Birthday Bash

What do you get when you add 7 adults, 5 kids 4 years old and under, a community play, and two birthdays?  A birthday bash in Ephrata!  This weekend, we made our first road trip since Avery was born.  Bryan and I have birthdays two days apart (we're two years apart--fun for my mom to plan birthday parties when we were little, I'm sure!).  We had a great time with my family which has added seven family members to the original Johnson Five.  It's pretty fun and we're all blessed!  Rachel was in the Quincy Community Play, "The Wizard of Oz".  My parents and Chad and I (with Avery in tow) attempted to go the play, but our normally laid-back baby wanted nothing of sleeping in her carseat while we watched the play.  We at least got to see Rachel in one scene before heading home to the kids who were kindly being babysat by Bryan and Katie.  It was great to get out of town for a bit, especially since Ephrata was nice and sunny (for February), and Spokane was experiencing yet another snow storm.  :)

 Birthday Buddies

 Bryan showing off his new reading material, head tilt and all.

 The 12 of us.

 This wasn't from this weekend, but too cute not to share. :)  This kid loves his little sister.

Avery and cousin Shannon, almost 2 months apart.

My delightful honey badger and me.

Two Months!

Avery is two months old tomorrow.  We had her well check today, and she is growing well.

Weight: 12 lb. 6 oz (80th percentile)  *She's gained 5 pounds since birth!
Height: 23 3/4 inches (95th percentile)
Head circumference: 15 3/4 in. (90th percentile)

She continues to be delightful--she rarely fusses or cries and is just a content little one.  She smiles easily, coos often, and loves watching her older siblings while they go about their day.  Her night sleep could be a bit more predictable for me, but I try to tell myself that it will even out eventually.  I think the way I feel about have a third child can be summed up in this blog post that my doctor recently shared with me.  Really, you should take a moment to read it if you have three kids, or you're contemplating having three kids


http://momastery.com/blog/2010/07/01/one-two-three-5/

 This is kind of a fuzzy picture, but you can see her little dimple on her right cheek. 

Jack and Haylee love to be around her. Jack is always saying how cute Avery is, and he has little conversations with her.   He's very good about making sure she has her pacifier if she's tired, or that she has a toy next to her when she lays on her blanket on the floor.  I think Haylee's favorite activity is to help me give Avery a bath.  She asks about it every morning.  Grandma LaVine gave her a baby for Christmas that could get wet and so Haylee helps me give Avery a bath, and when we're done, she gives her baby a bath.  She's so cute about it, and has to do everything just like we did during Avery's bath.  (You can see Haylee's baby floating in the water--we don't let Avery float in the water like that...) 

 Jack and Haylee thought Avery should have Lego Star Wars and Princesses read aloud to her.  You can see her rapt attention. :)  The brief interaction allowed me to unload the dishwasher in peace--yeah!

 We love our Baby Avery! 

Scenes from the House

So, we've been a bit house-bound lately.  The weather isn't wonderful, we have a newborn, and the thought of getting three kids out the door just seems like a lot of work! :)  It's just far easier to stay at home and play most of the day.  We've had a few outings, but we've enjoyed being home most days.  This is the last time in life where we'll have such flexibility in our schedules...Jack starts kindergarten in the fall, commencing the start of a schedule determining how we spend our days. 

 Avery helping Haylee wake up in the morning. 

 A similar picture from days gone by. :) Jack and Haylee, May 2009.

 

 Haylee's self portrait...love it.

 Jack has been spending lots of time with Zorro lately.  Here's a rare nap for Jack, with Zorro by his side snoozing away. :)

Zorro is so patient.  Look at that content face.

  Grandpa and Grandma LaVine have provided some fun outings for both the kids and me.  So, that helps a lot! 

We are looking forward to spring and getting outside, but we've found ways to have fun inside, too. :)  

You Be the Judge

I've heard that Avery looks like both Jack and Haylee.  I found some similar pictures of them.  What do you think?

 Haylee

 Avery

Bathtime Jack

Bathtime Avery

And speaking of lookalikes, I've thought cousin Shannon resembles Haylee at the same age. Here they both are at three months.  What do you think? :) (Haylee is the top picture, Shannon is the bottom.)