Matt's Birthday Party

Matthew turned one on Tuesday and his birthday party was today. He had a pirate party and the kids had a blast! He got a little basketball goal from us!
Our good friend, Gail, was there so it was nice seeing her!

High Fever

I got a call from the daycare around noon yesterday saying that Jace had a 102.5 fever so I left work to go pick him up. When we got home, I checked his temp and it was 102.3. I gave him some Tylenol and let him nap. He didn't really have any other symptoms, but he was a little snotty. Later on, his temp jumped up to 103.5 and I started alternating Motrin and Tylenol and this morning, his temp was 102.6. I assumed he had an ear infection, but he's been acting fine, he just had the high fever. James took him to the doctor this morning and she said he looks fine and his ears are clear, and he wasn't running a fever. Teething doesn't usually cause a fever over 101. and she said that he could have Roseola, so I guess we will see if he develops a rash. He hasn't had a fever all afternoon, so hopefully it's over!

Easter Bunny

My Great Aunt Norma got this bunny for me when I was a little girl and I love it! I need to make a new bow for her basket, it's looking pretty bad from being packed up so long. Jace loves this little bunny! He is constantly staring and pointing at her. I have her on the mantle so Jace won't mess with her. He smiles and wants to touch her, so we have to pick him up so he can see her, it's the cutest thing! I packed her away after Easter and he was looking for her for a couple of days. I guess he missed her!

Happy Easter!

We had a visit from the Easter Bunny! The kids both got a sock monkey, a movie, and a swimsuit. Avaree also got some pencils, candy, and a little plant to grow.
Mom and Jeff are busy getting their new house ready to move into and their stuff is split between houses so I cooked lunch and took if over to their new house since they were there working. I felt like I was in the kitchen ALL day (between cooking and then cleaning up). We had ham, potato salad, mac and cheese, peas, deviled eggs, rolls, and chocolate cake. It was delicious! After lunch, we let the kids hunt eggs. They loved it!

Pool Day & Easter Eggs

Jennifer has been visiting the past few days since Justin is in North Carolina for training. The kids have loved having her here. We met Mama at her neighborhood pool this morning and had a great time! Jace loved the water and I had a time trying to keep him from putting his face in the water. He's a little fish! I'm hoping we can get Avaree swimming this summer. I really think she can do it, she's just too scared.

We also colored Easter eggs tonight. Jace was already in the bed by the time we were able to do them.

DQ Delivery

Years ago, James worked at Dairy Queen, and I believe it was his favorite job--He loved it! He always talks about it and always brings it up when we are in there. It's kind of a joke to all of us, so Justin found this Dairy Queen shirt and had to get it. Jennifer was up for a few days and we decided we wanted an ice cream cake. We had James swing by after work to pick one up. When he got here, Jenn had the shirt waiting on him and made him put it on to deliver our cake. It was hilarious!

Booster Seat

Jace is a big boy now. We decided to stop using the Space Saver Highchair and start using a booster. The highchair had arms so it wouldn't pull up to the table, and the booster is much easier to clean. He loves being at the table with us!

Little Brothers...

Are Awesome!! (Especially this one!)

Crib Ball Pit

I got this bag of balls several months ago from Target (for 75% off) and they were just sitting in the garage, waiting until we had a little pool or ball pit to put them in. The other day, I ended up putting them in Jace's crib so he and Avaree could play! They had a blast!

Playground Picnic

Avaree is spending the night with Gammy tonight, so since James was working, Jace and I decided to meet the two of them at her neighborhood playground. Mom picked up some dinner, and we ate and played. We had a great time! Jace loved swinging and going UP the slides!

3rd Nine Weeks

Avaree got her report card last Friday for the 3rd Nine Weeks. She did good, all her grades were the same as last time. Excellent in Science, Language Arts, Math, Music, PE, and Conduct, and Satisfactory in Writing and Handwriting. I guess we are going to have to work on that! She also got a certificate for Good Citizenship, Honor Roll, and Attendance! Way to go Avaree!!

Zoo Field Trip

Avaree went on a Field Trip to the Zoo a couple of weeks ago. Gammy was able to chaperone and they all had a great time! It was supposed to be rainy all day, but luckily they didn't get rained on.

Mama's probably going to LOVE that I put this on here, but I cracked up when I was uploading her pictures to the computer so I had to!

Eczema

Eczema is no fun. Avaree's had it since birth and every now and then, she has bad flare ups. She wore a hazelwood necklace for a while and it cleared her up, but it was back after a couple of weeks. Jace's cloth diaper safe ointment is supposedly good for eczema, so I got a tube of the unscented version to try on her. I'm hoping it will help her skin. Her hands look terrible and she's always scratching them. I have to put the ointment on her and then put socks over it at night. She doesn't like it and doesn't want to have to do it, but it does help.

Eruption Hematoma and Tooth #4

A little over a week ago, I noticed a blueish purple spot on Jace's gum. It scared me at first, but thanks to Google, I diagnosed him with an eruption hematoma. Supposedly it's common and it's where a tooth is almost ready to come through and then something hits it (a toy or even while eating) and causes a bruise. He doesn't act like it's bothering him so I figured he was fine and if it gets any worse or doesn't go away, I'll call the doctor.
This was a few days after I first noticed it. The other tooth is just under the gum but not cut through yet.

Today, tooth #4 finally cut through the gum! It's been so close and we've been able to see it for a few weeks, but it finally came through. I think Avaree may have helped it a little. She accidentally made him hit his mouth on the kitchen floor yesterday. It bled for a minute or two and he cried for less than that, but he was fine. He's a tough little guy.

Yard Sale Finds

The kids and I went to a big community yard sale this morning. Avaree got a few books and some things for her Barbies. We got a great deal on a table and chairs set with an umbrella (looks brand new!) and we found some really neat vintage Little People stuff. We got the camper and boat set and lots of little cars and trucks. The lady also had the barn and playhouse that I wish I would have gotten. I remember playing with these sets when I was little and I love them! It's so fun seeing the kids playing with the same things that I did.

10 Months

Happy 10 Months Big Boy!

My baby is growing up too fast! 10 months today, it just doesn't seem like it. He weighs around 21 pounds and is wearing mostly 12 months clothes and size 3 shoes. He's still in the medium setting on his cloth diapers. He loves to talk and is trying so hard to say so many words! He says Dada and Mama all the time and I really believe he says hey, go, good, and yum. If he's not saying those words, it sure does sound like it and he says them at the right time.

He loves to eat and is totally on table food now. We usually give him whatever we're having and we haven't really found anything that he doesn't like. He really loves baked sweet potatoes sprinkled with a little bit of cinnamon. If he sees us eating something, he HAS to have some! He's still sleeping all night, and usually sleeps from around 8 at night until 9 the next morning (if he doesn't have to go to daycare). Of course there are some days when he doesn't sleep that late. I normally don't get to see him in the mornings before I go to work when James is home with him.

He loves for us to sing to him, and he likes to listen to Veggie Tales. He will laugh and "sing" when it is on. It's so sweet! He is into everything and is all over the place. He's starting to let go while standing but he hasn't gotten his balance yet. He will walk (almost run) when you told his hands and sometimes he will walk when you hold only one of them. He loves to beat on things like he's playing the drums.

We've started getting ready for his first birthday party, I'm excited about that, but it does make me sad that my baby is almost a toddler!