Reid Family Adventures

2010-02-02T23:42:00.000-06:00

My favorite family picture of 2009.

Avery Is POTTY TRAINED (Well Sort-of)

2009-12-01T02:23:00.000-06:00

We did it!! I vowed to embark on this adventure by Thanksgiving and though I waited until the weekend before, at least I can say I stuck to my goal! Granny M took Quinn for 24 hours while Avery and I locked ourselves indoors with lots of thirst-creating foods and every kind of fun kid-drink on the market. Avery ran around half naked while we made pictures with glitter, colors, paints, chalk, made play-dough, watched her favorite shows and all kinds of fun stuff to entertain ourselves as we waited for potty opportunities. After a few no-so-fun-for-mom accidents, we figured it out and had almost total success for the next few days. A week and a half later, we are still going strong, but still in diapers for naps and nighttime. In short, it was a lot harder than I expected and I'm still left wondering how people profess to do "potty training in a day". They are be either lying/exaggerating or they are a lot smarter than I am because it took us about 3 days and we are still "training". And how much longer will I be living on this limited 2-minute margin for error? It makes shopping and car trips rather challenging.

She did it!!

Snacking in the basket

Marshmellows are the perfect reward

Full Moon

New York, Our Last Trip Before the Baby

2009-12-01T01:14:00.001-06:00

This is it. My last little get-a-way before I'm a beached pregnant whale. We headed up to New York with Roberto and Debra to see the opening of a little off-broadway play called Made In Heaven. It was just the perfect short get-a-way I needed. We ate, hung out with friends, made merry and spent a day in pampered oblivion at FACE and Fakkai on 5th Ave. I can't say exactly why, but it was the best trip I've ever taken to the City! Maybe it was the fun time with friends with out a kid curfew or that it was a nice escape with Bill after his brutal 6 weeks of trial and travel. For sure, having my husband all to myself for 2 full days was the biggest highlight. I didn't even do any shopping and it was still the best!

Halloween 2009

2009-12-01T00:53:00.000-06:00

The Washmons and The Reids were the Bedrock crew for Halloween this year. Surely that was obvious from the picture. I wish I had more pictures of all the cute costumes from the party, but I was glad to just have these two. It was a hectic day and I left my camera.

Poor Quinn is going to really hate me when he's older for making him a purple dinosaur. But I had no choice. We needed a Dino to complete the family. Too bad you can't see the cute spots and tail on his back. He was a hoot to watch in his costume. The funniest was that when Avery first saw him in costume, she kept tackling him and hugging him like he was one of her stuffed animals. She's such a nut.

And forget Quinn, can we talk about that hideous wig I'm wearing?!? I think I'll use it again next year and go as Lucille Ball.

Fall Pictures

2009-11-30T21:21:00.000-06:00

The Pumkin Patch

Hay ride at Sweet Berry Farms

My Little Man is Getting So Big!

2009-10-12T22:53:00.000-05:00

Look at that grin! I just downloaded this pic from my camera to my computer today and I couldn't believe this is my baby boy! Who is this kid? He looks so grown up.

The red car -- Avery's red car -- has recently led to many baby brawls, because Quinn loves riding/sitting in it while making car sounds. Avery doesn't like that because "That's Avery's, Mommy. No Quinn can ride it." Thankfully Aunt Wendy et. al. got Quinn his own green one for his birthday. I've been keeping it in the house because he wants to sit in it all day long tinkering with buttons, honking the horn, rolling the wheels, etc. I have to admit, this boy stuff is more fun than I thought. I love it.

It's another GIRL for the Reids!!!!

2009-10-12T22:52:00.009-05:00

I can't believe it's really a girl! I was so sure it was a boy that when the sonogram nurse said "it's a girl", I screamed!! I'm so excited!! I can't help but think this is the perfect mix for our family. My sweet little Quinn will stay my special little man and Avery will get to have a sister.

Hairs to a New Me...

2009-10-12T22:52:00.001-05:00

Shocked Bill on my 34th b-day with a new darker do. Don't ask what got into me, but I was itching for a little change, so here it is. I've been blond all my life and was always curious about going to the darker side, so I figured why not. Perhaps it might make me look a little more like my kids. :-) Feedback has been mixed lots of people love it and plenty of people beg me to go back to blond.

