Friday, December 31, 2010

Pics from Christmas

Here are some pics from our different Christmas celebrations:

Jack loves getting clothes!
Of course, he loves getting cars, too! Here he is with Grandpa and his new Batmobile
Jack was so excited about this new shirt that he decided he had to try it on then and there!
Even Matt had to try on this shirt as soon as he got it from his sister.

Here is Jack opening his stocking on Christmas morning
Jack absolutely LOVES his Iron Man action figure
He also loves his Cars play rug as you see below


This truck from Brent & Heidi was definitely the hit of the party when we were at Granddaddy's house. Jack was playing with it all morning.


Ava was blissfully ignorant of all the fun that was happening around her.
Jack sure was interested in Granddaddy's new singing hat!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy New Year!

Do you have any resolutions? Heidi asked me that a few weeks ago, and mine's always the same - lose weight! But after thinking about it a little bit, I like the verse, "Let your moderation be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand." I thought that would be a good verse to live by this year. If we live in remembrance of Christ's return every day, the things that are important to us might be different. And that affects many areas of our lives. But it's a good goal!

What a great Christmas! We had the best time with our families and at church. Good food and good fellowship - can't beat it! Jack racked up with so many nice things and his birthday is coming, so it might be about time to clean out that toy box again since it is piled pretty high. Time to get rid of old stuff and make room for the new, right? I've done the same thing with myself, and Matt has, too. I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks since we have a few birthdays and then I'm heading to Colorado with Ava. I can't wait to see Chris and Alicia and the kids and for them to meet Ava in person. It's been fun skyping a few times with them. And now we can do that at home since we got a web cam for Christmas.

Check out my brother's new book Morning Manna by R. Chris Hanks. Lifeway is carrying it, and you can order it online. It is a devotional that will be a blessing to you! Chris and Alicia are so talented and can do anything. They make candles, too. Their candles are in high demand and are sold in stores all over Colorado. They are called Mountain Lights, so check them out, too! I think you can order them online. So that's my commercial for them - go buy a book and a candle! I can't imagine anyone paying me to write! OR make candles! WOW!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The day before the day before....

Fun shopping! Time with my sisters - so nice to have Nancy home! I am looking forward to our day together today before tomorrow when everything really starts. Church, the Fures for their Christmas, and then home to get ready for ours the next morning. I'm so excited to see Jack's face opening his presents. Ava won't be too aware quite yet! Then to the Hanks at 10 am for presents and fondue! What I love the most about this time of year is time with family. Can't wait!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Pictures from the Christmas program day


Waiting to go in...

Walking and waving....our little star

These pictures turned out terrible. But here's one anyway.

At home



Christmas Program

Well, the Christmas program this year was a success! Whew! Sigh of relief. I'm glad it's over, and I'm glad it went so well. All of the kids did a great job. Jack was in the front row and we could hear him singing. And he did his part right and when he was supposed to - again, WHEW! And they were all dressed up and so cute! So we had a great time. The families both came and all came over afterwards for some sandwiches. It was so much fun. We let Jack open a present early for doing so well.

So this week we are making our gifts for the church. Our annual fiddle faddle. Well, we just started doing it last year copying Chris and Alicia, and everyone really liked it. It enabled us to do more for more people in the church, and it's something we are making ourselves. And it's kind of fun. And quite tasty!

So this Sunday is our cantata and then Monday Nancy comes home - whoohoo! We are very excited especially Ava since she hasn't met Aunt Nanny yet. We are looking forward to some good quality family time this Christmas.

My car is again in the shop - what is it about Christmastime and car problems? I think it was in the shop last year, too, right around this time. But thank the Lord, He is providing us with our needs. We have a house to live in, food to eat, cars to drive, and clothes to wear. Oh and our health! Really no complaints!

