2007 was a stressful year for the four of us. But in the most needed of times, Max and Spence have a way of making life more enjoyable. We are definitely looking forward to the New Year.
For almost 2 yrs. now we’ve been living in a pretty neat place: right on The Square, in quaint downtown
Joe has been busy this year taking care of the boys as a full-time stay-at-home father. He is very excellent at it all… keeping the house clean, us fed, and the boys active & engaged (the latter being the most important). He & the boys love going for walks around Danville, meeting new people & of course going to Ellis Park (6 blks away). Joe writes down significant or funny things the boys say & do; it is fun to go back & read his notes.
Melissa continues to work as a Photographer with Lifetouch. She has also taken wedding pictures on the side & tried two other jobs briefly (neither worked out - probably for the better). Also, Melissa worked as an Independent Consultant for Usborne Books (briefly), Pampered Chef & BeautiControl. Melissa also undertook collecting donations for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society & preparing for (and finishing!) a fundraising half-marathon in
Max turned 3 in July. He got a bicycle for his birthday, and “played golf” with Joe for the first time in August. He went on his first Roller Coaster, albeit a small on at the Indy Zoo. He can be smart, silly, and funny:
At 32 months, Max’s finger followed, left to right, ‘reading’ words in a book about bugs & insects called Creepy Crawlies, “Some live in
At 34 months, Joe & Max are sharing a can of Minute Maid Lemonade, and he took the 1st sip, saying “Mmm. Mmm. It tastes like popcorn. Mmm. It tastes like juice, and popcorn and a towel.”
At 35 months, Joe hadn’t shaved in 3 days, and had lots of white hairs on his chin – he pointed them out to Max – “Look - Daddy’s got white hairs, see?” Max: “Why?” Dad says, “Your hair turns white when you get old.” Max: “I don’t want you to get old. I want you to be new.”
At 39 months, we were over Joe’s parents (Nana & Papa) & Max asks, “Why did the banana go to the doctor…Because he wasn’t peeling well!” He immediately started laughing hysterically at his first joke. (We were all amazed & amused! Apparently, he learned it a couple of days prior from his friend, Camille.)
Also, Max is a really good big brother. He & Spence love to smother each other. Spence turned 1 in May, and is much quieter than Max. Like with Max, we taught Spence some simple sign language so he could communicate before properly learning to talk. Now, at 19 months, he knows dozens of signs. And he’s a quick learner:
After Joe demonstrates the “all-done” sign once…2 hrs later, when Spence hands Joe the remaining piece of peach, Joe asks him if he’s all done. He essentially signs “all done,” looking more like an ump punching out a batter caught looking at a 3rd strike.
Since Max talks all the time, Spence doesn’t seem to feel a need to. Spence is well on his way learning how to talk, learning new words each week. Several words he says are: more, up, down, off, bubbles, pop, mama, gaga (dada), ma (Max), cocoa. He says several animal sounds: duck, cow, cat, dog…
We went to Eagle Creek Golf Course, the 4 of us. There was a free club demo and free 5 min lessons. After Melissa & Max got their lessons, it was Spence’s turn. We set him up with the little club Max had used, and he seemed awkward (more so than a 16 month old would?) Then Spence walked around the ball to hit from the “left-handed” side. He instinctively knew. He is a lefty!
Lastly, we are expecting a new member of the Wagley/Morgan family in late May! So, we hope you & your family has an enjoyable holiday season & we wish you a happy new year. Sincerely,
Joe, Mel, Max & Spence
