Avery's Christmas List

All I want for Christmas is...(interpretation provided by Mom and Dad).

1. My first tooth.

2. To Sit up without falling over. I do not enjoy toppling over.

3. That Lady Gaga thing to go away. I'm not sure what it is but it scares me, plus I'm the one whose vocab contains "ga ga."

4. To spend an evening watching action movies with Daddy. (Check)

5. Candy canes. Mom took away the first one I got a hold of. Actually, I'd like any food that's not been blended.

6. For Mom and Dad to get my exersaucer out of the box...they've been talking about it for weeks now!

7. I would like to grab Stormie's tail. She's my cat and she's fluffy.

8. L.A.M.B hoodie by Gwen Stefani. Mom says she's really stylish. Not sure if my size is available.

9. Snow

10. To spend Christmas with all my Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends.

Ain't no party like a half-year party... Avery is 6 months old!

Last Thursday Avery celebrated her half-year birthday! This is such a fun time for all of us. For those of you that don't get to see Avery very often, she is a very content, relaxed little girl. She is giggling, babbling up a storm and she LOVES fashion. It's really quite comical actually. She loves shoes, hats and bows. When I put them on her, it's as though she just KNOWS she's the little style-ista. In other news, she loves to put her feet in her mouth...

Here is Avery and her "smise" (this is in reference to a term coined by Tyra Banks - for those that know, "smise" is smiling with your eyes)...

Avery has started fake "coughing." Some of the girls in her little daycare have starting communicated with one another by fake coughing to get each others attention. Donna fake "coughs" back and they crack up. Avery also has learned how to hold her bottle by her self...

Last Friday Avery went to her 6 month well visit with Dr. Ryan. She is developmentally right where she needs to be. Dr. Ryan feels sure she will be sitting up on her own very soon, which is hard to believe! Avery is in the 10th percentile for babies her age, so she is very much on the petite side. I already feel like she is getting very heavy, so I can't imagine being one of those moms that is carrying around a 20-lb 6-month old - ha!

Friday night we celebrated her half-birthday with cupcakes from our favorite local bakery. Avery was in a fabulous mood for her celebration... I informed her that one day in the future she would be sure to enjoy cupcakes as much as I do!

Speaking of sweets, I thought it would be cute to get a picture of Avery with a candy cane. I gave it to her, turned to get the camera and within .2 seconds she had peeled back the wrapper and stuck the end of it in her mouth. Pretty sure I would be put in the "bad mom" category in some guide-to-motherhood book. But Avery's face tasting the sweet peppermint was PRICELESS!

xoxo~

Kate

Get in the spirit!

Aaahhh, it's that time of year. This past Friday night we went to the Christmas Tree Farm to pick out our Christmas Tree. Avery loved looking at all the lights as it slowly got dark around us while we were there. After my annual Christmas Tree negotiating ritual (I'm not satistfied until I get the tree I want at the price I want), a very nice young man loaded it up and were on our way home with a nice tall, slightly thinner version of last year's tree.

Each and every year I look forward to decorating for the holidays. I love to play Christmas music, drink spiced cider and make comfort food while we take out time getting everything out of the attic, unpackaged and put up around the house. There is just something so comforting to me about unwrapping each of our ornaments and finding the perfect spot for them on the tree! There is also nothing better than the fragrance of pine when you bring the fresh tree in the house.

The cats always get the crazies when we bring in the tree... they resort back to their wilder days living on the streetz. Jack Bauer cat has punching matches with the lower branches. When he bats at them they bounce back and he jumps up with all four feet off the ground. Stormie is more enthralled with the tree skirt. It's insta-fun for a kitty that loves to run and slide all over the place. When she gets scared watching "Jack Vs. The Tree" she does this running in place thing where all feet are moving, but she's not going anywhere. They certainly offer another source of entertainment for Jeff and I... Avery also cracks up watching the cats and their antics.