We are all ready! Decorations up, presents bought, and just waiting....I need a project! Really though I'm glad I'm done. This way I can be ready to enjoy my family when they are all here and off work without feeling like I have a lot to do. So looking forward to it all! Merry Christmas to you all!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

As I was working on the blog, I heard Jack playing with his phone. It rings and says, "Information. May I help you?" He answers, "Uh yeah, I'm a superhero. Bye." Told ya!
We had a crazy busy week last week. Lots of church stuff on top of the regular schedule, so it got kind of crazy. This week is our slow down week with last night being the first time at home in a while. I went to the mall yesterday and had a blast. I don't do that like I used to, but it's still just as fun!

I think we are caught up on Christmas shopping - just a couple of small things left! So that is a good feeling. Ava is almost 5 months old. She is using her hands so much more now which means look out if you're holding her. She will grab anything. She had her 4 month appointment last week and is perfect according to Dr. Sprenkle. She did a little better on the shots, but it's still heartbreaking. As I was signing the consent form, I felt like such a traitor. Yes, honey, I gave them permission to hurt you! UGH! But I guess it's better than getting a terrible disease. I must keep things in perspective.

Jack is loving the snow. He has been able to play in it a few times and loves it. We have enjoyed having the Balls back home downstairs, so he has been able to play with them, too. Kind of nice in the winter especially to have playmates! He is in a superhero phase. I don't really get it, but it's kind of cute. Daddy's still his favorite playground. He's getting ready for his Christmas program and has a speaking part this year, so we'll see how that goes! It's exciting to see how much he can memorize. I'm really looking forward to his opening presents this year. It will be fun to watch him.

So the next thing is to get the Christmas cards out! I will be working on that this week. I usually have them done by now, but there really hasn't been much time. So here we go!

Saturday, November 27, 2010




Life Moves on...

Ava is holding her head up pretty well now and can sit in her Bumbo chair! She loves it and smiles so big when we put her in it. She has been pretty happy lately and is so much fun. She screeches to hear her voice and has started using her hands to reach for things - and me. At least that's my opinion.

Jack is growing up so fast that I'm sad at some things he doesn't do anymore. For example, he talks so clearly now that I miss how he used to say things. He still practices hard though on certain words and phrases.

Thanksgiving was so much fun with the families! It went too fast, and now we're on the fast track towards Christmas. We have done most of our Christmas shopping though, so we're doing okay on that. Now to get the letters out and just go to tons of events in this busy season!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's almost here! In thinking about this time of year, I would like to say that I'm thankful for my relationship with God more than anything in my life! Without it, my life would be impossible to live successfully. And He has given me the desires of my heart in my family and in our ministry. I am completely content with our life.

I'm so thankful to be married to the man God created for me. Matt is truly the leader of our home and has wisdom and kindness. He is a great father, and I'm thankful to be a mom to my two favorite children! I'm thankful Matt is supportive of my staying home with them through these formative years.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have one of each. Jack is so much like me in so many ways; and so far, it seems that Ava has Matt's calm personality. Until you make her mad with not getting a bottle in her mouth fast enough!

I'm thankful for our church. From the first time we visited, we never wanted to go anywhere else. God might have other plans at some point in our lives, but I always feel that there's no place like Berean! The people are amazing and have just taken us in and loved and encouraged us.

I'm thankful for our families and that we live near most of them. I wish the rest were closer, but I'm still thankful for the times we have had together.

I'm thankful for amazing friends who love and encourage me.

I'm thankful for God's provision. This year I'm not babysitting, and there wasn't any leftover for Christmas, and God has provided in a way that is unbelievable! I could never have worked it out this way on my own.

I'm sure I will have more to add to the list, but these are off the top of my head. Looking forward to next week to sit down with family and be properly thankful in front of the turkey!
I haven't written in a while. We have been busy, but also haven't had much to write about, I guess. So we are getting close to the holidays though - very exciting! We started some shopping yesterday and actually put a good dent in our list! I am looking forward to Black Friday. I don't do the 4 in the morning thing, but I do like to go a little later when it is less crazy. Our secret is the Mall of America. So far, it's the best kept secret. Everyone is out at Walmart or everywhere else. So Rebekah and I are headed there!

