Christmas 2011

We spent 3 days at the farm in OK.

We all got incredibly spoiled there.

 And Linny lives there permanently now.  They wanted her and she was stressing me out, so she has already gotten fixed and is living the high life at the farm with plenty of friends.

When we got home, everybody got their Christmas baths.  And the water isn't dirty, it has Avery's color tablet in it...promise.

Christmas morning was spent at our house.  Avery loves her Wonder Pets phone, but I think she likes Bubby Shane's car more.

Christmas afternoon, we went to Gimi and Papa's house. Avery's favorite toy of all was there.  It's a Melissa & Doug wooden tower with 4 balls and a hammer.  I knew she would love it.  Now if only I could find the other 2 balls.

6 & 25 Months!

I canNOT believe that Shane is 1/2 a year old ALREADY!!!  It's so crazy!  He is still the sweetest baby boy.  He really hasn't been up to much.  The main difference I have noted between Avery and Shane is that right around 5 months Avery started changing rapidly...the colic went away, she started fattening up, sitting up, and was in the crawling pose.  Shane has been the same baby for 6 months.  He's always been beautiful and chubby;)  And he's always been a good baby:)  He can sit by himself for a few seconds, but he is no where near close to being able to crawl.  He rolls over onto his stomach and pushes up and kicks his feet.  He's a big boy and is up to 18 lbs 6 oz right now.  He eats 50 oz a day.  Shane sleeps 13.5-14 hours a night.  And I swear he's teething.  He has been so fussy the past 2 days.  Very unlike hisself. 

And the joys of having an older sister...

Avery is 25 months old now.  She is still talking up a storm and adding new sentences to her repertoire all the time.  She is incredibly stubborn and hard headed...wonder where she got that from?  She is definitely ready to potty train, but she still refuses to do so.  I was VERY proud of her the other day when she said, "I want to go pee pee on the potty like a big girl" AND she actually did pee on the potty.  She has refused to go on the potty since then.  Sigh.  She did manage to get her pjs and diaper off, climb up on the kitchen counter and poop though.  SMH.  I don't know what to do with this child.

 

As for me...the entire house has been sick for about 2-3 weeks now.  So I've literally been stuck in the house for that long.  I finally had to break down and go to the doctor.  I had a Z Pack and it took until day 7 or 8 to feel better.  Both kids are on Amoxicillin.  I would rather change poopy diapers any day rather than deal with snot noses:(
AND I am officially a brunette.  I am STILL getting used to the change.  I was a blonde for several years, so it's weird to be so dark and have no highlights or red tint at all.

December Pics

Candy Cane Hunt at Going Bonkers...

My little smurf...

My babies with Santa...

Getting in touch with my creative side...

Avery at the Indoor Safari Park in Southlake...

Well checks

Yesterday, I took boh kids to the pediatrician for their 2-year and 4/5month well checks. It really wasn't that bad, thanks to bubbles. Greatest invention ever! Avery got 1 shot and the flu nasal spray. She was 27 lbs (75%) and 36.5" (well above the 95%). I knew she was so much taller than the other 2-year olds! And it explains why she's so skinny despite being in the 75% for weight. Shane got 4 shots and an oral vaccine. He is 17.8 lbs (75%), and 26.1" (75%). I was shocked that his percentiles weren't higher than that. I have to say that a lot has changed since I had Avery. Whenever Avery got shots it would make me want to cry; whenever Shane got his shots it made me laugh. He screamed and it made me laugh...what's wrong with me? Ha! I'm glad that is over with!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

around here.

Avery has already destroyed several ornaments/decorations.

She's smarter than she looks...

Stockings are hung.

Wrapped 25 books for Avery to open each day of December until Christmas.  They were 25 books we already had.  Didn't have to buy any new books.  Thank you Pinterest!

Saw Santa Claus at Walmart.  I had no idea he was going to be there.  Shane missed out.  No tears for the 2nd year running, but there was some stranger danger.  She squeezed me real tight when I put her on his lap.

Disney on Ice

On Sunday, 11/27, we took Avery to see Disney on Ice.  I won the tickets from my mom group, Metroplex Baby & Kids.

Avery LOVED it.  I loved seeing the look on her face. 

She had a blast.  As long as there was music, she was happy.  The 1st half of the show was scenes from The Lion King,

The Little Mermaid

and Lilo and Stitch. 

After intermission, the entire 2nd half was Peter Pan. 

We had a great time and I am so happy we got to take her!

On this day 2 years ago...

I gave birth to the most perfect beautiful girl, Avery Rose.  This is my letter to Avery for her 2nd birthday.
Today you are two.  You have changed so much this year it's crazy.  I didn't think it was possible to love you any more than I already did, but my love has more than doubled.  The sound of your voice and laughter makes my heart swell.  You are incredibly smart and talkative.  You make me very proud!  You're also an amazing big sister.  I love seeing how much you love Bubby Shane.  You run into his room to check on him, you bring him toys and try to push him in his swing.  He is fascinated by you too.  Not only are you smart and loving, but you bring joy to so many people.  Everyone loves you so much.  Who wouldn't?  I love how you like to spin with mama in the kitchen, how you like to put items in a bag and then transfer them to another bag, when you get excited to see the dogs, and how musical you are.  I love to hear you sing.  I'm teaching you Jingle Bells right now.  I can't wait to see what kind of 2-year old you become. 
I love you Boo!

A trip down memory lane.  Here is a look at the past year...