HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPO

June 29th - I don't know if anyone grew up playing Hungry Hungry Hippo. My sister and I did. My Big Grandma bought it for us and we loved to play it. I remember one time we played it around my Dad and he got so annoyed at the loud noise the hungry hippos made. We bought Avery a pool that looks like a hippo and the memory of playing the hippo game comes to mind every time I look at this pool. Anyway, we are having a cold spell (80 degrees or so) so we thought it was a perfect time to introduce her to a pool. She really wasn't all that interested in her hippo pool until it started sprinkling water. I think the water was to cold for her.

Below are two video's of Avery playing around her hippo pool.

POOP

June 28th - The funniest thing happened tonight. We gave Avery a bath as usual and after her bath let her run around naked for a bit while we got things ready. David and I were sitting on the bed talking as Avery was running around in the bathroom. She dropped her toy, bent down to pick it up and started going poop. David and I just looked at each other in shock. "David, oh my gosh, look what she is doing" was all I could say and we just stood there for what seemed like forever. Finally, David grabbed a diaper but by that time it was to late. She turned around to look at all our commotion and stepped in it. Thankfully she stayed in the bathroom so the clean up was easy. David put her back in the tub while I cleaned the floor and we both laughed. There is never a dull moment with a toddler in your life.

GOT MILK

June 25th - Today was Avery's first day of having all milk. Since Saturday she was drinking half formula and half milk, which helped make this transition very smooth. She seems to really like milk (just like her Mommy).

Avery also went back to the doctor today because she has a runny nose, draining in her ears and eyes. Turns out she has another ear infection. This time they took a sample from the drainage in her ears to try and determine what bacteria is present so we can determine why this keeps happening. Why didn't they do this 10 infections ago?!?! I don't really think this is going to tell us anything but I'm trying to stay positive. I don't know if anyone is still counting the number of ear infections but I've given up.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AND BIRTHDAY

June 21st - Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's. This was David's second Father's Day since Avery was 6 days old last Father's Day. Avery and I surprised David with donuts in bed. We also got to spend some time with my Dad. Today is also my Grandma's 85th birthday (even though she says she is only 58)! We all spent the evening together celebrating except my Grandpa was absent since he is in the hospital (he was greatly missed).

FIRST HAIRCUT

June 20th - Today Avery had her first haircut. The girl that has cut my hair since I moved to Tennessee, Dana, cut Avery's hair. She was really good and only got a little fussy at the end. My Dad was here this weekend so he was able to join us. What a treat.

Rollin' Lion

June 17th - I have to tell you about this great gift I received on my 1st birthday from my Great Uncle Frank and Aunt Sandy - a rolling lion. Tonight my Mommy and Daddy put it together for me. I stand behind it and push it. If you touch his nose he roars and music plays. It really makes me laugh and I like to dance to the music. I think Mommy and Daddy also enjoyed it because they kept laughing with me. Mommy and Daddy took some videos of me playing with my new toy.

June 16th - Today Avery had her 1 year checkup. She received two shots and they drew blood to check her iron levels and for any lead. She was showing off for the Doctor by walking, talking and laughing. The Doctor seemed really tickled with her. I think Avery is going to be a joke teller like her Daddy, they both like to make people laugh. Avery is now allowed to drink whole milk and can eat honey and strawberries. Our big goal over the next couple of weeks is to ween her from the bottle and from formula. Any suggestions?

Below is a history of Avery's stats the first year. I have seen this concept on friends blogs and really liked the idea, so here is Avery's version.

Born:
6 pounds, 13 ounces, 19 inches

2 weeks:

7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches

2 months:
11 pounds, 14 ounces, 22.5 inches

4 months:

15 pounds, 10 ounces, 25 inches

6 months:

18 pounds, 2 ounces, 26.5 inches

9 months:

21 pounds, 14 ounces, 27.5 inches

1 year:

24 pounds, 0 ounces, 29.75 inches

EAR INFECTION & BIRTHDAY PARTY

June 12th - Avery had such a hard week but I think it ended well. She started off with pink eye and ended up with both ears being infected. Wednesday she started getting a fever and finally Friday morning when it registered 103.6 we decided to take her to the doctor. They discovered both ears where infected (yes I know the tubes were supposed to help and I really think they have). The doctor decided to give her a shot of antibiotics, which would be much stronger than the strongest liquid. Come to find out it is great since her ears where cleared up by Monday but it turns out she is allergic to it.


On Saturday we had her one year birthday party for our family in Tennessee. In attendance was my little grandparents, big grandparents, Mom, Lisa and Aunt Sandy and Uncle Frank. Avery was hesitant at first since she woke up from a nap and all these people were there. We opened gifts and then had cake. Avery picked at the icing but then really got into it. I think a fun time was had by all.



Look Mommy and Daddy, I love cake!

Happy Birthday to our little girl.

Wow, is that cake just for me?

Look at my princess crown.

