I think it is safe to post now....Owen has officially stopped using his PACI!!! YAHOO! One more BIG milestone in that little boy's life! Two weeks ago Owen went to the dentist for is second cleaning. He was such a good patient and did not cry at all (unlike his first visit in April). He got a little scared when they started moving the chair back so they could look in his mouth. He looked at me with a horrified face and said "Mommy, I'm falling.". Poor thing. But nothing a little reassuring didn't cure. The dentist suspected he used a paci. I told the dentist (the truth) that he only uses it to fall asleep at night and for naps on the weekends (he has not had his paci at school in over 18 months). The dentist said the damage it was doing to his bite was minimal and would probably be reversed, but that we should think about phasing out the paci completely.
We had been talking to Owen about getting rid of his paci for a few months now. We told him that they are for babies and that he should throw his in the trash. Owen's response to that "No no".
So that night, Owen didn't ask for his paci. He went to sleep and awoke at his normal time. GREAT! The next night, he didn't ask for it again. But...he woke up at midnight asking for it. A little pep talk and a pat on the back and he went right back to sleep. He asked for his paci when he woke up that morning too. The third night...Owen asked for his paci. We reassured him that he didn't need it and he went to sleep. Since then, he has only asked for his paci once. It was one night this past weekend when Avery was in his room sucking on her paci while we were getting Owen ready for bed. A little pep talk, a big hug and a request for him to pick out a story before going 'night-nights' distracted him from needing/wanting his paci.
That said....I think it is safe to throw Owen's pacis away! Now....on to potty training!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Pumpkin Patch!
We went to the little pumpkin patch by our church on Wednesday night before the fall festival. Here is a quick picture of Owen.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Where did October go?
There is less than one week left in October. Where did this month go!??!?! TIme is flying by. Avery's half birthday is this Sunday! We cannot believe she will be six months old! She has mastered rolling over both ways, sitting up and making faces. The baby food factory re-opened two weeks ago and we started feeding Avery solid foods two weekends ago. She has tried butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, green beans, peas, mango, peach, apple, pear and papaya. And of course the baby oatmeal. Lots of new flavors! She does not refuse any of them.
Owen is still surprising us everyday with his little conversations that he carries on. He interacts with Avery a little bit more (sometimes good (showing her toys and books) and sometimes bad (scaring her by being loud). He is starting to grasp the concept of Halloween, but we think trick-or-treating on Monday will be an interesting experience.
Here are some pictures we took over the last couple of weeks.
Avery is already showing her love for books. She grabs for just about anything, but seems to have an interest in looking at books already. We'll encourage that any day!
Avery was sitting happily by Owen's elephant, so we tried to get their picture together. Owen was not cooperating and Avery was pulling faces.
We took Owen to a pumpkin patch a few weekends ago and Owen picked out a big bumpy pumpkin. We found a "Cowboy Mr Potato Head" for it. Owen also got to pick out a small pumpkin at patch that they set up at his school. He painted it during craft time one day. Here he is with his pumpkins.
And here is the whole family (picture courtesy of Nonnie and Pop!)
Owen is still surprising us everyday with his little conversations that he carries on. He interacts with Avery a little bit more (sometimes good (showing her toys and books) and sometimes bad (scaring her by being loud). He is starting to grasp the concept of Halloween, but we think trick-or-treating on Monday will be an interesting experience.
Here are some pictures we took over the last couple of weeks.
Avery is already showing her love for books. She grabs for just about anything, but seems to have an interest in looking at books already. We'll encourage that any day!
Avery was sitting happily by Owen's elephant, so we tried to get their picture together. Owen was not cooperating and Avery was pulling faces.
We took Owen to a pumpkin patch a few weekends ago and Owen picked out a big bumpy pumpkin. We found a "Cowboy Mr Potato Head" for it. Owen also got to pick out a small pumpkin at patch that they set up at his school. He painted it during craft time one day. Here he is with his pumpkins.
