I know I say it all the time, but Avery is growing up so fast!  In about a week, I will be posting again sharing with you her 8 month picture!  It sure has gone by quickly but I think that this 7 month age is my favorite.  She is super happy, usually smiling, and loves interacting with whoever is around her.


Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day!

St Patrick's Day was really nice weather, so Avery and I spent some time outside on the grass while waiting for Daddy to come home from work.  She was on stimulus overload with everything outside....birds, trees, cars, dogs, etc.  She wasn't so sure about the grass though!  This leaf on the other hand...

Finally a smile caught on camera!

 Avery's sleeping habits are finally becoming that...habits and so Dave and I are starting to feel good about leaving her home with a babysitter longer than a couple hours and feeling like we have to be home to put her to bed.  A couple weeks ago her Auntie Georgia and Uncle Clint (who just got engaged....Yay!!) came over to watch her.  Avery loves them and seemed really interested in their dog, Lola!

My sisters and I just recently took a long weekend trip to Galena filled with wine tastings, incredible food, and spa appointments!  While we were gone, Avery stayed with my parents for a couple days.  It was hard being away from her, but it was really nice to get away!

Wine Tasting!

Outside of Grant's Home- thank goodness for timers!

We ate at this place for lunch after our spa appointments
and I highly recommend it!!  Everything is made from local
farmers and the menu changes with the season!  Delicious!

Hand pulled mozzarella, tomato and onion salsa and freshly
baked crostini!

On Sunday night, we went on a ghost tour around Galena
and one of the places that has the most supernatural activity
is this One Eleven Main restaurant.  The chef took this picture
and sent it away to have it analyzed and they found there to be
no tampering or malfunction with the camera!  Spooky!!

While we were gone, Avery sure managed to have a relaxing time away also with Grandma and Grandpa.  Unfortunately, the weather was not so cooperative, but thankfully, there are plenty of toys at Grandma and Grandpas!

Cousin Lucas came by for a visit too
and was eager to show Avery how to play with
her new toy that he has outgrown!

Avery can now sit without any support from us!  Of course we stay close, just in case!  The toy in the picture above has become her favorite, not only to sit in front of, but to stand in front of.  I wonder if she will crawl or just skip right to standing and walking....oh dear!

And finally, a couple short videos for you.  Unfortunately, Ashley was nicknamed Lumpy by my father....poor girl.  To this day, we slip and sometimes call her that.  However, now Lucas has begun calling her that.  When I saw him last I asked him to say "I love you Lumpy" and this is what came out...

After returning to my parents house after Galena, Ashley and I had some fun with Avery and a little song from the movie Flashdance.  You may have to turn up the volume for the full effect!!  :)

Finally, our little chatterbox can make lots of noises, but what we think is hilarious is when she just moves her mouth without actually making any noises!  Enjoy!

Happy and Healthy!

We have survived the first round of ear infections and RSV!  Avery is back to feeling great and is smiling and laughing more than ever.  Last Saturday, Avery turned 7 months old!  I know I say this all the time, but I really can't believe where the last 7 months have gone!  Here is her 7 month picture:

Avery has also gotten in some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa G.  Fortunately Grandpa G has all sorts of things to teach her when he comes around like standing on tables, how to grab people's faces, and of course how to walk:

Avery is also actually enjoying tummy time and loves trying to reach for her toys while on her belly.  While on her belly, she has started pulling her knees in and begun doing the "inchworm" to scoot.  It will be no time before she is crawling...we are sure of it!

Avery has also begun sitting up on her own...most of the time!  As you can see we are careful to keep a hand on her just in case!

Sometimes sitting up requires the use of the boppy!

Another of Avery's favorite games to play recently is face grabbing!  Dave is not sleeping, he is just an old expert at this game and knows Avery will go for the eyes!  She loves this!!

Finally, our poor little girl just doesn't have the best hair yet...what do you think?

And just to enjoy....