Ever since Avery joined us, we have started to do everything at a quicker pace. We rush through the grocery store or running an errand... I get ready faster, I eat faster. But, the one thing I found that I absolutely cannot speed up is the Christmas decorating. I like to savor each and every moment of it. Jeff and I really took our time getting up the lights, the wreath, the tree... all of our little holiday odds and ends. OK, it actually took the whole darn weekend (If you've seen our place, IT'S NOT THAT BIG!). I like to think we were savoring it all, but it was probably because we just have a lot more time that ends up being spent with Avery playing and laughing between each task.

Another landmark event this weekend was that Avery tried her very first rice cereal at our Saturday brunch. She loved it, and kept diving in for every bite. She also opened her very first ornament from Jeff and I - a glittery gold owl ornament that I bought because it reminded me of her owl-themed nursery (she also has big ol' eyes like an owl).

I feel quite certain next year's Christmas will be 100x more crazy with a toddler getting into everything, so we are enjoying this year's holiday season with that in mind. This is always the time of year when I reflect on family and on God's love, and how blessed we are to have one another. It truly is "the most wonderful time of the year!" but I wish I took the time to reflect like this more often!

Hope you all have taken the time to embrace the holiday season... it's certainly upon us!

Lots of love.

xoxo~

Kate

First Thanksgiving, First sickness, First word?

The White Family had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration. We started the fun last Tuesday evening when MIL and FIL came to Charlotte, (otherwise known as Jeff's parents Doug and Bev... or to Avery as "Grandpa" and "Grandma" - until she makes up names for them herself). They were able to stay through the Thanksgiving weekend, which was a nice long visit!

Grandma White hangs out with Avery on Thanksgiving

Avery got to sit at the table with us for the big meal

Grandpa does "This little piggy" with Avery

Avery attacking Jack, the cat - "petting" is more like "grabbing" at this point

(Jack was surprisingly calm and collected)

Our gal Avery woke up on Thanksgiving NOT giving thanks for her very first cold. She was a sniffly and a bit congested, but still in a pretty great mood overall. She was wonderful on Friday and Saturday too, making it through a big visit on Saturday with Aunt Jeanne, Uncle Ellison and her cousins Brooks, Ford and Mary Ellison followed by big fun with Chad and Adrienne.

This great mood lasted until Sunday morning when she woke up crying and was NOT a happy camper all day. She looked up at me on Sunday evening and said "mamama" in this sad little voice. It very apparent she needed extra cuddles from her mama. After a complete day of her not being herself at all, we made a decision to take her to the Pediatrician Monday morning. Avery's cold had developed into a double ear infection! No wonder she was being so moody!

Here is Avery feeling slightly better after receiving her ear drops...

And being the tough girl she is, she continues to push through. We think she is definitely working on cutting teeth, so it's been a bit of a rough week, but we are making it through just fine.

"Nothing new here... I love the chew on everything"

"Look at me - I may be sick, but I can grab my feet!" - Avery, almost 6 months

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day...

Avery insisted on telling everyone what she is thankful for... so here she is giving thanks!

And a couple more photos in recent weeks...

Avery LOVES her playmat more and more... she showed off her "roll-over" for Grandpa and Grandma White last night.

Avery feels like such a big girl in her highchair - she can't wait to eat "real" food soon!

Jeff went to Elon a couple weekends ago and brought back an Elon phoenix friend that we named Christian (in honor of the old Elon mascot, the "Fighting Christians")

Love to all! We are so thankful for each and every one of you!

xoxo~

Kate, Jeff and Avery

Avery is 5 months old!

What a wonderful 5 months it has been! Avery started off her 5 month b-day by reading her favorite cloth book "Who do you see?"...

She was very surprised by who she saw apparently...

She spent the day with Donna and the gals and 'Daddy' picked her up after work. We played and laughed this evening until time for bath & bed!

I also wanted to share a picture of Jeff and his little Bears fan from this past weekend... too bad Avery's cuteness in her new Bears tee couldn't help them win the game on Sunday.

Avery didn't seem too bothered by the loss (probably because she's actually a Panthers fan) as she hung out in her swing making scrunch-nosed smiles and even doing 'lizard tongue' for your viewing pleasure...

