A Visit From Mimi and Pappy

My parents were in town this weekend to see Avery. They usually come on Saturday and leave on Sunday, but Matt and I were without a sitter on Friday and both of us had to work. So, they came a day early to keep Avery! Lifesavers! They stayed until Sunday and spoiled both Avery and her parents (Matt and I). My mom cleaned, graded papers, and did tons of other things to help out. My dad repaired some things on our car. (The car that desperately needs to be replaced with another one very soon!)

Matt and I actually went on a date Saturday night. It included both dinner and a movie. That is a big deal because we have never been away from her that long at the same time. It was fun.

3 Months and Lots of Fun

This past Friday Avery turned 3 months old. She is so much fun these days. She smiles a lot, coos a lot, has learned how to laugh, and really wants to roll over. Her favorite spot in our whole house is the changing pad on her dresser. She LOVES it up there and calms down almost immediately if she is upset. She has also been developing some really strong abdominal muscles. If she is in her swing, she tries to lift her upper body forward. I am certain that she is going to be on the move and hard to keep up with!


















This past weekend we tried out her Bumbo seat for the first time. She did a good job for a minute but is not quite ready for it yet. I think she liked it though.


















I love watching Avery and observing how she is growing and changing each day. I think that is one of the hardest things about returning to work. I just feel like I am going to miss out of those little bits of sunshine! Mrs. Melinda (one of Avery's sitters) has been writing down their daily activities. I LOVE that. It just makes me feel like I haven't missed out on as much of her day. But that is for another post. Maybe I will entitle it "The Challenges of a Working Mom."

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Week Finally Came

After 9 months of pregnancy and 3 months at home watching her grow ... Avery and I have spent a lot of time together. But the time has come for me to return to work. I am going to miss spending my days looking at this sweet face! This week finally came, and I knew it would. Sadness.

Pop Came for a Visit

This week, Matt's dad (Pop), is in town for a writer's conference at LifeWay. He came a little bit early so that he could see Avery. Honestly, he was Avery's first official babysitter. On Saturday, Matt and I finally went out for a few hours without Avery. It was great to go to a restaurant without the fear of a little one getting upset. While we were out, she was at home being spoiled by Pop.

2 Months and Growing

On Friday Avery turned two months old! We celebrated by visiting the doctor for her two month well visit. She was such a good little patient. She smiled and looked around almost the whole time. Our little peanut is growing. Here were her stats from the visit.
Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz.
Height: 21.13 in.













Avery has reached several milestones this month!

She seems to smile all the time (especially in the morning). I think she is going to be a morning person (like her mom).

She has most definitely found her voice. She loves to "talk" and squeal to us and to her animals. I wonder when she will figure out that the animals don't talk back?! One day last week she even let out a little giggle when we were playing "Pat-a-Cake."

She is great at following Matt and I as we move around the room (when we are close to her of course).

She is beginning to enjoy tummy time a little bit more.

Avery has also impressed us with her strength! She can put all her weight (all 8.9 pounds) on her legs when we hold her upright! I have learned her secret to that strong core she has got and will share it with you. She rides the bike multiple times a day. This would be a great place to insert a video of her pumping her legs as though she is riding a bike! Ha!

I am excited about spending this next three weeks with Avery at home until I return to work. I am going to make sure that I tell those keeping her not to tell me if she has a "first." I at least want to think that Matt or I was the first to see her accomplishments.

We Got Mail!

One of my all time favorite things to do as a kid was to check the mail. I remember my sister and I actually fighting over who got to check it. I grew up in small-town Arkansas in the 80's. We did not have email, FaceBook, or cool phones. So, the simple things amused us. Now that I am an adult with responsibilities, checking the mail often means bills and junk mail.

However, lately we have received some fun packages.

WE GOT MAIL: The first package we received was from my Uncle and grandmother. They sent Avery a cute little Valentine's Day outfit. The outfit said "Baby's 1st Valentines." She wore it ALL day! That is a big deal around our house these days.













WE GOT MAIL: The second package we received was from my mom and dad. Mimi and Pappy sent Avery a sweet little book. We read it as soon as we opened the package.













WE GOT MAIL: The third package we received was from my 1st grade class. The super creative room moms (You know who you are!) had the kiddos make me a Valentine. Then, they complied them and put them together in a heart-shaped book. What a surprise it was and such a sweet keepsake from this school year. On each valentine was a child's picture and his/her message. LOVE.