The Many Gifts...

One thing we have come to realize is that people are so generous when you have a baby. I don't know if they are just anticipating the great costs that we are going to be incurring or if the baby stuff is just so cute that people just can't resist buying it. Either way, we are so grateful for all of the wonderful gifts that everyone has given Avery.

First Bath

Avery got her first "real" bath and loved it. She seems to have taken to the water, and the bath tub works great right on the counter top in the kitchen--thanks Grandpa and Grandma Cover!

Avery Enjoying Her Room

Jeremy and I worked hard to make the nursery perfect for a girl or a boy, since we didn't know which we were expecting. The room started out mostly green and yellow, but the pink accents quickly made their presence once Avery was born. This is especially true in her closet. No matter the colors, she has made herself right at home there and even sleeps in there at night now.

Visitors from the South

We were so excited that Grandpa Gary and Grandma Pam were able to make a stop in Columbia as they were headed back home to Birmingham. They finally got to meet Avery--I guess she was only about 3 weeks old, but it seems like she changes so fast that those 3 weeks really made a difference. Either way, we were glad that they were able to see her. We didn't think they would be able to meet her so soon. They were so nice to buy Avery her swing while they were here; she absolutely loves that thing. We had a really nice visit and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Party at School

Monday after our discharge from the hospital, Avery and I made our return to school. Everyone there welcomed us and were so excited to meet Avery. Avery became the youngest member of our class and loved all of the attention. Two girls at school, Lindsey and Megan, threw a party for Avery and I--a shower I guess except Avery got to attend also. We had a really great time and were completely surprised. Once again, people were so generous giving us tons of gifts. All of the girls from my class got together and planned the whole thing without us knowing...baked cake, made punch, cookies, sandwiches, decorated with streamers and art work all for the two of us. We are so grateful for all of the help and thoughtfulness that we have gotten from everyone at school. We especially want to thank Lindsey and Megan for organizing the party.

Meeting the Family

As the line formed outside of our hospital room, we had to use the nurses as bouncers to keep the crowd under control. Avery was very popular from day 1. She met her grandparents, her great grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many friends. We are all so lucky to have such great family and friends giving us all this love and support. These are just a few selected pictures of her first introductions.

Avery's Paparazzi

She had quite the line of visitors waiting to see her and hold her, but luckily the nurses saved the first "holds" for Mom and Dad. I wasn't allowed to sit up at that point, but I could still tell that she was beautiful (I hadn't actually seen her until this point). Jeremy was really good with her from the beginning--he was so nervous about it, but he did great!

Avery is here!!

We welcomed Avery Elise Cover on April 1, 2009 at 3:19 pm. She weighed in at 7lbs 9oz and was 20.5 inches long. She was a little reluctant to grace us with her presence, so she had to be delivered by c-section, but in the end all went well. We are so happy to have her here finally!