1st Year on Earth aka 3 Months Old

Our little Avery Joy has been living on this earth for a year now, sure the first nine months where in my belly but they count! She has been living outside my belly for 3 months as of this morning! The past three months have gone by fast. Avery really is such a joy. I love her already more than I could ever express!

Here are some pictures I took of Avery today while Lexi napped. She is such a doll and is so fun to photograph. I narrowed it down to my favorite 15. Enjoy!

Some things about Avery:

-She loves watching Lexi. She always wants to be able to see her. Let's face it, Lexi is loud and is always moving, so she must be entertaining. My mom suggested that maybe Avery just wants to always know where Lexi is as a matter of safety! Haha.

-Avery will lay on her back if I'm next to her but the second I leave, even if it's just to go across the room to get a diaper, she is immediately rolling onto her back. She prefers to be on her back.

- Avery LOVES TV, although I tryto stop her from watching it.

-Avery loves to be sung too.

-Avery seems to be following in her sister's footsteps and enjoys being in the water. She never screams in her bath.

-Today Avery rolled over several times and made some distance across the room. She stopped when she got stuck. She's never done that before.

-Avery HATES her carseat. She screams everytime I put her in there. The funny thing is that she slept in her carseat for the first three weeks of her life.

-Avery discovered her toes a few days ago. She loves to always be holding onto something and now she holds onto her feet.

-Avery, like her big sister, will not take a binky. She prefers her hands, fingers or anything else she can get into her mouth.

-Avery likes holding on to her rings and other toys.

-Avery wakes up at night to eat 1 or 2 times. It's different every night.

-For the past few weeks, Avery has been using TWICE as many diapers. No joke. On Monday, I decided to keep trake but last count at noon when she went through her 8th diaper.

-I just moved Avery up to size 2 diapers because she was having way too many blow outs in size ones.

-Avery doesn't like to lay down in my arms unless she is eating or sleeping, she prefers to be sitting up and facing out. She likes to see what's going on.

-Avery is super drooly.

-I'm pretty sure Avery has as much hair now as Lexi did at 6 months.

-Lexi sleep really well in her bed at night but prefers to nap in my arms in the day. That's something I'm trying to wean her of.

-In all of these pictures Avery's hair looks red but it is actually light brown and is sometimes starting to look blonde. Lexi went through a redhead stage too.

-You can kinda tell in the pictures but Avery has the longest eye lashes. They are longer than mine! The nursers complimented her on them right after she was born.

Diaries of a "Single Parent" - Pictures for Dad and Grandma

Here are some of the pictures I've taken of the girls since my last blog post. I can't help but take tons of pictures of them. They are the cutest girls ever!!! Enjoy the pictures Sean and Mom...

Diaries of a "Single Parent" - Painful Injury, Tummy Love and a Lot of Energy

Tuesday night I hit my bare foot with the front door (not a very smart thing to do but a very "Sam thing" to do). Anyway, it hurt SOOOOO bad. I instantly started screaming in pain and crying and bleeding like crazy. The right side of my nail was instantly broken (no long attached to my skin), gross, I know. I now am limping and am in constant pain. It's amazing how much you use your toes. Here is a picture of my foot the night it happened. And yes, I know this is gross but Sean isn't here to see it so I am forced to post pictures so he can see. Enjoy everyone else :)


And here is a picture of my foot today. As you can see, the nail is starting to die. I bet it's only a matter of time until I loose the whole nail. I'm afraid it's going to be so painful and ugly!

And now on to cuter things... I have mentioned previously that the girls now bathe together. Here is a picture of Avery from their bath tonight. You'll notice that Lexi is trying to help keep her little sister modest. And a side note: Right before I took Avery out of the tub, I sat her up next to Lexi and Lexi (on her own) just kisses Avery. It was so adorable! Lexi can be such a sweet big sister sometimes.

And here is a picture of our cheery "Baby Joy" (a nickname of her's) at 6:30 this morning. It's hard to be grumpy when you wake up to this face. And in case you're wondering, Avery is smiley all the time. She smiles so easily. I think she is the smiliest baby I've ever known!

Lexi get super jealous if Avery has anything. Example: Yesterday I put a headband on Avery and Lexi insisted that she had one too. She actually kept it on for a long time. Isn't she adorable!

And I just think this picture is funny. It's Lexi talking on the phone with her Daddy right after her nap. That's one big yawn.

Here is a sneak peak of two of the bows that I worked on today. I am supposed to be making a bunch of green bows for Andrea's wedding put got a little distracted with these new fabrics I got on sale.

And here is the reason I used the words "Tummy Love" in the post title... it's because Avery is ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS rolling onto her tummy. EVERY TIME I lay her on her back she just rolls over to be on her belly. It's so strange. Most babies hate tummy time but Avery chooses to do it all day long. I took this video a few days ago. She is faster at rolling over now.

And here is a video of crazy, hyper, too much energy to keep up with Lexi...

