Stay tuned for future posts on Uncle Spencer and Aunt Shannon's BEAUTIFUL wedding, Avaree's 2nd Birthday Party, and August/September Catch Up! :)
Here's a sneak peak from the bus on our way to the reception! :)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
September Birthday: Happy Birthday, Uncle Spencer!!
Avaree would like to wish a VERY special Happy 28th Birthday to her Uncle Spencer TOMORROW! (And Mommy would like to wish a very special Happy Birthday to her favorite brother!) :) I've been so teary when I talk about my brother lately: I'm just so proud of him! He has been one of my best friends for 28 years (give or take a few years in college, ha!), and I am soooo thankful for him! We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A letter to my daughter on her 2nd birthday...
Hi my little love!
You are two-years-old today! Mommy got up really early this morning to make you a special birthday breakfast, but plans changed when I dropped a pan on the floor and woke you up. I heard, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy," so I ran into the bedroom and woke Daddy up. He (with his eyes barely open) and I ran in your room and opened your door singing "Happy Birthday!" You loved it, though your eyes were barely open too! Daddy got a couple of pictures, and I got some good cuddles, then as I was changing your diaper, I sang "Happy Birthday" to you again. When I was finished, you looked at me and started singing it to me. You very clearly sang, "Birthday to you, Birthday to you, Birthday to Mommy, Birthday you." You had the perfect tune and pitch. It was precious. I think that you knew that the Birthday song makes people happy, so you wanted to sing it to Mommy. This is just one example of your tender heart. Any time another baby/small child starts to cry, you immediately begin crying. You do not want anyone to be sad--especially Mommy. If ever Mommy cries in front of you (happy or sad cries), you hold my face in yours and say "Okay, Mommy, okay."
You also love to SING. You sing ALL. THE. TIME! :) Your current favorite is "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," but you still love "Jesus Loves Me," "This Little Light of Mine," "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy," "The Tree Song," and "Deep and Wide." Mommy sings to you at night before bed, and you join in now. You know every word to "Far Away Places." I don't know why I'm suprised though, I have been singing it to you since you were born. You are such a routine-loving little girl, but you have become VERY flexible lately, and we love it! Some of your favorite routines happen at night! When it is time for bath, we strip you down and you run to Daddy and then to the door while Daddy says "Naked booty, naked booty, ahhhhh!" You just giggle! Then you wait at the door for me to come get you and we dance all the way to the tub singing, "I got the naked booty girl!" :) After bath, you love to wrap up in your towel, turn the light off in the bathroom, and the curl up with mommy in the rocking chair while I sing the "Princess Avaree" song. You keep your head buried under my chin until I get to the part that says "When you're not near me, I'm blue," because you love to see me stick my lip out and act sad. Then, you curl right back up and say "more, more, more" until I say it's time to put our diaper on and go "night night." Our night night routine has recently changed since you have become a night time cougher, but we usually say prayers with Daddy (we call him if he is at church--like tonight!), and then you say night to him three times before Mommy sings one song with you and puts you in your bed. Then I sit down next to your crib and sing two verses of "He's Got the Whole Wide World in His Hands" while holding your sweet little hand through the crib sheets. Somehow I always end up crying as I sing this, because there is nothing sweeter-- and there are no words more true. I love our night time together. :)
You can currently do soooo many things. It seems like every day you learn something new. The highlights lately are that you can spell your first and middle name, state your full name, sing complete songs by yourself, count to 15 in Spanish, count to 20 in English, count backwards from 10 in English, and you know more signs and more Spanish words that I even know to ask you! You love to say your ABCs really loud, and of course you also sing the ABC song multiple times per day! You know all of your colors and shapes, though you don't sign them as much any more. You LOVE to color, to play princess, to slide, to play outside, to read books, to swing, to paint, to sing songs, and more! Any time you hurt yourself, you run to me and say, "Mommy, kiss it." After that, you act like it never even happened and say, "All better." If you are crying really hard and it seems that something really hurts, I say, "Mommy kiss it," and you say, "All better." I love that. What a perfect picture of Christ's love for us.
