Seriously?

Charlie just called to tell me the Day 2 Daycare Dropoff Report:

So I was prepared for her to cry some today, knowing that she would be staying there all day.

Man, was I wrong!

Charlie said she REACHED for the woman, went to her and was smiling and happy! Didn't cry the first time. OMG I thought I was happy yesterday, man this just keeps getting better. The other children were all coloring and Ms. Tina said that Avery's cousin, Sebastian, had asked about 15 times, "Where's Avery?" I'm so excited she will get to spend more time with him...

Once again, I'm tickled pink!

Thank you, thank you, thank you - for your prayers and sweet comments :)

HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY TOO!

Oh Happy Day!

So..I'm torn. My plan was to leave the March of Dimes post on the blog for about a week, hoping my generous blog readers would donate (and some have - thanks so much!) Buttttt....I'm so stinkin' excited about Avery's first day at her new daycare, that I think I'll blog...and I have some Not Me Monday's to share but not so sure I'll get to those. If I were smart enough to add a song to the blog, today it would be "OH HAPPY DAY!"

Charlie dropped her off and she did much better from the start. I love everything about the new sitter. She is an in home daycare and her mother helps her. There are 2 other kids Avery's age and some more kids between ages 2 and 4. It is very relaxed and you can tell the kids love Ms. Tina and 'Mimi'. She said once Avery gets a little bit older they will do lessons every day. Avery's cousin, Sebastian, has gone to her since he was a baby. He is  2 1/2 now and he can say the Pledge of Allegiance! Tina also gives a recap sheet of when and what diapers she changed, when and what she ate and when she napped. I love automatically getting that info, without having to ask every day. She will let Avery have her paci, when she needs it, and Avery sleeps in a Pack n Play, rather than on a mat. When I picked Avery up she was still napping. Tina said that she did great, cried a little bit during the day, but mostly just played with the other kids. She said that she ate a really good lunch too! Avery seemed happy and didn't cry when she saw me (like at the other daycare) or when I put her in the carseat. I was so encouraged by today and SO happy to find Ms. Tina - thanks to Gigi!

We also had a fun weekend. We took Avery to church again, since RSV season is over. I had decided that First West is too big and I wanted something a little smaller so we can get to know the other people a  little better. First West is a great church but sometimes I feel like people don't know whether we're visiting or we've been going there for 15 years because there are so many faces! We tried a new church and it was okay, it was pretty far from our house (we went with a friend from work) and pretty stressful with a 14 month old. I thought if we waited till we got to church Avery would nap through church, but that didn't happen. It really feels like she is disrupting even when she's just babbling a little. I think it's pretty impossible to keep a 14 month old completely quiet and still for over an hour, unless she's sleeping. It makes it even more worse to think we are first time visitors and attracting all that attention. Anyway, we are trying a little bit bigger church next time and I'm hoping we'll be less of a distraction. Eventually, we'll find a church we're comfortable with and possibly even let her stay in the nursery - but it will be a while before we get to that point. 

After church, we went shopping to look for da-da some golf clubs. I keep telling him he is dreaming, but somehow he always has a way of convincing me to agree to buy whatever he wants. I am standing strong though :) Avery had a fun time at the store, and of course she got a few new things. Why can't I go shopping anywhere without buying her something? 

Thanks for your prayers and concern about the daycare situation. I am definitely seeing an answer to prayer where daycare is concerned. I actually didn't feel guilty about being a working mom today :)

What's a girl to do when she's bored at a sporting goods store? Easy... Step 1 - Unload mom's purse...Step 2 - Throw the contents on the floor one at a time and try to eat the coupons...Step 3 - Watch mom pick up every single thing you throw out...Step 4 - Repeat!

And to think she still got a t-shirt and a bouncy ball!

First day at daycare outfit...

Texting as usual! ;) 

Of course, we don't leave home without our handy dandy hand sanitizer!

Da-da and Avery before church

"Where am I going with this silly bow on my head, huh???"

It's March of Dimes time!

