Houston, we have a teether!

Yes, the dreaded teeth are coming in. I only say dreaded because A) I can't believe my baby is already getting teeth. I am going to miss her toothless smile! and B) They are causing her SO much pain. She had one pop through the gums on her top left side and now her two top ones are coming in. I can see them under the gums, they are really swollen, but they haven't broken through yet. My poor little girl cries all the time. Sometimes I feel so helpless! It's just awful. In order to ease the pain, we try teethers, sippy cups and just anything soft or cold she can put in her mouth!

First Park Adventure!

Billy and I took Avery to Hermann Park by the zoo and she had a blast! She tried the swings for the first time. At first, she looked confused, but as soon as Billy started pushing her she started smiling and laughing.






They had a little water pad with squirting water and of course Billy couldn't wait to taker her in it! We didn't bring her swimming suit but luckily I had an extra onesie that we changed her into. She is really starting to enjoy playing in the water!






We had so much fun. Avery is growing up too fast but it's nice taking her places and her enjoying them.

5 months old!

So Avery turned 5 months old on Mother's Day. She weighs 17 lbs 10 oz and is 26.5 inches. I cannot believe she is almost half a year old! Here are some of the new things she does:
-laughs
-grabs toys and puts them in her mouth
-well, she puts everything in her mouth! even my hair, lol
-recognizes us and our voices
-ROLLS OVER! :)
She is so amazing. I still can't believe how lucky we are to have her.

Daddy making her laugh!

Laughing at Daddy. Please excuse my messy coffee table in the background, lol!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

So yesterday was my first official Mother's Day and it was great! Billy got up with Avery in the morning so I could sleep in. We then went to Cici's because you all know how much I love pizza! After that Billy took me to Target and I got a new bathing suit, I know have two but since we have a pool in our backyard I think that's acceptable! LOL After that we took Avery in the pool for the first time and had a BBQ. Billy made steak and bacon wrapped shrimp. We had some friends come over and went swimming again. It was such a great day! Avery was the best present of all, but Billy is also getting me (he gets paid Wed so I have to wait until then!) a Wii Fit!! I have been wanting this for a long time!! I am so excited.

Happy Mother's Day to all you awesome mommies out there!!!

What a great weekend!

First we got all dressed up for the Rocket's game! Unfortunately, they lost but they made up for it on Sunday with a win! We are now tied 2-2! GO ROCKETS!!






Then we celebrated my brother's 20th birthday! It was Avery's first time sitting in the high chair! Usually she sits in her car seat but she is big enough for the high chair now. She was pretty fussy, but she hadn't napped that day at all. She still did a great job and was happy most of the time.





Avery took her first swim in the pool! Billy bought her an inflatable baby boat. She didn't really know what was going on but we think she enjoyed it!

We have a roller!!!!

She rolled for the first time- and she did back to tummy which is the hardest. I couldn't be more proud! :) She was flat on her back but had already moved to her side before I got the camera going.

Easter Pictures

Easter Bunny!

I know it's already a week after Easter, but I finally got her Easter Bunny pictures! Enjoy!! More pics to come later of her in all of her cute Easter dresses (yes, she has a couple! lol).

Before I Was A Mom

Before I Was A Mom,
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.
Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom,
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous and
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or
even pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom,
I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body,
and I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
Before I was a Mom,
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry child.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night to make sure all was ok.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy, the love, the heartache,
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know that I was capable of feeling so much
Before I Was A Mom.

Please Pray for Stellan

If you noticed, I added a picture to the right side of my blog. I found this blog through a parenting board I frequent. This little boy, Stellan, has SVT which makes his heart beat really fast. He is going to Boston because the doctors where he lives cannot find a solution. Most likely, he will have to have surgery. He is only 5 months old. Please pray for him and his family. You can read the blog by clicking on this link:
http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Thank you!!

4 Month Appointment

Avery had her 4 month appointment on Monday and it went great! She is 16lbs 4 oz and 26 inches long. She is in the 95th percentile for height and weight and 70th for her head. This means that she is bigger than 95% of babies her age!! Her pedi was very impressed with her growth and development. She had to get two shots and an oral dose of medicine. She only cried for about 30 seconds. Thank God Billy was there with me, because I hate to see her in pain! She has a hemangioma on her back (some people call it a strawberry) and since it has gotten bigger, deeper and has changed in appearance, we have decided to see a specialist. The pedi says she is not worried, but for my peace of mind she gave us a referral. We won't be able to get in to see this specialist for at least 3 months, but when we do I will update. You are supposed to start your baby on cereal between 4-6 months. After discussing it with the pedi we have decided to wait until at least 5 months to start Avery. I have started giving her a spoon to play with and get used too so hopefully she will be ready! She is changing so much every day and Billy and I are so lucky to have her. She has quite the personality now and I am so in love.

Guidelines for the 1950's Wife....

This is from the Housekeeping Weekly Magazine May 1955. This is hilarious.

* Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal(especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
* Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
* Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
* Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
* Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.
* Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small),comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
* Be happy to see him.
* Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
* Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
* Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.
* Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
* Don't greet him with complaints and problems.
* Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this a minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
* Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
* Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
* Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.No
* A good wife always knows her place.

Oh good God, that last line kills me! So glad I didn't live back then!

Amazing how things have changed!

4 months old today!!

Averyana is 4 months old today, can you believe it?