Halfway through November!

We're more than halfway through November which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas will be here before we know it!  Here is some of what we've been up to this month.

Riley got a MUCH needed haircut!  It had been almost an entire year.  She never wanted to get it cut.  I finally had to make her get it cut.  

Riley participated in her 2nd fun run!  She did the Burn Run Fun Run.  It was freezing cold out, but she ran anyway.  Such a trooper.

Riley and I went to see Disney Live!  Pirates and Princess Adventure.  It was an adorable show and Riley had a blast.  We loved it so much that we came home and ordered tickets for Disney on Ice in January.

We prepared for the cold and snow.  Before it came I took the kids to the Lights on the Lake walk through.  The kids loved it until they got tired.  Then it was a nightmare!!!  Let's just say that the drive through the lights HAS to be better.

Riley wrote her letter to Santa.  She is hoping she gets everything she asked for.

We had our first of what I am sure will be many, snowfalls.  We only got an inch or two of snow, but the kids went out to play in it anyway.  Avery did not enjoy the snow as much as I thought she would.

We practiced baking.  We're gearing up for the baking season and started by baking some easy Snickerdoodle cookies.  They're Jeremy's favorite, but clearly the girls love them too!

I guess that about sums up the month so far.  We're looking forward to Thanksgiving and decorating for Christmas.  Stay tuned for those updates coming soon!!!

Mother of Two

Over the past year I have slowly been learning that my life will never be the same as a mother of 2 young children.  While I LOVE being the mother of Riley and Avery there are things that I realized I have to let go of.  Here are some of the things I have learned over the past 13 months:

1.  My house will never really be clean again.  Sure I straighten up, A LOT. Yes, I even take out cleaning products and use them.  But unless I ship Jeremy and my two little ladies off somewhere, my house instantly looks like a tornado hit it!

2.  I will forever feel tired.  Avery is on an anti-sleep kick.  Are there very rare occasions when she will sleep through the night?  Sure.  Are there times when even though she gets up that it only takes a minute to get her back to sleep?  Definitely.  Are there times she wakes up in the middle of the night and thinks it's playtime for the next hour or so??  Without a doubt.  And it will ALWAYS feel like those days happen more than the others.

3.  My house is LOUD.  There are times that Jeremy and I look at each other and wonder if Riley sneaks in the neighborhood kids for play dates on a nightly basis.  The house is always loud.  Whether the sounds are awesome (Riley and Avery playing nicely and laughing) or horrendous (Riley whining and Avery crying AT.THE.SAME.TIME), the house is only quiet about 30 minutes after the kids go to bed.

4.  Riley is the best big sister.  Riley loves teaching Avery about things.  She "reads" her stories often and shows her how different toys work.  Riley plays the big sister role well.  It's as though she was born to be a big sister!!

5.  There is more than enough love to go around!  Even though there are days that the only thing I can think of is getting the kids to bed for sanity purposes, there are more days that I enjoy playing, reading books to and talking with the kids.  They are both still learning so much about the world and themselves and I love that I get to see that happen everyday!!

Halloween Fun!!

Halloween 2013 was a great time!!!  On Saturday, 10.26.13, Keira, Riley & Avery went to Zoo Boo!  We missed Zoo Boo last year because I was pregnant and tired.  But this year, Zoo Boo was held during the day - which was great for the kids.  The kids got to trick-or-treat at the candy stations, see the animals, go to the dance party being held, and jammed to Mama Pajama.  Even though it was a little chilly that day, the kids were troopers and had an awesome time!!  

On Halloween both kids at parades.  First off was Riley's parade at Walberta.  All the kids and teachers wore their costumes proudly as they walked around the gym.  The parade was inside because of the rain.

Then it was off to Learn As You Grow to see Avery's parade.  It was drizzling outside, but the Director decided it would be better if the kids took one lap around outside instead of staying inside.  It was a good idea.  The kids were absolutely adorable!!

Then it was home to wait for our good friends the Lynch's who were going to join us for trick-or-treating.  We ordered pizza and Riley, Ben and Alice played until it was time to go snag some candy.

I think Riley and Avery would both agree it was a great Halloween.  Riley is already looking forward to Thanksgiving and all the festivities that come with it!!  And hopefully I will blog more about the kids before then!!

Avery's 1 year check-up

Avery had her 1-year check-up on Tuesday, 10.29.13.  I can remember Riley's 1 year appointment like it was yesterday because it is the worst one ever!!!  Avery had to get 4 shots and blood drawn for a lead test.  She also screamed through the entire appointment as Dr. Rufa was checking her out.  So my information on her stats is limited because I couldn't hear some of her stats due to her screaming!!

Here is what I do know:

Weight:  23lbs

Head:  18 1/4 in.

Height:  Screaming in my ear did not allow for me to hear this.

Because I am OCD about needing to know the kids' stats, I have a phone call in to Pediatric Associates requesting a copy of her physical. 

Avery hated the shots - but was fine a few minutes later.  Hopefully there will be no more visits to the doctor until January for her 15 month appointment!

Our Little Pumpkin is 1!!

Avery's 1st Birthday party was 10.27.13 at Twin Trees Too.  The theme was pumpkins!  We had a great day celebrating with family and friends.  Avery received lots of awesome gifts and had a great time hanging out with everyone.

When I went to Wegman's for the cake I asked them to make a pumpkin patch without it looking like Halloween.  They did a fabulous job!!

When we sang "Happy Birthday" Avery did a little dancing in my arms...it was super cute.  I think she loved having everyone sing to her!

More cake!!!  Avery ate lots of cake.  I think she may have a bit of a sweet tooth!!

We cannot believe our little pumpkin is 1!!