I just wanted to post a quick blog about the March of Dimes. As I'm sure you know, this organization is near and dear to my heart. When Avery was born weighing 2 lbs, 2 oz, it changed our lives. It was the scariest thing I've ever dealt with. The doctors had little answers about why she was born so small and how we can prevent this in the future. There are situations far worse than ours and research is vital to preventing prematurity and even death for these tiny miracles, born every day. 

Without people like you, the March of Dimes wouldn't exist and babies like Avery would probably not survive without the research they do and pass on to doctors to help these tiny babies thrive and grow.  I am asking that you donate as much as you can to this worthy cause. I know that sometimes it seems like every month someone wants your hard earned money for another cause. And I know that times are hard for many of us right now, but it is now more than ever that these organizations must have your support! 

If you would like to donate, I am a team captain this year and would love to have your support. Please leave a comment and I will get in touch with you so that you can mail your check, payable to March of Dimes. We can accept post dated checks up to May 1st, but the money is due by April 30th. If you are in my area the walk will take place on May 2nd, please join us! Avery will be proudly wearing her "2008 NICU Graduate" t-shirt and I'm sure it will be a fun time for a good cause! Thank you for your support, babies like Avery appreciate all you do! :o)  

HELP PREVENT PREMATURITY TODAY! 

Avery Updates...

Today has been a nice, restful Saturday. Thankfully, WalMart's electricity was off so I had an excuse to shop at Brookshires instead. Of course, Brookshires is more expensive and they didn't have a few things I needed, but it was still much less chaotic than Walmart! I spent the rest of the day with Charlie and Avery, we had so much fun. We haven't had many weekends, just the 3 of us, because he used to work on weekends. Avery is the happiest when she has her mommy and daddy. She is so adorable and so lovable! 

Once again, it seems like she is doing something new every day. She can now lift the lid to the toilet seat - uh oh! And she can also drink from a straw...she had her first juice box today :) She is walking all around the house, and she can walk, drink her sippy AND hold the remote in the other hand - lol, a multi-tasker like her mom! She has even tried running a few times! She is talking so much these days and has expanded her vocabulary. She mostly babbles but can definitely say: Mama, dada, bye bye, yeah, Gigi, bad-bad, and plenty of other consonant vowel combinations that aren't exactly words. She loves helping unload the dishwasher and the groceries. It's so funny to watch the determination on her face when she's doing something like that. She is also into EVERYTHING and climbing on everything and I can't take my eyes off of her! Her hands down favorite dessert is ice cream and she even sometimes throws a fit when the bowl is empty (I guess she gets that from her mommy ;) 

In other news, my parents made it back from their trip and so Avery got yet another Easter surprise. I think it's safe to say her Easter is officially over. And I think it's safe to say the Easter Bunny really loves her :) 

Avery's Nonna actually left these for her mama...well not these exact ones...because if I took a picture it would just be of an empty box ;) I've always heard Godiva chocolates expire in 48 hours, right???

This is Avery's first Godiva chocolate. If she is anything like her mommy she will cherish every bite!

And here is Lammy, Avery's very last Easter gift for 2009...at least I think so!

"What is this thing you call a Juicy Juice?"

"I bet it's going to be delicious...I'll keep my fingers crossed..."

"...IT IS! IT IS!"

"I can do it all by myself mommy!"

"Juicy Juice and Rocky Road in the same day? I think I'm in heaven! 

I should text Addy right away!"

Avery's First Tea Party...

...and I don't mean the kind with little girls eating cookies and sipping tea in fancy glasses...

I mean the kind with outraged citizens who think it is time to stand up and demand answers! 

I am one of those outraged citizens. 

As I've mentioned before, I try my very best to keep this blog about Avery. I love politics and if I had time I would make my own blog and only blog about politics, but let's face it...I don't! So, when the two worlds collide and Avery is involved with politics...It's the perfect storm :)

I can't understand a government that wants to make everyone equal. I can't understand citizens who feel like someone owes them something. I can't understand why we spend Trillions (yes, that is TRILLIONS with a T) of dollars on government programs and pure waste. (Click the link to view just a few absurd examples). I want to understand. But there is no explanation, so now I'm angry. Angry about this so-called 'change'. I hate change, have I mentioned that? And do you know what I really hate? Change that says the government can take as much money as they want from whoever they want, whenever they want and give it to anyone they want. I certainly am not saying I completely agreed with the Bush Administration, or that I didn't want anything to change, but I certainly am outraged at what is taking place...and do you know why? Because our generation won't pay back all of his 10 trillion dollars in spending bills...but hers will... 

