Peek-ture

These little posers were cracking me up.  We went to see Evan and Annalee earlier this montheekend, and of course Adelaide and Graham as well.  I was so impressed when Adelaide came out to model her robe and very sweetly turned, stood still and smiled for a camera pose on Thursday night so I could text Michael her sass a frass picture.  I thought she was so advanced and ahead of the little prince....
Then Sunday morning on the way to church Avery starts saying Mamma "peekture" "peekture" and then said cheese ever so sweetly while I took his picture... It may be hard for little friends to have an opinion sometimes, but other times it is hilarious!!!

Double Stroller Dilemma

Okay, so I can't decide what to do about the whole double stroller situation.  I need some help from moms out there who have 2 kiddos.  Here's what I know....

• Avery is a GREAT stroller kid, he will gladly sit in his stroller for very long, I am talking hours when we were training for the 3 day, periods of time without complaining.
• I need Avery to stay a stroller kid, he loves to run, touch, mess with everything.  I don't want to chase him with a newborn, Avery won't turn 2 until Wee is 2-3 weeks old...
• I did NOT like the Graco travel system stroller.  While it was great that the car seat clicked right in I thought it was too bulky and a little hard to drive, but Michael liked it a lot. 
• I LOVE my peg prego stroller.  It isn't a true umbrella stroller, but it is lightweight, has a snack tray and a basket and pushed great in our old neighborhood with old sidewalks, plus it wasn't bulky at places like my beloved North Park
• I don't mind making an investment in a good double stroller that we will use for a long time, we think we want 3 kids so maybe even after Avery is out could be for Wee 2 & 3(oh my word, I wonder if we will or if we will wimp out after 2)

So here is what I am wondering....

Should I go with a side by side that is narrow enough to fit through doorways (the city mini above is) because Avery will do better the way he always has and getting to see everything, even though they are more expensive OR is is not worth the money his stroller days are numbered just get a good sit and stand and move on....

HELP!!!  PLEASE!!!!

By the way these were both reccommended by friends, but I am also open to suggestions!

Fabulous Firsts!

Avery had a very exciting first this weekend!!!  He got to ride on an airplane!  Avery is a huge fan of airplanes.  He loves to talk about them, read about them, look for them in the sky and always tells us when he hears one flying overhead. 

I am a little sad I missed this experience, but Michael was dad/husband of the century and not only navigated the first flight alone, but documented for me and my blog friends!

Michael said that Avery was also very excited about the BIG trucks that drove up next to the plane...I can see his point what more could a boy want than a big plane and big truck??

Michael said that most of the flight went really well, but that Avery would then deicde he was tired of his seatbelt and begin loudly announcing that he was stuck....

Michael and his new best friend Mr. Nathan (who was so sweet and let Avery look out his window) would remind Avery he was stuck on purpose!!

Who me??  I'm just sittin' here

Avery also had his first hotel experience.  I have avoided hotels like the plague since Avery.  I have been really panicked he would cry and scream and keep people up all night long and we would be those people with that baby/toddler

I am glad to say Avery was great, slept in his pack n play like a champ and was obviously so busy working on some serious bed head that he had no time to scream and bother people.

Man, I love that little face!

Shoe Caper 2009

So, Avery loves shoes!  Wearing any shoes he can find, ours, his any shoes.

He has one pair of black shoes he wears to church only.

We were packing Avery's outfit for a wedding which required his black shoes the week after Christmas and the black shoes were missing, I was so frustrated...  I knew we had them the Sunday before Christmas because he wore them in our Christmas card picture.  I also knew we even made it home with them on his feet, because this is a HUGE accomplishment.  So, we were completely lost as to where they would be.  We looked everywhere...all through the car, my closet, Avery's closet, I thought all over the house.  I finally gave up.  After 3 days of searching we went to Payless and got new shoes.

Well, guess what.  The other day I went into the guest bathroom and while I was in there Avery marched over to this cabinet says "shoes" and opens this door.  Seriously, why did he put his shoes in here....When did he put his shoes in there?  How did he remember that he put his shoes in there???Things are never boring around our house.

What's New???

What's new at our house....

A LOT!  As you can see Daddy is packing up his home office, once again he is relocating all the household stuff for a new baby to get a fabulous Aunt Linde room.  Avery was very helpful in packing, but glad he isn't getting boxed up and put in the attic...yet.    It cracks me up how Avery can perfectly place himself in boxes and baskets. 

Daddy also packed up his work office.  Michael and 2 other guys started their own firm last week.  They will do a lot of what they have in the past using his CPA and CFP skills to help people with tax and financial planning.  Doesn't that sound important?  We are very excited and of course nervous about this transition.  I have to say that I am really not that worried, Michael has always been one of the hardest working people I know, with all his knowledge and hard work how could clients not want to use his firm?  But, we do appreciate prayers for wisdom and discernment!

