Bittersweet Birthday

Photo Source: cardsunlimited.com

Today I turn 25...
Yippeee... Sigh...

This year is such a bittersweet birthday because on one hand I am a quarter of a century old and quickly realizing that I am getting old fast, while on the other hand I have so much to be thankful for at age 25. This is really the first year that I have not really looked forward to my birthday for the first reason stated. I know I am still young according to most people but its all relative, right. For about a week that is all I thought about when I thought about my fast approaching day but, then, last night while feeding Avery I realized that was such a wrong approach and I really do have so much to be thankful for. So, I thought I would share a few (in no particular order):

1. Being 25
I am thankful to wake up each morning and have a new day to celebrate God's creation.
2. My Health
3. Avery Grace
Having a child opens your eyes to so many things and shows you a love that only parents can feel. I was told this was true, but never fully grasped it until February 5th
4. Jeffrey
He is an amazing husband, provider, supporter, friend.. the list goes on and on
5. My parents and Jeff's parents
We have both been blessed with parents who love and support us each day. We have some wonderful role models in our life
6. My Sisters and Jeff's Brother and of course, my niece Annelise
My sisters are my best friends! We are blessed to have Jeff's brother so close to us also.
I was reminded that I did not name Annie. Of course I thought of her! I guess I just thought it but didn't say it. (Jeff says I do that a lot, lol) I love her dearly and can't imagine our lives without our little "Sideways Rocket!"
7. Friends
I have made some amazing friends over the past 25 years. I know many of them will last a life time! (you know who you are)
8. Jeff's job
These days, jobs are hard to come by, so the security we have in Jeff's wonderful job is a HUGE blessing.
9. Our Home
Because Jeff has such a great job we are able to have a nice home to raise our family in. We do not live an extravagant lifestyle, but we have everything we need plus some.
10. My Talents
God has blessed me with many artistic abilities. I love to put them to use and create little jewels here and there.
11. My Job
I am a stay-at-home mom and I love it! Once again, #8 is a blessing that gets felt in so many ways!
12. Sushi
Yes, a silly one, but so true. I love it and can't get enough. I even treated my self to some for my birthday lunch
13. My Faith
It is through my faith in Jesus Christ that I am able to do everything that I do. He is my Rock!
"For by Grace you have been saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8

BP Oil Humor

Happy Father's Day

Again, I am late, but "better late than never," right?

Here's to 3 wonderful men in my life that I call "dad."

My daddy

Jeff's Daddy

Jeff... He has really proven to be even better of a dad than we knew he would be!

3 Years!

Happy Anniversary, Jeff!

I know I am a little late, but on June 16th we celebrated our 3 year anniversary. We sure have come a long way and grown so much together over the past few years. I can't wait to see what else is in our future.

Someone Has Way Too Much Time On Their Hands

But it's pretty funny!

Avery's First Swim

We went out to the lake this weekend for a nice relaxing get away and to try out my dad's new boat. Let me just say, it's awesome!

I tried out water skiing for the first time. Can you believe I have gone almost 25 years now and never water skied?! Anyhoo, it is a lot of fun and I am going to brag and tell you that I got up on the first try! lol

Avery also got to go swimming. She and Annie have matching swim suits that Stori gave them. They are adorable.Dad and I went out early Saturday morning for a photo shoot on the lake. Here are a few of my favorites that will be on my website ASAP:

Big Girl Chair

Well, not quite yet...

Avery's bouncy chair, discussed in my previous post, is a bit stretched out and she is getting a little too big for it :( , so I decided to spring for this chair.
I love it! It reclines for babies and then has an inbetween setting for bigger babies and then converts to a chair for toddlers. It can also either rock or be stationary.

Here, it is set for infants.
Admiring the toys:

I think it's a winner!

Mommies Group

Stori invited me and a few other moms over yesterday for the first, of what I know will be many, mommies groups. Avery was the oldest baby there, being 4 months, and Isla was the youngest at almost 8 weeks. Isla and Nathan were there but there were two other babies, Vincent and Maete Valentina that Avery got to meet and moms that I got to know. They were very nice. I can't wait to get back together with them. Next time, we plan to take the kiddos to the pool :)

Avery and Me:
Stori and Isla:
Elysha chatting away... lol:
Maete and her mom, Chiara:
Vincent and his mom, Bella:
Nathan sleeping like an angel:

Rice Cereal

Our first attempt at feeding Avery with a spoon some rice cereal.... Lets just say, it was a MESS!

Tasting...

Really, Mom... this is gross!

Get me out of this chair!

Now, there's a happy face!

Back At It...

It's been 4 months... 4 months too long since my sewing machine was out.

Now that Avery can sit for a decent amount of time and entertain herself I thought I should get my quilt back out that I started back in January while we waited for her arrival.

I'm taking it one stitch at a time. Some days I get one stitch done, others I can get a whole square done during nap times.

I've decided to make this quilt her "big-girl" bedding for the day that comes... which will come way too soon, I know.

I love it so far and I can't wait to see it completed.

So True

I saw this today... Sad, but true:

"If "CON" is the opposite of "PRO", what is the opposite of PROGRESS?"

Butterfly Kisses

I caught this butterfly in the grass tonight. I was so impressed that he was sitting so pretty for me, but when I looked back at the pictures, I noticed his wing was broken. Poor thing. I got some great shots of him though!

Playdates

Thursday was a playdate with Isla and Friday was with Nathan. Unfortunately Elysha and I didnt take any pictures... oops.

4 Months

Avery is 4 months old today! GEEZ!
She is getting so big! I feel like I say that all the time, but it's so true.
She is now 26 inches long and right at 15 lbs. This puts her in the 90th percentile for height and 75th for weight.
We have her check up on Monday so we will get her official measurements, but I wanted to do them today since it's her actual birthday.
Her personality is really developing, too. She loves to let out loud screams just to hear her own voice, then giggles, thinking it's hilarious that she can scream that loud.
She's really getting into her toys. Her current favorites are her Links and Leap Frog Caterpillar. She will entertain herself in her Baby Einstein Entertainer for long stretches of time now. It's wonderful!
I know it sounds early but she recognizes and loves her "blanky." She grabs at it while its hanging on the rocking chair and fusses till i put it on her during nap time. I love that she is recognizing things so much now!
Yes, my 4 month old child has long enough hair for a ponytail! I never know what to do with her hair cuz it's short on the sides since she lost it early on and long on top. She had a Mohawk after I took out the ponytail, lol. Also, you may be wondering where I got a child with strawberry blonde hair... your guess is as good as mine! I think its so pretty though. In the sunlight she has lots of blonde highlights.
She can sit up now, but she needs help with her balance. I think she will be sitting on her own very soon. Rolling over should be soon, too. She's done it a few times, but not consistently. She loves to stand and prefers that to sitting, but it wears my arms out!
I love my growing baby. It is the most fun I have ever had, watching her grow and change every day.