Reluctantly, I took Avery to get her first round of immunizations today. I knew this experience would be rough- since I sobbed like a fool when Reilly got his first shots. I was holding Avery in my lap (with tissue in hand) as the kind nurse administered the first shot. As my poor defenseless baby girl began to emit the most painful cry, I kept my head down because I didn't want Reilly to see me upset and get scared himself. I only looked up when I heard another nurse say "Awww..." I glanced over at Reilly only to see him crying the saddest, sweetest tears for his baby sister. My heart just broke. He just had to come closer to look at her, to make sure she was really alright after it was all over. I have been shocked over these past 2 months as I've watched Avery become such a huge part of Reilly's life. He is so protective, gentle, and affectionate, and he includes her in all his plans. He always just factors her in, no matter what he's doing. It absolutley THRILLS my heart to see how much he cares for her, and how he wants the best for her.... Just what I've always wanted.
It's COLD!!! Unfortunately, we had to get out this morning in the 28 degree weather for a doctor's appointment, which made me realize that I don't handle the cold very well- by the way. But... it was kinda fun bundling up the kids. We're talking sweaters, hats, mittens, blankets- the works. As you can see, Avery didn't mind one bit! Reilly was just excited to wear his new "awesome camo coat" from Grandpa!
I decided to take Avery with me to Bunco this month, my first time back since she's been born- to introduce her to all the girls. It was so great to get out of the house and have some girl time, and Avery enjoyed it too! Maybe she had a little too much fun, because she slept for 8 HOURS that night!!! YESSS! ;) It was great to see everyone, and thank you to Elizabeth for hosting and thanks especially for the great prizes!!! :)
Wow, have I been looking forward to putting Avery in her very first dress!! This one was a gift from my sweet friend, Neely! I haven't ever seen anything so perfectly girly and precious. YAY! Here's to many MANY more fun and dainty dresses :)
Avery has really started smiling HARD at us every time she wakes up. So stinkin cute, I can't get over it! Even on those particular days when nothing seems to go right, she makes me smile and laugh until my cheeks are actually sore! Thanks for that, baby girl!
For the final leg of our East Texas trip, we stopped to visit our good friends in Longview. Jeremy & Joey were college roommates, and Neely & I have become good friends as well! They have 2 sweet boys, Logan & Landon... with one more sweet boy due in February!!! Our boys always play so well together, and the boys were all so sweet and gentle with our girl! It is so great hanging out with you guys- We can't wait for your newest arrival!
Well here goes.... Christmas #4. I'm exhausted. ;) After we left Grand Saline, we headed to Grandma's house in Carthage. (EVERYONE else has always called her Nanna, but Reilly started calling her "Grandma" before he was 2, and now she calls herself Grandma!) Anyway, it was also her first time to meet Avery. It was fun seeing her snuggle and hold her! Everyone else fought over who got to hold her next!
We had our annual Mexican food lunch and "white elephant" gift exchange, which for some reason was very tame this year. (In previous years, it has been a little vicious!)
The kids had fun being outside, climbing trees and getting dirty! And Reilly got an awesome CARS sleeping bag and ended up with the gift he brought for the gift exchange: a Transformers shaving kit!!!
This was Avery's first visit to meet Joey's dear Grandmother & Granddaddy in Grand Saline! They were so very thrilled to meet her, and just enjoyed her so very much. Grandmother wasn't feeling too well the first evening, but the next morning she & Avery has some sweet time together. Grandmother was thrilled by Avery's big smiles! I just relish seeing them with our kids, especially when they're babies. All that wisdom and experience in one person, reflecting onto this brand new baby... something about that just affects me. Anyway, it was a good visit, it's been too long!
