4 months already!!!

Weight: 13 lbs 7.5 oz (48 %tile)
Height: 24 in (42%tile)
Head:  15 5/8 in (20%tile) lil peanut head
Moods: Continues to be happy most of the day unless her gums are hurting her. 
Favorite foods: formula- 6oz at each feeding (doesn't have much choice there)
Favorite toys: "Exersaucer", still enjoys anything that makes noise or lights up, loves her bells hanging from her exersaucer
Noises: talking much much more, blow air through lips
Favorite hobbies: eating, playing, sleeping and drooling
Playtime: getting much stronger on her belly- rolled over from belly to back several times

We began this month by celebrating the New Year and my birthday. Joe's parents came in town for NYE.  Joe and I went out to dinner (alone!!!!) while Mimi and Pop stayed home with Avery.  Our reservations were at 7:45.  You would have thought we inhaled our food because we were done and paid by 8:35.  We didn't want to go home yet because we wanted to take advantage of having babysitters at the house.  Of course with it being NYE nothing was open.  We decided to go get frozen yogurt to take up some more time.  We managed to get home before Avery went to bed, but I didn't mind getting to kiss her "night night" before the New Year. 

For my birthday we did absolutely nothing and it was amazing.  I'm embarrassed to say that on that day I didn't even brush my hair or teeth and stayed in my PJs all day long.  We took the tree down and relaxed with our little family of 3.  I was so thankful to have another day off of work the following day.  Joe got me a new video camera (Sony Bloggie) because my FLIP was not taking the best videos.  I love my new camera and I hope everyone enjoys my videos I send to them of our precious lil girl.  It's amazing how much she is changing by the day.  Mom and dad put in new shelves in our basement for my birthday.  This will help tremendously with extra storage. 

Avery loves her Pop Pop :)

Pop Pop and Gigi Lovin!!

Finally Finley Alexander Huff arrived!!!  Avery's friend Finley was born on December 30th, just in time to ring in the new year.  I visited the proud parents in the hospital and on Saturday, January 7th Avery got to meet her future BFF.  Finley just finished eating so she was pretty sleepy.  I told Avery that maybe Finley will play with her next time.  Big brother Carter was adorable with Finely and Avery.  He's so sweet.  Finley's mommy and daddy are doing well, and as to be expected with an 8 day old baby, they were pretty tired.  I look forward to these two girls get to spend more time together this summer.   Right now 3 months age difference is a whole lot, but soon enough you'll never be able to tell. We are also anticipating another baby girl's arrival the beginning of April.  My good friend Emily is expecting her second child Easter weekend.  WooHoo for girls!!!

Avery and I went with Courtney to try on bridesmaid's dresses.  She was a very good girl until she was ready to go (haha!).  She sat at the desk with Aunt C while she registered the dresses. She's was ready to be the best flowergirl ever!!  After some thinking Matt and Courtney made the decision (smart-in my opinion) not to have a wedding, but instead put that money towards a house.  I think little Laila will appreciate that decision. 

Aunt Toni came to visit us the week before MLK weekend.  She stayed with us during the week and woke up early enough to get up with Avery which was a  nice treat for Daddy.  Avery loved spending time with her and Aunt Teezey and I'm pretty sure Aunt Teezey enjoyed herself as well.  While she was here we put together Avery's exersaucer.  She is still a lil too small for it, we stuffed blankets in front of her and behind her, but she LOVES it and I know her curiosity will continue to grow and thrive playing in this contraption.

AND of course Aunt Teezey made me some awesome awesome from Sweet T's Shoppe :)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Ts-Shoppe-httpetsymeqc2Qi/206897216030615?sk=app_169505045786

On Friday, January 19th Avery rolled over from her belly to her back. 

She has yet to do it again, but she did it :)

 Avery enjoys attending our monthly Supper Clubs :)

The last weekend in January Avery had two playdates.  The first was with Carson who lives down the road.  Carson was born on Thanksgiving, so he's 2 months younger than Avery, but just about the same size : ) He's a growing boy.  Avery and Carson will have many playdates in the future since they live walking distance to each other. 

Avery (4 months) and Carson ( 2 months)

Avery had another playdate with her buddy Jenna.  They last got together when Avery was 4 weeks and Jenna was 6 weeks. Both girls have grown so much since then. 

First playdate- Jenna (6 weeks) and Avery (4 weeks)

Avery (4 months) and Jenna (4 months 9 days)

Babies and baby mama's

Want twins Kati??

Big girl riding in the front of her stroller!!!

Here are some pictures from Avery's 4 month photoshoot : )

Happy New Year!!