Friday we said so long to the crib.  I have to say this made me a lot more sad than I realized.  I never would have guessed that I am that mom that gets a little teary realizing my baby doesn't need a crib anymore.  Buddy buddy has been such a great sleeper his whole life and I wondered what this transition would bring.  But, true to himself he has transitioned very well after one night that was crazy because Mamma was a little overzealous with her checking in.  He loves to talk about his big bed and thanks to the beloved lovey and pappy he is happy to be lifted in.  I must admit I dread the day we give up the pappy...yikes!

I will show you pictures of the big bed once the duvet is done.  I am again LOVING Avery's room and Linde's genius in getting extra fabric when she did Avery's design.  All we did was take out the crib and put in a bed, the duvet is being made with leftover crib fabric so Avery's room looks great and familiar during a time of transition with very little work on our parts!

Now we just have to get a new business up and running and a green room transitioned into a room rivaling the best nursery ever!

Re-Wind

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, I know I am behind but I want to document our Christnas anyway so here goes.  I had a great day at work Christmas Eve.  Michael and Avery hung out at home and enjoyed Avery's first and probably last for a very long time White Christmas.  Michael said Avery LOVED the snow and cried and cried when he had to come inside.  He apparently would get his hat and mittens and stand by the door begging for someone to take him out every few minutes.  Christmas Eve night was a treacherous drive home from work, I am so thankful I made it home safely and that my co-workers did, too.  We enjoyed chicken enchilada soup with Papa and LouLou, Linde and Jeff and Jeff's parents!

Christmas morning started with a bang! Buddy buddy woke up in a fabulous mood, which never ceases to amaze me, ready to go. I attempted to read to him about baby Jesus the real reason for Christmas before we started the craziness but someone was already a little too excited hearing all his peeps to care.  This was a recurring theme, he also was not interested in the story at bedtime Christmas eve.  We did play with our nativity scene, but who knows if that made any connection... At least we tried. 

I think the best Christmas present Avery got this year was that he got to spend Christmas morning with so many of the people he loves.  It cracked me up to see Avery look up and just make sure everyone he loved was still there, and of course focusing their attention on him.  Honey and Pop drove in Christmas morning just to be with us and Aunt Linde and Uncle Jeff came over first thing, too.  Pap and LouLou spent the night with us so they were in on the fun also.  We were sad Grandma and Grandad didn't make it, the roads were still a little too icy for great-grandparents coming from Allen. 

Santa brought Avery a shopping cart and some Elmo goodies.  The shopping cart was a HUGE hit.  Avery pushed it all over the house and has faithfully continued to shop every chance he gets.  I can't help but crack up when he says shop-ping and marches off with his buggy and his reusable shopping bag from Aunt Susan Jo.  Thank goodness great Aunt Susan Jo got him a manly bag to shop with. 

All that "shop-ping" will wear a boy out, so after lots of play time Avery stretched out with some of his new books to rest before lunch. 

We also had so much fun eating a yummy Christmas lunch with Papa, LouLou, Aunt Linde Uncle Jeff and Uncle Jeff's family.  I had fun making some of the food and was so thankful for the good old Greenberg turkey (seriously, the best and only turkey I will eat) and lots of help from Mom and Linde! 

Merry Merry even if it is January!

She's Coming!

Who's that???  Not Wee, we don't know if Wee is a he or a she, remember?  It is cracking me up that people seem to think Wee is a she, I don't think the opinion was so strong with Avery. 
Anyway, it is the FABULOUS Lisa Woods. 
We absolutely LOVE her work.  If you remember she came and documented our family when Avery was 6 months old, and again when he was a year old!  Lisa has also taken amazing photographs of our friends Evan, Annalee, Adelaide and Graham.   I happen to think she is the greatest photographer ever, not only can she make my whole family look great Michael does NOT complain one bit about having his picture taken by Lisa.  He actually said after the frist session, wow I can't believe that was an almost an hour it didn't seem that long at all.  This is huge coming from the guy who griped endlessly about the 2.5 minute Olan Mills church directory shoot. 
So, if you would like your pictures taken January 8 or 9 for a GREAT deal, contact Lisa!  Be sure to tell her I sent you so you get the sitting fee discount and disc discount, you will want the disc it is impossible to decide on just a few pictures. 
Also, I am looking for someone else who would like their pictures in March.  Lisa is going to come take Wee 2 and Avery's pictures for their birthdays and if we can get another family we save the travel fee.  If you want to do this contact me!
Happy New Year, I will share fun pictures soon I promise.  We are recovering from our crazy Christmas/New Years!