And now some random "diary" thoughts:

I've really struggled this week. Not just because Sean is gone but because I have felt trapped at home. We've been having record heat and now I am having trouble walking. So I don't feel like going outside. I had big plans to take the girls out in my new double stroller and work out while Sean was gone but with my disgusting, useless toe, I can't do any of that.

I need to do laundry and I'm not excited because Sean isn't here to help.

Tomorrow the sister missionaries are bringing a lady they are teaching over for a lesson and then dinner. I'm so excited to have company!!! I'm socially deprived.

Sean is having a good time in Memphis. He is being super social but of course misses me like CRAZY! Actually, he REALLY misses Lexi. They're buds. Lexi really misses her Dad. Today she started scream and crying saying, "Daddy. Home. All done."

The good news is Sean gets home a week from tomorrow!!!

Diaries of a "Single Parent" - Surviving Check-Up's and Lots of Sweat!!!

Today is day three without Sean. Yesterday was a crazy day! It started off with me waking up the girls for their check up's (Why is it that my girls only sleep in on the days we have somewhere we need to be?). The doctor was AMAZING! She was so great with Lexi. And having Avery there made Lexi feel less scared. Little Avery got a shot in each leg and one oral shot. She screamed of course but after I held her she stopped crying pretty quickly. She was cranky for a while though. Both girls are healthy and perfect. Here are their stats:

Lexi @ 2 years old = 34 inches (50%) and 24 lbs 4 ozs (20%)

(1 year old = 30 inches (73%) and 19 1/2 lbs (25%)

birth = 19 inches and 6 lbs 2 ozs)

Avery @ 11 1/2 weeks = 23 1/2 inches (70%) 11 1/2 lbs (40%)

(birth = 20ish inches and 7 lbs 11 ozs)

Here is little Avery with her bandaids on her little chubby thighs...

Even though she got shots yesterday, Avery was still a happy, smiley baby...

Lexi was jealous that she didn't get bandaids, so as soon as we got home I gave her one too...

I wish I would have brought my camera to the doctor's today. They girls were so cute laying on the exam "table" with jus their diapers on. So here they are renacting...

Yesterday was a stressful day. Lexi wouldn't nap when she was supposed to. And I'm trying to train Avery to nap in her bed and not my arms which is a work in progress. And then for some reason I decided to change my dinner plans last night to casserole. I knew the oven would make the house hot but I just figured I'd crank up the AC... WRONG! Just after I finished cooking the power went out, in half of our apartment and the AC. I went to go ask the manager what was going on and I found at least a dozen people in the office already wondering the same thing. The power was half out all night with random blackout's through the night. It was one hot night. I had all our fans running on high but that didn't seem to do much because it was a REALLY hot day yesterday. We're going through a bit of a heat wave (again). When I took the girls to the craft store last night @ 6pm (to get in some AC), the thermastat in my van said it was 104 degrees outside. YIKES! Luckily the power came completely back this morning before it got hot.

I don't think I need to say it but... I MISS SEAN!!! And Lexi does too! Poor thing doesn't understand what's going on. I told her that Daddy went bye bye on an airplane to Memphis but she doesn't understand that he won't be back until next Friday. She'll go look out the window thinking he might be there. It's sad. And she misses having him to rough house with. Sean usually helps use up her energy at night. She was so hyper last night but I was too hot and tired to play. Here is a video of hyper, crazy Lexi driving me crazy...

I've been trying to keep myself busy crafting. I'm obessed with craft blogs and having been spending my nights getting lots of need ideas. Pictures soon to come of all the new bows I've been making.

Also, I want to share this link with all the women and moms out there. I read it earlier today and it really touched me. Enjoy!

Diaries of a "Single Parent" - Day 1

This morning Sean left for two weeks of training in Memphis. Yeah, that's right, TWO WEEKS!!! He went with his friend Chris from work who started at the same time. The girls and I are just going to be hanging out at home while he's done. I'm going to try to keep myself BUSY! I'm going to take the girls to the library and to the park and on walks in my new double stroller. And I have lots of crafts that I want to work on. Maybe I'll read a book or two.

I just wanted to share how proud I am of myself. I survived all three hours of church today, which is really amazing considering the fact that I was up to nurse Avery at 3, 4, 5 and 6 am. I think she is going through a major growth spurt because I also nursed her before we left for church and THREE times at church and as soon as we got home!

Here are a few pictures from the day...

I should have taken a picture of our living room before Lexi got to it. She makes the biggest messes in the shortest amount of time! This is pretty typical...

And here are some videos of the girls from today (for their daddy)...

And it's time for me to end this post because... Avery's hungry! Again! I think she is trying to beef up before her check up tomorrow. I'm really excited to see how big she is but not excited for the shots. Luckily Lexi isn't getting any shots. Wish me luck!

Past, Present and Future

Here's a little family update...

