Vegas at 3

So we stayed in Vegas Monday night to take my mom back to the airport early Tuesday morning. We didn't have a lot of time, but apparently enough for Ella to acquire two fun memories from the trip--casinos and porn.
The casino to her was a giant toy store. Every time we walked through it she'd yell out, "All the peoples are playing with the toys! That's fun, isn't it?" And of course, there was a slot machine with a mermaid logo on the front. "Ariel!!!"
The billboards of scantily clad women also caught her attention. She just couldn't believe how many princesses there were in Vegas. A little different take on Sin City.
The whole way there we kept saying, "We're going to Vegas, baby!" and Ella wants the record set straight that there is no baby in Vegas. It is just Vegas. No baby.
While my mom was still here, we printed some paper dolls and outfits off the internet for Ella. She was helping us cut them out with the finesse of an almost 3-year-old's scissor skills. Apparently on one of the outfits she did not like the coordinating shoes. Snip, snip. The next thing we knew, the doll's feet were gone. "What, mom? She didn't want to wear those!"

Avery's Blessing

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you took pictures on Sunday, please send them to us! We only have a few.
Avery was the sweetest little baby for her blessing on Sunday. She slept through the prayer and thoroughly enjoyed being held and snuggled all day. We filled up two pews with my mom, Heather & company (including one pirate), Glen & Carol Green, Bryson's mom and sisters: Melody, Jessie, and Ashley, and Bryson's dad. The highlight for Ella? Janine brought tape to church. Grandmas just know the best ways to keep kids happy, and that just happens to be Ella's latest craze.
Now if we could just keep my mom from telling embarrassing stories about me...and from eating raw shrimp. And by that I mean "white shrimp."

Already?!

One month today, folks. That's right, it's August 18. Avery is officially an adult. And next month on this special 18th day, Miss Ella will be 3 years old. I hate it when people say cliche things like "Your kids grow up way too fast" and "I feel like I'm getting old" and now I am thinking, writing, and saying these things. I feel like I'm getting old. Why does 30 not seem too bad anymore?

Poor Nana!

How did we entertain ourselves before Nana came to visit? I honestly don't remember. But I do know that we are enjoying her company for the next month. It's a good thing my mom is easy-going. Here's a clip of Ella dragging Nana around by a string.

In other news, we have been completely ignoring Ella since the new baby came. So my mom watched Avery for us last night and we took Ella on a special outing to the county fair with just me and Bry. She was stoked to ride on the carousel and drive a car ride and tour the petting zoo, topped off by a fireworks show at the end of the evening.

Although a little confused by the sudden interest of both parents (and the plethora of rides contorting people upside down and whirling around), Ella jumped right in and had a good time. If we start saving now, maybe we'll cough up the $20 it would have cost for all three of us to ride the ferris wheel when we go next year.

Say Cheese

I love Amy Hummel! She's a local photographer who took some pictures of the girls that I think are fantastic. Especially considering that Ella is 2. And that Avery can't be without her pacifier for more than 5 seconds.



Also, Bryson would like me to post that we will be holding Avery's blessing on Sunday, August 24. Our sacrament meeting is at 11 a.m. If you are planning a St. George getaway around that time, we'd love to see you!

And here's Amy's web site if you want to see more of her stuff -- http://www.amyhummel.com/.

We are Family

A couple of people have asked me how Avery compares to Ella as a baby, and I have to say, they are definitely related. Our kiddos sport cute little similarities like kissable cheeks and a full head of hair. I do miss Ella's newborn mohawk, Avery just doesn't have the length yet to pull that off!

Ella Marie

Born Sept. 18, 2005

8 lbs. 7 oz.Avery Elise

Born July 18, 2008

8 lbs. 13 oz.

Ok -- and these might be an invasion of Ella's privacy, but I think the following pics are hilarious. She is watching everything I do with the new baby.

Happy Birth Day

It's three in the morning so I'm not going to even attempt to write complete sentences. Plus, they probably wouldn't make sense anyway with my current lack of brain cells. Here's the basics of our weekend with a lot of pictures.

The Stats: Avery Elise Green was born July 18 at 9:17 a.m. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. Good thing she was a little early :)

So here's our fam on Friday night. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Kathy for watching Ella for pretty much two days straight. Ella loved sleeping over at Brandon's and eating waffles. Sleepy little bug Avery shortly after being born. There was nothing unmedicated about how she got here and I am OK with that. All the action happened in the last 45 minutes of my 8-ish hour delivery. I went from being dilated almost 5 cm to pushing at a +2 within an hour and then she was out in a few pushes. I also exceeded my lifetime quota of root beer popsicles throughout the course of the evening.

Snuggle time before leaving the hospital on Sunday. Avery loves to fall asleep being held after she finishes eating.
Ella loves Avery so much that we have to keep an eye out for Avery's safety. The first night Ella came to visit Avery, she couldn't stop saying, "Her's out now" and "It must have been really hot" because I told her that when it was really hot outside the baby would come out of my tummy. She also likes to discuss the details of how the baby gets out because of some things I told her when she asked if baby Avery was going to come out my belly button. Look out nursery leaders, you may get an earful. Avery's going home outfit. Looks like she may just wear this one once.
I'll post more later, but I wanted to show off my cute little girl!

Tonight is the Night

In about half an hour I'm headed to the hospital for our new baby! I set up the delivery so I would be induced this Sunday -- if I didn't start labor on my own before that time -- but Ashley called me up to say that it's a slow night and they can fit me in. So I'm being induced at midnight and then planning to have little Avery here by Friday morning.

Last belly shot












Wow--so many thoughts, so little time.
#1 It pays to have a friend in the labor & delivery business.
#2 Holy shnikeys, here we go again.
#3 Yea, I made it to all the last-minute parties this week (including fillet mignon at The Ledges tonight)!
#4 I can't wait to not have to go to the bathroom every five seconds.
#5 When can I start running?
#6 Bring on the sleeping drugs...it's been awhile, OK!
#7 (Bryson's) Finally, some time off work
#8 (Ella's) Continuous party with friends!
#9 What if it's a boy?

This pic was taken Thurs. morning. Talk about cutting it close!














Well, gotta run! Next time you see me, we will be a family of 4!