The Buttrey Family

Orange Beach 2008

2008-10-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

In mid-August, we were able to make our annual trip to Orange Beach albeit shorter than usual. Regardless, we had a wonderful time! On the way, we stopped at our usual picnic spot at Clarkco State Park near Meridian. They have added a sprinkler park which was nice! On the first day, Lily was not happy about the beach, at all. She screamed and cried when she touched the sand. After it got in her mouth, she was really livid. On day two, she could not get enough of it! Ava really enjoyed it, except for the enormous jellyfish that were washed up on the beach. The pools were a big hit for her! Bella was content and laid back, as always. She took a few naps on the beach! Mimi was able to join us for most of the trip. It was a very relaxing trip. Brent and I even made it out to Louisiana Lagniappe by ourselves. I am already daydreaming about next year's trip!

Updating; trip to Nashville and Williamson County Fair

2008-10-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

I have been scolded by several for not updating my blog, so here is my attempt at catching up on the last couple of months. I am experimenting with these collages. It may take me a month to post everything!

This is from our trip to Nashville to visit family and go to the Williamson County Fair. We went last year, and once again, the kids had a great time. Lily was much more interested in all of the attractions. Ava and Lily both were able to participate in the kid's farm, complete with gathering eggs, planting seeds, and milking cows. Ava rode her first roller coaster and enjoyed numerous other rides, along with her cousin, John Patrick. They are quite sweet together! Bella was laid back and wonderful, as always.

Casey and Coque were our gracious hosts. It was a great weekend! Thanks guys!

Summer Visitors

2008-08-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

My nieces, Haley and Sophie, came for their annual visit this summer. It has been so much fun to have them all to ourselves for a few days. There is never a dull moment when Ava and Sophie are together. Ava loves her dearly and has so much fun when they get together. They are 11 months apart, and it drives Ava crazy that Sophie is older! They had a great time at the water park, the library, and the park. I have never heard such laughter, though, as when they turned the bath water dark purple!!
Haley has always been my little kindred spirit. We got to watch some old but great movies, and even had a chance to go see a dinner theater production of "Guys and Dolls." Haley just got her permit last week. Go, Haley! We love you girls!!
Two of my oldest and dearest friends, Alicia and Lea Lea, were able to visit. We were born within 10 days of each other in the same hospital and have been together pretty much ever since complete with secret words, dates, and happenings that we would never tell anyone!! Whenever we are together, it is almost as if I get to revisit my childhood. Thanks for the visit, girls!

Lily's spa day

2008-08-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

One of the girls' favorite things to play this summer is "beauty shop". It is amazing how early a girl can appreciate being pampered.

Although, I am not so sure it is always relaxing. They do take turns being the beautician and the customer. This is a game that I really enjoy playing too, particularly since real fingernail polish is not involved.
Ava is definitely the expert on hair and nail design.
However, Lily has been taking notes.....
and she no longer wants to be the one being pampered.
She may have found her calling!

Smith Lake 08

2008-07-25T20:34:00.001-07:00

One of our getaways this summer was our annual Smith Lake trip with my side of the family. These are all of the kids. It is hard to believe there are 7 now. We had a great time! We were out away from everything with nothing to do but have family time, play in the water, go on the boat, eat, laugh, and take it easy! It was a really special time......the trip that always makes me homesick for my family.

2008-07-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Ava had such a great time at the lake this year!! She was timid around the water, but by the time we left, she was out by herself paddling away. She always enjoys keeping up with her cousins! It is always a reminder of how nice it would be for our kids to grow up closer to family!Lily had a ball! She is our social butterfly. She enjoyed having so many people around her to talk to. She was not as much of a daredevil as we feared, but she did love the water. Everytime we put her in her float in the water, she would fall asleep. She had a great time.
Bella slept a lot. She is our little sleeper! She was very attentive when awake, but for the most part, she was just fun for everyone to hold and look at. This is my little "bully" picture of Bella.
Sophie and Ava enjoyed their time together. Ava wants to do EVERYTHING like Sophie!
This was the cutest picture moment ever! Lily just put herself right in the middle of all the cousins for a little tv time. Priceless!

Bella B.

2008-06-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

What can I say?? She's a cutie-pie!!!

