7 Months Old

I might be a few weeks late... But my big boy is 7 months old! Well actually he is 7 and a half months old! He is pushing 22lbs, and officially crawling. As you can see from the picture below Avery is the Happiest baby alive! 

Tis better to give than too Receive

As the Christmas season was approaching this year it was very important to Ryan and I to teach Reece and Avery the true meaning of Christmas... Which is selfless giving! Reece was able to collect toys and gifts from several of our friends and family for her teacher, whose husband passed away right before Thanksgiving. She is now a single mom of 3 small children. It was so amazing to see how excited Reece was to show love (and presents) with Mrs. Karess! We hope to be able to instill this value in both of children. 

Calm before the storm

This weekend was a very calm and slow paced weekend. We did however go to a funeral for a 19 year old young man that Ryan used to teach as a youth pastor. The funeral was more of a celebration of life and Jesus, than what I had prepared myself for. It forced us to remember how fragile life really can be. Also, on Friday I found out that Reece's favorite teacher had found her husband dead in their bed. She is now a single-widowed mother of 3 very young kids. My heart breaks for both of these families! Life really can be taken away in a second! I pray that I will continue to live life with an open hand, and not let these tragedies close my fist around my loved ones... And prompt God to take someone or something away!!! 

On a lighter note--- it is just a few days away from thanksgiving! We are so excited about going to Dallas to see my family for the holiday. Since we are not going to see Ryan's family this year... His mom, dad and Aunt Nan stopped by today for a little pre-thanksgiving visit! Aunt Nan got a lot of Avery snuggles with she helded him as they rocked together in the rocking chair. It was so much fun, and we are so thankful for everyone in both of our families!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving 

Avery is 6 Months Old

 

Our little man is already 6 Months Old. It makes me so sad that he is growing up so fast... I can report that he can official get where ever he needs to go by rolling there. Reece was always a big fan of rolling too. He can inch his was across a blanket if mommy doesn't let him roll. He has been sitting up for a while now, but he needs no assistance anymore. I think it might be because he has such a broad base to sit on. He is wear 12 month (almost 18 month) clothes. Avery really likes to reach for toys, and randomly scream at them for fun. He also thinks that his sister is totally funny!  But the most important thing is that he bring more and more JOY into our lives everyday!!!

Reece's First Haircut

As some of you may know I (Alisha) have been putting it off to get Reece's hair cut. It took SO SO long to her hair to grow, but the time had finally come to trim it up. This past weekend we went to Dallas because Ryan was in a wedding for his life long friend Jonathan. We had a great time at the wedding, and most of all Reece was able to play with her cousin Abby. As the weekend was coming to an end the time came to get my dad to give Reece her first haircut. Since I practically grew up in a hair solon because both of my parents were hair dressers... This was HUGE for me. I was so excited that my dad was the one to be able to give Reece her first haircut. This is another milestone for the baby book!!!

 

Happy Halloween

 

This year we had a Very busy Halloween. The kids started the day by wearing our Bumble Bee and Turkey outfits to daycare to dress up for their parties.

 

During the Halloween Party the bigger kids were able to go from class to class and "Trick 'or' Treat!"

 

Here is Reece with her sack that she decorated in order to collect all of her candy.

 

Here we have Avery with his favorite teacher Miss Ree. His shirt has a turkey on in that is saying "I'm stuffed!" ...and if you have help him lately then you know that statement id very true.

 

Everyone at Alisha's office decided that they would dress in Cowboy Attire.

 

 

Finally after a day at Daycare and work we came home and the kids changed into their Mickey and Minnie Mouse costumes. After we changed we headed over to let Reece "Trick or Treat" with her cousins.

 

This was the best picture we were able to get. All the kids were so excited to get candy that they didn't want to pose for a picture.

 

Here is Uncle Greg and new baby Jack. Jack is dressed up as his Daddy for Halloween. It was super funny!

 

The kids had so much fun going from house to house.

 

Finally we ended the night in our matching Halloween pajamas. These two are just the two cutest siblings ever.

 

PS- Reece loves sitting in her chair and holding her little brother.

Fall Festival

Tons of Family Fun

So, we have had a TON OF FAMILY FUN.  Over the past couple of months, we have done a horrible job of not posting.  Sorry to those of you who look to this for updates.  So, we have now gotten a chance to sit down, get everything lined out, and get this blog posted and up to date.  So without further adieu, here is our months in review.

