The kids had Valentines pictures taken a couple weeks ago. Here are some of my favorites!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Back To Normal
The start of 2012 has brought some normalcy back to the Musselman family. Avery and Logan started their new school, Luke and I started back to work (and travel for Luke) and we have all started battling the inevitable sicknesses that come with daycare and my job going in and out of doctor's offices all day long. Although things are crazy as ever, it's nice to know what to expect on a day to day basis.
Many of you know about our nightmare with the kids last daycare. I appreciate everyone's kind words, calls, e-mails and support. I am still a bit nervous every time I drop the kids off at school, but I know the new school is amazing and I feel so much more secure with the teachers and director. Fortunately, the drop offs haven't been too bad for the kids. Avery usually runs into her classroom and immediately joins whatever activity is going on. She constantly talks about her "jobs" at her new school and everything she learns. Sadly, Logan is another story. He usually cries when I drop him off. It breaks my heart, but I continuously remind myself that he will quickly grow out of this phase.
As I write this post, the kids are soundly sleeping, Luke is working in Minneapolis and I am sitting in my bed eating ice cream and watching Whitney Houston's funeral. Kevin Costner's speech, WOW. I know, it's sad I don't have anything better to do.
Today, I spent most of the day at the doctor and hospital with Logan. Poor kid just can't seem to get healthy. Thankfully, my friend Rachel didn't hesitate when I called to ask if I could drop Avery off. The highlight of my day was when Logan peed in the potty. Sadly, Avery still refuses. It's driving me insane! Moms out there, I'm open to any tips. At this point, I'm willing to pay someone to potty train my child.
Since my scrapbooks are over a year behind and this is the only place I write down Avery and Logan's milestones, I must note a few of them. In late January, Logan had his first dentist appointment. Logan was amazing for the dentist. Seriously, he opened his mouth for the dentist and kept it open for the entire exam. The only time Logan fussed was at the very end when he wanted to brush his own teeth, but couldn't because of the fluoride. Avery recently had her first haircut. Although Avery has very little hair and I planned on waiting until she was 10 or 20 to get her first haircut, I couldn't handle the mullet anymore. Finally, Logan gave up his pacifier on February 9. Such a happy day for the Musselman's.
As I write this post, the kids are soundly sleeping, Luke is working in Minneapolis and I am sitting in my bed eating ice cream and watching Whitney Houston's funeral. Kevin Costner's speech, WOW. I know, it's sad I don't have anything better to do.
Today, I spent most of the day at the doctor and hospital with Logan. Poor kid just can't seem to get healthy. Thankfully, my friend Rachel didn't hesitate when I called to ask if I could drop Avery off. The highlight of my day was when Logan peed in the potty. Sadly, Avery still refuses. It's driving me insane! Moms out there, I'm open to any tips. At this point, I'm willing to pay someone to potty train my child.
Since my scrapbooks are over a year behind and this is the only place I write down Avery and Logan's milestones, I must note a few of them. In late January, Logan had his first dentist appointment. Logan was amazing for the dentist. Seriously, he opened his mouth for the dentist and kept it open for the entire exam. The only time Logan fussed was at the very end when he wanted to brush his own teeth, but couldn't because of the fluoride. Avery recently had her first haircut. Although Avery has very little hair and I planned on waiting until she was 10 or 20 to get her first haircut, I couldn't handle the mullet anymore. Finally, Logan gave up his pacifier on February 9. Such a happy day for the Musselman's.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Love and Loss
"Sorrow comes in great waves...but it rolls over us, and though it may almost smother us, it passes and we remain." - Henry James
On January 31, the world lost an incredible man, husband, father, friend, grandpa and great-grandpa. Newton Lawrence Chamberlain III touched the lives of everyone he met. His commanding presence made you want to listen when he spoke. While Grandpa Newt had firm beliefs and opinions, he never made anyone feel wrong if their opinions didn't align with his.
From the moment I met Grandpa Newt, he treated me like family. He didn't love talking on the phone, but made it a point to check in on me and the kids every week or so. In fact, I still have a voicemail on my phone that I like to listen to just to hear his voice.
