Playing in the Rain

With all of the nice weather we've had over the past couple of weeks, Avery's gotten used to going outside to play pretty much every day.  However, for the last week, it's been way to rainy.  Eventually, Jeremy and I gave in to her constant pleas to go out, and we had a little fun playing in the rain.  I know, it's hard to believe that she can actually request something, but she can.  It's so cute...when she wants something, she lets out a little unique noise, kind of a twist on whining.  If you ask her to show you what she wants, she'll point to whatever it is.  In this case, she points to the door.  I'll then ask her if she wants to go outside, similar to what I do with the dogs.  She gets really excited and points to the door...again, similar to the dogs.  It's so crazy how much she really understands and the fact that she can communicate the fact that she does know what we're talking about!

Improvising

Avery got this really nice swing for her birthday from Jackie and Jason.  She spent so much time working on getting the buckles just right.  There is something missing though...if only she had a swing set to put it on...

Ask, and you will receive...Daddy transforms into a swing set pretty easily.  Actually, we're waiting on a swing set that we've ordered to come in.  Until then, she seems pretty content using her dad.

Reaching New Heights

These days Avery's favorite past time includes figuring out just how many places she can climb.  She's really starting to get the walking thing down, so now she's trying out something new...climbing everywhere!  Here are a few of the places that Avery can be found around the house.  We have to watch her like a hawk in the fear she'll hurt herself.  Here she is after she climbed onto the door of the dishwasher.  She has such a great time helping to unload the dishwasher.

Here she is climbing over her mom...anything can be turned into a climbing toy!

Climbing onto her little airplane.  She can't quite get all the way on it, but we get the idea and help her get onto it the rest of the way.

These are TJ's little doggy steps that he has to use to get onto our bed, but Avery thinks she can use them too. 

Onto TJ's crate...

Onto the sofa...

...and into her toy box.

We Have a Walker!!

I'll get right to the good stuff...Avery is officially walking. She, of course, waited until just after her party so she wouldn't feel pressured to show off in front of everyone. She took her first steps on Wednesday after her party (April 7). Of course I didn't have the camera ready, and of course, Jeremy wasn't there. She doesn't like to perform on demand, so it's taken me until today to get it on camera. Here's a little video of the newest walker.

In additon to honing in on her waking skills, Avery's been spending her time testing out her new birthday toys. She loves her wagons--both of them. We've tested them out several times, and all the kids in the neighborhood are jealous.

If you look close, you can see that on this day Avery also got her first ever fat lip. She was crawling on the tile with a toy in her hand and slipped. Luckily she caught herself. However, she used her face to do it. It was her first blood injury and her firt fat lip. Jeremy and I decided to postpone bedtime for a little bit and test out the new wagons to help make up for the injury.

The warm spring weather has been keeping us busy playing outside. We love to frequent the local parks and even just our backyard. On this day we went ove to a little park near Jackie and Jason's house. We had a great time visiting with them and breaking in the new playground equipment.

We have also been spending some time playing with Avery's cousins. There are just so many of them at such close ages that it so much fun to get them together. We went to Tyler's house last weekend to have a little BBQ. Avery really liked Madyson and Haley's little Powerwheel. She's not quite tall enough to push the pedals (I'm not sure that she would know how to do it even if she was), but she really liked it when Jeremy would push her around in it--not an easy feat i might add.

They also have a little park just down the road from their house so we walked there. Avery loves to slide. She's not quite to the point where she can go down by herself, but she likes to try. We can't wait until we have a little play set in our own backyard. I'm afraid we'll be outside all the time.

Let the Good Times Roll...

We've had such an eventful week or so.  Our little baby is officially 1 year old! Hard to believe, huh?  We spent her birthday doing pretty much whatever she wanted.  I'm sure she had no idea what the fuss was about, but I still wanted the day to be special.  We had her favorite foods...sausage, cheese, french fries.  She even got to help unload the dishwasher, another favorite of hers that she is rarely allowed to do. 

Later that afternoon, we went to the ARC here in town.  There is a certain time on Thursday afternoons where only the little kids are allowed in the pool.  Avery was one of the youngest, but she still had a great time.  It was her first time in a pool.  She thought she could do it by herself even in the deep water...this summer is going to be spent in the water a lot!

That evening we opened a few presents at home...the ones that came in the mail and what Jeremy and I gave her.  She is really starting to get into opening presents.  She got some really great gifts and some good practice for her party.

