The Zipps Family: July 2013

Monday, July 29, 2013

Baby Chloe's Shower!

Last Sunday, Ashley, Lindsay, Emmalie, and Chelsea threw me a "sprinkle" at Frost Bake Shoppe. It was such a fun place for the occasion. I love cupcakes (and let's be honest, all sweets) so it was perfect! They obviously know me well!

OMG- this is my dream. I loved having mini-cupcakes so I could try a little bit of everything. And I definitely did!

The drinks- this shower sparked a newfound obsession with Starbucks Frappucinos. Maybe it's because I haven't really had coffee much since getting pregnant but I could drink about 10 in a day if I let myself!

The cute cookie favors

Such a cute banner! I think I may have a cupcake themed 1st birthday party just so that I can use it again. And so we can eat cupcakes :) I may be getting ahead of myself just a tad!

Avery has been getting SO excited about Chloe coming so I decided that it would be special for her to be there. She was a little confused- I think she thought that Chloe would actually be at Frost somehow but she eventually figured it out!

In cookie heaven!

The shower was relatively small...just close friends and family, and I really enjoyed it that way. It was such a relaxed atmosphere, and I loved having all my favorite ladies in the same room. It was an absolutely perfect way to celebrate Chloe's upcoming arrival!

The group!

She thought it was so cool to have pink lemonade AND a pink straw.

Chatting it up with Aunt Laura

My mom got Ave a little doll and an outift that included a little diaper. She immediately wanted it opened, named it Chloe, and started caring for her. She is very passionate about her dolls!

We are now very set with diapers and wipes of all sizes plus a few little necessities and gear that we needed. It is starting to feel real now that this girl is coming soon!

After we had eaten our fill of sweets and opened gifts, I took lots of pics with everyone.

The fam

Plus Ave

The Zipps side of the family

Me and Tiff- I love that we are pregnant at the same time! I can't wait for Chloe and Logan to grow up together!

All the pregnant ladies at the shower. I think God knows that I need emotional support while pregnant because I have been so blessed with great friends that are also pregnant with both Chloe and with Ave. It is so wonderful to have people nearby that know exactly what you are feeling and going through. I'm so thankful for all these ladies and their little ones!

The hostesses! They did such a great job, and I don't know what I would do without their friendships!

Mommy and Ave shot

Me and Ash

I am overwhelmed by how many people already love and care so much about Chloe. There was a time that I really didn't know if I would be where I am right now, and it just makes days like this even sweeter! I am so excited to hold this little one in my arms and see her face. I can't believe she will be here soon, and we will be a family of four!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

4th of July

The 4th of July is always one of my favorite summer events. I remember having so much fun last year and was so excited when the day came again this year. Our plan was to go to Faithbridge when their celebration began. Since it didn't start until 7pm, the Mioris had us over for some fun and appetizers beforehand.

The little ones chatting it up over dinner.

When we got to Faithbridge, we saw that there was a train ride with a very short line. Thankfully, we got in line then because it very quickly got VERY long!

Waiting for the train. It's so much fun watching them interact, and I would just love to know what they talk to each other about!

Avery loves train rides and this one did not disappoint!

Garrett was in the train car ahead checking things out.

We rode with the Morris Fam and Landon was so entranced the whole time.

I hope this happiness and fascination with life never ends!

Look who we found after the train ride! Avery was so excited that Sophia was able to come this year!

There were lots of yummy treats to keep us cool although it really wasn't too hot.

This is what the kids did the majority of the time. We made a circle with all of our chairs and they danced around in the middle to the music.

Around 8ish, it started raining. We had parked nearby and were able to hang out in the car for a little while as it passed.

The rest of the fam hanging out in the trunk

Sweet Lil was such a trooper at her first 4th of July celebration!

Reagan was as happy as could be too!

We had gotten rained on by this point so we all looked a little disheveled but we had a blast watching the fireworks.

I think the glow necklace was Ave's favorite part of the whole night. That thing never left her little hands.

She waved the necklace around in front of her as she watched the fireworks. I'm not sure what she watched more :)

We had a great time celebrating our last 4th as a family of 3! It's hard to believe that we will have a 10 month old with us next year!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Avery at 3 years old

I decided to start a new tradition of doing a birthday questionaire every year for Avery. I think it will be fun to look back and see how things change from year to year. Here goes!

Favorite color- purple

Favorite toy- her Chloe doll

Favorite fruit- oranges

Favorite tv show- Dora the Explorer

Favorite thing to eat for lunch- hot dogs

Favorite outfit- pjs

Favorite game- Team Umizoomi game on the computer

Favorite snack- fruit snacks

Favorite animal- horses

Favorite song- "Bless the Lord, oh my Soul" (10,000 Reasons)

Favorite book- Gorgonzola: a Very Stinkysaurus

Best friend- Garrett, Luke, and Daddy

Favorite cereal- Dora Cereal

Favorite thing to do outside- to look at her sunflower

Favorite drink- lemonade

Favorite holiday- Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night- Puppy

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast- Pancakes

What do you want to eat for dinner on your birthday- Pizza

What do you want to be when you grow up- A Mommy

Some other random tidbits about Avery at 3-

Likes-

Playing outside- going to the park, playing in the backyard, swimming at the pool

All things involving Princesses

Dancing and twirling

Spending time with family and friends

Baking

Playing on her "spypad" (her leap pad)

Going to HEB to get Buddy Bucks

Snowcones, ice cream, and cupcakes

Playing Buy- a game she made up involving me buying things from her

-Feeding Grace, letting her out of the kennel, letting her outside

Dislikes-

-Time Out- this hurts her feelings so much. She will go to the spot where she is supposed to sit and instantly tell me she needs a hug.

-Getting out of the bathtub

-Putting her hair up (or when my hair is up)

-Getting splashed in the face with water (in the bathtub, splashpad, etc)

Sleeping Habits- Wakes around 7:15, Nap around 2:30-5, Bedtime at around 8:30-9 (she sometimes plays in bed until 10:30ish before falling asleep).

Potty Habits- Started potty training around Spring Break, fully potty trained by beginning of May except naps and bedtime, panties during nap around end of May, panties at bedtime right after she turned 3.

Eating habits- still a little picky when it comes to trying new things but she seems to slowly be expanding her food options.

I absolutely love this age. Ave is so much fun to be around and makes me laugh all the time. Of course, being three brings power struggles and strong opinions but the good far outweighs the bad. What a fun year it's been! I can't wait to see what the next brings!

Avery's 3rd birthday, Part 2

One of Avery's favorite places is Bouncin' Bears. Lindsay had the great idea to do a joint birthday party for Ave and Garrett there. Their birthdays are 2 days apart and they love spending time together so we figured it would be perfect. We rented the place out on a Saturday night (Ave's actual birthday). Avery had an absolute blast! Get ready for an excessive amount of pictures!

The birthday boy and girl! There is no one Ave would rather share a birthday party with!

We decided not to open birthday presents at the party so that Avery could spend as much time bouncing as possible. My family came by our house to open up a couple after the party.

I get so emotional thinking about how quickly the last three years have gone by. Avery was once my little bitty 6 1/2 lb baby and now she has grown into such a big girl. Ave, I'm so proud of the sweet girl that you have become. You are such a joy to be around, and I just love your little personality! I can't wait to see you grow up (just not too fast!) and see how you impact others. I know you are destined to do great things with your life and I'm so glad that I will get to be a part of that! We love you!

The Zipps Family