Your favorite shows right now are (hands down) "Special Agent Oso," and "The Fresh Beat Band!" You say, "Mommy, mote, Oso, please." :) You can sing the opening and closing songs to both of these. We love to watch you! You also still love to watch Baby Signing Times, and "Meet the Numbers/Letters/Shapes" any time!
Your favorite books right now are "Llama, Llama Misses Mama," and your Paz books.
You are very selective in your food choices. Your diet consists of chicken (ni-nen), green beans (me me's), cheese, veggie straws, macaroni, all beef or all turkey weinies, fruit snacks, Rice Krispies, avacodos, strawberries, grapes, apples, bananas, mashed potatoes, fish sticks, and grilled cheese. Mommy is working really hard to get you to eat other foods, but you are stubborn!
You go to school five days a week right now. Mommy takes you and picks you up every day, except for Wednesdays. Daddy works late on Wednesdays, so he takes you to school so that he can spend a little time with you. You two always have stories to tell me about your adventures together. Inevitably, you are in the car a long time, and Daddy always teaches you something new! He taught you to spell your name a couple of weeks ago! :) It makes Mommy very sad that you have to be in school for nine hours a day most days, but it is easier now that your teachers don't have to peel you off of me in the mornings. My favorite part of the day is pick up. I'm pretty sure I'm th only Mom that runs from my car to the door because I just can't wait to hear, "Mi Mommy, Mi Mommy, Missed you." You make my day every. single. day.
You are two, so you do throw the occasional fit when you don't get your way (and Mommy and Daddy are learning how to deal with that better in public), but once I sit you down and talk to you, you seem to understand. I'm working on talking to you about purpose and motivation, and helping you understand that your behavior is a reflection of your heart. I want to sheperd your heart until you can make your own decisions. We are learning together.
Most of the time, though, you are sweet, and precious, and tender; you are filled with energy and excitement, and you like to have your Mommy around. I love, love, love you soooo much that I can't even put it into words.
Sweet girl, Mommy knows that God created you for something amazing. I am so, so, so blessed and happy to be given the opportunity to be your Mommy. Daddy and I want to guide you and support you. We want to love you and laugh with you. We pray for you and with you every day.
Although you don't cry when we get to the end anymore, you still love your first favorite book. Though nothing could ever encompass my love for you (just like we could never define the greatness of God's love for us, Mommy loves you...this much. :)
I love you more than rainbows and beautiful blue skies.
I love you more than buttercups and wings of butterflies.
I love you more than ice cream with sprinkles on top.
I love you more than the pleasure of a visit to the zoo, and the excitement of sneaking up and saying boo!
I love you more than Springtime with everything seems new.
I love you more than raindrops falling gently on my face, and the sweet gentle breeze letting all cares be erased.
I love you more than sunsets and wishes in the sky.
I love you more than the beautiful birds and the sweet little songs they sing.
So many things are nice and things are fun to do, but none of them compare to the love I have for you.
I love you, my sweet girl. Your life has enabled me to experience more joy than I ever thought possible. I am so proud of you. I love being your Mommy. There is no sweeter sound. I wish you a year full of blessings from above.
I love you forever,
Mommy :)
You are two-years-old today! Mommy got up really early this morning to make you a special birthday breakfast, but plans changed when I dropped a pan on the floor and woke you up. I heard, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy," so I ran into the bedroom and woke Daddy up. He (with his eyes barely open) and I ran in your room and opened your door singing "Happy Birthday!" You loved it, though your eyes were barely open too! Daddy got a couple of pictures, and I got some good cuddles, then as I was changing your diaper, I sang "Happy Birthday" to you again. When I was finished, you looked at me and started singing it to me. You very clearly sang, "Birthday to you, Birthday to you, Birthday to Mommy, Birthday you." You had the perfect tune and pitch. It was precious. I think that you knew that the Birthday song makes people happy, so you wanted to sing it to Mommy. This is just one example of your tender heart. Any time another baby/small child starts to cry, you immediately begin crying. You do not want anyone to be sad--especially Mommy. If ever Mommy cries in front of you (happy or sad cries), you hold my face in yours and say "Okay, Mommy, okay."
