Ava & Owen's Birthday Party: Part 3...

Hannah & Ava with her new piano from Grandpa & Grandma VM The gift chaos, but Owen still finds space to try out his tractor

Owen opening his new truck from G&G Sieve

Owen's new barn from Hannah & Luke

Just what she wanted: a new computer from Grandpa & Grandma Sieve

Owen enjoying the paper!

Gift opening was just as much of a highlight for Ava as the cake/ice cream. Owen was somewhat "present" for the first bit of gift opening, but didn't really enjoy the opening as much as playing with the new toys once they were unwrapped. The kids got so many wonderful gifts. Ava had been asking for a new computer and a new piano for about a month for her birthday and her grandmas came through and made her day! She also got a new alarm clock and super cute necklace and ring which she wears daily from Jason & Shelly, and a Snow White doll and cute little books from Hannah & Luke. She was thrilled with all of her presents! Owen got a truck, tractor, and books from his grandparents, a new barn with animals from Hannah & Luke, and new personalized backpack from Shelly & Jason. Thank you so much to everyone for all the awesome gifts- the kids love them!

Ava & Owen's Birthday Party: Part 2...

An "unsure about this whole deal" Owen with his cake

Mom & Dad with the birthday boy!

Not really into the cake

Next, we got Owen up from his nap to sing to him with his cake. He was not at all sure about the party hat, cake, or all those people staring at him. He didn't cry though which I was grateful for. We couldn't even persuade him to destroy his cake! We ended up giving him some ice cream which he enjoyed! Overall, he did much better than Ava did on her 1st birthday....she just cried the whole time!

Ava & Owen's Birthday Party: Part 1

Blowing out her candles! Mom & Dad with the birthday girl!

Addie, Ava, & Sam

Our girl & boy monkey themed party decor

The cakes (Owen got his own monkey cake to destroy & Ava got a great big pink cupcake!)

We celebrated both the kids birthday parties together this year since they are only two weeks apart. It was a fun and chaotic day. We had a couple late nights before the party and Ava was sick, so I was wondering how the moods were going to be with the kids. We had both the kids napping when guests arrived. We woke Ava up and she was in a great mood and excited to see everyone. Guests in attendance were both sets of grandparents, Shelly, Jason, Sam, & Addie, and Hannah & Luke. While Owen was still napping, we sang to Ava and had cake and ice cream. She was pretty excited to be the center of attention. It took her quite a few "blows" to get all of her candles blown out.

Pumpkin Party at Preschool....

Ava is the tallest one in the back row

Ava & Grandma Chris

Ava had her first "party" at preschool. It was technically a grandparents pumpkin party, so only grandparents were invited to come. However, they needed two parent volunteers to help set up and clean up the food, so I volunteered. Hannah was able to come and watch Owen, so I could go. I'm so glad I did because it was so much fun to see! They had all the grandparents sitting at tables and then the whole class of 20 preschoolers filed in and lined up on risers. They sang several songs, some with actions, in front of the audience. Ava did a really good job and seemed to know most of the words and actions to the songs. She also seemed to enjoy the performance part of it. I was able to recognize the bits and pieces of songs that I had heard her singing around the house. After they were finished singing, they had snack sitting on their grandparent's lap and then they had time to show their grandparent around their classroom. Ava was very excited to show Grandma Chris all the in's and out's of Little Lambs, and so excited for me to come to preschool. Thank you Grandma Chris for being a part of her special day!

Ava's 4 Year Old Report....

