Life According to Averie, Baylor & Colbie

CHRISTMAS PART 2

2012-01-02T12:44:00.001-05:00

Sweet Colbie.

Beautiful Averie.

Handsome Baylor.

SO excited!!

Traditional pictures on Christmas Eve.

Silly rabbit teeth.

Christmas morning!!! YAY!!!

Colbie joined us after a little bit...

Christmas socks from Santa!

Showing off her bandaid and her red nails.

The BIG gift from Mama and Daddy...

BIG gift for Averie from Mama and Daddy...

Colbie's BIG gift...

Ta-Da! A doll house! She was so surprised!!

Baylor got a Jeep!!!!! Wahoooo!!!

Colbie got a bean bag! She was happy and smiley!!

WOW! We had a fabulous Christmas! So many blessings...

We happily spend the 23rd and part of the 24th with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Judy. The kids really enjoyed the time with them. We had Christmas in the afternoon on the 23rd and the kids played the rest of the day! In the evening we went to dinner at the diner and then to a local coffee shop (Grandpa Bill is a regular there) to hear a really amazing Celtic Band called Morningstarre. The kids were actually in awe and I really enjoyed it. And spending time as a family doing something meaningful and low key was nice. We headed home after breakfast and after the kids read with Grandma Judy (their fav thing when we are there) for a bit.

We headed home and had to pick back up and get ready for Christmas Eve with Grandma Pam, Grandpa Allen and Uncle Brad. We had yummy potato cheese soup, wrap sandwiches, veggies and dip, spinach dip and pumpernickel bread, cheese and crackers and of course desserts... we went to church and then came back to have dessert and open presents! The kids were in their glory!!! It got pretty late, we were home by 10:30pm and the kids zonked in bed by 10:40pm...

Santa came and the kids were chatting (A and B) in their beds by 5:20am! Eeek! Luckily they dozed back off (after Matt went in and asked them to shhhhh) until I stirred them at 6:45am. Averie and Baylor started in on their stocking presents while we let Colbie sleep in til 7:15am, then she got up and we helped her with her stocking gifts. She woke up happy and we all finished opening gifts by 8am! A record! We then had breakfast and got dressed for church, in plenty of time, which surprised me! After church we didn't even unload the kids, I ran in the house and grabbed the fresh fruit, salad, and gifts for GG's house and we headed out. We had lunch at GG's...the works - ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, deluxe potatoes, Patty's salad, fresh fruit, corn casserole and delicious Christmas cookies and desserts. The kids got a few fun presents and we all sat around and chatted. A few family members were not there this year, which felt a little empty, but they were spending special time with their family that couldn't travel, so we understood. :o)

Wonderful. Magical. Spectacular. Christmas. So excited for 2012 and what blessings are yet to come.

CHRISTMAS PART 1

2012-01-02T11:32:00.001-05:00

The Candy Cane Playdough we made for our church friends.

Bay, decorating his cookies.

Colbie, VERY excited to be decorating Christmas Cookies!

Averie and her cookies.

<3in the mess.

Celebrating Christmas with G. Bill and G. Judy.

KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY

2011-11-14T10:53:00.006-05:00

COLBIE'S PARTY

2011-11-14T10:28:00.001-05:00

Little Miss "2"

Cheesin at Chuck E. Cheese!

We had a special little gathering for Colbie and her buddies. We went to Chuck E. Cheese and had pizza, cupcakes and a few gifts. We also played and the kids ran around and tired themselves out. What a fun day for a 2 year old! We also went to Olive Garden and had lunch for the Birthday girl on a separate day. Colbie loved blowing out her "2" candle and enjoyed her special lemon pudding dessert. What a fun time!

COLBIE IS 2!

2011-10-28T08:26:00.003-04:00

Breakfast

Silly sweetness.

Newborn

1 year old. "Oooooon" as in balloon.

2 year pic coming soon!

Holy smokes! Doosie is 2! Our sweet, spunky, lovey, happy, smart girl is 2. Well...Colbie, you are so smart. You are starting to know your colors. You LOVE pink, or at least you always say pink when we have you pick a color. You can count to 10 and like to count with mama and daddy. You like to say, "look at me!" And show us a crazy, silly face. You LOVE food and know what you want and don't! You ask "why" for everything and when we ask you "why" you say "no why!" Hilarious. You love doing dot paints, and painting and always ask to "do school?" You like riding bikes outside, being outside time, tomatoes ("matoes"), and are sad our plants are gone. You say 5-6 words at a time now and can communicate 99% with your words. You love your purple afghan blanket and pup-pup still and sleep with both of them every night. You go to bed at 8:15pm and sleep all night until about 7:15/7:30am. You ALWAYS wake up happy and you take a nap from 2-4:30pm. You love juice-water and are starting to eat bigger bites and chew your food really well. You love to say "knock-knock" and we say "who's there" and you say "peek" or "orange" and then you crack up and say it again and again! You give good side eye looks and you love to use adult utensils. You almost always take mama's. Silly girl. You run around and play all the time, you like to dress yourself (and are starting to get good at it!). You are good at standing up for yourself and are not afraid to swat at brother (sissy too, but brother pushes your buttons well) or yell. In fact you speak up for yourself a lot! I imagine you will change a lot this year, you will get smarter and smarter and just amaze us every day. XOXO we <3 you sweet Colbs.

POKAGON & THE PARK

2011-10-24T20:53:00.001-04:00

Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

BAYLOR BOY IS 5!

2011-10-04T12:41:00.001-04:00

5 Year Old Boy!

The 4 Year Collage...

You are 5!! This is the year you get a “big” party!!! We are going to have it at our church and have games and prizes and yummy food! We can’t wait to invite all of your friends over and enjoy a Diego and Dora Birthday Party! It should be FUN!

Some of your favorite things (I asked you to list them)- helping daddy, riding your bike and playing outside, tools, cars and trucks, the iPad, pooltime, chocolate, crackers, pizza, Olive Garden, cake, crunchy carrots, broccoli, oranges, peanut butter and jelly, juice and so much more. You are very smart...writing letters, starting to read and do math. Once you are officially 5 we will begin the “reading” book and quiet time instead of nap time. You ask about that everyday and cannot wait! Hard to believe you are 5. It went so quick. So fast I can hardly remember your baby-hood. What a sweet mama’s boy you are. You also still love your blanket even though it is in 10 pieces. You also love anything with wheels...you play recital and dress up with sissy too. You are a super great brother and boy. You love Colbie and give her the run around. You pick on her out of love, and she picks back! :o) We love you sweet boy. We can't believe you are 5 and growing so fast. XO.

THE FAIR

2011-09-06T15:52:00.005-04:00

Enjoying her frozen yogurt and apple dumpling...

Happy to be at the fair.

YUMMMMMMM, caramel apples!!!

Our friend- the chicken...

Colbie LOVED the corn and actually stole it from me. It was supposed to be my special treat...

FISH!!!!!

The gang and their fish!!

SCHOOL DAYS

2011-09-02T09:32:00.003-04:00

Miss 1st grader!

Looking at her journal.

She posed for this pic. :o)

So beautiful and mature looking!

The clan!

LAST YEAR'S SCHOOL POST! WOW, SHE LOOKS SO OLD THIS YEAR!

CORNY

2011-08-31T08:11:00.000-04:00

SUMMER UPDATE

2011-08-21T15:34:00.005-04:00

21 months!

Mr. 2 wheeler!!

Miss roller blades!

Zoo day!

A train ride at the zoo when we went in July!

LINK

2011-08-01T15:26:00.001-04:00

Spring Pictures

Here is a link to our spring pictures with Keener Photography!!

SOME FUN PICS

2011-06-30T15:13:00.003-04:00

Miss Colbie all dressed up! Being silly!

Averie doing her bridge kick over.

Baylor doing a flip over the bar...it was their last day.

Trophy time! Baylor and Miss Hannah.

Averie and Miss Hannah!

20 Months!!! Too big!!!

Me and my funny girl!

CHICAGO

2011-05-25T10:51:00.002-04:00

Children's Museum at Navy Pier

Navy Pier

Walking Michigan Ave.

Rain Forest Cafe for dinner.

Chicago!! What a fun time we had! The kids enjoyed the Rain Forest Cafe, American Girl, the Pier and the hotel and pool. We walked a lot and shopped and ate yummy food. Baylor got a new truck from the Disney Store and Averie picked a new baby from American Girl. Colbie got a cute Little Mermaid cell phone. We can't wait to plan the next fun vacay!

18 MONTHS

2011-05-02T16:37:00.003-04:00

Baylor at 18 months!

Averie at 18 months!

I snapped a few pics of miss Colbie before bed. She is so not impressed by the camera and I rarely get a good smile out of her. Stinker standing on her chair!

A little grin...

This is how we started the photo shoot. A little girl and her "pretties."

COLBIE IS 18 MONTHS

2011-04-28T08:26:00.000-04:00

Colbie, you are so big! These last 18 months have gone so fast. You are so funny, spunky and smart. I love you so much. You are so cute. Everyday I am so happy and excited to hear you in your crib and see you take on the day. You wake up every morning with giggles and smiles! It is my favorite part of the day. You love your ju-ju in the morning and O's. You are getting pretty good at using a spoon and a fork, but you prefer to use your hands if the utensils don't get you food fast enough. You love "ka-ka's" or graham crackers and ask for them every day, more than once a day. You also love "gurt" or yogurt. As far as eating goes, you eat anything and everything and just love food.

