We've taught her to share...

A bite for me,

A bite for you!

For those of you disgusted, don't worry, I gave her a new spoon. :)

Bible

Avery has been learning so many new words. I used to keep count and have the first ten in her baby book, but lately she has learned too many to keep count! The newest one she said today has to be one of the sweetest. We were watching a video clip together and there was a man reading from the Bible, she pointed to him and said Bible. I was so impressed! So I pulled hers off the shelf and she said "Bible!" So cute! Now she yells "Bible" and brings it to you to read, melts me. Love this girl!

Heavy Heart

Today I have a heavy heart for our dear friends, the Ross and Bizaillion families. A beautiful wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and Godly woman went to be with Jesus after a heroic battle against a horrific and sudden illness. Today a mother, who I love and admire so much, lost her little girl. One of my husband's best friends lost his sister. A loving husband who sat by his wife's bedside day in and day out and slept on the floor in a sleeping bag we brought him, is now a widower. A precious, precious little girl lost her mommy. That kind of pain I can only imagine. My heart literally hurts for the whole family. She will be missed by many, but we know the hope we have in heaven. Thanks be to God for the victory over death! Her dad wrote on his blog a few weeks ago when Jenny first became sick that no matter what happened, God is still deserving of our praise. That kind of faith overwhelms and inspires me. I know without a doubt that this family will still praise God; that's just who they are. Please continue to pray for them as they grieve. I don't even know the words to pray right now over them, but the spirit intercedes.

I held my baby a little longer tonight before bed, kissed her a few more times, read an extra story and hurt so badly for this family. I am thankful that Jenny is dancing in Heaven , completely restored and that the Ross and Bizaillion families know the God of all comfort and peace. How could anyone make it in this cruel world without that?

When it's too quiet...

you know there's trouble somewhere! Yesterday it was her sitting in the dog's water bowl and water all over the kitchen floor. Today's choice, reorganizing her dresser of clothes. :)

March For Babies!

March of Dimes is a cause I have always felt strongly about being a NICU nurse. I have seen so much heart break and so many happy endings. March of Dimes fights for these helpless babies born way too early. I am honored to walk in the March for Babies this April with my sweet friends, Leah and Amy. Amy has twin girls born 10 weeks early and they are doing great. Leah gave birth to sweet Liam, he did not have a fair chance at life and was stillborn. Today would be his due date, say a prayer for this family. I am thankful for my healthy beautiful daughter, but I am reminded every time I go to work in the NICU that there are far too many babies born way too early who have to fight so hard for a chance at life. I am walking because I want to make a difference in something I think is so important. I am also walking for each baby I have seen grow up healthy with a future and for each baby I have seen that never got a shot at life. Brings tears to my eyes typing this. If you want to help, join Reese and Riley's team(Amy's twins) or donate what you can to the cause. (there is link on the right of my blog) All the funds go to research and programs to ensure healthy pregnancies and babies.

Babies are such a nice way to start people. ~Don Herrold

Peanut's Stats

Checked out well at the doctor today! Weighed in at a whopping 20.3 pounds, 30.5 in. long and 17 in. head. She's in the 5% range, but healthy. Only got one shot and did pretty well.( we are still on the alternative vaccine schedule) Love my tiny girl!

18 Months Old on Valentine's Day!

Sweet Avery,

You were 1 1/2 on Valentine's day! I can't believe that. You are really growing and changing so much! I am trying to soak up all your babyness and savor it. Every face, smell, your little voice, they way you get so excited, how curious and busy you are, the way you call "momma" at the top of your lungs when you need anything, I don't want to forget any of these things! You are turning into a big girl too fast! Please promise me you'll let me cuddle you and call you my baby forever, even when you're a teenager and you think I'm such a dork. ;) Here are some new things you are doing that I don't want to forget about this stage:

-You have started repeating a lot of words we say, most recently: apple, shoes, bow,eyes, wow, K, uh oh. I love hearing your little voice. You call for "momma" all day long, I love it! Daddy is pretty special too, you love to charge into his office during the day and sit in his lap at the desk. You have him wrapped around your little pinky for sure!

