Time for an update!

I know you're probably expecting some house pictures BUT I don't have them quite yet!  I promise I will put them up soon!  Our blinds will arrive in the next few weeks along with a few final touches and then, I think the house will be photo ready.  Honest. 

With that said, I give you my famous line of these days:  We've been busy!

I'm not sure how I ever fit a career into the mix!?

The kids are growing like weeds and I can hardly grab hold of each memory!  Life moves fast.  Avery is blossoming into her own person, speaking in sentences and showing off that charming personality daily.  As Warner has learned to sit up, roll everywhere and nearly crawl, Avery sees him as a friend, a playmate even more!  Every time they show affection for each other I melt.  Hopeless romantic for sibling love - if that's even a thing.

Warner had his "little boy part" surgery a few weeks ago and it didn't even phase him.  His calming energy is addictive.  It's either that or those squeezable cheeks!

 
In the next few posts to come, I will give a sneak peak at what fills our days!

In the meantime...

Halloween without the Wheel.

Wagon Wheel trick or treaters = 815.
Project 57 trick or treaters = 0.  That's right Zero.

I know I'm late on this post but figure I'll get caught up one of these days.

hahahahahaahahahaaa - I just heard that in my head.  Get caught up.  hahaa.  Hysterical.

But you can't blame me for trying!

So Halloween was a bust at the new house and really made me regret the move...at the time.  But a few weeks later and with more progress made on the house, I've had a change of heart.  Oh - and the fact that our pool fence was stolen at Wagon Wheel only helps our cause.

Avery went to a few houses and understood the concept of "begging for candy" enough to have a great time!  It was a adorable and her and Warner looked simply "smashing" in their costumes. 

Glenda, Lisa and Jason spent the evening with us pigging out on pizza and candy!  Sooooo - clearly the night wasn't a total bust.

 

All Aboard!

Cool weather in Arizona brings out pretty much...EVERYONE!  Including the Morrison family.  

This past weekend seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce Avery & Warner to the "choo choo train" we've been talking up!  And just as we anticipated, they had a blast!  Avery couldn't stop observing her surroundings with such admiration!  Even Warner was all smiles and seemed like a natural aboard the McCormick steam train.  Then the Carousel, of course! 

Days like this reveal the major perks of having kids!  The Zoo, Train Parks, Museums and Beach days...no wonder Peter Pan never wanted to grow up!

It was a memorable family adventure and one we plan to repeat often! 

 

6 AND 7 Months!

Is it any big surprise that I'm late on the monthly marker photos?  Well, not really late on his 7 month which was yesterday!  WOW!

But the 6 month?  Yes.  Yes I am a wee bit behind and admit, I only took those 2 weeks ago.  You do the math.

Even in the short 2 weeks, he was wiggling significantly more which reminded me how Avery's photo shoots progressed...Oh the unpredictability but a sign of the times.  The sweet, wild times.

Despite having surgery 2 weeks ago (post to follow) Warner has continued to be super baby!  He is a JOY and as my Dad puts perfectly: "the most expensive doll ever".  He's so chill (enter Chris' genes) and happy.  I adore you sweet boy!

 *Warner did great at his 6 month dr.'s appointment despite a big round of immunizations...are we surprised?  Nope.  But again, Chris (and myself) had to join in the fun with a good ol' flu shot.

Hmmm...looks like a little girl snuck her hand in the picture!?  ;)

*7 Months (with a guest appearance from big sister Avery!)

Warner's 1st Tooth!

Warner has shown signs of teething since 3 months old!  Quite the opposite of little Aves who didn't get her 1st tooth until she was 9 months old!  But it was until yesterday that I finally felt one pop through!  The poor thing was in so much pain yesterday chewing everything he could get a hold of.

And sure enough, while I was rubbing teething pellets against his gums, I felt it.  His bottom-middle-right tooth has made an appearance. 

This is our attempt and getting a picture of it.  Pretty impossible but made for some really cute photos!  ;)

Warner - 5 Months!

Yes.  Warner will be 6 months in 3 days but at least I am posting his 5 month pictures before then!  ;)

And if you can believe it, I actually took these on his 5 month birthday!

Here's something new for you:  I LOVE HIM!  Not sure if I've mentioned that one yet.  He's simply perfect in every way.

The Move.

I'm such a believer in the character of family members and friends being shown through times of need.  But with family and a really amazing one, you are never let down.  This move definitely crept up on us and we needed help.  A LOT of help.  From babysitting, heavy lifting, curtain hardware hanging, chalkboard making, transportation, food, laundry, guidance, advice, pep talks, more heavy lifting, cleaning and unpacking...we needed help. 

