sleep?

I'm sitting here typing this listening to my darling daughter not sleep. 2 days in a row of no nap, I thought for sure she would go to sleep early tonight.... not so much. What are we going to do with her? Good thing she's so cute. Today she started calling me "cutie pie". As in, "what are you doing, cutie pie" or "I love you too cutie pie"! Love her!

Big girl happenings....

We now officially have a big girl on our hands. She is fully into her terrible 2's, but just when we think we are at our wit's end she does something so cute or amazing, that you can't be frustrated for long. Like when she tells me "I love you too mommy" before I've said it. Or how she sings everything, most conversations are set to song. She loves band-aids right now. We have a lot of "owies" most days. Last, but not least, (drumroll please).......... we are in a big girl bed! It has been the easiest transition. We were dreading it and for no reason. The first night she was so excited she asked if it was time to get in her big girl bed. She hasn't quite figured out that she can actually get herself out of her bed when she wakes up. She still calls for us when she wakes up. It's really cute and not such a bad thing. Oh yeah, and she likes to have "piggies" in her hair now too!

Enjoying some ribs.

Here's my big girl bed!

One must always wear pig tails when playing with play dough.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was great this year. Avery understood what was going on and was so excited for Santa to come, and more importantly, Baby Jesus! Because Christmas is Jesus' birthday, she received a nativity scene on Christmas morning. The big ticket item was her Cinderella princess doll. She loved it, but of course loved the princess coloring book she got just as much. Everyone was very generous to her. We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and not driving all over Michigan! We even spent time at the playground. Grandpa Johnston and GB came later that night and spent the week with us. It was a lot of fun and Avery really enjoyed all the extra attention. We even got to go out on New Years Eve! We really enjoyed their time here. We're ready for more visitors any time!

*The photos are from newest to oldest.

Holding baby Mallory!

Snack picnic with Bennett

Showing off her cute new do and trying out the new finger paints.

Opening her new slide from Grandpa and GB

A bald eagle sighting on Christmas day. So cool! He was flying over the water for about 10 minutes.

The playground on Christmas day. Every 2 year olds dream.

Checking out her new Cinderella.

Sporting her new hat from Aunt Alissa and "Uncle" Tom.

After Santa came

Getting the "cookies" ready for Santa. She wanted to leave him the pretend cookies and eat the real ones!

Got the goods for Santa and the reindeer!

Funny lady.

I promise I'll post Christmas photos and videos soon. Just wanted to share this blog with everyone. I found her blog from Shauna, and now find myself looking for a new post from her every day. Hope you enjoy as much as I do!
http://www.anymommyoutthere.com/2010/12/how-matt-and-i-failed-elf-101.html

Christmas Baking!

On Monday I had to work and our daycare is closed for the Christmas break, so Amy took Avery for the day for us. She had plans to bake with her mom and sisters for the day, so Avery got to tag along for the day. We are so grateful to have such great friends, Avery loves Amy and Bennett (and Brent) and she always has a great time when she is with them. Here is a picture of Avery (courtesy of Sarah, Amy's sister) helping to decorate the cookies. Amy said the kids surprised her with how long they sat and decorated. Avery has been helping me with all of our Christmas goodies too. She is REALLY good at taste testing, but really is a great little helper in the kitchen.

Update...

Just thought I'd give another update before another month passes. Not a lot to report. Avery has gotten to decorate a couple ginger bread men with her friends, which she has thoroughly enjoyed, since there is a lot of sugar and candy involved. She's "helped" me make Christmas goodies, and continues to tell everyone that Santa is bringing her either a "pink princess doll" or a "pink cinderella princess". Well, Cinderella doesn't wear pink, but she will be under the tree on Christmas morning. We also got to visit 2 of Santa's reindeer on Friday. Avery was excited, but sad that "Santa wasn't there with his reindeer", as she keeps telling me. Have I mentioned that she knows most of the words to most Christmas Carols? "Hark the Herald Angels" is her favorite. She knows more of the words than I do! Oh yeah, and she is officially potty trained!!!! We've only had a couple small accidents since we started almost 2 weeks ago. She asked to not wear diapers to bed any more because "I a big girl, I don't need diapers". So we obliged and we haven't had a wet bed yet!

*The photos go from newest to oldest. Check out the video posts below too!

Enjoying "tea" at school

Santa's sleigh with Bennett

Opening gifts with Maeve and Bennett.

Decorating gingerbread men with the friends.

Snuggling up to daddy to share his food.

Decorating yet another gingerbread man.

Enjoying her new "Veggie Tales" Christmas carols.

Avery singing vive le vent

Avery is learning French at her daycare. I got to go to her Christmas Tea on Friday. The kids and teachers prepared 3 songs to perform for their parents. Avery decided she did not wish to participate when it came to performance time, she got a little stage fright. So, later that night she decided she would give Chris and I her own little version. We're pretty sure this is the French version of "Jingle Bells".

Hawaii, 9/10

When I was uploading videos I came across this little clip from Hawaii. We didn't take a lot of video while we were there, guess we'll have to go back again! This is just a little bit of the fun Avery had while we were there. First, playing in the ocean and then learning to hula at the luau at our little resort.

Potty Training

Our brilliant little girl has been going on the potty since Tuesday! We've even been able to get out of the house and do things! We've only had a couple small accidents at home. Hopefully I don't jinx it, but she's been doing a great job. Cross your fingers that she keeps it up!

