Trip Across the State

I am behind on my blogging, but two weekends ago we packed up and made a trip out to Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  Jason's good friend and old college roommate got married and Jason was an usher in the wedding.  I wasn't sure how the road trip would go with a 2 year old and a baby, but the girls did amazingly well.  It was a 7 hour trip and I think we made it in 8-8.5 hours with the stops...not too bad at all.  I think we stopped twice...to eat and for diaper changes.  The trip back home was a different story.  The big snow storm hit during the trip home and we were delayed two days from getting back to Omaha.  On Sunday morning we left and we only made it 2 hours (to Ogallala) before we had to call it quits.  It was snowing hard and the interstate was a total white out when semis would pass.  There were tons of cars and semis in the ditches and we were only going 35-40mph on I-80.  There were accidents all over.  It was just too scary with the kids in the car.  We spent the night in Ogallala and we decided that we would try again the next day.  We learned a little while later that due to a major accident on I80 that it was closed down for the night, wo we wouldn't have made it home anyways. 

We got up the next morning and headed out again.  Things were okay for a little while, but then we were back to going only 35-40mph with trucks and cars in the ditches all over.  The interstate was ice and snow packed and just not good.  The wind was blowing and it was hard to see.  A semi flew past us and we fishtailed and I then of course freaked out.  It took us 5 hours to get from Ogallala to Grand Island...I think it should have taken us 3 hours.  We decided once again that it wasn't worth it to keep doing this for another 150 miles so we stayed in Grand Island for the night.  At least Grand Island's hotel had a pool...this kept Lily happy! 

Lily woke up around 1:00am with a fever of 102 and a horrible cough.  I gave her some Ibuprofen and she was better by morning.  We packed everything up yet again and this time we FINALLY made it back home safely.  I80 was clear and totally fine by now.  Poor Lily was not so fine.  I think she just got worn out with all of the traveling.  She continued with the fever through Tuesday night.  She was better by Wednesday but still had a bad cough.  She coughs so hard that she throws up.  Here, a week later she is finally getting over it...I hope!

I am really proud of how well both girls did.  It was a long ride in the car and a long time to be away from home.  Lily said at one point "Daddy I stuck in the car," and "I want to go to Lily's house."  I don't think Avery knew the difference or cared one way or the other. :)

Congrats to Jerrad and Cami Buller and thanks for a memorable trip!

 Chimney Rock

Dear Avery,

Dear Avery,

Yesterday you turned 3 months old!  Happy birthday little one!  Mommy has started back to work this past week and I miss you terribly at night when I am gone.  I know that you and Lily are in good hands with your daddy.  You were so good for daddy on my first night back...you slept through the night for the FIRST time!  Why can't you do this for mommy?  I think it was just a fluke though because the next time mommy was at work you woke up twice for daddy to eat.  I know I don't have to worry when you girls are at home with your dad.  He loves you both so very much. 

What You are Doing at 3 Months Old:

~you took your first long car ride to Scottsbluff, NE this month and did FABULOUS!

~you stayed in your first hotel

~you went to your first wedding this month

~if you take a bottle it is usually 3-4 ounces every 3-4 hours...mommy gets frustrated with this because it seems like you don't care if you eat (yesterday was really hard for mommy...you wouldn't eat at all and you didn't even cry!)

~you still prefer to nurse with mommy

~your lower birthmark seems to be growing still, but the upper one seems to have slowed down

~your left tear duct is STILL blocked...hoping this opens up soon

~you had thrush this month and had to take your first medicine (Fluconazole)...so did mommy

~still love your binkies...you got all new ones because of the thrush

~you are just a cat napper...not like your sister

~I am starting to see your eyes changing color...I think you will be a  beautiful brown eyed girl like Lily

~you don't really like tummy time, but it has really helped your neck get stronger...you look ALL directions now...even on your tummy

~I think your little head has gotten much better

~you smile and talk A LOT...love it!