Happy 5 month B-day kiddo!

xoxo~

Kate

Mini-Mart

This past weekend the White family visited Norfolk, VA. We saw Erin and Martin and also got to meet the incredibly cute baby Parker. He is a very good baby - he is very calm, he is a great sleeper (4 hour stretches at night already - oh yea!) and he is a good little eater. He has been named "Mini-Mart" by Aunt Megan because of his striking resemblance to his Daddy (save the lips that are ALL Mommy). Erin and Martin are doing an absolutely fabulous job! It was so much fun seeing them in their new roles as parents... it made me so proud!

Avery meets her cousin Parker

We also got to spend lots of quality time with my mom and dad, aka "Grammy" and "Grandpa." Avery got to show off how she likes to practice standing and also put on quite the cooing show Saturday night pulling out all sorts of new sounds from her bag of tricks. It was pretty cute if I do say so myself!

Avery and Parker with Grammy and Grandpa Bricker

Halloween was fun - we had a good size group of Martin's family over and we had lots of trick-or-treaters. We had many fun treats to celebrate - two thumbs up to Anne's apple slices dipped in caramel/mashmellow gooiness!!! It was also unseasonably warm, so Avery wanted to get out of her cat suit soon after we got her in it... but we did manage to snaps some shots before!

Family pic from Halloween

xoxo~

Trick or Treat?

We'll just go ahead and assume you will think this is a 'treat'... here are some pictures of Avery trying on her black cat costume she will wear for Halloween.

Have a purr-fect Halloween (sorry I couldn't resist!)

Meowwww!

Baby Parker!

Introducing Baby Parker!

Isn't he just the cutest? Looks just like Martin to us, but with Erin's lips! Such a handsome combination...

Proud Daddy showing off his little guy...

Proud Mama taking her baby boy home...

Erin, Martin and Parker arrived home from the hospital on Friday, October 23rd in the late afternoon. They are doing well, and have plenty of loving family surrounding them to help.

Jeff, Avery and I will be heading to Norfolk on Thursday to meet Parker and visit with family. We can't wait!

xoxo~

Kate

Welcome Martin Parker Zarate!

Avery's new cousin has arrived! Our family welcomed the newest little member early this morning - Martin Parker - who, like his daddy will go by his middle name. Erin and Martin had expected a scheduled c-section this coming Friday because the baby was breech, but alas Parker decided to make it interesting. Erin's water broke around midnight last night, and she was in for a c-section by about 4:30 am this morning.

Parker weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz and from what his parents say he is quite the calm and peaceful baby. He's a good eater and a professional sleeper... I'm sure he's having a blast getting to know his loving parents who are finally able to shower him with kisses! New mama is feeling good and enjoying her quality time with her favorite two guys in the hospital for a couple days.

Congratulations to Erin and Martin on perfect little Parker. We love you all and can't wait to meet Parker next weekend!

We will post some pics soon...

xoxo~

Our 'lil pumpkin

This past weekend we went out in the chilly fall weather to pick out our pumpkins. After considering VERY carefully, Avery picked out her favorite little pumpkin. She has a very discerning eye, and picked quite a lovely little round one, that was just perfect!

Jeff also found an Arnold Schwarzenegger pumpkin... unfortunately you can't tell how huge it is, because we didn't put a hand, a foot or Avery next to it for a size comparison. But, I can assure you this thing was MASSIVE!

This past weekend we also received a visit from our friend Amanda and her new fiance Chris. We are so happy for them on their recent engagement, and can't wait to hear more about the wedding to come. First things first - they start the trek across the country (eventually settling in Portland, OR) in the next couple months. Good luck guys! Keep us posted on all your travels and adventures - especially the stop at "Carhenge" in Nebraska. We've heard it's quite the sight to see.

xoxo~

Avery is 4 months old!

Happy 4 month b-day Avery!

