Gorgeous Weather

We are enjoying incredible weather.

 Spent some time at my parent's house. Avery's first visit.

 She is not a fan of grass ;)

She is SLOWLY warming up to her grandparents.

They are graciously waiting :)

1st Tooth Gone

Mason raced off the bus to share his exciting news. His tooth was loose. What he meant was, he had been wiggling his loose tooth all day at school and thought it was about to fall out. Well, he couldn't leave it alone and Owen eventually yanked it out while we were riding in the van. The tooth popped out and went flying. Fortunately, they found it on the floor of the van. Thankfully Mason was excited and not mad at Owen. He can't wait to tell his classmates on Monday!

1 Month Home

Avery's bath time experience has come a long way. She was terrified for the first 3 weeks. Now she only cries when someone else gets a turn in the bath tub ;) She loves her tub time. She doesn't yet move around in the tub much, but she recognizes the word splash and uses her hands to splash. She likes when water is being poured and tolerates it on her face.

Normally bath time is hectic b/c the boys also need turns. She still bathes alone for health reasons. Last night the boys squeezed in a little extra football playing time with EJ, so I took advantage of the quiet house and snapped some pics of Avery.

So many people ask me how it's going. My usual quick response is, "4 kids is a lot and it's crazy busy." I am exhausted by the end of the day. Honestly, the transition we are experiencing from an adoption perspective, has been relatively easy. I do not take this blessing for granted. I have been thanking God each day for how well things are going. She is doing really well and I know this is not always the case. All 5 of us are finding it easy to love her.
The biggest adjustment is the addition of another family member. It would likely be just as difficult, if not more, if I had given birth to a fourth. My time is split in 4 directions, more food, more laundry, more mess, more disputes to break up.
Thankfully it's getting easier the more I know Avery. It takes less brain cells to guess what she needs or wants or is going to do next. Plus her nap time is increasing a little each day and there are no tears either! Amazing!
Last night, when I peeked in on her sleeping, she truly looked relaxed. The smile she gives us in the morning when we get her up, is priceless. I need to remember to get a picture.
God has been gracious to us. I can't tell you how many times a day I think, she is the perfect fit. Praise Him!

The Little Ones

Their friendship is beginning to blossom. Their relationship has been the trickiest part of bringing Avery home. Avery did not like Ryan very much and I can only assume it was b/c she viewed him as competition with her momma time and because his love is very smothering and she wanted to do her own thing. She warmed up to Mason much faster.
Ryan has struggled b/c suddenly he wasn't the baby anymore. I was carrying someone else around and not at his beckon call.
They are only 16 months apart in age and the competition at times has been fierce. The gap is bigger as of now b/c of Avery's institutional delays, but she is doing her darnedest to catch up and keep up with him. He can be very helpful and sweet with her, but he can also be too rough and quick to get frustrated with her.
I don't know if it's timing or the fact that the older two are in school, but I am seeing a change in her tolerance of him. Things that bothered her before are no longer and she is now letting him hold her hand and hug her without resistance. Ryan is THRILLED and has noticed the change.
I am SO thankful for this as we will be spending LOTS of time together ;)
I must confess my days are a whole lot easier with the older 2 in school. I feel a little guilty about that, but I am grateful for the time and attention I can now offer Ryan and Avery.

4th and 1st Grades

They were both eager to get to school. I wonder how long that will last.

 Their idea, not mine.

 We ALL went to the bus stop. The walk home felt strange. 

The three of us had a good morning together.

 A big group this year. Two weren't even there this a.m.

Both had good days. The afternoon was wild. Gonna need a strategy for homework time.