You really love snuggling pup in your bed and listen to Violet play sleeping music before you fall asleep. You are a mama's girl still but have really been enjoying daddy these days. You also have been loving on brother more. You say "bruhber" and "sissy" and love them both so much. You like to play with them and do what they do. You love coloring and carrying purses or bags and filling those bags with boys and odds and ends. You are so girly, you love putting on bracelets and trying on clothes and shoes. You also love outside time and carrying around rocks or "gackos" as you call them. You fill buckets with "gackos" and carry the buckets around. You also love riding on toys outside and are starting to get brave with slides and swings. I can't wait for more warm weather when you can really get out and play.

Colbie, I can't believe you are so big. I am sad you aren't my little baby anymore, but so excited to see you grow and change and become a little lady. I love you so much and treasure every moment with you. Xoxoxoxo. Mini photo shoot later today...I will try to post pics tonight.

EASTER PICS

2011-04-27T22:15:00.008-04:00

At Easter breakfast before church. I just love Colbie's smile here! She's like a little girl. Sigh. She is so big.

This is at Easter dinner with our family. Back at the church. The kids had a great time playing and chowing on yummy food.

Before church breakfast. Posing for mama.

My sweeties.

My beautiful big girl.

My handsome boy.

How Colbie found her eggs at the church Easter egg hunt!

SILLY POST

2011-03-26T21:38:00.002-04:00

We had a photo shoot the other evening for pictures to print for frames in our new master bathroom. Here are a few of my favs. Hopefully soon I will get pics of the bathroom up too! It turned out amazing!!!! The kids are doing well, Colbie is walking everywhere. She is so funny and silly. She loves to eat and is obsessed with graham crackers. She asks for a "cacker" all the time and sometimes wakes up in the morning asking. She also is in swimming lessons learning her survival float. She loves the water and going to swimming. She asks for "bober" the whole time and says "Cinee" for Miss Cindy. It is so cute to see her loving the water. She still cries while she is working hard in the water...but loves it at the same time.

Averie is doing awesome reading. She is getting faster and reading more words and is getting her confidence up. That is the biggest thing she struggles with. She gets a little resistant to read when I ask her to (story books and such. She wants to look at the pictures), but is always willing to do reading time for school. I am trying to encourage her to read for fun. She is reading on her own more and more. I love to hear how many words she can read and sound out. It is so amazing! She loves everything about school. She loves her free "craft" time too. She gets about 45 mins a day to do free art. And it is probably her favorite time of the day. She creates TONS of things from hats, to party favors, games, pictures, books, etc.....

And then there is Baylor. He is so funny. He loves his blanket and "baby." Baby is a small cloth baby doll that was actually Averie's first baby. It is random, but he loves her. Blanket is in about 7 pieces now, there is a main piece he loves still them most. But usually he only has to have one piece and he is fine (and I'm talking about bed/naps). Other than his buddies, he loves his cars and trucks and is beyond ready for spring and warmer weather. He will be excited to go outside and explore and ride bikes. We will have to have many scavenger hunts. Baylor and Averie have also been doing gymnastics since the fall. They go every Friday and have a great time. They love their instructor and love practicing their skills at home too!

MY BABY IS 6

2011-03-10T08:26:00.000-05:00

Ohhhhh me, OH my! Averie is 6. Well, that went fast. I love you Averie. You are so special to this family. You are independent, loving, smart and you are a good leader and initiator. You LOVE your sister and brother so much. You are reading well, writing well and doing all of the things a 6 year old should do! Right now, you love characters from Dora, Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. You haven't even seen your first movie, but you love to listen to stories about the characters from these movies. You love to take care of your sister, play with her and you love it when she wants you more than mama. You are a little mother hen. For your brother, you are his big sister. You take care of him and lead him with games and activities and ideas. He adores you...and you are great to him, most of the time! A little tough love is good sometimes, right?! So, for your 6th Bday, we are going to "Bounce," lunch with Gma and Gpa at Max and Ermas and then home to play games and do whatever you want! Saturday we are having family over for pizza and cake. It should be a wonderful, special day. I love you Averie and all that you are. You are very special and super sweet and I hope you always stay that way! XOXO

WINTER FUN

2011-02-05T10:30:00.002-05:00

Colbie really enjoy "side" time (outside). She rode around in her little sled and loved it. She also sat in the snow and watched Averie and Baylor run all around.

Brrrrrrrrrr, but so much fun!!!!

Ice skating at the mall's ice rink. Averie looks like she is about to fall!

She was all dolled up in her tu-tu and halo. Hahaha. The ice was sticky so the kids could skate alone without falling.

Bay posing for the camera.

WINTER PICS

2011-01-24T15:22:00.003-05:00

Colbie preparing to walk...or shall I say, take a few steps then lunge. Ha ha.

Colbie LOVES bath time. She went from being terrified a couple of months ago (screaming and crying and trying to jump out). To now, trying to jump in! And telling me "uh-uh" when it's time to go out!

So sweet! Well, Colbie wasn't happy about being in a pic. But you can't really tell.

FABULOUS CHRISTMAS

2010-12-29T10:57:00.003-05:00

The stockings...looking stuffed!

Our traditional Christmas Eve Family photo.

The kiddos, ready to tear into the gifts...

So, we had a wonderful Christmas...well, mostly. I was sick, ugh, head cold/sinus thingy. I didn't have an appetite or voice and couldn't sleep. But I am tons better now. Yesterday was my first better day and actually it wasn't until bedtime that I noticed how good I felt. Today, even better yet. So, Christmas was so much fun! The kids loved going to Grandma and Grandpa (B and J) the week before Christmas... we also got to visit with our buds Rece, Carmine, Tierney and Kinsley! We do a book exchange with them and had so much fun. Averie is still talking about how she loved watching Rece play his game and loved talking to him. Every time we are with them it is typically for a gathering, which is too busy and chaotic for any play time. This visit was nice and low key. After that visit we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house and daddy met us there. We celebrated Christmas with them and really enjoyed their gift of roller skates!!! The big kids got to skate all over their basement, which was great practice since they were nervous and had never skated before! Colbie just crawled all over and wanted to climb the stairs and eat everything she could find (off the floor even). After a couple fun days there, we headed home just in time for a visit with Jayde, Jett, Jorie, Delaney and A Shan and A Shawna. They came over to our house and we did our annual craft and dinner. The kids painted ornaments and played! And then the next day was Christmas Eve. We headed to Grandma and Grandpa's (P and A) for dinner (we brought veggie pizzas, Oreo and pb bon bons, Hug pretzels and brownie cookies)! We also had sandwiches and soup and a wonderful time. We went to church and after church we did presents! The kids got tons of fun things. Moon sand, play-doh, paper dolls, Colbie got a small Little People set and some other fun things! After all the excitement we headed home for bed (10:30pm...yawn!)... Then Santa came!!!! What a fun morning! The kids got so many fun things...they are still playing with everything today...Trio, Paper dolls, Play mobil, games, etc. The list goes on. We then went to GG's house for Christmas with my extended family and they got a few more goodies. We also had lunch and spent time with cousins (Averie's buds). They played and we just really felt so blessed and loved with everyone together.

As far as the kids go...Averie is doing wonderful. She is reading very well and we are 3/4 the way through her reading lessons book. She is also enjoying working on a winter book right now for our Christmas break "project." She reads stories well and will even, with a little encouragement, read for other people. I can tell she is still unsure of her reading skill, but she does very well. Math, I would says she is at about a 1st grade level. We have a math book and are working on it little by little, but it is still very basic. She can do 10 pages at a sitting and enjoys them. She would do art and crafts all day if I let her. This is what she chooses to do during "nap" for Baylor and Colbie. She could fill up 10 or 20 papers if I let her (I limit her to 5 a day). Her favorite things right now are still Dora and Alicia (Diego's sister/Dora's cousin). She also likes Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (she got a dress/basket/Toto/shoes for Christmas from Baylor)...even though we haven't watched the movie. She has watched clips from U-tube. She is also a super helper for me with Colbie and will watch her and play with her when I need her to. She loves being the big sister (and is fabulous at it).

Baylor is still Averie's little sidekick. He really loves garbage trucks and cars and anything of that type. He will play independently but is extremely shy without his big sis. He is active and likes to run around and bounce around and has a lot of energy most of the time. He also always has good ideas and shares them, mostly with his big sister. He is a good listener once you catch his attention first. He still loves his blanket even though it is in about 6 pieces! Sweet Baylor boy. As far as school goes, Baylor has started the reading book and is about 6 lessons in. He does enjoy it, but I can tell he is quite ready for the harder stuff. I know he could do it, but I'm not pushing him to do it. If he asks to do a lesson, I definitely do it. But I don't include it in his typical day. He loves doing dot paints and writing. He writes his name very well!! And could probably write every letter if asked. He is also very smart at math and will probably do very well with it. We still do preschool and he will be working on a winter book over these next couple months too.

Then there is Miss Colbie. Oh goodness. She is a stinker! She is persistent. She loves crawling everywhere! And picking up little things from the floor to eat...ugh, yea, that's been fun. 100% opposite of the other two. They picked things up and handed them to me. I have to constantly watch Colbie. But that's okay, I don't mind. :o) She is a mama's girl too. And still sucks those fingers. She loves almost all food. Loves pumpkin bread, cheese, veggies, fruit, pasta...really the only things she doesn't like are eggs right now. And a certain cereal bar. Oh yea, and cow's milk! She is standing a little bit now and starting to get confident in the possibility of walking...we will see when she actually walks. I predict by 15 months she will be getting there. She talks too, and understands a lot but listens when she wants to. She says sissy, thank you, balloon, da da, bear bear, bye bye, all done, baby, uh oh, eat, hi there, hi, all done, diaper, ju ju (juice), mmmmmm, and she grunts/clears her throat for nursing time. She signs, more, all done, light, fan, waves hi and bye. She nurses before bed (her favorite) and in the morning (soon to be done). She chows all the time! She loves her stuffed animals, her fav is bear bear and Violet. She also loves peek-a-boo and climbing on everything!!! And she is starting to love bath time again, finally!

Wow, so that update is long past due! I wish you all a HAPPY 2011!!!!!

ONE PIC

2010-12-03T21:17:00.001-05:00

Here is one of our new pics from Shawna (Keener Photography). I tried uploading 4 more, but well, my computer didn't want me to. One of these days I will take a few minutes and update on us and the kids...

RANDOMNESS

2010-11-22T21:05:00.002-05:00

So, I've been neglecting the blog. Here are two pics. My laptop is acting up so I can only use it for a few minutes at a time.

Colbie devouring her cake!

Halloween - before trick-or-treating!

More to come...

WOW

2010-11-14T10:59:00.001-05:00

I am testing this out on my phone.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

COLBIE IS ONE

2010-10-28T08:26:00.001-04:00

How can this be? How did I go from trying to get pregnant for 8 months, to having a 1 year old. I am absolutely astonished that she is one. It makes me happy that she is becoming a big girl and is starting to really talk and communicate and be curious...but where is that newborn baby I get to snuggle on the couch after I nurse her? I am happy-sad.

Colbie, you are so big. You are so smart! You are saying "bye bye," "hi there," "uh oh," "all done," "diaper," "sock," "da da," "mmmm," and you copy so many other words and sounds. You sign - light, fan, more, all done and you are picking up new words/signs all the time. As far as getting around - you love to crawl. You get anywhere you want to go and love to crawl up our two stairs. You get so angry at me if I don't let you!! You pull up all the time and have stood independently a handful of times. If we stand you up and try to get you to walk while holding our hands you bend your knees because you don't want to stand. You just want to crawl! It is so silly. I can't wait to see you chow your cake on Saturday. I know you will love it and eat it all up! You are also my tiny girl. You have your 1 year check-up next week, but are so small, yet proportionate. Everyone we meet says how friendly you are (opposite or your sister, she was shy and sober). You are smiley and friendly and outgoing. You are also feisty when it comes to diaper changes and me dressing you, socks and hats. You really want to be on the go! I love you sweet girl and can't believe you are SO big. XOXO sweet girl.

FOUR YEARS OLD!

2010-10-04T12:41:00.000-04:00

Baylor, You are 4! I love how big you are. But don't love that you aren't a baby anymore. It feels like you were only a baby for like a week. You are so active. You have gotten more active and "boy" like this year. You constantly bounce off the walls and are moving and jumping and running and it's kind of nuts! You were so calm as a 2 and 3 year old and around 3.5 you started getting more rambunctious. I try not to squelch it, but there is a time and place for it and you are capable of listening when it's time to settle down. You still love blankie and duck. Blankie is now in 2 pieces, but you snuggle one or the other or both. You love duckie too. You sleep in your big boy bed still and share a room with sis. You nap from 2-3:30pm and sleep at night from about 9pm-7am (you go to bed at 8pm and lounge, and in the morning you lounge til 7:45am). You love trucks, cars, airplanes, trains, helicopters, semis, gators and everything and anything with wheels. You ask to play cars constantly. You still love reading books and pick out library books about cars, trucks and tools etc. You love playing outside and digging in dirt. You are also very good at riding your bike. You can run fast, jump and climb very well. You recently started becomming interested in coloring and writing. This is a first for you. You can write your name and all of the letters. They are just a tad big. You draw bikes, flowers and many other things. For your Birthday party we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant. Your close family was there to celebrate with you. You got make cars, a remote control Gator, Lego's, Trio's and a Go Blue outfit! You were so happy! XOXO, Love you sweet boy.

11 MONTHS!

2010-09-28T08:26:00.001-04:00

Oh my goodness. Colbie, you are 11 months. I can't believe it. You are growing up so fast. You are so cute. You are crawling everywhere. You don't want to sit still, even for a minute. You taunt me during diaper changes by rolling over, or at least pretending to roll over while making squeaky noises... so silly! You say words - "night-night," "all-done," "uh-oh," "da-da," "hi" and I'm sure I am forgetting some... you dance do music and clap too! You eat everything and anything right now. You love beans, fruit, veggies, cottage cheese and cheese. You still eat the veggies I made and froze (and they are nice to have on hand for a quick meal). You love to feed yourself too. You are so in love with our dogs. You pick out dogs in our books too and "bark" at them. You are so much fun and love to play and pull up and be held by mama. You also love playing peek-a-boo with everyone by covering your eyes with a blanket or shirt. You are also very silly making snuffy noses and wrinkling up your nose. I love you sweet girl. Thank you for being so sweet, silly, sassy and so much fun! I can't believe we will be celebrating your ONE year in a month. Unbelievable!

SCHOOL

2010-08-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

She was all ready! We went shopping together and she chose her outfit. She had been counting down the days!

Baylor is excited to start preschool.

Sweet girl.

So happy!

At their work area doing an ABC activity.

Far left is the kitchen area. Behind that is a cabinet with quiet activities, pillows and books for a quiet reading area (the tent/house). To the right is a car and block area (you can see the rug) and in the front is the market. Each area of this porch and of the house (I've completely organized all shelves, cabinets and rooms in the house) is labeled with a shape (you can see the red rectangle in the reading area). And by their desks I have a schedule for each of them so they know where to go when. That way I am also planning ahead. They love me "telling" them what "area" to go to next, and I love the structure.

Calendar and Circle time (this starts at 9am). We have an "idea box" we share ideas about the day and talk about the week, do the weather, day, month and year. And we also have a story.

Baylor uses Dot Paints for his lessons. They are cute and fun and short. I used the same book with Averie. They make many different ones but we love the ABC one.

I used a few different Kindergarten websites for Averie's lesson plans. She does work at the table from 9:30am (after circle time) until 10:30am (snack time). This activity was actually an ad from my Parents Magazine I had ripped out and saved.

** So the kids get up at 7:30am, have breakfast and then do simple chores (they put away their laundry, take the recycling to the mud room, straighten up their room, I think of something simple. Then at 8:30am, they check their schedule and do one of the 4 areas on the porch (a different one each day) until 9am (I am feeding Colbie, cleaning up from breakfast, drying/folding laundry etc.). Once 9am rolls around it is circle time. Colbie hangs out with us, or goes in her saucer or play yard. That goes until 9:30am. At 9:30am they head to the table for their planned activities (math, science, abc, writing, art), we usually have time for two (at least I plan for two). At 10:30am we clean up and (I choose a helper for the day during circle time, obviously it rotates) my helper serves snack. By now Colbie is napping (10-12) and we go outside or downstairs (we have a mini enclosed trampoline and toys down there too) to play for 30 minutes. At 11am the have a short activity (they check their schedule). At 11:30am we make lunch (my helper helps!) and eat at 12pm. After lunch it is blanket time (which means they lay a blanket out in the family room and get a few toys out to play with) and play yard time for Colbie. I clean up and at 1pm they do an activity (check schedule). 1:30pm is "book time." They each pick a book and we read (before naps/rest). On the way back to nap/rest we put away the laundry, brush teeth, potty, etc. and at 2pm Baylor naps (2-4) and Averie gets free art time in the craft room (aka the guest room, aka the scrapbooking room) until 2:30, then she rests until 3pm. Colbie naps at 2:15/2:30 until 4:15. At 3pm Averie gets up and we our reading lesson and writing lesson or workbooks until 4pm. And that is considered the end of our day. Baylor wakes up at 4pm and Colbie after that as well. That's our school day! We do this schedule Monday - Thursday. Friday is our field trip, errand, "fun" day. We might do a pottery wheel, go to the library, zoo, etc. So far everything is going great! I hope she loves school 6 weeks from now... :o)

Here are some silly pics from last weekend!

Sweet kids.

COLBIE IS 10 MONTHS

2010-08-28T08:26:00.001-04:00

Colbie is getting so big and active!!! Here are several of her current loves and accomplishments:

Crawling EVERYWHERE!!! Up our 2 stairs even.
Pulling up on everything.
Going from belly to bottom, but I'm not sure if she knows she's doing it.
Peek a boo, she plays it with me while on her changing table.
Making a wide mouth face. It is so funny.
Copying everything, a cough, smile, grunt, open mouth.
She loves and squeals with delight at our dogs, her "bear-bear" (My First Bear) from Grandma and Grandpa.
She says "Ha" for Hi about 10 times a day.
Is eating a lot of table food and loves it.
She loves Cheerios.
She is working on her pincer grasp.

Colbie at 9 months, 4 weeks and 2 days (14 hours from her 10 Month Birthday)

Averie at 10 Months.

Baylor at 10 Months.

PICS, PICS & MORE PICS

2010-08-27T21:20:00.005-04:00

Averie floating (we had a week of swimming refreshers and lessons in late August).

Averie learning to dive.

Baylor doing his single arm backstroke.

Colbie taking it all in...

Colbie's "official" 9 month pics! Yay for Aunt Shawna!

Aunt Shawna came over for a playdate (Jayde, Jett and Jorie) and she snapped several pics of Colbie. They turned out so great! I love them! And Miss Colbie's hair is soooo RED!!!

FAMILY & VACAY

2010-08-17T08:34:00.003-04:00

Visiting cousins the end of July - Maddie and Colbie, Averie, Max and Baylor.

Colbie chowing on her banana while she watches the kids on the beach.

JUMP!!

On the beach...on vacation in Indiana. We went camping for 2 nights and really had a fun time!

