Little Miss Avalon

There is one thing that my children learn quickly--to pose for pictures. Avalon was only five-days-old when I tried to have her first photo session. Although she sleeps A LOT, apparently the flash makes her angry and wakes her up. That is a lesson for mommy.

Christmas 2007

We came home from the hospital with Avalon on December 23rd so Christmas was a bit of a blur this year. Unfortunately, I was so busy laughing at Waylon's reactions to his gifts that I forgot to take many photos. There were so many gifts and Waylon was having so much fun with everything that we stopped the gift opening early and have been spreading it out with a gift or two each day. After a three days, Waylon has finally grasped that all of the wrapped gifts under the tree have toys for him. He has definitely embraced the commercial spirit of Christmas.

Overall, Christmas was a nice day with my mom (Nana Patty), her husband (Tom), and Aaron's parents (Grandma Josephine & Grandpa Ed). Aaron and I spent a lot of time being grateful for everything we have this holiday, especially two healthy babies.

Waylon and Aaron pose on their way out to attend Christmas Eve services. At three days old, Avalon was not quite ready to attend this year.

Waylon loved his new tricycle from Nana Patty, and worked hard to get Grandpa Ed, Tom, and Aaron to push him around the backyard Christmas morning.

Grandma Josephine held Avalon while Grandpa Ed and everyone else "helped" Waylon with gifts.

I knew he would love the tricycle, but I was shocked that Waylon loved the accompanying helmet so much. He didn't want to take it off.

Modeling the latest in toddler chic.

Waylon also loved his first remote control car from Grandpa Ed. He figured out how to make it go, but then he got some extra exercise by chasing the car around as he made it drive around.

Grandma Josephine enjoys some "girly" time with her grandaughter.

Christmas continued on the 26th when Waylon got some boxes in the mail, including one filled with styrofoam peanuts. Aaron and I made a HUGE parenting mistake by allowing him to play with the "snow." Lets just say that the clean up has been a several day process.

SNOW!!!! Good thing Waylon got a caterpillar truck from Aunt Evelyn to help him clean up the mess.

Waylon comes at me with a "snowball"

Avalon Eleanor Davis Has Arrived!!!

Avalon Eleanor Davis arrived on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 18 inches long. We named her Avalon because we got married in the town of Avalon on Catalina Island, and we really love spending time in Catalina. Eleanor was my paternal grandmother's name, and she was a huge part of my life growing up.

Avalon is now five-days-old and so far she is very easy baby. She sleeps all of the time, and when she is not sleeping (like now) she will chill wherever we place her and just takes it all in. We have had a few late-night freak out, crying sessions (by Avalon, not her parents), but Aaron has taken those shifts so that I can get some sleep. Our biggest challenge is keeping her awake long enough to finish eating. She is so small that I am feeding her every 3 hours around the clock, which means I dont get more than 2 hours of sleep at a time since she falls asleep and it takes me 45 minutes just to get her to finish one feeding session. This has been tough, but I think once she has a little weight on her bones we can extend feedings and things will be much better.

To see some more pictures, check out my mom's blog: http://www.mcmorrow07.blogspot.com/

Avalon when she was three-days-old, much smaller than Waylon, especially her petite head. We were also surprised to have a baby with hair since Waylon was bald until just a few months ago.
The happy family just after the VERY quick delivery. I was induced for medical reasons and they had difficulty breaking the bag so they decided to start the pitocin (the medicine to induce labor) instead. Well, the doctor had broken the bag, which we figured out 30 minutes later so everything started going very quickly. I waited awhile to request an epidural because I wanted to feel real contractions. Lets just say I regretted that decision! I was in so much pain for 20 minutes while I waited for the doctor to administer the "happy drugs." I have no idea how women do natural child birth. I will never forget how awful it was--it seemed like the contractions were waves crashing one on top of the other. Aaron told me later that it took every ounce of his self control not to remind me that I wanted to "feel" the contractions. I would have killed him!

Once I had the epidural things were good, and obviously went fast. I told a nurse that I was having some back discomfort and they checked the baby and realized I was ready to go! They called in the doctor, who had to run to get there. Dr. Hashad didn't even scrub in and the room was not prepared for a delivery, but Avalon came anyway. With Waylon I was in labor for 19 hours and pushed for 1 hour, 45 minutes. Apparently he "paved" the way because the entire labor for Avalon lasted 4.5 hours and I didn't even give a full push when she arrived. What a difference!

BEFORE PICTURES

Here is my last belly shot, taken on Monday before having Avalon on Friday. I never looked huge, but I sure felt uncomfortable. Its mother natures way of getting us ready for birth. Eventually you are so uncomfortable you dont care how scary it is to have a baby, you just want it out!
Here I am after the epidural. Note the huge smile.

