18 months (actually 19)

So I promised an 18 month old update (to you 3 readers) and I slacked. Big Time.

So much so that Sunday Avery was 19 month old.

Oh well. I never promised perfection.

Except when I [we] made her:

18 month old stats:

Weight - 31lbs 12oz (>95 percentile)
Height - 35in (>95 percentile)
Head - 19.5in (>95 percentile)

Clothes - Avery is in mostly 2T and some 3T clothes, depending on the brand. She is between a 6 and 7 size shoe, depending on the wideness as she still has cabbage patch feet. But she is getting better about not scrunching up her toes when I am trying to put her shoes on.

Food - ahhhh, the picky toddler eating days have been going on for some time now. You know, you spend over a year thinking about how this child is eating and then all of the sudden they are calling the shots. What she loves (for now): yogurt, fig newtons, goldfish, pretzels, applesauce, bananas - most fruit, pirates booty, chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, corn, peas, pancakes, french fries, pb&j, chips, apples. Would I like her to eat healthier? Heck yes! Do I try? You betcha! 9 times out of 10, if I put something on her plate she doesn't like, it ends up in the pugs' bellies on the floor. Our peditrician gave us some literature on toddler eating and it really helped US. One of the points I remember is that if your toddler eats one full meal every 3 day, that is just fine. It said toddlers like to graze and snack and to not get frustrated when they don't want to eat each full meal you have painstakingly prepared. I've noticed that when Avery is ready for a "meal" she will ask to sit in her high chair - "up, up? up, up!" Otherwise we just make sure she has a cup full of water (with a splash of apple juice) and we just give her a snack when she asks. She has no problem going in to the pantry, pointing, and saying "this, this, this" until we pick what it is she sees that she wants.

Bottles and pacis, otherwise known as toddler bad habits. Avery gets a bottle of milk  before bed and one when she gets up. She also is allowed to have her paci when she is in her crib, although this is bent daily by her Auntie and I do still keep one on hand when we are out, just in case. We will be breaking these bad habits by her 2nd birthday (says the new mom).

After her 18mo shots :*(

Speech/talking - this kid never shuts up! But I have to say, she comes by it naturally. While most of it is adorable babble, here are some of the things she does say (and we understand):
Buh-bye
Hi
Mama (FINALLY!!!!)
Dada (of course!)
Boo (her stuffed animal)
woof-woof (whenever she sees a dog - anywhere)
nana (banana)
thank you
please
walk
up
down
watch
this
that
eyes
ears
nose
mouth
toes
hands
Melmo (Elmo)
Mimi (my mom)
Papa (my dad)
peach
tree
nomnom nommies (Grover, the youngest pug)

That is what I can remember off the top of my head after a long (Mon)day. She will try to say anything we ask her to and she wants to know the name for everything (over and over and over). She is learning her body parts but likes to point them out on other people instead of herself. She has a cute lisp so "this" sounds like "dith" and "watch" sounds like "wath". She understand everything we say, whether she chooses to listen is another story.

Teeth - She has 'em all except her 2 year old molars and I am so over teething - as I am sure she is too.

Some of my favorites from the month past:

Dear little girl,

You are funnier then I could have imagined you to be. You are always making us laugh and laughing right along with us. Your giggle is the best I have ever heard.

You love your puppies and want to be where ever they are, to their dismay. You still love Yo Gabba Gabba and can find an Elmo from a mile away.

I hope and pray you always know how much you are loved. I am so proud of you. You are smart and loving and tenacious and wild. And while you get bigger everyday, you will always be my baby.

I love you, sweet girl.

xoxo
Yo Mama

Our Weekend.

Of course, keeping to our blog description of the not-so-exciting life of the Gibson's, our weekend was not that exciting.

You know what it was?

It was time together. And that, that is the most exciting thing I can think of .

Let's start with Thursday. I got home from work, and this naked-as-a-jaybird baby was waddling around the house.

She is teething - 4 (FOUR) teeth are coming in top, front. So that causes a nasty rash - also made worse by some moron feeding my child clementines over the weekend before. DUH! Most babies cannot handle citrus fruits and my daughter is one of them. So, besides Desitin and Butt Paste, hangin' out nakey seems to help immensely with my girl's rash. Isn't that one of the cutest bums you have ever seen?

