Happy 2nd Birthday, Avery!

Oh, my baby girl is two years old today! Happy birthday angel!!! I can't believe it! How possibly can 2 years have gone by since her birth? I can still remember with great detail when she was first placed in my arms, the cute little noises and facial expressions she made as a newborn, how Ashlyn was instantly so loving and protective of her, the "stork bite" on her forehead and nose that was quite noticeable at birth (which now is only faintly seen when see cries), the sleepless nights, the first smile at me... all the firsts and all the milestones. That is all still so vivid in my memory; it is not so much the dates or age that she was when she did all these things, but the visual images of her doing these that I remember so crisply. I have to admit I am fighting back the tears as I type this. I'm not sure if it is because Avery is now 2 years old or because she starts 'school' on Tuesday. (Mother's Day Out actually) It must be the two combined because independently I don't think I'd be so emotional. But, both turning 2 and starting school in the same week causes a little heart ache for me. My baby is no longer a baby!

I certainly recall the day Avery was born! I went into labor 5 days early while Chris was out of town in San Antonio for an important business conference. I woke up through out the night with uncomfortable abdominal pains, but I wasn't certain until around 5:30 am that I was in labor. I called Chris, my doctor and then Stephanie, who took me to the hospital (along with Ashlyn and Payton). I was well into labor once we arrived at the hospital, but luckily everything slowed down once I was given an epidural so Chris and my mom were able to make it to the hospital in time for Avery's grand entrance! Avery was born at 12:15 pm and weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces.

Just Born

1 Day Old

1 Year Old

2 Years Old

These 2 year old pictures really capture Avery's personality: so sweet and a bit reserved. When at home she can be just as outgoing, loud and talkative as her big sister. But out of her realm she likes to check things out from the side lines before taking part. She has the cutest smile; when she flashes that huge grin from ear to ear it melts my heart and always makes my day. I love her baby-fine golden blonde hair with little ringlets in the back. Chris wanted me to get her hair trimmed before school starts but I couldn't possibly cut the curls off yet. I don't have her current stats (weight, height) but will update the post after her check-up appointment in a couple of weeks.

Avery had a fun 2nd birthday party. It was held where she takes gymnastics and was an Olympic, red, white and blue theme; inspired by the 2008 Summer Olympics which just concluded. She wore an adorable Gymboree outfit which coordinated with the red, white and blue colors of the party, as did all the party favors. Many of Avery's friends and family members were there to celebrate with her. All the kids had an exciting time jumping on the trampoline, climbing on the gym equipment and balance beams, swinging from the uneven bars, hula hooping and running through 1000's of bubbles. While everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to Avery, she seems a tad bit shy and also unsure of the lit candle as she stared down at her butterfly-shaped cake made up of cupcakes. She had some help from Ashlyn to blow out the candle. The icing was red, white and blue and left many kiddo's faces quite colorful and slightly stained! I took some amusing pictures of the smaller kids who managed to get the icing well beyond their mouths and lips. Luckily, I didn't see any children with icing on their clothes! We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family with which to celebrate our special moments and create lasting memories.


I have a song that I 'dedicate' to each of my girls. Avery's song is "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.









My Wish – Rascal Flatts

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

(Chorus)
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Avery: Mommy and Daddy love you and Ashlyn with of our hearts. As I sing to you each night... "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey...!" Happy 2nd birthday, little girl, and many, many, many more!!!

Wordless Wednesday

(We took this one ourselves)

Back to School

Yesterday was Ashlyn's first day of 4 year old Pre-Kindergarten! She is attending the same school she went to last year, but this year she will go a full day rather than half a day, 5 days a week. She was so excited to start back. She has been ready for weeks. She bounced out of bed on her own and was as bright and cheerful as could be. Ashlyn is a "morning person" anyway (the opposite of Chris and me) but she was even more energetic and beaming than usual. She couldn't wait to see the teachers and her old friends, and meet her new classmates. Ashlyn looked adorable in her navy school-girl skirt and polo-type striped shirt with Mary Jane shoes. Later in the day she commented to me, "I felt so cute today in my outfit." She said it with a little grin on her face, head tilted, and her shoulders slightly raise. At that moment I could sense from her what a perfect day she had.

