March

 I didn't intend to not blog this month it just happened.  We haven't done anything exceptionally exciting but I still want to record the memories.

When we got home from the beach Patrick decided we needed a propane cook stand to do our own shrimp boils at home.  So he got one.  AveryAnn enjoyed the corn the most.

The pot he got is huge and I have laughed and laughed at him.

Barrett had Spring pictures made at school.

They are way better than last years Spring pictures.

I spent entirely too much money.

This was St. Patrick's Day and we were so excited to get a good report from Grampy.

We had an impromptu play date that afternoon with Drake and Jackson.  It was a lot of fun!

The next day I got to go on the Fight for Rights tour with Red Clay Tours.  It was a great morning in the city.

The next day Patrick and Barrett (and AveryAnn) went to ride go carts to celebrate Uncle Patrick's birthday. 

Elizabeth and I (along with Jessica and Anna) went to see Beauty and the Beast.  It was so good.  I want to see it again in 3D.

The next week Aunt Elizabeth came on Friday night to hang out.  She's so good with my kids and Barrett adores her.  She brought popcorn and let Barrett help her pop it on the stove top.  He was so excited and still talks about it.

The next morning, Barrett and I were at Urgent Care for fever and sore throat.  We both had strep.  I was miserable.  Patrick took great care of us and AveryAnn and somehow they both escaped it.  Elizabeth was not so lucky.  I'm pretty sure she'll never hang out with us again.

This week was all over the place.  Wednesday this girl did not want to sleep.  I rocked her for the longest time and it was so sweet.  I guess she knew we both needed it.

Friday, I took both kids to the zoo by myself and it was so crowded.  We stayed maybe an hour and came back.

I'm pretty sure this is the last summer for matching smocks of any kind.  (I'm hoping I can still sneak some in here and there)  They looked so sweet.

I love those chunky legs!!

I found this baby picture of Patrick and I think he and AveryAnn look a lot alike. 

Today, Patrick had a side job to do and my brother John is still working a crazy long shut down so the kids and I picked up my mom and headed to Mass with Hope and Madelyn and then went to their house to let the kids play. 

They were so much fun and it was so nice to get to spend the afternoon with them.  I wish we lived closer  especially now that we have the girls so close in age.  They are really starting to interact and its so funny watching them.   We're ready for April!  Tomorrow is supposed to be Barrett's first ragball game.  We're hoping the weather doesn't mess things up!

A Weekend Away

Spring is always a little crazy around here.  Work gets busy and when work gets busy I feel like our whole life is chaos.  Add in Barrett playing ragball for the first time and I know it's going to be wild.  So before everything gets wound up Patrick and I decided to sneak away for a long weekend at our friends Tony and Carla's house.  My parents graciously agreed to keep the kids so we could enjoy the weekend just adults.  (I'm forever grateful to both sets of our parents who are always willing to keep our kids.  I know not everyone is so fortunate to have family around so I try not to take it for granted.)

We got there around 8:00 Friday night and headed straight to dinner.  I couldn't wait to eat some seafood!  After dinner we went to the Florabama to have a famous "Bushwacker".  While we were there this girl walked up and I knew I knew her from somewhere but could not put my finger on it.  She was five feet away from us most of the night.  I finally realized she was on Big Brother but I couldn't remember her name to save my life.  I couldn't remember which season she was on either.  I tried to google it and I couldn't come up with anything useful.  We decided to go to a different part of the bar and I finally remembered her name (Meg).  I was going to go back and talk to her but I never did.  I'm almost positive it was her.  Patrick went to close out his tab and he said when he walked by some guys were talking to her saying they recognized her.  I wish I would have said something to her but I didn't.

After that excitement we headed back to the house to hit the hay.

Saturday was supposed to be a beautiful day so we loaded up the boat and headed out.  Our first stop was the FloraBama (again) for (another) bushwacker.  Then we cruised all day.  We stopped for lunch at Pirates Cove.  It was a little cool out but it was a beautiful day!

Boys and their toys.

After lunch we headed to an island, parked the boat and hung out for the rest of the day!  The island is home to the abandoned Fort McRee.  It was abandoned before the civil war.  It was a neat place to explore.

I was so glad I took my real camera because I was able to grab some really beautiful images. 

After we spent some time exploring we had a campfire and watched the sunset.  It was so much fun and so cool.  Once the sun set, we made our way back to get the boat out of the water and find some dinner.

