New Parents....where's the instruction manual??

Dave Ramsey would be proud

2012-01-31T18:35:00.001-08:00

We went into tonight's adventure of negotiating for our washer and dryer with our cash, a goal of how much of that we wanted to spend, how we would approach the sales guys, and prayed before we went in. I really feel like we came out winners. Best Buy was pretty hesitant to work with its til the guy asked the manger to come back and talk with us. We pulled out the cash and pointed our the dent one more time and the deal we we're headed to look at down the road at Lowe's. He heard us and then decided he would find us an open box pedastal....however they tried hard and couldn't find it. So then the $60 off then came off the new one.....DAVE 's words from his dvd are singing in our heads"open the box, open the box". So we walk out of there with our $800 deal that we named the price on and headed to Lowe's.The one at Lowe's had been there for over a month it had a pedastal included for $600! This was already an amazing steal. The guy was really nice and we offered $50 less a little too fast cause he jumped on that. We probably could have done $500 but we we're so happy with the other deal and this one being so great already we don't feel too bad at all. So with a grand total of $1350 we are thrilled. Retail would have been $2600! We're so thankful for Dave Ramsey class as well as the ability to be in this position in the first place. Debt free and paying for big purchases with cash is an awesome feeling.

really?

2012-01-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

A is turning 2 in a few weeks, G is telling me things like "I'm full, it's going to be impossible mommy" after I asked her to eat her last 2 bites of her strawberry, and little guy will be here in 12 weeks!!!!!!!!!!

Life does really speed up! We're coming out of the horrific week of teething, but still have a little ways to go and then some retraining A of wanting to be held at any given moment :) She's now saying things like "flower, yellow, yo(and knows how to use it), candy" in the SWEETEST voice ever...I will video soon.

I'm feeling huge and stretched out already. Pretty sure I'm going to get much bigger this time around. We're still negotiating on names and hope to have a name sometime in February (according to Matt who is all about taking his time keeping me anxiously awaiting).

TEETHING BITES!!!!

2012-01-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

So I was convinced Monday night that A had the flu or something bad cause she had a fever and chills and very sluggish and wanted to be held. Turns out she's perfectly healthy...she's just got about 3-5 teeth moving in!!! The poor kid has been very needy, snot everywhere and DROOLING all over the place. Her fever seems to be gone and she's happier at times and eating more, but dang it's hit her like she was a wee little one!

Couldn't this have happened last year when I wasn't pregnant and dealing with a 3 year old attitude in the mix of it all? Nope, cause I wouldn't of had to test the patience, peace, and consistent discipline the Lord has been working on me with now would I?

Severely exhausted,

my baby's going to preschool

2012-01-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Totally thought to myself, "really moms cry and get all emotional when they send their little ones off to school." Well now it's my turn...well not til September...and I'm already emotional. There's no way it's time for school already :)

I thought she had another year before kindergarten because of a summer bday but that may not be the case if she's ready academically, so there is a great preschool down the road (well several) that we're touring and will probably land at and I'm thrilled now that I've calmed down and had a few days to process.

I seriously took about 2 hours a few nights ago to fall asleep cause friends had told me yes she would do pre-K this next year and I needed to make the decision soon cause signs up are at the end of the month...so I laid there thinking about all the things I want her to know how to do, getting her a backpack, lunch box, shoes, clothes, how kids will treat her, what her teacher will be like, will I be too bossy in trying to see if they need any help or helping with holiday parties,etc, where has the time gone, will she be ready, will the kids like her.....

Ok, so I'm sure hormones had SOMETHING to do with it but still I can't believe my baby is going to preschool next year! She will do great and I'm so proud of who she is already. They'll teach her all she needs to know and it will be great I'm sure. Til then I have some snuggling and hanging out to do with her for sure :)

Little Miss A is saying lots more words and gelling into her own little person. She's got such a sweet spirit about her, but man she can really turn up the heat if she's wanting a snack that's not available or if Grace gets in her space to share a toy.

Little guy is kicking and moving up a storm. He's measuring a little big and staying between 145-155bpm. Still working on names and his room. The girls are now sharing a room and they love it. So life is good and calm for now til the storm of a newborn hits :)

let's play catch up

2012-01-08T19:30:00.001-08:00

I've neglected the blog, so I'll do my best to catch up the last few weeks. Christmas was awesome to say the least. The girls had a ball opening and opening and opening. They were both into it and loved getting new stuff. We did a clean out session right before Christmas to make room, but definately need to do another one now that we're to our elbows in toys again :)

We had a great but challenging time in San Fransico the week after Christmas. The city, seeing family, and being on vacation was great. The time change, cranky kids on long flights, 12 hour flying days, cutting teeth, accidents in the car and on the plane, etc were not so fun...for mommy at least.

We're finding that our sweet little A is growing into quite a little person. She is challenging us more with tantrums, refusing to do things, and just turning 2! She has picked up on G throwing fits about things and therefore is trying to apply it and well it's not working out for her so well and exhausting me.

Grace is now sleeping in her new twin bed and in undies through the night. This is a huge step for her. She's been ready for a few months now, but just wasn't wanting to give up her Pull-Ups. I hid them last week and then had Matt put them down while I was at a meeting without knowing where they were and she did just fine. She hasn't had any trouble and is quite proud of herself. She's so like me...determined and moving forward but takes safe steps to get there.

We're getting more and more excited about the little guy coming in April. He is very active and measuring a little big....mommy is very excited about that. We would love to have a chunker who eats and sleep more regularly, but we'll not getting our hopes too high yet. He's getting more and more things from friends and family which makes it all seem real and oh yeah I'm showing much more now. He seems to really like sweets and chocolate milk :)

A's lastest words as a side note are: I unt hummus, up please(in the sweestest voice ever), honey, Amen, cup, lots more but I'm drawing a blank. Wish I could bottle up her little voice and keep it with me forever.

Mommy and A at the coolest museum

A bubbles station

A magnets station

Cousin Colin who was AMAZING with the girls

Alcatraz

We stayed in a super nice house in SF and loved having a great time with all the grandkids all in one place. PS...I beat Matt in air hockey :)

A got her first haircut this weekend. She was cute, but when she was told it was done he was down off that seat in no time so these are before and during but no afters cause there was too much to do and see!

So here's to a great 2012. Excited to see what God has in store for us!

our weekend

2011-12-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

Avery's fun new trick...

My brother Nathan turns 24 on Christmas day and wanted a roller skating party and so that's what he got.

Grace learned how to put put...sort of...

Avery LOVED skating...

All the available Kirk's for our great white elephant gift exchange :)

Kept her busy for a few minutes

Dance Class :)

2011-12-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

G has had dance class this semester...well Creative Movement...because as you will see below you can't teach too much dance to 3 yr olds especially when it's show off to parents' day!

G discovered 2 snags in her tights and as you will see by the end of the class they were large holes and her hair was taken down! She is hilarious at being distracted or behind in something, but most of all she melted my heart cause she is growing up fast and trying things on her own and loving it :)

Not sure where we're headed with dance...there's always softball if she continues to be heavy footed :)

It's a ........

2011-12-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Here's the video from our cupcake reveal party....

I really thought there was no way it would be a boy, but knew that things were so different with this one and Matt really needed it to be a boy to let us continue having children! I'm still getting used to the idea....good thing they're not really any different for awhile :)

A sweet friend reminded me tonight that there is nothing like the bond between a son and his mother. It helped really accept and be comforted in knowing a boy is coming. Now on to finding great deals on BLUE!!!

More pictures....that downloaded way crazy sorry!!!

The guys had some manly time after the party, we held up our predictions, had a great spread of cupcakes to choose from and just had a great time!!!

Bring on the BLUE!!!

I finally got Grace to be ok with the baby being a boy or girl today and then tonight that it was now a boy....she said we should name it Jazman...by brother Jason has a dog named Jazmin who she names everything after :) Not sure she's going to get her wish this time!

virtual rummage sale--updated 11/26

2011-11-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

I've got the following items for sale. We've been challenged by reading Managing God's Money and our church to redistribute our money and stuff. So, it has to go and the profits will be donated to the organizations we already support...Vision Nicaragua and the Daughter's Project .

Whitney Chipmunk doll $2

Balderdash Game still in plastic $5

Toy Car that has a lever to "rev" it up $2

20 medicine cup holders (medicine on the go) $2

fairy plate with suction ring $3

Crayola homemade popsicle holders $2

SHARK Hand held steamer $10 (nothing wrong with it just don't use it anymore)

leather coasters w/leather holder $3

plastic kids lawnmower $2

Bissel Flip-It $40..used it for about 4 months and then decided I wanted a steam option. Nothing wrong with it and comes with an extra pad.
Here is the link for it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Bissell-Flip--Floor-Cleaner-5200/dp/B0002IG4U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322068033&sr=8-1

Pink Converse size 8 gently used (worn twice..too skinny for her feet) very cute and the dots you see are sparkles $5

To buy any of these items please email me or call to come and pick the items up. I can always leave them on the porch for you to pick up at your convience with an envelope.
amyeileentenney@gmail.com

Thanks for considering!

not a total waste...

2011-11-12T13:28:00.000-08:00

So I've been sucked into the Pinterest cult! I avoided it for as long as I could and now I'm hooked. I couldn't say no any longer cause, EVERYONE'S doing it :) I am happy to report I am actually using it to make things for Grace's "school" time.

PS I've started doing "school" with her. She has been playing school with a folder and papers she had from a bible study and she LOVES when I'm her classes' helper at church so I thought what the heck surely I can teach her somethings while Avery is busy or asleep right. She has enjoyed every minute of it. We incorporate Avery during the Bible story and song time and that gets them both very excited.

By this picture you can see that I'm already over the top, but it's in my blood and I paid a lot of money to get a paper that says I am an official teacher a few years back :)

So far, I'm keeping it simple and fun and we'll see where this takes us...at least until the baby comes!

Here's a clip of Avery saying a new word a few weeks ago. She's adding things every few days or so now and it's fun to see her imitate EVERYTHING Grace does...even when Grace is in trouble on the stairs she will pretend that she is too and make mean noises or hit Grace, but she learned very quickly a few weeks ago that that only gets her consequences just like her big sis.

15 weeks, Nana, and candy

2011-11-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

I hit 15 weeks last Friday and have felt great ever since! Thank you Lord! This one has really thrown me a for a loop. I'm starting to show I think a little past the questionable chubby stage. I will get some pics started soon. Poor third child, already getting neglected.

Nana and Max came for the weekend and we LOVED having them. They brought some fun presents and we got to the park and great places to eat. We tried Mellow Mushroom pizza place and loved it. They have gluten free crust and dairy free cheese! I was so thrilled that the girls could eat what we were eating!!! They are usually having to eat just parts of things or things plain from a restaurant, but not this time. So fun cause I got to eat pizza right next to them and didn't have explain it will hurt their belly....ahh the little things :)

So with having to keep them away from dairy, trick or treating was a little bit tricky. Most of what they got was chocolate, but THANK YOU to the livesavers who gave out suckers and nerds candy :) :) Avery sucked on 4 suckers during her time in the stroller (some times multiple at one time) and Grace discovered Fun Dip and thought that was a genius invention.
Grace did go up to the houses with Matt and said trick or treat each time. I didn't think she would cause she will normally want someone to say things or ask for her, but she did great....probably caught on to what it gets her!

Grace has really turned a corner behaviorally for the better. We've stayed pretty tough on her and it's paying off. Avery will now watch her when she does throw a fit or do something not so great and imitate her to see how I will respond. She will even join her on the stairs and try and fuss like her :)

They're starting to be able to share a little better and love making each other laugh at the dinner table or bath tub. Avery is jabbering more and more. Her latest word is "all gone" and when you offer her food she doesn't want she'll say "not that" and sign "thank you" meaning "no thank you".

They're both lots of fun and growing up very fast. We talk a lot about the baby in my belly and each day Grace has a new story about the one in her belly or what the baby is going to be or where it will sleep,etc. She is quite often talking in her make believe talk so it takes me a minute to catch up to where she's at.

Attempt to upload pictures just as soon as my signal is better.

Managing God's Money....