Past:
-Yesterday the girls and I were all laying on the floor. Avery was in the middle facing Lexi. Lexi looks at Avery and says (in her own little Lexi way) "Drool. Yucky." It was so funny. I taught Lexi what drool was earlier this week when Avery "kissed" Lexi on the nose (Lexi accidentally stuck the tip of her nose in Avery's mouth).

-This week I started bathing the girls together. It is so cute! During Lexi's bath I just put Avery's little tub sling thing in the tub and Lexi helps me bathe her sister. Lexi is in charge of cleaning Avery's feet. And when it's time for me to take Avery out, Lexi always says, "More." As in more Avery.

-We got a "new" couch this week. Sean was so excited. He HATED our 1980's grandma couch (It really was my grandma's couch from the 80's). We got our couch off of Craig's List for FREE! It's so comfy but it has some claw marks and stains so we still have to use our annoying couch cover.

Present:
-Right now as I type, Lexi is sitting in my lap terrified. Of what you might ask. A fly. She saw one for the first time yesterday and is horrified... I just tried putting her down and she held on to me for dear life and started screaming all over again. What a wimp!

-Yesterday Lexi was reading a book about chocolate chip cookies and insisted that she had some. Well she didn't get her way (we didn't have any in the house). So today I let Lexi "help" me bake cookies. She LOVED it! She loves it whenever I let her stand on a chair and help in the kitchen. I need to make or get her an apron of her own.

-Earlier this week I got together a bunch of dress up items for Lexi. I taught her what dress up is and she loved it. I want to find or make a dress up box and I'm going to go thrift store/ garage sale shopping for things to fill it up with!

-Yesterday I ordered Avery's blessing dress. Now, I'm trying to figure out the accessories. I'm going to make her a bracelet and possibly and anklet. And I am going to paint her nails and of course make an amazing bow or some sort of hair accessory!

-I'm making hair accessories for all of the granddaughters for Andrea's wedding. I'm trying to decided which bow/clip I should make for which girl. Michelle and Val, maybe you should just tell me which one you like best... #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, or #6. There might be some other options but those are what I was thinking.

-Today I plan on uploading more pictures to our Shutterfly site. So hopefully I'll get that done.

Future:
-On Sunday Sean will be flying to Memphis for TWO WEEKS of training!!! Pray for me! I've never been away from him that long. And whenever we've been a part, he was the one at home.

-The fourth Sunday of this month I'm going to be substitute teaching in Relief Society. I'm going to be teaching from Elder Holland's talk this past General Conference.

-In 20 days we will be flying to Washington!!! I'm so excited to go see our families. While we're there we are going to Andrea and Brandon's wedding, I'm going to be sealed to my parents and we are going to be blessing Avery.

-Earlier this week I ordered HUNDREDS of pictures. While Sean is in Memphis I am going to be finally updated the girls photo albums.

-I'm planning on potty training Lexi after we get back from Washington. I'm going to use this method, I think, but change it a bit. Wish me luck!

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Two nights ago... Sean was holding Avery, so I asked Lexi if she wanted to come sit on my lap. Once I was holding her, she looked at me and said, "Nuse. Bouy." Translation = Nurse. Booby. I didn't know what to say. I just told her that only babies nurse. I'm not sure why, but Sean jokingly asked Lexi if she wanted Daddy to nurse her. She said yes and insisted on sitting on his lap! We distracted her from wanting to nurse with one of her dolls. The funny thing is I couldn't get Lexi to nurse when she was a baby, so I pumped and bottle fed her.

Lexi's Second Birthday

I'm a week late with this post but better late than never. Last Tuesday our little Lexi turned TWO! Sean was so excited for Lexi's birthday. The night before he bought streamers and balloons and decorated the living room all by himself. We woke Lexi up before Sean left for work so we could wish her a Happy Birthday and show her the decorations. She was so excited! We had been talking about her birthday for weeks to get her ready.

I let Lexi start off the day by taking a bath (one of her absolute favorite things).

I also let her watch Curious George and Elmo's World (her two favorite shows). And then I made her Mac-N-Cheese for lunch. Lexi loves noodles!

The balloons entertained Lexi all day! Good for her and me.

I tried to get Lexi to hold still AND smile for a picture. She didn't want to cooperate. Here are of a few of the pictures I took...

Wouldn't you agree that Lexi looks like a little girl now? What happened to my little round faced baby girl?

For dinner I made Lexi crepes.

Lexi was so excited for her cake and candles. She especially loved the frosting. Here she is eating some while we sang to her.

I felt bad that we didn't have a party for her, especially after last year's party. But Lexi was just so excited for the toys she didn't care. Lexi got a Mr. Potato Head.

And Lego's (Sean was really excited about this gift).

A really loud and annoying Elmo doll. She loves it though. Here she is kissing it.

And here Lexi is modeling the new dress she got. She HAD to put it on the second she opened it.

And here are a few video's from the day...