WATERPARK

November 27th - David and I decided to take Avery to the water park at the Wilderness at the Smokies in Gatlinburg, TN as a special treat since Liam has gotten so much attention since his birth in September. We stayed in the hotel connected to the water park, which Avery called the show in tell, and had so much fun. I was nervous because the last time we all stayed in a hotel we didn't get much sleep. However, Avery and Liam did so well. We all had a blast at the water park, especially Avery. There was a wave pool, area just for kids and two huge water slides that she could play in. She loved the huge water slides. I was scared when I went with her because there wasn't much protection. At one point Avery said to me: "Don't worry Mommy, I've got ya." She is so brave.

While we were there we went to the Acquqarium. Can you spot the shark?

Avery loved the bears.

One of the tunnels of the big slides Avery went down. My battery died before I could get her and David coming out.

Liam didn't do much but watch Avery have all the fun.

Avery and I in the wave pool.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

November 25th - We spent Thanksgiving on the farm. Liam and I went down a couple of days early to help Grandma get ready for the festivities. We all had a great time cooking, eating and spending time with family. We had family come from Iowa, Texas, Arkansas, DC and Connecticut. Many members of our family were unable to come for Thanksgiving and we missed them all.

What I'm most thankful for this year: my family and our newest member Liam!

Part of my entire family on my Mom's side: John (Lindsey's husband), Lindsey (cousin), Aunt Debbie, Uncle Clay, Grandma, Melissa (cousin), David, Avery, Liam and me.

My adorable hubby!

David showing Avery and I how to skip rocks into the Buffalo river.

Avery went fishing while David and I went Black Friday shopping. She loved fishing and caught the biggest fish of the day. My cousin Matt is holding her fish for her.

Avery and Matt with her fish. She was so excited. She told me she caught this fish about 100 times and each time the fish got bigger and bigger.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

November 12th - We attended our first breakfast with Santa. There was breakfast and lots of activities for the kids. We went with Avery's best friend, Mallory, and her family. I was worried that Avery would be afraid of Santa, as in years past, and she did not let us down. They had a station where the kids could make a cookie with Santa. Avery opted not to cook with Santa but just to watch others cook with him. Oh well....some day she may warm up to Santa.

My sweet little family.

Avery and Mallory making reindeer food.

Avery in her reindeer hat.

Avery and I got our faces painted.

Avery and Mallory pose with the reindeer. She wasn't scared of him but she was of Santa. Go figure.

GROWING & LEARNING

November 17th - No matter how hard I try my babies will not stop growing up.

Liam
Today Liam turned 8 weeks old. He is starting to sleep longer at night (well some nights) and showing his personality. He seems really laid back and deals great with the constant noise around the house. Here are his stats from his 2 month check up - 10 lbs 13 oz (37%) and 22.5 in long (46%).

Liam smiling at me, which he does more these days (and no it is not because he has gas).

Liam has taken a pacifier since day 1, which amazes me since Avery would never take one. For the past couple of days he has been trying to get his thumb in his mouth. He was able to get it in his mouth but has not been able to keep it in there. But he isn't giving up!

Avery

Avery is almost 3.5 years old. She continues to amaze me with her learning. We have been working on her letters. I thought she was doing good because she can spell her name. The other day we get out of the car, she stops and says "N-I-S-S-A-N". I was so impressed with her. Today when I got dressed she stopped me, looked at my shirt and said "B-E-L-M-O-N-T". When we ride down the street she will see a letter and yell "Look Mommy, a K for Kristin". She continues to impress me all the time and I look forward to see how she will impress me next.

UPDATE

November 14 - It has been a long time since I have updated this blog. I could list a million excuses but instead I will just update you on what has happened in our lives and try to do better about keeping up with this blog. So here we go.

Baby News
The big news is we had a healthy baby boy. We welcomed Liam Michael Diamond on 9/22/11 @ 1:36 pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 4.5 ounces and was 19 inches long. My labor was quick and easy. I did have some complications after he was born but everything turned out okay. I decided to nurse him and he is doing great. Here are his stats from his 2 week checkup: 7 lbs 15 oz (21%) and 20.75 in long (40%). It is much different having a boy but I am so in love with him! How is big sister dealing with him you ask? Avery loves him and is such a big help.

Liam less than 24 hours old. He is such a good baby.

Avery and her baby brother. This is when she came to the hospital to meet him.

Daddy and his little boy.

Mommy and Daddy with Liam right after he was born. He arrived in half the time that Avery did.

Fall
Fall is here and it is one of my most favorite times of the year. We took the family to our annual pumpkin patch visit and have been trying to spend a lot of time outside. Avery had a great time trick or treating this year. She actually went up to the houses and said "trick or treat" and thank you. She would get candy and say "this is awesome". It really made Halloween fun for David and I. Also, Avery is taking dance class and is really enjoying it.

Avery dressed up as a lady bug at dance class. She is in the 2-3 year old class. The girls are so cute to watch.

Avery at the pumpkin farm. She is getting so tall.

Avery and I riding the pumpkin train.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY

June 9th / 18th - I can't believe my baby is already 3 years old. It seems like just yesterday that she was born. Avery has been so excited about her birthday. For weeks she has talked about who was coming to her party - first it was Santa Clause and then the Easter Bunny and back to Santa.

On Thursday the 9th my Mom, David and I took cupcakes to her school and had a cake after dinner. This was the first year she was able to blow out her candles.

Avery loved the cupcakes.

Our ladybug cupcakes.

On Saturday the 18th we had a princess party with family. My Grandma, sister and I made her a princess cake that she LOVED. She got to wear a new dress and wear a crown. What more could a girl want?

Avery took the barbie figure out of the cake and licked all the icing off. My girl likes her sweets.

The princess cake we made. It was yummy and turned out great I must say.

Avery with Granddaddy and Aunt Kat.

BABY BROTHER

End of May / first of June (time seems to be flying by so I'm not quite sure of the exact timing) -People keep asking me about my pregnancy in front of Avery so David and I decided it was time to tell her she was going to be a big sister. I feared her reaction for days but she surprised us and took it really well. She seemed to be really excited. Now she tells baby brother good night and always wants to hug and kiss him. I'm not quite sure she understands that baby brother is actually going to join us in a couple of months but I guess we will deal with that when the time comes.