We had a first for our little kiddos this year.  It was their first wedding to attend.  Katie and Greg got married!!!  Alisha was very excited for 2 reasons.  She got to see two people who love each other very much, make a commitment to love each other for the rest of their lives and to cherish every moment they spend with each other.  The second reason was because Lubbock came to town!  I know you are thinking, "Lubbock? The whole city? Not possible."  Or is it?  Well, if you have ever been to Lubbock, you would know that everyone knows everyone and that statement could possibly be true.  The Altman's are pretty much Lubbock.  It is even evident here in Houston.  Rabbit trail: me and Alisha went out one weekend and saw a guy with a Texas Tech hat.  We started a side conversation with him, and come to find out his ex girlfriend was friends with Alisha.  Like I said, if you meet anyone from Lubbock, there is going to be some connection to the Altman family.  Just one of the things I love about my in-law family.

Alisha, Ashley and Marlo

MiMi even came to town to celebrate the festivities.  Avery has changed so much since her last visit.  We can't wait until the next visit.  He will probably be a crawling little boy.  Just today as I write, 10/26/2013, we crawled about a foot.  He is growing SO FAST!!

MiMi and Avery

Nonni missed Avery so much, that she had to sneak a quick visit in to love on this little chunky monkey.

Nonni and Avery

Then, we had a special surprise visit from my grandmother.  She doesn't travel a whole lot, so every time that she comes to town, we make a concerted effort to go and see her.  My Uncle Al, whom we haven't gotten to see in a while too, was there with her.  It was a great time for Uncle Al to get to meet Avery, which is another A.C., just like him.  Uncle Al LOVED that.  Now there are 3 A.C.'s - Alan Cain, Alisha Cain and Avery Cain.

Mammaw and Avery

Diva!

Now there was another surprise for myself.  My ONLY FIRST COUSIN, Tommy, surprised me by opening the door to the condo they were all staying in.  I was SHOCKED!!  The last time I got to see him was last year around my birthday.  It was great catching up with him and seeing how much life has happened between the two of us.  Guess what?  He has a girlfriend!!  Her name is April, and she is a PERFECT fit in this family.  It was so good to see them, and Reece even warmed up to April and wouldn't leave her side.  That is a good sign Tommy!! WINK WINK! 

Tommy and Avery

We then took a trip down to the pool and then on to the beach.  It was Reece's first trip to the "ocean", and she was fine until the water started hitting her feet.  But, when she was in Poppa's arms, she was more adventurous and kept making him go further and further.  As long as she felt safe, she would go as far as he would take her.

I love water!!!

Higher Daddy!

I am not real sure about this whole 'Ocean' thing Daddy.

(Insert musical overture here) We are family!

Poppa, over there!

Not too far Poppa.

Then Sunday came and we got to see Joey and Aidan.  Reece loves her cousins and any chance she gets to see them, she will not leave their sides.  The boys loved the ocean as well, and were more of the dare devils out of the cousins.  But, it wasn't but a short time ago when they were in the same boat as Reece by not liking the waves.  However, this trip was a completely different story.  I had to keep yelling for Joey to stay close, because he was wanting to go as far as we would let him.  But, he was a good listener and followed directions to the "T".

We LOVE Cheetos!!

As my grandmother gets older, her family keeps growing.  This time she had her first picture with ALL of her great grandchildren.  Maybe the next picture, there will be another great grandchild, not from this side, but from the Gray side.  Tommy?  You listening to this?

Mammaw and all of her Great Grandchildren.
From right to left: Joey, Reece, Mammaw, Avery and Aidan

Then, I got to take a picture with my grandmother and my son.  Not real sure where my dad is, because we could have had a four generations picture.  Anyway, I really like this picture.  I don't get to see my grandmother too often, but when I do, I like to make sure I will always remember it.  We all love you Mammaw, and can't wait to see you again.

Mammaw, Grandson and Great Grandson
Ryan, Avery and Colleen Cain

Ears, Lungs & Eyes

Today we took Avery to the doctor because he has had a croup cough for a few weeks. The cough has been getting worse over the last week. We tried giving him two rounds of steroids, but it didn't give him relief. Today the doctor decided to take some different mode of treatment. She sent us home with a nebulizer for daily breathing treatments. We are really hoping this helps his little lungs. 

The next problem we were also having is we all have red eyes, but Avery was getting bright yellow eye boogers. So Dr Jill gave us eye drops to clear it up! 

Finally, while we were at the appointment getting everything looked at we discovered that Avery also has a severe ear infection in one ear. We got an antibiotic, and have already started the medicine. He is taking it like a champ!!! 

To recap... We have a breathing machine- eye drops- and an oral antibiotic. I am praying that our adorable little man is better in no time!!!