Grandma And Grandpa Come!

We have been lucky to have lots of visitors come to celebrate and meet Avery. Dave's parents got in late Friday evening and Scott was able to stay through the weekend. Sharon was nice enough to stay an extra week to help out. We got up on Saturday and went to Brown's Berry Patch to pick a pumpkin and enjoy some of the fall activities they have there. We went out to the apple orchard and picked the biggest apples I've ever seen! Most of us did a lot of taste testing to make sure the apples were good enough to pick:) We ate lunch and got some yummy cider topped off with ice cream. Addison picked a big pumpkin that we'll carve right before Halloween. Avery was a champ and hung out in her stroller sleeping away and enjoying some warm weather. Dave and I took Addison into the Adventure zone and played around for a while. They have a giant jumping pillow, tall slide, ropes maze, goats and ride toys that we ran around doing. Addison was very brave climbing up the ropes to get to the top of the slide all by herself. I am terrified of heights so I was a little nervous when she kept saying that she could do it herself. She has gotten over her fear of goats and actually went near than this  year without screaming. Dave played with her on the jumping pillow and they had fun messing around on it. We ran into our friends the Quinn's there which was nice since we haven't been out much with Avery. We all came home exhausted, but it was a nice day to be outside! We were able to bless Avery the next day which was nice to have Scott there to be in the circle. Monday we went downtown to Fowler's Chocolate and took a tour of their factory. You get a whole bunch of samples and get to see how it's all made. Addison didn't want to wear the hair net so I waited outside with her until she was ready to put it on...which took an hour! She was bribed with sprite to put it on. Oh man I hope she gets over that fear by the time winter hat season comes! Scott took us out to a Mexican restaurant that evening and then had to catch and early flight the next morning. Sharon has been busy dancing and playing tea party with Addison everyday. She is full of so much energy and is really into make believe play lately. I have been able to go to several appointments while she is here to watch Addison. One day we made Halloween cookies and decorated them to take over to Rochester to give to Dave. Addison did a lot of licking of the frosting and sprinkles! She made Avery a really soft purple blanket that she likes to lay on. She also brought Addison some little ponies that she likes to carry everywhere! Thanks for coming to visit Grandma and Grandpa Michael!

Papa Comes!

Papa finished up his work schedule and came on up to meet Miss Avery Mae. He of course brought a #11 with him that I ate for lunch and dinner the first day:) Papa and Addison had some good bonding him while I tried to catch up on some sleep. He kept her happy with fancy breakfasts, McDonald happy meals outings, going to the park, building towers and even a bike ride around the neighborhood. He enjoyed snuggling and rocking Avery when ever he got a chance. He even babysat one afternoon so my mom and I could go to a nice lady lunch. We were so grateful he made the long drive to come help us out and meet the new little lady

Sweet Baby

How can I be upset at this little face when she wakes me up at 12, 2, 4 and then 6am?!

Outings

Somehow we have managed to make it out a few times each week. We may not leave before 11 or noon, but we get out the door with both kids and the car keys! Play group was at the airport watching air planes take off. Addison really liked waving and clapping saying that, "Grandpa fly planes!" We brought a picnic and enjoyed the sunshine before it gets too cold! We also went to The Great Pumpkin Farm on Friday. We got there and started to look at the pumpkins and it poured rain on us. We ran into the barn and got some snacks to help pass the time. Good thing we wore our rain boots! Addison liked seeing the animals and running around on the train and playground. Although, Addison refused to look at the camera all afternoon we still had a good time dancing in the rain. Little Miss Avery slept like a sweet bundle as I carried her in a sling.

Bonding

Addison LOVES to hold Avery. She is learning to hold Avery's head with her arm and doing a great job at it. We're all (mostly me) still sleep deprived around here. Avery seems to think that eating every two hours is acceptable! I moved her out of our room and into a cradle in her room. I don't seem to hear all the squeaks and snorts, but I am exhausted! I feel like I just fall back asleep and she's crying for her next feeding. I don't know what I'm going to do when my mom leaves and I have to get up with Addison at 7. This is the last week that she's here and then we bless Avery this weekend with Dave's parents!

My Two Girls

After an appointment we were all hungry and dressed up (not in sweats!) so we went out to lunch. Addison is still busy as ever when we go out to eat and mostly picks at her food. Avery snoozed away in her seat like a good girl. I can't believe how different I am feeling this time around with my recovery. There are new aspects I am dealing with, but overall I am feeling pretty good (minus the no sleep). I thank my Heavenly Father every night that I was able to carry a baby and that she's beautiful and happy. I feel like my testimony of faith and prayer has been strengthened ten fold during my pregnancy with Avery and her delivery/recovery. The Lord truly doesn't give us more than we can handle and gives us the helping hands with we feel like it is. I look back at the first 4 months of being pregnant and then Dave leaving the last month and think I survived! I'm stronger than I thought and I have been very grateful for my supportive husband and family who has helped me through all of this. I just need to remember these feelings when Avery won't go to sleep and I'm crying my eyes out in my pillow!

When Mom's Nursing...

I am learning that sometimes when things get really quiet it's because Addison has shoved a marker up her nose or colored "makeup" on her eye. Addison got a new art desk that we put upstairs to keep her busy while I'm in the bathroom. It has been amazing for the most part! She sits on her little stool and colors away. Grammie even put the markers out...we'll see how long that one lasts. Thank goodness they are washable and no harm was done with a few blue marker fumes up the nose! While Addison is coloring her body Avery goes completely red down half her body while nursing. It is almost a straight line and covers the front and back. The doctor said it isn't something to worry about, but it's strange!