Nine.

A day late, but my baby girl is nine months old. That seems like such a huge milestone. Probably because 1 is right around the corner but I can't talk about that right now. 

Health: Avery is great! At her 9 month appointment yesterday she was 16lbs and 27" long. She dropped from a little under the 25th percentile to close to the 10th, but her doctor doesn't seem concerned at all, so I guess I won't be either. My little peanut. She's still in size 3 diapers and I think she will be for a while. She is still wearing mostly 6 months clothes, especially pants, and some 6-9 outfits.

Personality: Seriously, Avery is the happiest, most fun baby girl. She is all about exploring right now. Every where she goes, her eyes are wide open and she's looking around everywhere. It's so fun to watch her learn and grow. 

Eating: Avery is pretty much eating finger foods for her meals at home. She gets a mix of pureed and diced fruits and vegetables at daycare. She does get baby oatmeal every once in a while in the mornings. She had some diced chicken and ground turkey this month which were both new. She did really well them. The girl loves to eat! We've been letting her practice with sippy and straw cups but she just gnaws on them like a teething toy. She does really well drinking from an open cup rim if I hold it.

Sleeping: Much, much better. She really seems to be back on track. She is rarely waking herself up at night anymore, and if she does, she usually puts herself back to sleep within a few minutes. She still sucks at napping away from home, but I'm to the point where I'm over it. If she's sleeping at night, I'm rolling with it.

Her favorites: It seems like Avery's favorite thing to do right now is bang toys and squeal very loudly. She looooves her daddy and gets such a kick out of saying "dadada" and talking. We got her a walking toy and she really seems to love it...love playing with the toys on the front, not walking with it. 

Things she could do without: Diaper changes are still the devil. She does not like when I don't share my food with her. She also hates when I won't let her play in the toilet water or climb the stairs. Crazy girl!

Milestones: So much is happening these days! Avery is sooo vocal, which just makes my little speech therapist heart so happy. She has her two front bottom teeth. It seems like the top front two may be coming soon. Avery is pulling up on everything and taking steps all along the furniture and holding to toys and our hands. She's doing the hilarious little attempt at clapping. 

Big Events:  We started the month off with a visit from aunt Chelsea and uncle Chris. She adores them both. The love is mutual I believe. We had a few nice weather days and took advantage of them by taking Avery to park. She swung for the first time and crawled everywhere. Avery stayed the night with her glamma and papaw this month while Darrell and I were in Greenville, SC for my best friend's couple shower. She also took a long ride to Atlanta and hung out with Darrell and some new friends while I was in class. She did really great on the car trip.

Mommy: Ugh, I'm still fat. That's basically it. I can't find the time to work out and my eating could be a lot better. At the end of the day, I'd much rather be spending these moments with my little family than on the treadmill. For example, Darrell was home early today, which is rare, so I was going to go upstairs and get on the treadmill and do some weights. Avery was a little cranky so I picked her up before I headed upstairs. As soon as I did, she cuddled up on my shoulder and started to fall asleep. There was no way I was giving those snuggles up. She won't always want to do that so the treadmill can wait. 

On a more positive note, in Atlanta I got to meet some girls from my June moms group on The Bump. I was never big on online relationships (of any kind) but we've kept in touch and actually become pretty close. They are just as amazing in real life! 

PS- pictures are hard with mobile babies.

Eight.

Sweet pea is eight months. That's only one away from nine months which seems like such a big deal. 

Health: Avery is so much better!! She got tubes on Januray 10 and has been a totally different baby. I thought she was happy before..but now, she's just so much fun. She hasn't had any more ear infections and when she does get congested, it drains and moves on. It's not days of being miserable. I was so nervous but it was definitely the best choice. 

I think she's about 15-16 pounds. I don't know, she feels heavy and we moved up to size 3 diapers. She doesn't go back to the doctor until next month.

