A day in the life...

Here are some snapshots of what a day looks like for Avery.

A bath

I'm hungry, Mommy.

Fighting with Daddy.

Rooting on the team!

Trying on her new hat!

I can't believe I will be missing all these precious moments when I have to go back to work next month. I am so not looking forward to it. I know some people say you will enjoy the adult interaction and having something to do other than take care of your little one, but I don't want to.

I feel like having a tantrum and kicking my feet and crying, but since I'm the grownup I know that won't get me anywhere... or will it?

8 weeks!

Today Avery is 8 weeks old today, but she isn't technically 2 months old until next Monday.

Avery this week:
- has started noticing her hands. She will sometimes spit out her paci to suck on her hands instead. She hasn't really gotten the concepts of the fingers yet though because she makes a fist and sucks on her thumb while her fist is closed.

- has started a weird every other day habit of pooping, which at first made me nervous, but apparently is perfectly normal -- and I don't mind the fewer poopy diapers to change!

- has grown very fond of bath time. If she is particularly fussy, I can just put her in the bath and she is happy as a clam.

- best of all she has started sleeping through the night! I don't want to jinx us, but the last 4 nights in a row she has gone to sleep at 9:30 and woken up between 6:00 and 7:00!

Go Giants!

7 Weeks!

I can't believe my baby girl is getting so big.

Some things of note from this week:
- Avery has started sleeping really well. She usually sleeps 6-8 hours during the first stretch and another 3-4 after a feed and change.

- She now wakes up smiley and cooing rather than fussing and crying. It's fantastic!

- She has finally started wearing 0-3 month clothes. I am so glad we didn't listen to all the people who advised against us buying any newborn clothes because "she'll only wear them for a week."

And now, here is a picture from yesterday: she is 7 weeks!

7 weeks

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...

Avery!

Justin and Avery were playing airplane last night and it's probably one of the cutest things I've ever seen... of course I am a little biased.

6 Weeks!

Avery is 6 weeks old today! She is having a fussy day -- only having taken one substantial nap and then a series of mini naps of no more than 10 minutes. It doesn't allow for much time to get anything done around the house. Luckily I shower quickly nowadays.

Avery says hello!

I was playing around with my camera to figure out how to get vertically shot videos to play correctly and shot this cute one while Avery was in her swing.




She's looking up at the mirror on the mobile above her.

Dear Baby Girl,

As I sit here and watch you sleep I can't help but feel happy. I am so happy you have come into our lives and forever changed them. You may keep us up until all hours of the night, cry for no reason, and in general confuse the hell out of us, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I can't even begin to explain the joy you have brought to our lives in just the last 5 weeks. The day you were born was one of the happiest days of my life. I could not believe how tiny you were with your little bitty nose, and your perfect little ears; your beautiful big eyes and full head of hair.

Then last week when you smiled at me you melted my heart. I couldn't help the tears that welled in my eyes. Your big, gummy smile was enough to make me forget about everything else. I spent the rest of the day trying to get you to do it again and again.

You were -- and are -- perfection. I couldn't ask for anything more. I can't wait to watch you grow. I look forward to hearing your first laugh and your first word; watching you take your first steps and start your first day of school. All those things will only add to how much I love you.

Because I love you more than the stars in the sky, sand on the beaches and drops of water in all the oceans of the world.

Love,
Your Mommy.

Avery has a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb....

...whose fleece was white as snow.

Originally we bought a travel swing because of space and I hate it. It only swings front to back, Avery always slides down because of the angle of the seat so I am constantly adjusting her and the 5 point harness is too high so she looks like she is being choked. Plus she will only stay in it any length of time if she's already asleep when I put her in it.

Yesterday we were at Holli & Steve's house and I put her in her Austin's swing and she was out like a light within 5 minutes I told Justin we had to get one ASAP.

So today we went to Once Upon a Child in Vacaville and they had a My Little Lamb swing for $70. It's practically NEW! The feeding tray was even still in the packaging.

She loves it!

5 weeks old!

Avery is growing so fast! Here she is on Wednesday at exactly 5 weeks old!

Good Morning Beautiful

I feel so blessed to be a mommy -- to be Avery's mommy. It's hard. And it's scary. But it's the single best thing that has ever happened to me. She's the reason I get up in the morning -- and the middle of the night, too!

I have several nicknames for her, but one I call her first thing in the morning: beautiful. I call her that because every morning when I wake up, the same song pops into my head. I'm pretty sure the song was originally written for a love interest or spouse, but it applies pretty well to where we are in our life and how I feel about her.

Good Morning Beautiful

Good morning beautiful
how was your night
mine was wonderful
with you by my side
and when I open my eyes
and see your sweet face
it's a good morning beautiful day

I couldn't see the light
I didn't know day from night
I had no reason to care
since you came along
I can face the dawn
cause I know you'll be there

Good morning beautiful
how was your night
mine was wonderful
with you by my side
and when I open my eyes
and see your sweet face
it's a good morning beautiful day

I never worry
if it's raining outside
cause in here with you girl
the sun always shines

Good morning beautiful
how was your night
mine was wonderful
with you by my side
and when I open my eyes
and see your sweet face
it's a good morning beautiful day
Good morning beautiful day

Good morning beautiful
it's a beautiful day
good morning beautiful
good morning
good morning beautiful
what a beautiful day
good morning beautiful

My baby girl is 1 month old today!

Today is Avery's 1 month birthday.

This last month has gone by so fast. I can't believe she is already so big. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us. I love to just look at her and watch her tiny facial expressions. Granted, they are still only reactions to bodily functions but nevertheless they are adorable!

She is beginning to find her voice and started making little noises other than cries this last week. I love to listen to her cooing as she sits in her swing or bouncer and takes in the whole world around her -- all 14 inches of it that she can see so far!

I have been taking a picture of her in Justin's oversized recliner every Wednesday (the day of the week she was born). I missed the first week one :-( but here are the last three!

2 weeks old

3 weeks old

4 weeks old