7!

It was a very busy weekend. We spent most of Saturday with my sister, who helped us prepare cupcakes for Avery's party.  There was cleaning and putting out Halloween decorations on Friday afternoon and into Saturday.  Sunday was church, last minute prep, and post party cleanup.  I'm exhausted -- but the girl had a good weekend and a happy birthday, that's all that really matters.

She celebrated 7 with her neighbor friends, a few old school friends, and Nonna/Nonno.  The Halloween theme was a success.

A great year

I am happy to say that Avery was very happy with her Christmas presents, even though they weren't exactly what she asked for.  We got to visit with lots of folks and enjoy our little break.  As we head into another long weekend for New Years we have plans to hang out with her bestie for a movie.

It really has been a great year, but it's gone so fast.  As we head into 2023 I suspect it will go even faster as we register for Kindergarten and all those things.  I intend to reserve some quality time with her before school gets into full swing.  It is a wild ride, but she's the best.

Fall Fun

Girl has been having a big time so far this month.  She and I have taken off every Friday in October to enjoy the seasonal activities and have cut out a bit early a few days this week to enjoy company.

In September we enjoyed the Oktoberfest here in town.  So far this month we have hit the Houston Pumpkin Festival and their Halloween parade. We would have gone to the Hickory Apple Festival but the rain kept us away.  Instead we hit the apple orchard to get our 'supplies' for other activities (read:  applesauce!).

This week Aunt Jackie came to visit and Aunt Susanne stopped in for a few days.  We've been all about the games and fun.

She did go to her yearly dr visit and comes in at 44 lbs, 3'8" - she is in the 95% for both. Lots of changes in leadership at school going on too, but we're rolling with it.

Cousin Time

Yesterday Avery got to spend some time with her cousins, Levi and Isabella (and Kimberly).  It's been a year since our cruise, which blows my mind.  On this visit we got to shop at Trax Farms and the nearby outlets before having a late lunch.  They adore her so much, I wish they could spend more time together.

Family and Holiday Season Begins

My worries in my last post were unfounded.  She's holding it through the night and not waking up. Avery has only had one or two slight accidents (where she caught it after a few drops as she rushed to the bathroom). She really has the potty thing down, even if we're out somewhere! In the past week she started saying she didn't need the seat insert and can climb up there and balance just fine w/o it.

This month has been very focused on family too.  Avery's Aunt Jackie and Cousin Dani came to visit for a couple of weeks, during which time her Aunt Susanne also joined us.  We had a full house.  This was the first time Cousin Dani and Avery met - and I am pretty sure, although Cousin Dani will never admit it, she digs her.  Always good when my two favorite rugrats get along.

For Halloween this year Avery had her dinosaur costume for the school parade.  The parade was outdoors this year due to the virus and a bit chilly, but Aunt Jackie and I stuck it out to watch.  Then Aunt Jackie put the finishing touches on a Zero the dog hat and with some help from Cousin Dani we rigged up something to keep a sheet in perfect placement to complete the costume for trick or treat.  Our weather was so much nicer than last year.

Oktoberfest

Another week, and weekend, has passed.  I'm always so sad when I put her to bed on Sunday night.  I don't want my full days with her to be over for 5 days, but I don't want to wish any time away either.

This weekend we had two visits to our local Oktoberfest.  Friday after I picked her up we had dinner at our church's spaghetti dinner and then we walked over to get dessert and checkout a button box band.  Saturday her Nonna and Nonno came in to join us at the event - so more food, strolling, checking out music, and even a ride on the kiddie cars they had there.

I've started to pepper in a few Italian words to Avery's vocabulary.  I've been working hard on duolingo to make my own progress, it helps to share with her.  She's getting better with finger control, which helps greatly on a few signs.  More than that, her verbal communication is making leaps and bounds.  This isn't a one or two word girl - she can tell you, if pushed sometimes to do so, exactly what she means/wants.

On the other hand, we've also started using the naughty step - thank you super nanny.

Riding our way through the weekend

This was a crazy active/busy weekend. On Saturday Avery and I hosted her cousins K, I, and L.  There was pizza, Halloween arts and crafts, a trip for ice cream, and stops at two playgrounds at the local park.  Avery didn't nap and even tried wiping out as we drove to the first playground.  She made it through like a trooper.

Sunday was our usual church and after a portion of her normal nap, her first trip to Kennywood Park with thanks to another cousin, T who gifted us two adult tickets so that we could give her this experience.  Avery found the Thomas train quite pleasing, but also enjoyed the other rides, including the Junior Phantom roller coaster.

Traveling Germs

Last week Avery and I were supposed to go to a park on Friday, so we were both off from work and school.  Unfortunately, my Aunt passed, so instead we headed to Altoona.  It was about 5 hours drive time and I have to give this kid kudos, she was amazing.  Unfortunately, she didn't nap but 20 minutes before we arrived at the church for the funeral, so I was worried she would lose her mind.  She only had one minor melt during the service.  My cousin noted she was happy to see that melt, because up to that point it was too easy.  She made it through the afternoon too with everyone around, only going to one Aunt and very briefly.  The rest of the time she clung to me, wanting up quite often.  The drive back she wiped out for most of it, so that too was an easy drive.