COLBIE IS 9 MONTHS

2010-07-28T08:26:00.000-04:00

Oh man, I can't believe Colbie is 9 months!!! That is huge!!! Well, she is on the move. She scoots with her toes and "army" arms and loves to walk while holding fingers. She has also done real crawls a few times too. She is eating so many foods... we've added spinach and squash to her list. Everything she eats she likes (or at least doesn't dislike) and she loves loves loves bananas in her mesh feeder. She also had a peach in her feeder and just sucked it and tossed it (it was tart!). Averie and Baylor are very interested in playing with her now. It's like she just started getting cool because they can entertain her. The also watch her for me too. Averie is also good at moving her if she gets too close to our coffee table (with permission of course). Some of her favorite toys are Baylor's computer, things to pat or pound, wheels that spin and her baby piano. She does awesome in her bed (I lay her down and she rolls over and that's it) and has 2 naps. One at 10am - 12pm and another from 2pm - 4pm. If things get busy in the am and she misses her nap (Sundays) she will typically nap in the afternoon from 2 - 5pm. Which is so nice. She goes to bed around 7:45pm and has been sleeping all the way thru the night about 75% of the time now (until 8am). When she does wake in the middle of the night occasionally it is around 4am and I just feed her and she goes right back to sleep. She is so happy and silly and sweet, and a "Mama's girl", I just love her!

JULY

2010-07-18T16:39:00.009-04:00

All ready for the 4th of July!!

We have been keeping plenty busy swimming and hanging out around the house. Colbie is getting so big. She is sort of army crawling...scooting on her belly by pushing her toes along the floor. It is pretty cute! She is also trying tons of new foods, spinach is the most recent. She loves her baths and the grass (sounds strange but she dives for the grass!). Averie is a swimming fool. She loves the pool and swims all over. She would spend all day in the pool if she could. She also has started having "rest" time instead of nap. We put paper and craft stuff along with puzzles, books and her easel in the guest room. She can do crafts, color and play during naps. If she is tired she can rest on the bed in there too. Baylor is doing great! He loves digging in the dirt and riding his bike and his tractor. He is a helper too with tools and working in the mulch with daddy. About two weeks ago we went to Put-In-Bay and had a wonderful time. Pics coming after I do this post... we rode the Ferry Boat and took a golf cart around (the kids two favorite things). We also went to Perry's Cave, the butterfly house and did about 5 of 18 holes of mini-golf (it was HOT!). We got yummy ice cream from "The Chocolate Factory" and discovered a place to play in the water (but the kids were napping when we found the water so we just kept driving around). We had a picnic and the kids played on the playground. What a fun day! They are already talking about going back with grandma and grandpa and getting an 8 seater golf cart. Ha ha. So, now it is the end of July and we are planning a camping trip for the 5 of us. We are taking off tomorrow for our usual place. It should be fun or at least an experience! :o)

Put-In-Bay

Butterfly House

Hoping butterflies will land on her...

On the Miller Ferry Boat.

Goin for a drive...

Baby butterfly!

8 MONTHS

2010-06-30T14:38:00.001-04:00

This was taken on her 8 month birthday!!!

SILLY FACES

2010-06-22T14:22:00.004-04:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

2010-06-20T21:29:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day to my hubby!!!!!!!! And the most wonderful daddy to our kids!!!! xoxoxox

MEMORIAL DAY FUN

2010-06-02T16:19:00.007-04:00

Colbie enjoying the parade

Parade time

Indoor picnic

Parade time

Poppies!!

7 MONTHS

2010-05-28T08:26:00.002-04:00

Helllllloooooo????? Is she really 7 months???? Wow, great... ok. So, Colbie is so sweet! We just love her. She is funny and observant and loving and smiley and so cute! She is eating cereal like a champ, breakfast, lunch and dinner. She has also had avocado, which she pretty much despised. I fed it to her mixed with breast milk first... she spit it out mostly and gagged once. I tried mixing it with water (which is how I make her cereal) and she looked at me like I was crazy to feed it to her! Ha ha. I hope carrots go much better next week. We'll see. Colbie is also sitting up pretty well. She isn't sturdy to where I can leave her, but she does stay up right and play with her toys. She loves playing on her belly and grabbing toys. She also loves her meals. She nurses at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 7pm, 11pm and occasionally at 5am. She has been going all night for a month or so (not counting the 2 weeks she was sick) and sleeping in her crib. She goes to bed so easily and if she fusses and cries we know she is over-tired or something is wrong. She takes her vitamin from a nipple still and has no issues with taking it (she hasn't taken a bottle, but I am 99% sure she would if needed). She drinks from a sippy cup and regular cup as well. And is pretty obsessed with it. She also loves baths. I can't wait to get her in the pool. She will love it. She gets so super excited when I come in her room after a nap or bed. When I talk to her or say her name she kicks and shrieks and squeals with excitement. What a happy girl. She still loves playing in her "party boat" (saucer) and being in her swing. She also plays in her pack-n-play and crib occasionally too. She is so "go-with-the-flow" and loves when Baylor and Averie talk and play with her. She is so great, I can't believe she is 7 months.

WORDS

2010-05-17T13:58:00.004-04:00

So, here are some words to update the blog. I go to do this frequently and just don't know what to write. So here are some thoughts (no particular order) -

*We planted 2 gardens so far. And I have to get tomato plants into pots and plant some other things in the backyard garden like pumpkins and gourds. The kids and I grew the cucumbers, peas, pumpkins and gourds from seeds. We bought the other plants. I am super excited to plant flowers too. And to get the front "rock area" useable. We put a rectangular shaped garden in the middle there and are planning to do a walk way and stepping stones in there too. Also the swing (large bench one) and table and stool area for the kids. It is a work in progress. But I will love to be able to use that space!

*Colbie is so sweet. She really enjoys her saucer. She loves to "talk" to her toys, especially when they fall off her saucer. She talks to them loudly then and stretches to see them, it's cute. She is close to sitting all by herself. But does great sitting with the boppy behind her. She doesn't fall forward as much, she sits straight up. She is a great napper (usually) and naps in the morning from about 9:30am til 11:45am and again around 2pm til 4pm. She's been taking a 3rd nap, but it's been less and less and sometimes she fusses in her bed for 10 minutes and then I get her back up becuase I can tell she isn't going to sleep. She likes cereal so far. And has been taking it twice a day. Just a tablespoon or so, but she is learning to get it from the spoon to her mouth and then figuring out how to swallow it. I made her some carrots yesterday. I steamed them in my steamer and pulverized them with my food processor and then froze them in 14 little cubes. Perfect for defrosting and using as needed! But first avocado, probably next week. I want her to be good at eating cereal before I add more food. I also have a recipe for pears for after carrots! So fun! I can't wait for her to be a little chow hound! Colbie is also much better, health wise, she was on breathing treatments and antibiotics for a couple weeks. She had an ear infection and yucky cough. All is well now. She has her re-check and shots (EEEK!) this Thursday. I will hopefully do some running around with her afterwards, as long as she isn't too needy. She only had a bad reaction at 1 month (crying-screaming in pain from her little legs). :o)

*I have been better about letting my house be "lived-in." It's hard, but I haven't even been bothered by it as much. I clean up and organize several times a day, but don't let it overcome me. I like organization and have that... I just let clutter (toys, kids stuff) be around more often.

*Matt and I are going to start working out together again. We both want to, it's so just hard to find time and the excuses are so easy to come up with....

*We just got back from a weekend away at Pokagon State Park. We stayed at the Inn. It was a ton of fun. We were inside a lot because it rained, and rained, and rained... but the pool was nice! The kids are fish. They just swam and swam and were jumping in and practicing their skills. We also did crafts at the Inn (they had a craft room for kids. So neat.). Averie made a lady bug (painted) and watering can. And Baylor did two wooden cars (painted them) and a couple key chains. I need to seal them so the paint and glitter are on there good. It was neat to have something to do away from home, like a little vacay. I can't wait for another one of those. Maybe in June we will go camping. That sounds like something to start working on.

*I want to start making a "to-do" list for every day. I lose focus easily every day. Especially when I have me time. I tend to do lots of stuff half way. It's annoying. Then I have more of a mess then before my me time.

*I have been prepping dinners ahead of time and planning meals. It's really nice. Like for this week I am making black bean soup and I already have the veggies chopped for Wednesday. I plan to do this with Colbie's meals as well so I stay organized with what she has tried and what I've made or need to make.

*Averie is really into drawing. She draws so well these days. She draws adorable sunshines and hearts with faces and hair. She also loves playing baby and "hotel." Baylor still follows her around. He has been playing with his cars/trucks a lot lately. He also loves dressing up and playing "hotel" with Averie. They have also both been playing the "lady bug game" by them selves.

SPRING PICTURES

2010-05-14T16:12:00.009-04:00

http://www.keenerphotography.blogspot.com/

FIRST CEREAL!

2010-05-14T15:48:00.006-04:00

First bite! Hey Mama, what did you give me... this stuff is different...

But, I want more!!!

Let me help...

Hey, is there something on my face?

Isn't my bib so cute?

Hmmm, a spoon. Can I eat it?

FRIENDS!!!!

2010-05-03T15:29:00.002-04:00

6 MONTH PICS

2010-05-01T08:52:00.005-04:00

6 MONTHS!!!!!

2010-04-28T07:32:00.005-04:00

Colbie hanging out. The big kids were playing and she was just watching them.

Lovin her saucer!

This was from a day or two ago. She is able to sit up propped with her hands. Sometimes she face-plants though. But she is getting her back stronger and starting to figure it all out (check out her "focused" face)!