She was even sure to read all of the cards!

Jeremy and I gave her a little tunnel system.  The tunnels connect 3 tents with little activites on them.  She didn't seem into the tents/activities that much, but she loved the tunnels!  Jeremy and I had so much fun crawling through them with her!

The night came to a close with "cake."  Since I made a really elaborate cake for the party, we gave Avery a little cupcake for her "cake" on her birthday.  She really liked it, but we were a little diappointed that she didn't dive into and make a huge mess like you see so many other kids do.

Avery's party was on Saturday, and we had the best time.  So many people came to celebrate with us, and we are thankful to everyone for coming to her party.  Avery was in such a great mood for the day, which made it even better for everyone.  The party was at the Youzeum here in town, and the location was a hit with the kids especially. 

As usual, we forgot to get a family photo at Avery's party.  Jeremy thought of it as we were wheeling out all of the presents and decorations.  Some of the atmosphere is lost in the hallway, but you can get the idea.

It was such an eventful and fun day, that Avery looked like this on the way home from her party!  Someone partied a little too much!

Sunday was another fun day.  We went to Clinton for the day to spend Easter with Jeremy's parents.  We had lunch at the Country Club then a cute little egg hunt with Skyler.  Avery was in a great mood again.  She was even giving out kisses to Grandpa...another first for her.

I think that we're getting close to having a walker in the house.  Avery loves to stand up, and she loved it even more in the grass.  She isn't really allowed in the grass much at home, but on this special day, she was.  She loved how it felt on her little feet!

Avery didn't really understand the concept of the egg hunt, but she really liked to share the eggs that we found for her.  She and Skyler looked so cute sitting next to each other in the grass.  At one point, Skyler even gave her a little kiss on the cheek...so cute!  I didn't get that one on my camera though.

After all of that fun, we went to Nana and Papa's house for a rejuvenating nap and then more fun.  After her nap, Avery went outside and got to sit on a pony for the very first time.  She really wasn't into touching it with her hands, but she loved to rub her little toes on the pony's side!  I'm excited for her first ride...we're working up to that.

Avery is ONE!!

From brand new Avery...

To one-year old Avery

Sweet little girl:

You are the best little girl that two parents could ask for. We have spent the past year in complete amazement of how wonderful you are.  Thank you so much for this time.  I only hope that some day you can understand just how much you mean to us and how much you have changed our lives.  I can't wait to see you continue to grow and change.  I love you more than anything or anyone, and thank you for the best year of my life!

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 1

So, we're down to the last day before Avery is officially one year old.  I know that it's a common theme her elately for me to say it, but I really can't believe how quickly it's gone by.  I have enjoyed every minte of the past year and can't wait for all of the new things to come.  Thank you to the sweetest girl ever for giving us such a fantastic year!!

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 2

I'm constantly amazed at how little time is required to make an entire human.  As tiny as she was in the beginning, she was still a little person that Jeremy and I created.  I'm not sure that I'll ever stop being in awe of that.  It's so amazing how someone so tiny can bring out the very best in you.  It's been the most fantastic journey to where we are today from the little baby that was born nearly a year ago.  I always knew that having children would change my life.  I just wasn't expecting it to be this great! 

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 3

Pure sweetness, that's all I have to say!

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 4

Four months old is about when Avery began to master her gross motor milestones.  It wasn't until she started rolling over that I realized just how quickly time was passing.  Up to that point, I think I was so wrapped up in the newness of our situation as well as sleep deprivation to truly comprehend just how fast she was changing.  It seems that after the first roll, she has just changed constantly, always mastering some new skill.  Slow down sweet baby!!

 

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 5

Looking back at the past year has made me really appreciate all of the little moments that we've had with Avery.  It's easy to wrapped up in life itself and not notice or pay attention to the day to day things.  Jeremy and I have really tried to savor every stage that Avery has gone through, not looking to the next one too quickly.  We have had an amazing time just having her around.  We're so grateful to have been able to have this experience and so grateful for such a great baby girl!

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 6

At around 6 months old, babies really start to become interactive.  Up to this point, they kind of just hang out and let you know if they need something.  However, at about 6 months it's like this little light goes off in their heads that says, "Hey, if I react to the big people when they talk to me, they get really happy!"  Before this age, you can get a smile or little giggle now and then, but the real interaction is worth the wait.  They grow and change so much and so quickly that you have to really pay attention to the subtle changes or you might miss something important.  I just love to watch Avery grow and change, and I look forward to continuing to watch her over the years.