Ava's first dance recital

2008-06-24T12:29:00.001-07:00

Ava performed in her first dance recital on Saturday. When we walked into Robinson Center in Little Rock with all of the broadway show posters displayed, she said "Mama, this is my favorite place!" She danced her little heart out with a huge smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.
However, she was turned toward the wings so she could watch Ms. Karen and not miss a step. She was so cute. I have a feeling this is only the beginning.
She is going to really miss her friends this summer!

Water Park

2008-06-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Lily had her first trip to the water park last Friday. She enjoyed the water spraying out of the ground and poking other kids' belly buttons that were exposed. She was quite cute. Ava had fun, as always. Unsurprisingly, Bella slept through it all.

Super Daddy!!

2008-06-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

I walked to the neighbor's house and when I returned, this was what I found.....priceless. We spent Sunday celebrating Father's Day with Brent. The picture says it all. Our girls could not ask for a more hands-on, fantastic, and loving father than Brent. Happy Father's Day, Brent!! You are adored.

Uncle Casey and Aunt Coque visit

2008-06-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend with Casey and Coque. The girls could not get enough of them. The gifts they brought were major hits!

Uncle Casey and Aunt Coque gave Ava her first bicycle. She really took to it and was riding it really well by the end of the day. She is very proud and feels like such a big girl.
They brought Lily her first car, and she LOVES it. She woke up the next morning signing car and making car sounds. It was a new sound to hear the pitter-patter of her feet across the living room floor early Sunday. She was headed straight for her car! Thanks Casey and Coque for a great weekend!

Lily's summer fun!

2008-06-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Since Lily's school is year-round, they have been making special field trips and having fun activities on Fridays. Her class went to the zoo, and since Brent worked that night, we made it a family outing. Bella slept through it all, but Ava and Lily had a great time!
This is Lily on Western Day. She is such a fun little girl!

So, where's Bella????

2008-06-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Here she is!!!!! So, I really have taken a lot of pictures of her, but most of the time, she is in her car seat or the baby bjorn, asleep! She is just so pleasant. She started sleeping through the night, she hardly ever cries, and when you pick her up, she just looks at you like she is saying "thank you so much for picking me up. I know you are busy and everything is chaos, but I just so appreciate any time I can get." She is a gem. She must have innately known what she was coming into with this family!

2008-06-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

Whew!!!! June is here. Time is flying. So, I added this live traffic feed onto my blog and was amazed to see that people actually look at this page! So, for those wondering if we have survived the transition from family of four to family of five, we are still here! We have been busy with preschool graduation, birthday parties, family trips, a wedding, dance performances, and the transition to summer. Some days have been a bit overwhelming, but nonetheless, we are adjusting and enjoying the ride. My cup runneth over!!
Ava's dance performance at Riverfest in Little Rock...she is the one without the gloves to the left of the boy swaying those hips!!! Aren't they adorable?!
We went to Riverfest on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and it was a scorcher! Ava and Lily found ways to cool off. Bella and I just stood under a tree for shelter....we were drenched with the rain, anyway!

Pics from Casey and Coque's wedding

2008-06-01T14:07:00.001-07:00

Congratulations, Casey and Coque!! I wish I had more pics to share from their day.....we snuck them when could. Thanks so much Caity and Chris, Dora, Jan, Val and Tony and anyone else who helped us juggle our 3 girls! What a fabulous celebration!

Trip to Tennessee

2008-06-01T13:45:00.001-07:00

Pics from day at Grandaddy's......

Ava and Lily enjoyed Grandaddy's horse, Caterpillar. But, we soon discovered that Lily does not like hay!

A day in the country seemed to definitely agree with the girls!
I have so much catching up to do!!! In early May, we took a trip to see Brent's side of the family and to attend Brent's brother's wedding. We all enjoyed a wonderful time. The girls were able to go visit Grandaddy and spend some time on the "farm". The little community is so quaint and timeless in appearance. They enjoyed the day, immensely. They were also able to spend a lot of the week at Gran's house. We kept them busy and many relatives came to shower them with lots of hugs and smiles. Ava and Lily were flower girls for Casey and Coque, and the wedding was beautiful. There were so many great times and adorable pics. Wish I had space to share them all.

Ava's 4th birthday!!!

2008-06-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ava turned 4 in mid-April. She had quite a wonderful time! The highly anticipated day arrived, and she enjoyed mommy-customized cupcakes at school with all of her friends and was then able to enjoy lunch at her favorite restaurant, Chili's, with Mom, Dad, and Bella (Lily enjoyed mucho cake at home that night). The manager of Chili's gave her the dessert of her choice along with 4 free meal coupons so that Mama and Daddy will be sure to take her back to Chili's FOUR more times....