AVALON ARRIVED
The obligatory scale shot.

Our pink little baby girl

My mom, Nana Patty, shows off her second grandchild

Mommy cant believe how fast things happened, and is still in shock in this picture

Later at night, daddy cuddles with his little girl. It was adorable because he kept singing lines from Jimmy Buffet's son, "little Miss Magic" to her.

WAYLON IS A BIG BROTHER

Waylon came to the hospital to meet Avalon. He was having a tough day, thus the pacifier. He did fine with the baby, but found her "its a girl" balloon much more interesting.

Waylon kisses his baby sister.

MORE PICTURES

This gives you an idea how small she is. The crazy thing is how big Waylon now seems.

Avalon doesn't look much like Waylon, except when she is crying. The first time we saw this face Aaron and I both started laughing at how similar they look.

Leaving the hospital we look much calmer than we did in the same situation 22 months before.

BACK AT HOME

Back at home, Waylon thinks its funny to watch daddy freak out when he steals his sister's hat.

Very proud of his hat stealing abilities

With baby #2 you learn that you cannot give 100% of attention to her. Here she is our first night home chilling on the counter in the middle of the kitchen while we tried to get Waylon and ourselves fed. Please dont turn us in to social services.

STANDING BY FOR BABY #2

Season's greetings from Childrens Hospital Orange County Mission Viejo, second floor.
Anna and I are now at the hospital. Anna is resting somewhat comfortably and watching "Pride and Predjudice" (BBC Version) for probably the 1,000th time in her life. it is her favorite diversion while bed ridden.
We have tried to explain to Waylon what is about to happen, but like us, I think he is in denial that he will no longer be the only show in town. This morning, Anna and I both were overcome with guilt that he won't be the only apple of our eye after today. He is such a terrific baby and I am sure will be a great big brother, eventually.
we will do our best to keep the blog updated with any news.
peace,
Aaron

Holiday Fun

We've spent the month of December getting ready for baby #2, but also trying to keep our exceedingly "toddleresque" son entertained. In the beginning of the month I volunteered as an elf with the San Clemente Junior Women's Club to help kids take pictures with Santa. Aaron and Waylon came for a visit, but it turned into a family picture with Santa because Waylon freaked out when Aaron tried to put him on Santa's lap. Two weeks later we tried another Santa photo at the Talega Winter Carnival, but this time Waylon had an even bigger melt down. Waylon is lucky that it was daddy that was holding him both times because mean ol' mommy would've just plunked his crying, screaming little self into Santa's lap for the photo op.

Waylon and daddy wait in line for Santa just fine...but getting him onto the jolly guys lap was not gonna happen.
Mommy "the elf", Santa, Daddy, and Waylon is the one trying to climb up the wall to get away.

Waylon and Mommy pose with Kim and Sydney Larson, who were also elf volunteers.

You need to expand this picture to appreciate Waylon's horror at the idea of being near Santa. Priceless.

Waylon was much more into cookie decorating with his buddy, Rachel, at the Talega Carnival.

Its My Potty and I'll Cry if I Want To...

Waylon is probably a very long way off from being fully potty trained, but he is still having a lot of fun with his new singing potty that Grandma Patty got him.

First, Aaron had to get on the potty to show Waylon how its done.
Once Waylon sat on the toilet he didn't want to get off. I think he liked the singing and attention. Every time he stood up, Aaron came towards him with his diaper to put back on and Waylon sat back down again.

Waylon was very excited about his potty and wanted to share the excitement with everyone.

Nesting

When most people think of "nesting" before a baby comes, they probably mean washing clothes and installing car seats. However, for Aaron and I it means remodeling. The month before Waylon was born we did tons of upgrades to our old house, and this time around we decided to remodel the kitchen.

BEFORE

DURING
AFTER

We still have a few things left to do, but they were able to get the "big" stuff done before the baby was born. Note the Christmas cards on the pantry door. Keep 'em coming--its my favorite part about Christmas!

Inflatable Joy

Although we are total sell outs and have a fake Christmas tree, we still visited the local tree farm so that Waylon could be entertained by all of the inflatable toys. At first he was a little cautious, but we were shocked when he was soon attacking the inflatable obstacle course with gusto. Although Aaron stayed close behind, Waylon proved he didn't need any help--except crawling up onto the crazy thing. As you can imagine, he slept like a log for nap time that day.

At first daddy had to carry Waylon up the obstacle course
Weeeeeeee!!!! sliding down with daddy

It wasn't long before he was showing off his muscles and climbing the ladder totally solo.

And even more fun, coming down all by himself!

Waylon was befriended by an older boy, who was adorable "helping" Waylon all around the obstacle course.