8 Months Old 3/16/10

Our goofy girl! I tried to take some 8 month pictures as soon as I picked Avery up from the babysitter's. I thought they would look cute with her outside sitting in one of our lawn chairs, but of course it was overcast and a little chilly. We settled for her bedroom but she was ready for a nap and I'm no professional so they are all shadow-y and not the greatest but here she is at 8 months!
Not too much has changed since my 7 month post...

Avery's babysitter has her walker and now Avery zooms around their house...all hardwood floors. Michael, her 3 year old playmate, is getting frustrated with her because he can't get away from her. He does have moments where he likes her though because yesterday he told me he liked her hair and that she was handsome. LOL
Avery has tried a few more babyfoods and seems to like the ones with small chunks that she can mash up. She also loves puffs...the ones I bought are "greens," lettuces, collard greens, kale, etc. My silly girl still isn't crazy about anything fruity.
Avery celebrated her 8-month birthday by sitting up to the table and eating some pancakes for supper. She also likes pizza crust and chocolate ice cream.

March Madness

One of the rare moments where Avery seeks to move and go after a toy. Usually she just moves on to something else.
Loving a spring-y day. Avery will soon realize, a walk on the Greenway means a stop at the playground.

Avery loved the swing...she would just laugh and laugh!

My little rock star enjoying her new toy.

I'm loving those chubby legs in a pair of capris...and the cutest shoes in the world. :-)

Ready to go for a walk with Mommy.

Mmm...pasta primavera is yummy...and messy!

Dancing with Daddy

Crashing after too much playing

End of February

Yes, I will love elephants just like Mommy!
Now I'm into everything I can get my hands on.

Riding her new bike!

I love the big bathtub!

Daddy does the sleeping routine best!

Happy Birthday Mommy

I'm 29? Seriously? Guess I'd better enjoy my last year in my twenties. I know I will because I've got this little ray of sunshine in my life! :-) On my actual birthday we went to Hawthorne's for garlic knots and pizza. Then we came home for presents and ice cream cake.
Avery gave me a Starbucks gift card. Shawn gave me this bag...I do love tote-bags but I think this one is really more for him. The Avett Brothers are his favorite band...they started out here locally and now have a national record deal. He also gave me a watch and some school supplies that I had asked for...neat post-its and pens...I know, I'm a nerd.

Mmm...blue frosting

Saturday morning we got up early and headed out to our favorite city...Charleston, SC. We still had points from our extended stay in St. Louis to get a free night so it was a little added bonus to my birthday weekend. No matter how many times we've been here we still find it beautiful and always find a new street to explore. We spent all of Saturday morning exploring the parks and streets along the Battery. Then we headed up toward the Market and had lunch at Bubba Gumps. In the afternoon we went to our hotel and then out to Isle of Palms. We stuck our toes in the water and walked on the beach. Later we went to supper at Gilligan's and I had my favorite...fresh peel and eat shrimp.

Sitting in a high chair like a big girl!

Shawn walked out a little ways to dip Avery's feet in...and she promptly sat down in the water.

Sunday we went and explored Folly Beach. We'd never been there before. The island seemed a little older and more run down but the beach was beautiful and had lots of shells.

The weather was beautiful and it was a perfect weekend to reinvigorate us for the long stretch until spring break.

Seven Months - 2/16/10

Seven months already!?! It seems like such a short time ago that she was six months and we finalized her adoption. At seven months Avery is:

• sitting all by herself
• reaching for her toys and then when she accidentally falls backward or forward, acting like that was what she meant to do
• fascinated by shadows and the patterns sunlight coming in through the windows makes on the floor
• still not loving babyfood, but she does love iced coffee, butter, and licking garlic bread
• thinking she's pretty cute...she will entertain herself for almost an hour at the babysitters by sitting in front of a mirror and laughing and talking to herself
• jabbering...dadadada, gagagaga...no mama's yet of course
• teething...2 bottom teeth so far and more on the way
• taking a bath in the big tub and playing with all her fish
• wearing a huge range of clothing...some 3-6, 6-9, 12-18...she still has dainty feet...still room in the size 2's
• a survivor of her first double ear infection
• excited to see Mommy show up at the babysitters...hugs and sloppy kisses
• always excited to see Daddy come home...everything he does is funny
• sporting some crazy hair...lays down in the front, spiky toward the top of her head and too thin to hold a bow or barrett
• enjoying some hand-me-downs from cousins Madeline and Cora

I'm sure I could write more, but you get the idea.

Swimsuit model in training

Anyone want to come to the beach with me?