Helping Hands

Our hands have been very busy today. Beside the fact that my house smells like a chicken farm, I'm finally DONE with Chicken Fest 2011. Whew.

We also participated in the state-wide Mormon Helping Hands. We helped at an elementary school...planting flowers, clearing debris, cleaning the playground. Brian and I passed the babes back and forth while we worked.


Some of the crew I bossed around. (I gave them fair warning to smile. C thought her face was funny. It made me laugh at least!) They were very helpful. I forget how much fun it is to bark out orders, even if it's just about flowers...that's really the only thing I miss about my old job. haha...Brian still lets me get away with barking orders to him every now and then. Thanks dude.

Also exciting...I finished my 30-Day Book Of Mormon reading. And guess what, it was so fabulous, I'm gonna do it AGAIN!! Here's the reading chart if you want to join in the fun!

Shout out to my new sista for the inspired idea.

Busy Day

So I caught my girl's pictures after her bath tonight because I was so busy today.


Busy with THIS!

What do you think that is? It reminds me of pickled pigs feet in the ethnic food section--or worse--the jars of heads in Mask of Zorro. Eww.

Well, it's actually chicken!

Yep--canned chicken. Did you know you could do such a thing? AND, it lasts for THREE years! I'm pretty excited about it. We've had all the dried food for our year's supply of food storage, but I keep looking at cheese and egg powder and meat products to make a menu with more variety, but with this, I don't even have to worry about it. I'm pretty excited about it. Did I say that already? I guess it's 'cause I REALLY am.

Chillin' At Target

Avery started out in the cart today the way you're actually supposed to sit in it. But, as our trip continued, she started tweaking herself all around so she wouldn't miss anything. I had to pull my phone out because it just made me laugh.

Bath Time

This is what bath time looks like when Avery doesn't eat or sleep.

She was actually really happy all day, but she lost it in the tub. Poor thing. Anyone else have a baby who would go 12 hours during the day NOT eating?? Well, she'll still eat solid food, but refuses to nurse. It's been like this for a few days now. What's that about? It's driving me CRAZY! Last week I finally had a great schedule going...sleep, eat, play and repeat about every 4 hours. I think I need the structure more than she does right now. Oh well, I guess when she's hungry she'll eat, but I just don't want her hungry hour to come at 2am! Oh, the joy.

Gorgeous Day

Today was gorgeous. I think everyday should be this beautiful. Aside from the allergies, it was perfect. So nice, in fact, that Brian was finally able to air out his tent in the back. I got Avery set up in her Easter present to watch him. They played peek-a-boo for a little while. I love to hear her laugh. She's gonna love this little pool in the heat of the summer on the patio. And although that rainbow/cloud nonsense is funky looking, I'm hoping it will save me from slathering my child in sunscreen.



I also had a surprise visitor while I was playing the piano. She loves to hear me play...and loves to hear herself bang on the keys...but I sat her on the floor with some toys and got lost in my music when I felt something tickle my toes! I'm not quite sure how she managed to maneuver under the bench to the pedals, but it made me realize she can get herself anywhere she wants to now.

Laundry Helper

I don't know why I even buy this girl toys. Her favorite things are kitchen utensils, boxes and now the laundry basket. I was folding clothes and put the basket on the floor for her and the next thing I heard was squealing. She cracks me up.

Happy Easter!

I love Easter. We had a fun day filled with family. We heard my brother and his wife speak in their ward today and then visited Nanny and Grandpa to show off Avery's new tricks! She didn't disappoint.

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We headed to Easter dinner at my parents and managed to snap another four generation shot. 2 down. 2 to go.

My Grandpa Hodnett is 91 and still going strong. Well, mostly. He'll ask you 10 times what your name is and every time he's seen Avery he tells me it's a boy name because he has a son-in-law named Avery. But I'll cut the man some slack because although his memory is fading, he's given me some cherished memories of tree swings, dinner mints and backward three little pigs.

He's BAA-ACK!

I'm sure happy about it. So is he. The verdict is still out with Avery. She keeps looking at me for reassurance that this stranger playing with her is okay. Poor guy.


More exciting news today! Avery started waving and says, 'ba ba' when she does it. So cute. I tried to get it on video but after 10 minutes, I gave up. I'll get it soon.

I have also scored the coveted $50 from Grandpa Hodnett. HA! He would always tell the little ones, "Say Grandpa! Fifty Bucks!" Well, Avery totally does. It's hilarious. And kinda shocking. She just keeps learning and growing. I hope I'm able to keep up with it all.