2011-10-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

We're taking the Dave Ramsey "Financial Peace University" class and our church is going through a stewardship series so we're getting hit double time in the money catagory right now. I just started reading "Managing God's Money" by Randy Alcorn....don't pick it up!!!!!!

Two things that rocked me today:
1. (PAGE 18)Four things you should think about when spending or how you view a purchase:
In spending this money, am I acting as if I owned it, or am I acting as the Lord's trustee?
What Scripture passage requires me to spend this money in this way?
Can I offer up this purchase as a sacrifice to the Lord?
Will God reward me for this expenditure at the resurrection of the just?

And if that wasn't enough...

2. (page 31) As God's child and his money manager, what personal, spiritual, moral, and financial changes do you need me to make to get ready to give him a face-to-face account of your job performance?

pictures & video

2011-10-11T12:24:00.001-07:00

This is the big sister that is growing up way too fast!

Little sister eating a dandelion in between any apple she could find to take a bite out of.

Becoming much better friends...

These kids took bites out of about 15 apples

Just before she took one bite out of each and threw them down...doesn't like the peeling :)

it fell over by itself

2011-10-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

This is the blog entry I wrote Friday night, but with our new Mi-Fi device it's taking way too long to download things so here is the text and about every 24 hrs or so I can add a picture :)

This is what G told me when I came back to the table and her entire cup of milk was spilled on the table. This kid is crazy! She's maturing so much in her expressions and explanations of things. She keeps me on my toes most of the day informing me of a "friend" who is sitting at the table with us, in the baby stroller, or what her name is :) She is super fun to be around unless she's not napped well or over the time with emotions and testing the waters (my sanity)!

This blog and many things have been neglected in the last month. God has given me a time in the last few weeks to revaluate what I'm doing with my time. I have been way over committed for quite some time now. Many wise people have told me so, but I'm always convinced I know best....HAHA... It's only taken til almost three children for me to realize I can't keep this pace up. I have to slow down. So, one more friend challenged me on this and I finally listened. She and the Lord really helped me see the truth. I have gave up 2 things and I LITERALLY feel A LOT better already. I have more time to just play with my girls and shower when I want to. I can get housework done at a more reasonable rate, and I'm a much nicer wife :)

I have even been able to already to encourage another mom in my same boat. Thank you Lord for your leading! Thank you also to all of you who are saying in your head "I told you so!" I heard you just wasn't ready to listen.

So now onto the real reason you're my fans....

pictures

2011-09-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today G discovered photo albums that have been in the same spot since before she was born. The first one she asked to look at was of her. It's a sad excuse for a album with about 20 pictures in it from her birth to 3 months....always said I would just make a digital one each year HAH!
Anyway, she LOOOVED her find. She went over those pictures over and over asking TONS of questions. Several were of her in the NICU and she thought she was sick cause of the oxygen tube. It was just so cute to see her wonder and think about what was going on in the photos. She wanted to hold the one of her and Matt over and over. When it was nap time she was upset cause she wanted her daddy at home since we had talked so much about him.
This evening we opened up all the other photo albums and she was so into them. Because Matt and I haven't changed much since we were dating she just wondered who all the friends were that she hadn't met. Just a fun time today with her allowing her to try and grasp the past and being a "baby".

A on the other hand has turned another corner on her play. She's into chatting and singing in the playhouse and taking care of babies. It's amazing to watch her play like a big kid cause she sees her sister doing it all day. If G has a jacket or play shoes on she MUST have one as well.

The girls finally shared a willing hug and kiss tonight before bed...this might be a monumental day!

the word is out!

2011-08-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

It sure didn't take long for the word to get around that I am pregnant. I am terrible at secrets and well have a lot of friends who were very excited I guess. I'm very excited and yes we planned this. I'm still trying to get my head around the idea, but that's what the next 9 months are for :)

I've been trying to explain things to G and she has been very cute as she takes it all in. She asked me this morning "once you push the baby out, will they close your lid?"
I assured her they would and she said, "good".
I made the mistake of telling her she couldn't hold the baby right after it came out because it will need a bath, so now she is constantly worried about it being dirty. She also asked me today if she could put A in her belly and grow her.
G has made a prediction that it is 2 boys! Thanks to my mom informing her that sometimes there's two babies in a belly. Not sure I want that one to come true, but we shall see.

According to a website, I'm not due til April 24. I'll go in about a month for my first ultrasound where we'll meet the little peanut.

We put G's railing on her crib today to help her be able to get out to go to the bathroom and well she stayed in her bed but she cried off and on for about an hour. I was very exhausted going in and out of her room trying to get her to quiet down that I gave in and laid with her in her bed....yeah so that didn't last cause she was super excited I was in there. So I sat on the floor about 10:17 and she was out before 10:19! She is such a kid of routine and order so I know a big part of it might be that it's a change, but Lord please let her adapt quickly :) cause now need more rest.

A is doing a lot more babbling and expression in her sounds. She will even put her hands up in the "I don't know" position when you say where is something? She's picking up on a lot and also showing us that she is pretty fiesty when it comes to obeying. For instance, I was taking her out of the pantry(her favorite place to get into cause she can climb up the shelves) and I took one hand and she quickly gripped with the other hand and wouldn't let go. I had her lifted in mid-air and she was white knuckling it...had to loosen her hand myself cause she wasn't letting go!

Matt is back in Georgia this week...BOO...but he only has this week and next. So I'll get the girls in order by the time he gets back so he can enjoy it all :)

venting time

2011-08-12T19:43:00.001-07:00

I'm really frustrated that this is the fourth time we've pulled up laminate in the foyer. We thought it was the toilet leaking the other times so we tiled and resealed the bathroom. Nope, come to find out the water hose spout has been leaking into the walls!
Realized the bubbling of laminate was not something that should be happening this week while Matt was gone and never put two and two together that as I watered during this beautiful weather that maybe that water was coming inside the house!!!!!!!!
So we're praying that as we enjoy time in Georgia next week we can relax (only a dream for Matt since he's going for work) and take a deep breath before we come home and find out how much damage there really is.

It's not the end of the world, just not fun to deal with a few torn apart rooms on top of a call that your brother is in jail for a really dumb choice and a friend from church lost her battle with cancer....but you know what I'm in God's hands and I am still kicking so here's to owning a home that can't stay in perfect condition all the time :)

crumpy

2011-08-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

G told me tonight that she didn't want the Chex cereal, she wanted the "crumpy" kind....aka crunchy. Needless to say now that G is in 3 year old world of talking and make believe there are many times a day that I just get to sit and laugh about what she's doing or saying. She loves to play make believe with her food, books, playdough....all of the above at this point. Many times the people she's created are being told to sit down, go to sleep or be nice!

A on the other hand isn't talking much but makes a lot of sounds and dance moves for us to get her drift. She prefers to beg like a puppy to try and get her way. She wants WHATEVER you have even if she's just ate her dinner and someone else's. Her top teeth are taking their sweet time, so we're trying to be gracious about her behavior cause two teeth in a highly used area can't be fun. (PS...this will only be tooth 3&4)

A at 17 months

G at 12 months

it's sooo hot!

2011-07-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

The heat is on! The girls enjoyed a spoon of chocolate icing....Grace insisted that she wear a pair of fleece jammies that her buddy gave her for next year. Claims she never got hot...of course.

Our house church went camping a few weeks ago and we had a blast. Grace ate her first s'more and LOVED it :)

The sidewalk chalk was a great form of entertainment.

We've decided we're a camping kind of family...minus Avery for this summer :)

Our whole group that was able to make it. Love these people!

Grace loved her swim lessons this week thanks to my buddy Kaleena who didn't take no for an answer :)

We also enjoyed a wild animal show at the nature center. This is Grace choosing to pet the bunny but NOT the baby alligator.

It's all good

2011-07-06T18:54:00.000-07:00

The fourth was really fun for us all. We took it easy during the day and then headed down to watch the fireworks together. We kept the girls busy and eating snacks...as you can see Avery liked that part :)

Grace got to eat her first snow cone...I know she's SOO deprived!

Avery didn't last long past bed time....

So she went home to sleep where she needed to be (thank you Matt!) Meanwhile Grace and her buddy Annabelle had a blast together. They insisted I take their picture like this...

Took Avery to the dr today for a weight check and at 16.5 months she's 18lb 15oz :) But she's the cutest peanut I know!

Now we're gearing up for a camping trip this weekend. Avery's gonna be in heaven spending it with her GiGi here at our house and Grace is going to be in heaven hanging out with mommy and daddy and all her older buds from small group. Pray for decent weather :)

2011-07-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Man, I'm really behind!!!

We made a last minute trip to Houston and had a complete blast! It was VERY VERY hot, but we kept busy visiting and going to Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX. They had a water park that Grace loved!!!

An aquarium that both girls couldn't get enough of...this is them in a shark cage.

Family photo with my brother and sister-in-law Jason and Angie who are loving living in Houston.

Matt celebrated the BIG 30 June 14th and we got an ice cream cake to honor the occasion. Took it outside and invited some neighbors and had a great time after we ate Chik-fil-a for dinner of course!!!

Avery is now using many things as a "phone" and walking great! She has a lot of personality and will let you know when she's not happy with what you're doing or needs something.

Working on getting her to say more sounds...everything is Dad right now :)

One tired momma signing off!

summer is here

2011-06-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

Grace playing in the random hail last week.

Thanks to a very generous neighbor who works at the track, some family and their friends and I got to enjoy the race. This is the pace car lap.

Carb Day "Pit Stop Challenge"

When it's 85 degrees by 9am, you hit up the Children's Museum cause what else would 6 adults and 2 kids want to do :)

the last few weeks

2011-05-25T19:39:00.003-07:00

We've been staying a little busy with hanging outside, our friend's farm and the Children's Museum.

Grace gets so excited to ride her bike some days that she will put her helmet on and eat the next meal with it in anticipation of riding.

She didn't think this was a good idea at first, but once I convinced her she would be fine she did great!

Weekend to Remember

2011-05-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Matt and I attended a the Familylife "Weekend to Remember" and had a great time this weekend. Quotes I am going to focus on:

"Become the person you want your kids to become."

"Have the attitude to do right not be right."

"Listening is wanting to hear."

"Your spouse is not your enemy."

"The degree to which you leave is the degree to which you can cleave."

"We must choose to receive our spouse as God's perfect provision for us."

Know your kids Friends, Fears, and Favorite things.

"Often the difference between a successful marriage and a mediocre one consists of leaving about three or four things a day unsaid." Harlan Miller

As if these won't have my busy enough, I also have a few books to read. "For Women Only" by Shaunti Feldhahn, The Language of Love & Respect, and The Five Love Languages for kids.

We had a blast and loved the time alone and were able hold several complete conversations!!! So I didn't get to go and get Matt fixed, I ended up finding out I have a WHOLE LOT more I need to work on as well :)

As I put Grace to bed tonight, I said, "did you miss mommy while I was gone?" Grace said, "no, I missed Colby cause he was at school all day." Guess she didn't really notice I was gone!! Way to go GG :)

a few steps closer

2011-05-13T19:47:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day

2011-05-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

I turned Mother's Day into Mother's WEEKEND!!! I've been having the girls for long days cause of Matt working late so I wanted to be a little spoiled for more than one day :) Ok, so I really didn't ask for much just to not be the one to clean up after every meal and go on a long walk and of course get flowers for the yard. Matt cooperated and let me do all of that and took Grace to get a cute card and Faith wall hanging to boot!

videos

2011-04-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

Some videos for the fans :)

this weekend

2011-04-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

I've enjoyed things so much more now that I know Avery is better and celebrating Christ's ressurection. We had a great weekend with my brother and mom. I come to appreciate family more and more as I get older. I am also trying to love them more genuinely as well.

The girls had a ton of fun being outside, sitting by the fire pit, swinging in the backyard, going to the neighborhood hunt, and getting chinese buffet :) They had coordinating dresses this year instead of matching. Figured I'd take it easy on them.

Grace got to decorate her "treasure box" on Saturday. This was such a neat suggestion of our church instead of an easter basket. Each year we'll put a scripture in it for each kid for them to focus on (might slide in a sweet treat as well). We let Grace stay up late painting so Avery wouldn't bother her and she thought she was big stuff.

