Pinterest

Ahh, Pinterest, how I love you so. Such a simple idea, wish I had come up with it! A wealth of ideas...just what I don't need!! I love this site and have seen so many cool things to do. Unfortunately I don't have the time to do most of them so when I do finish a Pinterest project, I am almost giddy! Today I started AND finished the very colorful tutu for Averie's 1 year pictures that are set for tomorrow (Nothing like procrastination!) I am so excited about the way it came out! Sometimes it's the little things!

*I can't take credit for the bow, except for the colors that I requested!

The Dentist

A couple of months ago, may oh so cute and completely coordinated son ran into the steps leading to our front door. I didn't think much of it, couple of tears and kisses to make his "booboo" feel better, and off we go. Until 2 days later and one of his front teeth is turning a darker shade. And then darker still a couple of days later. I was putting off the dentist until closer to his birthday, but I guess we were gonna do it sooner. I was worried about how he would do with a stanger's hand in his mouth. I very much dislike the dentist...how could I expect him to like it?

I had absolutely NOTHING to worry about! Mason, you were a champ today!! We started off just talking to the dentist, with you in my lap. We got a new toothbrush and floss and you were doing so well, he decided to try to look in your mouth. Again, great! So he decided to take it a step forward and put him in the chair to look closer...awesome! So he decided to try and clean his teeth. (Proud mother moment- according to our dentist it is quite rare for a first timer to allow a full blown cleaning. He kept saying how easy going and well behaved Mason was! Okay, moment over!)

The only problem we had was...Mason's tongue! He really, REALLY, liked the taste of the toothpaste and kept licking it off his teeth before the dentist could brush it in(off?) so it took a little bit longer than normal trying to manuever around it! But the end result....

beautiful, shiny teeth! He loved running his tongue over them when we were done and was quite persistant about remembering to brush his teeth tonight!!

*His front tooth is fine! It was just bruised; didn't even know that could happen!!

Cows Aren't Free

I've come to the conclusion that we should by a cow. Seriously. And then teach Mason how to milk it! Since Averie is now on regular milk, I am buying at least 3- yes 3- jugs of milk every couple of days. And they are all different. And I don't even like the stuff. However Averie drinks vitamin D, Mason drinks 2%, and Dave drinks fat free. Mason and Dave drink the white stuff ALL THE TIME! No matter how often I go to the store- and I go a lot- u can't keep it in stock.

Why buy the cow? Because the milk ain't free!!

Averie

**LONG POST- don't read if you don't want to hear about my other perfect child!!

Happy Birthday, Averie Lynne! This year has flown by! I cannot believe how fast you have grown up and am no longer a baby.

(These pictures are not in order, sorry, still trying to figure out this blog thing!)

You were such an easy baby. Sleeping thru the night at just 3 months. I kept you in our room a lot longer than Mason (almost 5 months) because I was just not ready for you to grow! You were generally a go-with-the-flow kinda gal, which made the adjustment from one kid to two!

You like to have the attention of EVERYONE in the room and make your presence be known by either screaming or crying. A bit high maintenance-maybe. (Your daddy and I joke that you get that from your Aunt LaLa and Aunt Heather!)

My prediction is that you are going to be bigger than your brother but probably still on the short side! You did inherit his foot and are still wearing size 2!

You loved your Dorothy costume and really enjoyed all the attention you got from it!

Even though this picture may not show it, you did love being stuffed into a pumpkin, mainly because you had easy access to food!! I really wanted to get your picture in it naked and outside, but unfortunately the weather never cooperated!

You have been completely a mommy's girl up until about 3 weeks ago. Now you can't get enough of Daddy and he loves it!! You reach for him and then hang on for dear life if he even thinks about putting you down. You have him wrapped around your little finger and that really scares me for the future! (Sorry about the picture. Our computer's graphic chip is out so I haven't downloaded a lot of pics)

You have been so good about letting me dress you and put on some big bows. People in Michigan haven't always been accepting of this, but you wear them proud!! On the same note, you definitely are a strong willed child. Although I know you love them, you are not always the easiest baby to go to everyone. You have to warm up to them- sometimes taking months, even if they are my BFFs. But I know you will come around!

You are most patient with your big brother, who adores you and I think the feeling is mutual. You let him crawl in your bed every morning and jump all around you or bury you in his bed! You want to be and do wherever, whatever he is doing, sometimes to his chagrin! I love watching you reach over and try to hold his hand in the car. You laugh at him for no reason, except maybe he looked at you. You are his greatest fan! I hope this never changes! I do, however, blame him for you talking so much and so loud. You say "hi, bye," and sometimes "thank you"

You were in your first wedding at only 6 months. You did so good- especially when you pooped all over the groom's white linen shirt BEFORE the ceremony! (Definitely trying to upstage the whole day!) You were such a party animal that night too- staying up dancing until almost midnight!

I love this toothless grin, but your teeth came fast, just like your bros. I thought you might be a biter but luckily you're too sweet for that! You like to put everything in your mouth, which has definitely been the biggest struggle with you thus far.

