Update on the girls.. Spark.. & life!

So Addy is 16 months tomorrow! Whoa can't help but think how Avah was this age when we got pregnant with our little love bug! Oh my! 

Addy has 4 teeth on the bottom, 4 on top and just cut one in the back.

She loves: black beans, eggs, strawberries, French fries.. her paci and anything her big sister has.

She says: mama, dada, uh oh, yes, one two threeeeee ( just like that), and a lot of random words we are trying to figure out.

She sleep: every night 7p-7a.. Can we say fan-freakingtastic

She likes to: be read to, play chase, play kitchen, carry around babies and dance/listen to music. Go OUTSIDE

We have no idea how big she is bc well she is the second and we just haven't made that 15 mo check up :/ 

Avah is just a comical little threeager. Seriously she is so smart and sweet and then bam her shirt is on the wrong way, freaking out. Bless her heart.. 

She loves playing barbies, art and dancing. I love how she sings in the back seat and loves to get dirty outside. She is so so sweet and I love when she says "Avah June Longo" when you ask her name. It's never just Avah. lol 

She is starting to write letters, she's got A and H down. 

One day she likes grilled chicken the next won't touch. Lately I feel like I can't find anything she loves to eat :/ 

Today was like this----▶️

Out the door to the orthopedic dr with girls

Park time

Lunch time

Play time

Made a smoothie with strawberries, banana, Greek yogurt, ice and SPARK (tell u about that later)

2 loads of clothes, change sheets, made beds

Snack time

Outside time, cleaned car

Bath time

Dinner time

Clean-up

Bedtime for Addy

Cleaned, mopped floors

Cut grass ( yep, for the first time in 3yrs..)

Bed time for Avah

Shower myself 

Woooweee, seriously all in days work plus calling around all day to contractors for the new restaurant in between all that.  But I will tell you my new drink gives me so much energy. I'm not even sluggish or tired! It's called spark by advocare and you need it in your life! 

This is just an average day. What I love about it is I get to kiss, hug and squeeze on my babies all day! I get to teach them about love and respect and how to use their words. My days might be filled with diapers, feeding them and making them happy but for me giving my family 120% is the best feeling ever. Wouldn't change a thing. 

Schedule these days

Both girls are up around 7:30

On Tues/Thurs Avah goes to school 

So we are out of the door by 8:20

Usually I take Addy to the gym and to run errands but today we went to HT (groceries) and came back to the house

With the warmer weather I'm trying to make more time to walk the dogs. I feel so bad when they have to lay around he house all the time! 

After we walked the dogs, I cleaned the 2 weeks worth of goldfish trampled in my car :)

Addy played outside a bit. 

David happened to come home for lunch so I left to get Avah right after I got addy down for a nap. She napped 11:15-12:30.

Once Avah and I got back I made them lunch. They played inside a while. David went back to work at 2:30 so we headed outside.. These girls love to be outdoors.. We went for a short walk, played with chalk, they both took turns swinging and Avah played on her little plastic play gym.

We came back in around 4.. I started to make dinner. Girls played inside some more. They ate around 5.. After dinner Avah wanted to play upstairs.. Then around 6 they got baths.. And ready for bed. Avah watched nick jr from 6:45-7:30. Addy went to sleep at 7 and after Avah's cartoon I read books to her and she was out by 8! whew! On days Avah does not have school I'll take them to the park, beach, gym, library, or a play place. But most days we go somewhere.. Maybe one day a week we just hang around the house but those days can be longggg so I try to keep them busy! 

Soccer

Avah is loving soccer PRACTICE.. Games on the other hand are taking some adjusting to. First, the games are at 8:30.. We barely roll out of bed, rush around to get everything on and together and almost never make it on time lol so game mornings haven't been smooth yet! The first game she kicked the ball, boy took the ball. Avah crossed her arms, pouting. She didn't even know that was coming haha! Second game "mama I'm cold" hands in pockets, barely chasing the ball.. By the end she was warmed up and trying so we will see how it goes next game! She loves practicing though, coach Melissa makes it fun and entertaining. Holds her attention the entire time. 

Avah is 3!

We celebrated a little early (last weekend) while my parents were here for g'parents day. Avah had a very special weekend, started with both sets of grandparents spoiling her at the preschool book fair. Her fav book- izzy the ice cream queen & I like myself! Both really cute stories. Then we had neighbors, family and friends over for cake & lunch on Saturday! On her actual birthday we went to Mayfaire for lunch, the bookstore and played outside! 