I'm also mad because I don't know how she will ever be motivated to become something magnificently wonderful if we are all told we are going to be the same. Live in the same size houses, wear the same clothes, drive the same cars. I love the United States of America because we are all different...some of us are poor, and some of us are rich and most of us are somewhere in between...and it IS fair. Because if you want to succeed in this country, you can. Isn't the President pure proof of that?

So, I will step off the soapbox and let you see the pics of Avery's first tea part (of many more to come, I'm sure). I think she really liked it :) Now I'm off to have a bowl of homemade soup, made lovingly by my beautiful mom!

Anyone from Vi-Lou remember Nathan - yes he is a local TV new reporter! All grown up now!

Change is in the Air

I love Spring...don't you? Today I saw 5 squirrels all standing eating nuts, it was so cute! There are little animals everywhere and the flowers bloom and the birds chirp and some days are just lovely. Until you get to work and forget about what a beautiful day it is outside....hehe.

Sooo...this week I've had some decisions to make. Well, maybe I should say we (as Charlie is also a part of the parenting team) but his contribution was, "Whatever you decide is fine with me, babe." And although sometimes I say that drives me crazy, I think it is much better than him insisting on something I despise! Avery has been out of daycare sick and I've had a few options open up. Our regular babysitter is about to be out of school for the summer and offered to keep Avery at our house - but that would only be for a few months and then we'd be back at Square One. My sweet mamaw (formerly known as Gran-gran, who decided she prefers Gigi - I think it's because she knows Avery can say that now - ha!) has offered to move, YES MOVE, until Avery is 4 and she "has to start preschool". Wow, what great family and friends I have! And last, but not least, I have heard about a spot opened at an in home daycare. My cousin (who is 2) goes to Ms. Tina's house and loves it. Avery will only be in a room with 2 other children and she will be allowed to have her bottle and paci (if she needs it). It will also be $160-$200 cheaper each month. So after much thought and prayer, I have decided to go ahead and start her at Ms. Tina's on Monday. So, hopefully this transition will be easier since her cousin will be there and it will be in someone's home and the rules are much more relaxed. Having her regular babysitter at my house and then having Gigi watch her until she is 4, was much more in my comfort zone, but Charlie and I both felt that she needs to be in a social situation before the first day of preschool! So please say a prayer for Avery and Ms. Tina and that they will hit it off on Monday. Tomorrow she has to have booster shots so I'm a little bit dreading that, but Nonna and Poppa are coming for a visit, so I have something to look forward to :)

Easter...Day 2

Well, since last week was filled with dreaded tales of daycare, I guess this will be "Easter Week." Avery's Aunt Lindsey stopped by today. Lindsey is Charlie's sister. Apparently, she had a delivery to make! After we got done opening presents, it looked more like Christmas than Easter! We always had an Easter basket with something nice when I was little and loads of candy, but never like this! Avery enjoyed opening her gifts though. She had gifts from Mamaw Beverly and Papaw Nelson, Granny, Aunt Lindsey, Aunt Alicia and Aunt Tammy! I'll remember to be prepared for next Easter. 

"All of this...for me???"

She actually knew how to open the presents this time...and liked doing it! :)

Silly girl...sticking her tongue out...she imitates everything we do now!

The tissue paper were as fun as the gifts, according to Avery!

Okay, this is her Easter loot...minus the TWO Easter Baskets from yesterday...

I hope this doesn't mean she's spoiled? The clothes are adorable and I love the wall letters and butterfly hooks!

This is little Avery, a.k.a. "Linus" - she drags this blanket around everywhere. Of course, she never leaves the room without her (my) cell phone in hand!

Thanks for coming by to bring all of her things, Lindsey. We hated to miss seeing everyone... we will see you all soon. Thanks for the sweet gifts for Avery!

Easter Fun

Avery is doing a little bit better today, and her fever has finally gone! I think she enjoyed her quiet Easter with her mommy and daddy. Here's the proof: