't that I didn't trust my parents, who raised 5 kids (and did a wonderful job), as much as it was that I had to be away from her overnight! Megan played with Uncle Scott, helped Grandpa balance the checkbook, took a very long walk with Grandpa this morning, and slept a little here and there. She came home with a ponytail and a big smile on her face. THANK YOU for the night of fun and sleep!!!