4 months

We took Avery to the doctor for her 4 month checkup on Monday. She now weighs 13 lbs. 6 oz. It is truly amazing how fast these little beings grow! Just this morning I was watching her sleep when I realized that she is close to the entire length of her little co-sleeper bed...in the back of mind I'm thinking, "this just can't be right!" She is beginning to do so much now. Her coos and squeals are very close to turning into babblings (is that a word?!?). She is starting to reach out and grab toys to play with too. Just yesterday, I rolled her over on her tummy to play and she rolled over onto her back all by herself! And really by herself, not like the time I helped her and claimed she did it on her own (which Shayne was quick to correct me on). To me this a big accomplishment considering she's not on her tummy much. This is quite sad, really...my job is all about helping kids reach developmental milestones and there have been many times I have had to put babies on their tummies despite their protesting. Now my own daughter, who does not like tummy time AT ALL, somehow easily gets out of doing this important playtime ritual. Funny how things change when you're wearing the "mommy hat," huh? It's sad to see our little one get bigger, but exciting to watch her learn and accomplish new things!

Party time!

May has been the month for first birthdays. We have been to three first birthday parties in the past three weekends! Fortunately they were all on different weekends so we could go to each one. Avery has enjoyed partying with her friends...although she a little jealous that she can't eat birthday cake yet :o)


Kayden's birthday party


Landon's birthday party




Salyssa's birthday party




I believe Salyssa wins the award for messiest cake eater :o)


Our little party girl

Avery Laughing

Avery laughed for the first time this morning. I took her outside this morning and as Dixie ran up on the porch she semi-laughed. Lauren was in the house so I told her to come outside and luckily she kept doing it, enough for Lauren to be able to get the video camera and capture a great first. Enjoy.

Back to work...

So last week was the week that I had been dreading since before I had Avery...yes, it was my return to work. I was very fortunate to be able to take 3 months of maternity leave, but what seemed to be the fastest 3 months of my life quickly came to a end. Work has been fine...I have seamlessly fallen right back into place and it feels as if I never left, however I do miss Avery terribly during the day. I can't help but to daydream about what she may be doing and wonder if she is hitting any new milestones without the ongoing cheer of her mother. But she is in good hands and I am so fortunate to be able to leave her with my parents everyday. And with our current economic status, I am very grateful to even have a job (at least this is what I repeat in my head as I begin to miss my baby).

Pretty girl

Happy Mother's Day!

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
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 her 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 baby.
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 and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom...
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Paige's Prom

Last Saturday was Pisgah's prom. We took Avery and went to the community college to watch Shayne's sister Paige have her pictures made. The weather wasn't so great so Avery didn't get any pictures with her auntie Paige, but she looked beautiful so I just had to share some of our pictures.