Inseperable Duo

I had my first experience where Taylor and Averi were getting along so well that they didn't want to be parted at bedtime! It was so astounding!

Protective Bro

Recently, whilst in the playroom, Ella seemed to keep falling into one of the standup toys. While I comforted her on one occasion, Taylor took the throw cushions from the couches and placed them around the toy and then put a blanket over the whole arrangement to keep her from hurting herself further on it! What a sweetheart!

Often, when Ella is unhappy and I'm unable to attend to her, Taylor will take it upon himself to distract her! It doesn't take much, as Ella idolizes her siblings and loves to interact with them.

Sometimes, after returning home with the children in the van, I will need to take some things into the house before bringing Ella in. On these occasions, Taylor insists on staying with her until I can come back to get her! He's so sweet!

Tea Time!

Last week, Averi and I had our first tea party! She pulled out the singing teapot set that she got from Stefanie last Christmas and poured drinks for me and herself. She even made pouring sound effects! So cute!

How do kids learn these noises? I remember when Taylor started making car noises while playing with his cars. Kids are so clever!

Play Dirty

Ella is my first child to discover the immense fun of splashing around in the toilet!! Ewwwww!

Please. Put. The. Lid. Down.

This is usually accompanied by the unraveling of an entire roll of toilet paper. Great fun all around.

Please. Close. The. Bathroom. Door.

Ella in Her Element

Today, Daddy took the kids for a walk with his friend, Darryl, and his friend's dog, Shelby. The pics of Ella are just too cute!


She "plays" ball now! When you roll it to her, she will try and throw it back!

Butterfly Boy!

We went to the zoo with Aunt D yesterday and Taylor had the chance to have a butterfly on his hand! He was thrilled! Obviously!

First Week Over

Wonder Woman, aka Stefanie, kept the kids busy all week with play time, craft time, snack time, etc. The kids especially like crafts, of course, and would help put all the toys away so they could get to it. Avi would say, "I love craps! I love craps!" lol

Ella and Seth have become fast friends, chasing each other around and laughing at their reflections in the front closet mirrors. How cute is that!

We had a heavy, wet snowfall the last couple of days and when the kids went for a walk yesterday, Avi, being Avi, fell into not one, but two! puddles!

I have to say this new schedule of work and home is great for me so far. I'm getting back into the tech stuff at work and I know my kids are in the best hands possible. I'm so blessed!

On another note, Shawn hurt his back shoveling snow and has stayed home from work. It's just as well since he has oodles of schoolwork. This whole school thing has been a rollercoaster for him... Please keep him in your prayers!

First Day Back to Work

I have so much to update on here but rather than being bogged down by that, I'm going to shove in a quick post about my first day back to work after maternity leave.

It went fine.

I looked good. ;)

My new supervisor is great.

I did get a headache from, I believe, excessive lighting but that is easily remedied.

The kids did terrifically well with my neighbor, Stefanie. What a miracle she is!!

I really feel that the time spent with the kids during the evening was better quality and we sang lots of songs before bed.

Getting them to sleep wasn't hard either... Bless you, Stef!!!!

At the Zoo

I still have to get the pics from my friend, Stef, who I went to the zoo with today, but I wanted to share something that happened before I forget it!

We were leaving the lion exhibit when small child ran into Averi and then continued on his way. He was smaller than Avi and she didn't fall down or anything but he must have hit her just right because she started to gag and then PUKED several times! Poor baby!

Bad Avi!

Despite the fact I NEVER say "Bad Taylor" or "Bad Avi," it's become a regular occurrence for the two of them to call each other "Bad Taylor" and "Bad Avi." Imagine my amusement when Taylor informed me that Averi had made a mess with her Easter candy and Avi pronounced, "Bad Avi!!"

So cute!

Ella's Standing!

Not only has Ella been pulling herself up on toys and furniture, but she even let go and stood for a bit on her own!!

Avi's Potty-Trained!

Avi has been accident-free for 4 days! And accidents only seem to happen with Daddy! ;) She's even waking up in the night (yawn) to go potty!

Hooray, Avi! (To which she replies, "Hooray, Mommy!" or cheers for herself.)

Ella's Teeth!

At 9 months old, Ella is finally getting her first teeth! Three in a row on the top!

Miss Independent

Averi is constantly exclaiming, "By self! By self!"

Funny. We never had that with Taylor... We're always begging him to do things by himself!

Ear!

The Nelsons always tell the tale of Diana poking baby Shawn in the eye while exclaiming, "Eye!" Well, this morning, Avi begged Daddy to pick her up after which she put her mouth to his ear and loudly exclaimed, "Ear!!"

Poor Daddy!