We are all adjusting I think finally to Matt's schedule and having another child. And it helps that Ava is past a lot of the newborn stuff such as waking us up in the middle of the night. She is a good sleeper and a good eater, so that is a huge help! Ava will be 4 months old this Friday already! And I remember Jack rolled over at 4 months, so we will be beginning some milestones soon, I think.

So we are headed into a busy weekend with church stuff. Friday and Saturday are packed with fun things to do! We were out of town filling in at a church in Rochester this past week, and we missed our church. There's no place like home! It's nice to be part of a church that makes us feel at home and embraces us.

Jack is getting closer to being 4 and is getting to be very grown up. We can't talk about his Christmas presents this year in front of him. He's too alert and picks up on it quickly.

It seems like this holiday season is already going by quickly! I think it helped that the weather has been so mild up until now - 12 inches this past weekend! Crazy. So anyway, I have listened to some Christmas music and watched a couple of Christmas movies, but haven't gone too nuts yet. Haven't decorated yet. I'm a little in denial with the snow and am still hoping for a bit more of fall. I would enjoy even the 40s for a while. But I think this is kind of it and that winter is coming! The snow sure is beautiful though, and Jack and Matt built the bottom roll of a snowman so far!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Doesn't this just make your day?


This smile makes it all worth it!

Our Little Pumpkin


Here she is trying to hold her pacifier in. Very intently!

Peter Pan


Jack with his "boney arrow". It's funny how kids hear things.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Busy Busy Busy

Busy lately! WOW! But very fun stuff. We started our Ladies Meetings at church, and that is always a blessing! We also had a church activity at Apple Jack Orchards. Of course, we forgot our camera; so didn't get any pictures - bummer! It was fun; and we got some yummy Honeycrisp apples, a caramel apple!, and some apple donuts. YUM! There was a lot of things to do for Jack - a pony ride, a cow tractor ride - so cute, the apple shooter, and hay piles to climb on and slide down. It was a great time. This coming up Sunday is Harvest Home Sunday with a full turkey dinner - can't wait! We've also been able to have some friends over, and Jack had friends sleep over so that their parents could go on a 10 year anniversary weekend. We had a great time with them. And of course seeing family is the best, so we've been able to squeeze a little of that in, too!

Ava is now 3 months old. She went through a screaming phase last week almost like she was teething, but I think it's a little early for that! And now she seems happier and back to herself. Smiling more and more, and I'm adjusting more now, too! I had a fun organizing day yesterday - going through our stuff to give to Goodwill and going through Jack's and Ava's clothes for some other lucky young child! And just doing some housey stuff. I love a fun project that makes the house look better. Whenever I start to feel cramped, I know it's time to declutter!

Jack has started Cubbies and is learning lots of verses now. I'm excited and glad for him! He's learning things like how to keep his hands to himself and how to be nice to his friends and his teachers - that's their rules. Pretty good ones!

I'm all of a sudden so looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping and then Christmas. All of the family together - or most of them at least! Hint Hint - Nancy and Chris and Alicia! By the way, Happy Birthday, Alicia! Hope you had a great birthday. Love you!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Monday, October 4, 2010

We had a great time up north and our weekend is still going! We built some fires in the fireplace - probably our favorite thing! - and went out to eat and went to Judy Garland's birthplace in Grand Rapids and did a little shopping. Now back home but headed to the Mall of America today - fun!

Progress with Jack - he now blows his own nose. He used to run get the kleenex and bring it to us. He never wanted to wipe himself, so this is exciting! Funny the things that make you excited as a parent!

Ava is starting to smile when she sees us. I think when we get past the infancy stage, she will be an easygoing happy child. She still gets unhappy every 20 minutes or so it seems like during the day, so I don't know what that's all about. BUT she does still sleep overnight!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Ava's started in the morning just waking up and looking around and making noises - I love that phase! And sometimes goes back to sleep. And sometimes just wants her pacifier. The formula seems to hold her a little longer and keeps her satisfied a little more.

