Diary of Miss Avalee Apryl

So, I turned six months old earlier this month, and, I tell ya—I feel like such a big girl!
I've expanded on my rolling over skills, and now use it to mobilize myself. Mama is always so surprised to come back to the room she left me in, to see that I'm on the other side! It's great for me, because I can finally get stuff I want (like Z's toes or the power cord to the laptop).
I'm also just starting to kind of scoot now. Mom keeps telling me I could crawl if I want and frequently tells me I'm “almost there.” I think I'd much rather just walk, and try to tell Mama that by standing up every time she pulls me to a sitting position! I know as soon as I can start walking, I'll be able to run and play tag with my big brother. Yay!
And, I sit up by myself all the time now! I really love the view on my world from a sitting position; no more staring at the ceiling all day. Also, Mommy said I officially graduated to being able to sit in the cart while we're shopping. I did hear her telling Grandma that now she doesn't have to try to hoist me in my carseat into the cart. Well, whatever the reason, I'm happy! It's much more fun (and freeing!) to sit in the cart like a big girl, and see everything. Now, I'm really working on actually being able to sit up by myself!
I've also decided it's time for me to get my own phone and computer. I try borrowing Mama's all the time, but she says I'm too little still. Hmph! She also won't let me change the channel with the remote control either. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Backyardigans and Yo Gabba Gabba too, but sometimes I just want to explore my options; maybe something on the Food Network or a documentary on Discovery Channel.
And, I sill love life! It's good to be me; I have lots of family and friends who love me, endless food (thanks, Mom!) and I get to learn so many new things every day! Strangers always come up and ask Mommy if I'm always so happy (I do lots of smiling, giggling and arm waving!) and she she assures them, I am. :0)

~Avalee

Avalee's first adventure in food...

Colin was really anxious to try Avalee on food, so I reluctantly obliged (they just seem to go past that little baby stage, once they start eating).
We got the rice cereal, put on the bib and readied the camera. We expected most of the 'food' to come right back out of the little lady's mouth, as it had with Z years earlier, so were prepared.
However, Avalee sucked it right down! It was as if she had been waiting for it for some time and seemed to know just what to do. She opened her mouth wide as soon as she saw the spoon, then gobbled every bit of cereal. What a pro!
We have always had the kids at the table with us during meals, and we think she had just been watching us eat for some time. She was just waiting for her turn!
A few days later, we decided to let her try some real food, and gave her some squash and sweet potatoes. She was a little confused, at first, by the difference in tast!e, but then got right down to business. Haha! She happily snarfed down half a container of the veggies, then sat back and propped up her feet. Too cute, this one!
Now, I'm really anxious to start making her baby food, just like I did with Z. I bought a bag of frozen peas from the grocery store the other day, and can't wait to get started!

Check out the newest eater in our household...

I'm ready, guys!


C'mon already, Dad!


First bite!


Yummy!


Even Z got to help


Mmmm...veggies!


Look at me, Mama!

Boys...

Boys are yucky. Boys are gross.
They pee everywhere; like outside during a birthday party or all over the toilet (but, it's okay 'cause Mom will clean it).
They think words like "poop" and "fart" are hilarious and waste no time using them anywhere and everywhere; like on the pickle aisle at the grocery store or while you're talking to the nice receptionist at the doctor's office. They burp and fart than laugh hysterically...
But, then, sometimes they say;
"I love you! You're my favorite lady!"
Ah, well, I guess the other stuff isn't so bad... Besides, sometimes a good burp can be funny.

Avalee's sixth month checkup

So, the little lady had her 6 month checkup on Wednesday; just over a week shy of her actual 6 month birthday.
I was anxious to find out her height and weight, since she's been growing out of her clothes faster than I can pull them out of the closet! Not to mention, I've been getting quite the workout just toting Miss A around in that darn carseat. I might just get those Jennifer Aniston arms I always wanted!
Well, as it turns out... She weighs 16lb 2oz and is 26 1/2" tall. She is in the 63% for weight and 84% for her height! The pediatrician joked that she might be the tallest in the family!
She also received some of her vaccines, and took them like a champ! I assumed my usual position, at her head so I can give lots of kisses and whisper in her ear. The nurse gave her the shot, and Avalee winced a little and cried for about one second! I waited for her to do the second shot, when I realized that was the second shot; she had no reaction at all to her first shot! The nurse was amazed and said in all her years, she had never had a patient like that. I guess she has my high pain threshhold. :o)