This day, for me, was bittersweet. I had mixed feelings about my: "craft-making, party-planning, house-cleaning, grocery-shopping, errand-running and much more" sidekick, who kept the summer interesting and challenging, going back to school. She has been by my side practically all day everyday for the past 3 months wanting to help me with whatever task I was working on or wanting me to assist her with her "projects". I'm going to miss having her as my partner-in-crime. At the same time though, I loved seeing her so excited to go to school, eager to learn and happy to see her friends. Avery, too, already misses her big sister. On most morning this summer Ashlyn always went with me into Avery's room to get her out of her crib. Each morning Ashlyn greeted Avery with a big smile, a perky "Good Morning Avery!" and gave Avery her sippy cup of milk. Avery's face always lit up with a big grin and chuckle as she bounced up and down ready to start the day with her big sister. But yesterday as I walked into Avery's bedroom alone, she greeted me with a smile and giggle and looking out her door asked, "Where DeDe?" (her name for Ashlyn). I explained that Ashlyn started back to school and she just said, "Huh?" not quite understanding why all of a sudden Ashlyn was back at school. She missed her all day.

When I picked Ashlyn up from school she had so much to say about her first day of school. She loved every second of it! She has a wonderful teacher who Ashlyn had as a teacher during camp last summer. Ashlyn was just as excited to get up and go to school this morning as she was yesterday on the first day of school.

Holding her lunchbox and the sign that goes in the car windshield for car pool line

Happy Birthday Brian

Today, August 24, is Brian's 30th birthday! Happy Birthday little brother! To celebrate Stephanie threw him a surprise birthday party last night at a restaurant/bar called Down Under Pub. I think Stephanie was able to pull off the 'surprise' throughout all the planning. But I think Brian new something was up when the friends he was with pulled up to the bar and parked right next to Stephanie's suburban. As Brian starts asking questions about what was going on his friend, Christian, turned to him and said, "Just act surprised!" This became the joke of the evening. We had a great time at the party with a lot of friends, family, food, a live band and a yummy Poker themed cake. Ashlyn, Avery, and Abbie (pronounced by Avery as "Babbie") stayed at our house with their favorite babysitter. They had their own fun playing games and watching a movie with popcorn.

I have a fun video of the band singing happy birthday to Brian but the file is too large to upload to this website.

Funny Friday: What does your daddy do?

Yesterday, as I was attempting to explain to my Mimi what type of products Chris' new technology company sells, Ashlyn chimed in... "Ummm, I'm trying to remember what daddy told me. I think he said he sells ties and shoes." Mimi and I started laughing out loud and Ashlyn couldn't understand why we were laughing.



Avery showed a new interest yesterday in sticking objects in her nose. While at Mimi's house she stuck a crayon up her nose. She thought she was quite impressive and wanted to make sure we all saw her new "talent." "Look at me!" she said with pride and laughter. I did laugh to myself while trying to have a serious face and let her know that it isn't safe to stick things in her nose. Apparently my little lesson to her went in one ear and out the other. At dinner last night Avery decided to stick a piece of sausage link up her nose. Again she thought it was funny and told us to "Look at me" but this time she took it a step further. Then she stuck her finger as far up her nose as possible pushing the sausage almost completely out of sight way up in her nose. She no longer thought her trick was very funny as she realized what was happening and as the sensation probably became a bit uncomfortable. I can only presume since I've never had sausage up my nose! With many attempts to get her to blow her nose we were never successful in removing the sausage. We examined her nose closely afterwards and there is no sign of the sausage. We can only hope it went from her nasal cavity in to her throat at some point while she was snorting in rather than blowing out. I'm sure this is more information than most would care to read. This is more of a (not so) Funny Friday post.

Well I thought I had enough so called "funny" events happen this week but this morning Avery decided to add one more... as I was in the other room Avery decided to take her diaper off as she so often does these days. I should NOT have mentioned to her that she needed a shower this morning! Those words often prompt her to strip! I was in the other room and I hear Ashlyn yell, "Avery just took her diaper off." Since Chris was in the bathroom getting dressed and Avery was in our room I thought he had the situation under control. A few minutes later she wanders in to where I was and I saw a naked hiney covered in poop! No one noticed that when Avery took her diaper off she had a poopy diaper! I cleaned her up and didn't think much more about it. Until... later this afternoon I found "evidence" that after she took her diaper off she decided to get up on our bed. Needless to say, our comforter and sheets are in the washer and dryer as I type and the leather ottoman needed a good Lysol wipe down. Oh the joys and surprises of parenthood!

Happy Birthday Grandad!

Happy Birthday Grandad! You have reached the big 6-0! We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you and, of course, give you a hard time! As can be seen in the pictures, the girls certainly are glad you don't act your age. :-)

(pictures taken during our trip to Alabama last December 2007)



The girls wanted to send you a little message...
(click on the arrow to play video)

Wordless Wednesday

July '08

August '08