On Easter morning Grace found a camera in her box. She thought this was so cool. It was a very simple and had a couple pages explaining how to get the candy out,etc. Grace was "reading" the instructions on the way to church and began saying over and over "My God won't leave me." It was so cute and random. She added much more to the "story" but that was my favorite part :)

great news today

2011-04-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not pregnant!! We got not just good news today but GREAT news. Avery's bloodwork came back today and she is no longer anemic!!!!! Her levels jumped to normal in just 3 weeks! This is a HUUUUUGGEEE answer to prayer. Her doctor said that it jumped much more than she thought it would (way to go God).

This is such a relief for us all, but especially me. I feel so much lighter in my chest...like I'm free!! It was a lot of pressure to make sure I got all the supplements in her and keeping her as healthy as possible.

THANK YOU Lord. You didn't have to do it but you did. So grateful for a dr and nutritionist who were able to work together because they both truly care about Avery.

I'm gonna sleep really good tonight :)

updates

2011-04-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

We've been keeping busy. Made it to Uncle Nathan's brunch for his cooking school. Grace's chef outfit was a huge hit! (Great idea Nathan) The food was outstanding and the girls loved hanging out.

We made a pit stop at my grandparents house. We brightened their day for sure. She was at the ER the night before.

Grace and Mommy are happy that her hair is long enough to do one big pony tail. She of course won't hold still to get a good shot that shows it off....then she realized this one would be a good one and held perfectly still.

Our friend Alexis had us over Saturday to make Easter treats. We had a great time and didn't eat all of them before we got home!

Avery has her first tooth popping through today!!!!!! She was just holding out to beat her sister. This is exactly one day after Grace got her first tooth! The sister rivalry has begun :)

cherish

2011-04-07T18:14:00.001-07:00

When I'm the one putting Grace in bed at night I have started going back and forth with her about who loves who more. Tonight she followed her "I love you bunches and bunches" with "your my best friend." A moment I won't forget. I hope I can cherish it when she's 16 and I won't let her go to the movies alone and she's informing me of other feelings she has for me, but for now I'll sleep on cloud 1,000 :)

shopped til I dropped :)

2011-04-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I thought I was a huge shopper til I faced the giant "Canton, Texas." This isn't just any giant....this giant CONSUMED us for literally 2 full shopping days (6-8hrs each). Below is all that I (Nana helped out for some of the girls' things) bought:

Cross wall hanging, 3 wood puzzles, 2 wall plaques, 2 aprons, four dresses, bird house, wooden bird, 2 bird hooks, 2 t-shirts, wall plaque, décor balls, 2 books , 18 bows, 4 headbands, squeaky shoes, croc flip flops, pic frame, texas plate wall hanging, dec plate, tenney letter blocks, plate holder, plastic cup, sunglasses, earrings, seasoning, chai tea, large metal wall hanging, potty seat
(sorry I can't share the picture cause of some things being gifts)
Grace modeling one of her new dresses:

Made one of the plaques into a bow holder and added the bird decorations.

It's not important how much I spent or how I got it all home. I had an awesome time and now feel recharged as ahuman and mom :)

THANK YOU JUDY for this awesome gift and Angie for going along with us. Love you both and very glad we shared this amazing time together.

where's Grace?

2011-03-25T18:42:00.001-07:00

I'm putting away laundry and organizing all the great clothes we were given today, when I realize I haven't heard Grace in awhile. I make the rounds upstairs cause the gate is closed so she has to be somewhere near....I then make a second round and finally here a slight noise in our bathroom. I walk back in and she is peaking out of the cabinet. She's been hiding under my sink in the complete dark with my bra on. At some point, she opened a pad and placed it properly under the bra. She was so proud of herself and so was I. She was completely silent and very well hidden....so is this a good thing???

Avery had a cute moment today as well. She was very tired about 7:45 tonight so I took her up early. She didn't really fuss getting her jammies and then drank some water and I read to her. As she cuddled with me as I prayed she put her arms out for her cup again. I handed her the cup and she just snuggled it by her neck and layed her head on my shoulder. I took it and she popped her head up and reached for it again. She literally did this about 5 times. She totally wanted to go to bed with her cup! She kept smiling every time she got the cup but didn't make a noise the whole time. Totally trying to be sly and sweet. She's knows I'm a sucker for a cuddler :)

PS She didn't get to take her cup to bed and she wasn't happy about that...she definately made noise once she realized her reality :)

catching up

2011-03-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

So yeah with the awesome weather and more flexibility of Avery being able to miss her morning nap and watching the twins a few days a week, this blog is totally getting neglected....sorry fans :)

We've had a lot of progress with Avery and her anemia and will be doing allergy testing next week to make sure we know what is causing her anemia food wise if there is anything still. She has never slowed down or been any less happy through it all. She will put her arms out for anyone to hold her. Now that's not to say she won't immediately want to come to me or put her arms out again, but super cute to see her want to be around people and putting a smile on everyone's face.

She's quite the climber. She's learning the hard way that her ability to balance herself has not caught up with her bravery yet. Poor girl falls off of Grace's child size chair about once a day, but continues to climb up on it and smiles ear to ear that she did it just like Grace.

Here are a few vidoes that I've forgotten to share.

thanks

2011-03-15T19:18:00.001-07:00

Thank you Lord for letting me see another birthday, for blessing me with WAY more than I deserve, and entrusting me with so much. I am very thankful to be a witness for you and hope that I can do better and better each year.

PS Thanks for giving us the knowledge to create chocolate cake!!

wow

2011-03-05T19:20:00.001-08:00

Just got a new phone today and wow there is a whole world out there I haven't been apart of! Im posting this from my phone after downloading the Bible and music for free. Just trying to figure out how i'm going to find enough time to learn all I need to know to work this phone andtime to play of course.

That only took like 5 minutes to type correctly :)

thankful

2011-03-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

I've stepped up my level of appreciation for Matt. This week hasn't been terrible,but it sure hasn't been easy. Doing all the normal stuff for the girls without much of a break ( THANK YOU Mom for my relief to attend my meeting and going to the Children's Museum today!!!) and evening adult interaction. There is only so many dishes and laundry I'm willing to do. It's WAY overrated to have everything clean every night. So why am I not going to bed at a reasonable hour this week? Cause it's nice to do what I want and watch what I want when I want....but then I have to get up early to get more done that wasn't done by Matt...oh I'll learn someday.

birthday bash

2011-02-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

Avery's party was Saturday morning and everyone had a great time. I was shocked she wasn't fussy cause of being during her morning nap, but I'm sure she heard us talking a about cake and yogurt. We played games in the gym and had a yogurt bar for the kids (sprinkles were on it of course!) Avery loved her cake (THANK YOU Jenni!!!) Jenni our friend was gracious enough to make Avery's cake and then took it upon herself to stay up even later to make individually boxed cupcakes for all our guests :) We owe her BIG time.

Grace loved seeing everyone at her sister's party.
She just wanted to know after nap time if she could help open presents. She's still convinced today that I am hiding them from her.

She was pretty neat like she'd done this before!!

Avery still hasn't busted out a tooth yet. The first spot on the bottom is getting thicker...I say so but Matt doesn't see it he says :( So we'll see if she makes it to 13.5 months like Grace. She still eats like a champ. As long as things are cut in small pieces she will eat ANYTHING you put in front of her and your helping if you're not careful!!! We'll see next Monday if she's moved past the 5% for her weight. I doubt it but she's fine. She sleeps great (thankfully she's still taking 2 naps so I still have my sanity with Grace talking up a storm and loving to be busy!!!)

Both girls are all smiles til it's food or sleep time. They love making each other laugh. Grace can pretty much just smile or move fast and Avery thinks it's funny.

I asked Grace this morning who is the biggest in our family out of Me, Daddy, her and Avery. She thought about it a few seconds and then said "SHARK" really loud! She's refering to a book she loves called "The Biggest in the Ocean." The octopus or squid whichever is the main character and he talks about how big he is compared to all these other things and then on the last page he realizes that they're all in the belly of a shark and the shark is the biggest!!

She was singing the other night and she said to me, "I'm singing in my microwave." She meant "microphone" :)

Today before lunch she was in big trouble for throwing a fit and refusing to sit still on the stairs, so I put her in her crib. When she quieted down and I got lunch ready, I went up and asked her to ask for forgiveness. She stayed quiet and was avoiding eye contact and the finally she puckered her lips and slowly gave me a kiss. My heart melted. (She then asked for forgiveness and we talked.) Then when she was eating lunch she said, "mommy I gave you a kiss." She was so proud that she had done the right thing and was loving. Trust me she was a beast before that!!!

I scored on some fun stuff for the girls at a builder's auction this weekend. One of which was a Pottery Barn Kids stove and chef clothing and wooden food ($40 total!!) Grace hasn't stopped playing with the stove and/or food since Saturday afternoon :)

Here's to a teacher in the making :)

for Nana and Uncle Bill

2011-02-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

Nana and Max aren't able to come visit so I wanted to show them how excited she got when she opened her presents.

We're loving the warm weather. What's better than playing in the snow and not freezing to death :)

February

2011-02-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Lots going on right now and it's gonna be that way for awhile. Seems like we have nothing and then 10,000 things all at once. The Damar event went well Saturday night. Avery turns 1 this week and her party is Saturday. Man I can rememeber this time last year I was complaining a lot and learning a life changing lesson to TRUELY trust God. He brought her into this world in His timing and not mine. (It always works out better that way)

Threw a friend Laneia a shower a few weeks ago and had a great time loving on her. We had to girlify her since she currently has a boy! Baby Molly was born today and I can't wait to meet her.

Avery is on the move...that is if someone helps her or she's pushing something. She can make her walking debut whenever I'm in NO hurry cause I know it will be lots of drama with Grace trying to pull her along or bumping into her :)

Grace wanted to do a little photo shoot today also since she never gets to "put letters on the stairs mommy." She's cracks me up wanting to see the pictures as soon as their taken.
Grace's attempt at helping Avery color and get her hand traced...all on GRACE's terms of course!

I'm reminded today of how thankful I am for a supportive and loving husband who has blessed me with the opportunity to raise these girls in a great home and community.

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY everyone!!

PS This was our back yard a few weeks ago.

news update

2011-01-27T14:04:00.001-08:00

Grace just informed me that she doesn't have any more kisses for me..."my mouth is closed, I just give Avery kisses!" She then kisses Avery and runs away laughing. This kid thinks she's funny already.

updates

2011-01-23T17:52:00.000-08:00

Avery is now 11 months and I'm getting bad about taking pictures for both of them. So that last few days I tried to take pictures to make it look like I'm actively capturing them :)
They're having a blast playing together....unless one wants what the other has, mommy is holding one of them, one has a cup and other doesn't, one has food and other doesn't....just a tough stage cause they don't realize fully what the other one needs or can handle. Knocking each other over isn't really the best way of getting your way, but they'll figure that out soon hopefully :)

Grace and I went to the dentist this week and she did much better than last time. The hygienist was great about talking to her the whole time she was working on me. Then she pulls out Scooby Doo glasses! The rest was a blur in Grace's mind. She put those on and they could do whatever they wanted to because "it's blue Mommy" is all I heard. She was LOVING the fact that everything had turned blue when she put them on. Glad she won't remember last summer's traumatic visit!

I've had a lot going on with my Damar event, Women of Walker Farms and planning a baby shower. Trying to not think about getting everything done at once or that I'm going to be on LIVE tv Tuesday!!! I'm going to be on Channel 13's Community Connection segment....have to dust off my good clothes and make myself look presentable. It's to promote our event for Damar that I'm the President of the Guild for.

This is SO much work now. I have to put her further from the letters cause as soon as she sees them that's what she desparately wants!

Made her pose to show off her pigtails. It's taken SOO long for her hair to grow. She's 2.5 now and FULL of things to say and do!!

Grace being and her baby and a short interview to enjoy (notice all the stopping to bounce the baby)

Sit down Avery!!

don't wanna post

2011-01-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

I don't wanna post cause that means that I'm posting about Avery turning 11months shortly...which means I'm just 4 weeks away from posting about Avery TURNING ONE YEAR OLD!! How does this happen? I was just complaining about getting her out of my stomach and now she's laughing up a storm, starting to say "d" for dog when she sees Bailey, pulling up and standing at all toys and a ton of fun to be around.

