Pix of our Girls

Avery meeting her Great Grandma McConnell for the first time on Saturday.

Audrey dipping her chip in the salsa at the Mexican restaurant that Grandma took us to in San Bernardino.

Audrey riding on the luggage cart at Indio.

Avery sleeping with Iain on the couch last night (she is very congested and is having a difficult time sleeping; the last two nights, she would only sleep if we were holding her. I took my turn on night number 1). =)

Family Vacation to Indio

Iain had a long weekend this weekend, so we decided to take a family vacation to Indio (basically a sister city of Palm Springs). It was Avery's first vacation, and it's a place we love to go because the resort where we stay has GREAT children's pools! Here are a few videos of some pool time and some duck feeding. (Our computer is still having some issues, so I can't post videos and still pictures on the same post. I'll get some pictures up soon).

Also, this weekend, Audrey learned how to say Avery. She really just calls her "Ree", and it's so cute!

Audrey Eating Oranges

Audrey loves fruit, and lately, has become a master at picking up a whole apple or plum and chowing down. Today, Audrey, Avery and I went to pick Iain up from work, and Audrey saw an orange sitting on his desk. I guess she thought oranges worked like apples and plums, and you could just start eating. I watched her pick it up and put it to her mouth, but I didn't think she'd really take a bite. She did. Here are the pictures. And she's a trooper ... even after Iain and I stopped laughing, she was still trying to chew away at the rind and swallow. We did finally fish the rind out of her mouth and peel it for her so that she could eat the good part. What a cutie-patootie. (I'll post some pix of the other cutie this weekend)!

I did it!

Yesterday was Allison's mom's last day in San Diego. We had such a great time with her, and it was sad to see her go. Audrey sobbed at the airport when Mim walked away and the only way I could get her to stop crying was to tell her that we would call Mim on the phone. Iain had off this morning, so this afternon was my first time with the girls alone. We we went for a walk and had to cone home after 2 blocks because Audrey didn't want to ride in the stroller or have me carry her (and she didn't have on any shoes to walk). So I carried her for 2 blocks back home with her squirming to get out of my arms the whole way. When we got home, she didn't want to walk up the stairs by herself. So I carried them both. Anyway, we had a fun afternoon, and with only baths and teeth brushing left, I'm happy to say I survived. =)

(I should mention that my mom took care of both girls by herself while she was here with no problems. And Iain took care of them yesterday by himself with generally no problems. =) Immediately after we dropped my mom off at the airport, I went to a hair appointment and left Iain with them both. Apparently, as soon as I left, there was a minor "peeing on the couch" incident with Avery (my fault, as I started to change her diaper on the couch and then left Iain to finish). Avery's subsequent screaming for milk woke Audrey up from her nap and he had to find a way to soothe both of them simultaneously. But when I got home, all was calm and serene in our house. Iain was on the couch with both girls in his lap, reading to Audrey while Avery slept. He looked like a pro. All this to say that I was the LAST of the three to take care of them by myself, so I shouldn't make this all about me. =) KUDOS to both of them)!!!

These pix are just a couple from the last 2 days. The family portrait is, unfortunately, us in our pajamas, but since we're not good at remembering to have someone else take our picture, I decided to capitalize on the last moment of having my mom there to take one for us. We really do look a bit more chipper later in the day. =)

We love you, Mom/Mim! Thanks again for all the fun and help!!

Mim with Audrey and Avery

Fun times from today! Even though you can't see her face, I confirm that it is indeed my mom tearing up the rug (well, really, the number mat) with Audrey. Audrey was so funny ... every time the music started, she wanted my mom to dance only on the mat, NOT on the floor. We went through the iteration about 10 times of Audrey pushing the music box with her foot and then ordering Mim to the mat and then dancing herself. Quite fun!

And the still picture is of Avery and Mim, just being their beautiful selves.

Good morning Avery

From the last couple of days

Audrey and Avery are both growing so fast. Audrey had her 18-month check-up on Tuesday and was 31 1/4" tall and 24.4 pounds, both in the 50th percentile. She is ahead of schedule with her vocabulary (she has about 30 words) and is doing great in all developmental areas. In the pic below, she is having a good time playing in the swing (which we brought up from the garage for Avery to swing in, but Audrey doesn't like it when Avery sits in it, so it's about to go back to the garage). So far, Audrey's only seemingly jealous moments come when Avery sits in the swing, the bouncy chair, or (as happened today), we put Avery in Audrey's crib to sleep while playing with Audrey in her room. Any of these things sets Audrey on a "no, no, no, no" monologue ... fortunately, Audrey doesn't mind anyone holding or feeding Avery and still showers her with kisses and hugs, so we are thankful for these sweet sisters.

Avery had her 2-week check-up last Friday. She had already gained a little more than a pound from her birthweight and grown half an inch. She is sleeping 4-6 hours at night, and is happy and content when awake. Her bellybutton is so cute (for some reason, I was paranoid with both girls about how their bellybuttons were going to look), and Audrey likes to point to her own bellybutton and then Avery's bellybutton and say "belbu" (or something like that).

I wish that time would slow down just a little bit. We are trying to savor every minute with these precious little girls.

My mom goes home on Tuesday (unless I can talk her into moving out here), and I'm a little nervous about how I am going to take care of these two by myself while Iain is at work. As Iain says, millions of other families have done it... but can you each please say a little prayer for me please ... it seems a little daunting.

OK, enough talking. Just enjoy the pictures. =)