Saturday, March 31, 2012

A few more fun pictures from the week....


Trying to get a picture of Sam and Monks


 

Just woke up from a nap - don't mess with me!

  
Sam showing Ava how all her fun toys work

  
Ava ready for a walk

  
Sam looking so cute in his overalls and very proud he knows how to climb on the ottoman now!

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Zoo

Mom took Sam to the Zoo on Friday as it was the last day of her maternity leave - we decided we should end with something fun!  Mema watched Ava so we had even more freedom to run around and do the things we wanted.

Sam loved looking eye to eye with the big TIGER!

 

Of course, we had to watch the monkeys for awhile!

 

 We had a really fun morning together and will definitely be back again!


 ....hopefully with a little more sunshine next time!





 

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Another interesting and fun filled week

The countdown is on - officially only one more week of maternity leave.  I feel anxious, sad, and unready, but yet ready in some ways to use my brain again and get back to my career.....  Mixed emotions, I would say!  The one great thing is that Ava sleeps so well, and so I won't be the sleep-deprived wreck I was with Sam!  I'm just not ready to leave my little Ava yet.... :(


We have been taking advantage of the AWESOME weather - My walkmeter app shows that we have walked 50+ miles in just the last two weeks!  We are getting use out of the double stroller and loving getting outside everyday for a walk around the lakes!  Sam often will just go sit in his stroller while parked he loves it so much!






Ava is always a quiet content little angel in the carseat.....


Dad has joined us a few times after work or on the weekends and we have stopped at the playground which Sam loves.  


 

 


And... the moments from the week that made me want to laugh, sigh in frustration, pull my hair out, smile, or all of the above at the same time!!

Prepping dinner with crabby Sam in the Nap Nanny - trying to keep him happy.... :)


 Napping with Mr. Monks!


Sam WILL NOT let us feed him yogurt - he MUST do it himself - often with two utensils at one time and always a big mess.


 Ava cracks me up as she often will sleep with these "creeper hands" up in the air !?!?!?

 
Sam also loves to be on the balcony outside now that the weather is nicer - two problems -
First, he kept playing in a flower pot that had rainwater in it - putting his feet in it and dipping a lego in to then drink the dirty water.   This was a fixable problem.  Second, Sam has been dropping stuff off the balconcy, which has landed on the first floor patio - a single guy lives there and has put the toys next to our mailbox....with a note.  I didn't realize what all went over.... 

 
But, this morning I looked down and noticed the below.... that is Sam's favorite blanket on the second story balcony - the unit is unoccupied... we will have to get the onsite caretakers to assist in retrieving this one.


 Two pictures from a typical morning with Sam..... less than an hour after waking up.....


Taking Sam to the Grocery store is also an adventure - we use the stroller with the small car on front, but we have to keep a close eye on Sam as he pulls products off all of the shelves if we stop or give him too close of access.  Baking chips, loaves of bread, buns, Starbursts, and a box of cereal... just a few things we had to pull out of the car on our last trip.


For the most part, it all makes me laugh!  

This morning, we actually had a second showing on our condo we are trying to rent out.  Sam was following them around as they measured and trying to give high-fives - I left him for a few seconds with them twice as I was in living room with Ava while they were in the bedroom and bathroom.  When I found him in the bedroom, he had opened a drawer and pulled out bras and birth control... when I found him later in the bathroom with them, he was sitting in a pile of panty liners......  I guess all you can do is laugh!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Dad relaxing at home with the kids (for an hour) without mom!!



Dad just wanted to prove, well, that it wasn't relaxing!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Inspired by one of Sam's favorite books

The Berglunds passed on some books that Sam has been enjoying - many about Alaska - but also one Sam loves called "This is My Hair."  Below is one of the pages from the book that often makes us think about Sam!

 
 This is Sam first thing in the morning - untouched, unstyled, and au natural!



 

Friday, March 16, 2012

Doctor Visits

This week Tuesday (3/13), Ava and Sam both had doctor's appointments - Sam for 18 months and Ava for 2 months!

 SAM - 18 MONTHS

Weight: 27lbs. 7oz. (50-75%tile)
Height:  32.825in (50-75%tile)
Head:  19 5/8in. (90-97%tile)

It is so fun to see Sam grow and develop and do new things everyday!  Sam is starting to say a lot more - "Ball", "Juicy", "All Done", and more.  He also talks with inflection which is cute - if you ask "Where is Monks?" - He will raise his hands palms up and talk back with a question.  

Sam is also really good at using a fork now and can eat a whole meal with one.  It's cute to see how he learns and mimics us - yesterday he was coloring, saw a small piece of paper - he stopped what he was doing, picked it up and brought it and put it in the trash.  He also uses a napkin to wipe his face and tries to comb his hair and brush his teeth.  He also loves to help get his shoes and tries to help put them on.  He is also learning all his animal noises and parts of his body!


 Sam still loves to give high fives - to EVERYONE - the deacon at church collecting offering, people on the elevator, and basically anyone he sees.  He gives hugs and kisses, which mom loves, as well.  Sam still continues to explore everything!  He loves to find boxes, storage containers or anything similar to sit in or move to stand on.


Sam's favorite things at 18months - 

Mr. Monks (definitely top of the list!), playing games on the ipad, hockey, Yo Gabba Gabba, dancing, going for walks, singing songs (Itsy bitsy spider, My God is so Big, and If you're happy clap your hands), Dogs and puppies, his pacifier (unfortunately!), Spongebob Mac n cheese, LIFE cereal, and blueberries.

Sam still makes us laugh and smile everyday - he is also nearing two and we are seeing glimpses of that rebellion and independence coming out!






AVA - 2 MONTHS

 
Weight:  10 lbs. 10.5oz. (25-50%tile)
Height:  22in (25-50%tile)
Head:  15 1/8in. (90-97%tile)
Ava continues to be the BEST baby ever!  She is so mellow and happy and easy-going.

The one thing the doctor said was she had a very slight flat spot on left side of head so we need to try to rotate her head to the right more often.  I didn't notice until after the doctor said that, that she does tend to look/sleep with head to left.  
      

One of the best things about Ava is what a good sleeper she is - Mom has been getting a 6-8 hour stint of sleep every night.  She also goes down very easily and when she does wake up, it is with very quiet whimpers.  It is a much bigger issue during the day and night of Sam waking HER up, not vice versa.

She also loves the swing and looking at the moving mobile.









 



Practicing some tummy time!  She doesn't mind being on her tummy and is starting to lift her head a little and for short periods of time.
 


Ava continues to smile a lot and is starting to coo and make other sounds.

Her eyes are getting even brighter blue and the doctor said they will definitely stay blue!  I feel like her new hair coming in is a little lighter too and am thinking she'll lighten up like Sam - who knows!  

Ava is such a beautiful little girl and we feel so blessed!  She is our little princess!