Family park day!

Today was finally warm enough to go out to the park and since Justin was done for the day he came with us. She had so much fun going down the slide with Daddy and running around with him.

15 weeks!

How far along? 15 weeks 1 day
Weight gain/loss: +3/4
Maternity clothes? Not yet. Which is surprising because with Avery I was already 4+ weeks into wearing my maternity jeans.
Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep? As much as I was before.
Best moment this week? Justin has been home most afternoons, so it has been fun to all hang out together. We even took Avery to see some goats and she had a ball. I can't wait to see how Avery will show her new brother or sister all these cool things.
Movement: Still unsure. 
Food cravings: Anything with large quantities of carbs. And Taco Bell.
Gender: Still unknown
Labor signs? Nope.
Belly button in or out? In.
What I miss? Letting Avery sit on my stomach when we lay on the floor and read books.
What I am looking forward to? Finding out the gender.
Weekly wisdom: Sleep whenever you get the chance. Even if you can't sleep laying down for some quiet time is almost as good.
Milestones: None pregnancy related, but Avery slept from 7pm to 7 am once this week and for that I am eternally grateful.

First trip to the library!

This afternoon Avery and I were itching to get out of the house, but it was too windy to go to the park. Since Avery was in the sleepy-but-not-cranky mood I thought it might be a good time to try taking her to the library. She did so well!

 She was so interested in all the books. And when we walked out she tried to run right back in. 

Once we were home she was so intrigued at all the books we checked out.

Happy Halloween!

This year Avery was Wonder Woman for Halloween. It started with the shirt we found at Six Flags this summer. I made the cape and the tutu and the shoes were courtesy of Aunt Stacy. She had so much fun trick or treating and even got some candy she can actually eat. She was even asleep in the car before we got home. 

Best Buds

Daddy and Avery are always such great buds. Thursday I was able to catch a great photo of the two of them.

Bananas

Avery's new word is

bananas.

It sounds more like "ma-nana" but she gets it. She will only actually say it when I have a banana or she is eating a banana. They are her favorite fruit.

Pillow Pet

Who needs one of these?

 

When you have one of these?

Smile!

My girl is so smiley and I just love seeing her so happy.

13 weeks!

How far along? 13 weeks 5 days
Weight gain/loss: +3/4
Maternity clothes? Not yet. I still fit into my skinny jeans. Yay me!
Stretch marks? No new ones yet
Sleep? As good as it was before. Avery still isn't sleep great but it has improved greatly. I am taking more naps lately. If only Avery hadn't decided to drop to one nap a day. :::sigh:::
Best moment this week? It's only Monday, so let's see what the week brings.
Movement: Nothing for sure yet, but if I didn't know better I'd say that I feel tiny flutters if I am laying on my belly. It's still much too early to tell anything for sure.
Food cravings: Nothing in particular, but I am very hungry all the time. 
Gender: Unknown
Labor signs? Nope.
Belly button in or out? Still an innie.
What I miss? Sandwiches that didn't take so long. I have been heating the meat before eating to prevent listeriosis and it's quite a daunting task to prepare it when I just want to eat it already.
What I am looking forward to? Feeling movement for sure.
Weekly wisdom: Sleep as often and as long as you can. 
Milestones: We're now in the 2nd trimester. It really is flying by. 

Oct. 21, 2010 vs. Oct. 21, 2011

When she was little people used to ask what happen in a shocked tone. For a long time I would look at her and ask, "Oh no! What do you mean?" Thinking in the 2.4557885 seconds I looked away she somehow sustained some major injury. In reality they were just referring to her hemangioma. I would always reply with the short answer that it was a birth mark, but that isn't exactly true. 

A birthmark is one that will not go away and this one will -- eventually. I have noticed over the last 6 months or so it has really lightened up and started spreading out as her face grew which makes it look even lighter. We are told that by the time she is 2 it will be completely gone, but truth be told I hardly notice it anymore. And we never get the comments we used to.

2010

2011

Pumpkin Patch 2011

On Friday Justin and I took Avery to the Stanley Lane Pumpkin Patch to get our pumpkins. It's the same pumpkin patch we took her to last year. This year was much different than last. She loved to run around in the corn rows and climb the hay bale pyramid. She really wanted to touch the pigs, but the sign said not to so she was a little disappointed when I wouldn't let her. All in all we got three pumpkins -- one for Justin, Avery and me -- and some small decorating pumpkins for the house.

