Sack-o-Potatoes

This is Brian's sack-o-potatoes (Avery). He does this with her sometimes when he takes her to bed and she thinks it's great! (Which is sort of surprising to be honest, because I don't think it's very comfortable!) She also likes it when he does the "Avery Hat," which is the same thing but on top of his head!

By the way, this is proof of Avery rolling over by herself in the crib. Here she fell asleep like that while I took a shower.

Sneaky, Sneaky

Avery rolled onto her belly when she woke up from her nap today. I walked in and found her that way! I decided to let her be even though she was fussing a little. Next time I walked in, she was back again! Sneaky little girl-- deciding she can roll when mom isn't looking!

Progressing!

I am happy to report that Avery rolled from tummy to back for the first time all on her own yesterday! She's really close to going the other way around, too. At over 6.5 months olds, she's a little behind, but we're very persistent practicing every day. She likes for me to demonstrate to her and we'll roll together on the bed (like as one unit). She laughs! Of course I'm careful not to crush her. She also likes to do front rolls and back rolls on the bed (like summer saults). Oh, by the way, as far as her sleeping goes, we're trying to get her down by 9:30 p.m. Yet, regardless of the time we get her down, she's been consistent about waking up at 10:30 pm, 2 am, 6:30 and 9-ish. At least she's sleeping more than 3 hours at a time! I've forgotten what it's like to sleep all the way through the night! No worries, though.

Here's Five

I tried a new hair do today! Amazing! I'm devoting a whole post to this because I'm usually not too adventurous when it comes to my hair. I really love this loose/natural look and my hair is the perfect length for this one right now. I just twisted and pinned it up in the back; really simple. I'm always afraid to try this look because I feel like everything will just start coming down since I didn't pin it tight and it will be a disaster. I'm glad I took my chances. :) Next step is to dabble with some make-up. I'm not much of a make-up person, but I have to admit that it makes me feel nicer when I use it (not so casual all the time). I'll use it more when I find a few good eye and lip colors I like and a foundation that's nice and light on the skin and, of course, when I have the money to get these things. Until then, here's five pics of the new do:

Happiness

Despite us both feeling miserable this morning (Dad's gone and we're both sick/teething; I guess we just can't handle his absence!), we made it through the day after all! Although it was a struggle to take care of us both, I'm happy to say we're both feeling better from this morning. I'm proud of my baby for being in good spirits whenever her pain subsided; it helped me get through my sickness, too. This evening as we played together before bed, I felt a close friendship with my little girl that I hadn't noticed before. Even at this young age, and with respect to our roles one to another, I felt like she was just one of my buddies and we were having a fun girl's night together. Crazy, huh!

As a result from this good-spirited night, I'd like to share with you a list I started two years ago and will always be adding to it. It's a list of the things I like. I hope it makes you think of all the wonderful things in your life that you like.

