Avery's 1st Birthday

I can't believe that Avery's 1st birthday has come and gone!!  That really seems to have gone much faster looking back then I know it did while I was going through it.  It's been one of the most stressful years of my life adjusting to two kids and it's been one of the most rewarding years of my life being blessed with these two munchkins!!  They truly make me laugh and smile every day and I can not imagine my life without them.  Here are some pics from Avery's special day.....

Avery's cake by a local baker that does this out of her house...she's amazing!!!

 

Avery's highchair all decked out!

 

 

Avery with Grandma Ordini

 

My little Sweet Potato...always smiling!!

 

She could catch flies with that smile!!

 

Anxiously awaiting her birthday cake...and keeping her hat on!!

 

This kid DOVE into her cupcake and icing...note hand in air covered with it!!

 

There's that smile again....love this kid!!

 

Kelsey's 3rd bday was 2 weeks before so I had the baker make a smash cake for Kelsey too.

 

Figures Avery doesn't do her huge smile in the one family shot of the day!

 

Happy 1st Birthday Avery Joy!!!!

End of Summer 2012

Well it's hard to believe that the summer is basically over.  It's even harder to believe that Avery will be 1 in 2 weeks.  My word that went fast...well...kind of.  :)   Avery has been walking now for 3 weeks...and she is EVERYWHERE!!!  Almost running...how she hasn't fallen more and gotten a ton of bruises is beyond me.  She is for the most part a very happy baby...and has more determination than anyone I know...big or small.  We will do our very best to shape that into a positive as she grows up...try. 

Kelsey turns 3 on Sunday....that went even faster.  I thought of that tonight when Chuck and I were bringing the girls upstairs for bed and Chuck let Avery climb up herself..and Kelsey was walking up next to her, step for step...and I swear I could remember it like it was yesterday watching her to the same thing.  We finally took the next step of switching her toddler bed to a full size bed because she looked enormous in the toddler bed.  But now she looks so small in the full size bed...and it takes up more than half her bedroom.  But she was in heaven when she walked upstairs after daddy put it together.  We still say we plan on keeping Avery in her crib as long as humanly possible...of course she is so determined she'll find a way out of the dang thing within the next few months.

We finally took a family vacation the last week of August to the Outer Banks.  Although to me-vacation always has implied rest and relaxation.  When you go away WITH your children hardly vacation...just a repositioning of your life to another house.  And we also went with most of Chuck's family....that's 9 adults and 14 kids in one house.  Granted - it was a 3 story house with a pool and within walking distance to the beach, although a trolley was also available to pick you up from your door and drive you there as well.  Very nice...would've been even nicer if it hadn't rained so much.  It was truly a good time though...spending time together with his family...the kids all had a blast together.

Here's a few pics from the trip and the rest of the summer.

Kelsey and Daddy in the pool with Uncle Adam and Meghan

Kelsey and Avery getting ready for the walk into Duck for some ice cream

 

Chuck's sister Kate and her family

 

Chuck's sister Kim and her family

 

Chuck's sisters and Mom...four beautiful women inside and out

 

Avery -trapped in the pak-n-play on the beach

 

Sisters having fun at the beach!

 

Picture night at the beach...Kelsey loved her dress and running in the sand

 

Ordini family shot...okay so Avery's not smiling but still so cute

 

Chuck's sister Jen and her family

 

Avery - pure sweetness

 

My favorite shot of the bunch...love those two to pieces!!!

 

Picture time

I have truly slacked on my picture taking since getting pregnant with Avery...only shots of this poor child have been from my iphone.  So I decided to finally take some shots of my little girlies last weekend and it truly amazes how perfect the sunlight from the kitchen window is for lighting...their eyes are insane looking in these shots.  I could not love these little munchkins more!!!

Oh Mommy...enough with the camera already!

Ah the look of accomplishment of climbing the ladder.

So proud of herself!!!

Love the innocence of this little face of Kelsey's

Oh I couldn't love that face more...my little Avery Joy!!!

"Yes Momma...how can I help you?"

"Hmmm...that looks like that might taste good."

"Question is - Can I get it in my mouth before Momma sees me?"

"Ah-hah!!! SUCCESS!!!!"

Someone's sleepy

Avery is always this happy EVERY time I come into her room to get her from a nap..one of the best parts of my day!!

Avery is ALWAYS on the move...look at world!!

The girls on red, white and blue day at daycare back on July 3rd!  So stinkin cute!!

6 month update

So another six months has come and gone and I can't even believe where the time has gone.  Avery is now 9 months old and near walking unassisted!!!!  Lord - that child is giving us a run for our money!!  Kelsey will be 3 in September and is just the funniest little thing on two legs.  Everyone always asks how Kelsey is doing with a little sister...and my response is always "Well - she hasn't tried to kill her yet!"  I swear she will love this baby to death....she wants to hug and kiss her all the time!  Truly - I tell myself - because she just loves Avery soooo much.  But I know there are times her intent is questionnable! All kidding aside...the truly BEST time of my day is the drive home from daycare with the two of them in the back seat.  Kelsey is always soooo excited when I come into her room to get her with Avery in tow...and she proudly says to any friend that tries to get near her "MY Avery!!!!"  Then in the car ride...they literally just laugh at each other.  Kelsey will make some funny sound or noise that will get Avery giggling and then Kelsey has her audience and she's off!!!  It's only a 5 minute ride...but the best 5 minutes of my day!!

We are still in full potty training mode...and I won't bore you with the details....those of you who HAVE children know exactly what I'm going through...and those of you who don't...REEEEEAAAALY don't want to hear about it.  Suffice it to say...not going as well as I'd like.  But we march on.....

Avery and Kelsey have both transitioned into new classrooms at their daycare and it seems to be going well.  Not much more to be said on that front. 

A lot has happened in the passed six months...but as usual I will just let the pictures tell the story. 
Love to all....

Avery just learning to crawl a few months back. Love that little face!!!

Kelsey - my little diva!!!

Mommy and Kelsey on Easter Sunday

Daddy and his girlies on Easter

My sister, Kelly, came up for 2 weeks this summer with my nephews Max and Gavin.  They stayed with us for half of the visit and Kelsey was in her glory with her cousins.

Max is such a good cousin to agree to get dressed up in fairy wings that are waaaay to small.

Avery was dedicated at church in June.  Family picture.  One of few..note to self take more shots with Mommy and Daddy in them.

While Kelly was here visiting, GC (aka my Mom) came over to help watch all four kids so Chuck and I could get out for the night. 

Well the intention was good for an actual group shot of all the cousins.  The result....HILARIOUS!!!!  Truly one of my favorite shots of all of them...but Avery's face is priceless!!!

Day of Avery's dedication...took some group shots of Kelly and her boys which were all good...but this one TRULY gets their personalities out the best!!!

Chuck & I on a rare day trip out on the Harley to New Hope....in March or maybe it was April!!

The girls....love them!!!

Girls with their Aunt Gianna!!! Always so much fun with her around!

With her older cousins here for 2 weeks...it took no time to get her to learn to rider her bike!!

My mother-in-law Cathy with all her daughters on Mother's Day.