Her own iPod shuffle!

Meg loves music. She is always borrowing my iPod to play music outside while she plays in the backyard or in her play room. Last year, for Christmas, my parents gave Megan an MP3 player and she LOVED it. She always knows where it is and loved strutting around the house with her ear phones and her "my iPod".

This year, Meg was in total shock when she opened her gift from Meme and Poppy. They gave her a small pink music speaker that will play the songs that I uploaded on her very own iPod Shuffle. She was so excited. When we went to run a few errands on Saturday, she wore her iPod and listened to her music the whole time. I took her to Best Buy to buy her some headphones that would fit in her little ears.

***getting ready to open Meme & Poppy's gift***

***she's FIVE***

***look how shocked she is***



***at this point, she only thinks its the speaker case***

***and, she's super excited about it***

After we told her to open the speaker, she was so excited when she saw her very own pink iPod shuffle.

***Meg with her iPod & speaker case***

***thank you Meme & Poppy***

My baby is FIVE

Five? Is my baby really already five? How have five years already gone by? If only time would slow down, it's going by too fast.

I feel like it was just yesterday that we welcomed Megan into the world. She was born at 12:45am (after 27 hours of labor) and weighed 7lbs 11.5 oz and was 19.5 inches long. She had a beautiful head of brown hair that the nurse put in a mohawk. It was adorable.

I remember the first few months, just letting her lay in my lap and watch her sleep. Meg was such a GREAT baby. By the time we came home from the hospital, she was sleeping six hours a night and was on a pretty good schedule.

***Meg laying in my lap at the hospital*** ***so adorable***

Before I knew it, my baby turned one. She was into so much at one. She was walking, climbing, running, getting into anything and everything she could get her hands on.

***my 1-year old***

At two, she was the sweetest thing in the world. We never had the "terrible twos" thank goodness. She a was kind, sweet, loving and caring toddler who had never met a stranger.

***Meg and Poppy***

At three, my child became someone else's child. She became head strong, defiant, and a temper-tantrum throwing queen. She still had her moments of being sweet and loving, but only when it served a purpose.

***Meg at her 3rd b-day party***

At four, Meg turned a corner. She was sweet again, with very little tantrums, although she started whining and whining and whining.

***Meg at 4***

***4th b-day party***

This morning, she turned FIVE. I still can't believe it's already been five years. She seems so grown up. She's in kindergarten (hopefully her year will be better than her first week was). She's totally into HSM, her iPod shuffle, playing with her friends and being a girly girl. I can't wait to see what this year holds for us.

I'm going to go eat lunch with her at her school. She knows I'm coming, but doesn't know I'm going to bring her a happy meal :) She'll be so excited.

***Meg on her 5th b-day***

We celebrated Meg's birthday this past weekend, I will do another post about the celebration!

What a week...

***WARNING: A VERY LONG POST***

Meg was so excited about going back to kindergarten the second day. I loved her enthusiasm. She woke up before I even had a chance to go into her bedroom. She only put on her one outfit this morning and was super excited about it. I tried to talk her out of it since it was long sleeved, but she insisted.


Tuesday, when I picked Megan up from school, she seemed a bit off. I wasn't sure what was going on. I asked her how her day was and she gave me a "fine". I asked her if she made any new friends and she said "no". I asked her who she played with on the play ground and she said "no one". After all the questions, Meg said to me "What happens at kindergarten, is my secret."

After school on Wednesday, the questions and answers were much of the same. I couldn't figure out what was going on, but the more I pressed, the more withdrawn she seemed. I just figured I'd talk to her teacher on Thursday night at Open House.

Thursday afternoon, my parents got into town and went to pick Meg up with me from school. Meg was so excited to see Meme & Poppy.

That night, we all went to open house...when I walked in, I was SHOCKED at what I saw!!! Actually, shocked is an understatement. All of us were.

There were four round tables with four chairs at each table. On the tables, there were names at each seat. I noticed one small desk far removed from the group of tables...on the table there was a name label...an assigned seat - separated from the group, isolated in the back, "removed" from the other students.

The name on the label was Megan...yes, my child had been separated from all the other students, she has been isolated, removed. After the teacher gave her speech, she asked if there were any questions.

