Avery's 5th Month

5th Month Milestones - 10/4/10

Height - 24 inches plus ??? No dr's visit this month.

Weight - 12+ lbs??

Sleeping - You usually go to bed between 7:30 and 8:30 depending on what we have going on that day. The past few weeks you've been really congested so you haven't quite been resting as well as normal.  You still usually take about 3 naps a day, ranging from 30 mins to an hour or so. We put you to bed around 8 or 8:30 and you usually sleep until about 1 or 2, eat, then go back to sleep until Mommy wakes you up at 7 or so. Mommy can't complain.

Eating - You eat every 3 to 4 hours during the day, about 4 to 6 oz. or so, and usually only wake once to eat at night. We really started working on eating cereal this month. You did not like it at first. Then we started mixing in a little fruits/veggies and suddenly you don't mind it. Right now you only eat cereal or fruits/veggies once a day, but we're working that up to two times. You've had pears and sweet potatoes so far and love them! I have a feeling you are going to love Nonna's sweet potato casserole at Christmas!

New discoveries - You can move! You can officially roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. You love to move now. Everyone is amazed at how well you can get around. We love it too, Daddy's even trying to teach you to walk already! lol! Mommy is just fine with rolling though. Don't grow up too fast baby girl!  You also have become vocal this month. It is fun to hear you "talk" and watch what gets you excited.

New accomplishments - You are perfecting the art of rolling this month. You are learning to like cereal and to eat solid foods.

Places you went - We didn't really go anywhere this month, but people came to see you! Your baby dedication was on September 26th and we had a full house of family and friends to celebrate you. Nonna & Poppa, Mim &Pawpaw, Kristi & Bella, Brian, Janelle & Jonathan, and Uncle Ronald all came to church with us for your baby dedication. It was so fun to get to celebrate you with them. We also met Nonna, Poppa, Uncle Daniel, Aunt April, Laura, Jeff, Katie, Memaw and Poppie in Denton to celebrate Katie and Jeff's birthdays. You of course got spoiled there.

Special Memories - The weather is finally cool enough to go for walks in the evenings now. You love them! Most of the time you fall asleep, but I still think you love it. Oh, and we got to break out the baby legwarmers and I love them! You look adorable and I love matching them to your outfit. Funny memory I know, but I love it!

5 wonderful month you have been apart of our lives. One year ago this month we found out that we were pregnant with you and my, how our lives have changed in a year. Not just you - we moved and bought a house, Daddy finished fire school, you arrived, Mommy spent 3 months at home with you (which I miss!), Daddy started a new job, Mommy went back to work and you are growing like a weed through all of it. You are so precious to us and I can't wait to get home each day to see your face and watch you smile. You are growing into your personality and it is so fun to see it emerge each day. You love your baths. You hate getting dressed afterwards. You love playing silly games with Daddy like peek-a-boo. You dislike it when everyone leaves the room and you are alone. You love your paci and your thumb, and despite our efforts, it looks like you'll be a thumb sucker for now. We love you sweet girl. We are praying for you each day that God will protect and guide you and that you'll know how much he loves you.
Love you baby girl!

~Mommy & Daddy

Avery's 4th Month

Has it already been 4 months? Can you already be 4 months old?! You are growing and changing on what seems like a daily basis. This month has been a fun one watching you learn all about the world around you. Its hard to believe that you are already rolling over and laughing.

4th Month Milestones - 9/4/10

Height - 24 inches, in between the 25 and 50 percentile

Weight - 11 lbs. 10.5 oz., in the 10th percentile

Sleeping - Pretty much the same as last month, but last night you slept from 9 to 4:30! And even then you didn't really wake up, but Mommy decided to feed you so you would sleep while Mommy was showering/getting ready for work. Yay, Avery! Your naps during the day are about 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you are really tired you'll sleep for 2 hours, but that is rare. :) We put you to bed around 8 or 8:30 and you usually sleep until about 1 or 2, eat, then go back to sleep until Mommy wakes you up at 7 or so. Mommy can't complain.

