Making room for change...

Without further ado, we want to share our news - the White household is growing! And when I say "growing" I am referring to the number of people in our family, and yes, my waistline. We are thrilled to announce that we are expecting baby #2 around the 1st of August. Yes, that's right, Miss Avery is going to be a big sister!

As for the pregnancy, the experience has been a little bit different this time around (a lot more nausea and tiredness - I felt like a rockstar with Avery) but for the most part I have felt good.

As far as the emotional reaction, I have to be honest, after the initial jumping for joy, the fear crept in a bit. There was a moment when Jeff and I were both wrangling Avery to bed one Friday night that we looked at each other in horror - we are going to have ANOTHER one on top of THIS! But, those moments are far a few between.

We were thrilled to discover this awesome news and cant wait to make room in our lives (and our house) for a new little member of our family. We can't wait to discover how another little person will add to the dynamic of our family and enrich our lives (and the lives of others too!)

Here is Avery practicing taking care of her baby... hugs!:

Always more hugs to go around:

I can't wait to see Avery love on and take care of her new little brother or sister.

I've always been a bit resistant to change, but sometimes you just must embrace it - especially when it comes in the shape of a new little miracle on the way!

So... hello, change! Remember that list I posted a couple weeks ago about the things that I wanted to accomplish in the New Year? Yeah, let's just say I've already added to it.

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Avery is quite the singer. In the below video she is not only showing off her artsy side (ok, she's just moving crayons around, but off-camera she did actually put them to good use) but also her musical stylings. She has been really into birthdays lately, and at night she makes us read the book "Happy Birthday, Monster." Along with her friend Logan's birthday party a couple weekends ago and her friend Jaiden's birthday at school she has really fallen in love with the whole concept. Cake, presents, singing - who doesn't love a good birthday celebration?!

Here she is singing her Nana "Happy Birthday" (Nana turned the big 6-0 this past week, just in time for Avery to put her birthday singing to good use!)

Baby Bryn is here!

Baby Alexander is here, and after months of hiding the secret of this sweet little one's name-to-be, Chad and Adrienne have welcomed beautiful Bryn McCants Alexander to the world. A healthy and beautiful baby girl! We couldn't be more happy for two of our best friends!

Bryn, you will will be loved and doted on every day of your life. Not only are you destined to be a fashionista, but you are sure to be a gal with a big heart and bright mind. You are so lucky to have two of the most incredible people as your parents. We can't wait to snuggle you soon!

Bryn McCants Alexander

Born January 19, 2011

6 lbs. 9 oz. 19 1/2"

Proud Mama!

Congratulations to our dear friends - may you savor each and every moment as you embark on this new journey.

Ring Around the Rosie

One video didn't do it justice, so we are giving you two. Avery summons us to play "Ring Around the Rosie" constantly. If the request didn't sound so ridiculously adorable coming out of her sweet little mouth, we might just say "no, thanks" from time to time. However, we can't help but indulge the child every time! Thankfully, she's gotten pretty good at playing it by herself now, too. But she likes to combine the two middle lines of the song for a "remix" of the original.

Enjoy.

(Oh, and please excuse my singing voice - it is definitely not as adorable as Avery's).

Happy (thoughts for a) New Year!

Ahh, who doesn't love a New Year and a fresh start! Though I'm a couple (ok, more than a couple!) days late, what can I say? Sometimes you just need a couple extra days to wrap your head around things. I can speak for the White household when I say we are VERY excited about the New Year and all of the great things it has to offer!

We don't have any "official" New Year's Resolutions (As Jeff says "New Year's Resolutions are for people that weren't awesome the year before" - don't know where he got that one from!) but I do have some "goals."

I figured if I put my goals in writing they were (slightly) more likely to happen. So, here goes:

1.) Fresh paint throughout house. It's in need of a refresher.

2.) Potentially putting house up on market to "test the waters" per se. (I will not get hopes up, I will not get hopes up!)

