Playing catch-up....yet again!!

The last couple of weeks have been very busy around our house. The biggest change is that last week Avery started daycare (oh pardon me...evidently now it's call Learning Center). I know there are many opinions out there about daycare but we had to make the decision that was best for Avery and our family. She is going 2 days a week and we really think it will be helpful for her to be around other kids her age. So far she seems to be enjoying it. She brings home a daily report every time and for her first day it read "Avery had a great first day. She is very social" I think that's a good thing.

Here she is leaving the house to go for the first time. She is now in the habit of grabbing a purse anytime she leaves the house. She had several to choose from and they get as far as the car, then they are forgotten.

It took her all of about 2 minutes to start playing with all the other kids. When I told her good-bye she came to me, gave me hug, blew me a kiss, and went on her merry way.

She is still a very busy girl both in the house and at any activity.
She continues to manipulate herself in many different ways in her highchair. Sometimes I am not sure exactly how she winds up in these positions. Maybe we have a little contortionist on our hands.

Another thing she had started is playing with a cradle that attaches to one of the strollers she received for Christmas. However, she does not use the cradle for it's intended purpose. No....she uses it a helmet.
Rarely she puts it on this way which does not hurt, but most of the time this is what we see:

she puts in on backwards and then wanders around with it.

She will even get on her tricycle with her backwards hat and try to figure out why she is running into things!?!?!

Yet another high chair manipulation. Don't worry we don't' get very far from her when she in the chair and no grandparents she hasn't jumped out...yet.

We have done 3 sessions at gymnastics and Avery seems to really enjoy it. They do different things each week so it seems as if every weeks she finds a new trick that's her favorite.

This week it was the rings!

Having fun at the gym.

Her first solo walk on the mini balance beam.

Rocking in the pac-man with a new friend.

One thing we can say about our girl is that she likes to eat. Ice cream is a favorite and anytime the freezer is open she will head straight for it.

We are starting her out right with the greatness that is Ben and Jerry's!!

Who needs a bowl when you can eat right out of the carton?

One day last week when she was at my mom's she was snooping through the bathroom cabinets and found the toilet seat that mom had from when Kelby and Kolin were little. She knew right where it went so mom put her on up there and let her sit for awhile.
And yes, she did produce and mom took a picture to prove it but I will spare you that. We are not pushing potty training yet but if she shows signs we will definitely encourage her.

Sunday after church Paul, Avery, and I joined Tony and Melinda at the Dallas Auto Show. We have been to this a couple of times in the past and it is always an enjoyable afternoon checking out all the new cars.

Avery fit right in checking out the latest brochures.

Here's Paul next to a car he would just love to own: the Dodge Charger. My statement when he was checking out this car was: "This is just like a new version the Dukes of Hazzard Car!!"

Tony and Melinda posing in front of a souped up Mustang.

Avery enjoying her ride on Uncle Tony's shoulders!

Melinda, Avery, and Tony sitting in a $95K Corvette!

Don't get too comfortable in that car guys!!

Avery definitely found her favorite car in the whole show: A Chrysler Town and Country Mini Van. She did not want to get out of this car. She even made motioned for us to buckle her up with the seat belt. I think she like the swivel seats and table, not to mention the dual dvd players in the room and the gaming hook ups. Man this van had it all!!

Me and Avery checking out the second row of seats.

This was her reaction when a stranger dared to sit in HER car. She was shooing him out.

I think this is definitely the one she wants when mommy finally crosses over to the dark side: Mini Van Mom!! Not that it is coming anytime soon!!

And this was her reaction when daddy finally had to make her get out of the car. She was not a happy camper!!


No Daddy!!! I want this one!!

I guess we definitely know what our girl likes!!

After leaving the show we had dinner and then I started feeling pretty bad. I started having the same symptoms similar to the one's I had when I was hospitalized back in June. Because we did not want things to progress too far Paul and I made the decision to visit the ER and get me checked out. We found out that I had a mild case of pneumonia. So here I have been the last couple of days just chilling out on the couch, pushing fluids and prescriptions, and hoping it gets better. I had a follow-up with the doctor today and have some other tests scheduled for this week so hopefully we caught it early and can cure it pretty easy.

So that's whats been going on in our world!!

Thanks for checking in with us!!

The 330th day!!!!

What does this signify you might ask? Well, from Avery's birthday until the day before "Gotcha Day" was 329 days. Gotcha Day until today is 330 days. That means Avery has now been with us longer than she was without us!!

Wow.....time does fly!!!

Happy 330th Day!!!

A busy weekend!

Last weekend was a busy time for us. If you know me though, then you know I captured it in pictures!!

We had Avery's second gymnastics class and I think she found her favorite activity. She just loved hanging from bar. I am not really sure how far this will get her in her gymnastics career but she is definitely enjoying it now. She went so far as not wanting to leave to go to other stations in the class!

