I have been lucky enough to work for an amazing company that has a wonderful maternity policy. Normally I would have been getting ready to head back to work after the holidays, however with my 5.5 month leave I am able to enjoy another two months with my babies! Avery is also truly enjoying her time with Mama and with Gavin starting to become less of a newborn and stretch his sleep and eating longer I feel better about leaving and doing activities with Avery.
Candid shot after three month photos for Gavin
Every week I take Avery to her LEAP class at the zoo. We meet Emma and her mom there and enjoy different themes each week. We started in the Gorilla house, also fun to watch them run around every morning.
With Rachel and I both home every day Avery also got to go to Gymboree weekly which is certainly a life saver in the winter. We get a bit stir crazy day after day in the house and getting out for an activity is always welcomed.
Sous Chef Avery is what we should refer to her as in the kitchen. This winter we discovered Avery's love for baking and cooking. She get's up on her stand and LOVES helping Mama cook and bake. We have made lots of muffins and banana breads this year and she enjoys not only making them but eating them!
We've been slowly taking more adventures as a family of four. We meet our friends the Gottliebs out for dinner at Santa Monica Summer House. Jake and Avery shared chicken fingers, fries and Mickey on the ipad! Gavin was great that night as well letting us actually eat dinner while he played in his car seat.
It's been a mild weather winter, warm enough to have Gavin in the carrier and go for quick walks to starbucks or with Brisco around the block.
February 7th was a big day! Avery's bed got a make-over. That morning she was playing in her crib and I stepped out of the room with Gavin for a minute... when we came back she was out of her crib, she had climbed out. In that moment I said that's it it's time to switch to the toddler rail for fear she would try it in the middle of the night or nap time and hurt herself. We were very clear that she was not allowed to get out of her bed and if she needed something she just had to yell for us. So far so good she has not left her room. She does from time to time get up and grab a book or stuffed animal but as long as she stays in her room i'm ok with it.
So excited for her new bed and big girl pillow
Snapchat fun
Gavin is doing so well with his tummy time! He loves playing with Brisco on his mat and the dog is so good with him allowing him to pull his hair and pet him.
A big treat for Avery came when we took her to Paw Patrol Live! We got tickets with the Slovicks and MJ and Avery had the best time at the show - she was so memorized by everything she didn't even want to go to the bathroom. Daddy also treated Avery to a new Chase stuffed animal.
Gavin and his future girlfriend Lydia - They are six months apart but somehow look the same size.
Daddy took a day off and we had Avery, Mommy, Daddy day together and went to the Shed for the morning. We got their right when it opened and had the best time walking around the aquarium. We did make the mistake of no stroller which lesson learned we wont be doing that again but still had so much fun.
Valentine's Day is here and I couldn't wait to get my little love bugs in a photo together. Never as easy as I hope it will be but still cute!
Gavin staring down a teddy bear
This mild winter allowed us a fun day at the Zoo with Auntie Brit and Hunter - again I forgot the stroller. But they were super cute minus some terrible two meltdowns from Avery.
