So Thankful!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we have so much to be thankful for.  At this time last year, we were sad and discouraged, wanting and waiting, hoping and praying for a child of our own.  Little did we know that we would soon have great news to share.  And now we have our little blessing from God... our sweet little Avery that we love and adore!  We can't imagine life without her, and we thank God everyday for our angel. 
Happy Thanksgiving to our wonderful family and friends... Ted, Allison, & Avery

Daycare

Our sweet baby girl started daycare this week.  She has been twice, and will go tomorrow as well.  She appears to be doing great, and everyone is really nice.  So, we pray that she continues to be happy there, and most of all stay healthy!  I am thankful that she only has to go 2-3 days a week.  My work schedule allows me to continue to work full-time as well as be home with Avery several days a week.  I love it! 
We are all adjusting very well.  It does require a little more effort... washing lots of bottles and pump supplies, pumping, pumping, and more pumping, waking up early so we can all get ready, make lunches, feed Avery, pump, and take her to daycare...oh, and don't forget about the dogs!.... but it is going pretty smoothly so far.  Ted is a huge help... I know I couldn't do it all without him!  Here are a few new pictures of our cutie pie from earlier this week.  Enjoy!

I think she's going to be a lefty... she will hold onto toys in her left hand forever, but not in her right.

LOVE LOVE LOVE these pictures (I know, the flower is HUGE, but I still LOVE it!)

She always has that hand in her mouth...

One of the new outfits from Nana Smith.

Back to work...

Avery turned 3 months old this week, which meant back to work for me....  I slowly eased back into the swing of things by only working Wednesday and Thursday.  Ted ended up staying home with Avery both days and did GREAT.  The first bottle was a bit of a struggle, but after that it was smooth sailing.  Ted enjoyed the bonding time with Avery, and I'm pretty sure she loved having some Daddy time as well.  Of course, some tears were shed and I missed my baby girl tremendously, but overall everything went pretty well.  Suprisingly, I remembered how to do my job and enjoyed the change of pace and adult conversations.  Next week will be a little different.  Avery will start daycare, so I'm sure more tears will be shed as I drop her off for her first day on Monday.  Fortunately, she will never have to go more than 3 days a week, so hopefully it won't be too bad.  I know it will get easier as she gets older.  She will probably end up loving the interaction with the other kiddos, and will learn all sorts of new things.  (I'm trying to stay positive!)  So, think happy thoughts for us next week!
3 month Stats:
Weight - 13lbs.  Length 24 inches
Accomplishments - Smiling like crazy, cooing and making cute little noises, opening hands and swinging at things, interacting with toys, sleeping through the night, rolling over from tummy to back!
Favorite things - Eating, napping in her bouncer or swing, playing on her mat with her mobile and toys, going on car rides, taking baths, and having her diaper changed.  Notice, I always take lots of pictures of her on her changing table, because that is where she is always so happy! Enjoy all the new pictures!

All Smiles... Most of the time.

I have enjoyed my last full week at home with Avery. It's hard to believe that it's coming to an end. Next week will be sort of a trial run. I am slowing going to ease back into work, only working 2 days next week. Ted will watch Avery both of those days, then the following week I will get back into a more regular schedule, working 3 days. She will officially start Daycare on the 16th. She has been all smiles lately... or at least most of the time. She still has her fussy moments, but primarily just at night when she is getting tired. She is sleeping about 8-10 hours at night, which has been wonderful! Here are some pictures that I took the past couple of days. One of the UMHB pictures will be used for the alumni quarterly magazine for her birth announcement. Enjoy!

1st Halloween and More!

Have I mentioned how cute Avery is getting? She is just so stinking cute now, I can't help but take more pictures of her. She has really started to smile and become so alert and interested in everything. She has all these cute little babbles and noises she makes. It is just too precious. We are loving watching her grow and develop. It is so much fun. Avery celebrated her 1st Halloween a few days ago, so I have a few pictures of that, plus lots more! Enjoy!

Avery is just like her Mother... always likes to be on the go!

So cute!

Daddy loves to give Avery a bath! Do you think she misses any meals?
Our precious baby girl!
I just love her Avery onesie and her new leopard print shoes!
1st Halloween
We carved a pumpkin together.
Mommy's little Pumpkin!