Pumkin Patch

We took Avery to her first pumpkin patch on Saturday! It's a little different going to a pumpkin patch in 80+degree weather, but it was still fun! Avery was so excited when she saw all of the pumpkins and bounced up and down when we let her play with them. Enjoy the pictures!

Not a fan of the prickly straw!

My favorite picture of my two favorite people!

Love this! 

Pink Cadillac

 I tried to tell her it's not okay to get behind the wheel when she is so sleepy....Let's hope she listens and obeys when she is 16! 

Beautiful Flowers

Chris surprised me with 3 bouquets of flowers yesterday when he got home from work! He is the sweetest husband ever!!!!

Pensacola Beach Triathalon

Chris participated in his second triathalon on Saturday, October 1st. Since the race was an hour and a half away in Pensacola Beach we decided to go Friday and stay the night. We left Avery with my parents so that she didn't have to get up at 5:30 Saturday morning. Chris and I split a hotel room with Jack and Lachlyne, Chris' co-workers, who also participated in the race. Race day was cold and windy. I think it was in the low 50's that morning, which is chilly for Florida in October! I stayed in pants and a sweatshirt until about 10:00 that morning and was cold even in my sweatshirt! Thank goodness for hot chocolate to help keep me warm while watching the race! Fortunately for the participants (all 1,200 of them!) the water was a warm 81 degrees. Of course, getting out was a bit chilly. They also had to swim through hundreds of JELLY FISH.... Chris said his entire body was stinging through half of the bike ride after the swim.... Glad I wasn't the one in the water! hehe.

Stats for the race: swim = 600 yard, bike = 18 miles, run = 5k (3.2miles)

Love seeing the sun rise over 1200 participants by the ocean!

Danny (purple cap) and Chris (white cap)

Danny, Jack, Lachlyne and Chris waiting for the race to begin- and freezing!!

Chris is the one on the left in the white cap

finishing the 18 mile bike ride

starting his 3.2 mile run

feeling good!

finishing the race!!!!

2nd triathalon complete!!!!

I am so proud of him!

Danny and Gwen
So glad I had Gwen to hang out with during the race- love that woman!!

Chris did fantastic and finished the race in 1 hour 40 minutes (approximately.... I actually don't know his exact time...) I am so proud of Chris and can't wait until next year's triathalon season!

Spaghetti

Avery had spaghetti for the first time the other night and LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Thankfully, I had already been planning on giving her a bath after dinner because that is exactly where she ended up. 

Spaghetti = MESS!

11 months

Avery is 11 months!!! It's so strange to think that this time last year we were anxiously awaiting her arrivale, and now she is nearing the end of her first year of life. It amazes me every single day that time goes by so fast. These past 11 months have been the most incredible months of our lives. 

Things Avery is doing at 11 months: 

-saying "dada" all of the time with the occassional "mama" thrown in....

-crawling

-cruising on the furniture

-loving on Bailey... seriously, she gives Bailey so many kisses and hugs throughout the day- it's so sweet!
-Speaking of Bailey- Avery obviously spends a lot of time with her because she carries toys, bibs, socks, etc. in her mouth while crawling all through the house... just like big sister Bailey! haha
-says "naaa naa" which I think means "NO"

-can wave "hi" and "bye"

-can give a high-five

-is very tickleish 

- will eat whatever we put in front of her- though I'm still feeding her a lot of baby food because it's so convenient! 

-refuses to feed herself her bottle. We know she can do it, we've SEEN her do it. Now she will not hold her bottle at all! I know I should take the time and just let her figure it out and know that she will feed herself if she gets hungry enough, but that takes time and the formula leaks out of the nipples if she holds it upside down and then I'm left with a big mess to clean up! 

-walks while holding onto our fingers but is not quite ready to walk by herself yet. 

-had her first high fever of 102 last weekend followed by roseola

-weighs 17 pounds 5 ounces... she's a tiny one! 

-still takes 2 naps during the day. 

-sleeps 12 hours at night

-doesn't use a paci at all... but sucks her thumb constantly

-spent a week at Mimi and Granddaddy's house while mommy and daddy were out of town

-cut her 3rd tooth on Friday Sept. 23 (top L)

-she's a mommy's girl for sure- though I'm sure that will change to being a daddy's girl in the future.

-Loves to look at herself in the mirror or in pictures

-has the best laugh

-likes to play hide and go seek with mommy and daddy

-understands the what "no" means- but doesn't exactly obey when we say no! 

-has so much energy and is constantly on the go

-wears size 3 diapers

-wears 9-12 month clothing

-have I mentioned that she NEVER stops moving!?! 

Avery is truly the best baby. She is so happy and energetic. I have to admit, the tenth month has probably been the hardest for me. She would never sit still and laughed any time we tried to discipline. The word "no" has become my most used word.... 

Avery, I love you. No matter how difficult or how easy the days are, you are my true joy and I would never trade my time with you for anything. I'm so blessed to be able to stay at home with you every day. I enjoy our time together and want you to know that your Mommy and Daddy love you very very much!