Spring is Here - NOT

This week started out on a tragic note. On Wednesday, Steven got a phone call informing him that his great grandmother had passed away. When he got off work we went over to his grandparents' house to offer our support. After a few hours at their house we went to my parents' house for dinner.

The next morning I woke up with the worst headache. Avery was in a terrible mood that day because I spent most of the day laying on the floor in agony rather than playing with her. She spent the day screaming, crying, and throwing tantrums which only caused my migraine to worsen. By the time Avery went to bed I was sobbing like a baby in the bathtub from the pain. It was not a good day.

Friday was a much better day, my migraine was gone! Avery and I picked up my mom from work and went out to lunch. Mom had an Applebee's gift card so that was the obvious choice, afterwards we got coffee. I love our lunch dates :)

Saturday sucked, that's all there is to it. It started out promising - I went to Meridian to hang out with Ashley. Avery went down for a nap the moment we got to my mom's house which meant I got to go shopping baby-free. The trip was a total failure, Ashley and I had gone bathing suit shopping but despite my workout efforts my body is NOT bikini ready. I looked awful in everything I tried on and left the store with low spirits. Avery was still asleep when we got back. Steven called a little while later to tell me that the Neon wouldn't start... I've put SO much money into that damn thing that its ridiculous. Thankfully Steven's dad picked him up and we met them over at his grandparents' house for Grandpa's birthday.

Daddy blowing bubbles

Avery helped herself to some of grandma's cake

Sunday - family dinner as usual :)

Drawing with Quinn and Ashley

Monday was so so busy but the fun kind. My in-laws came over nice and early, Yvette was baby sitting Avery while Steven, Mike, and I went to the gun range. I originally wanted nothing to do with guns but over time I realized that I would rather be well informed and trained should I ever need to defend myself or my family. Between Steven and Mike I couldn't have been in better hands - both have grown up around guns, certified in safety and Steven has his military background. I started out on Mike's 9mm Beretta. We used paper plates as targets and to be honest I'm surprised I even hit it. After firing off a few magazines and hitting the target every time I was comfortable enough to try Mike's .45 1911. It fit awkwardly in my hand and I decided to switch to Steven's XD .45 instead. I had much better accuracy with the .45 which was exciting. Steven put an Osama zombie target and set it at the very end of the range (100 ft) to simulate a mall shooter situation. I was able to put all 5 rounds into Osama's neck and chest!

After a few hours at the gun range we dropped off Mike, then I dropped off Steven at my parents' house - he and my brother were going golfing :) Steven came home a few hours later and we decided a date night was in order. Yvette came back over around 7 pm to watch Avery while we saw Olympus Has Fallen. By the end of the day we were exhausted :)

The next day was pretty mellow. We ran a few errands and I got new supplies for cross stitching - I'm excited to start some new projects.

Avery Quinn - 14 months

Finally All Moved In

I'm sorry for posting so late but we recently moved and it has been hectic. Lets see if I can get everyone updated on the past two weeks.

We began moving on Tuesday the 5th. Steven went to the apartment bright and early to be there when RC Willey delivered our new living room furniture. After the furniture arrived he rented a moving truck and we began a very tiring day. Kristen was kind enough to babysit Avery for a few hours while we moved, living on the second floor has its disadvantages. Moving was exhausting but only took 2 hours. That evening Steven and I slept on a mattress on the floor in my parents' house :)

My mom took Wednesday off to spend the day watching Avery. Steven and I had to be at the apartment by 8 am to wait for our HHG (household goods) to arrive. The moving company told us they would be at the apartment somewhere between 8 am and 5 pm. The day was pretty boring until the movers showed up. We had about 40 boxes/items that were being delivered which honestly is on the very very small side compared to most military families. Steven was in charge of making sure all of our items were accounted for. It was a bit difficult at times because the Koreans who had packed our stuff weren't great at writing in English haha.
My parents brought Avery over at 5 pm. I had made Chicken Stuff (crock pot cream of chicken, chicken breast, and garlic over rice) and we had a nice family dinner in our new home :) I had primarily focused on unpacking Avery's room that day so it was perfect for her when she arrived. Steven and I were beyond exhausted by the time we got to bed.