Friday-
Avery gave her mama the wonderful gift of sleep on Friday - as in she slept, I got stuff done. I am thinking this goes along with the teething thing. So we just rolled with it. She slept until 8:45am (normally a 7:30 riser). There was not a morning nap because we had our chiropractor appointment at 10:30. By the time we got home, it was lunch. So she ate and then was almost asking for a nap. I laid her down on the couch in the living room and it wasn't happening. I work from home on Fridays so I needed her to sleep. After a few "Lie down, Avery!" "Nap time, Avery!", I brought her up to her room, laid her in her crib, covered her up, turned on her music and fan and shut the door. I heard a couple wimpers and then she was out!

This girl slept for almost 3 hours! Hecks to the yeah!

We met Daddy for dinner at the restaurant my little brother works at. Avery loves to see her Uncle Pickle.

Saturday was chock full of to-do-lists. I got about 1/2 of them done.

While Mama did laundry and straightened up her room, Avery was occupied with Toilet Paper.

Taken with iPhone, using Gifrus app.

We went for a walk to the playground with one of my best friends and her sons - it was nice out but that wind was cold!

Aunt Amanda came over and we took a little trip to Target where I found the perfect pillow for my bed.

Behold:

I'm in love. May have to buy another. 

We hung at home the rest of the afternoon and evening. I got some cleaning done, Ryan did the food shopping for the week, and Avery kept us laughing.

And a bath:

Sunday -

I got up and went to a local church with my aunt. I have to say, I really liked it. I liked the pastor and his sermon. I will be back. 

I spent the rest of the day depugging the couch and chair in the kitchen. It is amazing how much better it looks/smells. A little rearranging and POOF! A new room! 

Now, just to teach the pugs NOT to get on the couch they have basically lived on the past 2.5 years.

All in all, it was a nice weekend. I got to spend a lot of time with my girl and husband, which to me, is the most important.

Here is to a great week!

xoxo

8 Months! How can it be? (a little late)

Avery turned 8 months old on Christmas day! Because of the holiday craziness, then the get-back-to-work craziness, I did not get to post til now.

What an 8th month she has had! I'd have to say the most monumental was celebrating her first Christmas. We celebrated Christmas morning at my mom's where Avery got spoiled by her Auntie A. - cool toys and cute clothes! Then we went home to relax and nap for the afternoon. Dinner was with Ryan's family where Avery was spoiled by her other Auntie D. She got Avery a walker! (to practice her pug terrorizing)

Speaking of walking - she is SO close. Over the past month Avery has perfected her crawling and can pull herself up on anything that does not move - including pugs!

We are all learning the ranges of Avery's voice, as she likes to test it regularly. Her favorite is dadadadadadada....I'm trying for mama but nothing yet.

She loves to give kisses...to us...to the pugs...

Unfortunately, kisses usually result in a face full of drool.

All in all, she is a sweet, sweet girl. I could never have imagined how much I would love her.

Avery - your mama and daddy love you so very much. You are the light of our lives. You make every day worth getting up for and coming home from work is the best when you are sitting there smiling and waving. Your laughter makes my heart melt and you LOVE to laugh. You make us laugh a lot as well. You love your puppies and they love you - although I think your growing movement scares them a little. I knew you would be smart - but didn't realize you would be this smart. And SO adorable! We can rarely go anywhere without someone stopping us to tell us/you how cute you are! Your eyes are amazing and the window to your sweet soul. And those lashes! Oh my!

You are our little dream!

xoxo
Your very proud mama.

xoxo

Mind.Body.Soul. 2012

I have been thinking about what to write for this post for the past couple of days.

Do I recap Christmas? Nah.

New Years? Definitely not, as we were in bed by 11pm!

What has gotten in my way of writing is reflecting. On how I want to change for this new year. I'm talking total overhaul of mind, body, and soul.

That is it! I'll break it down to 3 categories...Mind - Body - Soul.

Mind - I would like to make a conscience effort to be more positive and stop letting my negativity get me down. Having the "glass is half empty" attitude is not doing anything for me - for my family, friends and definitely not the attitude I want to impress upon my daughter. (insert cute baby picture)

Body - 60 pounds. My body needs to be rid of 60 extra pounds that are also bringing me down. I am currently doing Weight watchers online and making my best effort to track every. single. thing. I put in my mouth. Also portion size is something I am working on, as it is one of my biggest downfalls and changes I need to make. I need to keep in mind that this will not happen overnight. It will take months. But if I stick to it, I will succeed. I will be happier and most importantly healthier. Again, I do not want to pass along my bad habits to my daughter. She has to be my biggest inspiration. Tonight, I will take measurements and Before pictures. I may not post them just yet but I would like to post progress for every 10lbs I lose.

