A week in Melbourne, FL

So, back in August (yes, I realize I am way behind on blogging...) Avery and I left Chris and Bailey behind for a week in Melbourne, Florida. My mother-in-law always goes to her brothers condo for a week or two during the summer and we try to go with her whenever we can. This year, Chris wasn't able to go because he didn't have enough vacation time and he also started his new position just 6 weeks before and didn't feel like it would be appropriate to take a week off so soon. We were sad to leave him and really wished he could have been there with us.

Friday, August 13th, Justin, Adriane, Micah, Avery and I loaded up the car and began our 8 hour drive from Niceville to Melbourne. I wish I had taken a picture of just how loaded down we were with 3 adults and 2 babies.... we had quite a lot of stuff packed into one car!! The babies did fabulous on the drive down and we only stopped twice for feedings and diaper changes. Cheryl was already in Melbourne and was so excited when we finally arrived Friday afternoon. The entire week was full of fun, laughter, great food and some great memories of Avery and Micah playing together on the beach or in the pool. One evening, Adriane and I even had the opportunity to go see a movie while Justin and Cheryl watched the babies! (We saw The Help- which I strongly encourage you all to see...and READ the book, too!!!) It was nice being able to get out and actually go to the movie theater. We had great weather, but just like typical FL weather, we had afternoon storms almost every day. Adriane and I would put Micah and Avery down for their afternoon naps and hurry to the pool and as soon as we would get all lathered up and relaxed with a book in our hands it would start to storm. Oh well.

My cousin Shelley lives in New Smyrna Beach, which isn't far from Melbourne, and was able to drive down for a few hours on Thursday. Aunt Debbie came with her and I was absolutely thrilled to spend time with them. We ate lunch and played with Avery and really just enjoyed catching up. We are all so busy these days and rarely get to see one another that I was soaking it all in.

The next morning we were up early and back on the road as the sun was rising. It was a wonderful week   and I really enjoyed spending time with Cheryl, Justin and Adriane. I'm so very blessed that we all get along so well. Micah and Avery are a blast and I just love it when we get them together. Hopefully next year Chris and Ed can join us!!!

All lathered up for the beach!  

Avery in the water with her Uncle J!!!
She is very much a water baby- she would play in the water all day if we let her!

Our beach set up

Grandmommy loving her time with the babies

The condo

Waiting to get in the pool

Seriously the cutest cousins ever!

Do they look alike or what?!?!

Playing with cousin Shelley

Aunt Debbie!

Love my sweet family!!!! 

9 MONTHS

Avery is now 9 months old! How crazy is that?!!? I didn't have the same feelings of sadness and shock as I did when she hit the eight month mark, but am definitely well aware that we will have a one year old before we know it. Avery is so much fun at 9 months. She interacts with us (and Bailey) so much more than she used to and has such a wonderful personality-- she could be the definition of the words content and laid back. Seriously. We are so in love with our little girl and continue to thank God for allowing us to be her parents. 

she even tries to eat Bailey.... that's a "no no" in our house!!

Avery's 9 month stats (July 25th):

weight: 16lbs 4oz (25%) 

height: 26.5 in (25%)

Head Circ.: 17in (25%)

She weighs the EXACT same as she did on June 27th- not an ounce more! I'm guessing it is just because she got really active in the last month... I was thrilled to see that her head was now in the 25th percentile after being in the 10th percentile for so long! So, even though she didn't gain any weight I know that she is healthy and growing. 

Things Avery is doing at 9 months:

- scooting all around the house! We call it the army crawl.

- "walking" with help all around the house!

- can get into a sitting position from her belly

- is learning to crawl on her hands and knees

- she and Mommy have begun the weaning process and now only nurses 2 times (morning and night) and takes 2 bottles of frozen breastmilk during the day

- is loving table foods and can feed herself

- is able to grab and hold her food with her thumb and index finger

- has 2 bottom teeth

- wears size 3 diapers

- wears 9 month clothes from Carters and 6-12 month clothes from most other shops! She has always been right on par with clothing sizes for her age.

- waves hi and bye (though not every time)

- clapped her hands for the first time on July 31st

- thinks Bailey's toys are more fun than her own... GROSS!!

- she is learning to enjoy playing in her pack n play throughout the day

- would rather be standing/walking than sitting or lying down

- is ALWAYS on the go- seriously, we never stop!

- went to story time at the library for the first time

- played at the children's park 

going down the slide with her friend, Kate!

going.....

so much fun!!! They are going to be great friends!

- finds the washer and dryer to be really fasinating and entertaining.

 

Happy 9 months little monkey!! Mommy and Daddy love you very much!