Starting My Summer Updates

The girls have been trying to get out and play in our big backyard. It's been a little hard to play with this sweltering heat and humidity. Hopefully the humidity will go down soon and we can start enjoying our yard more!

I know I've said it before, but Grace is such a great big sister. She plays with Avery and helps her all the time. I love watching them play together on the swing set.

Starting the day together.

Avery likes to feed people. I just wish she didn't like to drop food on the floor as well. If only she would eat all of her food, the little bird! (Can you see Daddy completely out in the background? This is right after he came home from the night shift. I am so glad this is not a permanent rotation.)

Avery was trying to help Grandpa tighten the legs on the table. She never got to the legs, but she sure looks cute anyway.

I have been wanting to go to the downtown farmers market ever since we moved here, but didn't want to venture out there on my own. So Dad and Carol went with us when they came to visit last weekend. I think I will enjoy it when the weather cools down. It was almost too hot to walk around and shop. There were some small food vendors, produce, and then homemade goods like ceramics, soaps, jewelry, etc... It was cute, but I don't want to go again until it cools down!

Grace got some flowers at the market. They were closing down and the man was selling everything for a dollar. So she got to pick out several different colors of flowers, and then put them in a vase at home. They are still sitting on our table and look very pretty! (Yes, she is sitting in the stroller. Avery wanted to walk and Grace didn't, so they switched. But only because Dad was there to push, there is no way I could push Grace around now.) *Sorry I cut your head off Dad, it wasn't personal. ;)

Grandma and Avery walking through the market.

This has become Avery's favorite spot in the house. Scottie has been putting together some cabinets in the kitchen for me. This kitchen is small and has very little cabinet/drawer space. Avery is going to be so upset to find that Daddy has finished painting them and will soon be filled with all of the kitchen stuff that has been piled up in the corner. I have a feeling she is going to try and play in it anyway. So I need to make sure I put tupperware in there instead of anything breakable.

Death of a blog or New Life?

My Uncle Bill emailed me and asked if our blog had died now that we actually survived medical school. I've thought about it off and on this summer, and decided that it just needs some new life. I've renamed it "Surviving Residency" and believe me I can already tell the next three years will be a survival of the fittest!!

I've stayed pretty quiet on the blog since May. As I told my uncle, I haven't felt very positive lately and didn't want to fill the blog with gripes and complaints. But if I truly want to document our experiences through this medical journey, then I'll have to put out the good and the bad. This intern year is going to be hard for all of us, and the added blessing of our baby boy will bring it's share of joy and tough times as well. So hopefully you won't mind if I sound down or stressed sometimes. Just know, I'm only expressing my complaints and not spirally down into a deep depression. (Grandma ;)

I've got a lot of pictures from this summer that I would like to share. I'm hoping to start back tracking and posting some of the good times we've had so far. Stay tuned, because I feel like I'm getting my blog groove back together.

Mooooooooomyyyyyy

This is what we hear every night before Avery falls asleep, and the first thing she says when she wakes up in the morning. It is so cute. I wanted to get it on video without her hearing me. Sorry about the dark video, it was the only way to capture her sweet voice. ;)

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is teacher appreciation week. When I was a teacher the PTO usually gave us little things throughout the week. But Gracie's school doesn't do that and it's up to the room parents to do things for the teachers. I didn't realize I was a room parent, but somehow I ended up being one of six mom's who were emailed and asked if we would take a day to do something for the teachers. At first I thought, sure I can bake some cookies or something small like that. (In my teaching experience we got one small thing each day, a can of pop, a candy bar, sticky notes or a pen.) Then the other mom's started emailing back and signing up for their day. I was shocked when they starting saying things like: an edible arrangement, gift certificates to a restaurant, a basket of flowers for the teacher and one for the assistant... Great, a plate of chocolate chip cookies is going to look pretty lame. ( Just for the record, I know Gracie's teachers would not think this because they are two great ladies, it's just my own problem with peer pressure!!) So I tried to think of something fun, but not overly expensive to do for my day. I really like what I ended up doing and think it's better than a plate of cookies!!

I bought two small baskets at Walmart and then filled it with goodies that the teachers said they liked. Not all of them were on the list, but they went with my theme so I hope they like it! :)

Here's what I put in the basket and their little sayings:

Diet Dr. Pepper: You're just what the Dr. ordered.
popcorn: Have a POPPIN' good week.
Extra gum: You always go the EXTRA mile for us.
Starburst: You are a STAR in our eyes.
Bliss chocolates: Having you for a teacher is pure BLISS.
Peanut M&Ms: We are NUTS about you.
Reese Pieces: We love you to PIECES.
Payday: For all you do, you deserve an extra PAY DAY.

I hope they like their gift!! I know I would have loved to get something like that for teacher appreciation day.


** I know it sounds like I'm complaining, and I don't mean to whine. I just think it's a little unfair for six people to have to foot the bill for the teachers when there are 23 students in the class. The school didn't contact the main room parent until Thursday, which didn't give us any time to collect money from the other parents. I am definitely all about showing appreciation for her teachers because I know how much work it takes to make a classroom work everyday, and her teacher is awesome!! I think I'm just tired and feel like complaining. I really shouldn't write anything past 8:00 because I just get cranky. So I'm going to stop writing. I just wanted to share my idea because I think it turned out pretty cute, and I'm excited to give it to her teachers because they deserve a lot of appreciation!!

Pa-core!