You are so incredibly cuddly and I have a hard time putting you down for naps if you've fallen asleep in my arms! (I know your daycare is going to blame me for your lack of sleep for that one!) When I pick you up, you pat my back as I am patting yours and nestle your head in my shoulder. Love, LOVE, LOVE it!!

This may be my most favorite picture ever!!

We had a very low key day for your birthday and wait for your party to do it up! Normally we would eat something special for breakfast, but since our oven is broken (and I am not in a hurry to fix it!!) So we made cinnamon toast in the toaster oven and sang happy birthday to you. (Mason sang it to you ALL day long!) We did go out for a special dinner at Cracker Barrel (nothing says bday like Cracker Barrel!) because we figured there was a lot there that you could eat. And of course you love it everytime! You talked a storm up to the couple next to us and they talked right back. When they left, they even gave you a dollar for your first birthday! So sweet...and you very graciously waved and said "bye, bye"

We came home to have cupcakes and sing to you once again! You weren't sure at first and very timidly bit some off, but it didn't take you long to get your hands in there and throw it off the plate! (Very opposite of Mason!)

(You and your dollar at Cracker Barrel...if this keeps up, I'll take you out more often. Maybe next time, they'll pay for the whole ticket!)

There is so much more I could say about you, but I think you already think you're hot stuff! I love you more than I ever thought possible and am so blessed to have you. You have a funny personality and looks that make me cry laughing. I do think that all these behaviors are going to be trouble later, but I am so enjoying them now.

Mason

A year ago right now, I snuck into this little boy's room, and pretty much cried. We were due to have Averie the next morning and I was just terrified I was ruining his world. I was afraid he wouldn't feeled loved or that he was important or be the happy little man he had been as the only child for a year and a half. I prayed that he wouldn't hate me or his new little sister.

Apparently I didn't have to worry too much. He is such an amazing little boy and I still can't get enough of him. Everyday he amazes me more and more. He is so content playing trains or cars or whatever by himself, but still will jump at the chance to play with Dave or me. (He tries playing with Averie, but she doesn't quite get it yet!) When he is done playing with you, he'll just tell you, "You can go now!" but in a totally sweet, I didn't just get dissed by a 2 yr old, manner!

He has such a vast vocabulary and processing method. During a conversation with my stepdad about Jesus and why God sent him to us (they got really deep), my stepdad said that not everyone gets to go to Heaven. Mason responded, "That's a big bummer." Out of the mouths of babes! Sometimes he surprises me with what comes out and how much he understands (sometimes it scares me a bit! Not sure if I will be able to always argue with this logical little dude!)

He absolutely adores his little sister. Every morning before he gets up, he moves all his animals (and yes, he has several large ones that sleep above his head) and his blanket to the far end so that there "is room for Averie." He loves to hug her, sometimes a bit too hard, and give her toys to play with, sometimes all over! (Of course, now that she is shuffling and standing up, he also is getting frustrated with her tearing and taking his toys! You can't win them all) I love that he tries to calm her if she is whining by rubbing her head and saying, "it's okay baby girl" Almost makes me wish for her to whine more!! (ALMOST!)

I am so absolutely blessed and grateful to be Mason's mom. There is no other little boy like him. He has so many quirks that I love- did you notice Scooby and Puss in Boots on the pillow beside him? They have to be in that exact place every night! He's a bit OCD and likes his room especially clean and will not go to sleep with out it that way! (Not sure where he got that from, since the rest of the house is never in order!)

I am pretty sure I could go on and on about Mason, but I won't today. I'll wait until his next bday (kills me that he's about to be 3). Instead I will rest until my blog tomorrow about the big birthday girl!

Resolutions 2012

We rang in the new year quietly, with the kids in bed, sipping pomegranate mimosas. We did visit my bff's house for a bit, but my kids needed to get to bed! Mason, of course, didn't want to leave, especially with Sarah playing tractors with him. Averie didn't want to leave since Nicole started feeding her! Love leaving 2011 behind with the ones I love!

I am a little torn about putting my resolutions on paper, even more torn about putting them in a place for anybody to see. That's a little "too able to hold accountable" for me! But I have 'resolved' to put them out and maybe feel accountable and then maybe I will work harder to accomplish them. Ahhh, lofty goals!!

1. Keep a tidier household. (I laugh a bit, typing this, and glancing around the very messy room) But I'm gonna clean it up as soon as I finish this!!

2. Eat/drink healthier. Easier said than done I feel, but definitely need to make a better effort, for me and the habits I don't want my kids to form

3. Answer texts when I get them. I know I am horrible at this, but I am going to try to do better!

4. Blogging. Period. Rumor has it, there is a challenge to take at least one picture every day and blog it. Well....challenge accepted! Enough said!

New Year, New Blog Enthusiasm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We are so excited for all 2012 has to bring. 2011 went by too fast and I am hoping that 2012 will slow down.

This is how we spent the first day of 2012:

...in the bath!

If you're thinking, finally, the kids are getting a bath, you're only half right, they did need a bath!

The reason for the bath......

That's right...Little Diva made a huge mess to start off the new year! I hope it's not a sign of what's to come!

Don't let that sweet, "who me" look fool you- she is SMALL and IN CHARGE!!

Oh well, it was a great way to spend 2 hours and not think about the mess in the other room!