Bowling fun

Colin went back to work a couple weeks ago, and although Z has done pretty well, he still asks where Daddy is every morning. Usually I say he’s at work and Z moves on. But, last Tuesday he woke up crying and saying Daddy was supposed to play ball with him. I assumed he meant basketball, baseball or something of that nature. But, he told me Daddy was going to take him bowling at the bowling alley. Since, we haven’t gone bowling in over a year, I wasn’t sure where this was coming from! I asked Colin if he had told Z we would go bowling, but he hadn’t. Regardless, Z was set on going to the bowling alley. All week, it was all he could talk about. Colin and I decided we could use it as a reward incentive and told him if he was a good boy we would take him on the weekend. So, the first thing he said this morning was “can we go to the bowling place now??”
We got to the bowling alley and requested a lane with bumpers. They also had these nifty ramps that kids can use to help get the ball down the lane. Z loved using it and even got a spare on his first try!

A visit from Aunt Ceara

My sister-in-law came for a visit from Vermont last weekend. She stopped by with my mother-in-law to visit with us and see Avalee for the first time. Luckily, Avalee was awake for most of the visit, although she’s not much of a conversationalist quite yet. And, when Avalee needed a diaper change, Aunt Ceara stepped in (and only needed minimal help from me and grandma). Hmmm…maybe I should have her around more often… ;)










Zavion was very excited to see her and was acting like his usual goofy, crazy self. He was definitely showing off for his Aunt Ceara!
Oh, if you’re wondering what’s with Z’s outfit, he had just received those Superman PJs before Ceara and Denise arrived and refused to take them off!

Pregnancy Perks

It’s funny how when you’re pregnant, everyone wants to take care of you. When you’re hungry, people offer you food (“what are you craving?”). When you’re tired they offer to help you do laundry, wash the dishes or vacuum. And they’re always telling you to rest all the time. I mean, as a pregnant person, you could request just about anything and someone would fulfill it (“you want a five tiered wedding cake filled with ganache and topped with chocolate covered strawberries? Sure, no problem!”).
I was just recently thinking how I miss those days. Don’t get me wrong; I was definitely ready for the baby to come. Between needing a five person team to help me up from the couch to getting heartburn from even water, it was time! But, after you have the baby, you’re not the important one anymore. You get maybe a week of people checking on you and asking how you are. After that, it’s all baby.
Now, I’ll say “gee I’m hungry” and get “you should make yourself a sandwich. By the way, how is the baby?” If I complain about getting only three hours sleep, it’s “you should really get to bed earlier and oh, how’s the baby sleeping?” or that I haven’t had time to vacuum my floors since…well, I don’t know, the response is “don’t worry about that. Just hold that baby.”
Aah, well yes, the baby is very important, but I just miss those days…
Well, I have to go make myself a sandwich so I can get to bed earlier tonight. :)

Madisen

Baby Madisen made her debut last Thursday, the 8th just after 3AM. We went to the hospital, just to check on Liz, since she said it might be awhile. But, she started progressing pretty quickly so we decided we better stick around! Colin and I waited with her family all night (and morning) until we got the word. It was so exciting to have been a part of that and to see baby Madi just after she was born! Congrats B&L!!!!

Baby on the way!!

I got word from Liz this afternoon that she is going into the hospital to be induced! Her doctor says it still might be a couple of days, but I’m anxiously awaiting her imminent arrival!

Dinosaurs and Ice Cream

We decided to finally take Z to the Gilbert House Museum today. He received the membership as a birthday present, but we hadn’t had time to take him yet. We figured since Colin was still off work and kids were back in school, it would be a good time to go. We left Avalee with Grandma and Grandpa so all our attention could be on Z. It was pretty empty since it was a Tuesday afternoon, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves. He had such a great time playing with the bubbles, going down the dino slide and dressing up. :)














After we left, we headed over to Coldstone to meet with Liz. Her birthday was the week earlier and we were finally getting around to celebrate! She updated us on the baby situation, and it looks like we’ll be meeting Madisen on Friday (maybe sooner)! I’m just so excited to meet her!

She’s here…

I know this is a little late coming, but things have been a bit busy around here lately (besides the obvious, the icky winter storm also left us without power for almost three days).
So, our baby girl has arrived. Avalee Apryl was born on December 12th at 8:19 AM. She weighed 7lbs 10oz and was 19 ½ in long. She came out looking gorgeous, of course, and a lot like her big brother Z. She had lots of black hair and piercing steel blue eyes.
Colin and I spent three days in the hospital bonding with her, which was amazing. Z came up and spent time with us as well, although he didn’t much like leaving Mom and Dad. We also rode out most of part one of aforementioned winter storm. It was nice just watching the snow falling outside, knowing we had nowhere to go. We had a beautiful view from our room of the Capitol building and the trees at Willamette University, lit with Christmas lights. The worst day of the storm though, just happened to be the day we were released from the hospital. It had been snowing for days, than everything froze. We ended up driving about 5-10mph to get home. It was like a completely different world from what we had left. We were never so happy to get home!
So, now we are all home enjoying each other. Colin is off work until the second week in January, which has been so nice.
Avalee is doing very well and growing quickly (she has already grown an inch and a half!). She is the mellowest baby I have ever encountered, and we’re certain she has Colin’s personality. ;) She rarely fusses and doesn’t let much bother her (even when her big bro is running around screaming!). She is also quite strong, already holding her head up for lengthy periods of time and rolling to her side. She just might be our little overachiever. :)
Z is taking his role as big brother very seriously. He is great with Avalee and it’s so exciting to see them together. He asks to hold her and wants to help with everything. If she does get fussy, he’s right there to kiss her head or rub her tummy. He tells us that he loves her and that she’s “just precious.” Of course, we agree with him. :)