Soul - To begin to attempt to change either of the above - I need to get my soul right. I know I am not capable of doing it on my own, I rely heavily on the Lord to get me through those negative thoughts or food cravings. And I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. This year I will work hard to walk closer with God. And find a church. That will probably be the hardest but I have to let go of my previous experiences and forgive. So, if anyone does read this and can recommend a good, bible teaching church - please let me know!

A few other changes I need to make in 2012:

1- Pay more attention to my husband. Since this (not-so) little baby came into our lives, it has been ALL. ABOUT. HER! And I know that is typical but she wouldn't be here without Ryan.
2- Stay more organized. In ALL aspects of my life. It makes me saner when there is order. When I get overwhelmed, I drift and lose interest.
3- Take better care of my house, car and pugs. All 3 are a major part of my life and I need to treat them all with the respect they deserve.

I am sure there will be many more items I can add to this list as the year progresses but I am not trying to overwhelm myself (refer back to #2). I am praying that if I can stick to these 6 goals, all the other "stuff" will fall into place. I am trusting Jesus.

xoxo

215 days, or 7 months

This Girl. She makes me proud, and she does not even know it yet.

As much as I miss the tiny baby she was, everyday is something new and makes us look forward to the next day and how she will amaze us.

She is crawling like nobody's business, much to the pugs' chagrin:

But her newest trick, as she is over half way through her 7th month, is to pull herself up to stand.

Now that she can stand, she thinks she can walk. She will take 2 steps and fall flat on her face! So we have now entered into the world of a bumpy, bruisey baby.

Check out that shiner from banging her head on  the leg of the dining room table.

My youngest brother walked at 8 1/2 months, I walked at 10. So if this girl gets going soon I cannot say I will be too surprised.

And the pugs (or the puppies as we call them to Avery)...she LOVES those darn dogs! And I have to say, I think the feeling is mutual.

That would be a "kiss" - she is not trying to bite the pug

Malcolm is a whore to the belly rub - even glance in the directions of his  underside, and you have a new best friend!

This was Avery's first Thanksgiving and I will need to come back and add pictures of her chowing down. (They are on my real camera which does not get unloaded often)
We went to Nana's for dinner and then dessert with my good friend Melissa and her awesome family.
Needless to say, Avery enjoyed her first turkey day, and all the new foods she got to try, so much, she followed it up with one funky diaper rash. Poor girl, there was a lot of nakey time in our house the following week.

We also went to visit Avery's great grandmother, Ryan's dad's mom, and Avery got to meet her 2nd cousin, Jackie for the first time. And although Avery has been showing signs of stranger anxiety - she could not get enough of her cousin!

Hmm, what else has this wonderful girl been up to?

She LOVES her swim lessons with her Aunt Amanda

Swinging may be her favorite....

Teeth! 2 on the bottom! If you look close at the pictures above, you just barely see them! I believe a couple more are on their way. She has her first cold :-( and added with the teething does not a happy baby make.

Gone are the days of the "baby" tub...this girl moves onto bigger and better fast! 

So instead of sitting in the tub, we have to STAND...

11 more days until Avery is 8 months old (and Christmas, in case you didn't realize). 

Little girl,

You make us laugh daily and this Christmas, you are the Joy to our World!

Love,

Yo Mama.

xoxo

AMG 4.25.11

***BeWaRe!!! LONG POST AheaD!***

Nope, not the day I got a sweet Mercedes AMG. (which I do not and most likely will not ever own)

I got something much better then a Mercedes on Monday, April 25th, 2011. At 6:07am to be exact.

I got Avery Margaret Gibson. All 8lbs and 12oz and 21 inches of her.

Her birth was pretty uneventful, thank God and after much consideration I won't share all the nitty, gritty details.

Don't get me wrong, I am a talker and I know I overshare a lot of my life but for some reason this just feels like something I'd like to keep to our family. Also, I am at a bit of a loss as how I could possibly put into words the most amazing thing I have ever done.

Avery has been an awesome baby. I keep telling R that they all are not like this and more likely then not, our next one will be a hellion.