Personality: That picture up top says it all. Avery is so much fun. It just gets better and better. She giggles and squeals so much. She is silly and joyful and brings so much happiness into our house. I do have to admit that she's a bit spoiled. She's already protesting. If we take things away from her, ya know like plastic bags, she plops down and cries and looks up at us. She's so pitiful. 

Eating: Everything. She is still getting mostly homemade purées for meals but she also gets some table food. I don't think we've come across anything she doesn't like but her favorite right now is blueberry applesauce. Darrell and I kinda love it too! 

Sleeping: Some serious regression. Well, I'm a drama queen, it's not that bad. She's started waking up once a night again. I know, don't hit me but when you've been getting a full nights sleep since your baby was 10 weeks old, starting this new routine is rough. She didn't wake up last night but I'm not holding my breath, this has been going on for over a month. The good thing is, most nights it's a quick bottle and right back to bed within 10-15 minutes. The extra sucky nights are when she wakes up and is ready to party.

Her favorites: Avery is finally big enough for the harness on the stroller to fit so we've been going for walks and she loves sitting up in her stroller. She looks all around and kicks her feet like crazy. It's presh. She loves Sophie, Olivia the Owl, the bathtub, riding in the shopping cart and her activity table. 

Things she could do without: All of the sudden, she hates getting her diaper changed and getting dressed. She just wants to go everywhere! 

Milestones: This really is such a fun time. Tooth number two is breaking through, which isn't super fun. She is crawling everywhere and is pretty fast. She's pulling up, babbling and puts everything she shouldn't in her mouth. She's also holding her own bottle now and will sit in her chair to take it which means we get other stuff done. That's huge! 

I also think she loves me more than Darrell for the first time ever and that's a huge milestone for me!! 

Big Events: Avery saw her first ice storm last week. It was...uneventful. 

Mommy: I've finally started to lose weight. It's slow but it's coming. Work is going well and we're getting into a good afternoon/evening routine which makes things a lot less stressful. 

I'm doing this one mobile so all apologies if it's all screwy. 

7 months old

Avery is seven months old. I can't handle it!!

Health: Looking at the big picture, she's a healthy baby. We just can't win with the seasonal sickness. She's basically had an ear infection since the beginning of November. She's had 3 rounds of antibiotics but as soon as she's off, it's right back. So, she's getting tubes Friday. I know it's the best thing and can help prevent bigger issues down the road but I am terrified that she has to have anestethia. Like, melt down in the doctor's office, make Darrell sign the consent form, terrified. 

She also got RSV this past month. I was ready to pull her out of daycare and quit my job. She responded really well to the treatment and it could've been much worse, but man she was pitiful. 

She doesn't have an appointment to get weighed this month but she feels so much heavier and looks bigger. I'd guess she's about 15 1/2 pounds.

Personality: She may look like her daddy, but she has my personality. She's very social and doesn't like to miss a thing. She's a tee tiny bit spoiled rotten. She's starting to understand when we take things away and whines. She whines when she doesn't want to do something anymore. For instance, crawling. If she feels like she's crawled far enough, she just lays down and whines so we'll come get her. We're starting to give her extra time to figure things out on her own instead of rushing right over.

Eating: Avery is becoming a little piggie ;) She had a big decrease in intake when she had RSV. Poor thing could barely breath through her nose so taking a bottle was pretty difficult. She's back to about 6-7 oz every 3-4 hours with 2 meals a day. She usually gets fruit mid morning and veggies in the evening. She's had a few table foods. She got some black eyes peas and a bite of cornbread on New Year's Day. We let her knaw on a pickle thinking she'd make a funny baby face and be done, but she loved it!! And no funny baby face either :(

Sleeping: Avery is still sleeping through the night most of the time. When she was sick she was waking up once to eat but I think we're past that. She has started going to bed a little later. She's usually up until about 830 instead of 7. She is starting to nap slightly better at daycare, but still not great. 

