The A Team Week 16: Migrin Christmas

Avery & Asher with Grandma & Gramps

This week we all got back into our normal routine.  Eric and I went back to work and Asher and Avery went back to daycare, but even though the holidays were technically over we still had one final Christmas to celebrate...Migrin Christmas.

Migrin Christmas began on Friday night when Eric's parents arrived for the weekend, but before I can get to that I need to share a bit more about our week...

We were (mostly) over our colds, and everyone was on the mend.  On Monday night though as I was getting Avery ready for bed, I noticed a little bit of a pale redness on his skin.  I thought it was just that he was cold (& I couldn't see it real well because I was changing him in very dim lighting) and thought nothing of it.  The next day, I got a text from our daycare provider saying that Avery was in good spirits but had a rash all over his face, neck, arms and chest.  I remembered then that I had never looked that morning to see if the rash I'd seen before was still there.  Apparently it was, and it had gotten much worse.  Not sure what it was, I called his pediatrician the next day and they asked me to bring him in.  I already had an appointment for Asher in the morning at the dentist office though, so I had to schedule Avery's appointment for later in the day (making for a very hectic day off on one of the coldest days of the winter).  

Asher and I went to his dentist appointment, while Avery spent the morning at daycare.  I was so proud of Asher, he did so GREAT! He sat on my lap and allowed the dentist and assistant to count and check all of his teeth AND he let them brush his teeth with a toothbrush, floss and apply fluoride!  I wasn't sure how he would do at the appointment, but was pleasantly surprised to see what a big boy my little guy is becoming!  He did so great, that he got to pick out some stickers when he was done and he got a Mickey Mouse tattoo, which he was THRILLED about.  Anyway, after picking up Avery, we headed back home, applied the tattoo and enjoyed the rest of the morning and early naps, so that we could head to the pediatricians at one. Again, I loaded the kids up in the van and braved the painfully cold day to see what was up with Avery.  Thankfully the doctor wasn't really concerned and we never really found out what it was.  He thought it could be a virus, or it could be a reaction to the amoxicillin that Avery was on for his ear infection.  So we quit the meds and the rash cleared up...now we just have to see if he ever has reactions to antibiotics again.

Our poor little guy's rash :(

Asher showing off his awesome tat!

The rest of the work week was not nearly as crazy.  We had lots of good family time, including introducing Avery to The Tingler, making Avery laugh, and laughing at Asher as he "acted Trazy" (aka Crazy) and rode his horsey.  We also enjoyed Asher's continued vocabulary skills including new phrases such as, "Avery is a party (farty) pants," "Avery is a doofball (goofball)", and the use of "I like...", which ends in basically anything that he is looking at at the moment or a simple "I like that".  He also seems to be learning the difference between "I like" and "I love", as he will throw out "I like" for just about anything, but has saves "I love" for Mommy, Daddy, Emma, Avery, toys, presents and a few others!

2 Videos: The Tingler

Video: Baby Giggles

2 Videos: Asher's Pony Ride

Then, on Friday night (as I mentioned above), Eric's parents came to visit us for the weekend and celebrate a belated Christmas.  We had a quiet evening at home and enjoyed some Chinese take-out.  Then on Saturday, we woke up to presents under the tree for the third time in two weeks!  (Asher's going to start thinking that every time he goes to sleep he gets to wake up and open presents!)  We had a great time sharing our gifts with one another and then enjoyed a delicious breakfast with LOTS of bacon!  :)

Video: Morning Baby - Avery is such a little morning guy.  Here's what we typically see right off the bat.

Brothers!

More Duplos! You can NEVER have too many, right?

Asher's new dino buddy from Uncle Baby Robby!

Asher's "Song" - A child friendly mp3 player.

Gramps with 2/3 of his boys.

Eric showing Asher how to use the player ("Song" as Asher calls it)

Again, Eric showing Asher how to properly handle a Boom Box! :)

Got My Cheese Curds Boy?

Asher & Gramps sharing the cheese curds

Grandma with her new family tree.

Asher, Gramps & Grandma checking out the 2015 calendar

Gramps & Grandma checking out the Artwork for the Cottage laundry room, personalized by Asher, Emmett & Avery

Snuggles with Grandma

My happy guy...LOVES to stand!

We weren't sure if Asher was paying attention when Eric did this...apparently he was.

2 Videos: Asher Getting' Down & Asher with his Boom Box

When we were all done with breakfast and unwrapping presents, the big boys went outside to play in and on the snow fort that Eric built, while the rest of us stayed indoors.  When they had had enough of the cold, it was time for naps.  Avery wasn't quite ready for a nap though, so he got to try out his Jumperoo for the first time, while I rested on the couch.  Then, Grandma took pity on him and snuggled him up with her while she too took a little snooze (I'm sure it was rough for both of them!)

Video: Playing with Daddy

After Asher woke from his nap, we all got ready and then headed out for a fun night on the town.  First Stop: The Jelly Belly Warehouse.  We arrived just in time for the last tour of the day, got our Jelly Belly hats and road the "train" around the warehouse for the tour.  Then, we were led into the Jelly Belly store, where we spent a little while sampling several of their treats!  Yum!

Eric & Avery sporting their hats

Avery sat with us, while Asher sat up front with Grandma & Gramps

Asher enjoying the samples

Family photo!

Our second (& final stop): OTB!  Since Eric's parents no longer live in Livonia and near the family favorite On The Border Mexican Cantina, we headed down to Vernon Hills to enjoy it together again.  The Monterey Jack Chicken Fajitas truly are delicious!

Avery was hungry while we were there and not only took a bottle (something Asher would never do), but he even held it himself (mostly)!

Asher, excited about his chips!

Buddies!

 Finally, dinner was over and it was time to head home.  We enjoyed a good night of rest, followed by a relaxing morning and Cracker Barrel breakfast before Eric's parents headed back to Michigan.  It was a great end to the week and to our drawn-out Christmas!

Snuggle with Grandma (again)

Avery talking with Gramps

A family photo

Kisses for Gramps

One tired little guy...Grandma and Gramps are exhausting!  ;)

After we all got some good naps, we did enjoy a little more play time before we had to go to bed and the next week began.  In the evening, when Asher had wanted to take pictures with our camera, Eric obliged and gave him the remote he got for Christmas.  The results are pretty funny!

Asher, taking pictures of himself...

Licensed to drive?

Ahhhhhhhh!!

Eventually, it was time for bed, so we got the kiddos snuggled up in their new jammies from Grandma and Gramps and tried to get a picture...Avery wasn't having it!

Finally, since this is my last post relating to Christmas of 2014, I will share a few pictures of the boy's new ornaments for their collections:

Asher's 2014 ornament from Eric & I: A fire station, since this year Eric had fire station connections and was able to get Asher and several friends inside tours!

Avery's 2014 ornament from Eric & I: A Winnie the Pooh Baby's First Christmas...the first of many ornaments to come!