When Luke and I found out I was pregnant, Luke insisted that we name any future boys after his grandfather. After Logan was born, we called Grandpa Newt to tell him the good news, his new great grandchild was a boy and we named him Logan Newton. Grandpa Newt was honored and proud. I just hope Logan someday realizes the significance his name carries.
Grandpa Newt loved history, Paris, The University of Michigan, black and white movies, martinis and family. He used to say that Paris is the greatest city in the world. At different times, he and grandma Marilyn took all of the grandchildren to Paris. He joked that his last trip would be taking the great grandchildren there. I hope Luke and I can take Avery and Logan there one day so that we can all experience Grandpa Newt's favorite city together.
Since the Chamberlains spent most of the year in Michigan, Grandpa Newt was an avid University of Michigan fan. He often harassed Luke and me by telling us that Avery and Logan needed to attend a real college like The University of Michigan.
At Christmastime, Grandpa Newt sent me the movie, Casablanca. He wanted me to see one of his favorite movies. Luke and I finally watched it the Saturday before he passed. For those of you who haven't seen Casablanca, it is a must see. After watching the movie, I told him that I was going to send a surprise of one of my favorite movies. I never had a chance to send it, but I planned on sending Legally Blonde. I'm sure he would have gotten a kick out of the ridiculousness of it.
In the short five years I have known Grandpa Newt, he has touched my life more than I could imagine. His passing leaves a void that no one can quite fill. Sadly, I have never had much faith in the idea of heaven, but I sure hope it is real so that I can see grandpa Newt and give him a big hug again someday. I love you and miss you already.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss
On January 31, the world lost an incredible man, husband, father, friend, grandpa and great-grandpa. Newton Lawrence Chamberlain III touched the lives of everyone he met. His commanding presence made you want to listen when he spoke. While Grandpa Newt had firm beliefs and opinions, he never made anyone feel wrong if their opinions didn't align with his.
From the moment I met Grandpa Newt, he treated me like family. He didn't love talking on the phone, but made it a point to check in on me and the kids every week or so. In fact, I still have a voicemail on my phone that I like to listen to just to hear his voice.
When Luke and I found out I was pregnant, Luke insisted that we name any future boys after his grandfather. After Logan was born, we called Grandpa Newt to tell him the good news, his new great grandchild was a boy and we named him Logan Newton. Grandpa Newt was honored and proud. I just hope Logan someday realizes the significance his name carries.
Grandpa Newt loved history, Paris, The University of Michigan, black and white movies, martinis and family. He used to say that Paris is the greatest city in the world. At different times, he and grandma Marilyn took all of the grandchildren to Paris. He joked that his last trip would be taking the great grandchildren there. I hope Luke and I can take Avery and Logan there one day so that we can all experience Grandpa Newt's favorite city together.
Since the Chamberlains spent most of the year in Michigan, Grandpa Newt was an avid University of Michigan fan. He often harassed Luke and me by telling us that Avery and Logan needed to attend a real college like The University of Michigan.
At Christmastime, Grandpa Newt sent me the movie, Casablanca. He wanted me to see one of his favorite movies. Luke and I finally watched it the Saturday before he passed. For those of you who haven't seen Casablanca, it is a must see. After watching the movie, I told him that I was going to send a surprise of one of my favorite movies. I never had a chance to send it, but I planned on sending Legally Blonde. I'm sure he would have gotten a kick out of the ridiculousness of it.
In the short five years I have known Grandpa Newt, he has touched my life more than I could imagine. His passing leaves a void that no one can quite fill. Sadly, I have never had much faith in the idea of heaven, but I sure hope it is real so that I can see grandpa Newt and give him a big hug again someday. I love you and miss you already.
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thirty
For the next month, Avery and I are the same age. The only difference is a minor multiplier of twelve. Details, right? Avery is now thirty months or two and a half years old.