On October 14th, Avery went to Dr. Ryan for her 4 month check up. She is up to 11 lbs 11 oz., which I know doesn't sound that big for a baby that was born at 8 lbs 5 oz., but she has started to gain much more steadily and is in the 25th percentile. I had been worried about it, but the doc assured me this was just fine! She is 24 1/4 inches tall, which is in the 50th percentile. She is also doing great developmentally - right where she should be! Avery is staying on her same little diet - milk, milk, milk and some supplemental formula during the day. Dr. Ryan has encouraged us to wait until 6 months to start on cereal and other solid foods. Avery also got two shots! Thankfully she did much better this time around and didn't have the same irritable reaction. She has been in a great mood the last two evenings.

Getting kisses from Daddy

Jeff and I have found ourselves enamored with Avery's personality as she exposes it more and more. She loves music and singing and thinks it's hilarious when Jeff sings the "stinky, stinky, stinky" song. Av also really loves to stand up and when she stands on my lap she enjoys my "dance, dance, dance" song (aren't Jeff and I quite the lyricists?). In fact, Avery likes to stand so much that once we get her standing up against the couch, on the bed or on our laps... well, she doesn't want to sit or lay down. She only wants to stand with us hanging on to her. As my friend Caroline said, "this kid does not bend." I guess she just likes feeling like a big girl.

Modeling her new boots

We also tried Avery in her Bumbo chair... and she thinks she's pretty hot stuff when she sits in it! Not only is it fun to see her slight little wobble wobble while she's in it, but she is working on strengthening her neck, shoulders, back and core. Like her own little pilates workout :)

Bumbo fun!

Our growing gal is all about playtime now... she picks toys up, holds onto them for much longer and is sticking everything in her mouth. It's been fun introducing new toys and seeing how she reacts. She got so pooped from her playtime last weekend, she just took a nap in the middle of her playmat with her thumb in her mouth. Yes, we have a thumb-sucker! We will break that habit when the time comes, but for now it's great she is a self-soother.

Avery snoozing on her playmat

Don't worry, Jeff and I won't try and make a living out of our song-writing, and hopefully Avery's music choices down the road will NOT reflect the weird songs we make up to keep her entertained. "Stinky, stinky stinky" and "dance, dance, dance" will only be top 10 hits in the White household for now...

Celebrate good times, come on!

Well, it's a busy week full of lots of celebrations! Jeff celebrated his 31st bday on Wednesday, October 7th. We went out with some friends to grab drinks and dinner. Thanks to those that came out to join us!

I also used Jeff's birthday as an excuse to buy "one of each" at Amelie's french bakery... the chocolate eclair, the chocolate torte, several of the fruit tartes... and the list goes on and on. Apparently the sugary cravings have NOT disappeared post-pregnancy. Yikes.

This weekend, we will be celebrating with our friends Brian and Hillary who are tying the knot here in Charlotte. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! We will be sure to post some pictures of the fun.

Congratulations Brian and Hill! We love you guys!

And to continue our week of celebrations, Avery turns 4 months old tomorrow! She has grown up so much, and continues to change each day. She has her 4 month check up with the pediatrician next week - we are curious to see how her weight and height stack up.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend... we will be out celebrating! Happy Fall!

xoxo~

Kate

Welcome Eleanor Marie!

We just wanted to send out our congratulations to our wonderful friends Kent and Kirsten Wyatt on the birth of their little girl, Eleanor Marie! We feel certain Avery and 'Elle' will be kindred spirits, and cause lots of trouble in years to come.

Welcome to the world beautiful little Elle! We can't wait to meet you... you are a lucky little girl to have parents as fabulous as the "K-Dubs."

Hope you are all doing well.

xoxo~
Kate, Jeff and Avery

Kickin' it

Avery is discovering how strong she is, and really likes to kick.

She's even learning how to aim her kicks... here she shows you her "mad skills":

The kicking gets especially crazy when she is in her bath, and she makes a royal mess getting water all over the place. I think she will have to take baths in the real bathtub instead of her baby bathtub very soon.

In other news, Avery like to practice "flying"...

practice standing...

... and she finally got to start taking walks riding in the baby jogger

(thanks Aunt Jeanne!)

Stay tuned for more fun times with Avery! :)

xoxo~

Kate