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...

5 Months & 24 Months!

Shane is 5 months old today!  Here is what he has been up to...
*Sleeping on average 12.5-13 hours overnight. 
*Eats solids (babyfood) occasionally.  I try to do once a day.  I HATE doing it though.
*Grasps toys and can play with them.
*Great at sitting, can sit alone for a few seconds.
*Obsessed with his hands.  Jams both hands in his mouth and voraciously tries to eat them.

Avery will be 2 years old on Thursday.  Here is what she has been up to...
*Talking in sentences.
*VERY verbal.  Talks from the moment she gets up until the moment she goes to sleep at night.
*Started bathing with her Bubs.

*Went back to Going Bonkers for Halloween and it's AMAZING how much she has changed since we went in May.  She climbed all the way up to the top and went down the big slide several times by herself.  When we were about to leave, she broke free and went back up there and refused to come down.  I had to climb up there to get her and the slide was scary for me!
*She loves purses, blocks, balls, her shopping cart, putting things in one bag and transferring them to another bag, jewelry, grapes and ketchup (not together though).
*Her favorite books are the Colors book (we are still working hard on those colors, sigh), Llama Llama Holiday Drama, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Me:
*Started working out again and am loving the results.
*Hormones are back in balance and I feel human again.
*Went to a Chiropractor.  He did a heavy duty evaluation including X-rays and telling me he felt sorry for my kids because I didn't breastfeed them for a long time.  HA.  Men.  One of my shoulders is higher than the other one, and one of my hips is higher than the other one, but they are opposites.  The higher shoulder is the lower hip.  He took my BP sitting and had me stand up.  Normally your BP will rise a few points.  Well mine dropped by about 10-15 points.  He said that was a sign of Adrenal Fatigue, which is caused by stress.  It explains why I have trouble sleeping and feel tired all the time.  He gave me some supplements to help that.  And he finally adjusted my back.  My X-rays were interesting.  Your neck is supposed to be a C curve (, and mine looks like this |.  He said I have the beginnings of arthritis in my neck.  That's interesting because my neck doesn't even hurt.  And I have the beginnings of arthritis in my hips.  Now that I believe!  I feel like an 80-year old.  He wanted me to come back 27X.  3X a week...laugh with me because that's not happening.  But I would like to find a normal chiropractor who will just adjust me.  But whatever he did worked.  I feel MUCH better!
*Linny, oh Linny.  The buyer's remorse is here.  She pees as soon as she comes inside.  She pees on the couch.  And she runs away.  Grrr. 
*I have been active with my mom events.  The last event I went to I drew #80 out of 80.  Who does that??  And what happened to my good luck.  I have another event on the 30th and I hope my luck turns around!!!!  At least it can't get worse.  AND I did end up winning an online contest from them for Disney on Ice tickets.  I can't wait to take Boo.  Happy birthday Avery!  I think they just felt sorry for me always drawing one of the last #'s.
*Speaking of my mom events, I went to Breaking Dawn the midnight showing.  Disappointed, that's all I can say.

This is serious.

Avery's 2nd birthday party that is. The entire family was there and Amy, Landon and Bailey. The theme was Wonder Pets (Avery's favorite show).

Avery couldn't wait to eat her cake. Before we could even sing to her she put her fingers in it.

She was absolutely adorable trying to blow the candles out. And the cake btw was SO good! I'm thinking about having some for breakfast this morning. After we ate cake, we opened presents. Avery got some cute stuff including more Mega Bloks (yay!), her 1st Cabbage Patch Doll (Liv Maya), and some books and clothes. I'm glad it's over; I can't believe Avery will be 2 on Thanksgiving day!

Canton

I had my 1st ever trip to Canton today.  I was surprised at how quickly we got there.  I thought it was 2.5-3 hours away, but it was only about 1.5 hours.  The 1st place we went was "Dog Alley".  It was cute and scary all at the same time.  Some of the tiny dogs looked so sick:(  I hope to God that people buy these poor dogs and give them an awesome rest of their lives.  After visiting Dog Alley, we went over to the main section.  I found my friend, Amanda's booth.  We bought 2 Redneck Wine Glasses from her.

 I can't wait to use them!  Then we went back to Dog Alley and got our newest addition, Linny. 

She is a gorgeous Min Pin and has the sweetest temperament.  I named her Linny after the infamous Linny from Wonder Pets.  She was great on the ride home.  She slept in my lap the whole time. 

When we got home she peed in the backyard right away.  And then again later.  I was stressed about getting her.  But I have to say I do not have any buyers remorse at all.  I hope it stays that way.  I think it helps that she is older.  She is 3 months old.  Her birthday is July 24:)

November Pics

Such a good big sister!

Getting much better at sitting

My 5-month old son in a 12-month onesie

Even though the Mavs aren't playing, I had to put him in this before he outgrows it!

New birthday boots

Watched my niece, Brighton, on 11/7/11.  It was like having twins, + a Toddler, + a puppy, + 2 dogs.  I felt like I was in fast forward the whole day.  But it really wasn't that bad...for the day.  I couldn't do more than 1 day though.  I now know why moms of twins take their support groups so seriously!  And I was starting to think I wanted a 3rd kid, but after today...that thought is being put away.  I felt like I couldn't spend as much time with Avery.  I don't want my kids to feel like I can't spend time with them because I keep having more.

Avery waving Hi to Brighton and introducing me and Bubby Shane.  She's so stinking smart and cute!

Shane was tuckered out.

Avery reminds me of the junk lady from Labyrinth