Avery update

We've had a pretty laid back week, as Avery is getting through a bad cold. But I did want to share a few cute shots...

This is how we find Avery most mornings...STANDING up in her crib! The mattress is now down to it's lowest level, and we've had to remove the bumper around the bottom since this picture was taken because she started to put a foot up on it which would eventually give her that extra boost she'd need to fling herself out of the crib! It's so amazing to us how fast our little baby is growing up! I remember seeing her in the crib the first time and thinking that she looked so tiny in that huge crib...

Here are some shots from the past few days which show Avery having fun with her new favorite toy. Of course we took down all the decorations from shelves at "Avery level" when she started crawling, but I never imagined that an empty shelf was going to become her favorite place in the house to hang out...

Lots of new things...

Avery had a busy day!

This morning, she showed off her standing up ability. She'd do anything to get that remote control or bottled water...her 2 favorite things right after my cell phone.

Avery also had her first trip to the playground this afternoon! She loves the swing! (please note that the sun actually does shine in Portland in the winter sometimes)

This video shows off another one of Avery's firsts today....she learned how to clap! It was very spontaneous as Grandma Connie tried so hard to teach her when she was visiting a couple of weeks ago, but Avery never showed any interest. But this morning, she saw Mindy and Delaney at the gym, and just started clapping! Mindy now claims she taught Avery, but we'll still give Grandma Connie some credit too!

Busy weekend...

Avery had her first swim lesson on Saturday morning...and she LOVED it!!! I accidentally forgot my camera though...so we have to make do with this shot from my cell phone until next week's class.



After swimming we met some friends at the zoo. Here is Avery's traditional photo in front of the elephants. It was a super cold day to go to the zoo...even the Polar Bears were inside! But we did get a good show from the Sea Lions, and Avery was really noticing all the animals this time around.



Avery and her buddy Hazel at the zoo...


At home Avery shows off her climbing ability. She refuses to go around things, she would rather climb over one toy to get to the next...


Here she is getting all bundled up to go for a walk with the dogs (we're dog sitting for our friends dog Dempsey)...

Avery thought it was hilarious when she scooted herself backwards so far that she ended up stuck under the couch...

Then she crawled up my lap and tried to steal my breakfast...

And of course chased Chloe the Cat around the house a bit...

After breakfast we headed over to Sean and Mindy's house to watch the Pat's game. Avery helped out by wearing her lucky Patriots outfit again...

Avery and Delaney played with blocks while we watched the game...

And after a busy weekend, Avery just wanted to chill out in her warm bath and relax...

Getting faster!

Avery is getting so fast! She's all over the house checking things out now...but is mostly interested in chasing after Trot and trying to get the trail of bones and balls he leaves around. As if she doesn't have enough toys of her own to play with!!! Here are a couple pictures and videos from last night and this morning...

For some reason Avery thought it would be a good idea to crawl through the chair instead of around it!!

Here is a video of her crawling a little faster than the last video. Plus it shows her trying to eat the video camera! (2 of her top teeth broke through this week and she is once again trying to put everything in her mouth!!)

Another milestone ....Avery is already trying to pull herself up!!!

Avery update

We've had a fun weekend of watching football and chasing after our super active baby. Avery's milestone for the week was getting up to sitting on her own. She was laying down in her crib when I left, and I came back 2 minutes later to find her sitting up and playing around with her blanket. The other pictures are just some cute shots of our silly girl, and of course a plug for the Patriots...

Crawling!

I have been lazy about posting videos lately since they take so long to upload...but I figured it's about time since if I wait much longer, Avery will probably be walking, and this video of her crawling won't seem so amazing...

Merry Christmas (again) and Happy New Year!

Avery got to celebrate Christmas all over again as Grandma Connie and Grandpa Bob visited for a week.

Here she is really getting the hang of opening presents.

Usually the best part of the present is the wrapping paper...but this time she liked the box much more than the toy...

And she definitely has reached the milestone where babies cry when you take away their toy (or box in this case)...

We visited a historic mansion in Portland that was all decorated for Christmas...

And on New Years Eve, we took advantage of having babysitters in town, and Jon and I ran the First Run of the year (a 5K through downtown Portland starting at midnight). This is the second time we've run it and it's a great tradition. There were thousands of runners and lots of partiers cheering us on from their balconies along the course!
Grandpa Bob read Avery a new "Bob" book...
Don't worry...it's just the angle of the picture...Avery is not really as big as Trot! Maybe by next month though!!!
3 generations of ladies...