You also love to SING. You sing ALL. THE. TIME! :) Your current favorite is "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," but you still love "Jesus Loves Me," "This Little Light of Mine," "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy," "The Tree Song," and "Deep and Wide." Mommy sings to you at night before bed, and you join in now. You know every word to "Far Away Places." I don't know why I'm suprised though, I have been singing it to you since you were born. You are such a routine-loving little girl, but you have become VERY flexible lately, and we love it! Some of your favorite routines happen at night! When it is time for bath, we strip you down and you run to Daddy and then to the door while Daddy says "Naked booty, naked booty, ahhhhh!" You just giggle! Then you wait at the door for me to come get you and we dance all the way to the tub singing, "I got the naked booty girl!" :) After bath, you love to wrap up in your towel, turn the light off in the bathroom, and the curl up with mommy in the rocking chair while I sing the "Princess Avaree" song. You keep your head buried under my chin until I get to the part that says "When you're not near me, I'm blue," because you love to see me stick my lip out and act sad. Then, you curl right back up and say "more, more, more" until I say it's time to put our diaper on and go "night night." Our night night routine has recently changed since you have become a night time cougher, but we usually say prayers with Daddy (we call him if he is at church--like tonight!), and then you say night to him three times before Mommy sings one song with you and puts you in your bed. Then I sit down next to your crib and sing two verses of "He's Got the Whole Wide World in His Hands" while holding your sweet little hand through the crib sheets. Somehow I always end up crying as I sing this, because there is nothing sweeter-- and there are no words more true. I love our night time together. :)
You can currently do soooo many things. It seems like every day you learn something new. The highlights lately are that you can spell your first and middle name, state your full name, sing complete songs by yourself, count to 15 in Spanish, count to 20 in English, count backwards from 10 in English, and you know more signs and more Spanish words that I even know to ask you! You love to say your ABCs really loud, and of course you also sing the ABC song multiple times per day! You know all of your colors and shapes, though you don't sign them as much any more. You LOVE to color, to play princess, to slide, to play outside, to read books, to swing, to paint, to sing songs, and more! Any time you hurt yourself, you run to me and say, "Mommy, kiss it." After that, you act like it never even happened and say, "All better." If you are crying really hard and it seems that something really hurts, I say, "Mommy kiss it," and you say, "All better." I love that. What a perfect picture of Christ's love for us.
Your favorite shows right now are (hands down) "Special Agent Oso," and "The Fresh Beat Band!" You say, "Mommy, mote, Oso, please." :) You can sing the opening and closing songs to both of these. We love to watch you! You also still love to watch Baby Signing Times, and "Meet the Numbers/Letters/Shapes" any time!
Your favorite books right now are "Llama, Llama Misses Mama," and your Paz books.
You are very selective in your food choices. Your diet consists of chicken (ni-nen), green beans (me me's), cheese, veggie straws, macaroni, all beef or all turkey weinies, fruit snacks, Rice Krispies, avacodos, strawberries, grapes, apples, bananas, mashed potatoes, fish sticks, and grilled cheese. Mommy is working really hard to get you to eat other foods, but you are stubborn!
