The Fabulous Five

Ok - a few words. . . thanks to Grandma (Pete's mom) for coming out today and taking us to lunch in Kemah. We had a fabulous time and always enjoy her visits!!

The boys of our family went today for a "Daddy Day Out" to Pete's first Astros game. Needless to say it was a big hit! Pete got a new Astros hat, a pretzel and a hot dog . . . what more could a 1 1/2 year old want?

I have never had 1 baby - now that sounds like a wierd statement, right? Avery and Pete (combo deal!) and then by the time Hailey came along, even though she was by herself, she just added in to the mix! So, on Friday I called my Mom and said that my house was in DESPERATE need of some deep cleaning. You know, the kind of cleaning that you can't do with toddlers running around.



Avery and Pete very happily went off to Nana and PaPa's while Pete and I scrubbed, washed and cleaned. We made a dent - at least I don't feel so overwhelmed now. I think I'm going to have to come up with a cleaning schedule to keep me on track . . .sounds silly, but I just keep putting it off and off!



While A & P were playing around at "Bass Pro Shop" with my parents, Daddy Pete, Hailey and I tried to get out for a little dinner. Now this is where the ONE child thing comes into play . . . totally different experience! Once she started fussing, there was actually TWO of us to take care of her. One of us ACTUALLY got to eat . . .we were able to take turns, very novel experience for us!!

I missed my little babies desperately, though. I called a million times just to find out what they were up to. They left us a "goodnight" message on our answering machine where my mom got BOTH of them to say "Goodnight". Bless her, I don't know how she did it!

We went swimming again today (yes, we do that alot lately!) and I decided to play around with my movie maker program!

I could

just stare

at these pictures

all day!

All 16 1/2 pounds of "perfectness"!

One of the greatest free things to do with kiddos (in my opinion) is to take them to storytime at the library. I've been trying to go as much a possible lately. I timed my visit to my parents house so that we would hit storytime by where they live.


It was fantastic, the kids loved it. Even Hailey loves all the singing and dancing. It was so crowded but luckily we got there early enough to get a good spot. I went to storytime by our house and couldn't stay because they were so full . . . don't even get me started about that . . .



Avery at several points decided to run into the middle of the room and sing and dance for everyone. Quite funny. And there I was the mamarazzi (thanks steph for that cute term for us photographing fool mommas!) snapping away! Pete wasn't too sure of the parachute when all the kids where running around underneath it. He kept a close eye and hand on Nana's leg.

My dad has been home for about a week now so the kiddos and I went for a visit. he says that it raises his spirits to see their smiling faces . . . awww. They definitely did not dissapoint either.


My dad has said that he doesn't want to be anything but Grandpa. He said that he doesn't want some "silly" made up name. Well, everytime the kiddos see him they yell out "Pa Pa". Everytime we come around the corner and see their house they yell out "Pa Pa". So we decided my dad has a new name . . . he likes it. I don't think these kids could do anything that he wouldn't like.

I tried my hardest to get a picture. Have you ever heard the expression "It's like herding cats . . .?" Well, now I totally understand that. Oh well, at least the pics gave me a laugh.

The girls are finally sharing their room. Avery couldn't be happier about it, Hailey doesn't really seem to notice much difference. I decided it was time for Hailey to leave our closet and join her sister since she is sleeping so well during the night. Avery goes to sleep about 8 and then Hailey gets her last bottle about 9:30. Sometimes Avery wakes up when I put Hailey into her bed, but she hasn't made a fuss about it. In the morning, Avery loves to call out "Ba-BEEE!" and point at her little sister. Hailey is so sweet, when she wakes up she is all smiles (very dfferent from how her brother and sister used to wake up at her age!) Luckily, I can usually get A&P situated in the morning with Cheerios and Wonderpets before I have to get going on Hailey's bottle . . . so all in all, its working out rather well.

My little lady . . . next we work on eating with our mouth closed, but one thing at a time, right?

I'm a control freak . . . there I said it. If you know me really well, you will be nodding your head in agreement. I think sometimes I tend to hover, not let the kids "explore" because I like for things to be clean, for their clothes to be spotless, and to not have to mop the floor after every meal and snack. Well, yesterday, Lil Pete wanted so badly to feed yogurt to himself. So I let go . . . Let's just say, he had fun. I did too - until I had to clean it all up, that is! And yes, he has a pink bib on . . . I let go of that a long time ago.

I've heard that when you bring a new baby home, the older kids start reverting back to their baby ways, like . . .


wanting to be swaddled,


sitting in the Bumbo chair,




and playing with our little sister's toys!