DA DA

January 24th – 26th: Mommy has been busy so I thought I would update our blog for her. My Granddaddy came to visit me this weekend and we had a great time. Thankfully my Mommy and Daddy were well so we all got to spend time together. On Saturday they introduced me to what they kept calling a “jumper” (thanks Uncle Stuart and Aunt Danielle). I was hesitant at first but after a while I really liked jumping up and down. At one point I shocked everyone. For some reason they thought me saying Da Da was a big deal. I don’t understand why. My Mommy made a big fuss about me saying my first word but I have been talking to her for a long time, I guess she just finally understood what I was saying. I’ve also been trying to keep my parents guessing about how I’m going to sleep. I enjoy rolling over so much that I have decided to do it in my crib. I like to sleep on my tummy and my back. Mommy and Daddy never know how they are going to find me and where. On Sunday we all went to Great Grandma’s church. I basically spent the whole service playing with my Granddaddy. After the service Mommy showed me off to all the older ladies that knew her as a child. She told me that her Grandma showed her off so now it was her turn to show me off. I behaved for a moment but then decided to show those ladies whose boss so I stuck out my bottom lip and cried. That got them to scatter. My plan worked. Mommy is going to include some pictures and a video so enjoy.

Granddaddy and I hanging out.

Man Mommy sure does start early with the picture taking.

My new sleeping position.

Here are videos of me in the jumper.

#3

January 19th - The bad news: If you are counting Avery now has her 3rd double ear infection. If she has another one by her 9 month checkup then we may be referred to an Ear Nose & Throat doctor to talk about tubes. I can almost guarantee she will have another one by March. The good news: she doesn’t even act sick. She is still as happy as she can be.

WEEKEND GETAWAY

January 17th – 19th – David and I spent our first weekend away from Avery. We left Avery with my Little Grandma and Vandaddy and hit the road to Tunica, MS. Before we left her I was sad and full of quilt for leaving her, but my Grandma assured me we needed the time away and she would be fine. We raced out of Grandma’s house (so I wouldn’t cry) and hit the road. I resisted the urge to call my Grandma every hour on the hour to see what she was doing. It did get easier each day and I only checked in once or twice a day. We had a great weekend and so did she. We shopped, ate, napped, ate, gambled and ate some more. The highlight for me was eating at Paula Deen’s buffet, having a spa service and winning at Caribbean Stud Poker. Monday on the way home I asked David if he felt something was missing when Avery was not around and he said yes. It is amazing how such a tiny person can make us feel whole. As for Avery, she had a great time being spoiled by Great Grandma and I think they bonded.

7 MONTHS

January 12 – Friday Avery turned 7 months old. Can you believe she is growing so quickly? I can’t. The following is a list of what she is doing these days…..she is now rolling over more often, puts her mouth in an O shape (as if she is blowing bubbles) and blows at you, taking a bath in a big girl tub, sitting up all by herself for long periods of time, grasping objects and putting them in her mouth (no wonder she is always sick), moving her legs and pulling her knees up when she is on her tummy, talking more, eating more and she just absolutely loves standing up and playing in her exersaucer (thanks again Karen).

This is how Avery looks when we don't feed her fast enough. Good thing those chairs come with straps.

This is a video of Avery turning over. She does this more and more. We really have to watch that she doesn't roll into the coffee table.

CRAZY LUNCH

January 11th – To me motherhood is (among many things) about trial and error and thinking on your toes. Yesterday was a day full of both of those things for David and me. Yesterday we had our usual Sunday of going to church and then going to eat with my Grandparents. We didn’t have Sunday school so we went home before heading to lunch, which sort of threw me off. We were waiting for my Grandparents to arrive when Avery got a little fussy because she was hungry. I managed to distract her (such an easy thing to do at this age) while David got all her stuff together. This meal was supposed to consist of cereal, a veggie and formula. All of a sudden David turns to me and asks where I put her bottle. I looked at him and remembered I took it out of her diaper bag when we stopped home to rinse it out. So I responded “It’s at home. Oh no!!” Needless to say we gave Avery a whole jar of carrots (good thing she likes them). We tried mixing her cereal with water and giving her that but she was not interested. The waitress (a mom herself) was so helpful. She asked what was wrong and I told her I left her bottle at home. She instantly brought us a rubber glove (powder free) and told us to put her formula in it, poke a hole in one of the fingers and see if she will drink it from that. I was willing to try anything at this point since Avery was quite upset, even though it looked like she was getting ready to suck on a cow’s udder. Needless to say she didn’t like that idea and was not going to drink it. I finally managed to distract her again and she was fine until we got home. I think I am getting the hang of the trail and error part but I am not yet good at the thinking on my toes part.

NOT AGAIN

January 8th - What a day Avery and I had yesterday. We got to spend the day together just Mommy and daughter, except we were both sick. I love being Avery's Mom but I can't help to think how much more I would love it if we all could get well and stay well. Avery has been congested for a week or so but on Wednesday night she started to wheez and cough badly. I decided to take her to the doctor Thursday morning thinking they would give her an antibiotic and we would be on our way. Boy was I wrong. It seems her airways were blocked and the doctor called for a chest x-ray. If you have not experienced a child chest x-ray consider yourself lucky. Avery had to sit on this contrapment and have a clear plastic shield surround her with her arms up. She did not like it and neither did it. It turns out Avery has Bronchiolitis, a lung infection caused by some kind of virus. They also tested her for RSV (results are not back yet). Avery doesn't act sick (they call it happy wheezing) but she has been a little cranky. I on the other hand am miserable and can't breathe and so I act pitiful. Good thing she doesn't take after me.

NEW FEATURE

January 2nd - I've added a new feature to our blog. If you look under the "Blogs to Check Out" section I've added a Shutterfly website. I can't post all the photos we take of Avery so this site allows you to see all the photos and even order any if you want them. I hope to post pictues once a month, so keep checking it out. Enjoy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

January 1 - I can't believe it is already 2009, 2008 seemed to whiz by. David, Avery and I had a great New Year’s Eve. We spent the evening together just being a family. We decided, since we would have an adorable little baby wake us up early in the morning, to celebrate New Year’s on Eastern Time.

New Year’s Day my family has a long standing tradition of eating a traditional meal together. Since David and I moved to Tennessee we have spent the day with Big Grandparents eating Hog Jaw, black eye peas, biscuit or corn bread and whatever else my Grandma decides to cook. We had a great meal and hope to have a year full of good luck since we ate all our hog jaw and peas. The Diamond’s hope you and your family have a great 2009!!

The Diamond family on the first day of the year.

Isn't she adorable. She is wearing a new outfit on the first day of the new year. Her Grandma Carol bought her this pretty new outfit.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

December 25th – I hope everyone had a safe and joyous Christmas. We had a great holiday. This year made me realize what Christmas is all about...the birth of Christ and family. David and I enjoyed spending time with all our family. Here are some pictures of Christmas Day.

Avery sitting up like a big girl.

Avery taking a bath with Mommy. She loves the big girl bath.

Avery didn't open many gifts on her own. I'm sure next year will be different.

Avery was really happy to see all her gifts.

Avery in front of the tree.

Avery in her Christmas bib and sleeper.