Day 2

Day #2 with my lady and we're fairing better than I anticipated. She only woke up a few times last night. I had worked myself up like I was going to be up 72 hours straight. I guess I must not be totally confident in "Mom Mode" yet or I wouldn't be so concerned about going it alone a few days. Oh well, we had some fun today building Brian's Easter gift and enjoying a walk with the neighbors.

(I need a hairstyle and a makeover--any volunteers? OH, and while I'm making demands, a new wardrobe would be nice.)


Avery has a ton of toys. Probably more than she should. But, without fail this past week, I put toys out in the living room and let her roam around, she ends up playing with the drawer hardware. Silly girl!

That's right girlfriend, I caught you!

Me & My Girl

Just the two of us today! Missing the daddy-man but hopefully he's having a great time. He deserves it. Check out Avery's new faces. Love my crazy girl.

Knee Updates

So, here's the dealio:

Avery's TOTALLY movin'. Big time. She's got her legs really going now, but her arms haven't quite got the strength to hold her up. (Secretly I'm happy about it, but I see crawling in my not-so-distant future.)

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As for me, can you spot the "patellar tendonitis?"

Lame diagnosis, cool x-ray. That's all I got out of a day's worth of dragging my Mom down to South Sac with me to tend the little one while I waited around for a doc to not even look at the x-rays but pinch my tendon and say "You've got Jumper's Knee." So, goodbye Jillian (not that I'm sad about that...or really doing it) and hello bike trail. Please inform the deer...and the dogs...and the oblivious walkers that I will be coming, so steer clear or my front tire please. I'd like to keep my x-ray experience at a minimum.

Takin' A Break

We stopped by my parents to borrow some water coolers for Brian's camping trip. To Yosemite. Without me. For three days. That means TWO nights alone with Avery. I've been on the verge of an anxiety attack for a week now!

BUT, it was nice to forget about it for a moment and take a break on the lawn while watching my dad garden. The weather's been pretty fabulous the past little while and the babes loves being outside.

In the Kitchen

I just finished cleaning up THIS!

The hour at the sink was totally worth the fun I had with a friend today cooking and chatting and snacking. And well, then there were THESE!

As I headed up the stairs with the dish towels from the party I found this little cutie waiting for a bath.

p.s. Brian--I don't know if the hall is a good place for a naked baby.

I put Avery's car seat in the wash today, one too many blow outs in her magical colon cleansing car seat and was SHOCKED at the structure underneath. Styrofoam, REALLY?!? Makes me want to trade my Jetta in for a Tank!

Workin' Our Knees

I don't want to taint my perfect record of posting every day, but I've got one of those lovely nausea inducing headaches that only sleep can heal. Anyone wonder how I got this??

So, you'll just have to be left in suspense about our knees...mine and Avery's. Alright, I'll give you a hint...she's just beginning to work hers and apparently I've overworked mine.

Pictures & video to come.

PEEK-A-BOO

I can tell the lack of sleep is catching up to Avery because today she took a 2 hour nap!! I didn't know what to do with myself! I went in and checked on her a few times just to make sure she was still breathing!

When she finally woke up, I was picking out her clothes and noticed her spying on me!!

PEEK-A-BOO!!



We went to my parent's tonight where we thought there was going to be an ENGAGEMENT party for my brother! Yep, the last of the Hodnett's is now off the market and I'm totally excited about the new addition! Well, the ladies...(and Brian...someone had to take the picture...) had a little party of our own. Four generations! Avery's one lucky girl!

Avery loves her Great Grandma Foote. She's not fond of many women so it's especially exciting that they're such great friends. It's like they were meant to be together.

Playtime

Here's a little video of some playtime today because I really didn't take many pictures. I do love the weekend when my Brian is home to relieve some of the exhaustion. We needed a down day of just hanging at home. I almost feel like a person again.

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Did you notice Avery's hair? What am I supposed to do with it?? She has three patches of long hair--down each side and on top--the rest is short where it's growing in. This 'side pony palm tree' thing is getting very old to me. I have some really cute clips but they just don't have enough hair to grab on to and the adorable headbands I've got stocked away get lost in the patches. Any suggestions?

Check out how Brian styles her hair when it's his turn.

Don't You Wish You Were Me??