Looking forward to a weekend getaway leaving today at some point - still have to pack! Can't wait though!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Growing up...

Mom? Mom?

Why are you calling me Mom?

What Mommy? I mean What Mom?
Mommy?

What?

No answer

What Jack?

I'm just saying hi. Am I 'stractin' you? I thought you were 'stracted. (distracted) Yet another random word, but used correctly!
Words that make their way into Jack's conversation randomly and with no rhyme or reason -

redikulus, frustrated, confused, cited (excited), silly, idiot -WHAT!

Yes, he did say idiot today while watching Mickey Mouse. Again there is no rhyme or reason. Something silly happened and instead of laughing, he just said, "that's idiot". So I said, that's not a nice word, and he said, I won't say that anymore. WOW! Wonder where he heard that one? No suggestions please! Probably from those church workers - HA!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

While fixing Jack's hair with gel for church, Matt let Jack see himself with it standing straight up. He said, "Maybe you could wipe it down." Guess he's not into wild hairdos!

Ava has switched to formula. She is growing like crazy, and I couldn't keep up. So when nothing else satisfies, I'm all for giving her more to eat. Just have to do it with formula now, I guess. So last night she slept 12 hours - wow!

So this week we have beautiful weather, so we may head to the park more often. Jack needs to get out of the house, I know that. He basically jumps on the furniture all day, and after a while, it is wearing! Hoping to head to the Mall of America soon. I haven't been there in a while.

This weekend we are heading up to Penngilly, MN to stay at our pastor's other house up there. We are looking forward to getting away. With Matt's schedule, we both need a break. So we are thankful for this opportunity!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Ava's little personality

My favorite new thing about Ava is that she tries to hold her pacifier in with her fist. It's so cute!

I like that she "talks" to me, and I like that I can understand her. I really can!

I love her reddish brown hair and beautiful deep blue eyes. I hope she keeps both of those features.

She is pretty laidback overall. She still loves her pacifier. Jack didn't like to be held if you were just sitting. He wanted you to be going somewhere, and he could tell very young! Ava doesn't mind what you do, but she likes variety. She will be comfortable in one position and then after a few minutes like a change. And if she gets uncomfortable, she lets you know until you help her!

She does have a demanding cry sometimes, but for the most part when you pick her up, she turns it into a distressed cry. She's already figured out how to be a damsel in distress!

She doesn't take full naps regularly, just catnaps here and there. But she is sleeping through the night mostly now. So anything else is fine with me. She is a very light sleeper though like me, so sometimes the slightest touch - also very ticklish like me! - or sound wakes her up although we were at McDonalds the other day and the fire alarm went off and she slept right through it, so who knows?

She had a very sad, painful cry after her shots. Very hard to hear! I felt like such a traitor. And Jack didn't like it either. When I picked her up, she started telling me all about it. Very sad "talking". I remember Jack immediately took a bottle and quit crying after the first yelp.

She always keeps her hands tightly closed and gets "jam" in them. Maybe that's normal, but I just didn't remember that from Jack.

Ava also is very responsive to us. She quiets down with music and talking for the most part. Jack was a fussy baby for whatever reason, so it's nice that he grew out of that.

Ava is a better eater, but also has some trouble with digestion. Watch what you're wearing because it might come up! And she still hiccups after nearly every meal. Jack would hardly burp.

I guess all of this is "normal" according to Dr. Trudie Sprenkle or as I like to call her Truly Scrumptious. She is such a cute and nice tiny little lady. With a name like that, she probably didn't have a choice but to do something with kids!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Ava's 2 month appointment went well. "She couldn't be more perfect", according to Doctor Sprenkle - love that name! And of course according to us, too! She couldn't believe Ava has been sleeping through the night pretty regularly already. Jack also was checked out at our WIC appointment yesterday, and the lady there said, "He couldn't be any better" or something like that. So praise the Lord for good health! Ava is a whopping 11 pounds 12.5 ounces. She is 22" long. Jack is 39" tall and weighs 35.4 pounds. We are proud of our little people!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Our blog is basically our baby book for our kids. I am not a crafty person or a scrapbooker or a journaler if that's a word. So this is what we do for them and also to remind us of things when they happen. So I try to be thorough on the blog for that reason. Just in case anybody is ever wondering why we have such random information sometimes.

