Friday, August 28, 2009

Last of the August Adventures series

Whew, it has been a busy month! I keep thinking things will slow down but they never seem to! So I'm just going to put all the pics, not so much writing this time . . . all from this weekend (whew, again!!)

Visiting the beach . . .

My little "organizers" . . .


My friend Kerri and her family came to visit . . .


Photography class . . .

Some practice shots . . . realizing how much I love the "automatic" button, but all of the pics below were taken "manually"!!!




PaPa can finally pick up the kiddos! They are very happy!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

5 and 20 - My Irish Triplets



I heard the term "Irish Twins" and became intrigued because I thought my kids fit the description. So, I looked it up and actually Irish twins are siblings who are born within 12 months of each other. So (thankfully, luckily, and everything else -ily) my kiddos where not born within 12 months, just 15 months (ahem)! But, I think I still might call them Irish Triplets instead. (Oh and Wikipedia also states, that Irish Twins is a very derogatory and un-PC thing to say, so if your offended, sorry!)


So our big milestone "birthdays" are here, and I've been a little lax about writing about what each is doing, so here goes . . . (stop now if you don't want to be reading for a LOOONG time!)

Miss Avery cat is 20 months and as full of energy as ever. She refuses to ride in the cart, only wants to carry groceries, and stops and stares at anyone and everyone she passes in the store. She has full on learned how to throw fits, and often is seen throwing a fit when Momma won't let her play with keys, knives or other sharp objects (but it doesn't keep her from trying).


She has decided that she will only take 1 nap a day and that has become a fight sometimes too. I make her at least go lay down in the afternoon, because she's only 1 1/2, she needs a nap, right?? She now sleeps with a pillow, stuffed animal and of course that lovely paci. She has the cutest way of saying "NOOOOO!", which of course shouldn't be cute, but is so precious!

She's jabbering up a storm. She has put a few words together at a time, but mostly sticks to pointing out things. She still loves books and has found out that TV can be really enjoyable, too. Dancing is a favorite pastime, which makes us smile every time she starts shaking her head and hands around. I think she might be a girly girl (PLEEEAAAASSEEE!) because she loves to put on bracelets, shoes, and try on clothes.


Another name for her might be Smarty Pants. She seems to be doing so much with her books, comprehension and drawing. She can point out most things in her books and is very delighted with herself when she finds it! I have taught her 1,2,3,4,5 and she can usually do it 1,2,3 and sometimes I'll get and A,B,C out of her too!



Petey Pooh (oh he's going to love that someday) is also now 20 months. Pete loves playing outside even when it is so hot. He is often seen throwing fits about not wanting to come in! He has become all B-O-Y, throwing balls and pushing trucks around. His biggest "vice" right now, is his impatience! I better have dinner on the table at the right time, or watch out! A favorite pastime of his is swimming - the boy is a fish and is pretty fearless in the water.


He has starting jabbering alot lately too, but in a different way from his sister. He seems to have made up his own language. He's totally comprehending, because he can point when I ask him a word but is so cute when he is trying to say it. I have taught him every animal sound I can think of and he is pretty accurate about reciting it.

He seems to be very intent on "studying" and his favorite books are the ones that have many pictures with the identifying word (like My First Animal Book, ect.) He will sit and point out everything on the pages, and he wants to make sure you are paying attention, before turning the page.


He loves hats and cats, and I only add that because it is two adorable things that I always want to remember. I have never seen a toddler so willing to wear something on his head and keep it on. I hope it stays that way, because he looks like such a little boy when he wears one. He also seems to love animals, because our neighborhood cat is his best friend. Oh and he also loves running away, hiding in empty neighbors houses and scaring the s#%* out of his mother (but another story entirely!)


Hey Lee Lee (aka Hailey) has been growing, moving, and grooving lately. The colic has all but disappeared and left us a lovely, happy, chubby baby! Hailey seems to be our non-stop smiler. I can be across the room and she will see me, light up that smile, and start to giggle. Her brother and sister are the best at making her giggle, and they truly have grown to love their little baby. Avery is ever the little mommy trying to give Hailey her paci and bottle. I will catch Pete every once in awhile sitting by Hailey and "reading" to her. Sometimes he even likes to hold her hands - it's precious!


Hailey's playing in the Excersaucer and absolutely loves it. She is rolling and sitting up very well on her tummy. She also has started to like her play yard much better and will play with the toys hanging above her. She likes to move around to different activities, and will often fuss for a bit, and then quiet down once she has been moved.She is almost sitting upright by herself, she is still a bit wobbly.