Memorial Day Weekend

Since we had two sick kiddos, we decided to stick close to home over the long weekend. Plus, I’m not a fan of big crowds, and it’s always packed everywhere (zoo, coast, etc) on Memorial Day Weekend.
Saturday mornings, Z usually has his swim lessons, but he was still feeling the effects of his ear infection, and decided he wanted to skip it that day. Instead he ate pancakes and played video games with Dad. At least if you’ve gotta skip swimming; this is the next best thing!
Later in the day, everyone was feeling a little better and we decided to be adventurous and walk to the park, then walk to the grocery store. This is about a 4 mile walk (round trip) so we were being pretty brave!
To undertake a walk of this magnitude with two (sick…remember?) kids, required some extra packing, and planning. We needed sun hats, snacks, sunscreen, the Snugli, Tylenol for both kids… We also (by we, I mean I) decided to let Avalee ride in the stroller like a big girl, without the carseat. That meant we (by we, I mean Colin) had to tweak the stroller a bit, which took some more time. Finally we were ready to go, but by this point both kids were getting antsy and a little cranky. By the time we got Avalee strapped into the stroller, she was crying and yelling. A few blocks down the road though, and she realized she had a whole new outlook… She started kicking her feet, waving her arms and talking to everything in sight! A few more blocks, and we heard nothing, we realized she fell asleep!






The rest of the walk to the park went great, and Z behaved very well. Once we got there, Avalee woke up and had her snack ;0) while Z ran, jumped, slid, climbed and chased. He decided he wanted to play soccer, so I took him on. I’m not sure who won, but I will say Z definitely has more intensity on the ‘field.’ He’s also fearless, and ironically scared me more than once by running full force at me, and not stopping... Yikes!




So, now it was onto the store (about a mile from the park) to pick up some stuff for dinner. Before we got even halfway there, Z started complaining he was hungry. He had gone through all his snacks, so we kept promising him something once we got to the store. The promises turned more into bribes, when he started dragging along and wouldn’t get on the stroller. We asked, ordered and pleaded with him to get on the stroller, but it was not happening. Finally he said, “I can’t get on there. My flower is on the seat!” Well, I had picked him a flower on the way to the park and it was put on the seat. For half a mile, we dragged poor Z along and doubled (at least!) our time, and it was all because of that stinkin’ flower! Once the flower was re-located, Z happily jumped aboard and we sped off to the store.
After grabbing our dinner stuff and some raisins for Z to snack on, we hit the potty and headed out. By the time we got back home, both kids were tired and hungry, but happy.
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On Sunday, we decided to tackle our bonus room which was teeming with boxes of Christmas decorations. I know it’s May, but we’ve been a little busy since December, plus that room does have a door on it. ;0) When my mom called and wanted to take Z out for shopping and a picnic, we thrilled. Without Z, cleaning (and eating…and showering…and…) goes much faster! With Avalee asleep about half the time, Colin and I were able to clean/organize the room. Plus, we pulled out all the tubs (and tubs…and tubs) of Z’s old clothes/toys and found lots of ‘new’ stuff for Avalee. We even pulled out the highchair and the activity center for A. Yay!
Avalee tested out her new seat at dinner, and seemed to like it better than sitting in her bouncy seat. She still whined and fussed until someone (cough…Colin…cough) gave her the usual throne, as she is accustomed (that same ‘someone’s’ lap). But, she started the whining/fussing much later than usual so a small victory. :0)


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On Monday, we decided to have a last minute BBQ. My parents, sister and her boyfriend all came over bearing steak, potato salad and hotdogs. We broke out our hamburger that we got for an awesome deal at Safeway, and Colin made burgers (side note: if you suck at burger making like Colin does, get one of those burger patty thingies. Ours is from Tupperware and it changed our world!), then grilled everything up. After a yummy dinner, we all headed to the family room to play the Wii; we just rented Wii Music and had fun making music videos. :D

Z in his new "US flag shirt" helping get the BBQ ready



So, even with two sick kids, we still managed to have a fun (and productive weekend!)! I’m just hoping the sicknesses stay away for awhile, so we can all enjoy the upcoming Summer!

