Sunday, November 30, 2014

Thanksgiving Break

Overall, we had a very nice Thanksgiving Break.

On Thursday, we first went to our church and then
headed over to Aunt Cindy's for Thanksgiving
for those of us who were around. 
A smaller crew, but still good food and company. 
Grandma Char took the two girls home with her to spend 
the night, while Steve and I went shopping!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

from Aubrey

from Avery

from both

from Daddy and Avery
and photo bomber Aubrey

Mommy and the girls

We went to Ottumwa and went to the Walmart when it started at 6:00.
It was a tad crazy, but we knew that and it was a lot of fun :)
Then to Target, Kohls, JCP, and Herbergers.
We got a lot of great deals and then hit the 9:40
showing of the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
We stayed out late - but took advantage of the overnight babysitting
by Grandma Char - thanks!
We then hit our Oskaloosa Walmart at midnight for one last item
and called it a night.

(a purchase: Aubrey's new "booster seat - and it's PINK)



Friday, was spent relaxing at home with the girls and 
realizing that Avery was not feeling well.
I ended up taking her to the Urgent Care Friday night at 6:30
and found out she had an ear infection - we figured.
We didn't get home until 9:30 and no one got much 
sleep that night!
If I haven't said it before, ear infections/fever/colds
in babies ARE THE WORST!

Saturday was spent at home catching up on rest and then 
we took Avery to Grandma Betty's while
Daddy, Mommy, and Aubrey had a very special surprise:
DISNEY ON ICE in Des Moines as a special treat for JUST Aubrey!
The pictures captured our favorite memories.

 riding in her new car seat filled with anticipation


We're here!
(don't mind Aubrey's horrible picture - taking abilities ;)


For the first half hour - she sat like this and LOVED it!
She clapped and smiled and danced,


Here are some videos (kind of dark)
of Aubrey bouncing/dancing to the music.



CARS


Clapping for her favorite characters.


Mickey, Minnie, and Donald Duck


Ariel and Flounder "under the sea"


dancing, if you can't tell ;)


the underwater crew


the Pixie Hollow fairy from Tinker Bell

Tinker Bell and Rosetta 

enjoyng the show on Mommy's lap





We enjoyed some popcorn during intermission.


Toy Story


About this time of the show, Aubrey got a little sad and said,
"I sure miss Avery Leigh." - awww, too sweet!


Ken and Barbie

We stopped for supper at Mc Donalds and had a great night.
UNTIL it was bedtime for Avery, she had another HORRID NIGHT!
This time she would not fall asleep since she was so snotty 
and couldn't breathe when she tried to suck her thumb.
Oh dear, here is to hoping tonight is better!


PS - Avery's first "black eye"
she fell down a stair at the babysitters and now it has turned
a greenish/blue color - tough girl :)





Monday, November 24, 2014

"Awesome Sister" shirts

I had gotten Aubrey's "Awesome Big Sister" shirt
in March before Avery was born, and just today
my mom sent me an "Awesome Little Sister" shirt
and it matches Aubrey's shirt exactly - she had no idea!
So, here are there "Awesome" shirts together 
(and a decent one of them smiling, too:))


Sunday, November 23, 2014

Christmas set-up

Yes, it's not Thanksgiving yet, but YES
we did set up our Christmas decorations on Saturday,
both inside and outside, since it was a balmy 45 degrees!
We put up the tree while Avery was napping so there
was a disaster and Aubrey loved every minute of it!


All the branches laid out and ready to go :)


SO EXITED! 


Mommy would pass the branches to Aubrey and Aubrey would pass them to Daddy.


 Aubrey had fun picking out the ornaments, lining them up,
and remembering ones that she liked.


The tree may be a bit bottom-heavy of ornaments
and not the best, but it was Aubrey's work.


 She was proud! 


Avery awake from her nap and noticing something a little different.
Surprisingly, she hasn't really been too interested in it...yet.


Aubrey playing with the non-breakable nativity set.


CHEESE!


as good as it gets...


Showing off the Advent countdown sticker tree
that Grandma Char gave her. 
(Who DOESN'T wear a swimsuit this time of year for fun?!)


 final product


"CUTE" 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Avery - 8 months

This past week, our sweet Avery Leigh turned 8 months!

Here's what she's up to:
-stands by toys and plays for quite some time
but gets scared once she realizes she doesn't know how to get down
-chatterbox  all. the. time.
-waves bye-bye by opening her hand open and shut
and says "bababa" while doing so
-is eating solids twice a day (once at home and once at the babysitter)
-sleeps GREAT from 8:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. (after being woken up)
-likes her blankie and thumb and twirling hair when sleepy
-still 3 naps a day - wakes up with CRAZY bed head 
-doesn't like it when Aubrey pushes her over ;)
-gets upset when things are taken away from her (thanks Aubrey;))
-has officially stopped nursing and I have stopped pumping - YAY!
-has a bottle 5 times a day - three formula and two pumped milk
-drinking 5-6 ounces at a time 
(I still have a stash of frozen milk for awhile)
-continues to wake up happy and waits for us sitting up in bed
-pulls herself up on anything/anyone
-falls down/over all the time - I guess she's tough
-likes to play by herself (thankful!)
-still in size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes
-getting rosy/chapped cheeks already from the colder/dryer air


So EXCITED to be 8 months old :)

that's better

clapping away

wanting to jump off the hassock 


This bed head...I mean come on ;)