She has started eating solid foods and is a natural at it! So far we have done sweet potatoes and applesauce. Avery has even had the chance to feed her, which I think they both liked! Hailey is always grabbing at my food when I have her in my lap, so I don't think it's going to be too long before she is getting little finger foods.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

August Adventures: Seeing LOTS of friends

What a super jam packed weekend . . .we put the kids to bed tonight (Sunday) almost an hour early! They are just about as exhausted as I am. . . I put them into bed and didn't hear a PEEP!

Friday, my good friend Mandy, her husband, and brother came to Kemah so we met for dinner. Actually it was more of a "crowd control" type situation with my kiddos. So much energy lately! Fun though for "non-parents" (yet!) to see what it is like with toddlers! Boy, did they get an education! I'm always afraid that we scare people a little! heehee I have know Mandy since 9th grade, and I'm really glad we live closer to each other now. I sure have missed her alot!




Saturday our friends Ryan and Kathryn came over with their little sweetie Kylie. We had a big dinner, sat, talked and played. Avery LOVED Kylie and wanted to always play with her. They become fast friends. I LOVED having parents to talk to that are at the same "stage" as us!

Sunday my friend Shawnie and her brood came into town and we hung out at her in-laws fabulous house and pool. Between us, Shawnie and I have six kids! At one point, as we were trying to take a picture she looked at me and said "Did you ever think you were going to have this???" She and I both laughed and then we agreed we wouldn't change a thing! I love Shawnie because it doesn't matter how long we have been apart, we always seem to pick up right where we left off!

(These pics exemplify Lil Pete's attitude for the day: tired and grouchy!)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Hailey eats sweet potatoes


Yummy, yum, yum. Hailey had her first solid food and she seemed to really like it. I went ahead and skipped the whole rice cereal thing because of constipation issues (I know, I know, TMI) but instead am trying foods that are supposed to ease stomach troubles. I'm a bit late starting solids with Hailey but was holding off until a)the stomach upset had gone away (it hasn't)and b) I could bring myself to do it . . . it's so much more work!!!



All in all, she seemed to like it, and hopefully she will be a great eater like her brother! I'm also hoping that this starts to help her sleep through the night again . . .the past couple of nights have been a little rough!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Daddy's weekend . . . goin' to the beach

Pete took the opportunity while I was away to bond with Lil' Pete and Hailey! He of course jam packed the weekend with fun things to do, so I don't even think they had time to miss me (well, hopefully they did a little bit!)





Pete's parents came to our house and then the whole crew headed to the beach which is very close. I heard that Pete was in his element and loved, loved, loved every minute of it! Plus, Grandma and Grandpa got to shower our little ones with lots of love.


Pete also made a little friend . . . I guess he's just so used to having someone to play with!

Monday, August 10, 2009

August Adventures: Lubbock



Avery and I just returned from a weekend visiting my sister, Ashley, in Lubbock with my mom. My mom was nice enough to treat us to this weekend away with the girls, and I can't tell you how much I appreciated it (and needed it!)

Ashley just bought a house in Lubbock which is where she is now living after getting her masters at Tech. I was so excited to go back to my alma mater and see the little town that holds a special place in my heart! I had forgotten how much I truly love being in Lubbock! The weather is great and it is just such a quaint "little-big" town!



It was doubly special because little Miss Avery got to experience riding in an airplane for the first time. I was so worried about how it was going to affect her but she was a CHAMP! It was like she had done it a million times before. At one point, I looked over and I was reading a magazine, Avery was reading a book, and my mom was reading a magazine. It couldn't have been anymore picture perfect!



We visited Ashley's house which is so nice and she has done so many updates already to it. It is near a wonderful park which we took total advantage of (Lubbock has the best parks!) Avery loved getting to feed the ducks and ran around in pure happiness all morning! She also got to engage in some serious home accessories shopping as we tried to help Ashley decorate her new home.




We went to a great wine tasting down in the Depot District. We got to sit outside in the Lubbock night and listen to a guitar player. Overall pretty relaxing and you can't beat a good glass of wine. I also got to see my old roommate, Dinah, who owns a gorgeous gift and invitation shop in town. We "oohed" and "ahhed" over all her beautiful things she has and creates.

!

On our last night we ate dinner at a hibachi style restaurant. I thought Avery would love it, but quite the opposite! She was so scared she never left Nana's lap the entire night. At certain points she clutched for dear life to Nana's clothes. Our chef was fantastic and funny so it made for an enjoyable dinner.




Of course, we had to visit campus. I hadn't been there in YEARS! It was neat to be there with Avery and get to run around and show her some of the sights. My sister's boyfriend very diligently took some pictures for us as we walked around.




Avery got so much individual attention and I got to spend many one-on-one moments with her! She relished every second of the attention and I loved it too. After returning home I started thinking we need to do this type of thing more often. I wonder what Pete, Lil' Pete, and Hailey were up to this weekend . . . more to come about that later!!