3.) I have made a decision not to continue the down-to-the day monthly updates on Avery's development. Her 18th month was my last "official" monthly update. Of course, this blog will still read as the White Family storybook. Trust me, you will all still get lots of Avery updates. She is our main source of entertainment, after all. Milestones and new developments will NOT go unnoticed. :)

4.) New couch. New rug. I'm updating this house. If we do choose to remain here for a while, then we're springing for some updates!

5.) Get on consistent exercise regimen. It happens, but it's very sporadic. I've gotta get on a routine!

6.) Jeff and I vow to see more live music concerts this year. And not just NKOTB/Backstreet Boys (anyone wanna go?) - like, real rock n' roll concerts. Yippee.

7.) Take graphic design course at local college. I've always wanted to do it, and never have. I may never do it. But it's good to put on this list. I need to challenge myself creatively.

8.) Buy new digital SLR camera and gets Jeff trained to use it. We both love photography and really have never put that passion to good use. It's a good side project and hobby. We will put our creative sides to good use this year! (And not just in making leftovers exciting the next day).

9.) Because many of the above goals mean spending $$$, we need to find some new ways to SAVE money. We are fairly thrifty (we HATE spending money), but I know we can cut some corners that we haven't in the past. We'll see how that goes. Instead I may just ponder the ways to MAKE more money so that I can earn the new "things" I want.

10.) This one is the most important one to me, and sometimes the VERY hardest. I want to find time to pray daily for the people I care most about - to actually make it a habit that sticks! Last year was a tough year for many of my friends and family members. People experiencing deaths in the family, sickness, unexpected pain and loss... and at times I felt helpless and didn't know how I could help. But in thinking about it, so many of these things (ALL of these things) are totally out of my/our control. The only thing I do have in my power to do is pray. So, with that said, I will pray. Every day. For the people I love and the things we do not have the power to control.

Some goals are fairly shallow, some are deep.

Some will happen, some will not.

But there they are, laid out in writing.

Heres to a New Year...

Cheers!

Pass the snowcone!

We got snow, oh yes we did. And Avery thought it was so yummy.

(Psst! Order this kid a Snoopy Sno-cone maker for next Christmas!)

Christmas at the White House, 2010 - part 2

Just a couple things we love about Christmas:

- Starting our own White Family Traditions

- Rememering and Celebrating the Reason for the Season

- Yummy food (we love milk & cookies)

- Dressing up in fancy clothes for Christmas Eve church service

- Sharing the joy of Christmas with one another

- Ransacking the house (Avery)

- Football, football, more football and fantasy football (Jeff)

- Downing scary amounts of Cinnamon Pear spiced Cider (Kate)

Christmas Eve meal tradition:

Cheese fondue with grilled chicken, fresh fruit, veggies & french bread:

Avery looking dapper in her "fancy" clothes for church:

And then ransacking the house:

And stomping on gifts:

A quiet moment, finally:

And she's tuckered out and ready to close her eyes (with visions of sugar-plum fairies...):

But before we do, let's help Mommy leave cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer!:

"YES, I swiped a cookie before anyone could catch me!"

Caught in the act:

Reading Avery's FAVORITE book "The Mitten" before bed, followed by "The Story of Christmas":

Christmas morning!

"OH.MY.GOODNESS. This is awesome!"

She immediately wanted "cackers" from the empty play boxes I put in the cart. FAIL.

And then was on to demanding Olivia & Mickey Mouse on TV:

I LOVE my new chair from Grandpa and Beggie!:

The only way to tear her away from Olivia and Mickey Mouse? FOOD!

The breakfast spread of fruit, eggs & bacon and a stack of blueberries pancakes:

"Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

Avery's special Mickey Mouse pancake:

All smiles!

"Can we do this every day?":

Big girl cup!:

"Now, on to those gifts you were talking about...":

Having fun with her new pots and pans:

And her new baby we named "Grace":

"Gracie is the best baby. We love going to walks together! I always check in on her to make sure she isn't hungry and to give her her blankie":

Oh, the joy of Christmas through a toddler eyes. And hearing her exclaim "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus" was absolutely beautiful! She is such an angel and makes us appreciate one another in a whole new and exciting way.

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! We are so blessed with this gift and the gift of family this holiday season.

(ps: if you missed some of our holiday pics, make sure you visit "part 1")