And here is the whole family (picture courtesy of Nonnie and Pop!)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Five months
Avery turned five months ten days ago...so I am a little late on blogging...but life happens!!! I did take her picture (more or less) on time though!
TMI
Yesterday afternoon, we noticed that Avery had "blown out" yet another diaper. This is a daily event for her. Poor thing. The phrase that was said was: "Oh oh...Avery pooped through". So we whisked her upstairs, got her cleaned up and changed her clothes and diaper. When we were all back together downstairs, this conversation occurred:
Owen: What happened Mommy?
Mommy: Nothing, everything is ok.
Owen: Oh, everything is ok? Did Avery poop?
Mommy: Yes, Avery pooped. But everyone poops.
Owen: Ya...I poop too
BIG PAUSE
Owen: A lot
Result: Mommy and Daddy laughed........a lot!!!! Good times! Gotta love the "poop" conversations. :)
Owen: What happened Mommy?
Mommy: Nothing, everything is ok.
Owen: Oh, everything is ok? Did Avery poop?
Mommy: Yes, Avery pooped. But everyone poops.
Owen: Ya...I poop too
BIG PAUSE
Owen: A lot
Result: Mommy and Daddy laughed........a lot!!!! Good times! Gotta love the "poop" conversations. :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Gig 'em, Aggies!!
Last weekend, everyone got dressed up to cheer on the Aggies in football. Sadly, they lost....but their cheering section here in Mechanicsville Virginia still looked great!
Miss Wendy's visit!
This past weekend, Wendy came from Dallas to visit us! We had a fantastic visit with lots of time to play with the kids, rest, eat great food, drink great wine and just enjoy Wendy! We even went to the pumpkin patch to take a hay ride and pick out a pumpkin. Owen loved reading and playing with Wendy. Here is a great picture of Wendy reading with both Owen and Avery!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
More pics and stories
Owen still loves to color. He often wants to color at the coffee table / ottoman in the family room, but also wants a place to sit. Here was our solution the other day and he LOVED it!
Avery-baby found her feet!!
Avery loves to be on her tummy. She has learned to roll (video to follow!) from her back to her belly...so we can hardly keep her on back!
One happy boy during dinner time.
Full belly (note the empty bottle to the right) and drunk on momma's milk!
Avery-baby found her feet!!
Avery loves to be on her tummy. She has learned to roll (video to follow!) from her back to her belly...so we can hardly keep her on back!
One happy boy during dinner time.
Full belly (note the empty bottle to the right) and drunk on momma's milk!
Labor Day Weekend
Over Labor Day Weekend this year we flew to Texas to see Nonnie and Pop, and so Clint could go to the A&M/SMU game in College Station with his friend Michael Gallian. It was Avery's first plane ride and she did very well. Owen had a great time on the plane too, but after about two hours he was done and wanted to be "home".
We were also fortunate enough to be able to attend Sophia Lucke's first birthday party, visit with the Gallians, Wendy Timson and Susan Gross. It was SO nice to catch up with our Texas friends!
Nonnie and Pop brought out a green toy tractor that Clint "rode the wheels off" when he was a kid. Owen enjoyed rolling around on it too.
Clint and his tractor!
Both Owen and Avery enjoyed swimming in Nonnie and Pop's pool.
Three generations of McReynolds Men!
Nonnie and Avery
We were also fortunate enough to be able to attend Sophia Lucke's first birthday party, visit with the Gallians, Wendy Timson and Susan Gross. It was SO nice to catch up with our Texas friends!
Nonnie and Pop brought out a green toy tractor that Clint "rode the wheels off" when he was a kid. Owen enjoyed rolling around on it too.
Clint and his tractor!
Both Owen and Avery enjoyed swimming in Nonnie and Pop's pool.
Three generations of McReynolds Men!
