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

Payton- 1 month old

We have been adjusting to life as a family of five. It has been going well. Payton is the easy one! The big kids are the ones that keep us on our toes. Avery and Gavin both love Payton very much. Avery is always a big help and Gavin loves to kiss Payton all the time. Payton is starting to smile at us and coo, which is such a fun part of having a baby. Everyone has been asking us who she looks like and I think I see a little of everyone in her. I am cherishing every moment of having a baby because I know this time will be gone in a blink of an eye.

Dan has signed back with Oakland and will start in Extended Spring Training on April 8th. His rehab is right where it needs to be so we will see where God takes us during another crazy year of baseball.

Payton's cousin Brooklyn Hope (my brother Luke's and his wife Heather's baby) that is just 17 days younger than Payton.

The big kids: Gavin, Bailey (Brooklyn's big sister) and Avery

Gavin trying to wear his stuffed monkey's football helmet.

Avery loves dressing herself. Notice she is even wearing a sweatband on her wrist.

Jan. 11th-Welcome Payton Faith Giese

On Jan. 11th I was induced at 7am. I was very happy to been done being pregnant. Though the day did not unfold like I would have liked (like an epidural that only worked on one side, a baby's heart beat that was not staying consistent, and an emergency C-section) we did end up with a healthy baby girl. Payton weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. Payton is doing great and I am slowly recovering. Avery and Gavin are great with her and Avery is the best helper. We are so excited she is finally here and our family feels complete.

Avery's B-day/ Due Date-No Baby

Avery turned 4 on Jan. 7th, which was also my due date. I was very happy the baby was not born on this day. We had a fun family day with Avery. We took her to I-Hop for breakfast and she had chocolate chip pancakes then we were off to the park for a couple hours. Avery made her own Birthday cake. She thought it was a great day and told me that even though she was 4 she would still be my daughter.