Grace loves her sister and is talking a ton more. It's so awesome to hear full sentences when we talk. How did I get to be so lucky? Cause I really don't feel like I deserve this. In the mean time, I'm going to soak it in cause they'll be wanting to go on a date before I know it :)

Christmas and there after

2011-01-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

We had a very busy Christmas this year....we almost didn't get to have much of one with all the sickness, but God helped in amazing ways to get us all healthy. We did lose Matt's gma on Christmas Eve. She had been really out of it mentally for quite some time and we knew it would be soon. So our plans changed a bit after we got the news. We left last Monday for Houston as planned and then stayed in the airport to fly on to Little Rock for the services.

So yeah two littles ones and a long layover and sleeping in a hotel for several days and then flying again after that don't go so great....but it was worth it. I am so thankful that we're in a position to do it(thanks Nana and Max!!!), but it was quite an adventure for this momma.
I got to meet more of the Arkansas family I've heard so much about. They're so sweet and so glad I got the chance to spend great time with them. Gants(Grace, matt's gma) left an amazing legacy that I will be eternally grateful for. Little Grace has big shoes to fill, but what a wonderful person to be named after.
Gants' three sons and wife Judy(Nana)

grandchildren & spouses

great-grandchildren

Thursday we flew back to Houston to have a quick visit and celebrate the New Year...then flew home Saturday. So we have a ton of things that happened on the plane rides that were pretty nerve racking...including several accidents by our pretty much potty trained darling Grace, Avery refused to nap during nap time for almost an hour(crying every 10-15 seconds), dumping most of a container of puffs, more accidents (#2 of course) from our almost potty trained darling Grace :)

Did we mention that we loved getting to make the trip just had a lot that made it a long week! So being home and getting back to normal here has been nice. The girls got tons of great stuff including a big dollhouse that I scored at Goodwill for $5! Nana and I scored all the accessories on Ebay for much less than the stores, awesome bath toys from the infamous Uncle Bill, lots of books, movies, stickers, cars to race on the new floor (have I mentioned lately that I LOOOOOVE our new floors), and many more great things that I am very thankful for.

My mom's side of the family Christmas Day

Matt getting Skype ready to talk to Nana and Max Christmas Day while the girls opened some of their gifts from them

Grace's first candy necklace...she's thinks those people are heaven sent :)

Grace insisting she "hold her in her lap"

Nana's beautiful tree

Grace enjoying Christmas in Houston in what was left of her clothes after the accidents and traveling to Little Rock :)....an undershirt, brown sweatpants, and black dress shoes...good thing it was in the 60's there

family

2010-12-29T19:15:00.000-08:00

I LOVE meeting family members for the first time. Especially when they're are so stinkin sweet and have a southern accent. We've had a great visit and funeral festivities for Matt's Gma. It's hard to think she is gone, but she left an amazing legacy.

Off to Houston tomorrow til Saturday so we can ring in the new year with friends and family. Pictures to come just as soon as sit still long enough.

Flu, Flu GO AWAY!

2010-12-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

So our week has been quite interesting to say the least. By Wednesday I have all four bedrooms in my house with sick people in them. I've been sleeping on the couch in hopes that I won't get this stupid flu!

Last Friday my mom came down with the flu and then it turned into bronchitis by Tues/Wed. Matt came home from work Tuesday and felt like he was getting the flu and sure enough he's been in our room ever since. Avery got a high fever and coughing Thursday and took her in and sure enough she tested positive for it. So Grace, Avery and I are all on Tamiflu to try and prevent more sickness and get Avery through it quicker....thank you God...Avery is doing amazing and I'm not sure she got a strong strand of it or God has answered our prayers cause she is doing amazingly well today after her fever broke this morning. Last night was rough, but I was shocked to see her have a pretty normal day today.

So our Christmas is going to be pretty simple here at the house. We're having my brothers over now that the girls are fever free, but won't be going to Muncie since Matt is still out for the count. We're still hoping to fly to Houston Monday :) I SOOO need a break!

The CVS people know me and my girls by name and I love my couch and all but sleeping on it for more than a night is for the birds.

I haven't done a ton of shopping this year and didn't want to spend too much so I ended up with fun elephant pj's instead of Christmas ones.

Forgot about this video of Grace the other night and couldn't pass up the chance to post it....

We're loving our Children's museum pass. The girls and I and a friend and her boys went the other day and had a blast. I highly recommend going while the slide and Jolly Days is there.

This was at the top of the slide...she was so excited to get to go a second time!

Here's to an amazing celebration of our Savior's birth and my brother Nathan tomorrow.

mom moment

2010-12-20T19:28:00.000-08:00

So I had a wonderful mom moment (several actually) with Grace. We put together a gingerbread house. Grace had a ton of fun eating the candy and putting some actually on the house. I have to admit that I was probably too bossy about it cause I wanted it to turn out decent...which makes NO since considering she's 2.5!!!

By the time it was time for her to go to bed she was having fun bouncing the tiny candy balls off the table to the floor for Bailey to fetch! So I finished the house, well Grace couldn't have done all the edges and made a wreath with that icing...I know way too much of a control freak.

Ok, and I also didn't let Avery help....so we wrote her name on the roof as well in her honor :)

And the final product......

(and you better say it looks like an at least 5 or 6 yr old did it!) It's not easy working with icing. That front door supposed to have a window on it with a wreath hanging above it, but I'm pretty sure the icing was too watery.
So I'm pretty sure I won't be doing any cake decorating in my near future and I might as well let her help next time cause it wouldn't have hurt in the least bit :)

really?

2010-12-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

Avery is now 10 months. I'm blogging way too far and few between and Grace had a dry day! These last few weeks have been exhausting. The girls are waking up early off and on, tons of accidents for Grace, and trying to get things done during nap time has left me pretty tired after going to bed even later trying to get more and more done....enough about me...

These girls make we want to have 10 kids. They are at such fun ages. Yes it gets to be tough, but man Grace learns to say such cute and fun phrases every day and Avery is so happy go lucky. She is shocking herself at what she can do. She's crawling on her hands and knees about half the time now and pulling up on toys and stands for long periods of time.
I've been staying in my pj's more these last few weeks when we don't have to go anywhere just so I can spend more time with them. Having fresh clean hair and smelling good is WAY overrated....funny how when I do get to the shower I feel like I am scrubbing off a real layer of grime!

Overdue pictures:

Avery always makes this face with her tongue when she's thinking or excited or for unknown reasons....

I sware she's gonna get a tooth soon...oh wait she's a child of mine!...in the mean time she chews on everything in site.

Avery loves the "pop pop car." She will sit really still and let Grace push her all over.

Very rare that I get a good shot of them both together so you're getting 2...

note to self

2010-11-30T19:11:00.000-08:00

Note to self: When the lab person says, "Oh, we don't have a lot of pediatric things here, but we'll make it work".... she's about to use something that isn't meant for kids and will cause drama for mom!!

Avery did awesome there during and after the blood draw. What she didn't do well with is the fact that my mom and I tried for over an hour to get her finger to stop bleeding. She kept wanting to suck on the band aids,etc.....SHE'D BEEN POKED WAY TOO DEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fun times for mommy cause now I have to scrub her carseat, playmat, high chair tray, sippy cup, outfit, socks, kitchen counters, several toys, dining room floor.

Lesson learned!

fun times

2010-11-28T19:38:00.001-08:00

We had a blast in Houston and the traveling went very well which made the whole trip that much more enjoyable for mommy :)

All the cousins were together for a night and had a fun and crazy time. This is the best I could do with 5 moving objects.

Girls are now out numbering the boys!!

Grace loved seeing the fancy place settings and REALLY wanted to use the gold knife...she's cutting an olive.

Avery was amazed at how good the food was....she says I've been holding out on her!

We hated to leave the warmer weather, but hey I love being cold....NOT! We had to get back to finish our laminate floors...about that...we're down to a half bath and coat closet. Matt says about 2-3 more hrs just not tonight :)

We're just thankful we have a wonderful house to lay floors in and an awesome family to share the holidays with.

This video is a little dose of some meal times...

Both girls are keeping us busy. They're wanting the same things and make lots of noise at any given point of the day, but it is what it is so we're enjoying it now before they're all grown up and gone.

good chaos

2010-11-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

Feels like the last few weeks have been very chaotic. It's a good chaos, but just busy! Avery is now army crawling all over, getting into what Grace has or finding random scraps on the floor and trying to eat them, not to mention she had a stomach bug most of this week, so mommy is worn out!!!
My mom's extra hands have been huge, but with her working more and me staying up late trying to stay on top of things, I'm beat :)

Avery and I had a fun time this morning before big sister woke up. She got more camera time than she's had since the hospital!! There was no one messing with my props or trying to take the camera :) She's 9 months already and a joy to be around. She loves to gab and smile. She is pretty laid back and likes all people and table food. She's over baby food!

I would now say that Grace is fully potty trained except night time!!!!!!!!!!!! Just don't feed her mexican and then take her to someone's house where she doesn't know where the potty is :) Learned that lesson the hard way. She is talking much better and LOVES to read books, annoy Bailey, play Memory (cards facing up), color, and play with her doll house.

can't wait to show off the laminate floors....GOODBYE carpeted dining room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dad comes in the morning to help Matt install them :):):):):)

nothing like it

2010-11-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

There is NOTHING like watching your child throw up everything in their stomach. Happened twice today with Avery. Poor thing has caught some kind of stomach bug. I also have one that isn't puking yet, but just as fun :) Even though I've showered I can still smell her puke. Alright, I'll stop there.

Here's to some good rest and a better day tomorrow!

videos

2010-11-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

More video for the fans.

Avery would rather drink directly from her cup for who knows what reason :)

leave to put Avery to bed and come back and Grace has learned all this:

Thanks for the creative word for "P" mom....after the video I taught her E and F only it took a lot longer cause she was so excited about saying POOP for everything!!

arghh

2010-11-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

By about 11am today I wanted a redo. Went several days with hardly any accidents and then had three accidents by 11:30am. Six accidents by 1:30pm!!! Today was a LONG day for mommy....by dinner time she was telling me she had to go and back to her good ways. So hopefully it was just a fluke thing, if not I'm gonna need a stiff drink soon.

Avery is army crawling so well now. It's just as amazing to watch as it was with Grace. Seems to be that Avery is transitioning to crawling faster than Grace or at least more interested in moving around at this age, but who knows I've done a few things since then :)

We're excited to go to Houston the week of Thanksgiving. Matt has comp time that he can use so he can hang out all week with us and the fam...thought he'd have to work a lot of it...the late nights are paying off.

LOVING my mom being around. She's totally an extra hand and support with these little rascals.....she even cleans any chance she gets!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's to a dryer Thursday.

Fall, Family & Full of sugar

2010-11-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

We've had a lot of treats, cookies, candy,etc running through this house with Grace potty training really well and Halloween trick or treating for 2. The girls had a blast at our neighborhood event last night.

We had a really great visit with my brother Jason and sister-in-law Angie who now live in Houston. They were in town for a wedding. We REALLY hate they're so far away but get to see them again when we go down for Thanksgiving. Uncle Jason was a huge hit with the girls. His tall and always doing something funny. He moved up on their list of favorite people for sure. Having all the family around (my brother Nathan and Benji came over for the night to see everyone and my mom is staying with us since she came back from Arkansas for good now) has really helped encourage Grace with her potty training. She was VERY proud to perform for everyone and celebrate with them afterwards.

I am very proud at how hard she is working at it. She is going less often, which is nice and not having many accidents at all. I am so glad that it is finally going strong in the right direction. It was about to take me under. Cause let's be real honest, it should be called parent training not potty training!!!

Matt is proud that he and his girls got to wear Texan gear to church yesterday. We'll who can pull off the game tonight!