Sorry these are a little crude, and unflattering, but it completely captures my day....er..week rather of hard days. Really hard! I truly don't know how I'm still functioning except that I've tried to keep VERY busy because when I am home I just have meltdowns right along with my child. Momma needs her sleep back!
I refused to take her into the Walmart bathroom today, so I was forced to change a diaper in the car...where normally I would use the trunk to help keep my squirmy monkey on her back, but it was full of stuff. After THAT whole production, Walmart didn't even have what I needed. ARGH!! Don't you wish you were me?
I do realize that my problems are miniscule in comparison to lots of other people, so don't show me any sympathy. Just let me whine and get it out there so I can move on. Unless tonight's another night of no sleep, in which case the pity party will undoubtedly continue. So you may want to ignore me for a few days and I'll get over it.

Picnic at the Park

The weather has really been especially beautiful these last couple weeks so I decided we need to enjoy it now before it gets too hot. I actually had to turn on my a/c in the car the other day. The signs of summer are starting to show their ugly face.

We did enjoy today however, in all it's 70 degree glory with a picnic at the park with a friend. Avery loves being outside. It was fun to throw a blanket on the grass and let her watch the world around her.


We never can seem to get the two of these kiddos to smile together, but they sure had fun stealing each others' toys today. Avery even stole Darien's pacifier right out of his mouth! She must take after her klepto mother. Uh oh.

Little Stinker

We're going on two days now of horrible sleep! For all of us! As in, "Brian and I tag-teaming all night long and 30 minute naps in my arms" kind of horrible sleep. These silly teeth are going to be the death of me. I actually counted all 29 of mine and I'm dreading each one making its entrance if it's going to be so dramatic every time. Anyway, we enjoyed some sunshine in the backyard which needs some serious weeding and cleaning and planting. Maybe if she took a NAP I could get to it.

This is the face of "Ha ha ha. I've kept you up two days straight!"


I have a similar picture of myself fascinated by the concrete, only it was the gutter, and I think I sampled a worm or two. Don't ask. I also played INSIDE the dumpster and chomped a swordtail fish from the family fish tank. (just a side note...I'm still impressed that as a 2 year old I could CATCH a fish from the fish tank. I'm just saying..)

I didn't realize this was going to turn into a confession session, but while I'm at it, I told Brian yesterday about my "early years" as a thief. I stole chocolate milk from the cafeteria lady at least a dozen times. What's a girl to do who only has a peanut butter and honey sandwich on homemade whole wheat bread? I love that combination now, but in first grade, it was embarrassing. I got pretty good at pretending to drop my quarter in the can, when really I was lifting a quarter that was already paid and dropping it back down again. Sneaky, I know. I had bad friends at that school. Terrible influence.

Anyway, this confessing was sparked by my Book of Mormon reading. A friend is doing a 30 day challenge to read the book and I've joined in. Perfect for the month of April. I read a scripture in Alma 5 yesterday about having a "perfect remembrance of my guilt" and the chocolate milk crime came rushing to mind. You think if I mail away 5 bucks to the school I'll be forgiven? Or is there some kind of statute of limitations on milk thievery? Good thing I was only 6 and not baptized yet. I guess if that's the first thing that comes to my mind though, I'm doing ok.

Wow, this has taken a weird turn. Evidence of my delirium I guess.

Nap time.

Nap time was brutal today. Thirty minutes is not long enough for me! Her next nap was like 5 minutes long because she fell asleep on the way home and when I tried to transfer her to her crib, she decided it was time to be awake again. AAGGH!! SO, this tired momma took the lady for a walk with my neighbor and she FINALLY took a long snooze. (Well, an hour. But it felt long in comparison today.) I would have walked for hours if it would have kept her asleep.


Also today, I went to an elementary school talent show. I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture, but one of my piano students played a song in the show. It was pretty much the best act of the night. I actually got a little nervous for him! I just hoped it would be a good experience so it wouldn't squash his enthusiasm for playing the piano. He rocked it. No need for me to worry.

haha...while composing my thoughts, I just fell asleep. I guess that's a sign there are no more important details left of the day. G'night.

THANK YOU!!

Avery got some play time in with Uncle Daniel and the fam tonight while we retrieved some priceless memories.


It's shameful to think I only have a handful of pictures of Avery in her first couple months, but I was such a mess, pictures were the last thing on my mind. So I can't thank Grandpa Arnold enough for capturing my little sweetie. THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

I love this picture of the two of them...Avery was not even an hour old. The first time I saw it I actually asked who this was a picture of. What a terrible mom I am!

I barely remember her this little. And the hair!! It's looks fake! Like a baby shag carpet perfectly positioned. She could be the spokes-baby for a toupee company!

Love this girl!