Rock, Wings and Avery

Avery's "lazyboy"

Excersaucering.

After a stressful week, we decided to lay low and stick close to home this weekend. That plan was slightly altered when I read in Friday's paper that Marietta was hosting a Rock and Wings Festival Saturday. Being fans of both rock and wings, Baby Daddy and I decided we'd check it out if we got our chores done Saturday and if Avery seemed amenable to an afternoon out. Since Avery loves a good festival, all systems were go.

We made our way down to the Marietta Square and, after a quick detour to taste some South African wines at the Marietta Wine Shop, we found a bench in the shade where we could enjoy the festivities. Avery kicked back in her stroller and enjoyed the live music. She passed the time by waving her arms and kicking her legs to the songs. While Avery chilaxed, Baby Daddy and I enjoyed a few Miller Chills and people watched. I concluded that a Rock and Wings Festival draws an electic crowd. From Ozzie Osbourne contenders to the next cast of "The Biggest Loser," both ends of the spectrum were well reprented. We had a great afternoon, save for one really messy diaper that leaked onto Avery's ensemble and my shorts. I had a change of clothes for her but just had to use a wipe and have another beer to forget I had poo leakage on my khackis. Ew.

Otherwise, we declined an invitation to the lake Sunday in order to get things done around the house. One of the dogs (the perp is still at large) created several loads of laundry for us and displaced us Saturday night by peeing on our bed. Are you seeing a theme to my weekend?

While we were doing chores, Avery tried out her Exersaucer this weekend and seemed to like it. She's still a bit wee for it but likes the toys and likes spinning herself around. I forsee more good times ahead.

Just call her "Stretch"

Avery practices sitting up in her faux bumpo!

Peek-a-boo!

"Hey Mom, check out my bull riding pose!"

"Rolling over, all by myself!"

Lots has been going on here! Avery’s 4-month check-up with her new pediatrician was Wednesday, and she did great. First, we loved the new practice and had as great of an experience as one could have getting shots. Avery got two immunizations, one in each her meaty little thighs, and after complaining a bit, she got over it and went on kicking and smiling. What a relief! I expected a much worse reaction. Maybe I’ve conditioned her to pain by trimming her nails. I’ve accidentally cut the tops of her fingers with the clippers a few times and drawn blood. Oops…just add this to my “bad mom” offenses, which is accumulating entries rather nicely.

According to our new doctor, Avery’s growth is completely on track. She weighed 5.8 kg and was 66 cm tall…um WTF? Did the nation covert to the metric system and I didn’t get the memo? If so, President Obama has some ‘splaining to do! Converting those measurements to good ‘ol lbs and inches yields a weight of 12 lbs and 13 ozs and height of 26 inches. That lands her in the 33rd percentile for weight and the 95th percentile for height, much improved from her last check-up. Way to go Avery! As for the height, what else do you really expect from parents measuring 6’ 4” and 5’ 9”?

Though she’s achieved a few of the milestones (she’s doubled her birth weight, drinks 32 oz of milk/formula a day most of the time, and has good head and neck control), I don’t think we are quite ready to start on solid foods. Avery seems satisfied with milk/formula, which is the best reason to introduce solids, so why mess with a good thing? I think we’ll wait a few weeks and then think about giving rice cereal a whirl. Yummy.

We are thankful Avery had such a good checkup and feel truly blessed with a healthy, happy girl. A healthy, happy girl that can roll over, that is! As of Friday, Avery's been rolling from her back to her tummy. She is so proud of herself when she does it...that is until she realizes she's stuck on her tummy and can't get back (photo above)! I'm sure this might account for a few middle of the night rescues from mom or dad :)

I'm a Busy Girl!

Here a few pictures showing what's Avery likes to do in her free time. Her favorite thing to do is see how much of her fist she can fit in her month. She'll settle for a few fingers, but keeps trying!

Avery also found her toes, and loves just holding onto them and looking at them.

Avery likes to play with these multi-colored Sassy rings. They fascinate her!

Last but not least, Avery loves smiling, and drooling, of course!