Her favorites: The child got sooo many new toys for Christmas. My mom ordered this little owl rocker that plays music and she is obsessed. We have to help her stay on but she loves it! She loves splashing in the bath and playing a little game we play called "Upside Baby". She loves being upside down. So much so that she will just randomly fling herself backwards while you're holding her and giggle. Her laugh is so stinkin cute. She cracks up at peek-a-boo too. And her daddy, she loves him.

Things She Could Do Without: Avery hates being left alone. Hates it. She does not like us being out of her eye sight. She does fine at daycare or with other people...as long as they pay attention to her.

Milestones: So many things!! This is such a fun time. She's starting to crawl. She does a few real crawls, goes to her army crawl scoot thing then back to crawling. And she is ALL OVER THE PLACE. We can't keep up.

Her bottom right tooth is coming in. We felt the nub the weekend before Christmas and she has been knawing on allthethings. Just yesterday the top of it cut through and I'm hoping the rest of it comes through soon so this little rage monster will be back to a happy girl. Between the tooth and her ears, I'm sure she's in a ton of pain. She's a trooper! 

Just within the past few days she's started trying to pull up. She's not so great but I imagine it will come soon. She's been doing this thing where she puts both hands on the floor and straightens both of her back legs to where her butt is in the air...like downward dog. So cute! 

Big Events: Well, Christmas!! I've always loves Christmas but having a kid makes it so much more special. We celebrated with the Downs family the Saturday before. My parents were here aftet that and we celebrated Christmas morning with them at our house. It was our first Christmas as a family of 3 and in our first home. I made my first Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. After we did presents at home we packed the car and headed to Fayetteville to celebrate with the Gibbs. We stayed through Sunday and had a great time seeing friends and family. Even though I think 5 days in Fayetteville is a little much for me.

 

Mommy: I'm starting to get back into babywearing. It was super convenient when she was little but I just haven't utilized it lately. We don't wrap too much at home because she enjoys being on the floor and being mobile. If I need to get something done and she really wants or needs to be held, we do. We mostly wrap when we're out. It's nice to have my hands free and she gets over the stroller pretty quickly. 

I'm still struggling with getting my body back into shape. And by struggling I mean I realize that it is not anywhere near where I want it to look like right now but I haven't made the effort to change it...until now. I've joined a weight loss challenge and really hope to get serious and stick with it. Finding the time to commit to working out is the hardest part.

Adios 2013

2013 has been one amazing year for myself and my family. We have had so many blessing bestowed upon us, more than we deserve.

The year didn't start out on a high note. A long time friend of mine passed away at the end of 2012. We had been out of contact for quite some time but it seemed like a friendship may be possible again. Unfortunately, that opportunity was cut short on December 29. I said a lot that I needed to say and heard a lot that I needed to hear before that day, so that helped. Still, the unexpected death was not easy on me.

And speaking of friends, boy did 2013 bring me a new group of friends that I am grateful for beyond words. Early in my pregnancy I joined an online forum for expectant June 2013 mothers. I quickly became regularly active and before long, a few of us (well like 40ish) branched off and have made very meaningful and special friendships. I've never been one to believe in online relationships, but I stand corrected. This group of girls has been so amazingly supportive. They have listened to me complain, question and even brag without judgement. They have opened my eyes to a wealth of new information. You bishes know who you are and I love you all! 

We welcomed 2013 by closing on our first home. I was about 5 months pregnant. Darrell is a saint y'all. It's pretty gratifying to know that we worked hard, saved money and were able to purchase our own home (well, we share it with the bank still) for our growing family. 

And the most important thing of all in 2013, the most important thing of ever, we became parents, a family of 3.

I became a mother. 

Avery Laiken Gibbs was born at 11:29pm on June 4. She came in to this world in a whirlwind and has not stopped amazing us. The amount of love I have for this tiny being is unreal. Sometimes I just sit holding her, staring at her, inhaling her sweet baby smells. It is already going by so fast and as much as I love watching her grow and develop, I want to keep her my baby as long as I can. 