Update!

2009-08-12T13:39:00.000-05:00

It's been 8 months since my last post! Ugh! Where does all my time go?? I told myself I had to post at least something today to kick start my blog again. So here it is. An updated picture of the clan. We took this at the lake house last month and it's my favorite. My sweet husband and his clones!

Updates: Quinn is standing and almost walking and flirts with every girl he sees. Avery talks up a storm and thinks she rules the world. I've gone from blond to brunette in hopes of looking more like the rest of my family. And Bill, well, he's busy as ever and traveling like a mad man on a bunch of new cases.

We took the family and my sister's girls to NYC the week before last and we're headed to Cape Cod to see Bill's mom next week. Babies and airplanes...wow, a whole new frontier!

More to come hopefully soon.

The Great Debate

2009-01-03T14:46:00.000-06:00

Trying to identify any physical resemblance of Misty in either of the two kiddos has become a very common debate in the Reid house. Primarily because I've told Bill that a 3rd baby is out of the question because it's just going to be another spitting image of him. Don't get me wrong, like all mothers, I sincerely believe my kids are the most beautiful creatures on the planet!! It's just that my dream of having a little girl (or boy) who looks like me is never going to happen with my husband's dominating Sicilian genetics! I've recently come to terms with this reality, but Bill is still hoping that he hasn't lost his chances of having a family of 5. Every day he tries to convince me: "Look Quinn's eyes are going to be blue like yours, I think Quinn is looking more and more like you every day."

Meanwhile, everyone who is around my daughter has the same reaction: "my gosh she looks just like her father!!!" So, to put the case to rest I thought I'd compare Quinn at 3 months to Avery at his same age. If we all accept the base fact that Avery looks just like Bill, it should only stand to reason that if Avery and Quinn look alike, Quinn must look just like Bill also. ( Didn't we do something like this in geometry to prove the measurements of an isosceles triangle?).

So here goes. You be the judge. Is there any reason to continue the debate......

Quinn (above)
Avery (below)

Quinn at 3 Months

2009-01-03T14:08:00.000-06:00

Quinn is almost 3 months. Finally, he slept for 8 hours last night and I'm hoping this is a reoccurring trend. Of course Avery made up for him by waking up twice asking for "mommy". (Still can't figure out why daddy is her favorite during the day but it's only mommy at night!?!?) Anyway, Quinn is getting really cute and cuddly (i.e. he's a chunker). He's starting to coo and smile a lot. Now that he can hold his head up, he loves investigating and smiling at the world around him. I'm pleased to say that so far, he's a very good, mellow baby -- a trait which certainly isn't from his father. :-)

Chillin' with mom

Squeaky (the dog) has yet again been demoted, but she's still

hanging on to her post by endearing herself to the competition.

My Little Angels

2008-12-10T14:51:00.001-06:00

So sweet you could just eat them up!!!

The swimsuit and hula skirt

2008-12-10T14:39:00.001-06:00

Avery received a special package from Hawaii yesterday. It was from our friends Pam and Don who are vacationing there for several months. As you can see, we didn't have to wait until summer time to use the hula skirt.

Thanks Aunt Pammy and Uncle Don!!!
(below is Avery with Aunt Pammy at the lake house in August)

Thanksgiving Miracle

2008-12-10T14:02:00.001-06:00

It takes a miracle to get our families together to take a picture. But it's simply impossible to get everyone to look at the camera and smile at the same time!!! While it may not look like much to the passing observer, the picture below is the result of divine intervention! (Imagine: kids whining and arguing, babies crying, mothers and fathers yelling while 2 people are furiously snapping photos saying "smile"and "look over here" all the while chickens and dogs are periodically wandering by.) Next year we'll just go to a professional!!

In front of Ganny & Grandpa's Barn

Thanksgiving 2008

Halloween

2008-12-10T11:03:00.000-06:00

Quinn at Home

2008-10-19T17:24:00.001-05:00

Now that little Quinn is home, Avery has started warming up to him a bit more. She likes to point out his hands, toes, eyes and ears (shown below) and now wants to see absolutely everything going on at the changing table. The best was when Avery got to put stickers on her baby brother -- that was the turning point for her. Ever since, we'll find her racing down the hall to his room calling "ba-by, ba-by" and wants to see or touch him. A max of 2 minutes is her span of interest, then its on to a more interesting book or toy, but it's a great improvement from what we saw in the hospital!