A Little Happier Santa

So, we decided the Santa photo is not making the Christmas card this year. So, here you go. She's looking at Santa in awe, wondering how he knows she wants a "pink princess doll" for Christmas. They were friends once he said that, and gave her a candy cane.

Poor Santa....

Shauna and I may, or may not have taken Bennett out of school to get Santa photos. We thought we were helping, because Amy tried to take him and he did not like Santa. We thought it would be a fun surprise! It wasn't better for us....... it will be a funny story to tell when they're older? You'll get to see Avery's photo soon. Coming to a mailbox near you!

Snow and other fun

We got snow a couple days before Thanksgiving, which made for fun commuting and no school for Avery. Seattle does not deal well with the white stuff. It was fun for Avery to play in and she even got her first sledding experience while her nina was here. We took nina downtown on Friday to see the Westlake Center Christmas tree lighting. There were a ton of people, but well worth it. There was live music and even a Santa sighting before the tree was lit. Side note: So sorry for the lack of updates. Every time I think I'm going to get a second to update, something comes up. Avery keeps us on our toes every minute. This week life is consumed with potty training, and she is getting the hang of it. Will update on that again soon. Cross your fingers for us!

The Westlake Center Tree

Enjoying the sights with daddy.

The music was too loud, according to Avery.

Trying to figure out the big new mittens.

Holding her new baby from her nina. Her name is Vivian, and yes, she came up with this on her own.

Making a snow angel.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hosted our first annual "orphan Thanksgiving" this year. It was a small group, but really fun and of course a lot of good food. We were also lucky enough to have Regina here to celebrate and be with us for the long weekend.

The men carving the turkey.

Sitting down for the feast.

Avery mostly just enjoyed the apple pie with whipped cream.

Beach House Fun.

We had a girl's weekend away with Chelsea a couple weeks ago. We surprised her and flew her to Seattle to spend some time with us. It was so much fun, and we miss her so much already. Thank you Pinneo family for being so generous with your beautiful home. We are so thankful. Come see us again soon Chelsea! We love you!

The amazing beach house.

Avery and Bennett contemplating life.

Me trying to get creative on the beach with Avery's footprints.

Building their own mini Stonehenge.

Fun on the playground in Home (that's the name of the town).

Fun in the kitchen!

Avery's been having fun in the kitchen, hers and mine. Here are a few photos of her fun.

Making pasta is so fun!

Serious baking face

Let me show you daddy.

Love my kitchen!

2 Year Stats....

We had Avery's 2 year check-up on November 2. Here are her latest stats:

Height: 35 inches (75%)

Weight: 29 lbs (75%)

There were no immunizations with this visit, though we did do the flu shot, which was heartbreaking for all involved. Nothing a hug and kiss from mommy, and a new princess book couldn't fix though. Other good news, her ear infection cleared on it's own. Our poor girl was on her 7th ear infection since July, and nothing was making them better. When the doctor looked this time, her ears were clear! Praise the Lord! She has reached all the developmental milestones she should, and then some. According to the sheet the dr. gave us, she should have a vocabulary of 50 words and use 2-3 word sentences by age 3, she's been doing that for a while now. She has her own opinion about everything. I have to hide clothes and shoes I don't want her to wear, or it's an all morning fight. She loves cooking in her new kitchen, though she pretty much just moves the food/pans from one compartment to the other "cooking". She hates having her teeth brushed, this is a struggle every night, one we hope gets better very soon. Whenever it's almost nap or bed time, she says, "I go sleep later". I have no idea how she knows when it's almost that time. Every day is a new adventure!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!

It was a fun filled birthday weekend for Avery. Friday started us off with a swim at the pool with mommy, trick or treating in Wedgewood, and then a Halloween party at "aunty" Leann's house in the evening. Saturday was a little more low key, since it was raining, but we did get to pick daddy up from the airport, as he returned from his annual hunting trip. Sunday, of course was the BIG day! Daddy and Avery got some time together in the morning at the park so mommy could prepare for the big party. After a little "rest" our friends all joined us to celebrate turning 2! Avery had lots of fun and now actually knows how old she is. I think she started to get it as the day went on that this day was about her (aren't they all?). She was very protective of her cupcakes and gifts. She wanted to play with each gift as she opened it. The big hits were, a cell phone from Aunt Alissa, lots of fun play food for her new kitchen from Uncle JT, Aunt Jessica and the cousins, and a new backpack for school (she hasn't wanted to take it off) from the Jones. She wasn't quite sure about everyone singing to her, but thought blowing out the candle was fun, and of course consuming all that frosting and cake was the best part. After the party, we rushed over to the Jones's to do some trick or treating and have some delicious homemade soup. Avery had lots of fun, and has definitely figured out the whole trick or treat thing. She kept saying, "let's go to next one mommy" and she would run to the next door and try to knock on the door. Our little golfer buddy, Bennett was getting the hang of it too. Our cute little cow, Maeve, was perfectly happy enjoying the sites and all the other fun things to play with (flower pots, water fountains). All in all, it was a very successful and fun day and weekend. Can't wait to do it all again next year! I just hope it doesn't come so fast next time!

We swing on the big girl swing now that we're 2.

Protecting her cupcakes.

Mmmmm, chocolate frosting.

Bennett was a good helper.

"Come on friends!"

Waiting patiently for their loot.