A few parents asked some questions, then I asked about the desk. Ms. McHugh simply told me that she was given 17 students and there was only space for 16 students at the round tables and Meg was given a seat there "by luck of the draw".

I then asked if it would be a rotated seat...she said "yes". Meme and poppy heard her say that it would be rotated every six weeks (I didn't hear her say that).

I could tell Jarrad was upset by the whole situation because he got real quiet. We went to dinner with my parents, and it's all we could talk about. We had so many questions and no answers!!! That night as Jarrad and I got into bed, we decided that I needed to go speak to the teacher about it.

I couldn't sleep a wink - I tossed and turned all night. I was never so happy to hear my alarm go off. I bounced out of bed, and gathered my thoughts. I walked Meg into class and asked Ms. McHugh if she had a few minutes to talk to me.

I was calm and simply stated that "I couldn't accept Meg's desk being separated from the rest of the class". What came out of her mouth next was a total surprise to me...she said "Well, the real reason Megan is sitting at that desk is because she was talking excessively." I couldn't believe it, Megan was sitting alone because she was being punished. I had received no notes telling me that Megan was being disruptive in class.

I told her that I couldn't accept Megan being isolated because she was bad...that it wouldn't teach Megan that there is a time to talk and a time not to talk. Ms. McHugh then said "well, since I moved her over there, I haven't had any problems with her". I couldn't believe she said that - seriously, if the child has no one to talk to, of course there won't be any problems.

After talking for a few more minutes, Ms. McHugh agreed to move another student to a desk next to Megan's. I figured this solution was better than nothing, but wasn't thrilled about it. I left the class and came home and cried.

I felt like I had failed Megan. Her experience in the first week had been horrible. She had been given an assigned seat separated from the group on the second day of school. My heart was breaking in a thousand little pieces.

I just couldn't let it go, so I called the principal. The principal couldn't believe what she heard when I had told her the whole story. She was very understanding and assured me that the situation would be fixed.

That afternoon, I got to the school early to pick Megan up because I wanted to introduce myself the principal. Unfortunately, she wasn't available. So, I waited in the foyer for Meg to be released from class. You should have seen her. She was so happy, so full of life. When her teacher saw me, she spoke to me. She told me that she was very sorry and that Meg had been moved to a table with the other students.

So, for now, the situation is "fixed", but I will be working to help out during lunch this week to make sure that things are going well. I don't want to be "that mom", but I also want Megan to have the same experiences and opportunities that the other children have.

I hope her week is better and that she realizes that she's still a good kid even tho her teacher made a mistake.

I Trust You'll Treat Her Well

Author: Victor Buono

WARNING: GRAB YOUR KLEENEX!!!

Dear World:

I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long.. and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sun when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning...and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine. Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Goodbye" and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse.

Now she'll learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears for the sounds of school-bells...and deadlines...and she'll learn to giggle...and gossip...and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy 'cross the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn and kiss lilac blooms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about those important things...like grades and which dress to wear and whose best friends is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes.

For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and mother and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers ...which is only right. But no longer will I be the smartest woman in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time...she'll learn what it means to be a member of the group...with all its privileges and its disadvantages too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud...or kiss dogs...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or even watch ants scurry across cracks in sidewalks in the summer.

Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to becoming a woman. So, world, I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes...and a flash of light brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

I trust you'll treat her well.

Her First Day...

It seems that there was an incident at school on her first day...I couldn't believe it when I opened the parent/teacher folder and saw the following note.

I guess Meg has made a first impression...not quite the first impression I was hoping for, but still an impression. Meg's teacher is a first year teacher, so she may remember Meg long after Meg is out of her class because of being the "bad kid" on the first day.

Jarrad and I both spoke to her about it and told her that if this happens again, she'll be grounded. She said she didn't start it, but there's no way of really knowing.

Today she had a GREAT day at school...I mean, at least there wasn't a big pink note in my folder.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was Meg's first day of kindergarten. I can't believe how fast (almost) five years have gone by! (she actually won't turn five until next Monday) It seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital. Meg has been so excited about starting kindergarten. I think it's the only thing we've talked about this summer.

After my alarm went off this morning, I laid in bed thinking about how Meg's life is going by so fast. I just wish that time would slow down.

I walked into her room and found her sleeping so peacefully. I woke her up early this morning because I thought it would take a while to wake her up. I was wrong. She was out of bed as quick as possible.