Avah ism as of this week...

Girl loves clothes.. 

Also loves pjs.. Pjs might be considered clothes on certain days

Puzzles! Her "quiet time" activity while addy naps

Barbie everything!

Soccer! She loves running- if we go on a walk she says she is exercising and wants to run lol. So she started this past week. Hope she loves it!

She loves being outside, drawing with chalk, digging or pushing addy in the little

car.

She knows her letters, numbers, starting to write A for her name, her address & state she lives in. 

She draws really cute smiley faces & corrects me everytime I leave out the nose. :) 

She breaks out in Spanish at the weirdest times, thanks Dora. Once she was on top of David's back riding him like a horse and said abajo (sp) for "up" 

She's funny and sweet & in touch with feelings.. She asks how "Gigi is feeling" says " she has plenty of toys" I swear she  is like an old soul in this little tiny body. 

 Dresses herself head to toe including no help with her coat/shoes/socks. She's persistent at doing everything herself!!! 

Three is going to be fun! I know some say it's harder but the more independent  and willingness to learn -the better! The meltdowns are very few and far between, looking back her hardest part was the beginning of two which could of been do to the new baby sister, who knows but for everyone I'd say that was the hardest! I

A YEAR??!! Already??!!

So Adalyn will be one in just a week- this truly has been the fastest year of my life. Even when I think back to her birth- labored maybe 30 mins, pushed once.. In and out of the hospital in maybe a day and half.. It was ALL fast and a blur. I certainly don't want our entire life with these two to go by in a blink of an eye like everyone says it will! 

Addy is sweet and very sensitive- she will cry if you tell her no & if she barely bumps her head.

She is curious and brave--she will crawl to other rooms leaving us behind.. She is more cautious when it comes to walking.. Taking a couple steps then goes to her knees. Shes a content baby. She will already play by herself. She loves books just like Avah. She loves pasta just like Avah too. She is the best sleeper. She is smiley and friendly, waves bye-bye. Loves to imitate everything we do, picks up the phone says hello. Bath time is always a favorite! 

She is the perfect "little sister" I know God knew what he was doing when he gave her to us! She is easy, she is a sleeper and she can easily adjust to any surroundings. In just her first year we stayed in Ohio (2 diff places, 4 trips) & FL (2 diff places) and she did amazing all times! We love you Adalyn Rose!!!!

Overall update (really need to get better at this!)

So Christmas was awesome! Avah was really into it this year and addy just loved playing with all the paper. 

Avah started talking about baby Jesus and wanted to play with the breakable navity set so we are got her one of the little people navity sets (girl is obsessed with LP) she started naming off all the people. Played with it non stop for 3 weeks. It was really sweet and I'm so happy she kinda understood that we were celebrating something.. It wasn't all about gifts. 

A week later we drove to Ohio, spent the week at Mimi and Papa's.. Got to play in the snow & with the little Amish girls! David and I even snuck away to a cabin for the night- then we realized we should've done that 2 yrs ago :)  It was snow covered, hidden in the trees quaint little spot with a hot tub, cable & heat! Yay!

Addy is eating anything and everything- getting into everything & loves giggles and smiles. She is just an easy, happy baby! This week she started interacting with the dogs more, feeding and laying on them. She loves wrestling with Avah and climbing into her big PB chair, jumping up and down.. Giving me an almost heart attack! She sleep 7-7:30.. Neve hear a peep from her and naps twice a day. Now I know what it feels like to have an amazing sleeper! Love it! 

Funny things Avah says:

"Mommy can I talk to you?" 

"I love mommy, addy loves daddy"

Pronounces helmet=helmic cabinet=cabnic 

Addy is 9 months

She is crawling, standing & walking with her fisher price walker toy. Grabbing sissy's hair and trying to tackle her & eating anything we put in front of her! She rarely cries but when she does it's usually bc Avah has taken away her toy.. 

She loves being outside and swinging at the park. Her laughter when Avah is doing something funny is soooo cute and makes my heart smile. I hope they are best friends! 

She weighs 14 lbs 12 oz.. Very petite! 