Nonnie and Avery
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Four Months
Avery went for her four month check up on Tuesday. She weighed 17lbs 1oz and was 25.5 inches long. Both in the 95 percentile. Go Avery!! Here is her monthly photo:
Saturday, August 27, 2011
From earthquakes to hurricanes
What a week! Tuesday the earth beneath our feet shook and now we are being drenched by a hurricane! Hurricane Irene is upon us. It has been raining here all morning. The wind and the rain keeps getting stronger by the hour. The news stations are saying that she has made landfall in North Carolina, but is turning slightly out to sea. Hopefully that means the winds and rains won't get any worse here in Richmond. We have lost power once so far, but hope to keep it for the duration of the storms.
Olives?
Owen is a very good eater most of the time. He has his days, but here lately, he has been eating whatever we place in front of him. For whatever reason, I had not introduced peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So two weekends ago that is what I made for lunch. Most kids would eat a PB&J sandwich in a heartbeat, Owen didn't really care for it. Today for lunch he tried it again and he ate the first half with no coaxing. For him to eat the second half of his sandwich, it took some bribery. With what, you ask? Olives. We cannot believe our two year old LOVES olives and in order to get him to take a bite of his PB&J sandwich we had to promise him another olive. What a kid!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Another first....an earthquake!
On Tuesday, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered in Central Virginia shook the east coast.
The quake, the strongest in Virginia in more than a century, was centered five miles from Mineral, about 36 miles northwest of Richmond, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Vibrations rattled New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Atlantic City, scattering office workers.
The epicenter is approximately 30 miles from our house in Mechanicsville.
Mommy was working at home and initially thought something had hit the house. Then she thought the washing machine was unbalanced (but quickly realized there was not laundry going!). After a few more seconds she thought it could be an earthquake. Daddy was working at his office in Richmond. He and his workmates were stunned at first, but also quickly figured out it was an earthquake.
Mommy called Owen and Avery's daycare to check on them and everyone was fine and accounted for. The kids had had a fire alarm earlier in the day, so everyone was already on edge. Knowing that it occurred right during nap time for Owen's class, we found out that all the kids woke up during the earthquake and of course no one wanted to go back to sleep. Avery's sleep was restless for the remainder of the day as well, but most likely just due to her caregivers being a little tense from all the excitement.
Since the "Big" quake, we have had three aftershocks. One on Tuesday (4.2 around 8pm), one on Wednesday (3.4 at 12:45am) and one this morning (4.5 at 1:07am). Thankfully we have had no damage and no injuries from these crazy events!
The quake, the strongest in Virginia in more than a century, was centered five miles from Mineral, about 36 miles northwest of Richmond, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Vibrations rattled New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Atlantic City, scattering office workers.
The epicenter is approximately 30 miles from our house in Mechanicsville.
Mommy was working at home and initially thought something had hit the house. Then she thought the washing machine was unbalanced (but quickly realized there was not laundry going!). After a few more seconds she thought it could be an earthquake. Daddy was working at his office in Richmond. He and his workmates were stunned at first, but also quickly figured out it was an earthquake.
Mommy called Owen and Avery's daycare to check on them and everyone was fine and accounted for. The kids had had a fire alarm earlier in the day, so everyone was already on edge. Knowing that it occurred right during nap time for Owen's class, we found out that all the kids woke up during the earthquake and of course no one wanted to go back to sleep. Avery's sleep was restless for the remainder of the day as well, but most likely just due to her caregivers being a little tense from all the excitement.
Since the "Big" quake, we have had three aftershocks. One on Tuesday (4.2 around 8pm), one on Wednesday (3.4 at 12:45am) and one this morning (4.5 at 1:07am). Thankfully we have had no damage and no injuries from these crazy events!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Using the potty!
Owen uses the potty almost every day now! He is not consistent and is often too busy playing or coloring to tell us he has to go (we often hear about it after the fact). So he still wears diapers, but we are researching and talking to other parents about the next big step...PULL UPS!