***Meg sleeping***

As soon as I told her it was time to wake up, she bounced out of bed and was ready to start getting changed. I love how she still looks so sleepy in these pictures, even though she's getting out of bed and starting to change out of her jammies.

***such a sleepy face***

***starting to get undressed***

After I told her that she needed to eat breakfast, brush her hair and teeth before she got dressed, she climbed back into her bed. She was still half way asleep, but was so excited about kindergarten that she didn't want to go back to sleep.

It didn't take long for her to "wake up". She was being a total ham for the camera (which I love). I only took 53 pictures this morning :)

***sweet baby girl***

Meg's backpack was loaded with all of her school supplies. I think it probably weighed more than her. I love how she's leaned forward so it won't pull her over. I'm glad that the only thing that has to stay in her backpack is a change of clothes and a purple folder. Otherwise, she'd develop back problems.

***Meg and her huge backpack***

Meg couldn't wait to get to school this morning. Every 2 minutes, she was asking Jarrad and me if it was time to go yet. Meg changed outfits 3 times by the time we got to school. She started off in a cute black dress with some little "heels". Then, she decided she wanted to wear a skirt and tank top. So, she changed into a blue tank top with a white tank top underneath. She wore her new tennis shoes with her outfit.

***getting ready to climb into the car***

Look at this face, she is so ready to get to school. I can't believe how big she looks! Such a big girl already. I know that time isn't going to slow down...and, from what I've heard, it only goes by faster now.

***my beautiful Kindergartener***

***Getting ready to get out of the car at school***

As we walked thru the hallways at Meg's school, I couldn't help but notice all the other parents. Some where happy, others looked a little sad, others seemed to be unphased by all of the emotions flying around. One man was crying and I overheard his wife tell him "She's going to be just fine. I promise." It was very touching to see a father upset about dropping off his little girl.

We got to Meg's room and her teacher, Miss McHugh, gave Meg a cut out shape of an owl and told Meg that there was another owl on a table inside and that was where she would be sitting today. After she found her chair, we dropped all of her school supplies in the plastic bins out side of the classroom.

Then, we went back into the classroom to put her backpack away in her locker. Jarrad was standing in the hallway and Meg said she needed to tell him goodbye. It was so cute to watch her walk across the hall, into his arms.

***Meg's new locker***

***Meg & Miss McHugh***

***Meg and mommy***

The morning went off without a tear (from me or Megan). I was shocked that I didn't cry, but she was so happy that I didn't see any reason to cry. I think it may hit me later in the week, or maybe tomorrow when I'm dropping her off and can't walk her in. She's growing up so fast and I know that she's going to be GREAT at everything she does.

Megan - I love you more than you will ever know!!!

American Girl

Thursday, I took a half day of work off to take Megan to American Girl. I wasn't sure if she'd be interested or not, but she LOVED it!!! The store is so big that it was all a little overwhelming. We must have walked thru the store 3 or 4 times and there are probably things we still didn't see. We spent about 1.5 hours picking out the perfect doll for Meg.

After we walked thru the store, I told her that I would buy her a doll for her birthday present from me. Her face lit up and she was super excited. After we walked thru the store again, she decided on a "Just Like Me" doll. As you can see from the pictures, the doll does look Just. Like. Her!

***Meg getting ready to go to American Girl***
***she probably opened every accessory box in the store***

***her face after she decided on her doll***


***Meg and her "Just Like Me" Doll, Reagan***

***Megan and Reagan***

***Meg brushing Reagan's hair***

***so excited***

***on our way out***

The smallest room in the house

My office is one of the smallest rooms in our house. I sit in it every day from 8:00 - 5:00...even when I'm alone, I feel the walls closing in on me. Megan and the dogs have decided that my office is now their favorite place to get some r-n-r.

Gunner and Megan take up residence under my scrapbook desk, while Dixie usually sleeps at my feet under my computer desk. To say it's a bit crowded would be a HUGE understatement. However, it does allow me to get some pretty cute pictures!!!

***Gunner and Meg snuggling***

***Gunner is like Gumby - he can fold himself into the strangest positions***

***Here, he's Meg's pillow and using her as a pillow too***

***Dixie thinks it's too much and is begging me to kick the other two out***