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. 

   

Rub-a-dub-dub

fun in the tub!

Ever since Avery was little she has loved the bath. It is so fun to play and laugh as a way to wind down from the day.

The tale of two pigs

or more commonly referred to as a pigtails. Avery's hair is finally long enough all over to be tied up into these cute little pigtails. They sort of look like horns which I find quite fitting for my bully of a kid. I can't wait for her first french braid.

Her father's daughter

I think Avery has been watching Justin for too long. This morning as soon as she woke up she ran into the living room, grabbed the remote and climbed into Daddy's recliner. She was so proud of herself.

What goes around comes around

For Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Nunley bought Avery this Jumperoo. Since she started crawling and subsequently walking shortly after she got very little use out of it. It had been stored away in her closet until recently when it caught her eye once again.

I pulled it out and put it together and put her in it. She was less than thrilled to be confined to one place after having such freedom for so long, so I took it apart again and while putting away the legs she took a fancy to playing with the seat part on the ground.

Ever since then the seat has been in our living room and floor and she loves to climb all over it and play with the toys on it or play with other toys while sitting in it.

Patio Party

Recently I made a few improvements to our tiny apartment patio so that we would have an outdoor area to play. Last week I put down the new rug so we could get started and as soon as Avery woke up from her nap I took her out there. She absolutely loves it and now that the patio is pretty close to being done she loves it even more. 

Baby no more.

Since turning 1 somehow Avery has turned into a full-fledged toddler. She even looks like a big kid. The day after her birthday I took her to the park.

My fair lady

On Thursday we took Avery to the Napa Town & Country Fair. We had gone to the state fair a couple of weeks ago, but this time we got to see all the farm animals up close and she had a blast. She even got to touch a pig!

Then today the fair wrapped up with a traditional, small town parade. Avery and Daddy waited for the parade to start each looking their own way. Then all the way through the parade she would drop her bottle and clap for all the passing floats.

Happy Birthday, Avery!

On Saturday we had Avery's birthday party. We were joined by so many family and friends and had a blast. She received so many wonderful gifts including a kitchen stool hand made by my dad so that she can stand up to counter height and cook with me and the doll that Justin and I gave to her. She loves that she can see what is going on up there on the stool and she loves to fling to doll around and run it over with the play stroller she also received.

These are some of the party photos

"DA DA DA DA DA!"

"What are these?!"

Loving playtime with Uncle Trevor

Don't mess with the birthday girl!

12 Months!

52 weeks. 12 months. 1 year.

Holy moly. Where did the time go? I can't believe she is 12 months old. Avery has accomplished some awesome things this month.

- Hi fives: Avery can now high five and low five. We're working on the simultaneous hi ten next.
- Mama: She says Mama. To me, about me and for me. It's the best noise I've heard since I heard that first cry the day she was born.
- Pony ride: Avery had her very first pony ride this month when we went to the state fair.
- Shhh: Avery loves to tell you shhh. I really like that she understands what shhh means and actually does it!
- Sippy: Avery mastered the sippy early in the month and has been using it like a champ ever since.

THIS MONTH YOUR BABY MAY:

• develop an attachment to a comfort object, like a teddy bear or a blankie, as she continues to find new ways to soothe herself Avery has had an attachment for a while to a particular type of fabric. Luckily we have three blankets that have this fabric and so far they are interchangeable to her.
• explore away from parents in a safe environment, as her confidence grows She loves to play independently, but frequently looks for one of us to make sure we are watching and especially loves when we talk to her as she is playing about what she is doing.
• begin to walk more steadily on her own She's been walking for two months now! A lot of people are shocked to know that she is only 1 because of how well she walks (and how big she is compared to other kids her age).
• begin to grab up small crumbs or pieces of food with two fingers She has been doing this since the start, but has recently become more picky by wanting to be fed with a fork or spoon. She's quite the diva.
• learn how to stack two blocks and scribble on paper Avery can stack her blocks and loves to knock them back over. I've never offered her a paper and crayon or marker to scribble, so I am not sure she could.
• begin to expand beyond her one-syllable vocabulary She says what sounds like hot and dog. I am not sure it's a coincidence or her obsession with the "Hot Dog Song" on the Mickey Mouse Club House.
• begin to imitate animal sounds She makes noises back at the dog, but it doesn't really sound like a bark.
• continue to search for hidden objects as her understanding of permanence grows There is no hiding things from this girl. If you take something away and try to put it behind your back or in your pocket she knows where to find it and usually isn't happy until she does. We are becoming very adept at distraction techniques.
  