This is her smile. So sweet! Love it!

These are some of the most recent pics I have of her. All from the last couple of weeks. I will take some "official" 6 month pics later today. Colbie is so wonderful. She is a very happy, loving, smiley, content baby. She is so easy to figure out. She goes about her day being held, playing under her play-gym, playing in her crib, lounging in her bouncy seat, playing in her saucer, sitting in her high chair "observing" us eat or sucking on her fingers. She is also very content on her belly to play. Her favorite toys currently - her musical caterpillar, chimes, "pup-pup" (a doggie-blanket-lovie), her Sassy mirror and her black and white Manhattan toy (called Skwish) and anything she can "smack" with her hands that makes noise! She loves drinking out of my water glass (yes, a real cup) and is super good at it. She has tried a sippy cup a few times without a lot of success, but we are about to venture into the world of cereal and sippy cups very, very soon!! She has her check-up next week on Thursday. I expect her to be around 14lbs. (which makes her my peanut still)...

We plan to start cereal after her 6 month check-up. I need to finalize my recipe and make sure I pump enough milk so I can load the cereal with milk for the first several feedings. I think she is ready and will do great with it! Then we will move on to the "first foods." YAY! I am very excited! I can't wait to make her all sorts of yummy foods. On a different note, it is sort of sad! Once she is on food, she isn't a "baby" anymore. I can't believe she is 6 months old. She will also start sleeping in her crib at night soon too. She sleeps through the night 70% of the time(goes to bed at 7:30-8pm and gets up around 7:30-8am [eating at 11pm and 6am typically]). Even when she wakes up at 4am for a feeding so goes right back to sleep afterwards. She also naps at 9:30am, 1:30pm and a short nap at 5:45pm). She loves baths and is a great sleeper. She goes down without crying and can calm herself very easily if she wakes up in the middle of her nap. Rarely do we have to rock her or go in and calm her during her naps/bed. But I do love to snuggle her. She is the kissiest, snuggliest, huggiest most sweet baby (she is more or a snuggler then A or B were at this age). And I love it!

NEW ROOM

2010-04-21T15:55:00.008-04:00

Where their beds are (and see their new hooks and shelf). Also their book boxes are behind Averie's bed.

The wall that is the front of the house. New shelf for all big kid toys. Averie's art far to the left and awesome curtains made by Grandma Pam.

The blue and green together... Averie chose the blue and Baylor chose the green!

Averie's "wall"

Baylor's art

Baylor's "wall"

EASTER PICS

2010-04-07T20:58:00.004-04:00

HOTEL STAY

2010-04-05T09:40:00.003-04:00

Colbie gazing out the window before our swim.

Averie and Baylor playing the Lady Bug game.

Little Miss.

Pool time

Colbie loved it, Averie loved it, Baylor loved it... the pool water was so warm.

We stayed in a nearby hotel a couple of weeks ago just for fun. The hotel had free dinner (they brought in P.F. Chang's) which was included... a pool and hot tub (we were only joined by 2 boys one time, the rest of the time we were alone)... the pool was so warm, Colbie probably thought she was in a large bath. She loved it, just chilled and relaxed in my arms. And free breakfast the next morning. Not just your average breakfast. I'm talking everything... eggs, breakfast burritos, cereal, bagels, homemade waffles, fruit, oatmeal, pasteries, meat, a juice machine... much more then I can list...yum. I love breakfast!!! Ha ha. And one of the best perks was the room. It was a suite so there was a bedroom with 2 beds so we could put the bigs to bed in separate beds and stay up and watch tv and have dessert (we got a yummy slice of cheesecake from P.F. Changs and didn't share with the kids!). The room also had a full kitchen and it was only $115 with tax per night! It was nice to do something fun with the kids and to let them enjoy the pool and practice their swimming skills - which they loved. We will for sure do it again!

5 MONTHS OLD

2010-03-28T21:33:00.008-04:00

Baylor loves his sister...

Colbie is 5 months old!!! Woa... where does the time go? Colbie, you are so sweet. You love giving hugs (you hug your Mama all the time!), you snuggle right in when I pick you up and put you on my shoulder. You shriek with excitement too! You are a great nurser. You eat at about 8am, 1130am, 330pm, 7pm, 11pm and about 5am. You occasionally wake up at 4am, but then go til 8am. There have been a few times you have made it from 11pm until 6am and even 8am. You are still exclusively bf and will be for another month or so. We will start cereal around 6 months at dinner first... then breakfast and dinner... and then breakfast, lunch and dinner! After a week of that we will start making food for you.

I am so excited to start that. I have a couple babyfood cookbooks (they are by Annabel Karmel and are so visually beautiful lol) and they have some interesting recipes in them. I don't know how much batch cooking I will do, but maybe a batch here and there. She will mostly eat what we eat (within reason and once she gets through the 1st try of things to make sure there are no reactions...) like when we have sweet potatoes, or any veggie really... and fruit and we will probably improvise here and there too. I am actually getting excited to make food and feed Colbie. Some of the things she is doing --

- - rolling back to belly

- - sleeping on belly 40% of the time

- - sucking on your first two fingers of your left hand (just like Bay and Daddy did)

- - taking 2 long naps and 1 short nap a day

- - going to bed at 8pm and getting up at 8am

- - napping at 10am, 2pm and 6pm

- - shrieking, kicking, smiling and getting excited

- - rolled from belly to back twice during naptime

- - batting at toys, putting toys in your mouth

- - you like to practice sitting up while we hold you

- - you love to stand and bounce

- - you still love your bouncer and pack-n-play to play

- - you take your vitamin in a bottle nipple

You are Mama's little sweetie. You love being held and watching your big brother and sister play and run around. You watch them so curisously. You also will sit in your bouncer and watch Mama cook in the kitchen. I look forward to the spring and summer... you will be so much fun!

BIRTHDAY PARTY HIGHLIGHTS & MISC.

2010-03-17T09:23:00.006-04:00

Colbie hanging out with pup-pup!

Averie loving her Dora balloon!

Averie and Baylor. Baylor got her a Plasma car for her Birthday!

The "girls" at the party! It was impossible to get all 5 to look at the camera...

Averie's friends: (starting at the top middle, going clockwise) - Emma, Taylor, Ella, Averie, Baylor, Jett and Jayde. They were all waiting so patiently for cake and ice cream. YUM!

Colbie at the party after one of her "naps."

Averie and her Dora butterfly cake.

My sweet bigs.

Averie's beautiful ring on her sparkly tu-tu.

5 YEARS

2010-03-10T08:26:00.002-05:00

5 years old?! How can that be?! What happened to our little baby girl? Wow, Averie, you are so amazing! I just love how creative you are. You love projects and being the leader to organize games and activities you and Baylor are doing. You are a little mama when it comes to Colbie. You keep your brother quiet when she is napping and are gentle and kind to your sister. She loves to smile at you when you sing and talk to her. We have started working on school, you are so ready to start kindergarten! I would say we are well on our way already. We will formally begin once fall comes with more structure and lessons and time together one on one. Until then we work on work books and being creative together. You love doing your “tag” and it is a great “teacher.” You also like your stuffed animals lately and dressing them up and playing Dr. or baby with them. You enjoy going places and “making friends” and I have yet to find us a play group to join (but really want to) so you can make some friends your age and have kids to interact with. I have also entertained the idea of gymnastics. I should start a “to-do” list specifically for you. Being 5 has been super exciting for you this year. You get a big party this year and are very happy about that. If I would have let you it would have been a Dora party, but I had already decided on a butterfly party. I am sure Dora will be there in the form of gifts and accessories. Well, I am not sure when the next update will be but you are a super leader and love reading and learning. You are sweet to your brother (most of the time) and sister (all of the time). We love you sweet bubba-do!

4 MONTHS UPDATED

2010-03-04T14:27:00.003-05:00

Miss Averie

Baylor Boy

Sweet Colbie

Colbie's bandaid too... :o)

3 happy silly kids

Poor Colbie's eczema chest. She was so itchy for several days. Now though she seems better, we treated her with special ointment and lots (like 4 times a day) of aquaphor. She would thrash during the night and wake up crying and was just miserable. She has since done better at night, still waking once to eat but has started waking before 10pm... which is such a strange time for her to wake. Last night I got her up and held her a bit and then put her back down. She was soooo angry! She eventually settled back down by sucking her fingers. Just like her brother and her daddy did when they were babies. She has grown over a lb. and an inch since 2 months. Now at 11lbs. 13.1oz. and 24.25 inches. But still our smallest baby! She is a little peanut compared to A and B (both just over 14lbs.!). Awe, I just melt when she smiles at me. She loves her tongue and sticking it out. She does this almost with every smile. Here are some of the things she is doing at 4 months -

-Almost rolling (back to belly)

-Loves her burp cloths

-Loves her play gym and batting at toys

-Napping in her basinet (and pretty much no where else)

-Eating at 8am, 11am, 230pm, 5pm, 730pm(small feeding before bed), 11pm, 5am (sometimes). With her itchy-ness the night time has been off/sporatic, but her day time is like clockwork

-Only nurses on one side at a feeding

-Is very vocal and smiley

-Loves sucking on her fingers (this is happening more and more)

-Gets fussy when tired

-Goes right to sleep when you put her down for nap/bed

-Does not nap well while out and about

-Loves to stand on your legs while you hold her

Hmmm, that's all that is coming to mind right now. She is so sweet and loves smiling and standing so much. Averie is so loving with her and always wanting to make her smile and be happy. She still gets me things that I ask for and will play and talk to Colbie when I need her to. Baylor on the other hand is such a boy with her. He is not rough enough to make her cry, but is soooo not gentle! I guess it is good for her and she will learn to be rough back. He is loving in the fact that he always has to touch her when he sees her. He is always talking to her in his cute voice and she takes it all in! He really is sweet on her. I think that he will always be protective of her and want to make sure she is ok, even if he is a little rough. Whew, well... that post was long overdue. We have a busy day today so I better get moving. More updates sooner rather than later because we have a big (someone is turning 5!!!) day this coming Wednesday! EEEEEEEK. Until then...

