Avery 8 Months

Avery is 8 months old! She has become quite the social little girl. She smiles and coos to almost everyone she sees. Two weeks ago we dropped her off at school for the first time. When I picked her up she was happy as can be. Hard for mom? Yes. But, I truly believe this is best for Avery. She LOVES to be around people.


















I took this picture of Avery before she went to school for the first time.

Avery is still sitting strong. She hasn't started crawling yet, but has been scooting around for a few months. Lately, she has been rocking back and forth on hands and knees. I tried to convience her to crawl today. I just know that she is going to crawl at school this week, and then I won't be the first to see the "first." Or maybe she will skip crawling and walk. Apparently crawling is NOT a milestone that is necessary for further developmental milestones.













Look at this girl standing on those strong legs!

Avery has been LOVING puffs lately. She has a lot of fun picking them up and putting them in her mouth. She loves the apple AND the "greens" (spinach, kale, and greens). I think she will eventually figure out that they have "green" stuff in them since she refuses to eat the pureed peas and green beans now. The only semi-green thing she will eat is avocado. This makes me proud though, because it is packed with good things for healthy brain development. She has recently began eating toast and diced bananas. Maybe next weekend I will have time to cook and cut up some other yummy finger foods. Seriously, I need to hire someone to cook/clean for us. (I WISH!)


















One of Avery's favorite treats is frozen banana. She usually lets me know it is all gone by throwing a BIG fit!

I miss her during the day when I am at work. I MISS HER A WHOLE LOT! I just know and believe that she is where she needs to be for now and is well taken care of. And for some reason, I have been entrusted with the job of encouraging, motivating, and teaching 20 VERY different 6-year-olds. Some of them could care less about learning (but by the end of the year they will LOVE it). One can't speak English AT ALL. Another has had only a year of English in her country of Korea. I have a challenging school year ahead, a little girl to love on when I am home, and a God to serve daily. I am praying for the strength to carry out the task He has set before me knowing that WITH Him all things are possible.

7 Months Old

Yesterday Avery turned 7 months old! I can hardly believe it. (I think I say that every month.) I feel like I am going to wake up and all of a sudden she is going to be walking and talking and I will have missed her growing up. (Especially since I am about to start school in three weeks ... ahhhhhhhhhh!) That will be another post for sure!


Matt and I LOVE this little girl more than words can describe. It doesn't take much for her to make our day brighter. Her smile is contagious.

Here are some things Avery has been doing this past month:

Sitting up very well

Trying to pull up to sitting from lying

Eating solids!!! (I never thought this would happen.) Her favorite so far is sweet potatoes and banana.

Learning to drink from a sippy cup. (We just introduced it to her to see what she would do with it. She thinks it is funny, because she laughs every time she puts it in her mouth.)

Continues to be VERY curious and loves to watch what is going on

Laughing (After all this time, we finally caught it on video.)

Reaches for EVERYTHING and procedes to put it in her mouth

Scoots backward and around but not forward yet

***This sweet picture of Avery was taken by her Bibi.

Avery's 6 Month Pictures

Once again Laurel at www.eilas.com did an excellent job capturing Avery's sweet personality. We met at the Factory in Franklin and found some perfect outdoor spots for the photo shoot.

Enjoy.













Avery has already learned how to wink (Ha!).



















The girl LOVES her dad ...


















... and her mom!


















She has already mastered the pouty face.













We LOVE our little Avery!

Meal Time Progress

Today, Avery was unusually happy when I was feeding her oatmeal. Between my ridiculously animated "this is really good" faces and the giraffe bib, I think Avery decided that she might actually like solid foods one day. At least it is progress!

Avery's 6 Month Stats

Yesterday Avery went to see her pediatrician. The doc said that she is growing at a good rate. She is definitely in the lower percentiles for now, but she is so very strong.

Weight: 13lb. 4 oz.
Height: 24.75 in.

6 Months Later

Wow! Where does time go? Avery is now 6 months old! Everyday seems to be new and exciting. Just last weekend, Avery went to visit my family for the first time. It was her first trip to the great state of Arkansas. I feel like she hit a growth spurt last weekend because she had several "firsts" while we were there.

She began sitting up for short periods of time by herself! I am such a proud lil' mom!


















Ask the girl a question and she will shake her head no. It is the cutest thing really! I think her Aunt Alicia taught her this when I wasn't looking.

Avery also tried green bean puree for the first time this past week. I made it from scratch ya'll! I was so proud of myself. Unfortunately, she wasn't a big fan. I seem to have a non-eater on my hands. She likes what she likes. Maybe this week we will try carrot puree. I am determined to find something this girl will eat. I guess I may have to resort to a sugary food (fruits). Every girl likes sugar you know.













Avery and I have also been frequent visitors at the YMCA these past few weeks. I think she really enjoys meeting new people. She seems to make people smile wherever we go. I always wonder if the childcare workers just think she is super cute and love to hold her or if she is "one of the fussy babies" and they have to hold her. Every time I pick her up she is being held by one of them.

Avery doesn't seem to have a consistent nap schedule lately. She usually takes a really good morning nap. But in the afternoon when I try to put her down for a nap, she cries and cries and cries some more. I am OK with it as long as she is getting the sleep she needs. Sometimes, when she is REALLY tired, she will laugh at you for no reason. It is one of those deep down "I think you are so funny" laughs. It melts my heart!

This week Avery also got her WHOLE big toe in her mouth. If only I had some of her flexibility!

I will post Avery's 6 month stats this week! I can't wait to see how she has grown since her 4 month well visit.

A Week in Pictures

Just look at this sweet face!




















Avery got to see her grandma, Bibi, for the second time!













Avery got her very first sippy cup.



















Avery now has enough hair to wear a bow without a headband!