Hoping Avery has a tooth pop through REALLY soon!!! Evenings lately haven't been so fun. She's having some sort of trouble and it's really wearing on mommy :) She only wants me to hold her, feed her, and comfort her which is sweet but not easy.

here she comes

2010-10-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

Watch out world here she comes!!

pumpkin fest

2010-10-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Went to a small pumpkin fest on Saturday and had a good time. Since the girls are so young, we're keeping it simple this year. They had a great time and the weather was amazing.

Avery is now 8months. Loving her sister and dog Bailey. Loves sitting and reaching for things. She doesn't mind falling over to get something as long as she doesn't hit something on the way down...or if Grace forces her down :) Not that sweet little Grace would EVER do that!!

She is gabbing a lot more and loving solid food. I am enjoying lots of gluten when I can. We're not noticing a difference in her. But because we've got so long without gluten it's not really in the house and I'm used to eating lots without it. I bought a lot of snacks today at the store and most were gluten free just because they're my new favs and were on sale. Normal things don't taste the same so that's part of it, but overall I've adjusting so much that it's hard to go back.

trouble

2010-10-14T12:13:00.001-07:00

Grace's friend and neighbor got in BIG trouble the other day for putting poop all over both her bathrooms in one day!!!!! We went over to see if Addy could play right in the middle of it(her mom was outside taking a deep breath before she went back in to make sure Addy would live through this one) and her mom told Grace, "Addy's in trouble she can't play." So we went on our way. When we got home and ever so often since Grace will stop what she's doing and say, "Addy Trouble...poopy." I assure her that Addy is not still in trouble, but it is NOT ok to put poopy anywhere other than the toilet.

Here's some video of her saying some words.

catching up

2010-10-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Matt, Avery and I got to get away a few weeks ago to Lenoir City, Tennessee. We had a blast taking it easy, boating, climbing the ravine, staying up late playing games, shooting clay pigeons, etc. By the end, we were really hoping we could just stay there and someone bring us Grace cause it's so stinking beautiful down there.
This movie is so Jimmy can prove to his parents he jumped.

Matt's turn

Mandy's (Napes)wedding was this past weekend. I was the Matron of Honor. It was a blast. Because Avery was sick last week with Roseola, Matt kept the girls for me so I could go and help out with the last minute stuff and get to hang out with Napes as much as possible. The wedding went very smoothly and was very sweet. The reception was a ton of fun...including my speech that I wrote the day of...TOTALLY forgot about that duty til the night before when Cory's dad was saying a little something at the rehersal dinner....oops! It worked out fine and I got to call her Mandy a ton from a distance so she didn't get to hit me. Her real name is Amanda, but only her family is allowed to call her Mandy (so she says). All her college friends call her Napes because her last name was Napierkowski.

Grace is talking up a storm. She is repeating a lot more of my words. Saying many more phrases and goes to the bathroom all by herself from start to finish several times a day, but then has accidents the other times, so we're working hard and seeing if now is the time she will go all the way.

Avery is saying dada and LOVING her big sister. She lights up all day long when Grace comes around to say hi or play with her.

Matt's gma isn't doing well. We got a call today from my mom and his parents that his dad is headed there to see how bad it is and talk about hospice. Would love to see her go quickly and peacefully, but not sure what God has in store.

hang time

2010-09-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the Avery and my cousins' babies. Avery is 7mo and a few days. Amelia is 6.5mo and Wilson is 4 months. They all got to get together for Amelia's dedication Sunday. She lives in California so getting to see her is hard to come by....not sure what's in the water or food in California, but she sure is healthy :)

Avery's still loving sweet potatoes and now butternut squash. She's eating a ton I think when I think about how petite her body is but she's not having any trouble sleeping or making dirty diapers that's for sure so I'm thinking it's just what she needs.
Grace loves the potty seat our neighbor Trish gave her the other day. She insists that it stay in the living room. She uses it often. This morning she used it and I cleaned her up and went to clean up breakfast thinking I would put a diaper on her when I got done. As I was washing dishes something told me I probably should've put a diaper on her....not 2 seconds later she comes out of her playhouse with poop on her foot!!! She had totally pooped in her playhouse :) She was then announcing to me and Bailey that she pooped and wanted to help clean it up. FUN TIMES :)

yum, yum

2010-09-18T19:25:00.001-07:00

Avery has stepped into the big kid realm...she's getting food!! She's now sitting up and needing more food in the evenings so we're let her try out sweet potatoes. She of course had no idea what to do with them, but she was very eager to keep working at it so she could have more. By the end of the day today, she was pretty sure that she'd had plenty and mastered the spoon for the most part.

She turned 7 months Wednesday and also mastered sitting up. She's just a falling tower if she tries to lean straight back. It's fun to see how happy she is to look around and play with things now.

Grace thinks this is super cool and talks gibberish to her in a sweet voice. I think telling her good job. She even brings her more toys as a reward or something.

great visit

2010-09-15T19:24:00.001-07:00

Our surprise visit was such a wonderful visit. The girls did great in the car for the two day trip. We figured splitting it up would be easier on them and it really was. We made my mom's year surprising her. Gants also loved having us. She did struggle to remember our names and relationship to her at times, but overall LOVED talking and whistling to the girls. What a precious lady. She is now 89 and unfortunately Dementia has set in, so visits aren't the same, but she still has her humor and sweet spirit about her.

We got to spend a lot of time outside and giving my mom some relief from her daily routine of caring for Gants. The girls did really well once we were settled. I was really sad to leave and bring them through the airports alone, but it was only terrible for about an hr during the second flight. I literally wished I had a parachute I wanted to jump out. Avery was screaming for no apparent reason (cause as soon as the flight attendant took her she shut up) and Grace had a blowout. People were very helpful and encouraging. I stunned person after person that I was able to handle things and I was willing to do it alone....but there is no way I was going to miss the chance to get to see Gants one more time. The flights and blowouts would end and we would make it home in one piece one way or another.

Spending time in Little Rock really helped me put more things in perspective.... Like what matters in the end. When the girls are 89 like Gants what will they remember about me and their childhood? Kids don't need much to be entertained! RELAX. Spend quality time with those you love you never know when it will be your last visit.

Truely thankful for the visit and our safe return :)

huge success

2010-09-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

The girls and I decided to drive back with Matt's mom to Little Rock to surprise my mom for a visit. She's been there a little over a month and loves it but could really use a visit. She had no idea we were coming and was beyond shocked and excited to see us walk through the door. I get a hard time for liking Extreme Homemakeover, but I love it cause of the emotional time at the end when the family sees their new home. Our walking through the door and having her realize it was not just Matt's mom was like that moment. We were thrilled beyond words to see her and she was as well. Lord thank you for the logistics working out so great and being able to give the girls such patience in the car.

Wonder how the honey do list is going? Oh well, the house could be a disgrace and it will still be worth it!!

cuteness

2010-08-31T18:39:00.001-07:00

Both girls just seem to be sooo cute to me right now in either what they're doing or faces they make.

Best I could do today...pulled out the video way too close to nap time.

The girls and I have had some great days lately that have given me time to slow down and appreciate what God has given us.

I've been working on really meaning "the Lord is my shephard and I shall not want." Staying out of the stores and having a quiet time more consistently has been a huge help :) We're learning to be better stewards of our money so that we can bless others. Starting in September we're going to sponsor a student in the Daughter's Project. She will study for 2 years how to sew so that she won't be sold into trafficking because she has no skills. The dresses that are made by the girls in Cambodia will then be sold here in the US at Sophia's Bridal in Greenwood. God has orchestrated this through a few ladies at our church who stepped out on a dream and He took care of the rest.

I am beyond thrilled that we're in a position to do this and can't wait to how God will use this time in her life as well as ours.

success!

2010-08-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Today was such an awesome success. I put on a shower for a very dear friend today. She is one of my favorite people here on Earth. She is always so encouraging and funny. She totally deserved this day and I'm so glad that so many people got to come and be a part of it. Her big day is October 9th and I couldn't be more happy for her. She is marrying an awesome guy.

college friends

yes, I made each table make a TP dress :)

now off to get some rest :)

never a dull moment

2010-08-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Seems like now a days there is never a dull moment. Grace has really stepped up her energy level and her willingness to learn whether I mean business or not. Avery is much more active. She loves to play on the floor and roll all around as long as you are in the general vacinity, but when she's done she's done!!

I can totally tell Avery is the second child. I already have MUCH less of a collection of photos of her. I actually just remembered today that I didn't have 6month pictures. So, we improvised this evening and got a few good ones. She is getting much better at sitting. The stair worked wonders holding her up for about 3.5 seconds so I could grab some shots of her.

There was no taking good photos without the passy today sorry I tried.

I got to go camping last weekend and it was a blast!! It was my good friend's bachelorette weekend. Raccoon Lake was great to stay at and Turkey Run's trails and caonoeing was a blast. I was SOOOOO thrilled to get a chance to be away and then after calling home Saturday morning and getting a good report it allowed me to have an even better time. I came back refreshed even though we went to bed late, took about an hour to fall asleep, and we were woken up about 3 hrs later to a bad storm that we weren't prepared for....we had left our rain cover off since the radar said it wouldn't rain til the next day....famous last words!!!

the girls

2010-08-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

The girls and I went to their dr's appts today with no fuss! Avery turned 6months today. She is 11lb 13oz and 25in long. She is such a happy baby. She's now sleeping her 11-12hrs at night with no feeding when I go to bed. This is a HUGE relief for me. I am finally able to relax in the evenings and not worry about feedings, sleep,etc.

Grace is 26lb 8oz and 33.75in long. She's gaining ground in both areas....not surprised by that by how much she eats and has been wired lately. She's able to reach A LOT more these days..she totally climbed onto Avery's changing table this morning while I was nursing before I even realized she was up there.

We're loving the break in the heat. We've spent more morning and evening time outside. Grace is still working hard a potty training. She LOVES her big girl panties and doesn't usually soak them when she has an accident, so I'm hoping she continues to hold them in high regard. Now if she would just hold me in high regard and not say "stop it" when I take something from her or make her be done at meal time because she is smearing the remainder of her meal all over the table and floor.

fun times

2010-08-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

We've had lots of fun times around here. My 10-yr high school reunion was this past weekend.

My good friend Lori's baby shower was also this weekend. Let's not mention that she wore this cute dress and high heels to go along with it and didn't complain once about her feet or swelling!!!!

Grace LOVES dressing up every day and going shopping around the house. Quite funny to watch her chat on her cell. She watches my every move when I'm on the phone and now I know why. She's learning new gestures to make believe with I think. Sixteen is going to come WAY too fast!

Avery is sleeping well...except that she's been wanting to get up around 7 instead of 8, so I'm compromising and getting her up at 7:30. I'm just still catching up from the months of not sleeping well so I'm not able to pull myself out of bed before her if she wants to get up at 7. So now I am trying to get up at 7 and feed her around 7:30 hopefully she'll get my memo soon....funny how I think I'm in control again huh.

I got her a sippy cup to start letting her have water and something else to entertain her. I think it's funny that the cup is as big as her head. She is still quite petite, weighing 11lb 10oz last week but I didn't realize how small she was still she started playing with her new cup.

With my mom moving to Arkansas last week, there will be a lot more pictures and video on here for her sake. Lots more details that Nana and GG will appreciate more than most, but hang in there viewers I wouldn't be here today without you all...oh wait that's the Grammy's speech :)

it's almost August!!

2010-07-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

Some neighbors have said, "what have you been up to seems like I haven't seen you much this summer." And I keep thinking what have I been up to? I feel like I'm busy doings all the time but yet I'm not getting to the pool and outside to walk cause of the heat so I can see everyone. I'm really trying to keep Avery in her sleeping rythym (sleeping more and more nights for 12 hrs at a time!!!!) and potty training Grace is going better...so I am busy it just seems to be all in my house.

We did venture to the Boone County fair the other day with our buddies Colby and Addison and the girls had a blast seeing all the animals.

We also went on a bike ride with Colby and Addison yesterday morning cause both mommies are tired of not getting out and exercising like we did last summer....WAY too ambitious. We went far and had no idea what it would be like to drag the kids behind us getting back!!!

We did stop at their friend's house for blackberries which Grace annihilated, but by the time we got home mommy and both girls were spent!