PICTURE UPDATE

2010-02-19T16:05:00.003-05:00

I promise I will update with words soon!

3 MONTH PICS BY SHAWNA

2010-02-05T22:11:00.004-05:00

3 MONTHS

2010-01-27T15:02:00.004-05:00

Sweet 3 month old girl. Love those baby blues!

So, seriously. How did 3 months go by and I didn't even know??? And why is Colbie so big??? Can someone answer me? So, seriously. Colbie is so sweet. I just love her so much. She smiles at me all day long, even while she eats. She squeals and gets excited when she sees me and just loves being talked to. I love our special together time during the big kids naps, we usually just sit on the couch and chat. You are growing like crazy, I haven't measured you or weighed you, but will try to do that later today. Your next check-up isn't until 4 months. And more pesky shots. Your last set of shots were horrible. You screamed in pain all evening when you weren't sleeping or eating. It was heart-wrenching. After some tylenol and a nap and a feeding (and 5 or 6 hours later...) and some leg movement you were better. I will dose you with tylenol before we go next time and exercise your legs more before you nap. You are reaching towards toys, you love sucking on your fist. You might be a thumb/fist/finger sucker someday when you get more coordinated! You love your mobile time so much, it brings you out of a crabby mood. You talk to it and smile at it and just love it. You are great on tummy time too, very strong. We don't do tummy time enough and I need to do it more. I imagine you will roll sooner the more tummy time we do! Saturday we are doing your 3 month pics with Aunt Shawna, I can't wait! They will be beautiful. Ok, going to go get some things done. You are napping and the bigs are with Grandma! Love you sweet girl.

Colbie and Baylor snuggling.

Baylor at 3 months

Averie at 3 months

2 MONTH COLLAGE

2010-01-16T13:43:00.002-05:00

Baby match... can you match the baby to his or her name?

UPDATE

2010-01-14T15:56:00.003-05:00

A little bright... but it's a neat pic with her blue eyes and smile.

So... here is a quick update on how things are going around here... we are so busy. Now that the holidays are done, I would have expected things to slow down a tad, but well, they haven't yet. I am doing okay on my New Year's resolution (to plan ahead...), although some days I can't even keep up with everything, let alone get ahead. Matt has been so great, using days off to help me clean and get ahead, grocery shopping and keeping the big kids focused when I need to tend to Colbie. He and I also started working out together again, which has been nice, allowing us to connect more. It must be the alone time with no kids...

As for Averie, she is still so much a little mama. She loves on Colbie, leads Baylor and is very outgoing, independent and a leader. She organizes playtime with Baylor and has tons of great ideas for playtime and just goes from one creative thing to the next... it is great to watch. She also is doing great during our school time, she loves writing letters and sounding out words. She is also very into projects and art time. I love watching her learn and thrive during school and can't wait to elaborate on her learning in the fall for kindergarten. I just love her energy and spunk.

Baylor boy. Sweet boy. He has quickly gotten over his "terrible 3's". I honestly think it was a result of me not being "around" or in charge right after Colbie came along. Grandma was in charge for a while and I think the transition back to me being in charge threw him for a little loop. But he is the sweetest boy to Colbie. He offers her his blanket and duck all the time. Just this am he read her a book and told her "it's okay, Colbie, I am here..." So sweet. He is also my helper. He always wants to get things for me, put things away, etc. I just love his sweetness. He sits quietly with me after his nap, just watching me nurse Colbie. What adorable loving boy.

And Miss Colbie... she is so fun! She is doing great with nursing (and refusing bottles...). Nursing about 6 - 7 times a day. Her schedule is being tweaked right now because she suddenly stopped sleeping 7 hours at night and went back to 4.5 and I think it was because she did not nurse enough during the day with only 6 feedings. So, today I have been feeding her every 3 hours with hopes that she lasts longer at night. We shall see... after each feeding during the day she stays awake for about 45 minutes. She will sit in your lap, in her swing, in her bouncy seat, under her play gym, in her pack-n-play and her favorite, under her mobile in the crib. She will smile and talk and just be so sweet! She is so content and happy 99.9% of the time. She does start fussing when she gets sleepy and then it's time for a swaddle and her bassinet. She rarely cries before falling asleep for her naps, which she has 3 of a day. And occasionally a cat nap in my arms in the evenings (like 30 or 45 minutes)... we had dropped the cat nap and she did great, until she started waking up at 3 am again... so, today is a test to see if extra feeding during the day = longer sleep at night! Well, she is waking up now from her nap and we are off to Grandma's for dinner... more updates soon! :o)

JUST FOR FUN

2010-01-12T15:21:00.002-05:00

CHRISTMAS & BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

2010-01-11T14:20:00.005-05:00

We traveled to Grandma Judy and Grandpa Bill's for Christmas. A and B with Maddie.

B and Max

We went from Gpa and Gma's to R and C's Bday party...

After Rece and Carmine's B-day party... we did Christmas!

Colbie, Kinsley and Tierney

COLBIE

2010-01-10T21:53:00.000-05:00

2 MONTHS!!

2009-12-28T16:07:00.003-05:00

2 Month photo shoot. So precious. I just love her.

Sweet sober girl.

Smiley girl.

Just checking things out with her big blue eyes.

You are 2 months today. Wow, how time flies. You are sleeping 6 hours at night. You go from about 11pm - 5am. Then right back to bed after nursing until 8am. You are reaching for your toys and mama. You also love to nurse and nurse approxiately at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, 11pm and 5am. During the day you have awake time after your feedings for about 45 minutes and then take a nap until your next feeding (so 4 naps per day). You nap in your Moses basket for most of your naps, I usually hold you for your nap during Averie and Baylor's naps. It's our time together.

Your favorite things to “do” during awake time are play in your pack-n-play and look in your mirror. Relaxing in your bouncy seat. You especially love lying in your crib and watching your mobile. That can actually calm you down when you are cranky or when you don't want to be held. You love being naked and having your diaper changed and you rarely cry during baths. I love watching your facial expressions and love it when you "talk" to me. You coo and smile at me A LOT!

CHRISTMAS

2009-12-26T18:13:00.002-05:00

Christmas Eve

Christmas morning.

6 WEEKS AND A BATH

2009-12-14T16:23:00.004-05:00

Happy in the tub.

Not so happy...

How she prefers to bathe. Sitting up!

She looks so funny all wet and with slicked hair!

So... things are going pretty well these days. We are definitely keeping busy, especially with Christmas shopping and wrapping. Woa, some days I am completely overwhelmed. Mostly with my house getting disorganized and cluttered. I start projects, sometimes a few different things get started and I never get finished with something when I start so it sits around as clutter...

Colbie is a lot of fun. She is on a good schedule, eating every 2.5 to 3 hours. At about 8pm the last 3 nights she has fallen asleep. She then gets a feeding before I go to sleep, usually by 11pm. After that feeding I let her go 5 hours, which she usually does.
ok, typing with 1 hand is getting tiring... more to come.

6 WEEK PICS

2009-12-08T18:59:00.002-05:00

Colbie did awesome today at her 6 week pics. Or as I call them her 5 week 6 day pics... technically. To see the rest of the photo session click here use my email and averiebaylor as the password. Enjoy!

Look at those cheeks and lips! Ha!

ONE MONTH, TREE DECORATING & THE ZOO

2009-11-28T21:16:00.002-05:00

Colbie is 1 month today!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Baylor putting a hook on a bulb.

Hanging bulbs.

Colbie hanging out in her bouncy seat.

Having fun!

Sober girl!

We decorated our tree and got out the Christmas goodies Friday evening. It was a mess, but fun! The kids got into checking out all of the decorations and Christmas books and fun stuff they haven't seen in a year! We also went to the lights at the zoo and dinner Friday evening too. We finished up decorating and cleaning Saturday during the day. A very festive week!

The Toledo Zoo's Lights!!

Averie loves butterflies these days.

Big, beautiful, colorful tree!

How Colbie spent her time at the zoo.

Averie and Baylor in front of the fountain.

Averie and the gorilla.

3 WEEKS OLD

2009-11-18T14:32:00.005-05:00

(handmade t-shirt by Mimi!)
* * * * * * * * * * * *

Sweet girl is 3 weeks old today! Unbelievable. She is so sweet. She does her usual routine during the day - wakes around 8am (with or without me stirring her), eats then has awake time. After awake time which is usually spent with everyone at the breakfast table... once she gets fussy or sleepy she goes down for a nap (she naps either in her pack-n-play or bassinet or in someones arms). After naptime she wakes to eat, which usually ends up being about 3 hours from her last meal! And the cycle happens all day long in the same order. She also has been eating around 7:30pm, which works well with the kids bedtime. We are typically getting the big kids ready for bed by then and I can nurse her while they get jammies on and books picked out. And by the time she is done eating, the kids are ready for bed and I can put Colbie in her crib to get the big kids down and then get Colbie ready for bed. It works out well because she hangs out with me in the living room and can still settle down for bed out there with the tv on and everything. Eventually she will be too easily distracted and will have to go to bed in her bed at a regular time, but until then we enjoy her being with us as night.