This was the hit of the party. Avery loved the pink ball.

I am so tired from opening all my great gifts. I sure could use a nap.

Video of Avery eating cake.

PARTY AT FUN PLACE

June 9th - As I reflect on Avery's first birthday I hope she had a good day. David and I woke her up this morning by singing happy birthday. I took mini cupcakes to fun place at lunch time but found out they eat them at snack time so I stayed for lunch and then came back for snack time. At first Avery wasn't quite sure what to do with her cupcake. I tried to show her that you eat it and she started screaming. Finally she figured it out and crammed it in her mouth. Once she finished eating her cupcake she tried to take her take cupcakes from the other kids who hadn't eaten theirs yet. I really can't wait to see how she handles her cake this weekend. I know to her today was just another day but I really hope it was special.

My cupcake is all gone Mommy.

How do I eat this Mommy?

How exciting, Mommy brought cupcakes for my class.

What is that Mommy?

Avery's class was really excited to eat cupcakes. You wouldn't enjoy some sugar!

Avery sitting at the little table waiting for lunch. She was not very happy because lunch was late and she was really tired.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY

June 9th - Happy first birthday Avery. I really can't believe it has been a year since David and I met our wonderful daughter. My Mom and I have a tradition - every year on my birthday she tells me the story of my birth. I love to hear her tell it and I always listen so intently, as if I haven't heard it before. So, I will now start that tradition with Avery (can you tell I'm all about traditions) and your welcome to join us.

June 9th, 2008 David and I went to our regular OB appointment expecting our usual doctor visit and then lunch at Subway. Well I had been walking around for two weeks dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced with no pain. This day I was feeling good but my legs were a little weak.

We arrived at the hospital about 3:00 and my Mom arrived about 3:30. I was feeling great, no labor pains at all. My doctor came and broke my water at 4:00. That is when the fun began. I started to feel some contractions in my back and lower tummy. I asked for an epidural around 5:30 and got it at exactly 6:08. Talk about a strange feeling. It felt like my legs were asleep. I remember looking at the monitor and seeing strong contractions but only feeling a slight pain in my back. My Dad arrived around 6:30. The contractions started to slow down so I was given pitocin every 15 minutes to speed up the contractions. Finally at 10:00 they told me to start pushing. Again another strange feeling. I knew I was pushing because my face told me so but I couldn't feel a thing except a bunch of pressure. I only pushed 29 minutes because at 10:29 we all heard the first cries of Avery. What a rush of emotion. I was so proud of David and me for making it through labor without a hitch and I was so proud of this small bundle.


Avery Katherine Diamond
June 9, 2008 10:29 pm
6 pounds, 13 ounces and 19 inches

1st DAY

June 8th - Today was Avery's first full day in the big 1 year old class. When Avery first went to day care she wore a new dress that her daddy bought her so I thought we would continue the tradition and let her wear a new dress today. Well she spent maybe an hour in her new class today. Yesterday she began to have some drainage from her eye so I assumed it was her cold coming out her eye instead of her ears. WRONG. David took her to the doctor this morning and she has pink eye. How was I to know, her eye wasn't even "pink". So needless to say Avery and Daddy spent a lovely day together and even took me out to lunch. Now we are desperately trying not to catch it from her.

Avery in her new dress all ready for the 1 year old class.

BIG GIRL SEAT

June 7th - Last week Avery received a birthday gift from her Grandpa and GrandAnn - a big girl car seat. This is a car seat and a booster seat so we will never have to purchase another one. Now that Avery is almost one she can face forward and we don't have to drag her in and out in her other car seat - thanks Dad and Ann. David installed the car seat and we decided to surprise her at fun place. We picked her up and she got to ride home in her new car seat. At first she wasn't quite sure what to think but then she really had fun with it. She kept looking in every direction, as if she was discovering a whole new world. It was a nice day so we rode home with the windows down and I think she liked that as well. David and I can't believe how grown she looks in her new big girl seat!!

I was really excited when it arrived, I was jumping up and down as if it was my birthday. David and Avery didn't know what to think!

Here is a video of Avery's first car ride in her big girl seat.

PLAY AND SLEEP

June 1st - This is Avery's last week of transition before she starts her new class. One day last week she spent the entire day in her new class. The teachers are wonderful and took pictures of her day so David and I (ok mostly so I) knew she was having a lot of fun.

Avery now gets to spend a little time each day outside as long as the weather is okay. I think she had a ball.

Avery is walking the turtle. Also pictured is Colden, the only boy in her class. I feel for him.

I think she is over her fear of the slide.

That's my girl. That face tells me she is amazed at something and having a great time.

Avery on the swing. If you look closely you can see another child behind her. I hope Avery is playing nice.

I almost cried when they showed me this picture. I can't believe she is big enough to sleep on a cot. Her teacher told me it only took her 5 times to get Avery to realize she is supposed to stay on it and sleep. Now if we could only get her to sleep the full 2 hours of nap time.