I like…

1. When my hair has pretty ringlets.
2. Coming home after a long trip.
3. Quietly enjoying nature.
4. Bowling over 100.
5. Satisfying a craving.
6. Laughing and being silly with my husband.
7. When my husband acts all cute and innocent.
8. Finding great deals.
9. Saving money on something I buy.
10. Having clean hands.
11. To flirt with my husband.
12. When gas prices go down.
13. Getting good gas mileage.
14. Shopping at Ross.
15. Looking at my pictures.
16. Enjoying quality ice cream.
17. European chocolate.
18. A long massage.
19. Long shirts.
20. Tennis Shoes.
21. Sunglasses with a gradient lens.
22. The feeling after cleaning the house.
23. Having a really good lindy connection.
24. Being a follow.
25. Great dance frame.
26. Yummy smoothies.
27. Dressing up and looking really pretty.
28. Fresh pineapple and navel oranges.
29. Grapes and berries.
30. Alone time.
31. Taking a walk with my husband.
32. Taking a bike ride in great weather.
33. California neighborhoods.
34. Real Virgin Pinacoladas
35. Going to a restaurant.
36. Having plenty of time to make a meal.
37. Baking goodies.
38. Being by a pool, palm trees and a resort at twilight.
39. Visiting a big city… especially near water.
40. Chicken.
41. Indian food (you know, from India).
42. Making my husband smile.
43. Being funny and entertaining.
44. Salsa dancing.
45. Having a productive day.
46. Getting organized.
47. Critiquing design.
48. Working with details.
49. Being a leader.
50. Doing back dives.
51. Healthy cereal.
52. Being “in-the-know.”
53. Being ahead and on top of things.
54. Magnolia flowers.
55. Eating smores at a campfire.
56. Changing the gears on a 4-wheeler.
57. The thought of growing a garden and berries and fruit trees.
58. Snowboarding downhill fast but in control; it’s exhilarating!
59. The thought of being able to carve better someday on my snowboard.
60. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
61. A deep, rich red color.
62. Thinking of the house I’ll have someday and the kind of decorating I’ll do.
63. Getting excited for HALLOWEEN!
64. Stepping into the warm sun after being in a cold building.
65. Petting and playing with cute dogs (small or medium sized).
66. Eating a great watermelon in the summertime.
67. Playing ultimate Frisbee and being involved.
68. Having hair ties on my wrist, ready for me to use.
69. The feeling AFTER I exercise.
70. Being put to use when I visit someone’s house.
71. Hondas.
72. Being young.
73. Getting a nice tan.
74. Feeling alive.
75. Sunday afternoons with nothing to do.
76. When my husband compliments me (of course!).
77. Being in control of my finances.
78. Being understood.
79. Understanding others and concepts.
80. When people talk good about me behind my back.
81. Being enlightened in class or at church.
82. Ordering pizza after being on the lake.
83. Pizza Hut Pan Pizza
84. Mountain Biking downhill (at a moderate level).
85. Crisp, autumn air.
86. Tennessee fall colors.
87. Cuddling in bed.
88. Laughing and kissing before bedtime.
89. Feeling nice and warm under the covers.
90. A good SQUEEZE from my husband.
91. Having a clean house.
92. Straightening up and putting things away.
93. Feeling comfortable around new friends.
94. Talking to my mom on the phone.
95. Laura’s jokes- she’s so funny.
96. Sleeping in.
97. Feeling awake in the morning.
98. Rice pudding and German pancakes.
99. Thai food (especially the curry).
100. Playing Badmitton.
101. Teaching dance.
102. Going crazy / letting out all my excitement.
103. “Being a Bonnie”
104. Cheesecake
105. Being naturally good at something (especially something new).
106. Learning something new.
107. Filling a room with sunlight.
108. Being so happy to see my husband at the end of the day.
109. Bean burritos.
110. Festive decorations.
111. Jordan Almonds
112. Playing with my happy, baby girl.
113. Talking to Brian on the phone when he's away.
114. 
     

Lips

Avery's always had a fascination with me buzzing my lips (I think all babies like it). It didn't take her very long to try it on her own. Now she does it without even thinking about it. I get quite a kick out of it. :) She loves to try copying all my actions. (That's how the milk jug thing got started; you'll see in the video.)

Lately, she's also had a thing for sticking out her tongue (why is everything babies do just so darn funny?). Oh, I also think she's quite a genius for figuring out a way to let me know she wants rice cereal; she smacks her lips and moves her jaw as if chewing. She should publish her own book of baby sign language. :P

Somebody Save me

Little girl had quite a night. And so did we. Usually she goes to bed fine if she's tired. Not so last night. She's rubbing her eyes and we try to put her down. Nope, she cries, so we make sure she's been fully taken care of (you know, the works).

Put her down again. And again. Still much rubbing of eyes and crying. This time we don't pick her up. Now her nose is running like crazy, she's made a pool of tears, and she starts to cough/choke from her drainage. Mom saves her (that choking sound is enough to make any mom jump). She must be teething or getting sick. Out comes the tylenol and the thermometer. Temperature fine, but down goes the drugs anyhow.

Asleep at last!! .... for 30 minutes? Up every half hour for the next couple hours. At 2 a.m. Dad helps mom put on the teething cream. She seems happy with it, but still sobs in bed. She must hate her snot draining back in her throat. That's it... she needs an incline... to the bouncer for bed! She still cries, but falls asleep promptly. Poor baby.

Asleep until 6 a.m., not bad. I think I fed her then back in the bouncer to bed. I notice she's still coughing and has been doing so for a couple days now, actually. Her nose is uncontrollably runny and I have a feeling it's not just because of her crying. Oh boy. A sick, teething baby? Well, she's not too sick, YET. I sure hope we can help her out better tomorrow night. Somebody save me!