Averie has become a little mama. She always wants to check on Colbie, and calls her a sweet girl or baby butterfly. She holds her several times a day and is always so sweet to her. I can also count on her to fetch things for me, breastpads, burp cloths, the boppy... anything! She is also able to entertain herself when I am busy. She plays alone (and with Baylor), does art projects (she says alot, "mama, I am going to go do art!"), organizes games with Baylor and sets up and plays blocks, little people or with the Dr. set. She is amazing. And getting her and Baylor together, they sometimes can entertain each other for hours. They role play, school, play mail, Dr., do art, dress up and so many other things. Just last night, I don't think we heard from them for an hour and a half (of course they were in our sight on the porch just playing away). They also rarely argue and never have had a physical fight. They might make each other upset and have a hard time communicating sometimes, but typically are able to figure it out. It is very amazing and I am so lucky to have such wonderful big sibs for Colbie to watch and learn from.

Baylor absolutely loves his sister. He loves her from more of a distance than Averie. He is super sweet with her...he touches her soft hair and cheek, holds her hand, talks to her and loves on her, but it is random and more so when no one else is close by. He has taken more of a quiet approach to everything when Colbie is involved, but when he is playing and Colbie isn't close by he is every bit a BOY! He is noisy, wild, playful and excited. He has been running around a lot, with more energy then I remember from before having Colbie. I suppose that could be normal, taking out some of his big brother uncertainties by being wild, active and kind of channeling his energy into that. But regardless, he is doing amazing. He is still a great listener (when he turns his ears up and can hear me... haha). He is also a helper. He will sit with me and keep me company when I am feeding Colbie. He also is the first to snuggle me when I am not holding or feeding Colbie. So I guess he isn't holding her against me too much. I love how he plays so well and gets so into the activities that he and Averie come up with. Their play goes from one activity to another... it is so neat to watch. They will be playing art, make mail, deliver it, head to school and play dress up all in a logical order! It is so amazing (and can make for quite a messy house...) to watch them play and transition from one activity to another. I love it! And have learned to step in and encourage them to pick up before moving too far into another activity. Because once everything is out, it is extremely difficult for them to clean up everything, it just becomes too overwhelming. And I can't blame them. If they only have to clean one area at a time, it is manageable.

Well, I guess all I can say is that I am incredibly happy and thankful for everything I have. Totally blessed. And in love with my family! Now to work on baptism plans and announcements...

COLBIE'S NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT

2009-11-15T15:14:00.004-05:00

Photos by Shawna Keener

UPDATE

2009-11-07T16:14:00.003-05:00

All 3 posers! Baylor's first time holding Colbie.

Sweet girl after a bath. All wrapped up!

So... this might be a long post or a short post. It depends on how long little one sleeps! ;o)

Well, I cannot believe that Colbie is here. But at the same time, the delivery seems like it was weeks ago. I am totally in love with Colbie, as well as her brother and sister. They can't get enough of her, especially Averie. As far as the delivery goes, it was very uneventful. We got there right at 6am, got hooked up, an IV, they monitored "c" (the hb was going up and down from about 145 to about 165). I talked to the anesthesiologist, he was very friendly and calm. I liked that. Everything stayed on schedule. We wheeled back right at 7:57am. After I had to chug the alka-selzer. YUCK. In the delivery room, I got my spinal (which took at least 15 minutes because of my curved spine). They before long my butt was numb and my Dr. was cutting. Matt came in shortly after. I love the whole birth experience. I know it is far from "natural" but it is so amazing. I can feel the shifting of the baby and hear the Dr.'s working. The baby must have been a little wedged because my Dr. got the head out just fine and said, "There's the dark hair!!" And then started to say "IT'S A..." and then stopped because the baby wasn't actually coming out yet. Matt thought something was wrong, but I could feel that the baby hadn't "popped" out yet. And a few seconds later baby came out, crying and gurgling, they suctioned baby and said "IT'S A... (pause because her legs were blocking the "goods")... GIRL!!!" We were so elated. And she was born the same time as her big sister. They brought her by my left side and she was instantly a Colbie! Something about her little, purple, wrinkly, wet body. Ha ha! So she went to the little room beside me and Matt went and took her pictures and got to see her. After a few minutes I called him over to show me the pictures, I thought her forehead look like a little monkey forehead (in a good way!). And she cried and cried and really kept making a lot of noise... she never really stopped even in recovery! She nursed for a bit in recovery and as soon as we were settled, A and B came in and met their sister. They found out she was a girl because we put a pink hat on her. After they checked her out grandma and grandpa and GG came in and met her. After I got some pain medicine and my feet could move, we rolled to our room. The kids actually were only allowed to visit that first day because the next day (that Thursday) the hospital had a new rule starting (no visitors under age 18). It all worked out fine because I came home Friday afternoon so we were only apart for a day.

Now that we are home (and have been for a week), things are falling into place. Colbie is on an amazing schedule (a flexible one). She slept well the first night, waking for a couple feedings. She also had a little bit of a difficult time settling back into her night time sleep... but nothing a little jiggling and rocking couldn't fix. Even now, when she gets worked up, she has a very loud angry cry! It's so cute! She has been eating pretty regularly at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, 11pm, 2am, 5am and then again at 8am. Obviously we adjust to her needs if she wakes up earlier, but after she eats we give her a diaper and keep her awake for a bit (as best as we can keep her awake...). She usually has some awake time after each feeding. After she is awake for a bit and she seems sleepy or starts to get fussy, we swaddle her and put her down for her nap! It has worked well so far and she seems to be a good napper. It sometimes takes her 20-25 minutes to fall into a deep sleep, but she sleeps for a good hour to hour and a half after that. Then wakes up to eat and does it all over again! :o)

So... I guess that covers our day to day routine right now. Matt has been back to work for a few days, but my mom has been helping. Not sure how I will manage my time once I am officially on my own, but we will figure it out!!

We had a photo session today with Aunt Shawna, I will post those pics next week once she gets them edited and back to us. It was so much fun! :o)

RANDOM PICS

2009-11-06T10:50:00.002-05:00

When I have 2 hands...I will do a big update!! Stay tuned!!!!!

MY DOODLE BUGS

2009-11-02T14:40:00.002-05:00

My ladybug, buzy bee and lightning bug. All set to trick-or-treat!

Baylor's belly even lit up!

Averie added lots of glitter to her wings.

The sweetest buzzy bee ever...

10-28-09 BABY DAY

2009-10-31T10:24:00.006-04:00

last belly shot

Long toes

during surgery

colbie and mama

A and B's 1st look!

She doesn't even look like this anymore!

Proud big sibs

WOW! We are home and settling in. Everything is going well and everyone is doing well! I will update in greater detail once I have 2 hands free to type! Off to give Colbie her first sponge bath. More pics to come too.

FALL

2009-10-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Playing in the leaves! Before all the rain last week...

Is there something on my head?

Run!!!!!!

Rest time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

A couple of weeks ago we visited our little friend Kinsley. She is in the carseat. While we visited our friends Rece, Carmine and Tierney came by! We'll need a new pic of everyone after Wednesday.

THE ZOO

2009-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

BELLY PICS

2009-10-25T15:32:00.002-04:00

Taken by my friend Shawna! She does a great job!

PUMPKINS AND PAINTING

2009-10-10T10:23:00.010-04:00

Sweet girl hanging out with the pumpkins. She likes the green ones the best.

Averie and Baylor at the pumpkin patch.

Cheese!
* * * * * * * * * *
Painting pumpkins. A yearly tradition.

Every year we paint on pumpkins. Averie has done this since she was 9 months! Baylor loves to paint, I think it is therapeutic for him. We still have 2 more pumpkins to decorate for our church potluck this Sunday! I will try to post pics of those as well! Off to the zoo today, pics to come!

BIG BOY BED & BIRTHDAY PICS

2009-10-10T09:55:00.004-04:00

Good morning Birthday Boy!

Spotted his new "big boy" bed!!

Snuggled in!!

At Red Robin with his yellow and green tractor cake!

The Birthday Boys and Averie!

Cousins - Max and Maddie.

APPLE ORCHARD

2009-10-10T09:49:00.007-04:00

One of my pics from the orchard.

Aunt Shawna's pics... for some reason they won't go any bigger... but they are amazing!!

After the orchard trip we went to Aunt Shawna's (Jett and Jorie's) and made applesauce. It was so good and was gone within 3 days. We also had a homemade doughnut at the orchard. Baylor chose maple frosted, Averie chocolate with frosting and sprinkles and I had a pumpkin one. Delicious! I already bought more apples so we can make some more sauce very soon.

RECENT PICS

2009-10-10T09:33:00.006-04:00

We had the kids pics taken at Sears last week. They did very good! I am happy with the pics. We've already gotten some and will get the rest next Friday. We even made our appointment for Christmas pics... for 5! AH! :o)

3 YEAR OLD BOY!!!

2009-10-04T12:41:00.001-04:00

3 years!

2 years!

1 year!

Just born!

Oh my goodness. Baylor, you are three! Wow how time has gone so fast. You are the sweetest boy. You love your sister, blanket, duck and Octy. You love playing cars, tractors, trucks and really with anything that has wheels! You also love outside time and are great at riding your bike with training wheels. You are into finding acorns and rocks. When we go places that are outside (parks, the apple orchard, camping) you always carry a stick around. When daddy is working around the house (as soon as he gets a tool out) you are his little side kick. You love building and hammering and fixing things. You also have a wonderful vocabulary. You speak extremely well for your age and have for a year now. You can count to 21, you know your ABC's and can recognize many letters. You enjoy preschool and art projects. You are finally potty trained! Yay! You regressed for quite a while over the summer, but are going strong now. You have had a few accidents, but are even dry most naps. I love thinking about how you will be with a new baby around. I think you will be a great big brother! You may start off a little shy, but I think you will settle into your place as a big brother. Well, Baylor, I love you so much. Every time we have a conversation and you speak your little mind, I smile. I just love your enthusiasm and the way you look at everything so positively. You make me so happy to be your mama, I love you big boy!!