One night Grace wanted to watch a movie and eat popcorn. Since she didn't have school the next day I told her yes, but she would have to wait for Avery to go to bed. It was getting close to her bedtime and I didn't want her to try and stay up late with her big sister. As you can see from the picture, my plan worked perfectly...

I put Avery in bed and listened for signs of slumber. When all was quiet, I got out the popcorn and put it in the microwave. It only took one minute of popping before I heard yelling and screaming from the girls room. It sounded like something was really wrong, so I ran in there and scooped her out of the crib. As I was checking her out to see what could be the problem she stopped crying, pointed to the door and said "pa-core?"

I don't know if she heard it popping or smelled the popcorn, but either way she knew we were eating one of her favorite snacks without her. I couldn't resist her cute face or sweet little voice. So she got to curl up with Sissy and eat some popcorn. She was a happy camper and went right back to bed after her late night snack. It was another one of those "I love having kids" moment. They really do bring a lot of joy to your life.

Easter 2010

It was that time of year again; time to dye eggs. Grace was completely obsessed with the project, and asked several times a day, for several days, if we could color the eggs. It was driving me crazy! But we finally got around to doing it and she was very happy.

(by the way: does anyone know of a good photography class? I would love to learn how to take better pictures. I hate it when their faces look pale from the flash.)



Avery had to get in on the action too.

On Easter morning we did something new. I bought a pack of resurrection eggs, and we hid them for the girls. It's a neat way to share the Easter story. There are twelve eggs, and you open them in order. Each egg contains something that symbolizes part of the story. Like the first egg had a small donkey in it and then there was scripture that talked about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Of course as you get closer to the end there are things like the nails, and crown of thorns, etc... I had a hard time reading through it without crying, and told Scottie he could be in charge of the reading next year.

The last egg was empty and represented the empty tomb and Christ's victory over death! I think Grace really enjoyed the eggs. It will be a great tool for every Easter.

Avery had a blast trying to find the eggs. I was sad that we didn't find any Easter egg hunts this year. I kept looking in the paper, but it looked like we had missed them during spring break. Grace was really disappointed. I am going to try really hard next year to find one for the girls.

This was the only shot I could get of them with their baskets. Avery was too excited and wouldn't sit still.

I think she got a sour jelly bean.

Very excited for candy!!!

After church we went over to our friends Nate and Debbie's for lunch. I was a little sad knowing that this will be the last time we get to do this with them. We went to their house last year too.

When I look at this picture I can't help but wonder if I will have to search for a third Easter dress, or a pair of pants and matching shirt next year??? We'll find out May 20th!

I'm Back....

Avery always has to "help" when I am loading or unloading the dishwasher. Apparently baby was dirty and needed a shower. I snuck it out when she wasn't looking. These are the times that you sit back and say "I love being a parent." It's so fun to watch them and try and figure out what they are thinking, like why would you put a baby in the dishwasher??

There's my other baby staring me down. This is one of the last pictures I got of him here at the house. My in-laws graciously said yes when we asked them to take Kingsley for a while. That's a entire post in itself, but it's been a good thing for us and him. He has lost some much needed weight since he's been with them. I'll talk about it later. I miss him a lot, but it really has been a good thing.

An exciting event: Avery's first Krispie Kreme. Yep, she liked it.

This was taken back in the beginning of March on the first warm day. Even though it was only in the low 50's, it felt great at the time. Grace was practicing her tennis swing. She loves to use the balls on a string. It was the best $10 we ever spent. She is able to practice tennis without taking out someone's window.

My baby's first time playing outside. She loved it! She just walked up and down the sidewalk and thought it was the greatest thing ever.

Pulling her baby stroller.

A couple of weeks later it was warm enough to head to the park. I think Avery liked the slide. What do you think?

Sliding sisters.

Daddy and Avery spending some time on the swings.

Nana came to visit and watch Avery while I had my first doctors appointment.

My beautiful girls.

Gracie always amazes me with her creativity. She took a few boxes from the garage, opened them up and made tunnels for her and Avery to crawl through. She is such a neat kid.

Avery taking a turn through the tunnel.

No, this is not a horse walking down the sidewalk. It's an Irish Setter, just like my Uncle Mike had years ago. I love these dogs, but they have a lot of energy.

Avery wanted to hug this dog so badly. Luckily it was a sweet dog and was patient with her hugging.

Jeff and Penny brought Gracie's old car over for Avery. They had been storing it for us since we moved to Kirksville. It's so fun to get out old toys and remember when your child was smaller.

First push-up. Yep, she liked it.

All dressed up to go out for Mommy's birthday.

I can't believe how much older she looks this year. Where did my baby go?

Nana came over on my birthday to help me out. I had a bladder infection that was causing contraction like pains. The doctor put me on medicine and everything turned out ok, but it was a little scary when it started.

Eating dessert at Biaggis.

Celebrating number 32! I didn't feel very good, but I didn't want to miss the chance to go out on my birthday. I think I look awful, but it ended up being a good day. We went to Target after dinner and I got a new purse and wallet. But I was spent after all of that and went home to lay down. Hopefully 33 will be a little less painful.


It's been a while since I've posted anything, so if you are reading this you are a devoted friend or family member. This pregnancy has been the hardest one so far. I have been exhausted and SICK! I am so thankful to be in the second trimester. I feel a lot better and have finally gotten some things done around the house. Hopefully I can keep the blog updated since I have quite a few pictures to share and we have a lot of exciting things coming up!!!!