Wordless Wednesday

Long Lost Video

2008 Memories

Did I really forget to post this for New Year's 2009? Wow!

Whew...2008 is gone...what a year, huh!?! 2008 was the most challenging year of my life; however, far outweighing the challenge was the reward! Nothing can prepare you for being a parent until it happens. No one can explain the feeling you'll get watching your baby grow and change every day. I thought about what kind've blog to write to say goodbye to 2008. I plan on turning this blog into a book once a year around Avery's birthday so she'll be able to have these memories always. I figured the best way to remember 2008 would be to list my memories. This will definitely be longer than anyone wants to read, but its mainly for my sake - so I never forget and for Avery's - so she can read them when she's older...so, here goes!

• January 18th - My mom arrives to help us paint the nursery. We finished the majority of it by Saturday night, and went to Target to pick up some last minute touches. (Curtains, new bedspread for the guest bed) The nursery was exactly what I always dreamed it would be, I was SO pleased!
  
  
• January 20th - My dad arrives (he had stayed behind because he was sick, he almost didn't come but God worked it out so that he would be there for Avery's birth!)

• January 21st - Mom goes with me to diabetic counseling for gestational diabetes. We listened for hours as they explained what I could and could not eat. I guess my fear at that point was having a 12 lb baby...Oh the things that can change in a matter of hours! It was off to Applebees where Charlie and dad met us for lunch. It took a while to find something I was allowed to eat and by the time the food came I realized we were running late. Mom and I left and made it to the sonogram with 3 minutes to spare. Charlie and dad came shortly and we sat in the waiting room talking about what the 'plan' was going to be if it was a boy (now that our perfectly painted room was pink!) Of course, the rest is 'history' and long story short, Avery was born via emergency c-section less than 2 hours after we arrived for the sonogram. Weighing in at 2 lbs, 2 oz and 14 1/2 inches long she was officially a micropreemie. And officially the most beautiful, special, sweet little miracle I will ever know!

• January 25th - Charlie got to hold Avery for the first time while the nurse changed her bed. Lucky him!
• January 26th - I got to hold Avery while the nurse cleaned her bed. I only got to reach in and hold her little body up inside the incubator but it was one of the best feelings in the whole world!
• January 27th - Avery's weight hit an all time low at 1 lb, 9 oz. Talk about scary!
• January 28th - Avery was one week old. I got to hold her in my arms for the first time! I also got to do Kangaroo Care for 2 hours - amazing!

• January 29th - Avery ate her first meal - 1/10th of an ounce of breastmilk!
• February 7th - The neonatologist decided to stop Avery's feedings because her stomach was too swollen. For parents who rejoice over every ounce gained it is a sad day when you know your baby isn't eating at all. :(
• February 10th - Poppa got to hold Avery for the first time.
• February 13th - The bleed in Avery's brain 'disappeared' Isn't God Good?
• February 16th - Avery took an entire feeding from a bottle for the first time. A little less than one ounce.
• February 17th - Nonna got to hold Avery.

• February 19th - At 2 lbs 12 oz, Avery hadn't gained an ounce in 6 days and the doctor started her on formula for some of her feedings.
• February 20th - After praying a lot the day before Avery finally gained an ounce - one of our 'tiny miracles' that we experienced.
• February 24th - At one month old I finally got to feed Avery a bottle and get a little burp out of her too. Precious moments.
• February 25th - Avery hit the 3 pound mark. AWESOME!
• March 15th - Avery hit the 4 pound mark
• March 18th - After 58 days, Avery was released from the NICU and got to sleep in her own home!

Lately...

Lately, the weather has been fantastic. And I don't let a beautiful day go by without reminding myself (aloud) and others of how blessed we are. I guess the older I get, the more I appreciate a simple, gorgeous day!

Lately, there have been lots of days at the park...

Lately, the see-saw has gotten quite a bit of use...

Lately, you can find Avery in a cute sundress all weekend long...

Lately, we've enjoyed our first college baseball game...

