Last weeks as a family of 3....

We spent the end of February and most of March enjoying our time as a family of 3. We were able to have many mommy and daddy dates, as well as many special times with Avery.
Avery attended several birthday parties and started Kindermusik on Thursdays. We enjoyed walks, play dates, fun at the park, and a morning at playnation!
Unfortunately, we also battled a lot of illnesses in the weeks leading up to Molly's birth. Avery battled some ear infections and required antibiotics, which are miserable to get our toddler to take! In between the ear infections, Avery and mommy got hit by the norovirus. It wasn't a pretty site or smell in our house. Mommy ended up at Rex late one Saturday night getting IV fluids and checking on baby Molly in the belly. Poor daddy was stuck on cleanup patrol and sweet Aunt Robyn took mommy to the hospital. Finally, on March 23 we were all feeling well, and Avery was full of energy, which had been rare in the previous weeks. I'll save the other details of that date and the following for a post on sweet Molly Fisher. Enjoy some pics of life before Molly (the good and the not-so-good)!
Avery's imagination has taken off and it's a joy to play with her, as well as watch her play with her babies, animals and kitchen. She loves to draw, paint and play with play dough.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope your day is filled with love. Daddy made Avery and mommy a yummy breakfast with heart pancakes, eggs, and bacon. We are so lucky and love daddy very much. Avery joined mommy at her OB visit this morning. Molly is looking good and hopefully will come in 4 weeks when she's suppose to. After the appointment, we surprised daddy at work with some yummy valentine treats. Avery had fun at swim lessons today and can't wait to play with her cousin after nap.
Yesterday was Avery's Valentine's party at her school. She came home with a bag of valentines from her buddies at school. The lollipops are her favorite!

Surprise

Last week I worked a random Thursday and Avery got to spend the day with her Gigi. My younger sister and parents were at our house when I got home that evening. I thought they were just stoping by to see Cathy (Gigi...aka Trey's mom). I was soon surprised with a sweet card that said, "We hope Avery and Molly love their new stroller and get many long walks." Then Robyn came into the room with a brand new double BOB stroller. It was an incredible surprise. We have used our single BOB a lot and had really wanted to get a double. It was so great to see all the names of sweet family and friends that went in on this generous gift. We are so blessed and can't wait to push both our girls in this stroller. Thank you so much! Avery is already having fun climbing and riding in it with her babies. She's even tried to take her babies for some walks.

Daddy & Daughter

Monday night Trey and Avery went on a daddy-daughter valentines date at our local Chick-fi-la. It is one of the great events that Chick-fi-la does throughout the year. I signed them up, and was so glad to hear that they had a great ime on their first daddy-daughter date night. Avery loved the cows and chased them through the restaurant. She also had fun playing at the special Valentine tables they had set for their date. Daddy had a blast and can't wait to do it again next year....think he can handle 2 little girls on his date next year?

18 Month Stats

Back in the beginning of December Avery was 1 1/2 years old.  We got a great report at her 18 month check-up.  It was the first time she had a well-child visit where she did not have to get any shots.  She walked to the room like a big girl and even stood on the big girl scale so the nurse could get her weight.  We are very blessed and grateful for our sweet, fun and healthy little girl.

 Avery loved playing on the table in the exam room and was a good little girl for the nurse and doctor.

Avery's statistics at 18 months:

Weight: 27 pounds (82%)

Height: 33.25 inches (89%)

Head:18.5 inches (62%)

Sweet Tooth

Our sweet little girl has developed a sweet tooth, just like her momma. Avery and mommy made and decorated valentine heart sugar cookies the other morning. Avery was most interested in eating the sprinkles and didn't understand why she couldn't eat the uncooked cookies. Mommy also picked up some powdered sugar donuts and Avery loved her special breakfast treat this morning. Glad she still enjoys her veggies and fruit!

Monkey Joe's

Today we had our first trip to Monkey Joe's. Avery and mommy needed to get out of the house for some fun before the winter weather kept us indoors. Unfortunately, once we got there they told us that I couldn't go on bouncy areas or slides because I was pregnant. Thankfully Avery's friend from school, Milly and her mommy, Lindsey, were there as well as our friends the Stephens. We appreciate them helping Avery. She had so much fun and can't wait to go back!

Merry Merry 2012

Christmas time was very special and fun this year.  We had a blast starting special holiday traditions and going to all the fun gatherings with Avery.  As Christmas got closer, she became more familiar with Santa.  She would wave to him when passing by at the mall, loved watching him on TV/DVDs, and kissed all the Santa's in her books.  We spent the weekend before Christmas in Hickory with daddy's family.  Avery and mommy went a day before daddy so that we could pick up some new furniture for the girls.  Avery had a lot of fun at Gigi and Papa's house.  She loved going for a swim with daddy in their jacuzzi. The water was nice and warm like her bath water. 

 Wearing her new swimsuit from Gigi and Papa.

 Avery loves the water. 

On Saturday, Gigi's side of the family came to Hickory.  We had fun visiting with family and doing our annual Christmas exchange.  Avery loved playing with her cousins, Camilla and Rex.  Avery also got to spend time with her great-grandmother. 

Cousins and their spouses

We returned home on Sunday to get ready for Christmas with mommy's family and Santa's big arrival.  Mommy forgot to take her camera to Grammy and Pepaw's house on Christmas Eve, but I did manage to find some of Avery in her Christmas PJs and from Christmas morning.  I had to work during the night on Christmas Eve, but was lucky to have a calm night and be able to make it home Christmas morning before Avery got up.  She walked out of her room and went right to playing with all the toys.  I'm not sure she understood why all the new toys were here, but she sure enjoyed playing with them.  I think her kitchen and kitchen accessories were a favorite.  A day hasn't gone by where she doesn't play kitchen.

 

 Watching one of her Christmas shows. 

She was lucky to get a lot of DVDs that her cousins no longer watch.

 Santa came while Avery was sleeping and her put all her toys right next to the cradle and hutch that her Pepaw made for her.  Both sets of grandparents must have talked to Santa because Avery's table and chairs also went perfect with her new kitchen!

She has got her purse and is ready to go grocery shopping. 

Christmas was so special and we truly enjoyed all the great time spent with family and friends.  We look forward to Avery growing to love Jesus and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.  We are very grateful for all the amazing blessings in our life!  We look back on 2012 and have so many wonderful memories.