~you have grown to really like bathtime...you used to cry

~you are still as laid back as ever and such a good baby...you did let mommy and daddy know that you could get really mad when your sister threw a soccer ball at your head though

~you are still just a little thing...still wearing size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes...a few 6 month things fit

~you are NOT sleeping though the night...you for sure get up at least once and mostly twice a night, but always go right back to sleep

I look at you right now, sound asleep and so peaceful and content.  How did I get so lucky to be your mommy?  God blessed our family in so many ways the day you were born.  Your mommy, daddy and big sister love you so much little Avery Grace.  I can't wait to see what you are able to do this next month!

I love you higher than the sky and deeper than the sea,

Mommy

New Year's Eve 2010

We thought that we would have a get together at our house this New Year's Eve since we knew we wouldn't have a babysitter.  It was a small, but nice, little gathering.  My sister's and brother's families came over and my good friend Jessica and her family came.  My mom and dad stopped by for a little while before there 9:30pm dinner reservations.  It was a low key, laid back night...my favorite kind these days!  Since everybody's kids came along the party was over by 9:30pm.  Our big kid...Lily...was up well past that.  I thought for a while that she would make it until midnight, but she finally crashed around 10:45.  I laid down around 11:30, but then I got back up at 5 til midnight to ring in the New Year with a kiss from my hubby.  Gretna had fireworks...we couldn't really see them but we could hear them.  2010 was a good year for our family...a job change for me, a new baby, 2 healthy kids...what will 2011 have in store for us?!

  Jessica and Rylee

   Bubba

  Kylie and Avery

  Kevin and Jason

 Pa Mike and Avery, Ga Ga and Uncle Justin

 Mommy and Avery and Ga Ga and P-Diddy

P-Diddy

Christmas 2010

This will be a post of mostly pictures to recap our Christmas this year.  It was a special Christmas this year as it was our little Avery's first one.  She is too little to know any different, but her mommy and daddy will tell her all about it one day.  We have had a wonderful holiday season celebrating with our family and friends.

Christmas 2010 Recap:

Christmas Eve was spent at my mom and dad's house with my dad's side of the family.  This has been a Paces' family tradition as long as I have been alive.  We change location each year...it rotates between my dad and his sister's homes.  There were 3 baby girls there this year all between 2-3 months old.  Each year there seems to be more and more babies!  After eating some good food, opening presents, and just hanging out we decided to go to the 11:00pm service at church.  Jason and I had originally planned on going to the 5:30 service knowing that the girls would not make it through the late service, but that changed due to Avery wanting to eat at that time. :)  Lily was the ONLY little kid at the late service, but the nursery was open and she played in there and did just fine.  When we got home Jason and I had to make sure Santa had room to leave their presents so that took some time before we could head to bed...finally got there around 1:30am. 

Christmas morning was extra special for me as it was my first one in 6 years that I got to wake up in my own bed (usually working) and I got to see my girls open up their presents.  It was so fun to watch Lily this year...she really got into it!  Santa suprised me too this year with the ENTIRE Willow Tree Nativity scene!  I couldn't believe it when I walked into the family room.  Jason "Santa" had it all set up for me!  I collect the Willow Tree figurines and Jason has given one to me the past 3 Christmases.  After opening gifts we packed up for the trip back to Newcastle, but before heading up North we celebrated Christmas at my Grandma's with my mom's side of the family.  This has also been a tradition as long as I have been alive.  We arrived in Newcastle just in time for some yummy home cooked food on the farm!  On the 26th we had another Christmas celebration with Jason's family.  We don't get back there as much as we would like, so it is always nice when we do.  Lily had a blast playing with her Kneifl cousins!

What is that now...3 Christmas celebrations?  We had a 4th and final Christmas celebration on January 1st in Lincoln at Jason's Aunt LouAnn's house.  Once again, lots of yummy food and some much enjoyed time with family.  Family...that is what it is all about this time of year. 

I am always so sad to see this time of year come and go.  It happens so quickly.  I am extra sad this year because it means my maternity leave is coming to an end.  I have really enjoyed these past 12 weeks getting to spend so much time with my girls.  Lily and Avery are my biggest blessings in this life.  I am so lucky to get to be their mommy.  

So much for a "quick" recap!  Now...onto the pictures! 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!