Lately, we've decided we should learn to plant things. Even if we start with a kitchen spoon and a bottled water...

Lately, we've been just a swingin'...

Lately, we've taken the time to observe the beauty God created all around us and be thankful for it...

That's what we've been up to lately!

First Ponytail

Written Sept 2009...

Happy Birthday Avery

This year I planned a tea party at a castle that I happened to find on Google. We met w/ the owner of the "castle", paid the deposit and it was a date! This was the first birthday party she'd ever done, typically it is only rented for weddings. In the middle of moving into the new house, the sweet older lady called me to explain that she had to travel to NYC and would be gone on the day I planned. She didn't want so many people on the property when she wasn't there, so she wanted me to move it. Avery's birthday fell on a Saturday and I really didn't want to move it, so maybe next year! Since we moved into the new house a month before her birthday, I figured this would be a good time to have everyone over. So, I scrapped the tea party theme and just went with an old fashioned birthday party! I don't think Avery ever noticed a difference. We decorated cookies, ate cupcake and ice cream and opened presents. And the grand finale was a big, cupcake pinata. Avery had a fantastic time and so did we. What more could I ask for? I didn't do a good job at taking pictures in the midst of the chaos (party) but Nonna did! So, go see many more (much better) pics of Avery's fun day. Click here!

Cookie decoration station...

Lalaloopsy!

A new swingset...from Nonna and Poppa!

We even decorated cookies the next day!

Her FAVORITE person, Lesley (Tance's girlfriend) showed up later that day. A perfect ending to a perfect day :)



Elmo

Ok, bare with me. Because I'm finding all these posts I thought I posted in Blogger that were in draft. Can't waste a good post. And what a great walk down memory lane....written in 2009.

Not only is Avery pushing her limits with sitting in the recliner whenever she wants and watching Baby Einstein 24/7 (which apparently has no educational benefit whatsoever), she also thinks the computer belongs only to her. She lovvvves computer games. In fact, I think Santa might bring her one for Christmas.  I've been using sesamestreet.com and they have a lot of games for toddlers. So far, her favorite character is Elmo! Maybe Santa will bring her a tickle me Elmo too? Time to start shopping!

Christmas Tree Farm - 2011

Yes, I'm that behind. :( But, you have to start somewhere! So here goes.

Last year was our first trip to Curry Farms. We absolutely loved it! There are lots of activities for kids and the funnest part is picking your tree. Then, you take a hayride out to watch the men cut it down. It is a great experience. Except for the part where your daughter says she wants to ride the train, jumps in the train, smiles big for the camera and then FREAKS out when she realizes she is moving...away from her mommy and daddy. Other than that part, everything was quite lovely!

Feeding the goats is, hands down, always her favorite part!



Happy Easter!

We have had another fabulous Easter weekend in Vidalia! Each one seems like the best ever. We had a big, delicious Easter lunch at mom and dad's house on Saturday and then our 1st Annual Easter Crawfish Boil on Saturday night. Although I'm a Louisiana girl, born and raised, I've never peeled and eaten a crawfish. This weekend I did! It wasn't as gross as I imagined, although I only actually peeled 1 myself. And the corn was fantastic! Even Avery tried a few bites.

We dyed Easter eggs, of course, and played in the yard most of the day. On Easter, we went to church and enjoyed a great service. We had lunch and then enjoyed the view from the Natchez bluff. Avery got to fly her new kite and she loved every minute of that! We headed out to Granny's that afternoon for a big Easter egg hunt with lots of Charlie's family. It was so good to watch the kids play, relax, visit and listen to stories of long ago. I always enjoy time with family!

This evening, we had another delecious meal at mom's (do you see a pattern here?) and we're off to watch Layne and Bram play a t-ball game. I don't remember life ever being better than this, my sweet and hilarious husband, a more wonderful family than I could even dream of, a precious 4 yr old girl and most importantly, A RISEN SAVIOR!

Happy Easter, y'all!

Wordless Wednesday

{photo courtesy of Jami Ainsworth portraits}