Bliss and Carroll Family Babes

The Bliss family just welcomed their new addition 2 weeks ago, and we have been lucky to see her and big brother Patrick a few times now.  Wow, the kids grow fast!

Alyssa (3 months) and Annika (2 weeks)

 Shay (2 Months) and Patrick (1 month)

UMD Crew (plus a few more additions)

We were able to get together with most of the college crew this past weekend, when Erin and Todd flew into town.  It was great to visit and meet several of the new additions. 

Evan, Angie, Owen and Anders
Our Family

Todd, Erin and baby Mauer

 Bill, Tami, Emmit and Eli

John, Amy, Anna and Adam

Bill, Evan, Todd and Brett 

 Tami, Ang, Amy

 The huge jump/play house the Paton's brought!

 The toddlers enjoying their cake

It was great to see everyone!

3 Months!

We can hardly believe that our little one is 3 months old already.  The time has flown by, but it also seems like she has been in our lives for quite a while-- a weird combination.  Alyssa has been so much fun to hang out with, and we are a bit more relaxed this time around!  Some new things Alyssa has been up to:

Talking: We sure do have a vocal one.  She loves to "talk" to almost anyone.  She has quite the variety of squawks, "ooh's" and several other noises.

Smiling:  I think we have another smiley baby, but I am known to be a bit biased.  She usually greets us with a smile when she wakes up.  I wish I was that happy when I wake up!

Feeding:  Alyssa is doing great at nursing, though we haven't seen it in the weight department yet.  She is still quite little, but that is okay with us for now.

Sleeping:  Although she is not a champ like Shay was for early sleeping, she is now going a 7-8 hour stretch at night, with a few solid naps during the day and a couple of catnaps.

All in all, we are so happy Alyssa came around to complete our family.  Love you little girl!

 

Welcome Annika!

We have another girl to play with (finally)!  Catharine, Ryan and big brother Patrick welcomed Annika Bliss last week- July 14th to be exact.  Shay, Alyssa and I were able to meet her at just one day!  We are excited for the many future play dates.

Patrick, Shay, Alyssa, Miles and Annika

Annika (1 day), Alyssa (2.5 months)

Summer Days

We have been lucky to have 7 weeks this summer together as a family-- no work, school or daycare.  Most days have been pretty fun, but we have our moments of getting on each others nerves.  Shay has been known to say "No talk Mom" or "No talk Dad" when she is not liking what we are saying or if she wants to be included in the conversation.  Alyssa is settling into a schedule and has been sleeping 7-8 hours in a row consistently at night-- you go girl!  I am glad this is happening before I go back to work in August.  Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks--

Shay showing Alyssa how to use the playmat

  

Proud big sister

 

Posing

No more pictures Mom!

 

The playmat was just too tiring...

I'm a Big Girl Now

We have spent the last 3 days working on potty training.. and its going well.  Only one accident in 3 days!  Shay gets a sticker after each time and had enough stickers today to earn a trip to the store to buy big girl underwear!  Brett and I are excited about less changes, and not having to buy boxes of diapers each time we make a trip to Babies R Us!

Marking off her last sticker to earn a trip to the store

Showing dad her new Elmo underwear

So Proud!

 Good Job Shay!

Out at the Lake!

We were able to spend the last few days with the Burns family out at the lake... what a blast!  During our vacation, we figured out that this tradition is 10 years old!  It started at Beaver Lake in college, and has now progressed to a new lake, a few new additions :), but is still the same amount of fun!  Thanks Burns family for another great year!

Brett, Shay, Rachel, and Alyssa Carroll

Shawn, Breck, Elicia and Cullen Burns

Breck and Shay enjoying each others company before a pontoon ride

 Trying to spot some fish

 Quick shot of the new moms of two!

Shawn enjoying a pontoon ride with a beverage

 Brett enjoying a beverage on a pontoon ride

The new additions- Cullen (3 months) and Alyssa (2 months)

 Rachel and Shay tubing for the 1st time

 Shawn and Breck

Brett and Shay

Just Too Cute... what great friends - who share the same birthday!