Two Years Ago Today...

• Two years ago today, I sat in a diabetic counseling session so they could teach me how to eat until you came.
• Two years ago today, I went to Applebees and realized I couldn't really eat anything from there anymore!
• Two years ago today, I sat in the waiting room at the doctors office. My worst fear was that you'd be a boy with a pink, girly room.
• Two years ago today, I sat looking at another sonogram, feeling like I did a few years before. A bit nauseous and lightheaded. Knowing something wasn't right, just not knowing what.
• Two years ago today, I had a mini-breakdown while being walked across the street to the hospital. I didn't understand why. I didn't know if you'd be okay. I knew I couldn't lose you. I knew it'd be too much.
• Two years ago today, I was told we were having a baby...in a few minutes.
• Two years ago today, I became a mother to a micropreemie.
• Two years ago today I became a mother to the most beautiful, precious, tiny little piece of life I'd ever know.
• Two years ago today, I couldn't hold you.
• Two years ago today, I fell into a love I could never explain.
• Two years ago today, I became your mommy.

I find myself wondering how many more times I get to rock you at night, while reading you "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear". I wonder when you won't need me to sing "You Are My Sunshine" until you fall asleep. I wonder when you won't really need me there anymore, you'll be just fine on your own. I know in a flash it will be gone. My little baby has already grown into a little toddler, who will be a 'big girl' and then a girl and then a preteen, and then a teenager (yikes!) and then a young woman. I want to cherish every moment with you, every day. Because in a flash, you''ll be gone. I want to cherish today, and remember that two years ago today, I became the most blessed woman in the whole.wide.world.

Photos courtesy of Jami Ainsworth

Birthday Plans

Birthday plans are underway! I can't believe I'll have a 2 yr. old in a few days. Wow, time sure goes too fast! Planning an indoor birthday party for a toddler isn't the easiest thing in January. My options are pretty limited. Originally, I thought Avery would love the aquarium, so we would go down to New Orleans. I had been planning on that for months. And then something strangely miraculous started to happen. The Saints, the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS went 13-0 (before losing 2 games on the way to the playoffs!) I figured there was a likely possibility there could be a playoff game on the weekend of her birthday in New Orleans and didn't really want to fight the traffic (or to find a hotel room for that matter!) So, we settled on someplace a little closer, with a lot of fun: Chuck E. Cheese in Baton Rouge. I figure you can't go too wrong with CEC. Games, pizza and dancing characters sounds right up Avery's alley. So, although we expect little to no children (Baton Rouge is about a 3.5 hour trip from where we live!), we will have a great time watching Avery run wild! I decided since we were already in the mouse category, I would 'girl it up' with a Minnie Mouse theme. I found some great, inexpensive invites on Ebay. Chuck E. Cheese....here we come!

Da-da's Birthday, Father's Day and Molars!

Da-da's Birthday happened to be on a Saturday. It was also June 20th, the day before Father's Day. Of course, the only thing he wanted to do was play 18 holes of golf. He, Uncle Josh and Paps (Avery's great grandpa) hit the golf course bright and early. Nonna, Avery and I caught up with them and had a fun time playing at a nearby park. We also found da-da on the golf course and took a quick ride in the golf cart. I even stayed behind to be his personal driver and caddy (lol) for the last 9 holes. Nonna took Avery home for a nap. Afterwards Nonna grilled, per Charlie's request and we had a delicious cake and he opened presents. Fun stuff!

Father's Day wasn't as fun as Saturday. Avery ran a pretty high fever most of the day and then threw up (for the first time ever). Later, I figured out she is teething - and its molars! I have heard horror stories and although Sunday and Monday were pretty rough, so far it's been smooth sailing. Actually for the first time in a verrrry lonnnng time Avery has slept in her crib, ALL.NIGHT.LONG, for 4 nights this week! I have no idea what caused this phenomenon, but I am definitely telling her how proud her mommy and daddy are that she is being such a big girl!

Delicious! Italian Cream Cake, with Cream Cheese Icing and Carmel w/ Pecans Filling...YUM!

Yes, Avery brought her clubs too!

Thinking about taking a bite out of that rock...