Some of you may not care to read about our child's bathroom habits...but this is a big milestone! The first time he went in his 'special' potty was a week before he turned two. He went a couple of times the week leading up to his birthday and then he went a couple of weeks without going again. We started to offer a M&M if he went. The first time we did he asked "A green M&M?". We said "SURE! Whatever color you want, you can have! Green it is!".
More recently, he has started to tell us that he has to go. Sometimes we are certain he uses it as a delay tactic (so he doesn't have to shower/bathe or go to bed)...but we always let him try. More often than not, he is proud to stand up and say that he "went potty in the potty". :) We make a bid deal out of it and he gets so excited. But he never lets us forget to give him a M&M!
This morning Owen went potty right when he got up. And ... true to form ... he requested an orange M&M. Downstairs at breakfast, Owen had this conversation with Avery (who was sitting in her bumbo seat on the table):
Owen: I went potty, Avery baby.
Pause
Owen: I went potty, Avery baby and got a M&M.
Pause
Owen: I got an orange M&M, Avery baby.
Pause
Owen: I got an orange M&M and put it in my mouth! [small pause] It is orange, Avery baby.
Some of you may not care to read about our child's bathroom habits...but this is a big milestone! The first time he went in his 'special' potty was a week before he turned two. He went a couple of times the week leading up to his birthday and then he went a couple of weeks without going again. We started to offer a M&M if he went. The first time we did he asked "A green M&M?". We said "SURE! Whatever color you want, you can have! Green it is!".
More recently, he has started to tell us that he has to go. Sometimes we are certain he uses it as a delay tactic (so he doesn't have to shower/bathe or go to bed)...but we always let him try. More often than not, he is proud to stand up and say that he "went potty in the potty". :) We make a bid deal out of it and he gets so excited. But he never lets us forget to give him a M&M!
This morning Owen went potty right when he got up. And ... true to form ... he requested an orange M&M. Downstairs at breakfast, Owen had this conversation with Avery (who was sitting in her bumbo seat on the table):
Owen: I went potty, Avery baby.
Pause
Owen: I went potty, Avery baby and got a M&M.
Pause
Owen: I got an orange M&M, Avery baby.
Pause
Owen: I got an orange M&M and put it in my mouth! [small pause] It is orange, Avery baby.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Updates and Conversations
I have not been very good about blogging this summer. It sure has been busy around our house with work, school and two little ones. Everyone is doing great. Honeywell and Otis are keeping us well employed. Clint is less than three months away from graduating with his MBA. And Owen and Avery are thriving both at school and home.
Owen has had a busy summer at school. We enrolled him in the little summer program they have there. Each week there is a different theme ranging from "Camping" to "Eric Carle". The week of "Camping", they made s'mores and camped in their rooms. The week of "Eric Carle" they did things based on his books. Every Monday the kids get to play in a "Moon Bounce", which Owen gets so giddy about. He talks about it in the morning before school and then tells us how he jumped in the moon bounce without his shoes on when we eat dinner that evening. On Thursdays, the ice cream truck visits the school. The first week they had it, Owen kept telling us that he had yellow ice cream. We figured it was vanilla. Turns out, the ice cream man puts a little menu out for the kids and they get to choose what ice cream they want. Apparently Owen picks the popsicles most of the time. Usually it results in a change of clothes for Owen and from his dirty clothes we can confirm what 'color' ice cream he had. And on Fridays, they all get to play in the sprinkler. He goes to school that day in his bathing suit and once that suit is on...Owen knows what is going to happen at school that day. Again, he gets very excited about sprinkler day.
Owen continues to amaze us each day with what he knows and what he can say. He is starting to carry on little conversations with us. Of course, he has a lot of questions including "WHY?". He has the five WHYS down. More like ten or fifteen WHYS actually! Here is a sample of what we heard this week:
After Avery spit up on Daddy:
Daddy: Oh oh
Owen: What is the matter, Dada?
Daddy: Nothing Owen. It's OK. (Trying not to draw attention to the fact that Avery spit up because Owen does know the word and action "spit")
Owen: Did Avery-baby spit up?
