breaking the mold

Avery and Finley followed a very similar growth and development pattern- neither one were on the charts for height or weight during their first year, were very petite and often mistake for younger than their age, they got teeth about the same time, had similar dirty diaper issues (or lack thereof)... things were fairly predictable with Finley because we had already seen it with Avery. Emerson is a different story all together. I am not sure what to expect with her- it is a whole new game. We had her 6 month well-check on Wednesday and she continues break the mold. She is in the 90th percentile for weight (17 lbs. 8 oz) and 50th percentile for height (25 1/2 inches). Dr. Bravo assures me that the upside down ratio of height to weight is not of ANY concern at this point. I even had to break out the box of 6-12 month clothes last week... right at 6 months, instead of 12 months. Still no teeth- and it doesn't look like they are coming anytime soon (the other girls had 4 by 6 months). She has NO problem filling her diapers... several times a day even. We are going through diapers faster than ever before. Even though she not following the "pattern" we are used to, she is perfectly healthy in every way.... and adorable to boot! She gets a lot of attention for her eyes (which are not as light as they were- I am not ready to concede the dream just yet) and even more specifically her eyelashes (just like the other girls); but, if I hear one more time how HUGE her thighs are, I might have to scream. I know. Just like I know I have 3 girls- besides stating the obvious, there is nothing wrong with it, and there is nothing I can do about it- good or bad.... it is what it is. We love our squishy little mold breaker. She is keeping us on our toes!

she did it!

As a sunbeam (sunday school class for children ages 3-4) this year, Avery participated in her very first primary program at church on Sunday. We practiced her lines over and over (Finley was going around saying "I must take care of my body" and "Repentance helps me return to my Heavenly Father" right along with Avery), but it was no guarantee that she would actually get up and talk into the microphone... it is a little intimidating for a 4 year old (who am I kidding, it is for me too). There might have been some serious bribing involved but, when it came down to it, she did it and she did great. She sang most of the songs too (or at least I could see her mouth moving :)). Ya Ya and Papa came too- Avery loved sharing it with them. When she was done, Finley rushed to her side, gave Avery a big hug and said " I so proud of you Avery! I knew you could do it!" So sweet (it is good to know that in spite of tormenting each other a lot of the time, they can be sweet when they want to be). We are very proud of her too. It is a right of passage of sorts. She is growing up so quickly.

no cost/low cost halloween decor

I love decorating for holidays... but, just as I am very particular about what I put in my house for everyday decor, I am equally as discriminating about my seasonal displays. Plus, this year there is not much extra in the budget for non-essentials like seasonal decorations. I came across a few ideas for things that I wanted to make and incorporate into my fall decorating this year and then also modified a few things that I had laying around to round it all out.... all for a very minimal cost. I am really liking out it all turned out.

The wreath on the front door is just the grapevine wreath I usually have up, but with a fall berry garland (that I already had) wrapped around it... cost $0

I got the idea for the pumpkin topiaries here. I am planning on picking up 6 craft pumpkins on clearance after halloween to make the full size ones for next year. The mini ones worked perfectly for my entry table though. Pumpkins from our garden and a few little ones from the barn (3 for $2)- total cost $2 (for 2 topiaries).

These were my interpretation of a halloween sign I saw at Tai Pan while we were up in Utah. Everything there is super inexpensive, but I still didn't feel like paying $12 for something like that. So, found a font I liked (this is "chiller"), typed it out in publisher, cut out a piece of newspaper that fit inside a 8x10 frame I already had, and ran it through my printer. Easy. cost $0

The bird was a similar idea, but the newspaper for the 10x13 frame wouldn't fit through my printer, so I printed just the silouette, cut it out, and mounted it on the newspaper. cost $0

The burlap banner was an idea I saw here (with link to tutorial). I love, love, love how it turned out and it couldn't have been easier to do. cost $3

The wreath is a christmas berry wreath that I then wrapped a fall leaf garland around it. Now it will carry me through to December. cost $0

Total cost for all of my fall/halloween decor... $5.

a taste of fall

During our few days of actual fall-ish weather last week (before the temps soared into the high 80's... argg. I am so DONE with the heat) we took advantage of the fact that Paul had Monday off for Columbus day and went as a family on a non-weekend day to the barn and get our pumpkins. I know I have said it before (maybe a few times), but I really, truly LOVE the barn, most especially in October. I could visit every day. The smells of fresh baking yumminess, the colors, pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and varieties, the candy shop, the ice cream, the fresh apples... plus they have a few trees with leaves that actually change color! It is where I go for my fix of all things fall.

life happens...

and at lightning speeds it goes by. The months have just flown by. Last thing I remember it was a few weeks into summer (and I was kind of bored and a little stir crazy to tell the truth). Now, all of a sudden it is the middle of October- fall is upon us, our routines are back in full swing, and I am FAR from bored. Where did the time go? We have most definitely not been idly passing our days... we have been busy, busy, here, there, home, gone again, and back. I finally have just a moment to breathe and to do some SERIOUS catch up...