Reid -- Party of 4!!

2008-10-18T11:05:00.003-05:00

Well here he is!!! William T Reid V "Quinn" was born on October 9 -2008. He weighed in at 7 lbs and 14 oz. He's a little angel and I just can't stop kissing and loving on him!! When he was first born he was looked exactly like his big sis, Avery (which means exactly like dad), but now he's filling out looking a little more like mommy. We spent an extra 2 days in the hospital because of low temperatures and threats of jaundice, but we got home on Monday with a clean bill of health. I'm getting little sleep, but hanging in there overall thanks to the help of my mom and dad this week. Bill is taking good care of us and is ecstatic to have a WTR the fifth in the house.

The best pictures are of big sister's reaction to her brother the first couple of times they met in the hospital.

Thanks for all of the kind wishes and thoughts. We (i.e. Misty) are hoping to come up for air next week and return some calls and emails.

Morning of Quinn's arrival

First meeting - "take 1"

First meeting - "take 2"

Second meeting - yep, she's still crying

Quinn and Daddy

Quinn and Grandma Reid

Auntie Anne & Sean

Uncle Pete & Aunt Wendy

Grandpa

Cousin Kelsie

Cousin Baylie

Close up

Quinn's Room

Reid Family Reunion in Austin

2008-10-18T11:05:00.001-05:00

A great weekend was had by all for Bill Sr.'s 70th birthday!

Avery's First Day of "School"

2008-09-02T15:44:00.001-05:00

Today was Avery's first day of Mother's Day Out. She's now 14.5 months and ready to join the other kids. It was a little hectic getting out of the house. Just as we were ready to load up in the car, she quickly rubbed a little cream cheese to her perfectly clean hair, and we had to make a last minute 3-alarm diaper change, but we still had just enough time to take a couple quick pictures. Then we were off. She didn't cry when I left her, but I did. I felt like a fool, of course but I blame it on those darn pregnancy hormones. I also obsessed last night for over an hour as I packed her backpack and made her "perfectly nutritionally balanced" lunch. The teacher reported she ate less than 1/2 of it, but she made it through the day with flying colors. Except for nap time, she said Avery was the happiest baby in the class...I was so proud. Sounds too good to be true so I'm preparing for the meltdown when I take her back on Thursday. = ) But for the record, the first day was a hit!!

Ellen's Quints are HOME!!!!!

2008-08-23T09:50:00.001-05:00

After much anticipation, anxiety and prayers, Ellen and the babies FINALLY made it home to Houston!!! With 5 babies, 6 adults and 11 plane tickets, they got home on Tuesday. So despite my sworn oath of no more long car travel in my last 2 uncomfortable months of pregnancy, I couldn't stand not going to Houston to see them at home. I had been to Phoenix twice, once while Ellen was on bed rest and once after the babies were born and still in the NICU, but had yet to hold and love on all those babies!!!! Wendy was also set on seeing them so we surprised Ellen by showing up on her door step Thursday afternoon.

The experience as written by Wendy:
Ellen is the best mom as she keeps careful watch of each one of them, I have NO IDEA how she does it but she is doing a GREAT job! It is very overwhelming having so many little cuties in one room--even with the 4 helpers that were there when we were. There's no way to explain how hectic it is, you have to experience to really appreciate what she's going through. Surprisingly, in the short amount of time we were there, I could ALMOST know each one by name and color. They all look slightly different so you can tell them apart. My favorite was Mitchell because he was such a feisty little thing & really cute while I was holding him. I tried to bring him home to show my kids, but Ellen wouldn’t let me out the door with him ( actually she may have if I didn’t live quite so far, she needs some REST). She only had all 5 of them out of the hospital since Saturday and then traveled back to Houston on Tuesday so she's still getting her rhythm down. Anyway they have a system started that seems to be working well & I am sure she will be in the swing of things in no time. I will say she is SUPER MOM!!!!