You go to school five days a week right now. Mommy takes you and picks you up every day, except for Wednesdays. Daddy works late on Wednesdays, so he takes you to school so that he can spend a little time with you. You two always have stories to tell me about your adventures together. Inevitably, you are in the car a long time, and Daddy always teaches you something new! He taught you to spell your name a couple of weeks ago! :) It makes Mommy very sad that you have to be in school for nine hours a day most days, but it is easier now that your teachers don't have to peel you off of me in the mornings. My favorite part of the day is pick up. I'm pretty sure I'm th only Mom that runs from my car to the door because I just can't wait to hear, "Mi Mommy, Mi Mommy, Missed you." You make my day every. single. day.
You are two, so you do throw the occasional fit when you don't get your way (and Mommy and Daddy are learning how to deal with that better in public), but once I sit you down and talk to you, you seem to understand. I'm working on talking to you about purpose and motivation, and helping you understand that your behavior is a reflection of your heart. I want to sheperd your heart until you can make your own decisions. We are learning together.
Most of the time, though, you are sweet, and precious, and tender; you are filled with energy and excitement, and you like to have your Mommy around. I love, love, love you soooo much that I can't even put it into words.
Sweet girl, Mommy knows that God created you for something amazing. I am so, so, so blessed and happy to be given the opportunity to be your Mommy. Daddy and I want to guide you and support you. We want to love you and laugh with you. We pray for you and with you every day.
Although you don't cry when we get to the end anymore, you still love your first favorite book. Though nothing could ever encompass my love for you (just like we could never define the greatness of God's love for us, Mommy loves you...this much. :)
I love you more than rainbows and beautiful blue skies.
I love you more than buttercups and wings of butterflies.
I love you more than ice cream with sprinkles on top.
I love you more than the pleasure of a visit to the zoo, and the excitement of sneaking up and saying boo!
I love you more than Springtime with everything seems new.
I love you more than raindrops falling gently on my face, and the sweet gentle breeze letting all cares be erased.
I love you more than sunsets and wishes in the sky.
I love you more than the beautiful birds and the sweet little songs they sing.
So many things are nice and things are fun to do, but none of them compare to the love I have for you.
I love you, my sweet girl. Your life has enabled me to experience more joy than I ever thought possible. I am so proud of you. I love being your Mommy. There is no sweeter sound. I wish you a year full of blessings from above.
I love you forever,
Mommy :)
Waking up to "Happy Birthday" from Mommy and Daddy!
Squinty Eyes after I scooped you out of bed!
Awake and happy eating your toast (not the breakfast i had planned, ha!)
Mommy took you to Chik-Fil-A for your birthday dinner! (Daddy was working at church.) Then, we came home and you ate a cookie pop! I spent three hours trying making cookie pops last night for you to take to school today for your birthday! Finally, I got a good batch, and Mrs. Sandra said that they were a hit! :) (The front of the cookies are decorated with icing, sprinkles, and a 2!) Your classmates also made you a card, and they all signed their names! You talk about your friends Cohen and Harper all the time!
Playing outside this evening! :) You finally realized that Mommy is not going to stop taking pictures, so you have started posing for me! I love it!
My sweet, beautiful two-year old! :)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Happy Grandparents' Day!!!!
Avaree wants to wish all six of her grandparents a very special day!!!!! She loves each of you sooooooooooooooooooooooo much! :) She asks me where you are multiple times per day, and she is soooo excited anytime she gets to see you or talk to you! Thank you for loving her!!!!!!!
Papa, Niecey, Gigi, Pops, Mom Mom and Pop Pop,
Mom Mom (an Avaree created name derived from Granmamma, ha!), Pop Pop (and another Avaree name derived from Granpappa), and Avaree :)
GiGi, Pops (Avaree changed G-Pops to Pops, ha!), and Avaree :)
Papa, Avaree and Niecey :)
Papa, Niecey, Gigi, Pops, Mom Mom and Pop Pop,
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for coming to see me.
Thank you for praying for me.
Thank you for all the millions of special things that you have done for me.
I can't wait to see you at my birthday in a couple of weeks.
I love you!
LOVE, Avaree Grace Barton :)
(Check your phones for a special video message from Avaree!)
:) WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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