1. The end of August, the girls and I drove to Oregon to attend my brother's white coat ceremony upon his entrance into Oregon Health Sciences University Medical School. It has been a long fought road to get him there and I am so very proud of him. I am so happy we made the trip to be there to share in that event.

We figured that if we were going to drive 12 hours there, we were going to stay a while. We were gone for almost a full 2 weeks enjoying beautiful Oregon summer evenings, spending time with family and friends, and having a blast.

On the way home, my sister drove with us down to Loomis, CA so we could visit with our grandma. It was wonderful to see family!

We missed Paul terribly by that point, and were very excited to get home again. However, the drive from my grandma's house to my mom's house that usually takes 1 1/2 hours ended up taking 4 hours because of road construction (at midnight). At one point, everyone was screaming at the same time, Avery had to go to the bathroom, but we weren't near an exit, she wouldn't use a cup, I tried to put a diaper on her- she wasn't going for that either. I had to take Emerson out of her car seat to nurse ( we were at a standstill). When we finally got off the freeway, the gas station's bathroom was out of order, the 24 hour McDonald's was closed, but we finally got her to a bathroom on our third try. Whew. That was exhausting. Comical looking back- not so comical in the moment :).

2. Home for a week, crammed in dentist, doctor, and hair appointments before heading out again. We went to Utah (early September), with Paul this time, for round 2 of visiting with family, friends, and enjoying our time together. Another LONG drive, but we had a great time.

We stayed with our good friends the Clawsons for a couple of nights in their beautiful home... (Kelli is the most wonderful hostess- thank you my dear friend!) and then went up to Park City for the rest of the week. Had fun visitors come up and enjoy the pool with us. We finally got some updated family photos too- thanks Kelly... we love them!

Kelly also introduced me to tres leches from Cafe Rio. I came home and HAD to find a way to recreate it. Found a good likeness HERE. Made it, LOVED it. Heavenly yumminess. Truly.

Stopped in Vegas on the way home. Stayed HERE. Had a great view of the Bellagio water show. The girls were glued to the window the whole night. Finley liked it from our room, but was NOT a fan of it up close (or it might have been the crazy people she didn't like down on the street- the angel and satan street performance pair were more than a little creepy).

3. Avery started back to school ...tiny tigers again- minus Mrs. Waterbury :( She is loving it. Finley wants to go so badly- but she is still pretty far down on the waiting list. Oh, how glorious it would be to have them both at the same place at the same time- for 2 hours I would just have one!! I know the day will come, all too soon, that they will all be in school all day and I won't know what to do with myself... but, that moment feels very far away at times. I can't believe that this time next year Avery will be in kindergarten!? She is getting so good at recognizing and writing letters and simple sight words. She wrote BOO on a piece of paper the other day after pointing out B-O-O on my halloween banner. She is growing up so fast.

4. I turned 30. It is done- nothing more to dread. Now, moving on. Thank you to all who helped me celebrate this milestone birthday (including my husband who wasn't going to do anything, saw the error of his ways, and then surprised me with a spa day at the last minute... good save babe! It was lovely). Beautiful flowers courtesy of my thoughtful sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Thanks Jodi and Chris- they were gorgeous! Smeared writing on my cake (and notice the piece with my name is completely missing?!) thanks to my girls :)

5. Avery started back at dance class- after months and months of asking, pleading, and begging. I told her "in the fall" and now it is fall and there is no escaping my promise. Our favorite dance teacher Miss Daniella is not teaching now, so we found a little class at the Avila Community Center that is great. Miss Kristy is great- she is teaching them well, but overall it is more low key. The recitals are small and on a weekday evening (instead of at the cal poly theater with a big stage, lights, and $35 tickets). Avery is just happy to be dancing again. Finley is still dying to get in on the action. Soon baby girl, soon. For now, Finley gets to have one on one with Gramma Lee while Avery is in class. It is a win for all!

6. Emerson is 5 months old already (actually she is almost 6 months old now). I am not sure how that happened?! She is so squishy and just adorable. She has the. best. smile. EVER. Oh, it melts me like nothing else.

7. Our dirt plot is finally looking more like a real yard. Only 2 1/2 years in the making! There is still more to do, but at least we have a good start on it.

We are enjoying the new play space we have. Now we just have to replace the trampoline... almost a year later:)

8. Paul turned 32 and we went to Disneyland to celebrate. We discovered Avery is 42 inches tall and was able to go on Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad and a few other rides that were off limits before. She LOVED splash mountain- went 3 times. She tolerated Thunder Mountain once, but did not want to go again. It was fun for us because we got to go on something other than dumbo, the teacups, the carousel, and small world. A welcome milestone!

Paul then stayed in L.A. to go to a Laker's preseason game and a Oregon/UCLA football game while I went home with the girls to execute craft day :) Fun times were had by all! (there might be just a hint of sarcasm in there)

9. I have been keeping crazy busy with my church responsiblities (craft day was this past Saturday. I found planning and executing it to be very time intensive and exhausting), photo shoots (it is family photo time again :), and mom duties. NEVER a dull moment. I take moments as I get them... which isn't very often. Might be why it has taken me 2 months to get this post up?!

There it is...a "quick" recap of our past few months. Just for you mom! I think we are up-to-date now:)