The Checkup and brown booby....

Ok first off, our four month check up went very well. Avery is 15 lbs 14 oz (85 percentile), 26.5 inches (97 percentile), and her head is 16 inches around (38 percentile). The doctor said she was doing great. That her height and weight were gaining fine - that she was on the skinny side of tall -- what girl doesn't want that?!?!  He gave us the go ahead to start her on rice cereal and then veggies whenever we want. I'm sure Avery is ready but this momma ain't!!!!  I don't want my little girl to grow up so fast just yet! :)  She got her 4 month shots (so sad) and we are all good until our 6 month appointment.

THE BROWN BOOBY....

So, this past Saturday, August 18th, we went "birding", meaning, we went to out looking for a specific bird. Our travels took us to Lake Norell in Saline County. There was a rare bird for our area spotted there and people were flocking (no pun intended) to see it.  The Brown Booby, I have since learned, is native to the area between mexico and hawaii, so the fact that this little lady was in Saline County was a treat for avid birders.  That being said, Casey - a birder himself, wanted to see it, hence the trek to Lake Norell. We can now say that Avery at 4 months old has seen and had a photo opp with a bird that's rare in Arkansas. Mark that off the bucket list ladies and gentlemen!!!!

 Here is the proof:

And up close:

19 weeks and growing....

Disclaimer: I apologize in advance for any sideways photos...i'm technologically challenged

Holy cow.....where does the time go?!?!?!  Avery is now 19 weeks old...geez! It's be just about that long since I've updated the blogosphere. I'll have to write my birth story later (and bore you with all the hospital photos) but here's the cliff notes of our lives since April 9, 2012 when our world became full of more love than we ever imagined.

Avery at 10 days...

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We've travled near and far since this little lady made her grand entrance. At almost a month old we went to North Carolina for Aunt Ashley and Uncle Rob's wedding. It was beautiful and a perfect mountain setting. It was her first "party" and she shined...as if we were worried!

A happy one month old.....

Then a week or so later she was dedicated at The Church at Rock Creek. It was a great ceremony with friends and family. Here she is in her beautiful christening gown that her Aunt Jackie sent from Utah.

 And of course, with us her oh so proud mama and poppa!

Somewhere in there was mother's day.....

Her next big event was the beach. We made the trek to Gulf Shores aka the Redneck Riveria, like any good Southerner/Arkansasan. She was an angel in the car and even got to take some good naps on the beach with mom and Aunt Natty.

Beach girl.....

Over the summer we've enjoyed several events and activities...the lake, the pool and just enjoying time with our daughter. It's insane how quickly time flies and how fast she is growing up. She's already 4 mths old.....geez!!!!!!!!!!

First lake day.....

    2 months and all smiles

  2.5 months old -- pool time for the 1st time!

                                 
          You talking to me? June 20, 2012

                                                          
           Going boating...... July 2012

         Look at me, I'm 3 months old!!!!!!!!!

Got to spend some time with college friends in July. It was awesome to get all the newbies together at once...finally!!  We were lucky to have each other through our pregnancies and are even luckier to have such great friends going through this parenthood thing with us!!  i.e. what do you do when your newborn shoots milk out her nose, etc....lol It is a saving grace!

        And finally, enjoying wine together again!!!

         But we'd trade wine for these three any day!

Grayson (2/17), Avery (4/9), Cooper (3/6)

 17 weeks and life to go....

Avery and Mommy at the Alverson Family Reunion

Hello world....I'm 4 months old!!!!!!!!!!!

Pool time with mommy and daddy....

These pix are from this weekend August 18th...... 

Today is our 4 month checkup with Dr. B so I will report later on our "stats", you know how your kiddo measures up to the charts ....as if anyone really cares or it really  matters?!!?!

I will attempt to be better about my posting but i'm too in love to do anything but hang out with my precious baby girl. Hope you've enjoyed my update!!! More to follow....

Loves! xoxo - AJK 

The mommy diaries.....

One of my besties and also new mom challenged me to fill out these questions after she read it in a magazine and filled them out herself.

So, dear Avery, consider this a baby book entry from birth to 4 months--

Best Moment:
Best moment to date is the first time she actually grabbed onto my shoulder to hold on. Thinking about it now gets me all goo-goo and mushy. Man, I love that little chicken. Best moment that's reoccurring is coming home to her daily. When I get home she is ready for mommy time and I. LOVE. IT! She's so snuggly and sweet. I can tell while Nanny P is a rockstar, there's nothing like spending time with mom. And I'm lucky enough to be her!!!

Funniest Moment:
I suspect that cupcake is starting the teething process, massive amounts of drool, puts everything in her mouth, likes to gnaw on fingers, etc - you get the picture. So, the funniest moments are when she trys to go after a cheek to fulfill that need. I swear you would think the little toothless lady would gnaw your face off....and she might!

One thing you could live without:
Having to leave her everyday to go to work. The reward of her excitement and the paycheck makes it okay but I would love to be able to stay home with her and just soak in every little detail of every moment as she crawls, walks, talks and discovers life. And I must agree with my dear friend who put me up to this post...pumping well and maintaining a good enough milk supply -- which reminds me, it's about that time again!

Most embarrassing mom moment:
Luckily this was not in front of others but realizing a few days later that the blowout diaper she had not only got on the car seat but ran all the way through the base that was left in the car in 100 degree temps.

Looking forward to:
Everything. Wow, you never realize how much life there is to discover and teach out there until you are blessed with the innocence of a child. They are like little sponges soaking up every moment, every sound, and every image. I can see inquiries come across her face and am excited to get to the part when they become the inquisition. But i'm also looking forward to someone that can stop time, just so I can make sure to catalog every moment.

What I'm most nervous about:
Teeth is definitely a real concern but I chose to ignore it. So, i'm most nervous about solid food. I realize that sounds crazy but obviously the choke hazard is greatly increased as well as possibility of allergies. Then, good gracious I hope she's not a picky eater like her father, or let me tell you people, it's gonna be a knock down drag out at our house at meal time. YIKES!

Biggest Brag:
Avery rolled over for the first time at 2 mths. I was completely impressed. Now, she only does it when she feels like it. Boys, watch out! This one definitely has a mind of her own! My next brag would be her height! I swear she's gonna be some rock star model....at least I hope she doesn't peak in height at 4 mths old!

I'll also add that she loves water allbeit bathtime or pool time. She has such a blast. She's a tummy sleeper (I know, shame on me...write me up as bad parent of the year -- but it works for us). She has a great squeal and a super huge grin! She's rolling over - when she feels like it, which is usually in her crib. She sleeps through the night for the most part. She's officially in a size 3 diaper -- which came way faster than I thought it would (tear). She loves to be read to and has discovered the i phone -- sigh, it's already begun! She loves her saucer and to put things in her mouth. She's the brightest star in my world and I wasn't "living" until I had her.

-AJK