We're excited that my mom is going to move to Arkansas to take care of Matt's gma. It will be an answer to prayer for both my mom and matt's parents. The current care giver isn't working out and my mom has been looking for some better work options. HOWEVER, we're gonna miss our GG like crazy, (Mommy and daddy are super bummed to be losing the free babysitting!!!) but we know that this is an awesome opportunity for both parties.

my camera's back :)

2010-07-24T11:57:00.001-07:00

Nana was nice enough to mail us all our things that we left behind after deciding they aren't going to be able to visit next week. Here are some highlights and video to enjoy :)

funny moments

2010-07-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Wanted to record some funny moments lately with Grace:

1. The other day Grace helped me feed Bailey by scooping up her dogfood and putting it in the bowl just like normal. Then I got her water and went back to doing the dishes. I look over and Grace is covered in water....she was totally bathing herself in Bailey's water! She had the biggest smile on her face. Bailey wasn't bothered at all, she was too busy chowing down on her food.

2. Grace can now reach into any drawer in the house. She loves to reach into the kitchen drawers and see what she can pull out. This time she reached the ice cream scooper. She was SOO excited and REALLY wanted to eat breakfast with it. So she ate her entire breakfast using the ice cream scooper (including her bread). When I offered her a normal spoon she totally refused it. Pretty funny considering the ice cream scooper is way bigger than her mouth.

About that camera I left in Houston....arghh!!!

great trip

2010-07-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

We had a really great trip in Houston. Lots of family time. We actually decided to stay at Matt's parents house with my mom, 2 brothers, and sister in law on the 4th just to hang out and play games and ditch fireworks since we don't all get to hang out much.

Both girls LOVED all the attention and really loved getting to play with so many people. Saturday morning after we got back Matt woke me up and said, "both girls are awake." I seriously sat there for a minute trying to think what I was supposed to do or say. I'd had so many helping hands for the 9 days that I forgot that it was now my turn to do it myself again....and it was 9:45! (they had totally slept in and then it was an hour later here thanks girls)

We also got to have a fun birthday party for Grace. She got some great toys, shoes, and clothes. Pretty funny to see her once again meticulously open each present making sure all paper and tape were removed first.

Grace picked up a few new words, "up" and "Amy". When we got into town Grace was pretty exhausted since she only napped in the car from the airport, so I layed her down to rest. After about 30 minutes of crying I realized that she wasn't going to fall asleep and Nana couldn't bare to hear her cry any longer :) So I went in and asked her if she wanted out and she said, "up". Then as I got closer and said I'll get you out she said, "up, up,up,up...please" She desperately wanted out of taking a nap and knew that this was her first get out of jail free card and she wasn't going to mess this up by not using the right word.

Then a few days before we were leaving were driving in the car some where and I was ignoring her when she was calling "mommy" over and over, so she did what a resourceful little person might do. She started saying, "A-my, A-my, Amy." I was so shocked and tickled by it that I couldn't help but laugh and look back at her, which I am now regretting because I can't quite get her to stop.

So by Thursday and Friday last week we're all pretty tired and I was wiped out from being a mommy on a multi family visiting trip in a very hot place. So by the time we packed up Thursday night and get ready to head out Friday, we were pretty spent. Matt gets a work call just before we're ready to leave for the airport so he takes it in the back of the house while his mom and I put all the bags by the front door and then decide to get the suitcases in the car. So Matt gets off the phone and asked if we're packed and I yell back as I'm walking Grace out, "we just packed the suitcases". He then checks an email on his phone and then grabs Avery in her carseat and the diaper bag and heads out the door. We get in the 2 cars and head to the airport.

Then about 30minutes down the road I get a phone call from Matt in the other car saying that Grace wants her baby where is it. No worries it's in the purple bag.....Matt then says, "what purple bag I don't see it." I'm like check in the back of the Escape it should be back there....NOPE!! So did u get the red bag next to it?....NOPE!!!

At this point, I'm ticked cause the purple bag had Grace's diapers, wipes, toys, baby, and snacks were in the red bag......WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR TWO HOURS ON THE PLANE!!! Ok, no big deal we can spend like $20 trying to buy a toy and some cheerios and then we've got diapers in the suitcase I can grab. We check our bags and get in the security line all frazzled....notice I said checked our bags and didn't mention GRABBING DIAPERS FOR GRACE!!!!!!

Then Matt looks at the stroller and is like..."whoa, where's my laptop bag?" Completely frustrated at this point, I say, "WITH THE PURPLE AND RED BAGS ON THE DINING ROOM TABLE!!!!! And oh yeah, we left our camera too!" Good thing we remembered both children :)

So now we're really frustrated but luckily it was a Friday so Matt's parents could overnight us the necessities from the bags....$90 later. My camera was not one of the things we asked them to mail to us for whatever reason and so therefore this long drawn out post has no pictures, but what we do have is great memories, but a little less cash on hand....however a lesson well learned.

DON'T assume your spouse heard you clearly of what was or wasn't packed and always TOGETHER take one last swoop of the place you're staying at just to make sure you don't leave important bags behind.....there I said it as nice as possible without shifting any blame or ranting or nagging...only took me a few days to cool down :)

Luckily Nana and Max are visiting us in three weeks with the rest of our left behind items. So until I get my camera or files in hand, just stay on the edge of your seat waiting their arrival!

life is GOOD!!

2010-06-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

Today's flight to Houston was painless(my brother Nathan survived his first flight ever), Matt's mom made an awesome dinner, and I got to eat gluten free brownies that were AMAZING!!!...Life is SOOO good!!

It's the little things for me right now :)

surprises

2010-06-29T05:23:00.001-07:00

Grace and Avery have surprises to share.....no it's not that their getting a sibling anytime soon!...

Grace discovered yesterday while I was on the phone that if you poop during lunch and then later try and find that mushy stuff in your diaper it's NOT a good thing. She got it all over her fingers and freaked out.

Avery discovered that those things that fling around when she kicks are FEET :) She's now constantly holding on to them and pulling them near her. She's wondering why I didn't tell her about them sooner.

As for a sibling, let's just see that I can make it through sane with 2 for quite a while first.

July here we come

2010-06-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

We're all recovered from last week's craziness and awesomeness of KidsGames. I helped coordinate it again this year. It was a blast, but a lot of work and wore me out completely by the end not only because of the planning and executing, but the coordinating of the two girls for the week. I really do have an much better respect for working moms. I was absolutely exhausted by the time I got home there was hardly anything getting done besides what had to be done for the next day.

This is a picture we took that we'll be sending to our volunteers to say thanks.

So, needless to say the girls and I took it pretty easy this week. Lots of sleeping in...THANK YOU GIRLS!!!...and lots of playing most of the mornings in our pj's :) We did get out showered by 10am to attend a MOPS playdate where Grace and Max, a neighbor and on the approved to date list, had fun on a tractor....well as you can see Max was having fun til Grace came over and tried to take over the wheel :)

Today we got a chance to go to Muncie for a surprise celebration of my step-grandmother's 80th birthday. She really had no clue, so it was a perfect set up. The girls did great being that Grace got no nap and Avery got little bits there and back.

Life just keeps going by so fast. I really can't believe Grace will be 2 next weekend. We'll be celebrating it in Houston where we'll be for 9 days. I'm SOO excited to get away and see family :)

Grace's new past time...

Thank you GG :)

bittersweet

2010-06-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

We'd known for a few weeks now that Matt's gpa wasn't doing good, but just didn't want to happen on or near Father's Day. Unfortunately it did, but it was really best. He was in a lot of pain and ended up in a coma for the last few days. Matt's parents describe a very peaceful and wonderful goodbye with all the children and his wife right there. So here's to an amazing 90yrs of life lived for the Lord. This picture is from our last visit with them when Grace was little.

Getting this news the morning of Father's Day did damper things, but were still able to have a relaxing and fun time at my dad's. There's nothing like sitting in a hammock out in the country.
Here's my dad with the girls. So sweet to see him with them.

Avery is now 4 months old. She seems to be getting better and better each week with eating and sleeping. She's rolling all around and loves to sleep on her belly. She takes a dream feed around 10 or 10:30 and then doesn't wake up til about 5:15-5:45ish to eat and then again around 8-8:30 for the day :) This makes mommy SOOO happy and rested finally!!! She was 10lb 6.5oz last week. I am extremely grateful that the Lord has brought us this far and excited about all the fun giggle and play times ahead for the girls.

time flies

2010-06-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Matt and I make a lot of comments now a days about how fast things are going and the girls aren't going to be in this stage for long. We're loving how silly Grace is...could do without the fits about not getting her way, but love her laugh and overall easy going attitude. Avery is very easy going when she's gotten good rest :) and literally smiles a TON. She giggles at Grace and Bailey a lot.

We're trying to enjoy each day as much as possible cause we know that it goes WAY too fast. I'm really ready for a full night's rest at this point, but also know that it won't be long before Avery doesn't want to cuddle with me for as long as I'll hold her.

Grace is LOVING the pool...more the getting in and out and playing with toys than she is getting down in the water, but it's fun to go with the neighbors. Avery also doesn't mind hangin with us near the water and is a good sport about wearing her bathing suit and hat.

This is Avery and Grace at about the same age in the same dress. It's hard to believe that Grace started out 2 lbs lighter but is bigger than Avery at this point.

Memorial Day weekend

2010-06-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at my dad's this past weekend. He lives on a farm about 10 minutes outside of Muncie where he rents a house from a farmer. The farmer has a bunch of black angus cattle, chickens, a huge vegetable garden, and a cat. These are all things that we don't get to experience very often living in the suburbs. (No cat cause I just don't like them)

It was SO peaceful and beautiful weather. We really felt like we were on vacation. We also got to ride the 4 wheeler that my dad uses to mow with. Matt and I really got into that part much like a kid would...argued slightly over whose turn it was going to be before it got put up :)

Friday night we got in town just in time to hear Mackenzi's name being announced for her high school graduation. I really can't believe that she's old enough to be graduating. Her parents were my youth pastors in high school and we've stayed close ever since. I'm so thrilled that she has also chosen to study elementary education!/>

Both girls are doing good. Grace LOVES to be outside. She's now saying "pees" for please and going pee pee on the potty more consistently.

Avery is gaining well. She was 9lb 12oz on Monday and is beginning to sleep consistently better at night!!!! She smiles a lot and started giggling a few days ago! Hearing your child's laugh never gets old.

Now off to the million little tasks I have before me...except it's 10:15pm! I'm still learning that it's ok to let things go for a little while longer.

doing good :)

2010-05-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

We're doing good here at the Tenney house. Avery is eating well, gaining weight, and Grace is making more and more sounds that sound like words. We're loving lots of driveway playdates and walks in the neighborhood.

This diet thing has me feeling a lot better also. I'm even sleeping better....that is when Avery let's me:) I'm SOOO thankful for the strength to make it through this time with NO ADDED SUGARS or ICE CREAM!!!!

Garden of Eden

2010-05-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

In talking with a nutritionist this morning we've decided it's time I go on a very simple diet plan...if it wasn't in the Garden of Eden I can't have it....LOL... and add in all the common allergens slowly to see what exactly is bothering Avery. So I'm down to meat, veggies, fruit, brown rice, almond milk, and grains. It's pretty much a gluten free diet for now. Hopefully we'll see a huge difference quickly which we've already seen a good improvement with me limiting dairy and wheat in the last few days.

She thinks Avery's problems are linked to she and I getting antibiotics during delivery because I tested positive for betastrep. Giving babies antibiotics that young can really compromise their digestive track and get it out of wack and lead to problems digesting certain types of foods. And with Grace having issues as well it all adds up perfectly....explaining her colds, ear infections, and acid reflux!!!

Just DON'T ask me to go out to eat with you, invite me over for dinner, come over for dinner cause all the normal good stuff ISN'T on the list!!! She says I'll lose some weight...I expecting to share clothes with Grace by this fall!