Tomato Tomato

Recently we have discovered a secret weapon to get Avery to eat things she otherwise seemed disinterested it. Put a tomato - or any tomato derivative - on it and she will devour it. her two favorite tomato-based flavors right now? Tomato sauce and ketchup. She can even dip things in the ketchup all by herself. My big girl.

Introducing: Baby Squirt!

Since Justin cannot contain himself any longer, the secret must come out! We are excited to announce that Avery will be a big sister to Baby Squirt in April 2012. ♥

 

 

Train Town

Today Aunt Stacy and I took Avery to Train Town. They have real sized, old train cars that you can walk in and check out and a miniature ride-on train. The ride-on train even stops at a petting zoo and then returns back to the station.

Avery had so much fun making her way through the old train and checking out all the cool stuff. She was even sat down for the majority of the ride to the petting zoo just watching and taking everything in. She was not, however, a fan of the animals at the zoo. She especially didn't like the goats and their big horns.

Dinner with friends

On Saturday we had dinner with some friends from out of town. Since we ate so late it was quite an adventure trying to capture a photo of Avery, Tabitha and Brady. Even so it was quite a fun evening. Thanks for the night, ladies (and Andy!).

Ready, set, park!

The park has always been one of our favorite activities mostly because there are so many around so they never get old. Plus they're FREE.

Now that Avery is a little older she seems to have so much more fun and for me it's all that much more exciting to watch her explore and learn. It's also very scary sometimes to watch her try to to climb or jump on things, but when she finally gets it the look on her face is absolutely priceless and more rewarding than anything I've ever experienced.

Avery: 13 Months!

 This month has been a big one for Miss Avery. She has made quite a few accomplishments and I am very proud of her. 

Throw ball: She can pick up and throw a ball fairly accurately. She is even learning how to catch!
Take bites: Sometimes Avery doesn't want to to eat things in pieces she wants the whole thing and now will take bites when you ask her.
Stack blocks: She can stack blocks about 5 or 6 high and loves to knock them back down. It's pretty hilarious.
Slide by herself: Since going to gymnastics she has learned how to climb the ladder and slide down all by herself. It's so cute to see how proud she is of herself. 
Use a straw: Avery has finally mastered the straw and really enjoys drinking Jamba Juice out of her very own little cup.
Show how old she is: If asked how many years old she is she can put up one finger. It's quite an accomplishment.

THIS MONTH YOUR BABY MAY:

• bend over and pick up objects, as the development of her muscles and balance allow her to She has been able to do this for some time. She can even do it running if the object is big enough!
• respond to verbal requests without gestures (when you say "come," she will come without parent having to make a "come here" motion) I know she understands the request but rarely obliges. In fact if you ask her to 'come here' she is more likely to run in the opposite direction than actually come to you.
• say two or more words in addition to "mama" or "dada" She says 'hi' to anyone and anyone who will listen and even those who don't listen. She also says 'this' and 'that' and calls the dog 'DD' or 'Diggy'.

Donkeys!

Today we went for a drive because Avery was having a hard time taking a nap. Once she fell asleep I found this great house in the middle of a vineyard and wanted to take a photo. I pulled over and as soon as we stopped these two donkeys walked up. They were adorable, but Avery slept the whole way through it!

Family is family is family

Yesterday we were finally able to meet with my Aunt Audra and cousin Jess. I have not seen them in at least 15 years. We had been in contact over email and phone for a couple of years and I am so excited that were able to reconnect in person.

First we met at In 'N Out for a delicious burger since they don't have them in Ohio where they live. Then we cruised around town sightseeing and searching for a souvenir sweatshirt for Jess. When my brother Thomas got out of school we met him and all went to get an even more delicious cupcake from a local cupcakery.

By the time we are were done there Justin was home so we went there and met up with him so we could get a couple of photos all together. All in all it was a great day and I am so glad we were able to spend it together. 

Labor Day BBQ

Tonight we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Nunley's house for the holiday. We had all kinds of foods and Avery found a few new favorites! She loved her deviled egg, watermelon and strawberries. She also devoured her tri tip and pork tenderloin. I think her highness has somewhat recovered from her pickiness. I have noticed, however, that she will only really eat new foods if she thinks it's her idea. I can't hand her new foods, but if I set it on her tray or plate and ignore it she will likely pick it up and eat it. If I can get her to taste it, she pretty much likes anything. We are lucky in that way.