Sunday we got up and it was cool and cloudy and windy so we decided to hang out at the house.  We went out for lunch and then laid around and relaxed.  It was so nice.  We decided to do a shrimp boil for dinner and it was delicious.  We spent the rest of the evening watching movies and hanging out.  We were already dreading going home. 

We woke up this morning and got packed and headed home.  We were sad to leave but so excited to see the kids.  I'm so thankful that Patrick values time away just the two of us. We try to do this at least once a year.  I also try to let one of our parents keep the kids over night once a month or every other month.  Its good for the kids to spend the time with their grandparents and its good for us too.  We had the best time.  We'll never be able to thank Tony and Carla for the hospitality they show us each time we come visit.  I basically just invite myself down and they welcome us with open arms.  We can't wait to go see them again. 

Live with the Characters & Weekend Review

Saturday was the fourth annual Just Keep Smiling LIVE with the Characters Show. We've been every year and it never disappoints.  We knew several people in the show which makes it more fun!  In the past Barrett hasn't been too into meeting the characters but this year he was all about it. 

Captain America

Batman

Transformer Bumble Bee

My sister was Rey.

Chewbacca

My favorites Beauty and the Beast.  I should have gotten in a picture with them. 

AveryAnn went to the show too but she didn't make any of the pictures.

We've spent a ton of time outside this week.  The weather has been beautiful and we're loving it. 

AveryAnn rode in the jeep with Barrett.  I'm not sure who had more fun.

Barrett is playing ragball this year and we're so excited.  He got some pants and a glove this weekend.  He wore his glove all weekend.

We seriously can't get enough of the back yard.

Barrett and Patrick raced on the power wheels.

Last Monday, Barrett and I got to go see Wild Kratts Live at the Alabama Theater.

Barrett watches the cartoon but we weren't sure what to expect for the live show.  It was so cute and so much fun.  Grampy got Barrett the vest and gloves the guys wear and Barrett wore it all week.  He couldn't open his door each morning because he refused to take off the gloves. 

Last Sunday night we went to Ruby and Keegan's birthday party at the Cullman Aquatic Center and Barrett had a blast.  AveryAnn looks cute is her suit but she wasn't a fan of the water. 

This post is all over the place but I think I'm caught up. 

Twelve Months

We're so excited to celebrate our girl today!  It's been 12 months, 52 weeks and 366 days since you joined our family.  To be honest, it feels like yesterday that I first laid eyes on you and heard your sweet cry.

You have brought us all so much joy!  You wake up smiling and are a joy until your head hits the pillow at the end of the day.  We're all just smitten with you.   

Your first year has been so exciting, fun and exhausting.

• You weigh 20lbs 3oz.
• You're 27.5" tall.
• Size 4 diapers.  You're still going through 5-6 a day.
• Mostly 12 month clothes.  You got some cute 18m things for your birthday that are a little big but you can still wear them.

• You're still a fantastic sleeper!  You go down around 6:30 and sleep until 7:00 the next morning.  You put yourself to sleep so easily.  I don't take this for granted at all.  You really are a dream baby.
• You still take 2 naps most days.  Usually around 10:00 in the morning for about and hour and then again around 2:00.  It's probably time to transition to one nap but I'm not good at it.

(I love this picture of Barrett trying to get you to smile.)

• You're done nursing.  We lasted longer than I thought we would.  You take 4-5 bottles everyday.  We're trying to transition to whole milk and it's going pretty good as long as its in a bottle.
• You eat whatever we're eating 3 meals a day.  You love to eat.
• You started pulling up to stand this week.  You're so proud when you do it.  I think you'll walk earlier than your brother but probably not anytime soon.
• You got 3 new teeth this month.

• We got to go see Dr Farr again this month for another sick visit.  Your ears didn't clear up like they were supposed to.  We'll get them rechecked Friday and your checkup.
• You love to laugh and laugh all the time.  Barrett gets you laughing the hardest. 
• Your hair is still wild and lightening up.  You're getting better about keeping a bow in it. 

• You love being outside!  You got a new swing for your birthday and you love it.
• You also love Ally and try to grab her anytime she's within reach.  She puts up with it because you also share your snacks with her.
• You love "Donut Friday" at work too! 

I know I've said it a dozen times but you really are such a joy.  I never thought I could love another kid as much as I love your brother but somehow I do.  I love that I get to have a daughter, a friend for life.  I know the day will come when you think I'm not very smart or just trying to ruin your life but I also look forward to the day that you'll call me and say "I really want these pretty cupcakes but I don't want to pay for them" and I'll be able to say "I think I can make them".  I'll probably have to go buy them because chances are I won't be able to actually make them but I know you won't care.