On Saturday she then woke up not wanting to eat much.  By the afternoon she had horrendous gas and small/looser poops that happened all too often and a slight fever.  Sunday morning she threw up the water she drank twice.  After some rest and cuddling she was starting to be herself again.  Today she's looking and feeling ok.

My arms, shoulders, and back however aren't feeling great.  All of this wanting carried is really taking its toll on me.

Truly a happy mother('s day)

This mother's day Avery's daddy called her away from the living room and she returned with a card and a box in hand for me.  In addition to the hoops she helped me pick out a few weeks ago, she presented me with cute floweresque silver and diamond studs and a card customized with her writing.  Of course I immediately started to cry.  I can't imagine what a mess I'll be as she gets older and executes her own ideas/creations for me.  Her daddy was also sweet enough to get me a plant/flower when he picked one up for his Mom the night before.

We headed to visit her Nonna as well and had a great meal prepared by the Dads.  It was a nice day, despite the rain.

I love this little girl.  I'm so proud and honored to be her mother.  She is truly my greatest achievement, by deepest love, and the sun, moon, and stars in my world.

Action packed day

After our typical Saturday morning Avery and I quickly headed back out to attend the first birthday party she was invited to!  Actually we were all invited as they are friends of her Dad who had a little lady, but it felt like Avery's first birthday party.

After that we went to visit her Nonno!  We sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather and walked around the yard collecting different flowers and chasing the chickens.  As part of that visit she also made her first (and probably very few) visits to McDonald's at Nonno's suggestion to check out the play area.  She ended up crying three times thanks to other kids in 15 minutes.  sigh.

The best part was that she was pretty wiped but cuddly when we got home, so I got a nice long cuddle and solid hugs as we sat upstairs for bedtime.

Taking off

We had a nice Thanksgiving.  Avery was not up for getting passed around this year, but she did warm up and was social enough.  It was hard this morning to load her into the car seat and take her back to school and I mean literally hard, she was scooting herself back out with force.  She was however happy when we arrived at school to see her friends, and didn't cling to me, so that made it a little easier.

She did get past that vaccine last week without issue, thank goodness.

Avery's latest accomplishment is taking off her shirt.  She pulled it off several times yesterday before I gave up and allowed her to wander about unfettered.  It was pretty warm yesterday (near if not in the 50s) so the house wasn't too cold.

Mastering the art of flight

Since our last post, Avery has flown on an airplane - twice!  We made the trip to Texas to visit her Aunt Jackie and Uncle Bob.  While there we tried lots of new things and had a few breakthroughs.  First, we shifted to size 4 diapers.  There were lots of pretzels and other things to chomp on, and she's doing better eating a few more chunks, but we still  need to see progress on the healthy chunks!  As to food, beyond the donuts, pretzels, cereal-os, persimmons, and plenty more - including getting foods she's eaten pureed into her hands as chunks.

We woke up this morning, preparing to fly home with a brand new case of vibrant diaper rash.  Poor girl. This is definitely the worst I've seen on her.  She started wailing before I even opened her diaper this evening to change her.  It breaks my heart, but goodness, you have to wipe her after a poo, even if it is the 6th one of the day.

Maybe it's teething, maybe not.  We were using a different wipe than normal all week, but you'd think she'd react faster.  There has been a little more drool and fingers in her mouth too.  She was a bit dry and down to two pellet like poos for a couple of days and then a shift in this direction.  It doesn't seem to have rhyme or reason.

Auntie B!

This weekend Avery and I took to the road with her Nonna and Nonno to go visit her Auntie B!  Do to her heavy work schedule this past year, this ended up being their first meeting.  Unfortunately, both Avery and Auntie B were recovering from some ick that came around (Avery's settled in around the same point of that post-inoculation fever), but they at least got to check each other out.  We also got to meet Auntie B's "friend" :)

The drive was long, but went well - meaning both that the weather was good and traffic didn't crush us, but also that Avery handled it well.  Our accommodations were comfortable and Avery and I got to share space for the first time in a few months.  It was nice to be right there with her and to get to play and be close all weekend.

Her schedule was in a bit of a state of upheaval, but Avery handled that very well too.  She got to see a pony, some horses - including all three of Auntie B's babies, rabbits, turkeys, and guinea hens up close.  It was a fun adventure.  But I'll admit, I'm glad to be home and climbing into my own bed tonight.

Happy Birthday Avery Violet!

My little girl is 1.  How fast this past year has gone.  I look back at photos and video and marvel - she's grown and evolved so much.  She continues to amaze me every day - and even more so amazing is that I love her more each and every day.  I'm so proud.  I'm so full of joy.  I'm so in love... and it's all for this blessed baby - I guess I can't call her a baby anymore, she's officially a toddler.  Let's modify that with a "my" - MY baby.

I took Friday off to spend it with Avery for her birthday, but of course, the activities to prepare for her party today took over a good bit.  At least I can say my house is reasonably clean right now.  We did make a trip out to the grocery store and for some ice cream on Friday, so we had some special moments.