But back to the girl at hand, my doll baby. She did not nurse after we got home from the hospital so mama pumped for 4 long months and fed her breast milk through a bottle. I may write a post about that one day because it was not an easy feat to take on. Although she didn't nurse she did sleep through the night since she was about 2 weeks old. I actually felt more rested then before she was born. I know there may be other mothers out there reading this, cursing me (is it presumptuous of me to assume anyone will read this?) and I try not to mention that to too many people. I am sure that if and when there is a #2, all my bragging will come back to bite in the bum.

Segway from bums to behind....

Since I am BEHIND on the last 6 months of Avery's life, I'll do a long short monthly review for this sweet girl.

Month 1-

Avery was 10lbs 8oz and 23 inches at her 1 month Dr appt. She was rolling over and smiling up a storm!

Oh yes, my girl's got dimples!

Avery made her first trip to Pittsburgh to visit her great uncle Richard and great aunt Gretchen and cousins. She was an angel for the entire 4 hour car ride to and from!

And she went to the pool for the first time!

Month 2-
At Avery's 2 month Dr appt she was 13lbs and 24 inches!
She got to meet her great grandmother for the first time!

Her first pair of sunglasses

First trip to Marsh Creek - napping with Uncle Pickle

First Fourth of July!

Already a Phillies fan!

Sitting up in her Bumbo seat!

Her new activity mat.

My Bumble Bee Girl

Visit from cousins from Florida

Even though it was hot and humid and
she was sweaty, she still smiled!

Longwood Gardens!

Longwood Gardens!

First trip to the beach!

Poor baby got a little sun

Strasburg Railroad with the cousins

Sorry about the picture placement, still figuring this blog thing out ;-)

3 Months - 

No Dr appointment this month so I do not have a record of her weight and height. 

After her month of many firsts, we took it easy.

Laughing at home

Thinking about doing big thangs

Relaxing in Mama & Daddy's Bed

Just looking cute

Staying cool at Great Great Aunt Iris's pool

Shopping at Macy's

Hanging with Aunt Lindsay

Photo shoot with Mama

Ready for our first family beach vacation!

Holding her own bottle! While Aunt Amanda holds her!

Beach bike Ride

A little big for her yet

Avery LOVED the beach!

4 Months -

At her Doctor Appointment this month, my girl weighed in at 17lbs and 26 inches - the 95 percentile for both! She was the size of a six month old. 

We got the Ok to start her on rice cereal, fruits and veggies...and to say she loved it is an understatement!

High Chair!

Bath time poses!

She found her puppies!

Grover is not too sure about her.

My sweet girl

She loves Bob.

A visit from Great Grandmom!

Big Girl!

Coolest kid at the Restaurant Festival

5 months

Seems like 5 years and 5 minutes ago...

Avery and Parker

Avery, Parker and Malcolm's head

There is Grovie!

Aw! Girlfriends!

Bathtime sweetness!

Blowing raspberries

Parker is so sweet and gentle with Doll baby.

I LOVE Avery's expression! Aunt Amanda & Uncle Pickle

Napping at the park in her new stroller

Big Girl cup!

Fuzzy Wuzzy

She Loves those puppies

Bendable Baby

That's my Girl

She is crazy about her Dada

Frozen apples are wonderful for teething gums

What a Ryan face!

Talking to Uncle Z about her BFF Parkie

Great Grandmom Gibson!

Oh My Saddle shoes!

And baby Vans!

She looks so big here!

Malcolm is SO in for it!

Avery being "fed" by her cousin Scarlett.

My sister found this pram, in perfect condition, at a flea
market for $40! 

The Crew

And finally! Our 6 month old!

Her Uncle Pickle

Avery has her 6 month checkup next Friday and I am looking forward to see how much she has grown, number wise. I KNOW she has otherwise. Most clothes she is wearing is 9 months +! I just had to pack away her newborn to 6 month clothes. Two huge bins.

At six months, Avery's personality is really emerging. She is funny and knows what she wants, when she wants it.

She is SO close to crawling. But until she gets it down, rolling, squirming, and army crawling gets her to where she wants to go for now.

Her laugh is the most addicting sound I have ever heard and I live for the moments I hear it.

Teething has been a trying time for everyone. But I believe her 2 bottom teeth are almost through. There has just been a lot of Humphrey's, baby oral gel, chilled teething rings, and praying going on in our house. I have to admit, it is nice that she wants to cuddle me because lately she won't let me hold her like a "baby" otherwise.

It is amazing how fast these past 6 months have gone. I have never experienced anything like it.

xoxo