Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Seven Months Old

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.  ~Author Unknown

IMG_8416My darling Ava.  How is it possible that you are growing so quickly?  I guess it is true that time flies when you are having fun.  You have not only grown in physical features but you are developing more and more every day. 

First of all, you know your Mommy and that couldn’t make me happier.  You giggle and reach for me when I pick you up from Missy’s house everyday.  If you hear my voice, you look for me and the second we see each other you flash me that sweet gummy smile.  If someone else is holding you, you look for me and follow me around the room.  You definitely know your brother and love him so much.  That bond you two share is just magical and I cannot wait to see your relationship develop.  You grab his face and give him sweet slobbery kisses.  Sometimes you grab his hair and that isn’t exactly a happy moment but at least your intention is sweet. IMG_8420 IMG_8419You babble endlessly.  I am so excited to see how your language is developing.  You sing and talk constantly, and if we are laughing you just start laughing so that you can be a part of the conversation.  You sit up all by yourself and really aren’t happy in any other position.  When you are on your tummy, you pick your knees up and scoot around like you are trying to crawl.

You are still my amazing little sleeper.  You go to bed around 8 and then sleep until around 6:30.  You are always happy, it just makes me so joyful to be around you!  You are a much better eater, honestly there isn’t anything you have tried that you won’t eat.  Of course the faces you make would state otherwise, you eat it.IMG_8427 IMG_8426Your eyes are still a beautiful blue and I hope that they will stay that way.  I can remember how blue Michael’s eyes were and now they are brown like mine.  Only time will tell. IMG_8428 IMG_8429Darling, you are my little priss pot and every day you do something that makes me fall more in love.  The greatest thing I have ever done and will ever do, is have you and your brother Michael.  God put what is good in me, inside both of you.  I love you Miss Priss.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

 CookiesApricot BarsDessertsThanksgiving this year was a fabulous holiday.  It was a bit more difficult traveling with two children now, but nonetheless, we made it to San Angelo.  Every year the Poe family gathers in west Texas for Thanksgiving dinner.  We used to eat at Charlsie’s house but now we meet at Mimi’s.  Our family is continually expanding, to include our new babies, Buddy’s family the Halls, the Broyles, my sweet Bitt Bitt’s parents and even Aunt Karen’s parents.  Family 3 Family 2Derin and Michael Derin Derin and AvaMe and Ava Gary and Kay Rita MattMichael 4Mimi and BuddyusNash and QuinnMichael 3Because of our ever expanding crew, we had to rent out a place to host our dinner.  It was beautiful and right on the water.  Mimi bought a fabulous bouncy house for the kids and let me tell you it was the hit of the day. Michael, Quinn, Nash, Brenna, Madison and Presley had such a good time! Mimi’s decorations were beautiful and the food was of course amazing.  I was so busy visiting and playing with the kids, I didn’t even get a piece of pie! But as long as Michael got one of Aunt Glenda’s turkey cookies, everything was okay!Bouncy House Bouncy 4 Bouncy 5 Bouncy 6 Bouncy 7Bouncy 2 Me and Michael Dad and Boys Ava and NashNash  Nana and BabiesNana and MichaelSoon, it was time to head back to Mimi’s and get ready for bed.  By the time Glenda finished cleaning the kitchen, everyone wanted round two of dinner.  Seems about right though doesn’t it?  We settled in to watch the University of Texas beat Texas A&M in their last game…at least for a while anyway.Ava and Michael Michael and Nash Ava and Matt BrennaDad and babiesFriday, we headed home with two very sleepy babies.  Michael fell asleep in the car and Derin put him in his bed around 6pm.  Michael slept in the same position until 8:15 Saturday morning.  Playing with his cousins was definitely exhausting, but well worth it.  I truly enjoyed seeing my family and feel that our visit was just too short.  Being around everyone made me realize just how much I miss them and also how thankful I am to have them in my life. Glenda and Nash Karen and BrennaMichael on slide Michael at parkPawPaw and Michael

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Happy Halloween

IMG_0388 Well, Halloween 2011 was quite the event.  We usually go to our church Fall Festival but we didn’t have one this year so it was Michael’s first time to officially trick-or-treat.  Michael was so cute as a little fireman and Ava was beautiful as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  I think Michael’s favorite part of the day was pulling in our driveway and then having Derin open the door.  Michael screamed “Daddy!!”  He was so happy and we were so glad he was home.IMG_0401 IMG_0382IMG_0787IMG_0387 IMG_0396IMG_0403IMG_0393 IMG_0389IMG_0384IMG_0391IMG_0390We headed to eat with our friends and Michael got to play with his friends Laylin and Linlee (Michael keeps saying how pretty they are:).  After dinner, it was time to hit the streets and go for candy!  Ava was escorted in style in her stroller and Michael wanted to walk in his boots.  I originally thought the fireman outfit was just cute and then I realized how safe it was because it had all the reflective gear on it!IMG_0439

IMG_0417IMG_0419 IMG_0415IMG_0412 Michael wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, he just kept going up to people and saying “please” and holding out his hands for candy.  He then thought that he was supposed to eat the candy at every door.  I was very pleased that he kept saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome” when people gave him his treats.  How did I get so lucky?IMG_0779Lulu and Uncle Craig were sweet enough to walk around with us, we wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun without them.  Lulu looked beautiful in her orange (my favorite color) sweater and hat!  Ava just watched everyone and would have slept but I think that all the costumes and lights were fascinating.

We headed home, where Ava truly showed her exhaustion, but after baths and bedtime stories we all collapsed and fell fast asleep.  A great Halloween and a fun night that I will never forget.IMG_0432