Some other highlights of the year include a new job, my best friend getting engaged, and a fantastic reunion with my life long friends in Knoxville to celebrate the marriage of one of Elizabeth. Darrell and I were lucky enough  to be in Greenville with Erin and Chris and a ton of friends and family to celebrate their engagement. I am so excited for the celebrations to come next year.

And speaking of 2014, there are lots of new babies expected to arrive that I can't wait to meet! As amazing as this year has been, I imagine 2014 has some pretty great things in store for us. My only resolution this year is to be the best mom, wife and me I can be. Hopefully just a skinnier version! 

A vacation would be nice too. 

Happy New Year!

My bebe is half of a year old

Six months ago today I accomplished the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life. Six months ago today I found the reason to be my best self possible. Six months ago today I learned of a love that no words can describe. Six months ago today my life changed forever, in the best way possible. Six months ago today, this beautiful girl made me a mother. 

Health: Avery still has the same cold that she had when I wrote this last month. She ended up getting a cough so we took her back to the doctor. They listened to her lungs and tested for RSV but all of that came back fine. It's just a regular ol cold. She did have another ear infection, or it could've been the same one as before that the antibiotic didn't take care of. I'm a little frustrated with all of this sickness, but she doesn't really act like she feels bad so I guess it could be way worse. Her pediatrician said it's now or kindergarten so I guess it's better now. 

I'd say she's about 13 1/2 pounds now. We go to the doctor Friday so we'll find out then.

Personality: This girl is the happiest, smiliest (is that a word?), most loving baby. She is definitely a daddy's girl, but mama will do if he's not available. Either way, she likes to be with someone. Being left alone is not her thing these days and she definitely knows when you're gone.

Eating: Well we didn't hold off until Thanksgiving for food. She had avocado first and LOVED it. She was basically diving for the spoon, I couldn't get it to her fast enough. She didn't love carrots or peas at first, but I think that was my fault for not cooking them long enough. They were still pretty chunky. She did good with squash, sweet potatoes, apples and bananas. When her congestion was at it's worst, her intake went way down, even with bottles. We still aren't on a consistent food schedule but that's the goal for this month. She usually gets a fruit mid-morning at daycare and a vegetable around 5:00 for dinner. Right now she's doing about 1oz each, but I think we need to up that soon.

Sleeping: Avery is still sleeping all night. She is also still refusing to nap at daycare. She gets maybe 15-20 minutes per day. We're working really hard at home these past few days to put her in her crib for her morning and evening naps instead of in the swing.

Her favorites: Avery loves food, talking, TV, and my cell phone! Already?! She loves anything with lights, but my cell phone has a special place in her heart. There isn't really a favorite toy right now, she's just into everything.

Things she can do without: She really hates having her nose suctioned. Or wiped even. Like really really hates it. 

Milestones: This child is mobile!! She's not doing a real crawl, but is getting around with her army crawl/scoot. And let me tell you, she gets places. She's also sitting up like a champ, turning every which way, and she's even reached for me a time or two. Melts my heart every single time. She has pulled herself up to her knees in her bathtub but it hasn't happened again. 

Big events: The big thing this month was Thanksgiving. So much fun! We hosted Thanksgiving at our house. Not only was it our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3, it was the first time I'd ever cooked a Thanksgiving meal and it was the first big holiday in our new house. We had about 15 people here and Avery was an angel. She was played with and passed around all day and did not cry one time. No lie! Avery got to see her first Iron Bowl too...good thing she's young enough that she won't remember it.

Avery also had her six month/Christmas pictures taken and pictures with Santa. We also got a few family shots.

Mommy: I'm ok. Getting adjusted to working full time hasn't been the easiest. I don't get to see Avery much during the week and it's hard. I'm still being lazy and haven't taken many steps to getting back into shape. I find myself saying "I just had a baby"...except I didn't just have a baby, I had a baby six months ago. It's time to get serious, but that's so much easier said than done.