Vala's Pumpkin Patch 2013

Jason and I took the girls to Vala's on Monday evening after Jason got home from work.  We knew we wanted to go during the week to both save money and avoid the crowds.  It was a perfect night to go!  It was crisp and cool (which is a must for this mom to go to the patch), and we saw the entire place in less than 3 hours.  No traffic and no lines!  The girls had a blast, and so did mom and dad!  The fall is my most favorite time of year and I love, love, love going to the pumpkin patch!  I don't even do most of the "stuff" there, but I just enjoy the atmosphere and I especially enjoy the smiles on my babies faces!

They said their favorite things were the big white slide, the Haunted House (Lily), and the Cave (Avery).

 

Until next year...

Avery's 3 Year Well Check

 

I took Avery to see Dr. Shidler yesterday for her 3 year well visit, and ALL IS WELL!  My only concerns with her are the red, scaly, dry patches behind both of her knees.  Avery complains that they itch.  I'm sure it is dry skin or eczema.  We were instructed to use Hydrocortisone Cream, and so I bought some today and we'll start using it tonight.  My only other concern was with Avery's eating habits.  She is much smaller than Lily which doesn't surprise me because the kid doesn't eat.  She doesn't eat meat and you might as well forget vegetables!  Lily was the same way though, so I do have faith that things will change with time.  Dr. Shidler assured me that this was all very normal for a 3 year old.  She is growing and that is all that matters.  We did start giving her a Pediasure a day, and thankfully she likes those!

 

I forgot that they don't get any shots at 3 years.  I had prepared her for them, and she even asked where her shot was?!  Both Lily and Avery got the Flu Mist.  Now, all BUT Daddy have been vaccinated...get on that Daddy!

 

Avery's 3 Year Stats:

 

* Height~ 38 1/4 inches (78th percentile)

* Weight~ 32.8 pounds (70th percentile)

* Blood Pressure 90/50

* Heart Rate 92 beats per minute

 

Lily weighed in at a whopping 52.4 pounds...no wonder I can't pick her up anymore!  I didn't measure her height...all I know is that she is TALL...much bigger than her little sister.

Happy 3rd Birthday Avery Grace!

Dear Avery Grace,

 

Today, my little one, we celebrate all things wonderful and special about YOU! You are 3 years old today my little Chubby Chibila!  I found out I was pregnant with you on the day of your Great Grandma Paces' funeral, and you came with a due date of October 22nd, which was Grandma Paces' birthday.  I knew at that very moment you were meant to be and that you were going to bless our lives in so many ways.  You arrived earlier than your due date which told your momma you had your own plans from day one!

 

Your smile and your laugh are infectious.  My most favorite thing about you is that you are so stubborn and determined and that if you want something, you will find a way to get it.  I hate to admit this, but I think you get this from your mommy.  You may be ornery and sassy, but you are also so very sweet.  You LOVE to cuddle and snuggle.  My favorite time with you is at bedtime when I get to rock you or lay with you all snuggled up. 

 

Are you wondering what you are up to at 3 years old little Chubby Sue?  Let mommy tell you...you don't like to eat anything but sweets, you are the pickiest eater I have EVER met, you weigh about 33 pounds, you have been potty trained (pee) for almost 2 months, you still poop in your undies most of the time (we are really working hard on this), your friends are Chloe, Ben, Lenny, Rylee, Olivia, Izzy, Gabby, Sam, Anthony, Paxton, Mia, Lily and all of her friends, you take a 2-3 hour nap daily, you are easy to put to bed and you wake up happy, you are my early riser (you never fuss in the mornings), you wear size 4T clothes, size 9 shoes, your favorite colors are pink and purple, your favorite shows are Lalaloopsy, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Bubble Guppies, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, you go to daycare twice a week, church on Wednesday nights with Miss Connie, and you go to YCARE with mommy when she works out.  The one thing I think everyone knows about you is that you LOVE BUNNY!!!  Your little pink snuggly bunny goes with you everywhere!  You still suck your thumb, but you told Grandpa today that you weren't going to do that anymore...we will see!  You and your big sister, Lily, fight like crazy, but you are also little buddies.  You look up to her and she loves you so very much. 