Last night was a clear night. Matt has a telescope, so he got it out and was looking at the moon. Pretty cool! He thought Jack would like to see it, too. So Jack got up on the stool to look through it and says, "That's nice. I have to go make a call now." There's a very cool attached remote, so Jack got down and got on the "phone" and said, "This is a one man show." Half the time I don't know what he is talking about, but it's funny when he takes phrases from everything he hears. I guess Lightning McQueen says that.

Today he tells me, "I know my numbers." Oh? What are they? "J.....and.....J...." J and J? "No, J....and...G....and....E..." The thing is he DOES know numbers AND letters. I guess it all gets confusing sometimes. Getting the right word is kind of tough!

Also today at the park, his friend says, "Hi Jack!" I said, "Say hi." He says, "I'm shy." A little too late to say that. I know the truth! Later I said, "You are not shy. You say hi to your friends." He says, "I'm confused." Confused? "No, I'm happy." Sometimes as a parent, you just say OK! Otherwise, it could go on and on forever!

I am an organized person and like everything in its place. But there is a small secretive part of me that likes the fact that I can have everything completely clean and picked up and I will ALWAYS find another car or truck or random toy that was hiding somewhere. Someday he will be gone, and there will be no toys to find! And then I will be SO SAD!

Being an organized person, I also like lists. It's fun crossing things off my list. The bad thing about being a list person is that sometimes your kids come after the "list". So I have decided to (mentally at least) put them at the top. Hug Jack and Ava. Read to Jack and Ava. Sing to Jack and Ava....

Monday, September 20, 2010

Yesterday -
Us: Jack, what did you learn in junior church today?
Jack: "UMMMMM let me see".....long pause....."ummm.....nuffing."

Today -
Jack: "Are we gonna die on trees?"
WHAT!?!
Jack: Mrs. Maggie says we're gonna die on trees.
Us: I think she was teaching about Jesus dying on the tree.
Jack: Oh yeah! JESUS died on the tree.

WHEW!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Life goes on....

Ava is already two months old today and already her newborn clothes are getting tight! Sigh - I can't believe it goes this fast! Jack is wearing bigger shoes and bigger clothes and he just looks....big. My babies are growing up! While I do like progress, I would like it to slow down just a little for Jack. He will be in school before I know it, and I will miss him. In the meantime though, I guess I still have two years before that happens. I will just enjoy it.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Usually Jack tells me I look pretty and compliments my clothes and one time even told me a shirt was too big for me - good husband material for the future! But today while shopping, he said he liked a sparkly shirt hanging on the wall and felt the need to add that he thought it would be too small for me - oh well! I will have to work on that with him!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Life is good!

Fall is nearly here and certainly feels like it. I love it and hope it lasts three months! Ava is sleeping through the night more often and is almost 2 months old so is starting to "talk" and smile more. I remember when Jack hit 2 months, and it was fun! I love the interacting and the more the better! I am feeling good, more normal, especially now that we're dieting and just enjoying our little family.

We always ask Jack what he learned in Sunday School or junior church and rarely understand what he is trying to say, but lately he will pop out with surprising things like, "one another be kind". And he'll name all his friends while talking to himself and say, "Share with Lexi, share with Tonio, help Madison...." I really want to raise kids that are a blessing to others, and not kids that people avoid. So this warms my heart.