Our first night in the new place

The first night in the apartment was a success. Avery slept through the night but woke up at 530. Steven was getting up for work at that time so we had some morning family time. After Steven left I put Avery back to bed and we slept for another 3 hours :) I LOVE having my own place again. I feel like an adult again, no longer staying with my parents. Our upstairs neighbors are the LOUDEST people on earth though. They get up around 5 am and don't go to bed until midnight - they stomp up and down the hall all day long.

The first day in our new place was messy. When Avery went down for her nap she threw up all over her crib, blanket, night-night lion, herself, and the floor. She got an early bath and I got to try out our washing machine. When she was feeling better we went up the road to have lunch with my mom at work. It was nice seeing a few of my old co-workers :)

On Friday Avery and I picked up Yvette (my mother in law) from the airport. She brought Avery a toy dog on a leash. Avery walked the dog from the car all the way to Goldy's where we went for breakfast.
That afternoon Avery was cracking me up. We were playing in her room and she suddenly said it was "nigh-nigh" time. She brought me her night-night lion, blanket, a diaper, wipes and even a bottle :) Avery is definitely a girl who knows what she wants.

Walking with grandma Yvette

Living alone is great, living in an apartment is not great. By the time Saturday rolled around I was ready to kill my upstairs neighbors. Every night from 8 pm to midnight they STOMP around the entire house. They've woken up Avery a few times but the big problem is that I can't fall asleep with all the noise. I sit awake (and alone since Steven can sleep through their stomping) until midnight every night. I can't go to sleep until they do, its ridiculous. Saturday was especially bad though, I swear they were lifting the couches and then dropping them, stuff in my house was shaking! I stormed up to their apartment and pounded on the door but no one answered, they probably couldn't hear me over their own noise. I left a note and basically said STFU.

Monday and Tuesday are Steven's weekend which mean they are sort of my weekend too :) On Tuesday Steven took Avery to Goldy's for breakfast so I could sleep in. About an hour later I heard a knock on the door. Avery was standing there holding an iced coffee for me :) She toddled inside, tripped, and spilled the entire drink on the carpet lol. To top it off Steven forgot to bring my breakfast home. No breakfast, no coffee, but a very loving family :)

That afternoon the three of us went to the aquarium. I had never been so it was really fun. Avery touched a sting ray and then licked her hand YUCK!!! She ran around the entire place and closely examining every fish. Avery and I fed the birds before we left. The aquarium employee said most kids freak out when the birds start flying around but Avery was perfectly content. It was a great day!

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Wednesday was absolutely beautiful! Avery and I walked around the apartment complex exploring. We stopped at every park we came across and played, Avery loves the swings. Mitch and his son, Cooper, came over for dinner that evening. Steven had made gnocci casarole, it was delicious.

Avery and Cooper

Kristen, Conner, and Cassius came over for a play date on Saturday. Conner had a blast playing with all the "new" toys and Avery enjoyed following him around. After a bit we went to Ann Morrison park to meet up with a Boise Moms & Tots group. Taush (Kristen's older sister) joined us as well, she brought her son and the little girl she baby sits. Only one mom & tot showed up from the group so I'm glad I invited Kris and that she invited Taush. The kids were running around like crazy and having the time of their life.

Kristen helping Conner and Avery down the slide with Cassius strapped to her chest

When Steven got off work we went to his parents' house for dinner. Yvette, Avery and I went to Chili's to pick up some food, we decided to eat there. Every single thing we ordered had something wrong with it - Yvette's sandwich was missing the cheese and bacon, her sweet potato fries looked they were encrusted with diamonds because of how much salt was on them, I was given the wrong soup, so on and so forth. It was frustrating.

Saint Patrick's Day. I put Avery in a cute little outfit, I wasn't going to this year but figured I don't have much longer before she wants to pick her own clothes. Sunday was also family dinner night at my parents' house. Quinn had to work and Ashley wasn't feeling well so it was just the 5 of us. We had enchiladas but they somehow morphed into a Mexican lasagna - it was still delicious.