Daddy: Yes, but it's ok.
Owen: Did Avery-baby spit up on your leg?
Daddy: Yes, she did.
Owen: Oh, it's ok Avery-baby.
On the way to school with Mommy:
Owen: Are we in Mommy's car?
Mommy: Yes, we are.
Owen: Are we in Mommy's white car?
Mommy: Yes, we are in Mommy's white car.
Owen: Are we in Mommy's white car to go to school?
Mommy: Yes, sir.
Owen: Are you driving Mommy's white car, Mommy?
Mommy: Yes, I am.
Owen: Oh. I am driving Mommy's car. No, I am riding in Mommy's car. To school.
I could go on and on....he says the funniest things sometimes.
Avery is a very content baby and enjoys watching Owen play and listen to us read. She is on a really good schedule and for about six weeks now she has been sleeping from 8:30p until 6:30am (or longer) consistently. She gets a bottle and a pants-change at 10pm but hardly wakes up. Avery started daycare four weeks ago and is doing very well there. She is sleeping more at daycare than her brother ever did at her age. She started off drinking three 4oz bottles at daycare everyday. Miss Sarah and Miss Jen kept telling us that she was devouring her milk, so I kept adding to it everyday until on her eighth day of attending, she was drinking three 6oz bottles. Here at home she loves her play mat and piano (both of which I need to take photos of).
Today, we all spent some time outside. Daddy set up the sprinkler for Owen to play in. He also played with his Hummer. Avery and I watched from the comfort of a chair that Daddy placed on the covered porch in the shade. Here are a couple of pictures;
Owen has had a busy summer at school. We enrolled him in the little summer program they have there. Each week there is a different theme ranging from "Camping" to "Eric Carle". The week of "Camping", they made s'mores and camped in their rooms. The week of "Eric Carle" they did things based on his books. Every Monday the kids get to play in a "Moon Bounce", which Owen gets so giddy about. He talks about it in the morning before school and then tells us how he jumped in the moon bounce without his shoes on when we eat dinner that evening. On Thursdays, the ice cream truck visits the school. The first week they had it, Owen kept telling us that he had yellow ice cream. We figured it was vanilla. Turns out, the ice cream man puts a little menu out for the kids and they get to choose what ice cream they want. Apparently Owen picks the popsicles most of the time. Usually it results in a change of clothes for Owen and from his dirty clothes we can confirm what 'color' ice cream he had. And on Fridays, they all get to play in the sprinkler. He goes to school that day in his bathing suit and once that suit is on...Owen knows what is going to happen at school that day. Again, he gets very excited about sprinkler day.
Owen continues to amaze us each day with what he knows and what he can say. He is starting to carry on little conversations with us. Of course, he has a lot of questions including "WHY?". He has the five WHYS down. More like ten or fifteen WHYS actually! Here is a sample of what we heard this week:
After Avery spit up on Daddy:
Daddy: Oh oh
Owen: What is the matter, Dada?
Daddy: Nothing Owen. It's OK. (Trying not to draw attention to the fact that Avery spit up because Owen does know the word and action "spit")
Owen: Did Avery-baby spit up?
Daddy: Yes, but it's ok.
Owen: Did Avery-baby spit up on your leg?
Daddy: Yes, she did.
Owen: Oh, it's ok Avery-baby.
On the way to school with Mommy:
Owen: Are we in Mommy's car?
Mommy: Yes, we are.
Owen: Are we in Mommy's white car?
Mommy: Yes, we are in Mommy's white car.
Owen: Are we in Mommy's white car to go to school?
Mommy: Yes, sir.
Owen: Are you driving Mommy's white car, Mommy?
Mommy: Yes, I am.
Owen: Oh. I am driving Mommy's car. No, I am riding in Mommy's car. To school.
I could go on and on....he says the funniest things sometimes.