I had one of those mom moments in Walmart the other day in which Jack had to go to the bathroom in the middle of grocery shopping, and Ava started screaming. I left my cart with one of the cashiers, took them both to the bathroom, came back and finished my shopping even though Ava wasn't happy about it. Nothing I did made her happy. I got lots of looks like, "Why aren't you taking care of that baby?" I felt like I should wear a sign saying I had tried everything possible at that time! Anyway, we got out to the car, and she was fine of course. Maybe she was just ready to leave Walmart. I sure was! And once I checked out, the cashier helped me by quickly checking my groceries and packing all my bags in the cart. But in the middle of it while Ava was screaming, I told Jack to please be quiet because I was having a hard time with the shopping and her screaming; and he didn't say another word and just sat there quietly until I finished. He got the best kid award that day. I keep telling him how much he helps me because he really does!

What a blessing to see Chris, Alicia, and the kids on Skype the other day! I needed that since we can't be there in person. Love love love you guys so much! And I miss the kids and seeing them grow up. Plus it was fun to show off Ava and Jack.

So we are going to have a busy fall, I think. Lots of church things coming up with Awana starting and retreats and Ladies Fellowship and all kinds of good things. I am very appreciative of these things since we love church work. But since Matt is busy working 3rd shift and we're both busy with church, we are enjoying our family time when we get it. It's never enough!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Happy Birthday, Heidi!


Ava's nearest cousin, Maddie! Maddie may have been a teency bit jealous of Auntie Heidi holding Ava.

Auntie Heidi is so nice and lets me (Jack) blow out her candles and open her presents.

My men on Labor Day Sunday

Update to the previous post

Jack just surprised me and sang the whole chorus to "Power in the Blood". I can't figure out where he learned that, but he said from church. So I guess he knows a hymn!

Ava's newborn clothes are starting to get tight - already! She will be 2 months old next week and with the season change, we are heading into 3 month fall clothes - how fun to dress a little girl in a new season!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Miscellaneous happenings in the Fure household

I have a lot of Jack stories again. I am mostly putting them in here so that I don't forget. Hope it's not too boring, but I don't want to forget a second of his growing up. Well...I might want to forget some parts; but overall, I want to remember as much as possible.

So the first time Ava was crying in the car, Jack said, "I don't like that." I said, "Well, maybe she is sad. Should we sing to her?" And this was so neat when he said we should sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" because it was the first one I would always sing to him when he was upset. I can't believe he remembered that. So now whenever she starts crying, he yells/sings it to be heard above her.

After getting onto Jack the other day and asking why he did something, he said, "God is frustrated with me."

He immediately says I'm sorry after anything. Nice, but I think he figured out that I definitely soften when he does that and is trying to avoid any punishment. They figure us out too quickly!

He watched me mix hot dogs with mac and cheese and said, "What the big idea are you doing?" Kind of combined a couple of sentences there. He doesn't always trust food that is mixed. So like his father!

Ava crying in the car, Jack says, "Ava, you're gonna have to be quiet. I can't help you right now." He was eating nuggets.

When I get frustrated with something and go UGH, he says, "Mommy, are you happy?" Sometimes he says it a little fearfully, because as we all know, "If mommy's not happy....nobody is."

If Ava's crying, he yells, "I'll get her!" But then just runs to put her pacifier in her mouth. I'm glad he doesn't attempt picking her up though!

He begs to hold her, and you get everything all settled and situated and he says, "I'm done."

He really is very helpful and loves looking at her and talking to her and doing things for me. I love that, too!

When we sing hymns in church, he sings his Sunday School songs loudly at the same time. I guess we should teach him some hymns so we can all be on the same page.

While out the other day, he was waiting for me to get done so we could; so he crossed his arms and feet, leaned against the wall, and started pretending to whistle.

I asked Jack if he was ready to take a bath and he said, "Thank you, but no I don't need a bath."

I am usually exuberant in the morning when he wakes up - as long as I'm up before he is - so I was all excited and hugging and asking him questions. He shut my lips together and said, "Just be quiet."

My little boy is growing up literally. I didn't realize his shoes were 2 sizes too small. I put his brown tie up shoes on that he hasn't worn this summer, and he asked if he could take them off until we leave. I bought him some new ones that day, so he was very excited about that. He just looks so big - sigh!