If I had to choose one word to describe the difference between Avery at two and two and a half, it would be, MORE. Avery talks MORE, she has MORE hair (YEAH!), her tantrums and mood swings are MORE frequent and MORE dramatic, her hugs are MORE powerful and her imagination is MORE vivid. I'm sure everyone can guess the attributes I appreciate most and least, right?
As many of you who have spent even five minutes with Avery know, she talks A LOT. Honestly, I knew she talked more than the average two year old, but I didn't realize how much more until recently. Avery and Logan just started at a new daycare and when I picked Avery up from her first day, I was stopped four times by people saying, "Avery talks really well for her age." I even had two people tell me that she "tells a lot of stories." I think we might be in trouble.
Tantrums. Let me just say, I could definitely live without them. I think all two year olds have slight split personalities and Avery is no exception. She is either the sweetest girl on earth or not. She is quick to say sorry and give hugs if you get hurt or happen to be sad, but often loses her mind when she doesn't get her way.
Avery recently developed the "mommy" gene. It is so sweet. She has a Cabbage Patch Kid baby doll that is her baby. This baby is a girl, and Avery recently changed her name from "baby" to "Logan." Of course this isn't confusing at all when she asks, "Where's Logan?" Avery likes to rock her baby, feed her, read to her and even give her the occasional time out. You see, Avery's Logan seems to have a biting problem. :-) Often, when Avery carries her baby around, she insists that I carry my baby as well. I just love that Avery has become more of a nurturer these days.
Two and a half is fun. I just wish it included potty training for Avery. Dear lord, this is our biggest battle. Miss Avery has NO interest. She will sit there and say, "I'm pooping", but refuse to sit on the potty. I have tried to take her diaper away and just put her in panties three times. She not only refuses to sit on the potty, but will also pee or poop all over herself acts like nothing happened. It drives me crazy, but I think I have almost convinced myself that she won't go to Kindergarten in a diaper.
Well, potty training battles aside, my girl is pretty amazing. At two and a half some of Avery's favorite things are riding her bike, pretending to be a shark or a lion, playing with friends, going to gymnastics, Logan, her cat (Scout) and mommy. She surprises me each and every day with the new things she learns. I can't wait to see what the next six months have to offer, but for now, I will just enjoy my sweet two and a half year old.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Goodbye, 2011!
Well, there goes 2011 and what a year it was! Logan is now one and Avery is, well, almost a teenager. This was a year of many firsts; fist big family vacation (Aruba), I finished my first year at a new job (Ashley says I travel too much), and it's our first complete year as a family of four. It's been crazy and a lot of work, but well worth it and so much fun.
One year ago, Logan just laid there not doing too much and now he walks all over the house, "talks" and insists on using silverware when he eats. He has gone from a helpless baby to an active and opinionated toddler.
Avery has really expanded on her singing career with her favorite songs being "Baby"- Justin Bieber, "Someone Like You"- Adele, and "Party in the USA"-Miley Cyrus. I doubt Simon Cowell would put her through to Hollywood but he would probably let her down easy.
Ashley is becoming quite the photographer and movie editor thanks to her laptop and extreme patience. For those of you who haven't seen Logan's one year video, email Ashley and she will send you the youtube link. I feel like I do a decent job with pictures but that's probably because I use intstagram on my iPhone.
Looking back there were definitely some great times, but then again there were some not so fun times. As many people who have kids who are two or older, this is the time where they develop some strong opinions. Let's just put it this way... if Avery was a model, she would be Naomi Campbell; cell phone and all. She is not always like this, but it has been known to happen. Logan on the other hand is still "mommy's little man". However, you can really tell the difference between him and Avery at one. He likes to roughhouse a lot more but is still a mama's boy at heart.
All in all, it's been a great year for us. We are really looking forward to 2012 and all of the adventures that come with it.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas
As another Christmas approaches, the Musselman family would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends, plenty of good food and a possible visit from Santa. Who knows, maybe we will even witness a Christmas miracle of a White Christmas tomorrow!
Love,
Luke, Ashley, Avery & Logan Musselman
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