Payton 9 months

Here are some pictures of Payton that Tammy took. She is 9 months old today. I can not believe how fast she has grown.

The road not traveled/ Life without baseball

Sorry I have not posted in a long time. We have been busy with the three kids and moving back to San Clemente from San Diego. In July, Dan went on the disabled list with pain in his shoulder. He was pitching great so we were very disappointed that he was pitching in pain. We later found out in August that he had two tears in his labrum. Surgery was an option but there are no guarantees that Dan will be able to pitch well after surgery and at least a 12 month recovery period. So Dan made the hard decision to retire from professional baseball. So begins the road we have not traveled since Dan's brief six month break from baseball in 2005. He is actively looking for a job, while I am trying to pick up tutoring jobs. This is obviously a hard time to be looking for a job so we would appreciate your prayers. We know God has a plan for our family and we are trying to be patient in waiting for this plan to be reviled.

The kids are doing great. We are back full force into our home routine. Avery is in gymnastics one day a week. She attends Awanas at our church and loves memorizing verses. She also started soccer last weekend. She LOVES it but is still trying to understand why people take the ball from her and do not share. It is hard to explain to your child, who you have been teaching to share, to now take the ball from other kids.
Gavin is the kid that plays sports on the side. During gymnastics he jumps around and waves to Avery from the viewing window. When we go to soccer, he brings his ball, wears his cleats, and plays on the sidelines. We are waiting till he is 3 years old so he can be in some type of sport. He is dying to get in there and do ANYTHING Avery is doing. He is also too young for Awana, but he has memorized all of Avery's verses. He is a very fun and sweet boy.

Payton is almost nine months old. She has four teeth and is crawling everywhere. She seems like she will have a laid back personality, but we will see as she gets older. I am so sad that our baby is so big. I am trying to take in every moment I have with her as a baby because it seems like it goes so much faster with the third.

Eating food-Payton is so messy!

First Day of Soccer- A little nervous!

6 months old...

I can not believe that our baby girl is going to be 6 months old on Sunday! Time sure goes by at a rapid pace! Payton is getting so big, she is sitting up by herself and loves holding baby dolls and soft baseballs. She is very curious, she is always watching what we are doing and will even lean closer to get a better view. We have been in Sacramento with Dan for almost a month. The kids and I visited the Jelly Belly Factory with some of the other wives and kids while Dan was on a road trip. The big kids LOVE going to the games. Gavin has learned a lot of the players' names and even pretends to be be them when he is playing baseball. He loves singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game. Avery is constantly asking questions and remembers everything we say. Just recently while we were shopping she asked if a cereal was on "Recall." Two weeks ago we had to check our cereal because Kellogg's had recalled a couple of our cereals. Avery is also swimming all by herself and she is very proud that she can touch the bottom of the pool at our apartment complex. I love being a mom of three! I get tons of crazy looks as I walk into ballgames with the kids by myself. I have even been asked, "Isn't your husband coming?" and I have politely said, "No he's not."

At Dan's Game

Jelly Belly Factory

Gavin's Game Face

Watching Daddy

Passed out in the Exosaucer

4th of July in Reno-Fireworks on the Field with Daddy, so FUN!!!

Payton's First Pool Time

Payton had her first dip in the pool this weekend! She loved it!!!

Giese Family on the Go...

Sorry I haven't been able to add pictures to our blog. Dan has had the computer that we put the pictures on so I have had to wait to come back to Arizona to download them (last time I forgot the right cord). Dan is still rehabbing in Arizona but we think he might be leaving soon, maybe to Sacramento!/? The kids have been really busy, which keeps me extra busy. Payton is almost 5 months and she is getting to be a little character. She loves to smile and laugh! Avery can always get her to laugh and Payton watches her every move. We continue to remind Avery how she is going to have to be a good role model for her little sister. Avery continues to be our imaginative child. She can play forever with her dolls making up scenarios of what they are doing. She also likes to play waitress where she loves to take orders and claims that she is out of almost any food you want and that all the food she does have is served with chocolate on top! Avery is taking a break from gymnastics this summer since we are chasing Dan around. She is excited to start soccer in the fall! Gavin is my active boy!!!! He always has a ball, club, or bat in hand! He wants to be just like his daddy! He told me yesterday, "Ouch, my elbow hurts!" I asked him what happened, and he said, "My elbow hurts just like daddy's." He is now imitating big league batters and pitchers that he sees on TV. He still says his favorite sports are golf and football.

Writing all over their faces with chalk

The Kids in action

Here is some video of the kids having fun. We are enjoying every moment with them! Sorry there are so many. We are in Arizona visiting Dan. Dan's rehab is going well. He has been throwing batting practice and feeling good. Payton is going to be 4 months in a couple days and she is getting such a cute personality. She smiles all the time and is talking up a storm. I will post some pictures when we get back to California.

Time Flies By.....

We have been very busy at the Giese House. With three kids, it seems like one of them is always sick. We have been trying to keep the kids active by riding bikes, coasters, and scooters. Payton is growing fast. She will be three months on April 11th. She is cooing a bunch, smiling, and Dan even got her to laugh the other day. We are cherishing every moment of this baby stage, since we are pretty sure this will be our last baby. Dan leaves this Thursday to begin rehab in Arizona. We will be staying back until Dan is ready to play in games, but we will visit as much as possible. We are going to miss him a lot. I know I will be missing all the extra help with the kids.

Easter egg time with Daddy

Avery in her Charger gear

Gavin's favorite thing to wear

Daddy and Avery's fishing trip

Gavin and his buddy Bo

Avery and her good friend Taylor