- You like to color

-You dance constantly. You start gettin down the second you hear a beat!

-You eat with a fork really well now

- You only use at paci and nap/bedtime and sometimes in the car

-You are a great sleeper, down at 7:30 almost every night and up around 8:30-9.

- You love to watch Dora and Elmo

-You are really loving going to Little Gym and doing so well

-Your fav. foods are mac and cheese, pizza, avocados, green beans, bananas, and PB&J

-You adore Chief and Chloe; any dog really. You love to sneak and feed Chloe from your highchair( I guess this is why she adores you too ;)

- You love to do anything outside and beg to go out even when it is freezing out

- You have so much fun going to Target mommy! I love this :)

-You have lots of little friends around your age at church and it is so fun to see you play with them. Currently you are in love with Casen, he was your first kiss even though daddy denies it. Ha!

Daddy and I are crazy about you sweet girl! Happy 18 months! I love you to the moon and back,

Momma

We started off Valentine's day with heart shaped pancakes made by daddy!

opening some of her gifts from family

Dog card from daddy

Excited about her new kitty purse from mommy and daddy!

We go in for her 18 month well check tomorrow, I hope she is 21 lb by now! Tiny thang :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a great Valentine's Day and Avery turned 18 months old today! Her half birthday is on Valentine's Day each year, so fun. I love this little girl to pieces! More pics to come on her 18 month update. Can't believe my baby is that old! Happy love day every one!

daddy's sweetheart!

her shocked face :)

I got this smile by singing with great enthusiasm the backpack song from Dora. Ha!

Thanks Aunt Laura, for my cute V day shirt :)

**SNOW**

Snow days are so much fun! (despite the fact that we are stuck in the house all day) Avery had so much fun playing in it. I was afraid she wouldn't be able to walk with all the layers I put on her, but she managed. :) We already have 5 inches and they are predicting 6-8 in. total! It apparently hasn't snowed this much in 30 years here. I showed Avery the snow through the window when she woke up this morning. She started exclaiming "Santa, Santa, Santa!" full of excitement. I guess she associates it with Santa?! We had to then read a Christmas book with Santa in it cause I felt bad she was looking for him so much outside. Ha! Hope every one is staying warm!

Road Trips...

We have been on two road trips in that last two weekends. First, Avery and I headed to Austin to wedding dress shop with my sister. It was a success, my sis will be a beautiful bride and Avery got an adorable flower girl dress. (I'm dying to post a pic, but gotta keep it s secret!)

This weekend we all headed down to San Antonio for Luke's grandmother's 90th b-day party. It was a 5hr. road trip so we went to Austin the night before to break it up a little. Avery got to play with Mimi and Papa while Luke and I got a date night. Good times! The b-day party was lots of fun too. I hope I am doing as well as his grandmother is at 90, she is amazing! We had to turn around and drive straight back home after the party for church, not so fun. Thank goodness for portable DVD players! Avery did great with all the traveling, but she was very happy to be home to her bed and to see "Da Dogs". :)

Ready for the road trip!

us with the birthday girl

She had fun bossing around all the big boy cousins at the party. ;)

So happy to be in her own bed. She took a 3 1/2 hr nap today! I had to wake her so she would go to bed tonight. I love a sweet sleeping baby

Simple Pleasures

One of my favorite blogs to stock, Kelly's Korner, did this post on simple pleasures and I thought it was fun so I tagged along! Here are some of my Simple Pleasures,

Family fun days when Luke is home and we all do something fun as a family

Target with Avery!!

Olive Garden salad and bread, yum

A good pedicure with my sister

Shopping of any kind

Visiting my parents

Cooking something that is good (this is rare)

Summer nights in Texas

Buying shoes, especially for Avery

Back rubs

Playing board games with Luke

A clean house before I go to bed

Thursday TV night with Luke

Cuddling with Avery, I LOVE this simple pleasure!

Making a difference in at tiny person's life as a NICU RN

Girl's day trips with friends, we are in need of this one ladies :)

See Avery "play shopping" and thinking about all the fun we will have when she is old enough!

My greatest simple pleasure is seeing this little face smile