Here's one of the coaches showing her how to bring her legs up and have her feet on the bar too!

Just hangin' around!!

Our big girl hanging all by herself!

For Valentine's day Paul and I enjoyed a date night while Avery enjoyed a sleepover with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bill. She received quite a haul for her first Valentine's day but I am sure that doesn't surprise anyone.

Avery with her Valentine's stash.....and this did not even include the candy, animal, and balloons that Kathy and Bill gave her!

I am not sure why Valentine's Day meant so much to me this year. In year's past it has basically just been another day. I think it was because it was always just the two of us and this year has brought so many changes that I was looking forward to a romantic evening with my wonderful husband. We made reservations for a candlelight dinner and after than contemplated seeing a movie.
Here we are dressed up (well, as dressed up as we get) for a night on the town!!

Needless to say after pulling into the parking lot of the local movie theater at 7:30and seeing the massive crowds we quickly nixed that idea. Instead we made a quick trip to Wal-mart, purchased a movie, and headed back home to enjoy it. We had purchase the movie Fireproof. I cannot say enough good things about this movie!!! If you are married or ever plan to be I highly suggest watching this movie with your significant other. It really explores the different facets of a marriage and how to keep your marriage strong.

Sunday morning we went to church and then enjoyed lunch together. Kathy and Bill brought Avery home shortly after we returned home and once again our little family was complete!! I had a nap before heading to work and Paul took that opportunity to introduce Avery to the world of Nascar.

Daddy and Avery watching the Daytona 500!!

So that pretty much wrapped up our weekend!!

Thanks for checking in on us!! Hope everyone is having a good week!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Does anyone remember this picture from Valentine's Day 2008?

This is what I created last year on this day when all we had were a few referral pictures of Avery.

So last night I tried to recreate this picture using this real live Avery. Suffice it to say photoshopping last year's picture was a little easier.

We love you baby girl and you are still the best gift we have ever recieved!!






Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

How do these thing happen?

Being the wonderful mother that I am, you know I had to grab the camera and snap a picture before I saved her!!

Happy Monday!

Chinese Lantern Festival

Today we attended the Chinese Lantern Festival at a local Museum of Asian Art. The lantern festival signifies the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Last year this same museum has a festival at the beginning of the Chinese New Year which we attended just days after receiving our referral. What a difference a year makes.

We dressed up Avery one of her Chinese dresses we purchased in China and headed on over to explore and celebrate some of her culture.

Our own little China Doll in her authentic Chinese dress!

Leave it to our daughter to find a staircase to climb. She has become infatuated with stairs now days. She will go up and down repeatedly any staircase she comes across.

At the festival we met up with Erin and family and explored around together.
Meisey, Mollianne, and Avery. What a blessing these little girls have been to us. I will forever be thankful to them for bringing me my great friend Erin.

Last year at the festival Mollianne held a picture of Avery. This year we had the two of them pose for a picture together.

Avery coloring her fan. We were supposed to write our wishes for the new year on our fan but Avery was having a good time just marking away.

Mommy helping Avery paint a lantern. She then carried her lantern around the museum.

Avery's first Lion Dance. She was enthralled the whole time but did get a little skiddish when the lions headed over in her direction.

Our family!

Mom attended with us. I just love this picture of her and her granddaughter.

It was a wonderful time and we can't wait to do this many more times in the future!!

Happy Saturday!!

Avery's first gymnastics class

Thursday morning we went over to a local gym and had "trial" gymnastics class for Avery. They just opened up a class for 18-24 month olds. They give you one class free where your child could either just watch or participate before you sign up to make sure it is a good fit for your child. Well, if you know Avery then you know there was no just observing for her. She wanted to get right out in the middle of the action. I was a bit leery because I wasn't sure exactly what the instructors would expect from her. They assured me that in this age group it was all about familiarizing the kids with the gym, learning to take turns and follow directions, and then progressing to some very basic forward rolls and such.

I have been looking for something for Avery to participate in simply because I want her to have interaction with other kids her age on a regular basis. Let's get real here: my child is spoiled!! Anywhere we go she is the center of attention and everything revolves around her. I think this will be a good experience for her!! We signed up for one class a week and will see how it goes from there.

Here are a couple of pics from our first class:

One of the activities was giving all the kids umbrellas and having them walk on the balance beam holding there umbrella.
Avery was very impressed with her umbrella!! She loved twirling it around.

Here she is with her coach walking the balance beam.

Checking out the uneven bars!

Patiently waiting for her turn! Notice she is wearing her Beijing 2008 Olympic shirt. Maybe we will be participating in the 2022 Olympics!!

Waving at mommy while waiting to try out the swings.

It really was a fun time and I can't wait to see how next week goes!

Thanks for checking in with us!!