Halloween Cousins

Sometimes I like to compare pictures of Avery with her cousins to see if any of the family genes stand out.

Here's Will (2009....5 months older than Avery or 11 months):
Here's Avery (6 months):

Here's Isabel (2007...8 months):

What do you think??

Halloween Photo Shoot

Today was such a beautiful afternoon, we had a little photo shoot on the front porch. We have had some professional photos taken as well (thank goodness). Avery was very interested in eating the pumpkins or looking at the leaves blowing around or looking at the scarecrow windsock. Here's what we got:

Here's a little video of just how hard it was to get her to look at me and smile.

27 Weeks

Avery is 27 weeks old this week. She is growing up so fast! She has some new toys (see the post before this one), and she actually KNOWS what to do with them....instead of just chance that she hits the correct button. The new toy came with a microphone, and she loves it. Here she is holding it.

And here she is singing into it.

She has really started wanting to crawl this week. Before she seemed interested, but this week it's like it's her mission. And no, she still can't crawl, but she tries very hard. Here are some pictures of her, in order, trying to crawl.

1. Started sitting at our new toy, and then decided to go over here. Attempting to move with one arm and one leg.

2. Now attempting to move with two arms and two legs

3. Caught in the act
4. Trying to use her new toy to push off.

5. So Mommy moves the new toy so that she can't push off and has to crawl on her own.

6. When arms and legs don't work, try using your mouth. Notice the bottom in the air.

7. So tired from trying and not getting anywhere.

We are working on using different forms of communication. Of course we would like for her to use sounds, but that is not quite possible just yet. We are working on some sign language. Here is the beginnings of a "please." She is catching on quite nicely.

Great Weekend

We had a very eventful weekend. My brother and his girlfriend, Kelsie, were in town and spent the night with us on Friday. Matt, Avery, and I took a family historical road trip on Saturday. Avery was promoted on Sunday. Matt's best friend, Adam, and his wife, Ashley, came in town and spent the night with us on Sunday night. Whew. It was great, though!

Houston, Kelsie, and Avery on game day. Houston and Kelsie attend UT, hence the orange and white.
What is this ugly thing?

This is Avery and Matt at the Edmund Pettus Park in Selma, AL. This bridge is responsible for U2's song "Sunday, Bloody Sunday."

And here they are again under the actual bridge. The park, and really the overall experience, was a little underwhelming.

Such a sweet little face.

And sweet little smirk.

So silly sitting in Papa's big chair at church.

Avery had a 6 month-old "party" on Sunday. She received a gift from Nana and Papa, and she really liked it.....

I mean....she LOVED it!

6 Month Check Up

We went for Avery's 6 month check up today, and all is well!! Poor thing had blood work drawn, 6 shots, and one oral vaccine. She did not cry at all while her blood was being drawn, and only cried for about 5 seconds during the shots. She has grown so much! Here's the stats:
weight: 15 pounds, 3 ounces = 50th percentile (up from 25th-30th)
height: 26 1/2 inches = 80th percentile (up from 40th)
head circ: 17 inches = 80th percentile (DOWN from 90th :) )
We have been given the official green light for food. He said that she was advanced with her strength and coordination. She isn't making any attempt to imitate sounds yet, but he said not to worry about that. She makes sounds, just not imitated sounds. Also, the "molar" that we all thought was coming in is in fact NOT a molar...it's a cyst. He didn't seem very worried about that, either. Over all, we have been very blessed with Avery's health. Knock on wood, she hasn't been sick yet...not even a runny nose. We don't go back to the doctor until she's 9 months old....which will be in 2010. CRAZY!

I forgot my camera today, so these are courtesy of Matt's cell phone:

This is not from today, but it was on his cell phone. This was taken in REI, an outdoor store in Brentwood, TN. We found this hat last time we were up there and are still kicking ourselves for not buying it. It was so cute!

Avery in the Tub

Avery has always liked bath time, but recently she has become very interactive during her bath. She loves to splash and play with her ONE bath toy (I know....she's getting some for Christmas though). She gets very proud of herself, and it is quite funny. We decided that we would share our nightly joy with you all. Enjoy!

26 Weeks Old!

Our little girl is 26 weeks old today. She is so much fun! Here is our little piano prodigy. She thinks playing the piano is so much fun. Maybe she'll be better at it than her mother.

Here she is showing off her sitting skills.

I thought this picture was funny. Looks like she should be saying, "heeeeeyyyy."

She wants to crawl and move so badly. She's got the necessary moves, but she can't seem to put them all together. When she does move, she either goes in a circle or backwards.

Here is video of Avery's first concert performance. Enjoy!

Fall is Here!

We realized that we haven't updated the blog in almost a week...sorry!

We also realized that we haven't taken any bath time photos in a while, so here are some:

Avery with her washcloth puppet, Henrietta

In her towel after bath time


It was actually COLD this past weekend (actual daytime temp....44). Some friends of ours gave us a Columbia "snow suit" for Avery, and we couldn't resist putting it on her. It was so cute! Thanks, Adam and Ashley!

She is such a big girl now! This is how she sleeps....on her belly with her legs tucked up underneath her (typical infant style, but still sweet).

We went to the Pumpkin Patch last Saturday, and it was very, very cold. Good thing we have friends who think to bring blankets. We wrapped Avery up in a monkey blanket, and it must have been pretty comfortable and toasty because my non-cuddler fell asleep while I was holding her (this hasn't happened since she was brand-new...she is a put-me-in-my-crib-and-let-me-fall-asleep-on-my-own kind of girl).
Family picture...similar to the big one above.

25 Weeks

We went to Nashville this weekend to see family and go to the Titans/Colts game. While we were up there, I took Avery to have some pictures done. Here's my favorite:

Mommy and Avery with our pink; supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This is Avery in her exersaucer this morning....

...and here she is at about 6 weeks old

She loves her exersaucer!