Monday was amazing. Steven and I had a much needed date night while Yvette baby sat. We had a double date with Quinn and Ashley at Dave & Buster's. I didn't many tickets but Quinn won 1,000 tickets on his first try! Steven and I managed to earn enough tickets for a head scratcher, cute owl night light, and a little basket ball for Avery :)

The next day was pretty mellow. We went to Plato's Closet to get me a 'new' pair of jeans. I tried on roughly 20 shirts and pants - my self esteem was so low by the time we left the store. I managed to find a pair of jeans but they were a size larger than I normally wear, I really need to step up my workout routine if I want to wear a bikini this summer. That evening was girls' night at Jeca's house. Ironically it was also a wrap party, the wraps apparently help you lose inches around your waist. I didn't participate because personally I think its a load of crap. I did have a really good time though.

Big news happened his week: Avery pooped in the potty!!! I didn't want to be 'that mom' who talks about her kid's bathroom habits but I can't help myself. When she got up from her nap she kept saying 'poop' so I took off her diaper and sat her on the toilet. I was so proud when she actually did it!

Avery Quinn - 14 months

Ok we are finally caught up :)

Baby's First Haircut

Avery got her first hair cut on Monday! Steven, my mom and I took her to 2 B A Kid. Avery sat in a pink jeep with a bowl of animal crackers while the woman cut her hair. The woman styled Avery's hair and even sprinkled glitter in it :D At the end of the appointment Avery got a lollipop and I got a First Hair Cut certificate with a lock of hair. It was a great experience.

Eating animal crackers

and a lollipop

<3

Tuesday was not a good day sleep-wise. I continually woke up throughout the night because I thought I was going to be late for something. Avery got up at 4 am and then again at 5 am. I brought her into our bed where she thankfully fell asleep. Just as I was starting to fall back asleep Steven's alarm went off for work, he accidentally woke Avery up while getting ready :/ It was a LONG day.

Friday morning sucked. Avery woke up on the wrong side of the crib, she was grumpy and beyond clingy. I suddenly lost the ability to put on a diaper correctly because Avery peed through 3 diapers and outfits, then puked all over the 4th outfit... Between Steven needing his work clothes washed every other day (or daily depending on how messy he got) and Avery just being a kid, I am doing a LOT of laundry.

Helping daddy push the cart

Taking an animal cracker break :)

That afternoon was much better because we finally got the keys to our apartment! Avery and I met Steven at the apartment complex to fill out some paperwork and get our keys :D I ran around the apartment taking photos. Avery played with the cabinets, drawers and toilet seat - I will definitely need to baby proof before we move in on the 6th because she smashed her fingers. Steven and I put up Avery's curtains and the shower curtain :) I can't wait to decorate!

Since Steven came to the apartment straight from work we had two separate vehicles there. Steven and Avery took the Durango home while I picked up my mom from work in the Neon. Mom and I sat at Starbucks for a bit unwinding from the day, it was a luxury we don't get often. Quinn's girlfriend, Ashley, was at the house when we got home. The two of us made Quinn a beer cake for his 21st birthday (like a diaper cake but with beer cans lol). It was a fun little project that Ashley found on Pinterest. The project included cardboard, ribbons, candles, hot glue and of course beer.

My mom, Avery and I had a girls day on Saturday - the boys were at the golf course hitting a bucket of balls. We went to Kohls and got about $80 worth of clothes for $13! That evening we all went to Fiesta Guadalajara for Quinn's birthday dinner - he turned 21 this week. After dinner Ashley and I went to the store and got ice cream. Quinn didn't suspect a thing when we walked in with the beer cake, he loved it :)

Browsing the menu

Sunday was mellow. I went to the apartment for a bit and unpacked some boxes, it was nice having some alone time. Steven, Quinn, and Ashley went to the golf course again to hit a bucket of balls while I stayed home with the baby and made chili.

Avery Quinn - 13 months