Bottle Update

It actually wasn't too bad. My MIL came a few mornings in a row so I'd leave with Avah for a few hours then my mom came for 5 days. Each day Addy improved and now she is taking at least 5-6 bottles each 5 oz. I nurse if she wakes up at night and sometimes once a day.. What a relief! I was also able to get a lot of time to myself when my mom was here which was wayyy over do. (Pedi/mani, beach morning, shopping & dinner out) David and I even got a date night ( first one in 9 months) wow!! Sometimes I don't know how we do it.. In our normal fashion we ate some delicious pasta at the OC.. I took down at least a 3 glasses of Pinot then we headed to Barnes and Noble. Every date night always ends with coffee & dessert at the book store. ;) 

Here are some recent pics..

What's new!

Haven't updated for a while about our big girl so here it is..

Books- Llama Llama & Berenstein Bears (whom she calls Polar Bear Books) 

Food- breakfast.. Grits, eggs, frozen yogurt Lunch.. Place: Chick fil a.. Or Chx nuggets, chicken salad.. Loves hummus.. Any fruit.. Mash up pouches Dinner.. Anything David makes, pasta, grilled chicken, chips & salsa 

Snacks- loves some apples with pb! 

Things she loves to do- play doctor, paint, babies, be chased outside, read books, build with Legos, visit the library, trains & of course anything water related or physical! 

Cute things she says..

Sometimes when you ask her a question she'll say "ummm, maybe over there" "let me think about it" " I'm busy" for example today David asked " do you know where my work is" she replied " ummm I'm thinking, it's around here somewhere" lol she sounds so grown up all of a sudden!

She's in love with doc mcstuffins this month. 

She makes Addy laugh alllll the time & they've really started playing together in the last month or so-

Very protective over her too. Esp if a stranger talks to Addy. 

We haven't had any potty accidents in a realllly long time, yay!!!! Even at night!  (But my rugs are still ruined) ;) 

Her stuffed animals go everywhere with her! 

Fav song is Beachin It ( country) will ask for "more tan lines mama!" When the song goes off on the radio 

She just got one of her first molars on the bottom right.. Very painful! Her second denist appt went very well! Awesome! 

Some nights she stays in her bed other nights she's at our door around 4/5 am wants some milk and to snuggle. Then goes back to sleep. 

K that's about it for now.. All over the place but had to jot these down while I could remember! 

Not again

The great bottle battle.. So basically when Addy was 4 weeks I tried to offer pumped bottles- she always refused. I chose to exclusively breastfeed because I do love everything about it.. Only that I can't go far but internally I kept thinking this might be my last baby so I'm going 100% exclusive and I just quit trying the bottle... I'll get my "me" time in a year.  Well the older Addy gets we can't help but notice how tiny she is compared to others. So we made another appointment and wouldn't ya know she isn't even on the charts anymore- like a neg percentile ( if that exists) I know this issue isn't unheard of but this is one example of how completely stressful motherhood can be that no one tells you about. It took all my emotional power to

Not break down right there when she says your not giving her enough calories she has to supplement. All bc I knew what was ahead- lots of crying! And to be honest I've been okay with exclusively bfing and wouldn't trade it for the world! I guess I'm just not ready for it to be over, this sucks! 

So I'm out having one on one with Avah- which I'm super excited about! While hoping Addy is at home getting use to a bottle with formula :/ ugh!! 

Mommy & Avah morning

Addy gets her one on one time with mama every tues and thurs while Avah is in preschool. So I'm really trying to make time in each week for just me and my big girl. Each night after addy goes to sleep we at least get 30 mins but that's usually spent brushing teeth and reading books. On Friday I had my MIL come over so we could just have some fun! First we went to the beach then the park and lastly for ice cream & coffee! Avah is growing up so fast and each day I swear she gets smarter! On the way home we passed by a rental my mom and aunts stayed in months ago & says " I want to go to Mimi's!" I explained that was just a rental- so on the way to school I pointed down 210 that goes to 40 and said remember we took that road really really far to Ohio, that's where Mimi is.. And wouldn't you know today in the car she points down 210 as we drive by and says " go to

Ohio" I'm beginning to think she has a very picturistic memory. 

Addy 6 mos (really late) & Avah starts school!

Addy at 6 mos weighs 12 lbs13 oz... She's a teeny tiny babe! This was at her check-up a month ago. Between then and now she's started crawling, eating yogurts dips,avacado along with lots of baby food. I haven't found anything she hasn't liked this far. She loves playing with Avah's phone that has the strong and you pull it. She also loves listening to the guitar. 

