Friday, June 13, 2014

Mother's Day 2014

This year, Mother's Day was special and somewhat spread out...just the way I like it!  On Saturday, Bill surprised me with a mani/pedi and breakfast with the girls.  Nothing is more relaxing than a morning of pampering along with some girl time!
 
 We have gone to the Aquarium every Mother's Day since Avery was little.  This year, we couldn't go on Sunday after church so we ended up going the following Friday- on my birthday.  It worked out perfectly! 
 
On Sunday, we went to church, I served in the nursery, and then we ate lunch and Avery swam in her little pool.  That night, we got some yummy SC BBQ- my fav!
 
My girls!  So very blessed to have these two!


I love their love for each other.
 There is nothing sweeter than gifts that Avery made herself.  Her teachers were so great at making gifts at school to give to us throughout the year.  Ave told me that I couldn't open the gift until Mother's Day and was very serious about it.  She was more than thrilled to let me open them on the big day!
 

So sweet.  I will cherish these things forever!
 


 
The following Friday, we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel before going to the aquarium. 
 

This girl left quite the mess on the floor.  Eating out has been getting a little trickier lately- especially around nap time!

I'm happy to report that Avery has become just as much of a breakfast fanatic as I am!
When we got to the Aquarium, there were field trip groups as far as the eye could see.  Everywhere.  Literally, everywhere!  Friday must be field trip day because the rodeo, zoo, and aquarium were all filled with school buses when we went this year.  Oh well! 
 

So excited!


Chloe was taking it all in

The eel behind us was so CREEPY!  My heart would stop if I were ever snorkeling and came upon one of them.

Avery shrieked loudly when she saw the sea horse.  It was her fav!

Killing time while waiting to get on the ferris wheel

It was a beautiful day to go on a ferris wheel.  Chloe was totally chill as we rode around.

"Wee!  This is funnnn!"

Chloe's first merry go round ride.  Avery's one millionth.
 
The line for the shark train was out.of.control.  We ended up waiting for about 30 minutes which is really long with a 3 year old and an 8 month old.  One group of people attempted to cut in right by the front of the line and the ladies in front of us were not about to let that fly.  They were livid, and it was the perfect little distraction to pass the last 10 minutes! 
 

Sweet girl being so patient.

When you have nothing else to do, sit on the ground and color!

So happy to be on the ride!

My family did a great job making me feel loved and appreciated this Mother's Day.  I thank God every day that he gave me these two sweet girls!  There is no job that has given me more joy and fulfillment than being their mom!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

8 Months

 
Chloe is 8 months old!  When I took these pictures, I just couldn't get over how old and long she looks in them.  She is now such a big girl and is constantly learning new things now more than ever!  Chloe was more cooperative (or I was more patient) than usual so I got lots of pics this month.  She is in her new ruffle butt outfit.  They are my new obsession-nothing's cuter!
 



Imagine a high pitch screech entered here...

Of course, there had to be a sis pic since Avery was assisting me.
 
Here's what she's been up to the past month-
 
Eating- She continues to love any and all foods.  This girl does not discriminate.  It is wonderful!  We have tried most all fruits and veggies by now.  She has eaten turkey, chicken, cheese, yogurt, and lots more.  She usually nurses a little (usually around 6:30-7am), again when she wakes for the day around 8ish followed by baby food or yogurt, nurses around noon followed by baby food, nurses around 3:30pm, baby food around 6:30pm, and then nurses for the last time around 8:15 pm.  
 
Sleeping- Same old story - 2 naps, asleep by 8:30pm, wakes around 6-7am to nurse, wakes around 8am.  She has gotten so reliable when it comes to sleep.  I can't remember the last time I've gotten up with her in the night.  I am so, so thankful for this!
 
 
Clothes- Chloe wears some 9 month clothing still but most is 12 months.  She's still in size 3 diapers.
 

 New this month- putting anything and everything in her mouth.  This hasn't really changed but I've really started to notice it now that she's on the move. Nothing passes through her hands that doesn't enter her mouth.  It is crazy the things she finds.  I have had to go through my entire house removing door stops.  If there is one anywhere around her, she will find it in two seconds flat.  I never had to do this with Avery.  She just wasn't a child that put much in her mouth.  I wouldn't at all be surprised if we had to take her to the ER for a swallowed object.  I'm praying that this will not be the case!
 
I think I say this every month but we are really seeing her personality more lately.  She is just the sweetest, spunkiest little thing.  She will laugh when we laugh or copy noises that we make.  She continues to razz up a storm and is just generally a content child.  I love seeing her when she wakes up because she is so happy. 
 
She has mastered sitting and is totally on the move now.  It's definitely more of an army crawl than a normal one, but she gets where she needs to go.  She basically drags herself around all day! 
 
Chloe absolutely loves her daddy.  Bill will come home from work and get an excited welcome from Ave and Chloe now.  It is so sweet.  She starts squeeling when she sees him from across the room.  I may need to leave more frequently so I can get this too ;).
 

Bill took Avery to the Arrant farm one day, and I got lots of alone time with Chlo.  It was so special to just spend one on one time with her.  Since it doesn't happen very often, I absolutely treasure it.
 


Here are some more pics from the month-


First sprout updo!
 
My Cinco de Mayo girl!  On a sidenote- Avery asked about this dress when I put it on Chloe.  I told her that it was a mexican dress to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  When we were at the gas station that day, Ave exclaimed loudly, "Look Mommy, that lady looks like a Mexican!"  When I asked her what on earth she was talking about, she told me that her dress looked like Chloe's dress.  She was Chinese, and her shirt looked nothing like Chloe's dress but at least she is learning to make observations and comparisons :).

Sweet girl looking up at me while on a walk.


Flat as a pancake. How are babies so flexible?!?

Loving the warmer weather!

This is totally normal, right?

The Zipps girls after church

This is what Chloe's crawl looks like from the front

Swimsuit diaper pose!
 
I thank God for you every day, my Chloe girl!