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 7

At 7 months old, you can already tell the personality of a baby.  It constantly amazes me that even at that young age, they are truly little people.  At this point we were really starting to get an idea of who Avery was going to be.  She is a very easy-going baby, not fussing unless something is truly wrong.  She is so smart, knowing how to work all of her toys (as well as how to work her parents).  She knows what she likes and what she doesn't and how to let us know as well.  It's just so amazing how much they learn so early on!  We really enjoy just watching her learn more about the world.

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 8

Mobility was a new thing at this point.  A new milestone that Jeremy and I were very much looking forward to has now become a slight inconvenience at times.  We always really enjoy when Avery conquers a new milestone, but at times we just want to go back to our little girl who was just content sitting in one spot to play.   It goes so fast!

Crawling is serious business.

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 9

Avery was so spoiled at Christmas, and she loves every one of her gifts.  However, this little airplane is one of her favorites--thanks Nana and Papa!  She absolutely loves riding on it.  She will point to it and grunt, telling us she wants to ride.  She's content on that thing forever.  Once Jeremy and I are tired of pushing her in circles around the house, we have to quickly find something to distract her with or she'll throw such a fit.  It's crazy how smart she is and how much she's able to communicate with us even at this age.

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 10

At this point, Avery was becoming very independent, always wanting to do things by herself.  That independence is nice for Jeremy and I but a little scary too--it's hard to let go, even of the smallest things. 

Countdown to ONE: Recap of Month 11

With just over two weeks until Avery hits the big 1 year mark, I thought we would spend this time doing a recap of the last year.  It's so hard to believe that this little girl is almost a year old.  Let's spend some time looking at how much Avery has changed in the past year.  This is Avery at 11 months voicing her many opinions about absolutely everything!  I just love her little personality!

Busy, Busy

For those of you that follow this blog closely (ie Chelsea), I apologize for the lapse in posts.  For some reason, there were a few posts that got saved as drafts instead of being posted on the blog.  I fixed the problem, and those posts are below.  That still leaves a little bit of time since posting, but we have been busy.  This post should make up for that, but hang on because it's a long one.  Avery's first birthday is fast approaching, and we've been busy preparing.  We're so excited for it!  There has been other news since the last postings as well...Avery is going to have another cousin, making a total of 13 (all 6 and under).  Nic and Brooke (as well as Cody and Tasha) are expecting.  We are so excited for all the little ones!  Take the poll to give a vote on girls or boys for the two cousins to come.  Now, on to the star of the show...AVERY! 

It appears that Avery has quite a sweet tooth, just like her dad.  Jeremy has been giving her sweets lately, probably too many.  Here he is giving her a Valentine's sucker.  She loved it!

Jeremy and Avery have a new "trick."  Any time that Jeremy has a piece of gum, Avery is so fascinated with it.  If he sticks part of the gum out of his mouth, she tries to grab it, but not with her hands, with her mouth--so funny!

Avery really loves to help in the kitchen whenever I'm cooking or doing anything in there.  Her favorite thing is to help unload the dishwasher--even if the dishes are dirty.  So, in order to occupy her time while I'm trying to get things done, Avery has a drawer all of her own.  She will spend forever just taking the dishes in and out of the drawer.

During the lapse in posts, Avery has also gotten a couple of new teeth.  The top two teeth are coming in.  For a while, one of them was coming in a lot faster than the other, so it looked like she was going to be a snaggle-tooth.  It was hilarious!  However, now she's started to get the second one too.  So she's more balbanced.  I'm not sure how well you can see the teeth in this picture, but it was the best I could get.

Jeremy and I have worked really hard to give Avery a security object.  Supposedly it really helps babies to sleep, especially in new environments, like when visiting grandparents.  We obviously don't have any other children to compare it to, but it seems to work--she's pretty attached to her blankie.  She is so cute.  She lays down on it and cuddles up to it no matter where she is.  She gets into her "sleeping position" with her butt up in the air--so cute!

I think that's just about all of the cute pictures that I have for now.  I will try not to make any more large lapses in posts, Chelsea (thanks for bringing it to my attention).  I'm sure there will be lots to share, with her birthday coming up so soon--hard to believe it's almost been a year!!  Stay tuned!