Hallelujah!

Home-girl finally figured out how to use a sippy cup! I'm free at last!! She's still working on tilting it up to get the last half of the liquid out, but it's a great start! She no longer just gnaws on the spout but sucks it like a champ! I'm so excited!

I love how she just drapes her legs over everything. It makes me laugh.

Pardon her weird face--but I couldn't resist her cute little hand gripping the cup.

Perfect.

A bike ride in her chariot and toast with Grandma's homemade boysenberry jam.

I'd say it was a perfect morning.

Bath Evolution

How do you keep your kids contained in the bathtub? Now that she can pull herself up anywhere, on anything, she has decided she's not such a fan of the bath. Come on, look at all those toys! They should keep her entertained for hours!

Best Friends

Samuel and Avery have been best friends forever. Not just the 9 months she's been outside my belly. I think they must have been buddies in heaven too. He's so sweet to her and she eats it up. I'm so excited she's getting bigger and they can start to play together! So fun!

Saturday

It was so nice to have beautiful weather on Saturday instead of rain these past few weeks. We both cleaned out our cars this morning...they needed it. Brian's was starting to look (and smell) like he lived in the thing! Nasty. Avery helped too!

We also had to baby gate our stairs. Last Sunday we enjoyed dinner just the two of us while Avery played quietly with her toys. Suddenly it was too quiet. We've learned that's never a good thing. When I turned my head to check on her, she was no where to be found. I panicked until I found her...on the STAIRS! TWO STAIRS UP!! Just like this...

Don't worry, I was ready to catch her if she fell this time. I was so curious to see how she gets up them that I let her play for a little bit before I gated them up today. She's quick!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Doctor & a Dance Party

Avery went to the doctor today. She's getting close to the 20 pound mark. 19 lbs 12 oz. Sheesh. My arms could have sworn she was 20 by now. She's dropped down to the 67th percentile for weight but had a little growth spurt at 28 1/2 inches tall (81%). I've got an inch and a half before a new cart seat is inevitable. Oh well. Check out her little boo boo of a heel prick today.


We also celebrated Meggie's 21st birthday tonight. She's going to Disneyland tomorrow. Major jealous. We enjoyed cupcakes and a show. Definitely a party in my book! We forgot our camera so I'm waiting for the hilarious performance to post on Facebook so I can steal it for here. Hilarious what 4 little girls can come up with. Love my nieces!

Miss Independent

Now that Avery likes to feed herself, I had to move her from the table, (where we have carpet), to the kitchen. I couldn't handle the thought of cleaning up sweet potatoes in my carpet day after day. I bought her a high chair and now she thinks she's the queen. Her new favorite food is watermelon and she loves to squish it in her cute little hand and suck the juice off it. Doesn't that sound delicious?




ps...I totally need a new hair style for her. This pony thing is getting very old. I'm tempted to cut her some bangs. She already has a bunch of little wispies growing in. Do I dare?

Nine Months!

So, I feel terrible for not realizing my baby turned 9 months old today! It wasn't until my activity day girls were talking about birthdays that I realize the date. So, I would have taken some cute pictures today to celebrate and maybe let her try some yogurt. Oh well. Tomorrow I guess. Here's to real life and droopy eyes from no nap. Anyway, we had a fun day in the sun, at the park, and at Grandma's with some cousins.

It was cute to see Avery's reaction to the grass. She liked to feel it in with her hands, but NOT her feet. She'd scrunch them up so tight when I put her on the grass. So funny.

While we were out...

While the Hodnett girls partied tonight at our almost new sister's bridal shower...

Avery played in the tub.

Thanks Brian! It was fun to have all of us together. My sister and I are lucky our brothers chose such great ladies to be part of our family forever! Love you sistas!

Grocery Shopping

I sure hate grocery shopping. Before I had Avery I hated going because it was so boring going alone, and now it's not so fun because I get stopped 50 times for someone to comment on my child and try to get her to smile. (which we all know can take awhile.) They make innocent enough conversation, but I'm not a big fan of small talk. I'm just here for the mangos people!

Oh well. I'm learning to be more patient with well-meaning strangers because Avery LOVES all the attention. Today she even scored a balloon from the check out at Bel-Air!