He was outside with some friends drawing pictures with the sidewalk chalk. They were drawing octupuses and very well, I might add. Well, not to be outdone, Jack drew a few x's and said, "Here's my octupus!" I have to say he takes after the Hanks side in that! A chip off the old block.

Sitting outside in his little chair, he said, "Aah this is fun. Playing is fun. Getting big is fun...and he went on and on.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Back to reality...

We both said we would give ourselves until after the fair, and now the diet starts. I'm actually ready for it although it's going to be tough! It was a nice holiday weekend, and the fair has been great; but I'm ready for real life to begin again.

September looks like it will be a busy month with Awana starting and I am back on the nursery schedule and music schedule. We also start our Ladies Fellowship, and Matt has a couple of men's things. Should be fun though. Hope this great weather continues! Looking forward to it.

Ava is growing so much and will have her 2 month appointment in a couple of weeks. Shots - UGH! I don't know if I'm ready for that. Poor thing.

So life goes on and away we go!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Happy Fall!

Well, almost. School's starting, the fair is here, and I had to get a sweatshirt out today because the high is 65! Even though I don't look forward to winter, I LOVE FALL! I wish there were a good 3 months of it.

Ava is doing well and slept through the night two times in a row which made me very happy. So hopefully a trend is starting. Matt's job is going well, and he is adjusting. Jack is doing great and makes me laugh everyday. He is so helpful and good for the most part. If I find myself yelling at him, it's usually because of boy stuff. Jumping, running, yelling, jumping, going around the corner at Walmart instead of staying with the cart, and jumping. I am doing pretty well and feel a little more normal, so I'm happy about that.

We are getting ready to start our diet after the fair. Heading to the fair again today and looking forward to the cool weather! We enjoy the fair so much and maybe we don't need to go as much as we do, but this is our summer "vacation". It's a staycation. We don't go anywhere the rest of the year after our vacation, so this has become it. Tonight is date night with just Matt and me. We need that, too.

So that is about it for our life. I just love sitting here by the window with the cool breeze and hearing Ava make her little noises. And Jack is still sleeping at almost 11 am! I think I wore him out yesterday! So that makes for a nice morning.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

6 Weeks

Ava is 6 weeks old. I had my checkup yesterday, and I am okay! Healing well and don't have to go back to the doctor for another year. We are all adjusting little by little. Matt's schedule, Ava's schedule, etc. But we are making it! Ava actually is doing well overnights mostly getting up once or twice now. It is also fun to see that even at this age how much she likes to interact. You sort of think newborns just lie around when really they are very interactive sometimes. And it has been fun to get my first smile from her yesterday. She has smiled, but this time she looked at me and smiled and every time I talked to her, she would smile again! So fun!

So now all of a sudden, everyone around me is pregnant! I'm glad I'm not!

Church was great last week with our special meetings! It was really such a blessing and very needed. So now we are enjoying the fair for another week, and then reality will hit since we are supposed to start a diet next week! EEK!

PS Ava slept through the night! YAY! Went to bed around 9 and didn't wake up until 7:30. I hope that keeps up, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Smiley


Ava has started to smile a little bit and I was finally able to catch one on camera

Monday, August 23, 2010

Ava Jane at 1 month


Ava was one month old on August 19th - hard to believe. She is having more awake time, does fairly well overnights (gets up about 3 times), and is always happy as long as she has either her pacifier or a bottle to suck on. She has a little baby acne, but that is just part of it, I guess. She is looking forward to her first State Fair experience! Bring it on!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

First official family outing - Como!


Polar Bears!

This is what Ava thought of the whole thing!

Jack loved it all though!

More pictures...almost 3 wks old!


I love Jack, the best big brother!

This is what Jack does a large percentage of the day - jumps on the furniture.

I love Daddy!

My favorite 3 people in the whole wide world!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Updated pictures this week




Nightstands I got at a bargain!