Lane and Avery, Sitting in a Tree

This past Sunday night in Lexington, we had dinner with friends Kelly and Matt and their new baby, Lane Matthew. Lane, born only 20 days after Avery, is a very handsome little guy with a head of hair rivaling Avery’s. The two babies were very interested in each other, though Avery made the first move at flirtation in touching Lane and holding his hand. She is the older woman, after all. And what guy doesn't like a gal who can sit patiently and watch the NBA Playoffs (photo above)?

We got some really cute pictures of Lane and Avery before Avery had a meltdown that only 8 ounces of formula (a new record!) and a few sways in Lane’s swing could cure. Thanks again for sharing your swing, Lane!

These two each polished off a bottle during the evening....

Finally, you may notice from the pictures that Lane has very developed sucking muscles. That is because Kelly had no idea that she should graduate the nipples in Lane’s bottles as he grows! The poor little guy was still on newborn nipples…sucking, and sucking, and sucking until he wore himself out! I was glad I could pass this nipple knowledge onto someone else after Danielle explained it to me!

Lane is quite the cutie and we enjoyed meeting him. We’ll keep his number in Avery’s little black book, which is filling up fast since all my friends keep having baby boys!!!!!

Avery's Baptism and My First Mother's Day

Family road trip! This past weekend, we loaded up the Durango with everything but the kitchen sink and headed north up I-75 to Lexington, KY, where I grew up. We wanted my 92 year old grandmother to have an opportunity to meet Avery, and wanted to have Avery baptized in the church where my grandparents attended faithfully for years. My uncle and several of my cousins were married in New Union Christian Church, so the church has a very special place in my family's history.

Avery was an excellent traveller! During the drive, she snoozed a lot, and when awake, entertained herself with her fingers, toes, dangling friends, and mirror. Despite my fears, she also did great during the baptism. Avery didn't fuss at all when the minister held her or complain about having water sprinkled on her head. She obliged us with lots of pictures, too! We had a delicious Mother's Day brunch at Jonathan's at the Gratz Park Inn, then walked around Mayfest, an annual Arts Festival on the grounds next to Transylvania University, my grandmother's Alma Mater. We really had a great day!

My grandmother adored Avery, who is her first great grandchild. She gave her a gold cross necklace for her Baptism, which I know Avery will cherish when she is old enough to appreciate the significance. As for me, I had a wonderful first Mother's Day. Avery (with a little help from Baby Daddy and his Amex) got me a beautiful pair of garnet (Avery's birth stone) and diamond earrings. I am sure Avery will also spoil her Daddy on Father's Day, and will let him change all her dirty diapers, which apparently, was a mother's day privilege I wasn't aware of!

Last but not least, Sunday night, we had an opportunity to visit my close friend from high school, Kelly, her husband and thier new baby, Lane. That visit deserves it's own post, so I'll update you on that soon! For a sneak peak of the super cute photos of the two babies, check out the share site, which has been updated. We have lots more photos of our weekend there, too!

New Tricks!

Avery has learned a few things over the past few weeks. As you may be able to conclude from the above, she can now roll over from her back to her side. It's the cutest thing. She just starts waiving her legs frantically in the air until she topples over. After the initial surprise of it all, she enjoys her new view for awhile, flails her legs around again, and returns to her back, simple as that. She hasn't made it all the way over to her tummy yet, probably because she discovered her toes before she perfected the rolling over trick.

Avery's toes now provide her with endless entertainment. She mainly just enjoys holding on to them, as she enjoys holding onto locks of my hair. Thank goodness this thick head of hair of mine has left me with anything but a sensitive scalp.

Last, but certainly not least, Avery likes to practice making sounds and experiment with new volumes. It amazes me how loud such a little person can be. At home it's amusing, but Baby Daddy and I hope she doesn't decide to practice her sounds in church this Sunday. We're heading up to Lexington this weekend to have her Christened in our family's church. I am sure looking forward to celebrating my first Mother's Day as a mom and to spending the day with my mom and grandmother!

Scoll Down...

...for the Steeplechase post. Silly blogspot.