• begin to point to things and look at pictures as her curiosity about her world increasesing Avery is definitely a girl. She loves to stare at herself in the mirror and look at pictures of herself.

52 Weeks!

MONTH: 12
WEEK: 52
WEIGHT: 24 lbs +
LENGTH: 31-ish inches
HEAD: 18 Inches +
MILESTONES: She says mama!!!!!!! Like for reals. To me. mama. Ahhh!
OBLIGATORY ADORABLE PICTURE: Avery loves to clap and will do it on cue when you say, "yaaaaaaay!"

EATING: My foodie baby has turned into a picky toddler. We are still trying to figure out why she won't eat foods she once loved. I've found that if I eat some first she will eat a little. And forget trying to get her to eat something I'm not eating.
SLEEPING: We are back to one full waking a night and a couple of paci replacements. It's a vast improvement from the 3-4 full wakings we had so I'll take it for now.
VISITS/OUTINGS: Avery has been loving the park so we try to go a couple times per week.
FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: She loves to pull ALL the tupperware and sippys out of the one cabinet we left un-childproofed.
MOMMY FEELS: So shocked that it's been 52 weeks. It's so surreal.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO: Tomorrow is her actual 1st birthday and Avery's party is on Saturday.

51 weeks!

MONTH: 12 
WEEK: 51 
WEIGHT: 24 lbs 
LENGTH: 31+ in 
HEAD: 18+ in
MILESTONES: Avery can now tell us to "shhh" except instead of putting one finger in front of her mouth she puts her whole hand. It's pretty hilarious. She's also added a third dance move to her repertoire. She can now wave her hands frantically, bounce her little tushy and stomp her feet.
OBLIGATORY ADORABLE PICTURE: Taken on Friday at 51 weeks 2 days. She was not very cooperative, but her little half smile is still adorable.
EATING: I've heard toddlers can be picky, but I didn't believe it would happen to us... until now. She is now refusing most veggies and almost any grain. I've taken to putting cheese on the veggies to make them more appetizing. Also, I've found that she doesn't mind being fed most foods. What a diva. 
SLEEPING: The night before last we got 8 hours. EIGHT whole hours. I am so refreshed and feel much more equipped to handle the wakeups for the next few weeks. 
VISITS/OUTINGS: Tomorrow we are going to the State Fair. It will be Avery's first fair and is supposed to be 90+ degrees. Wish us luck!
FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Avery has become a fast fan of climbing stairs. Now we have to be on the lookout for any before she makes a beeline for them and is halfway up the flight.
MOMMY FEELS: Overwhelmed with the fact that my baby will be a toddler -- next week. :::breathes into a paper bag:::
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO: 

Boo boo

Last week we took an trip to the park one morning. I like to take Avery to the park early in the day before all the big kids get there because they are rough and fast and I don't like her to get trampled. Well even with my good intentions she still ended up with a boo boo. Luckily she had some fun before running into the bench.

There's Something About...

Mary Avery.

Grandpa's Girl

 Last week while we were at Grandma and Grandpa Nunley's house Grandpa and Avery were outside playing golf. Grandpa showed Avery how to put the ball on the tee and how to swing her little club to hit it. She didn't quite understand but it was adorable to watch her try -- especially when she tried to take the ball and run away with it.