Thanksgiving

So I'm way behind mostly because we've been so busy and the computer is having major problems. Hopefully we'll get a new one soon! But at last here is a Thanksgiving recap. We had a nice 4-day weekend and THREE Thanksgiving meals. On Thanksgiving day we had one at Grandma JoAnn's followed by one at Great-Grandma Leila's. The food was delicious as always but unfortunately Avery did not get any turkey or mashed potatoes this year. The following Saturday we had lunch at Great Uncle David's in KC. Again great food but Avery was stuck eating bananas which she LOVES. It was nice to visit with all our family and then to have a day to relax at home on Sunday. We put up Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree which Avery loves to look at (it distracts her while she eats!)

Little Elephant

Finally some Halloween pics. Avery's favorite animal is an elephant so that's what she decided to be for Halloween. Okay, maybe I decided that.
I took off the afternoon and picked Avery up early from daycare. But first we got a few pics with Kate and Kara. Kara was a butterfly and Kate was a sheep.

Then we surprised Grandma Michele at work. Avery was dressed in full pumpkin attire.

Then we went to Great-Grandma Leila and Great-Grandpa Harley's and got a treat basket.
Sweet potatoes!
Then we went trick-or-treating at Grandma Michele and Grandpa Scott's. Evan and Aunt Erika were there too. Evan was a hippo. Chief helped Evan go through his basket.

Neither was excited about wearing a costume or having their picture taken

Got another treat basket with some yummy fruits and veggies
Ate some green beans (first veggie!)

Then we went to Cooper's house. Avery got to drive Cooper's Lighting McQueen CARS car.
Super Aunt Sarah with her elephant and turtle
Ready for bed!

Check out Jared's joker face pumpkin

7 Months Old

Avery is getting so big and is starting to move all over the place. She's crawling around a lot now, although it is mostly arms doing the work. She hasn't quite figured out how to get her knees working. Her favorite things to crawl to are cell phones, remote controls and electrical cords. So Jared and I have been on the move a lot as well.

Eating solid food has been a lot of fun. Avery is a good eater and so far eats everything we've given her. She really loves fruit especially bananas. Jared has requested that she not be given any more prunes but I will not go into details on that!

A couple weeks ago Avery had a cold that turned into a bad cough and then a 103 degree fever. This was no fun especially for her. Of course this happened on a Saturday when our medical options were limited. She was diagnosed with an ear infection which required antiobiotics. Luckily it cleared up and she is back to her normal self again.

Lounging in her robe (before she outgrows it!)


Patiently waiting at picture day at church

In front of Grandma JoAnn's Christmas tree

Trying to open Cooper's present!

Six Months Old

We are obviously way behind on our six month old post due to some computer problems. I have some adorable photos from Avery's six month photo shoot to tide everyone over for now. And I will try to get more of mine up very soon including pics of Halloween and eating.

Avery is doing so much more fun stuff these days. She started eating rice ceral in mid-October. It didn't go great at first and we almost gave up thinking she didn't like it, but once I figured out that she didn't like it so thick she became a great eater. At six months she started having veggies for dinner. She ate them all like a champ - green beans, squash, sweet peas, carrots and sweet potatoes. I'd guess squash was her favorite and peas her least fav. Now we just started fruits which she of course likes. So far she's had peaches and pears which she seems to eat faster than the veggies. Hmmm.

The other huge milestone is she has started to crawl. She hasn't mastered it yet but she can move forward if she really wants to. For example, a toy is not worth crawling to but the remote control is.

Avery has already had her first experience as an election day volunteer. She and I were "Pony Express Drivers" who took voting results from a polling place back to the Election Office.

I can't forget to mention her latest stats. At her six month check up she was 17 pounds (75%), 27 inches (90%) and 17 inch head (75%). She had another good check up and her doctor is pleased with her growth and development.

Tailgating

Avery came to our KU football tailgate this weekend. Of course, she was ever so popular and made some new friends. We also got some really great pictures. Avery's blue eyes look so beautiful in the outdoor shots.

We didn't take Avery to the game since that would not be too fun for any of us. Avery stayed with my friend Sarah and her family. They had a great time while Jared and I enjoyed another KU victory. Sarah is a great photographer so I'll post some of her pictures soon.

A Few Firsts

Avery had her first night away from Mom and Dad last weekend. She stayed with my mom while we went to my 10-year high school reunion. (Jared's reunion was a few weeks ago.) She did really well with her grandma and I got a little bit of sleep. However, I woke up early the next morning ready to have her back!

We had another "first" last weekend but not a good one. Avery got sick for the first time. It seemed to be a cold - some coughing, sneezing, and a watery eye. We could tell she didn't feel well when she didn't smile. That is the usual giveaway that she's tired. She had a hard time sleeping Saturday and Sunday nights and stayed home with Jared on Monday. She is much better now.

Avery is semi-mobile these days. She can scoot around especially going backwards and sideways. She can get into a crawling position and go backwards a little bit. When she's on the floor she immediately rolls over and does the highest push-up she can do. We are also working on sitting up but she often topples over.

Here are some pictures of Avery playing with Cousin Evan in their matching KU shirts, doing a push-up in her Halloween shirt, and lounging in the recliner.

5 Months Old

Avery is five months now. Her hand-eye coordination has improved tremendously. She snatches anything she can reach especially necklaces and hair. Cell phones are fun too!

We're now working on how to sit up. She's getting better but tends to fall forward most of the time. She has also figured out how to scoot around. I will lay her down one way and the next thing I know she's facing the other way!

Still no teeth. Lots of drool but no teeth!

We had a playdate with Max, my friend Heather's baby last Sunday. Silly us didn't get a picture before both babies fell asleep. Next time! Avery now loves getting a bottle and got a little jealous when Max got his bottle. She even tried to grab it when Heather put it down.

Today was Jared's and my third anniversary. Hard to believe exactly one year ago we had our first doctor appointment and heard Avery's heartbeat. I had a sonogram and Avery looked like a tiny little bean, about an inch long. She has certainly grown since then.

Avery does this a lot. We call it the "fish out of water pose." She kicks her legs and lets go with her hands which looks like she's swimming.