Avery is a very content baby and enjoys watching Owen play and listen to us read. She is on a really good schedule and for about six weeks now she has been sleeping from 8:30p until 6:30am (or longer) consistently. She gets a bottle and a pants-change at 10pm but hardly wakes up. Avery started daycare four weeks ago and is doing very well there. She is sleeping more at daycare than her brother ever did at her age. She started off drinking three 4oz bottles at daycare everyday. Miss Sarah and Miss Jen kept telling us that she was devouring her milk, so I kept adding to it everyday until on her eighth day of attending, she was drinking three 6oz bottles. Here at home she loves her play mat and piano (both of which I need to take photos of).
Today, we all spent some time outside. Daddy set up the sprinkler for Owen to play in. He also played with his Hummer. Avery and I watched from the comfort of a chair that Daddy placed on the covered porch in the shade. Here are a couple of pictures;
Sunday, August 7, 2011
More pictures
Avery received a beautiful dress from Denise and Toni (friends of Gram and Pappy). She wore it to church two weeks ago and we snapped this quick picture before we left.
Back in July, Sandy Smith (Mommy's cousin's daughter) from Memphis was in Richmond for a lacrosse tournament. We were so excited that she was able to stay with us one night before heading back home. She is a beautiful young lady! We enjoyed having her here!
Back in July, Sandy Smith (Mommy's cousin's daughter) from Memphis was in Richmond for a lacrosse tournament. We were so excited that she was able to stay with us one night before heading back home. She is a beautiful young lady! We enjoyed having her here!
Avery is THREE months old!
This picture was taken last weekend when Avery turned three months old. Shows you how busy our household is that I am just now getting around the blogging and posting the picture!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Avery's baptism
On Sunday July 17th, Avery was baptized. It was a beautiful service led by Pastor Brad Robins. Avery did so well! She stayed asleep through the whole ceremony but woke up just in time for Paster Brad to take her for the "sprinkling" and introduction to the church family. She stayed quiet throughout, but kept us wondering whether she was going to cry out. We were blessed to have the support and love from Nonnie, Pop, Gram and Pappy at the ceremony as well as for brunch at our house after the service. The beautiful dress that Avery is wearing was made with love from Nonnie. What a keepsake!
Choo Choo! Owen is TWO!
Owen had a busy day on July 16th. He had soccer in the morning and his birthday party in the afternoon. We decided to host Owen's party at our church playground. We just had some light snacks (Owen's favs...grapes, goldfish and pretzels) and cupcakes. The theme was Chuggington (Owen's favorite train show on TV). Since it was hard to get Chuggington party gear, we just used the primary colors throughout the party. Here are a bunch of pictures from July 16th!
Playing in the moon bounce with Nonnie before soccer
Having a rest at soccer
Sitting with Daddy for introductions
Fun with the parachute!
Reading his handmade card from Caris and Ty
Playing with his friends in the "construction zone"
Happy Birthday to you!
Chin-dive into the cupcakes!
Playing in the moon bounce with Nonnie before soccer
Having a rest at soccer
Sitting with Daddy for introductions
Fun with the parachute!
Reading his handmade card from Caris and Ty
Playing with his friends in the "construction zone"
Happy Birthday to you!
Chin-dive into the cupcakes!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Two years old!
Owen turned two yesterday. :)
Here are some pictures of his little cake and new bicycle.
The cake!
Blowing out the candles
Daddy had to put his helmet on so Owen would
We have a busy weekend ahead. Owen's birthday party is tomorrow and Avery's baptism is Sunday. Gram, Pappy, Nonnie and Pop are all on their way to Richmond for the celebrations. We are so very excited to see everyone.
Here are some pictures of his little cake and new bicycle.
The cake!
Blowing out the candles
Daddy had to put his helmet on so Owen would
We have a busy weekend ahead. Owen's birthday party is tomorrow and Avery's baptism is Sunday. Gram, Pappy, Nonnie and Pop are all on their way to Richmond for the celebrations. We are so very excited to see everyone.
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