Ava was excited as ever to head to the doctor for her well check even though she was a little confused since she hasn't actually had her birthday yet. She knows all about the appointments and is very willing to have Dr. Crabtree listen to her heart and lungs, look in her ears, etc. I think in some ways it is more fun to her than dance! I have another "petite" child on my hands. Stats:

Height: 42.5" (95th percentile)

Weight: 47 lbs (97th percentile)

Ava couldn't be more excited for her birthday party once again this year. She has about 500 things she wants for presents (every commercial on TV, every toy she sees in magazines, everything she sees in Target...you get the idea). She thinks that when she wakes up on her birthday, that she is going to be noticeably "bigger". She keeps asking us if that will be after she's "all big on her happy birthday". She is a very active little girl and loves to have lots of things going on. She can't stand to stay home too much and prefers to have things to do on her social calendar. She makes us laugh every day with her funny jokes or uses of big words like "hysterical" or "hilarious". Her new phrase she has been asking me lately is "Mom, are you serious?" Really, do I have a teenager already? She is a typical big sister and loves Owen to death one moment and then is pushing him down the next. I know she really enjoys having someone to play with her, and hopefully that gets even better as Owen is able to do more with her. She absolutely loves preschool and I think she would go every day if it was offered. It's always funny when I pick her up though because she always asks me what I was up to while she was at school. She is quite the character!

Owen's 12 Month Old Report...

I took both the kids in for their well checks which is always an interesting appointment with both of them (plus Owen getting shots) but it went pretty well considering we were there an hour and a half. I gave Owen Tylenol before we left, and he hardly cried for his 4 shots. He was hysterical for about 20 seconds, and then it was over and he was fine. Ava also thinks she got a shot, but she got the flu mist in her nose! By all accounts, Owen is a healthy boy. His hemoglobin was great, and they really have no major concerns. Here are the stats:

Height: 29.25" (87th percentile)

Weight: 26 lbs, 15 oz (92nd percentile)

Head Circumference: 19.5" (98th percentile)

He's certainly not struggling in the growth category, but actually lost weight since our last appointment when he was 10 months old. He is extremely busy and really never stops moving most of the time he is awake, so I'm certain he's burning some calories.

Sleep: Owen typically sleeps from 7:30pm to 7:00am. He can sometimes wake up around 6:30 but for the most part he is sleeping in until at least 7:00am. I have to keep him up on preschool days until 11:00 am after I pick up Ava to nap, so on those days, he usually naps from 11:00-2:00 and that is his only nap. Otherwise, he naps 10:30-12:30 and 4:00-5:00pm.

Food: Owen is transitioning into "real food" really quickly. He is eating everything we are eating without a problem. He loves vegatable soup, chicken noodle soup, green beans, most meats if they are tender, and all fruits we have tried. The only food he absolutely won't eat is squash. It is sort of comical when you put squash in his mouth as he just cries hysterically until you remove it with a napkin. He is eating a 1/2 banana and good sized bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, light lunch, and then usually applesauce and some other fruit for a snack, and then the supper we are eating. I'm still nursing morning and night for sure, and then one daytime feeding.

Movement: Owen is not offically walking yet, but he has taken one or two steps. He is so quick crawling that I can't imagine what he will be like when he's walking. He has no problem climbing on things (like the trampoline or fireplace hearth) and can manuever along furniture without a problem.

Entertainment: Owen loves anything with wheels including cars, tractors, or Ava's doll strollers. He also loves balls and can entertain himself for quite a while hitting a ball around the floor. He is infatuated with my pans and loves to remove the lids and clang them on the wood floor. He loves cords so we really have to keep an eye on what he may be pulling or grabbing for. There really are no limits to what he will find to play with next. He continues to love Ava and any games she plays with him. He will laugh at her over the silliest things!

The Toyroom...

Just when I was beginning to feel like the kids were really starting to play well together "indirectly supervised" in the toyroom for brief periods, things had to change! Owen went ahead and mastered getting himself onto the trampoline all by himself and then being able to stand and jump on it as well. He really doesn't get any "air" between his feet and the trampoline, but he is so pleased with his new skill. He couldn't be more ecstatic! Well, needless to say, when he gets down or "falls down" may be a better term, there are usually tears unless someone is there to catch him. It's only about 12" off the floor, but still could be a nasty fall depending on what's next to him. Ava has picked up quickly on the fact that this is a "no no" for Owen if no one is around and is not afraid to tattle on him if he is making a dash for the trampoline. She's going to be such a great big sister! He isn't officially walking yet, so I can't imagine how much busier he will get!