Christmas Week

We left on the Tuesday before Christmas to go to my parent's house for a week. The trip actually went very well....for traveling with 3 young kids! :) It was a great week....fun & relaxing. On Christmas Eve, we talked Noni into letting us open 1 present(which turned into 3!). Drew opened for everyone...Ava ran around...Pres had no idea what was going on!

On Christmas Day, we got up(not too early this year...I'm sure next year will be different!) & watched as Ava & Drew saw what Santa had brought them. They had a blast playing with their new toys. Then we opened presents. We always open one at a time from youngest to oldest. Drew continued with opening everyone's presents...for a while. He got tired of it after a bit & began to play. Ava STILL has not opened a single gift..in fact one of hers didn't get opened until Saturday! Also, Dandy had rented a bouncy house for the week(we were supposed to have one at the birthday party that got moved inside). It rained much of the time we were there, but on Christmas Day it was beautiful(if cold) & the kids LOVED bouncing...Ava especially loved when Aunt Jess bounced with her!

Monday the Aggies played in the Independence Bowl which was in Shreveport. Since that's not too far from where my parents live, Jeremy & I decided we should go. It was a lot of fun...though VERY cold...and (of course) we lost. But, we had a good time & were glad we went!



Tuesday, we headed back to Austin. It was a long trip back, and it was sad to leave, but it's always nice to be home.

Thanks, Noni & Dandy, for everything! We love you!

Birthday/Christmas

Since Granny, Papa, Aunt Amy & Uncle Will(Jeremy's family) weren't able to come to the birthday party, they came (minus Will, who will be visiting this weekend) the next weekend to have a birthday + Christmas celebration. Drew, as usual, was very interested in opening all the gifts...Ava, not so much. Here are a few pics from that day:

Stats

Yesterday, I pretty much spent the day at the pediatrician's office. Ava & Drew had their 2 year well-check in the morning...came home for lunch & naps....then back to the doctor with Presley for her 2 month appointment.

AVA: 30# (85%) 35 3/4in (90%)
DREW: 31# (80%) 34 1/2 in (50%)---I don't think this is entirely accurate, as he was very squirmy when the nurse tried to measure it. I'm pretty sure they are much closer in height!

PRESLEY: 12#2oz (76%) *up from 9#4oz at 2 wks!! 24 1/2in (95%) *she's already in 6 mos clothing!!

All of them got at least 1 shot(more for Pres) :( & the doctor was very happy with all of them. Drew & Ava don't go back for a whole year(well, I'm sure will be in plenty for sick visits!) & Pres will go back in 2 mos.

Birthday Party

A couple of months ago(in the midst of having a baby!), I realized I needed to plan a birthday party for Ava & Drew. After thinking about it, I knew I didn't want to go too crazy...I mean, they're not going to remember it, right!? So, it was just going to be a big playdate...Ava & Drew's friends & family. And it was going to be outside....in Texas, that's a possibility in December! :) So, we had everything in order...got them a fun new climber(Christmas/Bday present) put together, rented a bouncy house, had lists of things to get ready. It was going to be great. Then we woke up Saturday morning & not only is it cold(which still could have been ok), but it's drizzling. By 9:00, we knew it had to be moved inside. Even if the sun had come out, the backyard would not have been dry by 3:00.

It turned out great. The kids had fun, the cake was good & Drew loved opening the presents(Ava didn't want to, so Drew got to open hers too!).

Visit w/ Santa

Last Wednesday, we decided to take the kids to see Santa. We talked about it all morning as we got ready & drove to the mall. Both were very excited, with Drew exclaiming "Sana" all the way. While we waited in line, they were very happy & enjoyed looking at all the decorations. Then....it's our turn....and they saw what they had to do. And no more words are really necessary! This picture says it all:

Happy 2nd Birthday Ava & Drew

Ava & Drew started off their birthday going to the mall with Noni & Dandy to get their 2 yr pictures taken. I don't think the picture session went as well as we would have hoped, but they sure looked cute on their way out the door! (Thank you, Noni, for our new jackets & hats!)

While they were gone, Jeremy & I began getting the house ready for the party--which was supposed to be outside, but had to be moved in because of the rain & cold...more on that in a later post.

Ready for their party:

Wow....just Wow!

I can hardly believe that Presley is 2 mos old today. Time is flying way too fast. In only 6 days my 1st babies will be 2--it's just crazy! But, back to Pres. She is a wonderful baby, much like her big sister was. She really only cries when she's hungry & sleeps very well...only waking once or twice to eat. She is VERY long...her 2 mos well check isn't until next week, so I don't have her stats yet, but she is already wearing 3-6 mos clothes because of her length! Drew still thinks she's the best & Ava has become a lot more interested in her....often 'talking' about her in her language(all I understand is 'Pess').