THE FAIR

2009-09-10T16:13:00.001-04:00

Hanging out in a tractor tire at the fair.

Waiting for dinner to be done.

CAMPING TRIP

2009-09-02T06:56:00.006-04:00

Posers. Getting ready for the campfire and smores.

Yummy! We made our traditional smores - marshmallows, peanut butter cups and graham crackers.

Playing with their flashlights.

Yummy - sticky boy!

Beach boy - it was chilly in the shade and hot in the sun. I actually had pink cheeks when we got home and we were only at the beach for 20 minutes!

Sandy fun!

Beach girl! She made sandcastles.

Sandy toes!

And before we left, Averie got to ride Fred! He was quite large for a "pony" ride (I was picturing a small pony...) but we got Averie convinced that it was ok. Baylor, not so much. Averie went twice. And loved it!

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

2009-08-14T21:21:00.013-04:00

Cedar Point - Camp Snoopy

Cedar Point - Camp Snoopy

Cedar Point - The Ferris Wheel

Cedar Point - On the Ferris Wheel (yikes... not my fav)

Cedar Point - Train Ride

Cedar Point - At night in the water & lights.

Soak City - Baylor LOVED the water slide!

Soak City - poor Averie's eyes were burning from being in the pool all day (but she is smiling!)

Pokagon State Park - Beach Day

Just this week - water and soap play. And yes, they are totally naked. And loving every minute of it!

Tonight - Averie in the bath with her bubble gum foamy shaping soap. It smells so good!

Baylor and the same soap in the same bath!

Dirty, dirty water... at least the kids came out clean!!

After bath we went outside hoping to see some lightening bugs... but it was still too light. So we picked tomatoes in our garden instead.

Baylor and a tomato.

Averie and a tomato.

The kids in front of the massive corn field.

We visited Kitsen and Bronsen this week. Bronsen was napping when we took this.
Baylor, Averie and Kitsen.

Tonia and Tierney visited last weekend.
Averie and Tierney.

A week or so ago...
Averie and her manicure.

Baylor and his manicure... he he.

Wow... I have been meaning to do that huge post for a while now! I got a new camera because my other one was done working... and going on vacay at the end of July, then having bible school...

Bible School at our church - Camp E.D.G.E.

and having outside time, pool time, play time... it has been a busy-busy summer! It isn't getting any slower really. August has allowed me to organize the kids rooms and bring up some baby things... but I want to keep organizing and stay that way. Which is difficult when you are constantly coming and going. Matt's schedule is about to get a little better (he has been done with crazy busy hours, but still doesn't have a "regular" schedule, hopefully within the next 2 weeks). Just in time for flu shot season (which means chaotic days for him at work). I just hope that everything settles by October. As of now, September is not super crazy... other than me having ob visits every 2 weeks and Baylor having his 3 year check-up. We will also have to do some shopping for Baylor's Birthday. I am sure it will just fly by. Officially 10 weeks 3 days til baby day. I can remember being 9 weeks away with Baylor... and he is almost 3. WOW. I am getting excited to meet baby 3. The kids are too. They love to talk to the baby and I think are so used to it being inside me that when the day gets super close they will have a hard time believing it! But, they know that once Baylor is 3 it is very close to baby day. I am so excited to see their reaction. Since my surgery is at 8am, I expect that they won't get to the hospital until we are in recovery, possibly until we are in a room, which will work out good as long as they don't take the baby right away. I remember them wanting to take Averie like as soon as we got in our room. And I didn't like that. I will have to figure out if that is really necessary and if Matt can go along to bring the baby back ASAP. I am sure it will all work out. Ok, so this post took me like 2 hours to complete and it is now almost 12am. I am off to bed! Night!

UMM, YEA... after I typed all of that about September, I realized that there is a U of M home game EVERY Saturday in September. So... September will be busier than I realized, because if Matt isn't at a game he will be at work. So... pretty much we will have some appointments, shopping days, football games, playdates a Birthday or two or four... and then a newborn and a 4.5 year old and a 3 year old. Exciting but wild. Good thing I still feel super energized and not sick anymore... that needs to keep up for the next 10 weeks! Ok... good night for real this time! ;o)

ZOO DAY

2009-07-22T15:02:00.003-04:00

Kids and I after our picnic lunch.

Averie squinting in the sun at the new kids' area.

Baylor doing the same. They were walking in the water, picking up sticks and rocks.

One more picnic pic.

We had a fun time with our friends Jayde, Jett and Jorie! We didn't do everything that there was to do in the kids area so we will be going back very soon to explore the rest! We did enjoy the train ride and many animals. But they have so many more animals we missed out on!

We have been so busy lately, well, I (mama) have so many things going on with church and vacation bible school. We are also heading on vacation this weekend. I need to start packing...like... NOW! Ah. I also have the urge to deep clean the car, start organizing the baby's clothes (things like the onsies, uni-sex clothes...) and planning Baylor's new bed set etc. By the time I get through all of those "things" it will be close to September... my last full month with 2 kids. Wow. Well, I think I am off to do some church stuff... busy busy!! More pics to come after vacation! And when I get my new camera! :o)

PICS

2009-07-13T14:26:00.003-04:00

Silly boy.

Hanging out at the mall.

Smiley girl.

WELCOME BABY KITSEN

2009-07-11T15:27:00.003-04:00

Kitsen Lilah-Grace
Born 7-11-09
1:00am
10lbs.
21inches
Born to my friends Jenny and Mark.
Everyone is doing great!

PAINTING THERAPY

2009-07-03T16:59:00.004-04:00

Baylor and I had some time together this morning while Averie ran errands with Daddy. We decided to get out some paints. We started out with a brush and Baylor telling me he didn't want to paint with his feet or hands. Then I just let him do what his body and mind wanted him to do. Watching him was so amazing. He used the paint as paint and lotion and was just really into it. I didn't direct him at all, only gave him more paint when he wanted it. It was so fun and cute to watch him!

I did request some smiles here and there though!

And then we ended with a sink bath!

CAMPING!

2009-06-25T17:32:00.003-04:00

Beach time!

Enjoying the campsite and campfire.

Sunny day!

She heard Grandpa snore and got this huge smile. She also had a puffy upper lip from bumping Baylor the night before.

Push-up mouth.

FUN

2009-06-25T17:24:00.003-04:00

Averie holding Jorie. She is going to love being a big sis again!

Face painting from Emma and Ella's Birthday party!!

Posers... this was from Emma and Ella's party too.

BAYLOR'S 1ST "REAL" HAIR CUT

2009-06-11T17:30:00.006-04:00

(step by step, picture by picture)
1st pic - Baylor was so excited and brave while waiting to get the hair cut. Once he climbed on the dinosaur chair to begin, this is what happened...

2nd pic - Still sad, saying "Mommy, hold me..." while crying and getting his hair cut.

pic 3 - Snip, snip, trim, trim. "Mommy, hold me..." sniff.

pic 4 - Finished. Still sad. But cute. Trying to smile for mama.

pic 5 - Real smile. ALL DONE! Time to go for a lime slushie and lunch with just mama! Yay!

JAYDE, JETT, JORIE AND MISC.

2009-06-11T17:09:00.003-04:00

Stopping play time for a pic.

Park Day! Baylor and Jett, Averie and Jayde.

Averie holding baby Jorie (Jayde and Jett's new sister). She was crazy about her. She sang to her and then on the way to the car leaving the hospital said, "mommy, I want your baby to come out now!!" She will be so amazing when she is a big sister x2!

She added the clips to her lovely braids!

FEVER...GONE!

2009-06-10T16:54:00.003-04:00

All better today!! YAY! This was from Tuesday when the siding guys (we are getting siding installed) were pounding on the kids bedroom wall. Sooo, we had to improvise nap time. Baylor woke up half way through his nap upset, and I was cooking dinner for Aunt Shawna and had to finish, so I asked Averie to lay with her brother (after I calmed him) to keep him calm and they both fell asleep! My sweet babes.

Baylor has had a fever for 3.5 days now... I think it is nearing the end. But he is doing okay. I have a cute pic from yesterday that I will post as soon as I upload it. And we have had a busy week this week and an exciting week coming up! Can't wait to update soon!

NEW PICS

2009-05-28T21:16:00.002-04:00

Love

This pic is for Rece. Averie finally got her Hungry Hungry Hippo game! So much fun!!!

Rainy day

Poser

SMORES AND MORE

2009-05-13T07:54:00.003-04:00

Campfire and smores!

Having a smore after dinner last night. YUM!

She's looking at me like I am about to take her smore!

Silly Mother's Day pic!

The kids ready to go for a road trip to Ikea (last week).

ALL SMILES!!!

2009-05-05T10:13:00.000-04:00

PICS

2009-05-03T14:17:00.004-04:00

Baylor with long hair

All dressed up

After the hair cut (I need to take a better pic) and he is so determined to snap his own shorts. He did get it after a few tries!

BEACH DAY

2009-04-28T15:57:00.004-04:00

Playing on the beach.

At the playground (which was right beside us on the beach).

Hello swinging girl!

Dirty face boy!

Love the shades!

Where are our feet?

Love the warm weather.

Family pic on the beach.

Beautiful.

Watching the water...one of my favorites (notice Averie's feet are hanging, silly girl).