June 21-28, 2008--Big Cedar vacation

At the end of June, we went with Aaron's family to Big Cedar, a resort just south of Branson. We all had a good time swimming in the pool, floating the fantastic lazy river and seeing the sites of Branson.

The waterfall in the lazy river became our chant throughout the trip--"waterfall!" means close your eyes, you are about to get wet. It has made hair rinsing during bathtime so much easier!

Waiting for the water and light show to start at the Landing.

Avery really started smiling a lot when we were at Big Cedar.

One day, we rented a pontoon and ventured out onto Table Rock Lake.

The lazy river was definitely my favorite part of Big Cedar.

June 19, 2008--Sharing a love of books

Addison has many of her books memorized, so it shouldn't be a surprise to me when she started reading one of her books aloud to Avery while Avery played in the bouncer. I hope that Avery loves books as much as Addie does!
The book Addie was reading is Inside Outside Upside Down, a Berenstain Bears board book.

June 13, 2008--Avery "talking"

Ever since Avery was born, we have playfully made her "talk" to Addison by gesturing Avery's hand as we talk. Addison always got a kick out of it. One night, Addison surprised us by making Avery talk to us.

June 13, 2008--St. Louis Science Center

While Samuel and Lauren were visiting, we all went to the Science Center (because the rainy day thwarted our plans to go to the zoo). I have to remember to take Addison back soon because she really enjoyed the exhibits.Playing with Legos

(Some of us) proud of building the foam block arch

I love this picture--Addison is scared but Samuel is laughing with glee!

June 12, 2008--Playing with the cousins

Addie and Brooklyn got to play with second cousin Samuel when he and his sister Lauren visited in June. These three had so much fun together!

Adorable cousin Lauren

June 7, 2008--Smiling in shades

On the way to the family reunion, Addie was all smiles in her sunglasses.

June 5, 2008--Sisters

One day shy of Avery's 1-month birthday, we cajoled Addison into pausing her constant activity for 20 seconds to pose with her sister.

May 31, 2008--Memorial Day weekend visit to KC

Over Memorial Day weekend, we visited KC. Taking a nap.

Sitting with Papa.

Addison demonstrating how she can stand on the "Elmo!!!" stool and watch the geese outside.Avery hugging a gift from Uncle Daniel and Kristen.

Addison eating ice cream by herself for the first time--we didn't realize until after we had already given it to her that we would have to break it up for her so she could take bites.

May 23, 2008--Belly time

We began belly time early, but Avery didn't like it very much. Addie came over to make sure nothing was wrong.

May 21, 2008--Cousins

After a few weeks, we got the three girls together for a picture. Poor Avery can't even hold her head up, and has to rest it on Brooklyn.
Here Brooklyn is 10 months, Avery is 2 weeks, and Addison is 19 months.

Mid-May 2008--Avery's first weeks

Looking back through photos, I realize that I didn't take as many pictures as I did during Addison's first weeks at home. I hope Avery will realize that it wasn't a case of nothing new to capture on film, but more that I was simply too busy to devote one of my hands to camera-holding!

May 14, 2008--Taking a nap

While I know that my second child will not do everything exactly like my first, I guess I still expect her to follow in Addie's footsteps. So imagine my disbelief when Avery actually took a nap as a fresh-from-the-hospital newborn.Basically from day one, Avery has also wanted to go to sleep at 8 pm every night. It took Addison a full year to get to this point!

May 13, 2008--Avery's first bath

A few days after we were home, we summoned the energy after Addison went to sleep to give Avery her first bath. Like Addison, we bathed her in the kitchen sink. But also like her big sister, Avery didn't like her first bath very much. But I'm happy to report that she seems to enjoy them now.

May 11, 2008--Coming home

After four long days in the hospital, I was more than ready to come home. Since the unusually cold spring continued its uncharacteristic chilly weather, we buddled up Avery quite well before leaving. On our way home, we picked up Addison and arrived home for the first time as a family of four.

That night, Addison starts learning how to be gentle around her baby sister.

May 7-10, 2008--Pics from the hospital

May 8, 2008--Sisters meet

A couple of days after Avery was born, Addison got to meet her baby sister at the hospital.
During that first visit, when Avery started crying, Addison started tearing up, too. Thankfully that was an isolated occurrence, and Avery's cries have gone generally unnoticed by Addison in the months since.