Diary of Miss Avalee Apryl

I’ve been kinda sick the last couple weeks, so haven’t had much time to write in my diary…
First I caught this yucky cold and couldn’t stop sneezing and coughing. Plus Mommy kept attacking me with tissue (she can be pretty sneaky!). Personally, I don’t mind if my nose is runny, but Mom just can’t let it go!
I started feeling better, than my ear started hurting. Mommy took me to the doctor and they said I have an ear infection. I don’t know what that means, but they keep shoving this pink goopy stuff down my throat twice a day. Yuck!
But, even though I’m sick, I’m still happy about—well, everything! I roll over ALL the time now, but I get bored being on my tummy for too long, so I have to scream at Mom or Dad to help me. I rolled all the way once, and made the mistake of letting Mama see me, so now she keeps telling me, “You can do it, Avalee!” I’d rather just have her help me; that way I can give her lots of kisses while she’s there!
I recently discovered when I stick out my tongue; people laugh and tell me I’m silly. I like to do that a lot now, because I like to make people laugh for me!
And my new biggest feat is that I learned how to sign Mom & Dad! Mommy and Daddy have been showing me the signs since I was born, but I was just not coordinated to do it before. Everyone was so excited that I signed already, and said it was even earlier than Z. Yes! I think I’m going to work on some other signs pretty soon, and just impress the pants off everyone!
Well, Mama is here with that yucky pink stuff again, so I guess I better get goin’… See ya soon!

~Avalee

Yay for warm weather & playdates… Boo for viruses & infections!

The weather last week was gorgeous and perfect for letting crazed, stir-crazy kids out of the house!
We had all been suffering from a yucky virus, and had used up most of the toilet paper in the house (I always think I’ll buy Kleenex when we’re sick, then feel too sick to actually go to the store to buy some!) on tiny snotty noses (that ironically produced lots of goopy snot). Colin, Avalee and I were nearing the end, when it hit Z.
We already had plans for the week, including a couple playdates and were certainly not going to let the virus stop our fun! Wednesday we met up with Liz and Madi (and Liz’s cutie-pie niece, Issy) at Liz’s house. Z had woken up earlier than usual that morning, so I wasn’t too surprised when he fell asleep on the way there. I carried him in and laid him on the couch and he napped away. When we decided to go get lunch, I woke him up and he was awake on the way to the restaurant. Once we got there, he got kind of whiny and laid his head in my lap, and went back. to. sleep! He seemed okay later that evening, and I chalked it up to the virus.
The next day we headed to the park for yet another playdate, with my friend Karen and her little girl Elise. Z seemed fine and was even his usual ornery self. ;0) When we left, it was onto Grandma and Grandpa’s, because I was going to an art show at Mercedes’ school with my mom later (side note: Mercedes won an honorable mention for a screen print she did!). Colin rode his bike over from work to hang out with the kids, while Mom and I were gone. When we got back, Z was not doing well. He was cranky, whiny and refused to eat anything. Then he started complaining his ear hurt, and I knew what that meant…ear infection! Almost on cue, Avalee started tugging at her ear too. Yikes!
I called their pediatrician’s office first thing Friday morning and they got both kids in, within 20 minutes (LOVE them!). The doc confirmed both kids had ear infections, and Avalee actually had a double! So, off we went to Target for Amoxicillin prescriptions (and a promised Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup candy bar for Z from Grandma).
Z started feeling better almost immediately, but poor Avalee was/is having a harder time getting over it. We are now on Day 6 of antibiotics, so hopefully this will all be over soon!
I hope we’ll all be done with sickness for awhile, especially since spring is here now! Maybe I should go stock up on Kleenex now anyway…just in case.

*I didn’t get any pics during playdates, because frankly I had my hands full with snotty noses, sleepy toddlers and whiny kiddos… But, I promise some super-duper cute pics on the next post (comin’ soon)!!