To my incredible, phenomenal and selfless family...THANK YOU.  We are speechless and are 110% sure we could not have done it without you.  Thank you for not only sharing in our excitement and anticipation for this endeavor over the last year, but for stepping up during the necessary but not so fun parts.  You went above and beyond the call of duty.  We are indebted.  

If you can believe it, the house is still not complete but within a couple weeks, maybe even less, I will post pictures that will actually look finished!  Grass goes in tomorrow; one more day of touch-up painting and outside brick should be in this week. 

In the meantime (and thanks for your patience!), here is an overall look into the days and days of our move! 

Jamie came in 5 days before her work event to help!  And not only did she work her butt off but we gave her our cold!  :(  It was hardly a vacation for her :(

My mom watched the kids day in and day out AND helped load and unload, load and unload.  She was truly a lifesaver and willing to do anything we needed of her!!!!

Our backyard beauty.  Okay - it's changed a bit since move in ;)

Man, I love these two.

Paver installation.

Custom dog gates and baby gates!!!!!!

She never stopped.  Seriously.

Whatever I needed.  Whatever I wanted.  He was there.

The basics of Warner's room :)

Thank you Lisa for all your help!!!!!

Finding in humor in all of this!

Good quality time.

Tired.  Really really tired.

What's up with our new dog hotel?

There are no words.  We could not have done it without you two.  Wow.  Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

And throughout all the chaos, my mom noticed Warner's closet had about 1/3 of the amount of clothes Avery's did.  The next day she went on a shopping spree for that sweet boy and he is set!!!!

Ann literally took home 10+ loads of my laundry and did it all for me.  Are you kidding me!?!?

Snuggles time with Gramzie!

Whirlwind!

We did it.  We moved.  And it has been a whirlwind of pretty much everything.

Hence the no blogging.  But I figured most of you might have guessed this.

It's been going well and quite overwhelming.  But with that said, I honestly don't know what we would have done without the help of my family.  They have been an absolute integral part of all of this!  There is still so much to do on 57th but at least we can now work on the unpacking part and get WW rented.

I have a feeling September will continue to be a slow blogging month but you never know, I may get caught up!  There are some great entries to come but not ones I want to rush!

So yet again, stay tuned!  I will definitely post some great house "progression" pictures one of these days but we are so far from the final product.  Regardless, it's all very exciting!

We did have our very first housewarming gift from Krisitin!  These beautiful flowers, wine and champagne!  Thank you Kiki!!!!

 

Denise is Cooking!

I'm sure over the last couple of years you all have heard me mention Denise's name once or twice.  She was Avery's fabulous nanny during the year I went back to work.  And although she's incredible with kids, her real passion lies with cooking.  Among the many cooking-related specialties she offers (i.e. Cooking Classes, Catered Events, etc.) our favorite has to be the "Fresh Meal Service"!  We've recently taken advantage of this since I decided to pack up our kitchen...perhaps prematurely.  Not to mention, it's not always easy to find two free hands for cooking with two little ones.

Enter Denise.

Her food is so delicious.  Truly.  Take a look if you're ever looking for homemade meals on the nights you just don't feel like cooking (or for any other service she offers!).

I think we are going to get used to this!!!!!!

www.deniseiscooking.com

 

Happenings...

Although yesterday was pretty low-key, today was quite the opposite.  It was a fun day with some unexpected, happy elements included!  For one, I made an impromptu visit to my old bosses, Jim & Ash and how wonderful it was to see them!  Although we keep in touch often, it was so nice to visit in person and catch up like old times.  Well, not exactly.  We were interrupted by a lot of visitors once they noticed me back in the cubes and of course, I can't complain about that!  I love the people I worked with!  Especially my "Neighbs" - Andrew & Barry!

Then a quick trip to 57th to finalize some custom baby gates.  All the awhile, little Warner tagged along with me and of course, was perfectly behaved.

My mom was sweet enough to watch Avery all morning so I could run my errands.  The moment Avery saw her she lit up and was ready to dance! Good thing my mom is full of energy because Avery uses every ounce of it.  I came home and she was in the best mood!  After all, she got to spend the morning with Gramzie :)

 

And another exciting surprise for the day?!  Tahlia came to visit!  She's had a work conference in town and kindly spent her free afternoon with us!  I loved having a moment to catch up with her - she always has interesting stories to tell.  Naturally, I was at the edge of my seat for all of them.  I swear, she could make a story about a snail sound riveting!  Warner enjoyed having Tahlia around so much that he decided to forgo his afternoon nap.  He apparently loved her stories as much as I did!

Some other happenings this week...

"My lack of bottles has made me one very hungry girl.  I ate 3.5 jars in one sitting!"

"Love this guy - come in for the real thing!"

Sitting up.  At least long enough for me to take this picture!