Random Cute Pics

Taylor has been digging wearing her robe lately...or "special cape" as she calls it.  Nana made it for her for Christmas and she looks adorable in it :)  She carefully takes it off and hangs it on her bed post every night.

And here's Ava Bean snoozing away on Mommy's lap the other night.  She looks so peaceful when she sleeps, I just can't help but kiss her cheeks like 1,000,000 times!!

And...."Good Morning from the Stephens' girls!"

I am one blessed mama!

First Movie!

We took Taylor to see her very first movie yesterday!  Ava hung out at Nana and Grandpa's house while Mommy, Daddy and Taylor went to the 4:30 pm showing of Lorax.  The theatre was pretty packed but Taylor was in awe as she walked in there.  She wanted to sit on Zack's lap and was loving the popcorn!  She was really good for most of the movie but about 2/3 of the way through she wanted to get up and dance.  Well, she also wanted to hold onto the back of some kid's seat, which he didn't like.  She didn't want to sit back down so Mommy had to bribe her with some M&Ms and then she was fine.  She seemed to really love it!  She keeps talking about seeing "Orax"!  All in all, it was a success :)

** Bad picture, but you can catch the drift :) **

3 Months!

Our little Ava Bean is 3 months old already!  Time is really flying by!  Zack and I both think that Ava is going to be ahead of her sister in some ways (she's already drooling like mad - teething??, already trying to put weight on her legs and stand, working on rolling, etc.).  Here are some milestones of where she is at today!

• Size - not sure how much she weighs, but she's definitely getting bigger!  Her 3 month clothes are only going to last a little bit longer - she's been transitioning into 6 month clothes and they are not huge on her!
• Eating - she is taking about 5, 7 oz. bottles a day.  When she gets hungry, she lets you know it!  And then she will crush the bottle!
• Sleeping - she typically will have her last bottle around 10:00 and go right down after.  She is still getting up to eat anywhere between 3:00 and 4:00 am - boo!  But then she will go back to sleep until 8:00 or so. 
• Napping - she is still pretty much a cat napper but we are trying to do more formal naps in her crib.  Her sleepy times are around 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  Usually she just wants to be held with her pacifier!
• She is starting to hold onto toys and shake them.
• She is cooing a lot more and smiles constantly!  All in all she is turning out to be a pretty happy baby :)  Her fussy times have become few and far between and she has been much more content the last week or so after we switched to the low lactose formula.
• She likes to be sitting up right and watching what is going on in the world around her.  She's sitting in her Bumbo seat and really likes to be in there.

We have her 3 month pictures with Trenda on Sunday and I can't wait to dress her up :)

Back to Work

I am officially half way through my first week back to work.  So far, so good.  I am actually holding up better than I thought I would.  Not quite sure why!  As I reflect on what a blessing it was to have 12 weeks off with my babies, here are a few of the things I will miss the most.

• Hearing Taylor through the monitor saying "Mommy, I'm waking up"
• Dance parties in our bedroom, the living room and the kitchen
• Unlimited cuddle time with the girls - "Mommy, you cuddle me?"
• Tuesday morning story/music time at the library
• Watching endless episodes of Dora, Bubble Guppies, Caillou and Little Einsteins
• EVERY SINGLE MOMENT with my girls!

I have to keep reminding myself that I am lucky to have a job....I am lucky to have a job....I am lucky to have a job....

More sleeping success!

We have had a break through with Ava's sleeping and I hope she keeps it up!  Last night was the 4th night in a row that she slept through the night!!  Last night was 10:15 - 7:00!!  Yay Ava!!

Sesame Street Live!

Zack got 4 vouchers for Sesame Street Live at the FOX Theatre.  We ventured downtown on 2.9.12 for the 11:00 am showing.  Ava stayed back with Aunt Sherry and Owen came with us!  On the way downtown the kiddos were in the back conversing with eachother - super cute!

We had great seats!  Main Floor - Row W - 4 seats right on the end.  A gourmet meal of popcorn and Raisinettes was enjoyed by all as we waited for the show to start. 

The kids were mesmerized by the show!  It was really cute and all their favorite characters were there.  By the end of the show they were both dancing and clapping in the aisle - ADORABLE! 

They had a great time going to see Elmo and we certainly had a good time enjoying it with them :)

Slept through the night!

Woo-hoo!  Ava slept through the night!!!  She had her bottle around 9:15 pm and was down by 9:45ish....not a peep until 5:30!  YAY!  Now, I just hope she keeps this up :)