On the following Saturday, Ava had a quite memorable birthday party at the fairytale tea party place. She was hailed as a princess with her own tiara and everyone was able to pick a dress and hat of their choice. They were given lipstick and blush to look presentable at the table and were taught all of the rules of etiquette used by a true southern lady, including instructions on how to hold your pinky up while drinking your tea and how to give applause in the correct manner. After sipping on raspberry tea, eating "chocolate soup", and petit fours, they had a fashion show with their new princess and prince names, and then had a parade out on Main Street where they could wave to all passers-by. Ava took the tea party very seriously and had so much fun! I cannot believe my baby is 4!!!!

Bella is here!!!!

2008-04-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

After the most eventful pregnancy I have ever had, Bella Rose finally arrived! She was born Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 8:40 am at UAMS Hospital. She weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and measured 20 1/2 inches. She has alot of really dark brown hair and looks so much like Ava when she was born. She is so sweet and acts very much like the baby of the family already.
I went into labor early Weds. morning, but my contractions were really sporadic. Brent stayed home from work, and we walked around the neighborhood several times that day. Finally, that evening, we decided to go ahead and go to the hospital. My contractions were about 8-10 minutes apart, and I had hardly progressed. So, they went ahead and gave me oxytocin to get her here. It was a restless night. They rolled me from side to side all night. They would roll me to raise my blood pressure, and then they would come in to roll me to raise Bella's heart rate. They had me on oxygen all night, but finally on Thursday morning after they threatened a c-section, Bella arrived. The delivery was perfect, and she did wonderfully. We are so happy to have her here. We are completely in love with a third baby girl and look so forward to watching our girls grow together!
Part of the first night of her life was spent with the entire mother/baby unit in the hallway while tornadoes and severe storms rolled through Arkansas. That will be quite the memory!
Thanks to all of our family and friends for the support you have given us through this pregnancy. We are so blessed!

Our boy has moved on.

2008-03-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Our beloved dog Major moved on to a better place today. He was our first child and was with us for a blessed 5 years. The link below is to a page celebrating his life.
http://majorbuttrey.blogspot.com/

Still waiting......

2008-03-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Still, no baby!! Those of you who have all had birthdays over the past 10 days are unfortunately not sharing one with our new little one. We thought maybe she would be an Easter baby or share my birthday on the 26th, but she still has not arrived. Brent and I were up on Easter Sunday at 4 am taking showers, walking Major, and packing the car. After an hour and a half, the contractions stopped. So, we were able to make it to Church and have a lovely Easter with the girls and Mimi. Ava and Lily had a great day! I turned 32 yesterday, and Brent made it a really special day. He took the day off from work and made me his wonderful blueberry pancakes for breakfast. We had lunch and dinner out and had a mini-party at home with my favorite red velvet cake. I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends who called and sent cards. Thank you!! We will keep you all posted when the new baby gets here!!

Lily's birthday

2008-03-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Lily turned 2 earlier this month. I had to post pictures. She had a lot of fun on her birthday. She had cupcakes with her class at school. She did not leave a crumb. She had a few friends over for cake that night and enjoyed all of the attention and celebration in her honor. She has recently become very interested in walking. She does really well with her push toys. She uses some 30+ signs and is the "shining star" at school. She has become such an entertainer and keeps everyone laughing. She is such a light!!

2008-03-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

So, I am still pregnant! We never thought that I would still be after preterm labor nearly 5 weeks ago at 5 cm. I believe there is a pool going with Brent's coworkers as to when I will have this little bundle. Mom returns tomorrow after a week and a half break. That will definitely ease our minds as far as what we will do with the girls if I go into labor in the middle of the night. I have been instructed by everyone, who knows of my labor with Lily, that I need to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. So, when she arrives, we will update and post pics as soon as possible!!

2008-03-08T19:24:00.000-08:00

So, I have been trying to figure out how to customize and make this blog "pretty", but I may never have a blog if I continue to wait. So, hopefully I am going to figure it out as I go along. We had snow in Arkansas yesterday. The girls had a great time! Ava enjoyed hitting the house with snowballs, however, her crocs were wet which she did not enjoy. Lily enjoyed studying every detail outside. Brent helped them build a snowman!