I'm not going to complain one bit cause anything is better than seeing your little girl scream after she eats and know that she isn't gaining the weight she should be. So I'll do whatever it takes even if that means I have to give up ice cream, pizza, yogurt, regular bread, oreos, cookies, pretzels, maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal, most cereals, milk, cheese, granola bars, eggs, pancakes, waffles, butter, cupcakes, chimichangas, queso dip, brownies, chocolate, peanut butter...aka 75% of what's in my house :) but I'll take it since I know I'm doing what's best for us all.

just keep on keepin on

2010-05-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

I just keep plugging away...both girls are doing much better as far as colds. Grace has always slept fine, Avery on the other hand, is being quite difficult. I'm doing my best to stay patient, go to bed early and try and read her cues. She's starting to have a much harder time again with nursing and having green poop. I haven't had dairy in awhile so I'm thinking that it could be wheat or eggs...so long good food!

Praying God can fix the problem or just give me the strength to make it through happy and a good mom :)

We scored on a tricycle ($5)at a rummage sale this weekend...a wee bit big but Grace is LOVING climbing on it!!

She also loves having her toes painted....one of those things I've been waiting to do with my little girl for a long time! If you have socks on she will insist you take them off so she can see your toes to see if they're painted.

Avery's photo shoot didn't go so well this time around. I got a few happy ones and then it was downhill from there.

Thank God for pacifiers and swaddle blankets :)

chunker

2010-05-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

So Avery has gained 3.5oz in two days. Saturday night Avery was 9lb 1oz and tonight she was 9lb 4.5oz!! This is so relieving for me and really gets us off the hook of hoping she is gaining enough...I think. I'll know for sure Wed afternoon at our appointment but surely she's back to normal right??

The crazy part of all of this is that Grace was bigger than Avery at this age and started out 2lbs lighter than Avery at birth!!

We had a fun Mother's Day here at the house. Uncle Nathan and Benji came to play with the girls for the day. (They're my younger brothers who think that Grace and Avery are the coolest things ever...Grace thinks they walk on water. Everything they do is hilarious) Matt made a non-dairy quiche, my mom's favorite meal for lunch, and baked a cake for us.

Grace wore this awesome shirt :)

Avery is having a lot more HAPPY awake time. She loves to smile and coo at us. We're still working on her taking a bottle easier so Matt has a better time when I'm out, but it will come...I hope for his sake at least!

Happy Mother's Day :)

2010-05-08T20:13:00.001-07:00

As I sit here exhausted and know I should be in bed. I couldn't be happier right now. Like the new blog background I just installed. My life has some wrinkles and isn't perfect by any means, but right now I feel extremely blessed. Being a mom isn't easy and yes you're tired A LOT, but the rewards far out way the hard times.

I wouldn't trade my exhaustion or wrinkles in my pictures for anything. It's the little things like Avery turning her head when she hears my voice coming into the room or Grace running up to me after I was out today getting a pedicure for Mother's Day saying, "mommy, mommy"....or that Matt looked up a non-dairy quiche recipe to make today so we could have a nice breakfast tomorrow that I could eat...I am very grateful for all that God has provided. Cause He sure didn't have to make life this great here on earth, but He has so therefore I am extremely grateful to Him for it.

I am also reminded that I am truly blessed to still get to live life with an amazing mother. She's been my rock and inspiration. She has instilled in me values and life lessons that I cannot thank her enough for. I know treating her to a pedicure and splitting a plane ticket to Houston(shhhh she doesn't know yet....she'll know tomorrow after church) is NOT enough, so I'll do my best to pass on to my girls the great things I've learned from her.

She always had a Bible and notes near. There wasn't a week that went by that I didn't catch her praying near her bed or in the bathroom (with 4 kids you had to barricade yourself). She was firm in her discipline because she knew that was what was best and we'd thank her for it later. She had an unconditional love, taught me how to find a good bargain, and always showed me how to live a life that sought to know Christ more and more. She didn't always have the latest and greatest, but she made do with what she had...which meant she had already given us kids most of it.

Thank you mom for your incredible sacrifices and life long dedication to make me who I am today. And a huge thank you and WE MISS YOU to my grandma who also passed on an amazing legacy to my mom. Can't wait to hug you again in heaven.

watch out

2010-05-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

I sat Avery on our bed this afternoon while I put laundry away. As I picked up a pile to put away she tooted so loud that she completely startled herself! Her arms and legs flew up,her eyes got huge, and then she just sat still...like "who what was that"?

I cracked up! So watch out for Avery's gas it can catch you by surprise :)

She also turned herself over from her belly to her back, but I was laying next to her so I'm thinking she had an angle and soft surface to help her. I tried it on the carpet downstairs tonight and she totally just continued to scream and didn't get anywhere.

She gained a whole ounce from last night to tonight!!! This is awesome weight gain and best case scenario. This allows us to really relax and know that she is eating and gaining enough to continue what we're doing. Thank you for your thoughts, comments, prayers, and encouragement. We've needed and felt it all and trult appreciate going through this time with an amazing God and community.

oops

2010-05-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

So Matt weighed Avery with her diaper on and with some potty...he cheated a little. She's at about 8lb 15.2oz tonight so we're getting there. We talked to the dr today about giving her another small dose of her meds in the morning to see if that would help the day time feedings and it did.

Continue to keep us lifted in prayer because we want to be as concerned as we need to be and not consumed by her weight. She is very happy after a feeding and sleeps well so we know that she's satisfied just not sure why it's not showing more on the scale. Only time will tell if she's just going to be another peanut like Grace or if this is just a phase. Either way she's as cute as they come and loves to smile and semi-laugh and it just melts me!!!

Tummy time today got the camera just right when she was just about done. She holds her head up really well for the first few minutes, but by this point she was a few more seconds from being tired of it already :)

another weigh in

2010-05-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

Avery hit 9 lbs last night!! We're very proud that she is gaining around 1-1.5 ounces a day like that dr wanted her to. She's also much happier when she's eating just take a long time cause she needs lots of breaks, so I'm going to ask about her taking her medicine twice a day to see if that will help.

LOVING Matt being home this week. Next week he travels Wed-Fri, but my gracious mom(though she'd come see the girls at a drop of a hat) is going to stay with us again. This shouldn't be regular but with 14 projects on his plate, one of them is bound to need him to go there in person.

One funny story that happened the other day.... Grace asked for the cup on the kitchen table which had a tad bit of water and a few ice cubes in it. She loves the ice now that she has more teeth to bite it with. So she's playing with the ice in her mouth and hand and have a good ole time. Matt, Avery, Bailey and I are sitting on the floor near her and Matt and I are just talking. Then I look over and Matt is now laying down and isn't facing Grace. Grace walks over and pours the water on Matt! She and I start cracking up. She came over and gave me a high five. IT WAS AWESOME! Girls rule and boys drool!! She was SOOO proud of herself and Matt was shocked cause that water was freezing and she totally did it purposely.

2010-05-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Rummage Sale season is here!!! I scored big time this weekend. Grace LOVES the neighbor's Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, so I've been wanting to get her one. They around $50-60 in the store. I got one a benefit sale this weekend for $10! (and it's the pink and purple girl version!!)...pics to come(that is if I can get her to stay still in it long enough)

She's been climbing into my camping chair in the driveway when I run into get Avery or something else in the house and so I've wanted to get her one her size....it came with a tent which I thought fine I'll take them both...and for $4 it's worth it at least lasting this summer. I didn't know this was a for real tent!! She LOVES this thing....and so does Bailey :)

Grace has also learned how to climb into her high chair all on her own. She can also buckle herself in, but Matt didn't get that part in the video. She just started doing this on her own with no warning last weekend...of course I was not there once again!

Avery is still quite the little peanut. She is struggling to overcome the pain of her ears to eat, but she eventually is able to eat enough to fill her belly. I'm gonna need a major vacation after these ear infections pass!!!

Our friend is an ER doc at the ER right by our house. She weighed her yesterday and she was already back up to 9lbs! This is a huge relief and helps me rest easier knowing that when I see our pediatrician tomorrow she will be happy and we won't have to look at more serious things.

Where did this last month go?? Grace is 22months old tomorrow and Avery is 2.5months old already!

we're managing

2010-04-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

We're attempting to manage two girls who have hit the point that their ears are bothering them, which is totally understandable just hard to keep both happy at the same time or sleeping for that matter. Avery has really been fussy today. I feel like I'm constantly stuck inside a boppy pillow nursing her or bouncing her try to calm her down cause of her hears or reflux.

I know we're just a few days from being in a much better place with the ear infections so we're enjoying the smiles and silly things they do in between being uncomfortable.

Like Grace climbing into the exersaucer upstairs over and over...she puts both legs in one hole and got stuck at least 3 or 4 times today. She's then stuck there til I can get to her all the while her sister was just about to sleep til she heard the loud grunting and begging from the next room over! I'm frustrated til I come in the room and see how silly she looks and that she's not upset she's just bummed that it's a tight squeeze and wonders what in the world is the other hole for.

Or that Avery slept while I took a much needed walk this afternoon. She woke up about 10 minutes from home, but sat content as could be then just smiled up a storm on the couch when I brought her in :)

Grace also put the Bumbo seat on the foot rest of the glider, climbed in and began rocking. No problem cause I was in the glider nursing. She was fine til she decided to try and get out....down she went backwards right on her head!! Luckily it was nap time so she got to snuggle with her baby and calm down with me and then slip right into a great nap.

Or when I came home tonight from being at Goodwill and Target ALONE (thank you Matt) and I walk upstairs and Grace doesn't realize I'm home, turns around and runs to be giggling she's so excited to see me!

It's in these precious moments that you realize all the tough ones are totally worth it and that it's really not that bad. It could be A LOT worse. It's like God erases from your memory the true memory of how tough things are each time you have a fun or sweet moment with them.

hard to hear

2010-04-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

It's really hard to hear that your kids are hurting and you didn't know it. We found out today that both Grace and Avery have double ear infections. This was shocking to me considering Avery had just started to sleep really well and Grace just had a runny nose and woke up early from her nap a few times this week. I feel terrible for them. That has to hurt!

We also found out that Avery has lost weight in the last 2 weeks. She is down to 8lb 11oz which is 7oz less than last time. This could totally be because of the cold that turned into double ear infections on top of her reflux, but the nerve racking part is that it could mean something much worse. She is still very happy after feedings and very alert so thinking that something worse is wrong just seems hard to believe.

We go back on Monday for a weight check. She has to have gained so here's to Avery chowing down anytime she wants to!!! Let's just hope that most of that chowing is done during the day so momma can get some sort of rest.

PS MATT COMES HOME TONIGHT!!!!!

Oh how He loves us

2010-04-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to say we're "on a roll", "in a routine", "figuring this out", or anything of that sort because I know it will jinx us and I'm really enjoying the sleep! So what I will say is that I'm am SO thankful for the last two nights of rest. Avery is doing much better once she is settled around 10 or 10:30(having eaten around 8 or 8:30) and has then woken up Sunday morning at 5:50am and this morning and 4:25!!

I am so proud of her, the medicine, Matt's great help, and the grace God has shown us to keep doing what we know to be best for her and to not give up. I'm reminded in the little things like a few hours of sleep that He LOVES US SO MUCH. He does have our best in mind and this is just a phase and we can't always wish away what He's given us. It's in these hard times that I grow the most...isn't what I've been praying He would do?

I love this new song we sing at church....

Thankful I can walk through life with a God is jealous for me and is there in every moment.

this isn't easy

2010-04-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

So the last few weeks I've really struggled with nursing Avery getting good sleep cause she's waking up all the time, and be able to put her down cause she wakes back up with in minutes. I really thought I was doing something to cause all this or if I just kept trying things it would get better...WRONG! We went to the zoo last Tuesday and it all came to a head. Avery wouldn't take much from a bottle and then refused to nurse and was screaming for a long time. We had built up to this point and from then on til Thursday evening she really struggled to eat much at all.

My motherly instinct, exhaustion, and gut kicked in and knew something had been wrong and now it had gotten really bad. I called my good friend Barb to pray with me and offer advice. God immediately allowed me to relax and spend time praying about what to do next. Called the dr the next morning and sure enough when we went in she could tell by her symptoms and not much of a weight gain since last month, that acid reflux was the problem. She prescribed Prevacid once a day...I'm not a huge medicine fan, but knew that there was nothing else I could do to help her at this point and she didn't to get her nutrients and quick.

