I should be packing and cleaning...but clearly I got distracted! Mark is still at work and we decided to go down to Corpus tomorrow instead of today. We went over to the Severski's last night and had a dinner. We celebrated Deb's birthday and Avery got to meet her Great great Aunt Pat (I think that's right). Today we've been getting ready and making sure everything is clean for us to pack. We went up to pack Avery and we ended up playing and then taking pictures...go figure! ;) It also turns out I'm in a black and white mood if you can't tell from all the pictures!

Self-timer family pic before walking out the door!

Tom put 53 candles on the cake and one to grow on!

Deb and Tom

whose baby is that?

melon

When I open the window in her room she just stares out in amazement...it's so sweet

and then in black and white!

"Hey I know you"

Baby cleavage ;)

Look at those eyes

and that face...

6 MONTHS OLD

I can't believe my baby is 6 months old (tear)! We went to our new pedi today and I was less than thrilled with the facility and "bed side manner" if you will. Maybe I'm just a healthcare snob but I think I have every right to be. Needless to say, I am on the hunt for a new one! But, she is healthy and continuing to grow so I guess I can't complain! She passed all the "tests" and the dr said I can give her 3 square meals a day and pretty much she can eat any stage 1 or 2 foods including meat! Although I can't let her cry it out yet! :( It also kooks like sumo wrestling isn't in her future ;) Here are her stats:

Weight: 13 lbs 10 oz. - 10%

Height: 26 inches - 61%

Head: 16.5 cm - 25% - not sure anyone really cares about her head size except for the doctor!

Here are some pictures of our big girl! We are headed to Corpus tomorrow and will be there through New Years! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

I took this last night!

My mom bought this Christmas outfit last year and amazingly it fits! She looks so cute! And that chair is from Grandma Katy! Look at her sitting in it like a big girl! :)

Nummy blanket!

You are probably going to be tired of seeing pictures of Avery sitting up but it's just so new and I think she looks so sweet!

I would love a picture by the tree but I'm not brave enough to let her sit unattended on the tile!

She is just a little model...I swear she poses for me!

Tell me she's not trying! ;)

I'm going to have to teach her to keep her dress DOWN!

I blew dry her hair after her bath

Spoiled?

If you have been around our family you know we love our daughter more than anything in the world. On more than one occasion we have heard that Avery is "spoiled". Or the infamous, "wait til you have another, you won't be doing this with them". Well, we used to quickly defend Avery and say "the pediatrician said we can't spoil her at this age". But, I would not say she is spoiled but moreover that she is extremely loved. Yes, we probably could let her cry when she gets fussy but she is not even 6 months old and after all she is our first baby. :) I don't like hearing her cry and I love holding her (most of the time). After we were talking about it a couple of nights ago I went upstairs to put her to bed. The new routine is to feed her and put her down in her crib, awake or asleep. She now does not need me to rock, squat, sway, or do anything else to put her down. She will simply play by herself or roll over on her tummy and go to sleep. I know she will do much bigger tasks by herself as she gets older. So, now when I have the opportunity to rock her on my shoulder I don't put her down right away because I know some day I won't even get a hug and a kiss goodnight. I hope we are blessed to be able to spoil many more children in the future with our love. Therefore, we thank everyone who has helped "spoil" Avery...I think she deserves it! Here are some pictures of Avery sitting up.

Yummy avocado

Day 2 sweet potatoes and she thinks she can feed herself

The big girl sitting up

She got up on all fours...it won't be long before she is mobile!

Cookies and Veggies

I decided yesterday Avery and I were going to make cookies! As my little helper was watching and eating the wooden spoon I couldn't help but think next year she will be able to help or atleast enjoy the final product with me. We made the cookies and then waited for Daddy to come home to decorate. And I must say these were the best sugar cookies I have ever had - and I've eaten A LOT of cookies in my day. I need to find some people to give them too so I don't eat the whole tub!

Now for the real big news, drum roll, Avery had her first veggie - sweet potatoes! She might not be a big milk drinker (who can blame her that stuff tastes yucky) but she sure loves those veggies! I'm so proud and sad all at the same time. I feel like over night my little baby is now eating foods and sitting up. She is still so little but yet getting to be such a big girl! I just love her and couldn't be more thankful of Mark who allows me to stay home and enjoy all of these precious moments. I can't imagine not spending everyday with her! Avery and I are so lucky and so blessed! We love you Daddy!

I was told this morning not to eat the ones Mark made...he loves the icing!

You know you are jealous now!

This is what I get when I ask him to smile...

See any resemblance?

Look at that clean container!

the aftermath

Gotta teach her to lick the lid early