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.

Dining Room design

One of my must haves when we were house hunting was a formal dining room. I knew we'd only use it a few times a year, but I love the idea of hosting dinners and holidays. After the nursery, the dining room was the first project we tackled...and it's taken 10 months to complete, mostly because were looking for a buffet and a mirror.

This is what it looked like before. The house was new construction, so it's not like we had to remodel. We just started with a clean slate.

This was the inspiration (from Pinterest). I immediately LOVED the dark blue walls and was lucky that the pin had the exact color. I also liked the dark furniture and white accents, but knew I wanted a little more color. 

A few pictures from along the way...

I have to say a huge huge huge thank you to Darrell and my friend Jamee. They painted the dining room one Saturday while I was working. It really was for the best that I was out of the house. Not only was I about five months pregnant, I totally freaked when they started. I was so scared that the color would be way too dark. Both of them rushed me out of the house and updated me throughout the day about how great it was turning out. I let out such a huge sigh of relief when I got home.

Darrell and his dad hung the moulding. I'm so thankful they were willing to take on the project, because neither of them had done it before. I'm also thankful they made it through without killing each other :)

 

This was the dining room table decor in spring, before we had all of the chairs.

 

And here is the (almost) finished project! I'm still on the hunt for the perfect mirror for above the buffet. It needs to be big and round. I have exactly what I want in my head, I just can't seem to find it. We bought one that was close but ended up returning it because it just wasn't the right one.

view from the foyer.

  

 view from the kitchen.

  

view from above?/standing on a chair.

  

the buffet!!! We searched for this beauty for.ev.eerrrr.

 

this is the wall that needs the mirror. The wall is just so huge and dark, it's got to have something. {{I also just realized I need a much bigger center piece on that buffet..eek}}

Bar globe. Darrell and I found this at an estate sale a few years ago when we were living in Fayetteville  

 

This hutch is also an estate sale find from Fayetteville. I love it so much but I'm not 100% sure that it really belongs in this room. There's not really anywhere else in the house I want to put it so here it stays. I'm not ready to part with it.

 

close up view of the crown moulding.

  the chandelier and medalion!! 

Paint: Benjamin Moore Champion Cobalt

Table: World Market Arcadia Table

Chairs: Pier One Mason Chair, Ivory

Rug: usarugs.com

Buffet: Mango Furniture

China cabinet: estate sale find

Chandelier: AF Lighting, Naples Chandelier- clear
Medallion: Home Depot

Moulding: Lowes, painted by Darrell & yours truly

I'm slowly working on the guest room as I find things I like. We're tackling the yard piece by piece but aren't doing too much until the fence is put in.  The next big project will be the master bedroom. The foyer and downstairs bathroom are also on the list for a makeover!

Five Months

Well, Avery is five months old. Which means next month, she'll be half of a year. I just can't even process that. 

Health: This past month hasn't been the best. Avery has had a runny nose for about three weeks. She never got a fever and was acting fine so we didn't take her to the doctor. This past Monday she started getting green gunk in her eyes in the morning, so we took her in and got some eye drops. Other than that, everything was fine! Wednesday we noticed a little cough starting and Thursday she slept all evening and night, like 16-17 hours. Darrell was home with her Friday and said she slept most of the day and was barely eating. At one point she started vomiting so he took her to the doctor. Ear infection! We got an antibiotic, which is causing diarrhea. So, fun times, ya know? 

Overall, she's a healthy baby, but I'm ready for the sickness to be gone. She's weighing right about 13 pounds and is just now starting to wear 3-6 and some 6 month clothes. 

Personality: Avery's personality is really showing these days. She is such a happy, sweet, but very sassy baby. Her feelings are not well hidden on her face. She truly is the light of our loves. Her smile is contagious and illuminates any room.

Eating: She's still having formula only for now, about 5-6 ounces every 3-4 hours. That seriously declined when she wasn't feel well though. We've decided we're going to give her her first food on Thanksgiving. How perfect, right? 

Sleeping: Avery is such a good sleeper. We definitely lucked out with this one. She typically sleeps 7p-7a. She'll wake up to eat every once in a while, but it's rare. She is still a wild sleeper and is all over the crib. She sleeps on her stomach a lot now. Her naps at daycare are getting a little better. 

Her favorites: Right now, it's her daddy. If he's around, no one else matters. It's really precious and makes my heart melt, even though it makes me a teeeeny bit jealous. We got her a Sophie the giraffe. We thought she'd love it. She likes it ok, but it's no monkey.  We did get a new bathtub that she loves (and mommy too)!! She loves kicking her feet and having water poured on her. She tries to grab it and it's the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I broke out Britax SSC and she seems to really like being worn in it. I just ordered my first woven wrap so hopefully she loves it too!! Avery is constantly playing with her feet now that she has found them. We really have no need for toys.

 

Things she can do without: She still hates getting in and out of the car seat, but she's doing better while she's actually in it. She is not a fan of being left alone. The girl loves attention. Can you blame her?

Milestones: We have a roller! Now that she can roll, she is always on her belly. Avery is all over the place. She's been lifting her butt in the air and kind of twisting from side to side. It's funny but she can really go places that way! She's also doing really well with supported sitting and can go for about a minute doing the tripod sitting. Avery is also getting better and better at holding her bottle. She usually holds it for some of the time at each feeding. 

 

 

Big events: We had some exciting times this month. Avery stayed away from us over night for the first time. She stayed with my parents in Asheville while Darrell and I went to a wedding in Knoxville. She did really good, and I did ok too.

This month was also Avery's first Halloween. Now, I've always loved Halloween and holidays, but they're even more special with a little one. We took her to the pumpkin patch...I don't think she was too impressed. She also wasn't impressed with Halloween because she SLEPT THROUGH IT. We decided to forgive her when we found out she had an ear infection. 

 

 

 

We're really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

They did school pictures at her daycare and included the infant room. I thought it was silly to do studio pictures for her since 1) she can't sit up and 2) we're having professional pictures done in a few weeks.  But she was going to be there so I signed the permission form and sent her in a dress. I figured we wouldn't order but hey, we might get a good chuckle...in my head I saw her all slumped over with her many chins front and center. Oh boy, was I wrong?! They turned out so good!! I even ordered some. Of course I did, I'm such a sucker.

Mommy: I'm doing pretty good. I started a new job which means I won't be home with her two days a week anymore. She will be going to day are full time now, but it was time for the change. I'm still not loving my body, but also still not doing anything about it. Maybe one day.