On our way home, Wendy and I marveled over what an unbelievable person Ellen is. No one can begin to understand what she's been through to get those babies here safely -- 5 months away from her husband, family and friends, 3 months of miserable bed rest on that awful magnesium they were pumping into her veins, constant worry that the babies would come too soon, all the ups & downs of whether those babies would make it in the NICU and then when she finally got 2 of the babies home (to her temporary Phoenix "residence") she went through the worst trauma of all when Ivy stopped breathing and Ellen had to administering CPR while her mom called a life-flight helicopter could come get them...it's been one heck of a battle.

Needless to say, Ellen's really glad to be home and back to her support network, particularly with Steven and Amy, her sister. She's just so sleep-deprived and overwhelmed that you can't help but worry about her. She wasn't having a "good" day when we came, but as outsider would never know it. I was so proud of her because, as always, she still keeps her bright Ellen smile on and is able to find the humor in her hardship. She's so amazing!

(Ellen's blog is www.howellquints.blogspot.com)

Wendy & Mitchel (the feisty one)

Me & Sydney

Group Picture (out take #5) - it wasn't easy getting a good shot

Doesn't Ellen look AMAZING...would you ever believe all
those babies were in her body less than 2 months ago???

Say "Avery".

2008-08-20T00:49:00.000-05:00

She's already talking up a storm. Normally its in Swayheli or Chinese so we have no idea what she's telling us. But her current English vocabulary includes words like "agua", "more", "woof woof", "wow", "hello" and the all important "bubble". "Mama" & "Dada" were of course the first words.

So now that my iphone can record sound bites, it's the perfect tool to capture her chatter while we drive in the car. This day in particular, she was playing peek-a-boo with her blanket and we discovered that she could say her name. It really is the cutest thing I've ever heard!!! Click the link below.

SAY "AVERY"

Big Girl in Bows

2008-08-20T00:45:00.002-05:00

I came home from work and was greeted by this little grown up girl!!! Ruth (the nanny) had successfully put not one, but TWO bows in her hair! That was a huge accomplishment. Until this day, she's hated anything touching her hair...thus the terribly trimmed bangs that I tried to cut while she was sleeping (shown in this picture).

test

2008-08-20T00:45:00.001-05:00

test

2008-08-20T00:44:00.000-05:00

Winkie on the Range

2008-07-06T19:52:00.000-05:00

Winkie = Avery. That's what the cousins call her. Don't ask. The origin of this nickname is very convaluted, just suffice it to say, that's her name when she's around the Fietsam family and granny and grandpa.

This is a video taken at Grandpa and Granny's ranch. They took all the grandkids out to feed the cows and little Avery entertained them chasing one of the calves.

Family Fun

2008-07-06T19:13:00.000-05:00

I have yet to post anything on the all important Fietsam family! Avery's cousins are the most fun entertainment in Avery's little world. (A picture of the clan is above.) When they are together, you can forget getting any time with Avery for yourself, the cousins take over and Avery wants nothing to do with anyone who's over 13 years old. Avery LOVES her cousins and you can tell by the perma-smile that stays on her little face when she's with them. It's the custest thing to see them all together. What a lucky little girl she is to have them.

Avery & Baron's 1st Birthday Bash

2008-06-23T09:34:00.001-05:00

Boy was it a bash!! We teamed up with the Washmons to put on a big joint party for Baron and Avery, born only 5 days apart. The house was full of balloons, decorations and kids going crazy. There were kids swimming in the pool, zooming down the halls in cars, playing on the playscape and hanging from the rafters! Baron was decked out in his sear-sucker suit (see below) and Avery was dressed to impress in her over-ruffled pink skirt...plus 2 other wardrobe changes due to cake collisions. We had so much fun but were totally wiped out at the end of the day. Here's the pictures I have so far, but I'm still missing pictures of all the attendees -- Auntie Anne and Sean, the Farleys, Candie, Kimber and the boys, the Scotts, etc. More to come...

She loved the hat her Granny M got her...just didn't like wearing it.

Bow is better...Now she's all smiles (sort-of)

My Man, Baron!

Mommy and Daddy with Birthday Girl!

Granny M and Richard

Happy B-day Song

The Party

YUMMY ... CAKE!!

The proud mommies and party planners

Handsom Birthday Boy. Post-cake-demolition outfit!

Trudi & Alexandra with Daddy and Avery

Opening Gifts (Sunglasses were part of Candie's card)

Checking out Avery's stroller to make sure it's safe (or does he secretly like it for himself?)