Eating - You eat every 3 to 4 hours during the day, about 4 to 6 oz. or so, and usually only wake once to eat at night. We got the green light to officially start you on cereal and then first baby foods. Mommy gave you cereal with a spoon though and you didn't like it. We'll keep trying, maybe you'll learn to like it.

New discoveries - Your feet! You have officially found your feet and love chewing/sucking on them. Nonna came and stayed with us for a week while Poppa was out of town on a work trip. During that week you discovered you could hold your feet. Shortly after Daddy taught you to put your foot in your mouth. You love it! We think it is the cutest thing ever. You also discovered your thumb this month. Mommy isn't too happy about this, but so far we can just offer you your paci instead and you take it. Here's hoping this doesn't last long!

New accomplishments - You rolled over from your tummy to back! You were 16 weeks and we had you on your tummy on your playmat. All of the sudden you were on your back! Then about a week later, you figured out how to roll from your back to your tummy. Now it is hard to leave you anywhere because you  have figured out you can move. We love watching you roll though. Makes for some interesting diaper changes.

Places you went - We spent the Labor Day weekend with Mim, Papa, Kristi, Andrew and Bella in Tyler. It was fun to see Bella love on you. You are her "Ba-bee A-ver-ree." It is the cutest thing to hear her call your name. Mim and Papa had fun loving on you. Papa got on a frozen yogurt kick while here and we ate lots of it that weekend. He can't wait til you are old enough to get you hooked on it too.

Special Memories - Daddy got a new truck this month. He was so excited and couldn't wait to show it to you and Mommy. Your car seat fits in the back seat so I anticipate many rides with Daddy in your future. :)

I truly can't believe it has already been 4 months since you came into our lives. I have enjoyed every minute of it. True, not all of it has been easy, but totally worth it. Most people who see you comment about you being so small, but honestly I love it. I love that you are still small enough to cuddle up in my arms when we rock before bedtime. I love that you stroke my hair and face while you eat. I love that you recognize me when Mrs. Marilyn drops you off each day. I love watching Daddy make you laugh. You laugh the biggest belly laugh just for him. It is precious and I want to remember it always.

Love you baby girl!

~Mommy & Daddy

A with Daddy in his new truck

Dad & his new truck

3 month pictures

For Avery's 3 month pictures, we had Tiffany Segler (from TClairePhotography) take her pics. Tiffany also took Avery's newborn photos. We headed to one of the parks here early on a Saturday and hoped we would get some smiles from Avery. As you can see by the evidence below she did!

It's funny to think about, but Tiffany was only 10 years old when Randy moved to Marietta and now she has her own photography business. I've known her even longer, as we went to church together at FBC. Thanks for giving us some precious photos of our Avery, Tiff!! We love them (& you)!

Avery's 3rd Month

Avery - you are 3 months old already! You have been a part of our lives for 3 months or about 100 days and they have been wonderful! Mommy can't seem to remember what we did without you. The months before you were born were spent packing, moving, unpacking, painting, all a blur for the most part. But once you made your arrival, all the time spent preparing was so worth it.

3rd Month Milestones - 8/4/10

Height - ??? Mommy needs to measure you. You didn't have a doctor's visit this month so we aren't sure.
Weight - about 10.5 lbs?? Again, no check-up so Mommy just did a guess-timate by weighing herself then weighing herself and you.

Sleeping - Your naps during the day are about 45 minutes to 1 hour. If you are really tired you'll sleep for 2 hours, but that is rare. :) We put you to bed around 8 or 8:30 and you usually sleep until about 1 or 2, eat, then go back to sleep until Mommy wakes you up at 7 or so. Mommy can't complain.

Eating - You eat every 3 to 4 hours during the day, about 4 oz. or so, and usually only wake once to eat at night.  We have tried feeding you cereal (shhhh! don't tell Dr. M!) even though you aren't 4 months yet. Sometimes you just seem like you aren't satisfied with milk, so we give you cereal. So far you like it. It isn't a daily occurance, but about 2 to 3 times a week.

New discoveries - Your hands! You have officially found your hands and love chewing/sucking on them. If your paci falls out and we don't notice, you just pop 2 or 3 fingers in your mouth and are good to go. You also enjoy chewing on your fist. Teething here we come!  You also seem to recognize me and Daddy more. Daddy can get you to smile from across the room.