We spent most if August in Ohio deep in the country. We had a great time, Avah fell in love with the cats and enjoyed riding on the gator. We took daily walks down the dirt road and she's just throw the hay in the air- reminded me what child hood use to look like. I played a lot outside with just nature around me.. My mom didn't take me to play dates or "play places" I'd play in the dirt, rain water, fields etc. Avah was def in her element with tons of room for roaming! We ended our last night with a cook out and fire. 

Now we are back to preschool, she's going 2 days a week 9-12pm. I joined a local gym where they have child care. Will be nice to get in a workout class a couple times a week too! 

 

So big yet still so small

{Always forever my baby you'll be}

Painting toes, asking for pony tails & braids.. Please slow down! 

And above all else for the first time in a longgggg time she sleeps by herself!

We read some books, I tuck her in and that's it! It hasn't always been this easy and esp with bringing addy home we tried locking her in.. letting her cry. The timing was all wrong! One night I just decided I was TIRED & I didn't want to lay down with her and wait until she fell asleep to shower..clean-up etc. so I brought out one of her fav books-pointed out that if she slept in her bed and went to bed alllll by herself there would be a prize in the morning. She whined a bit..I laid her down and that was it. She doesn't even try to get up and I only left a pink painted penny the first night. We keep saying "is this real life??" Haha- it could not be this easy! It must have just been the right time for her, previously she there was too much change Im thinking...

I look forward to our special mommy and Avah time each night. I know she loves it and craves the attention so it's good for her! 

I think I can.. I think I can..

11 days. 11 days & my mom, aunt and great- aunt will come to visit to then drive the girls & myself back to Ohio! Yay! We'll be living the farm life until Avah starts preschool.. In a few short weeks. We are going on month 4 of David working 9-10 (that's the early side) & I'm tired! We have done just about everything this summer and I'm needing some help lol One can only entertain little ones day after day for so long. Once we return the restaurants will be slowing down and we will see him more! :) 

It's amazing how much you miss your mom once you become one. I'd just enjoy and appreciate her being able to say "come over for dinner tonight" or "let's go shopping" (extra hands while running errands is always appreciated) OR not having to think about cooking solo is always nice too!  I miss her so much, especially when it's been a longgg day. This week was a little bit of a doosey, addy has a cold & isn't sleeping.. Avah was recovering from running a temp all weekend so that lives me with no patience and exhausted! I know if she lived close she'd come to my rescue!

Avahs last day at Hullabaloo camp was today. Now I've started thinking what's on the agenda for next week??!! Hmmm...

Funny things she says

Avah: mama your song? ( wagon wheel was playing)

Me: yes I like this song

Avah: mama you dance?

Me: I'm driving Avah. I'll try my best.. Start nodding my head, she nods her head.. Cute!

 

Just some pics

Finally got around to painting the ugly orange table, perfect fit in the playroom 

Watch out when Avah has the sprinkler, I was soaked.

Sunday Funday= yard work, beach, inlet 790 for dinner & music then ice cream!! 

But first we took a selfie. 

Camp this week has tired this one out! Please notice.. Bring girl pants and woke up dry :) 

Love watching them sleep, ahhhh. Quiet.

We have been busy!

One thing I can't live without is a "to do" list.. This summer it was long but I can't believe it's already half way over!

Thus far we have...

Gone to the aquarium {ft fisher}

Gone to myrtle beach {outlets & aquarium}

Children's Musuem

POP many times (met a mom who had 2 babies the exact same ages as addy and Avah--weird we were in the hospital the same time!)

Hullabaloo 1,000 times over

Surf City Farmers Market

Turtle Hospital

Florida

Serenity Point

Movie & music in the Park

A week at the beach with Mimi and Papa

I think that's it.. what's left to do...

Mud Day

Jumpin Jax 

Hullabaloo Camp

Little Singers class (Wilmington)

SF or hampstead story time

2 possibles.. Visit a farm or Marbles Museum in Raliegh (trying to muster up the courage to travel alone with 2)

SO in between all that we do a lot of park, pool & beach dates! OR just playing at home but after a couple days of that we are all ready to go! :) 

It's been quite a busy summer. Wouldn't have it any other way. Super thankful Addy can role with anything and loves the baby carrier. 

We just received Avahs letter from Scott's Hill Christian Academy. Excited for her to go back and have more of a routine also. She loves it there so much so I have her wait listed for 3 days instead of 2. 

Addy is really growing and beginning to eat even more baby food. Really shocking to me bc Avah was never really fond of it.