Welcome to the party!

Last decoration pic...I know it's boring, but we were excited about our handy work.
Planning a party with Ashley "Martha Stewart" Washmon was the best idea I've had all year!

Grandpa and B-day girl

Post-party clean-up with Granny and tired baby Avery

Aunt Wendy - super star worker bee (Uncle Pete too, but not pictured)

Jax helps clean up the balloons

Sleepy baby loves on her cousin Jax
(Not pictured: Cousins Baylie & Kelsie and Friend Molly, the wonderful baby sitters)

Avery Graduates Swim Class

2008-06-23T09:33:00.000-05:00

[ Video of Avery in the water COMING SOON ]

After over a month of torture (for mommy more than baby, I think), Avery is a certified ISR survival floater!

Taking Avery to these classes everyday for a month has been a little painful, but when I watched my itty bitty one-year old do a simulated head first fall into the pool with ALL her clothes (diaper, pants, sweater and socks and shoes), it made it all worth while! She did just what she was trained to do... roll over to her back and float with her face out of the water so she could breath. Though struggling with all the heavy wet clothes, she did it on her own for over 5 minutes.

We'll still have to watch her like a hawk around water, but they say it's the first 5 minutes that are the most critical b/c that's how long it takes for a parent to realize the child is missing and after 5 minutes a child is either suffers serious brain damage or death. Any extra time you can buy, is critical.

Our swim instructor tells me story after story of drownings at parties and when other loved-ones are watching your kids who don't know how quickly it can happen. If you are interested, here is the link to their national website where you can locate a local instructor near you and read more about the program. http://www.infantswim.com/home.html (Also featured on Oprah and the Today Show)

Green Avacado Monster

2008-06-23T09:32:00.000-05:00

Avery loves avocado...and avocados love Avery! The picture doesn't do it justice, but she's covered from head to toe in green mush. She didn't miss an inch of her hair or face. We even had to clean it out of her eyebrows and her ears.

??

2008-06-23T06:52:00.000-05:00

It's a...

2008-05-27T21:32:00.000-05:00

That's right, it's a BOY! Avery's going to have a baby brother!!! I'm already mourning my days of peace and tranquility. I'm preparing for a pain-in-the-rear hellion, like his father was (is). I've already reluctantly promised Bill that he could name our first boy William Thomas Reid V (I know, "the fifth" is a bit ridiculous, but I couldn't convince Bill of this at all), so we already have the name decision made. As every good wife does, I was able to push back a little and get him to compromise with me on calling him Quinn, so he will actually be "Quinn Reid", which I'm very happy with.

So I'm still in a bit of shock. I'm having trouble picturing me being a mother to a BOY, but if everyone is right about mamas and their sons, it can't be that bad, can it?!?

Avery Goes on Vacation

2008-05-21T08:16:00.000-05:00

We took Avery with us to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. She loved all the new experiences and the 24-hour attention from mom and dad. The waves took some getting used to but the sand was an immediate hit! Bill had some work to do in each location, but it wasn't too bad b/c Avery and I could nap twice a day while he met clients. What more could I ask for being 20 weeks pregnant!

Travel to and from the islands...well...not so fun. All things considered, Avery did v-e-r-y well. With rushed lay-overs, long flights and 12 hours of travel in one day, there's only so much you can expect from an 11 month old. Most of the time she was really good and either slept or flirted with all the passengers beside and behind us. All in all it was worth the grueling travel. It was a great get away for the three of us and we had a lot of fun together.

The catamaran to Little Dix Resort, Virgin Gorda

Little Dix Resort, Virgin Gorda

Avery hanging out with her favorite man!

So tired at the end of the day on the beach.

Going on an adventure in The Baths

Rock Climber!

Loves the sand!

Checking out the waves.

Headed home!

First warm day at the lake house

2008-02-05T12:02:00.001-06:00

It was unusually warm this past weekend, so it was a great time to be at the lake house. The water was cold, but the sun was out. We had such a great time just relaxing and enjoying the view! Now that the pool is finished, it's like a totally different place!

Here's Avery basking in the sun. Don't you just want to grab those little toes!