New accomplishments - You laughed! At 13 weeks, Mommy was packing for an overnight date with Daddy and you were sitting on the bed in your bumbo. Mommy made a raspberry/zurbert sound and you laughed. I wasn't sure if it was a real one or not, so I did it again and you laughed again. I called Daddy in and we spent the next 10 minutes blowing raspberries making you laugh. Too cute.

Places you went - You and Mommy took a girls weekend and went to OK to see Nonna & Poppa. We also went to Ada to see Uncle Daniel and Aunt April and their new apartment. Mommy started back to work this month and you started staying with your first sitter (other than family) - Ms. Marilyn. I think you love it. I can't tell who has more fun, you or Ms. Marilyn! Mommy has an easier time leaving for work, knowing you are so loved by Marilyn. Nonna and Poppa also kept you overnight so Mommy and Daddy could have a night out. They said you were perfect, of course!

Special Memories - Ms.Marilyn sends Mommy pictures of you on her phone throughout the day so Mommy can see you. As much as Mommy misses being with you, it is the best thing to open one up and see your face. I know you are having so much and learning so much with Ms. Marilyn.

Sweet girl - you are growing so quickly. Everyone says it just gets better from here, and I know that is probably true, but somedays I wish I could just freeze time. I love that I get to wake you up in the mornings and watch you stretch and make your noises. I love that moment when you finally open your eyes and greet the world. Good morning sunshine! I love that lately when I try to put you down to sleep at night you suddenly are wide awake. That just means we get to rock and snuggle some more.
 
Love you baby girl!
 
~Mommy & Daddy

9 weeks

10 weeks

11 weeks

12 weeks

13 weeks - we are waiting for her 3 month pics

Loving her bumbo chair

Sweet face

Silly face

Avery's 2nd Month

My Punkin-doodle you are 2 months old! This month was an exciting one for you. You spent a week in Oklahoma for Uncle Daniel and Aunt April's wedding then spent a week in New Mexico meeting Nana and Grandpa Harrelson. You were one little trooper!

2nd Month Milestone's - 7/4/10

Height - 22 1/4 inches
Weight - 9 lbs 5 oz
Sleeping - You nap for 1.5 to 2 hours during the day after eating and playing, and 5 to 7 hours at night.
Eating - You eat every 3 to 4 hours during the day and usually only wake once to eat at night.
New discoveries - You love your baths. You even cried a few time when I took you out. You hate having your nose suctioned. It takes me and Daddy to get it done. You finally are taking a paci. We didn't think you ever would. But after finally getting the "right" one, you took it. Mommy was glad - it gave you something to soothe you while Mommy and Daddy were occupied with the wedding.
New accomplishments - You slept for 7 hours straight! You learned to take your paci and a bottle.
Places you went - We spent a week in Oklahoma for Daniel and April's wedding. You did so good! Auntie Tiffany went with us and got to spoil you along with Nonna and Poppa. You also took your first airplane trip to El Paso with us at 8 weeks. You did so good! We gave you a bottle on the way up and you slept on the way down. We had a good visit with Nana & Grandpa Harrelson, cousin Caleb, Aunt Kristi and cousin Bella. Mommy got sick with a bad sinus infection and Aunt Kristi, Nana, and Daddy did a great job of taking care of you so Mommy could rest. You did end up with congestion too and we had to suction your nose (which you hate).  On our flight home, we were diverted to Austin because of storms and despite being exhausted, you did great on the plane.
Special Memories - You got dubbed the honorary flower girl title for Daniel and April's wedding. :) Daddy celebrated his first Father's Day.

Avery Marie - we have had the pleasure of being your parents for 2 months now and absolutely love it! We're still working on getting this whole schedule thing down, but you have been doing great with being flexible. I just love getting to see you grow and change. You are so loved! All our family and friends have showered you with lovin's whenever you are around. We are so proud to be your parents! Love you baby girl!

~Mommy & Daddy

5 weeks

6 weeks

7 weeks

8 weeks

2 months

@ Daniel & April's wedding

Father's Day 2010 - 3 generations

Meeting Grandma Betty - 3 generations of Harrlesons