 

Your mommy and daddy couldn't be more proud of the little girl that you are becoming.  Even when you say a naughty word and blame it on your sister, we still love you little one!  You are my amazing Avery Grace and I love you dearly!  Happy 3rd Birthday baby girl...you are going to rock being 3!

 

Love,

Mommy

My Little Avery Grace

I've enjoyed my time with Avery while Lily is in preschool.  It isn't much time together, but that doesn't matter.  It is always nice to have some one on one time with each of your children, and this time together is very special.  It is amazing how well behaved they are without their other half!!

 We make necklaces...

 We go swimming...

We go running...

We drop big sister, Lily, off at school and then we go PLAY!!

Happy 5th Birthday Lily Rose!

 

Dear Lily Rose,

 

You have been 5, yes 5 years old, for 25 minutes now!!  Five years ago today, you entered this world and you have blessed mommy and daddy in more ways than we could have ever imagined.  Daddy drove mommy to the hospital on Thursday September 11th to be induced at 7:00am.  The day went on, and you must have decided that you weren't quite ready to part with mommy because you didn't make your first appearance until the next morning at 6:42am.  In the end, it didn't matter how you got here.  It only mattered that mommy and daddy got to meet you and hold you after a long 9 months of waiting.  I will  never forget (even as dopey and sleepy as I was) when your daddy first told me that we had a beautiful baby girl.  I will  never forget holding you in my arms for the very first time.  You were, and still are, the most beautiful little girl that I have ever seen (you and your  little sister both)!  Your 9 pound 3 ounce chubby little face was so delicious to kiss and squeeze! 

 

I'm not quite sure where the last 5 years have gone, but we have had so much fun and we have created so many memories along the way.  I wish time would slow down and I wish that I could freeze you and keep you just the way you are.  You are a stunning little 5 year old girl.  Those big brown eyes and that fiery red hair just melts your momma's heart.  You are beautiful inside and out Lily Rose.  I can't tell you enough times in one day just how much I love you.  I don't think you will understand a mother's love until you are a mother yourself...but...we have lots of time for that! 

 

What are you doing at 5 years??  You go to daycare twice a week with Stephanie and Becci, you go to the YMCA Preschool on M-W-F, you go to swimming lessons, your friends are Sammy, Maddox, Evelyn, Rylee, Izzy, Gabby, the other Lily, Brynn, Olivia, and of course your baby sister Avery.  You played soccer this past year, you beg to take dance lessons, you will start basketball soon, you sleep on the top bunk, your favorite colors are pink and purple, you like to play on the iPad, your favorite shows are Jessie and Good Luck Charlie, you get yourself dressed, you can fix your own hair, your favorite foods are cheese pizza, fruit, milk, fruit, PB sandwiches, fruit, chips  and cheese and salsa, fruit, your favorite restaurants are Romeos and Chilis, you wear a size 13-size 1 shoe (big foot), you wear size 6X clothes, you still take a nap most days, you love to sleep, you go to bed around 9-9:30, you wake up at 9:00-9:30 if you don't have school or daycare, you like to read, you like to color, you LOVE to sing and dance and you know every word to every Katy Perry song!  Your best little buddy is your little sister, but you also fight with her constantly!

 

You are my sweet and more laid back child.  I say you have the temperament of your daddy.  You have your feisty side, but you are much more chill than your sister is.  You have a big heart and you are so caring.  You say HI to everyone you meet, and I love this about you.  No matter what I want you to always know that you are beautiful, smart, kind, caring, thoughtful, funny, a good big sister, a good friend, the best daughter, a good colorer, a good swimmer, a good soccer player and the most important and best thing that ever happened to mommy and daddy!  You can do whatever you want to do in this lifetime! 

 

Mommy and Daddy are so very proud of the little girl that you have become.  We love you higher than the sky and deeper than the sea!

 

Happy 5th Birthday Lily Rose!!!

 

Love,

Mommy and Daddy