Applesauce

2007-12-10T14:30:00.002-06:00

The video below is the first time Avers tries applesauce. (It's not recent, but I just rediscovered it and had to post it. Every time I'd say "yummy", she'd laugh like crazy. Watch how each time I say it, she'll startle a little then laugh. I don't know what's funnier the deer in the headlights expression or her cute little laugh! (Note: Cameo of Squeaky the dog in the top right corner)

Avery update

2007-12-10T14:30:00.001-06:00

Happy (early) Halloween!

2007-10-18T03:37:00.000-05:00

HAPPY (early) HALLOWEEN!

Attire courtesy of Marilyn Monroe-Bettis
(aka. Granny M)

Seeing her in this cute outfit made me laugh so hard, I had trouble focusing the camera! I'll need to add a bow so people don't think she's a boy. Thanks, Granny M!

Aline & Craig's Wedding in Cabo

2007-10-18T03:31:00.000-05:00

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
October 12
Such a beautiful wedding!

For more pictures go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/austinreidfamily/

Roberto's B-day at the lake house

2007-10-18T02:52:00.000-05:00

On October 6th we celebrated Roberto's b-day. Lots of fun, good food and a surprise mariachi group who played pool-side.

For more pictures go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/austinreidfamily/

...You're My Butterfly, Sugar, Baby

2007-10-10T11:18:00.000-05:00

Okay, so the new favorite thing is the butterfly night-light Kara Krouser gave us. She's totally mesmerized by it. All crying ceases as soon as it comes into view!

(Note: It's getting scary when I find myself taking random pictures like these AND blogging about it...I need to work more.)

A typical day

2007-10-09T09:29:00.000-05:00

Not too much to my day, but for those of you who
asked to see more pictures, here's the recap:

In the morning, I talk to mom and dad
while they drink coffee and read the paper.

During the day, I play in my swing and listen to music.
(Beethoven is my favorite right now.)

And mommy kisses and loves on me a lot.
(One day this is going to be really annoying.)

Sometimes, I pose for pictures while changing my diaper.
(In this pic, I'm getting ready to go for a swim.)

Then, Mom and Dad read stories to
me at night-night time.

And at the end of the day, I go to sleep like a good girl.
(Arms in angel-position. Pacifier always nearby, of course.)

Avery's 3.5 month update

2007-09-26T11:52:00.000-05:00

I've had great aspirations to keep this blog website updated with pictures, videos and written updates, but that just wasn't happening for the last few months. Eventually I'll get the hang of it.

Below is a picture of Avers and a sweet little sound bite of her cooing and talking (see "CLICK HERE" below photo). When she's by herself and not being entertained by someone or something, I'll catch her talking like this for quite a while. She especially likes to look at her little colorful lion friend and tell it about her day.

She's growing fast. She's already holding her head up and grabbing for things to hold. When you lift her up, she tries to stand on her feet. She's so alert and interested in everything. She no longer wants to be cradled in your arms, but prefers to be sitting up so she can investigate everything around her. When we're sitting at a dinner table, she insists she be included in the conversation.

She's been sleeping 8 - 11 hours at night. (thank goodnesss) Eight hours is consistent, but sometimes she gives us 11 and it's great. She loves her baths in the evening and she loves to read 1 book at night (I've tried to go for 2, but that evidently bores her). BTW - she loves the books ya'll gave her and we both thank you.

CLICK HERE to hear little Avery talk to her lion friend.

CLICK HERE for part 2 of her conversation.

Other Pictures

2007-09-26T11:49:00.001-05:00

That's my Favorite Lion...he's so pretty (10 weeks)

Daddy took me to the UT game -- Go Horns!! (10 weeks)

Sunbathing Beauty (8 weeks)

Sunbathing Beauty - take two (8 weeks)

Post Bath Bliss (7 weeks)

Love my Auntie Anne (8 weeks)

Hanging out with Granny in my BabyBjorn (8 weeks)

Snuggling with my pacifier (7 weeks)

Daddy makes me smile (6 weeks)
Do these two look alike or what! Hello little Billamina!

Grandma and Me (just 2 weeks old)

Introducing Our Newest Addition....

2007-07-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

Avery with proud parents Bill Reid & Misty Ellis Reid

Avery Anne Reid was born on June 19, 2007 in Austin, Texas. Weighing in at 7lbs. 12 oz., 20.5 inches long.