Three Months Old (young)

Weight: 12 pounds 7.5 ounces
Height: ??  Not quite sure... hopefully she will be taller than me, but not as tall as Joe
Moods: Soooo happy in the morning when I get her out of bed. Pretty happy throughout the day.  Starting to get a little fussy with sore gums.  Teething is coming!!!
Favorite foods: formula- 6oz at each feeding (doesn't have much choice there)
Favorite toys: toy piano, Violet, anything hanging from my bouncy seat or play mat, basically anything that lights up or plays music is a big hit
Noises: cooos, "agh-goo" (which we think means "I'm good"), little laughs, and of course her girly scream to get everyone's attention
Favorite hobbies: bouncy seat, playing on my playmat, and being held by anyone
Playtime: tummy time (not the biggest fan, but it getting so much stronger)  She still loves taking a bath.

On the first day of December Avery had a playdate with adorable lil Jackson.  Jackson was born October 18, so he's a few weeks younger than Miss Avery.  Jackson's mom, Jayme, was a sorority sister of mine at Appalachian.  We have Facebook to thank for discovering we both live in Clemmons and have babies around the same age. 

Exciting news this month.  Dre' and Alex found out they are having a boy--Grayson Alexander and Courtney and Matt are having a girl-- Laila Shey. Avery is super excited to have one of each.  She can share clothes with Laila and teach Grayson how to kick a soccer ball.  Grayson is already worried about cooties from these girls, but we be sure to give him a buy supply of cootie spray.  I think Gigi and Pop Pop are overwhelmed with joy about this upcoming year with the other two babies. 

  Avery went to her first baby shower for my good friend Anna.  She is due December 24th, but as of today (Dec 30th) lil Miss is still content inside her mommy.  Avery and I are so excited to have a new baby girl to play with.  During the shower we made a cast of Anna's pregnant belly that will later be painted to match her nursery including all of baby girl's birth information.  Big brother Carter is soooo sweet with Avery.  He will be such a good big brother.

Avery loved meeting her new friend Ollie this month. Ollie is the daughter of my good friend Traci that I've worked with for the past 7 years (wow).  I'm not sure what Ollie liked more--meeting Avery, playing with Avery's toys, helping Joe turn on the Christmas lights, or throwing the ball with Zoe.  I look forward for the day with these two girls can play together, but I'm not wishing her to grow up too fast.

I can curl my tongue like Daddy!!!  Mommy is jealous!!!

Joe and I took Avery to see Santa on Tuesday, December 21st.  We said we will never wait until 4 days before Christmas again, but this adorable picture was well worth the wait.  She was not afraid one bit, but I think she was too young to know any better.  Next year may be a different story.  It will be so much fun to compare Santa's pictures year after year to see how much she's grown. She was complimented several times on her adorable outfit and festive bow. 

We went to my parents on Christmas Eve.  Avery slept through most of the festivities, but also managed to have a crying spell during the middle of the day.  This is very rare for her, so it always catches me off guard and I hate not knowing what to do for her.  We eventually got her calmed down and all was well for the rest of the day.  I think she gets overwhelmed when there are a lot of people around her, but I told her she needed to get used to that.  We had an amazing dinner of Alaskan King Crab Legs and Beef Tenderloin.  Once again Gigi cooked a delicious meal.  During the day we snacked on appetizers and some of our family friends came by for a visit.  My sisters and I plus our significant others swapped names this year and we all ended up with some pretty great stuff. We got mom and dad a gift card to Ryan's and Lowes.  I think they were pretty happy with that. Joe and I did not exchange gifts this year.  We decided to buy a new camera.  We got a Nikon D3100 and so far we've been very pleased with it.  It is a good investment to have nice, quality pictures of our kids. Avery woke up to open a few gifts before going back to sleep.  I think next year will be quite a different story.  

 Our new home decorated for the Holidays.

Christmas Day we woke up and drove to Swansboro where Joe's parents live.  We walked across the street to Grandma Ellington's house for Christmas dinner/lunch.  Grandma lives right on the water with a beautiful view of the Sound and Emerald Isle. Fun fact about Grandma is her name is also Sarah (spelled Sara) and she and her late husband (Joseph Ellington) share our wedding anniversary of July 25th.  After stuffing ourselves with a wonderful traditional feast we opened gifts from Aunt Mary, Uncle Dewy, Uncle Joe, and Grandma.  Avery's cousin Maddox is still unsure how he feels about Avery being in the picture, but he is warming up to her more and more with each visit.  I know they will be great pals soon enough. 

Finally got a 4 generation picture with the Ellington family.

Joe and I did not exchange gifts this Christmas.  We bought a new Nikon D3100 Camera.  Here are some great pix Joe took of the sunset on the water.

We drove home from Swansboro on Tuesday, December 27th.  Here is my little angel surrounded by her wonderful gifts given to her.  She is loved by so many.  I hope she grows up knowing how much she is loved.

As always I look forward to my monthly photo shoot with my little love bug.  This month's turned out just as great as the months prior.  It's amazing how much she has changed already.  I love seeing her birght blue eyes paired with that adorable gummy smile.

Look how I've grown already :)