We really didn't plan on doing anything on New Year's Eve this year, just a low-key relaxing night at the casa. But, leave it to Keri to talk me into it... "Just throw a hat on & get over here!!" Oh... alright. :) But we were really glad we went! Reilly had a blast with all the other kids, and the adults had fun too! The gals gabbed and fought over Avery and the guys played golf on the Wii. The kids performed puppet shows for us, then we played The Office boardgame- which was pretty funny. Avery did something pretty cool...she has only had a few bottles so far (since I'm nursing), but she had one that night and held it all by herself!!!! WOW! :) All the kids stayed up until the clock hit 12:00... must have been the sugar. ;) It was a really great night! Thanks Mark & Keri!!! :)
Okay, I have learned a serious Mommy lesson- listen close, I'm about to share some wisdom people.... (If you already know this one, good! Why didn't you tell ME?) Here goes: Don't tell your children that you're going to do anything special/see anyone special until the moment it is ACTUALLY happening! We mistakenly told Reilly a day in advance that we would be taking him to Chuck E. Cheese, and when we walked in the door... their electricity was out. Complete darkness. No children laughing and playing, only hysterical cries of woe could be heard. WOW. We told Reilly what was happening as we walked back out to the car. As this news started to sink in, I could actually SEE the heartbreak on his face. He cried tears of sorrow as we loaded our 2 sweet babies back into the car. He was devastated. Of course, we told him we would bring him back in a few hours and try again... but his sadness was so very genuine that I couldn't help joining in with a few tears of my own. Anyway, we took him to McDonalds to play until we felt sure they'd had time to get things back online at good old Chuck E. Cheese. Once we got back there, it was great! We all had a lot of fun! Reilly discovered that Skee-Ball can be fun, even if you don't run right up to the holes to drop the balls in. ;) And we learned to never EVER get our kids' hopes up, because you just never know whose electricity will be out!
I just had to post this picture of Avery & her favorite pink teddy bear, which was a gift from her sweet Grandpa on the day she was born. Like Reilly, she is definitely a snugglebug... she LOVES to be held and cuddled, and we just LOVE that to pieces!
Christmas Day is spent at Mimi & Grandpa's house, and Uncle Mike & Aunt Honey are there too! First things first, we have our very favorite "biscuits & snausages" for breakfast... mmmmmm. Then in came the presents (WAY too much, Uncle Mike & Honey!!) It is always so interesting to see what everyone gets for Grandpa, he is notoriously difficult to buy for! Joey was super excited about the video game system Mikey & Honey gave him- it has all these fun old games on it, like Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, Contra, Donkey Kong, Hogan's Alley, and about 100 others!!! Reilly's favorites were a remote control Batmobile, camo walkie-talkies, Hulk bath set, & "computer cool school". Mikey & Honey gave Mimi & I these awesome rolling bags for all our scrapbooking albums & paraphernalia! And Avery LOVED all her new clothes! ;) We spent the rest of the day watching fun movies, eating, and snuggling our sweet girl. Reilly, of course played with all his awesome new toys all day & night! It was such a great time with our wonderful family! The next day, Chris came over to meet Avery. And even though he was nervous- he did a great job holding her... for about 5 seconds.
Christmas Morning we always spend at our house with just our little family. It is SO much fun! Reilly comes to wake us up, being very careful to not even go NEAR the living room without us. Avery woke up at about the same time, ready to eat so she was a bit fussy for the pictures!! Anyway, Joey and I set up in the living room with cameras and we gave Reilly the go ahead. He walked into the living room with the biggest grin, and always goes to his stocking first... just like I did when I was a kid!! Then when he sees what Santa left for him, his face is PRICELESS! I look forward to it all year! He gave Avery the picture he colored for her, and helped her open all her presents. (Such a sweet big brother!) It was EXTRA fun having our baby girl with us this year, and I just know it will get even better each year!
Reilly was most excited about his racetrack, Star Wars light saber, and Candyland game. After a quick round of Candyland, we packed everything up and headed for Mimi & Grandpa's house...
I am a Stay at Home Mom with an amazing husband, who still makes me laugh every day... and we have 2 precious children: our 7 year old, Reilly, who is the funniest, smartest, most handsome little boy in the world! And our beautiful 2 year old baby girl Avery, who brings us so much joy and laughter! We're having so much fun as a family of 4 !!!