Avery is doing much better and we've put her in her carseat to sleep at night. She is able to eat to a full point now, with a few feedings a day that she has to stop and cry for a minute or two, but we're on our way to feeling better. It will take some time for me to recover from the extreme lack of sleep, but Matt and friends are helping with that tremedously :) THANK YOU!!!

These girls have taught me so much...scratch that...God has taught me so much through these girls. I'm learning that I HAVE to let go once again of the "control" that I so desparately hold on to and allow God to lead. I keep learning this the hard way!! He has blessed us with resources and a direct line to communicate and get answers from Him...I just need to learn that it's ok to get help and not always have the answers.

Avery turned 2 months on Friday and it does go A LOT faster with your second. She really is a sweet girl just not around feeding times but is getting much better and will continue to as the medicine gets in full tilt in the next few days :) She's smiling a lot now. Here's video for NANA with her smiling a little....Grace has to get in on the spotlight so I didn't get as much smiling as I would've hoped to.

Grace LOVES to help in all areas, but especially with Avery. She really likes to hold her and get a diaper for her(at any point that she thinks Avery needs one...or five). Grace is also learning how to be quite mischievous as well. These are the grapes she desparately wanted from the frig as I was getting a drink....I thought surely she was enjoying them in the kitchen while I was cleaning up in the next room...WRONG!!

There are lots of tough moments, but when you look into those precious little eyes and realize how blessed we are to have them and they smile back at you it makes it ALL worth it.

treading water

2010-04-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm treading water most days. I have a lot of things I'm trying to keep going but I feel like I can't quite get to the rescue boat...it's in sight, but still in the distance. I think a lot of it is that we're still working out Avery's sleeping during the day. I'm thinking I'm gonna have to strap her to me so she can sleep better cause she's waking up a lot when she's put down and that makes it tough to spend time with Grace and get anything done.

Grace is now 21 months and so grown up to me! She's doing a great job with having a little sister. Now don't get me wrong she has her moments and throws more fits than she used to, but overall she's fine with playing on her own and getting into the pantry when I'm nursing. She's also ok with climbing onto the kitchen table, unrolling the toilet paper, emptying the diaper drawer, and many more things as quiet as she can so that she can accomplish as much as possible before I notice and can get to her :)

Avery's 7wks and a few days and working hard at hanging out on her playmat, holding her head up during tummy time, getting a little snug in newborn outfits, and letting mommy have about a 5-6hr stretch at the beginning of the night.

The girls had a fun Easter weekend. The neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday was looking like it would be in beautiful weather, but turned out to be in cold rain. Avery knew that this would not be fun to be in, so she decided a nap in the stroller would be better :)

Grace loved finding the eggs and then later realizing that eggs have candy in them!!

We had several hunts in the living room that day and Sunday we had a few outside....or should I say we filled and emptied the easter basket over and over vs going and finding eggs.

So even though I'm treading water and it seems like I'm drowning here and there, I know that it is all worth it. I have 2 beautiful and healthy girls that will be great playmates soon. I'm thankful for the times that my mom or Matt throw me a ring to float on for a few hours...I definately need it.

rhythm

2010-03-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

I think we're getting in a real rhythm now...knock on wood...Avery is getting very consistent on times she's eating during the day, Grace is napping a little earlier and longer(which is a huge help), and I'm not having to get up so often at night!!!

Some things are surreal...SLEEP is one of them. It was like 3 months before I got a consistent 7 or 8 hrs of sleep with Grace. Just the other night, Avery went almost 8hrs between feedings.

SIZE...Avery was 8 lbs at 1 month, Grace only 6 lbs...Avery is now in 0-3,3month clothes....Grace was around 6 or 7 months old!

It's amazing how different they are already. Avery likes to be snug in her swaddle blanket and upright. Grace loved being bounced and on her belly. They do both have the screaming down pat!! Both girls go from 0-10 in a few seconds flat as infants, but Avery seems so far to calm down much easier, but we'll see if that sticks. Both girls have loved to have a passy before falling asleep and HATE getting their diapers changed.

Since Grace grew out of pretty much all of her finicky things as a toddler and has become very easy going. We're wondering since Avery is easy going now if that means she will be more difficult later....only time will tell.

We got up and out to Heart Change this morning. SOOO good to be back in the swing of things. I didn't teach this morning, but got to pray the prayer of salvation with a lady for the first time in her life!!! This was a huge blessing and honor to get to do. Avery was getting fussy right when we were getting ready to pray and I prayed that God would calm her while we prayed and she totally fall asleep facing outward and unswaddled as we prayed! (THANK YOU Jesus for your answer to prayer)

One of the main things the lady was concerned about is how to know which church or things are telling you the truth about God and I felt like He really showed up in our conversation. I really hope that she understands the choice she made today and knows that she's not alone in her walk. So many of the women have been hurt and betrayed by a ton of people in their lives, it makes it really hard to trust in something they can't see. So, I'm hoping that she is able to just take baby steps in getting to know Him. He is soooo worth it!!

5 weeks old :)

2010-03-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm only a week late on Avery's 1 month photo shoot. She did a really great job and Grace stayed back for MOST of it. She is so funny. She climbs on the couch, sits down and puts her arms out so that I will hand her Avery. This was really cute til she decided she was done and let go and then kicked Avery away from her all while I am backed away trying to take some pictures of them!!

Here are some from Avery's dedication two Sundays ago. Her dress looked so cute on her. Too bad not many people got to see it cause she slept through the whole dedication...not that I'm complaining.

This is the 3 of us that were pregnant together that are all in the same small group circle. We got them all dedicated together.

I'm tired...

2010-03-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

So being a mom of two little ones has been amazing so far...but TIRING!!! I'm hitting my tired point. This getting up a few times a night is starting to really get me. Both girls are doing great and we're a cold-free home again, but man momma could use some more rest.

PS It's a whole new ballgame trying to get things done around here as well. I feel like I don't accomplish much except for diaper changing, feedings, naps, and laundry...oh wait, those take all day!! No really though, it's taken some getting used to and real thought about how and when to get things done and the realization that I need to let somethings go and not do some other things...

PSS At any given moment, I have WAY too much on my plate anyway, so this is a good thing that I am letting things go...the hard part is letting go!

Avery is now a few days past a month old and I'm so behind on taking her 1 month pictures. I'd like to get a few shots of her each month like I did with Grace and the elephant to see how much she changes and compare size and such with those of Grace. So at some point this month I WILL get that done just don't know when :)

At Avery's 1 month appt. she was 8 lb exactly and 20.75 in long. She still gets lots of comments from people in stores about how tiny she is, but she's kinda big to me since I'm used the real tiny. She's still pretty easy going as long as she can be upright for about 15 min after a feeding :) She's doing about a 5 hr stretch at night and loves looking at lights and her big sister! She hangs out with us for about an hour to hour and a half at breakfast and in the evening.

PSSS WE MISS NANA AND MAX!!! I didn't know how good I had while they were here! Real eyeopener making it through another work week with the girls all to myself. We're getting there with consistent feeding times with Avery so that is helping to coordinate the day and keep things orderly as much as possible. (that's my type A personality talking)...speaking of which Avery just woke up for her evening feeding...gotta go!

3 weeks already???

2010-03-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

raindancerstudios.com 6days old

raindancerstudios.com 6 days old

raindancerstudios.com 6days old

Avery is now 3 weeks and 2 days old ALREADY! Time is flying by with having Grace around. The Tenney's are in town this week and we're LOVING it. Judy is making us a ton of freezer meals, cleaning my house, entertaining Grace, and George is doing the dishes at every meal!!! I'm pretty sure I'm willing to figure out a way to purchase them a retirement home up here in Indiana at this point!

Avery is still doing really well sleeping and adjusting to the outside world. She has to be woken up most of the time to eat and at night she is doing right around a 5 hour stretch starting at about 10 or 10:30....SOOOO thankful for this!!

Grace is still a great big sister who is so proud and protective of her "A"...that is her version of Avery. All of her teeth are in and we're excited about a break from the teething, but know that there are a lot more on their way.

20 months and so grown up :)

2010-03-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

raindancerstudios.com

raindancerstudios.com

raindancerstudios.com

raindancerstudios.com

Grace turns 20 months today!! She is such a bundle of joy and energy. She climbs all over and loves her sister soo much. She tries really hard to be gentle and keep her distance, but sometimes she just doesn't have it in her and she MUST touch with force or jab the pacifier in her mouth :)

Nana and Max will be here Friday through the following Monday!! We're soo excited to see them, so ok I'm selfishly so excited cause I'll have tons of help with the girls and Nana is planning on stocking our extra freezer with meals!!!!

We're still doing great overall minus a few fits here and there due to cutting teeth and trying to get into things, but hey it's all part of it and we're learning. I was amazed to see how well both girls did today when we went to Trader's Point to play, Paradise Bakery for lunch, Avery's dr appt, Babies R Us to exchange our diaper bag, and home again and both are currently napping great and I'm still sane and want to go out again in the near future :)

Avery, by the way, now weighs 7lb 5oz and is 20.5in long at 2 weeks and 1 day! I am so proud of her as well because we came home about 1.5 weeks ago and she was 6lb 5oz and 18.5in long, so this kid is growing up fast also!!!! I still can't get over how blessed I am to have these 2 amazingly healthy and beautiful girls!!!

raindancerstudios.com

the honeymoon is OVER!!

2010-02-27T16:45:00.000-08:00

So it was amazing while it lasted, but I'm sad to say it's OVER! Grace is cutting about 5 teeth all at once, getting into absolutely everything she never did before, and really trying our patience. Avery is well just being a normal newborn. She is coming out of the baby coma,which is awesome to hang out with her but hard when Grace is running to the other end of the house with something she's not supposed to have or trying to plug in something in the only outlet that doesn't have a stopper in it...for who knows what reason!!!

They are both just being normal and not terrible, but it just makes a day seem a little longer and makes us go to bed instead of staying up for that extra show or Olympic event.

Matt said tonight at dinner as he laid his head back in his chair, "man, I've been on my feet all day!" And of course I added, "me too." But he claims since I went to the grocery store and Once Upon a Child I got a break!! I just laugh cause I know that I don't ever really get much of a break, but it's fine cause at least he's willing to be on his feet all day to help and he does an awesome job with the girls. He had them during afternoon naps today and Grace woke up screaming after 30 min because of her teeth and couldn't go back to sleep after he rocked her for awhile and gave her teething tablets. Poor kid, I can't imagine getting 5 teeth at once.

So yeah, we're doing really well overall just adjusting to our new normal.

P.S. Grace figured out how to climb on top of the kitchen table in about 2 minutes time, so if she comes over please keep your chairs pushed up to the table. She waits for us to leave a chair out so she can climb up there again!

Notes to self

2010-02-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

Having a day under my belt I have made some mental notes and thought I better put them in writing as well so I will remember them!

1. Never assume the older child will get up when you think she will so you can get other things done....Grace woke up as soon as I unwrapped Avery this morning, who needed to be nursed right away

2. Check your newborn's diaper at each feeding...letting a wet diaper add up and then having a huge dirty on top of that doesn't fair well :)

3. Don't leave your older child alone with a bowl of spaghetti that she's not into eating and wants to play with while you change a diaper.

4. If you realize that while you're changing the younger one's diaper it's gonna take a few extra wipes and an outfit change and could take a minute...take a glance at the older one cause she might have decided to SMEAR THE SPAGHETTI ALL OVER HERSELF,HER CHAIR, and HER HAIR all because she had the chance to while you were away :) :)

5. Don't assume a day will ever go the way you think it should go, but that's TOTALLY fine. It's in these moments and days you make your life story and realize that's what being a mom is all about.

In my interesting first day with the girls, I realized how lucky I already am to have both girls and excited to see what tomorrow has in store.

Big Sister on Duty

2010-02-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

So Grace is filling her role as big sister very well....

Whenever Avery is in the pack-n-play Grace makes sure she checks on her ever so often. She figured out on her own how to stand on her train caboose to be just tall enough to see Avery laying in the other side :) Stands up there and watches her sleep and has fun conversations with her about how they're gonna play dress up and kitchen real soon!

Thank you to Miss Yolanda for this comfy blanket!!