We had quite the full house today all for sweet Avery.  She didn't dive into the cake like I thought she might after having had previous exposure.  Avery continues to be happy getting passed around and the large crowd didn't bother her much. I didn't get to take too many photos, so I am hoping that they will come in from others in attendance.  It's hard to do everything and talk to everyone as I'd like at busy events.

Taking a Walk

Aunt Jackie is here! And just in time too...

I arrived to get Avery from daycare to find her trying to motor.  Her one teacher turned her around to walk to me and she most definitely took more than the 2-3 shuffles that she had up to this point here at home.  After we got back to the house, post picking up her Aunt, and she continued to demonstrate her skills.

It's kind of a big dill

Our weekend together started early so I could enjoy my birthday with Avery.  Friday we met up with her Nonna at the Phipps Conservatory.  It was quite the nice day out and Avery enjoyed seeing the butterflies, flowers, plants, and kinetic items.

Today, started with Little Gym, which Avery seems to enjoy for the most part, at least when she's had a bit of a nap before.  Then we drove back into the city for Picklesburgh!  It was a bit warmer out today and super crowded. Avery hung in there pretty well though.

Since my last report Avery has tried another grains blend, black currant, and tomatoes.  I had put off the tomatoes, thinking that some of these acidy foods were partly to blame for the diaper rash issues we were having, but I'm firmly thinking it is a teeth situation.  We've been managing to keep the rash at bay, but it does require some care.  I could swear I spotted teeth slightly pressed through on Friday while we were out, but today I see nothing obvious.

Hurting from top to bottom

Poor kiddo.  This past Friday Avery work up a bit snotty and stuffy.  It wasn't enough to make me think she was actually sick, so we went about our weekend plans to go to a family reunion, where she got to see quite a few Aunts and cousins that she's only met one other time so far.

Come Monday, by the time she left daycare her rear was quite red and unhappy.  Ahhh diaper rash.  The drool has picked up a bit, so maybe it is teething, who knows.

I bought a kiddie pool to entertain her last night while we sat out back bare bummed trying to get some air to help us out.  I also picked up corn starch.

Our favorite daycare worker noted the pattern that she had a little flare up after having the grapes/plum mixture before too, so we'll put that on the backburner for a while.  Similarly in my research I also saw cause to put off pineapple, tomato, citrus, and strawberries in addition to grapes and plums.  This means that two items that were coming up soon for new tastes will be delayed.

New foods since my last report:  navy beans, beef (which she hated in the soupy like stuff but was okay with from my burger!), asparagus, and figs.

I also want to note that I started in earnest to gather supplies for Avery's first birthday.  It's only a little over a month away after all.  I am hoping the little skirt and headband I ordered arrive quickly, so if they're too big I can find something else.  Our theme is unicorns and rainbows, so I'm having fun finding the goodies to decorate and to put a little spin on our food presentation.

But it isn't a Holiday

It seems like the only time we get to visit with most of the family is at holidays (or funerals).  Friday I tried to break that by texting one of Avery's Great Aunts to see if their house was free and agreeable to company and we stopped in for a visit amidst other running up 'in their area'.

Happy Easter!

Avery and I had a very active Easter weekend.  Friday night we went to the Good Friday service at our sister church.  She was a very good girl with only a few minor noises.  Saturday evening we went to our church for the egg hunt and the movie Risen.  She was a little fussy after playing for a little while during the movie, but then quickly settled and fell asleep on me, so I could watch the whole thing.

Sunday we were on the road visiting with family for Easter and she was once again a delight, handling all of the attention and being passed around super well.  She fought going to sleep as to not miss anything, but once again I got to have her fall asleep in my arms.  She's so darn cute.

Something not about her

So this post isn't all about me I'll note that we've added cherries and corn to our food repertoire!

It's time I post something about me and how my body is doing post-baby.  The hair falling out has slowed down, thank goodness.  I'll be getting my hair cut and colored tomorrow in the hopes that I'll feel more human.  All I've been doing is pulling my hair back all the time which leaves me feeling like a frumpy mess.  I guess the fact that I still need to get on top of loosing more weight doesn't help there either.  When the weather gets consistent it will be so much easier to at least get some walks in, since Avery does seem to enjoy a post daycare stroll.

I guess the biggest thing about how I'm physically doing since baby is probably the biggest TMI.  You've been warned to click away now, should you choose.  My period first returned in January and waited until early March to come back, but then it reappeared a few days ago (that's two in March).  So it looks like I'm going to be wacky again.  I'm starting to think one ovary mis-fires.  I wonder if I tracked every other month if that has a more distinct pattern.

Regardless, the other change of note here is the lack of coverage when trying to use products to deal with said period.  Let's be blunt - things are different down there.  As a result, I'm having some leaking around tampons and such.  I know it will get better, but no one talks about it.  The other factor is - today I can't always drop everything and run into the bathroom like I could in the days before I'm often feeding/holding/rocking/burping/entertaining a baby.