a boob with a view

Will nurse anywhere.

Avery feeding the ducks while Vivi ate.

The ducks didn't seem to notice that the cornbread was made with a mix that was over 5 years old.

He started throwing rocks, in the water, not at the ducks, when the bread ran out.

Snuggling with my girl.

I'm so glad to have some mother/daughter shots. Kathryn is a phenomenal amateur photographer.

And some mother/son/daughter ones.

Time for a hike.

And by hike I mean short stroll around the parking lot.

Something I swore I would never allow, also occurring adjacent to the parking lot. The potty was "dirty" and he WOULD NOT use it.

My dearest friend Kathryn aka "other" Kathryn (Annabelle's mama is just Cathryn) came to visit and to prove to her that we do more than lounge in our jammies all day, we took her on a mountain drive up to Echo Lake park. Even though Avery is not a very good car rider and complained incessantly about his tummy hurting (he has been know to toss his cookies more than once but since Aunt Sarah wasn't in the car, I thought our chances of success were pretty good), we had a good trip. On the way back down the mountain we distracted him by singing Christmas carols and if he wasn't tone deaf at that point, he is now.

Avery loved feeding the ducks and throwing rocks into the lake - the ducks had vacated at that point. We also took a nature walk and looked for treasures in varying colors. Getting to spend some quality time with Kathryn was fantastic. She and I have been friends since the 3rd grade and have had a very successful adult friendship despite being separated since high school. Plus, she was immensely helpful in managing two young children while in the mountains and makes the most incredible blueberry sour cream coffee cake. Luckily she left the recipe.

stamping project

He's working very intently on making it just right.

Yup, that's my work file. I guess that's what I get when I try and work from home.

Searching for the letters A.V.E.R.Y.

Yes, that's orange ink on his upper lip.

We both got a lot of work done that day.

Saying that Avery is into stamps would be an understatement. I billed almost (I had to take a few shots) 2 full hours of work during our session. No need to worry about his attention span.

go blue

go blue...or pink.

getting ready for the game.

daddy loves game day!

guess who we're rooting for?

We've been doing our best to get Avery and Vivi into the spirit of Michigan football. We have keys out for kickoff and wear all of our gear. I even showed Avery a youtube video of the UofM marching band, explained to him that I was in band and found a picture of myself in uniform to show him. It's lucky I had doubles because he's now carrying that picture around. I smell a future band geek!

cooks in the kitchen

Not an uncommon sight in our house - Avery helping me cook and Vivi supervising.

And of course, Avery is not wearing any pants. He does have underwear on for those of you who ate the Chocolate Pudding Cookies and are concerned with sanitation.

new skills

Look what I can do! I can grow hair...oh, and I'm starting to hold my head up :)

vivienne | 2 months

My beautiful Vivienne, you are two months old and it feels like you've been a part of me forever. Your arrival into our lives has been nothing but joy, happiness and love. As I was editing these photos, I just kept smiling big smiles that my you are my girl and you are finally here. My little Dinker Doo, Vivi Loo Hoo.

You are still a very easy baby and really only cry when you're tired, hungry or your tummy hurts from reflux. We only had to leave Aunt Stacy's house once because you were very upset, but it's my fault since I forgot to give you your reflux medicine that day...oopsie. You love to look which is good because it's just about the only thing you can do these days! Your favorite place is in our bathroom on the changing table because apparently those are the bestest most interesting lights and god help the soul who picks you up before you are done enjoying those lights. I have learned to turn off the lights first, which always surprises you causing your arms to dart out to the sides in an always entertaining way, before I pick you up. You also enjoy being in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner and playing with your brother. He is all sorts of entertaining and wow, does he love you and you love him. I can't wait to see how your relationship develops as you get more interactive.

So a little more about picking you up - turns out, you would rather not be held. Boo. Of all of my qualities to be passed down, this one shows up. Oh, sometimes I wish you were a super cuddly baby but I get my time in when you nurse and truth be told, being able to set you down and have you be content is very liberating.

I love, love, love your smiles and cherish seeing them when I wake up in the morning and even at 4am for that matter. You are our Smiles Magoo!

Vivienne Sam, Daddy, Avery and I adore you to pieces, the baby you are, the little girl you'll be and the woman you'll become.

Here are your current stats:

Weight: 11lbs 6oz (55%)
Height: 22 1/4" (49%) - we'll work on this one!
Head: 15 1/2" (75%)
Hair: Plentiful (99%)

siblings

I'm still experimenting with how to best pose a floppy newborn and a wiggly two year old, but I think these pictures are pretty cute.

ved's 3rd birthday

Ved's sister Shanaya and Vivi enjoying the party. At least Shanaya's awake!

I don't think I have ever gotten Ved to smile for me...ever. He doesn't think I'm funny.

It takes a village to blow out the candles.

Avery eating dinner.

Scott got some pretty decent shots of the Turbow girls which I am grateful for because I'm usually behind the camera.

We celebrated Ved's 3rd birthday with a fantastic party complete with tons of kids running around and tons of parents drinking beer :) As we were walking in, I remembered thinking at Ved's first birthday party that it will be much easier when the kids can walk and at his second birthday party thinking it will be much easier when I don't have to worry about them falling down the stairs. Now, it is much easier, but I am still a little leery about the stairs.

It's hard to believe the older kids are turning 3 this year. Wowza.