Where did January go, anyway?

We now understand why a baby's age in calculated in weeks and/or months. The changes that occur in weekly increments are monumental. If we would have written this post, say, a week ago (when our moms probably would have liked us to have) we would have had a totally different spin on things!

We have been very busy (who hasn't?) lately, so we wanted to send you some updates. Tooth #2 has made it's way through! Avery was a drool-machine and we knew it was coming... but it has finally arrived! She has now tried many new tastes such as strawberries, pears with cinnamon and green beans - which she gobbled up with delight! She loves green beans like her Mommy!

Other January highlights & accomplishments include:

1/16/2010 - Avery had her first official (non-family member or daycare) babysitter when we went out on date night to Del Frisco's. Alyssa came over to play with Avery and the two had such fun singing, reading and playing together. We enjoyed being out and catching up sans bebe, and enjoyed some phenomenal food.

1/17/2010 - The next day the White family went to a Charlotte Checkers hockey game. Avery watched the game intently and was very well-behaved. When the Checkers scored their first goal, the music blared, the fans stomped and everyone screamed the "na-na-na-na-na-HEY!" song. Avery jumped and then grinned from ear to ear - she loved it!

1/18/2010 - Avery has begun drinking out of a sippy cup at meals. Sometimes she just tips her head back and lets up hold the cup. Other times she tries desperately to get it to her mouth and tipped herself, which usually results in it ending up wedged between her and the highchair. Regardless, she looks like such a big girl with a sippy cup!

1/22/2010 - Our latest appointment with Dr. Amy Ryan at Eastover Pediatrics discovered ANOTHER - her third - ear infection! We caught it early because we were going in anyways, but we had to put her back on another antibiotic. We go back in 4 weeks to get her ears checked again and are hoping this is not a chronic problem (which would result in Avery having to get "tubes" put in her ears). Perk of being on antibiotic: plenty of "bare-bottom" time!

1/23/2010 - Avery and Mommy went to an infant massage class where Mommy got to learn some relaxing techniques for babies. Avery as much more interested in trying to grab baby Van's hand the entire time since he was laying near her on the blanket. She was just enamored with him!

Jeremy and Cassie came to visit last weekend and met Avery for the first time. Avery loved having Cassie read to her, and enjoyed laughing at Jeremy (We think because of his facial hair, but can't be for sure.)

1/27/2010 - Avery loves her baths in the big bathtub, and now spends most of the time chasing down rubber ducky and trying to eat him. We call it the "duck hunt." She getting very good at it, and we usually just have to hold on to her tight so she doesn't go diving face first into the side of the tub.

1/27/2010 - This past Wednesday night when we put Avery down for bed she flipped over and fell asleep on her tummy. This is the first time she had done this at bedtime, so we were so worried (they scare you to death with all the SIDS talk) so we took trips several times into the nursery to make sure she was ok. She was JUST FINE, and had actually flipped back to her back sometime in the night.

1/30/2010 - Avery has learned to roll everywhere she needs to go. She rolled across the room about 5 feet this morning. She started out playing with her toys in one spot and ended up moments later all the way over to the computer chair. Time are a changin.' She's definitely found out how to be more mobile! Yikes, guess we really need to get on that "baby proofin'."

Avery also has mastered the "compass," where she can spin in a circle pulling herself with her arms. Typically Jack the cat is always at North, as she likes to look at him at all times. She also can scoot herself backwards to get places - like backed into a corner or under the coffee table. Another favorite activity is standing...

1/30/2010 - Avery woke up to her first snowfall this morning! OK, it was a very, very light dusting but it was exciting nonetheless! We used the snow and icy roads as the perfect excuse to wear pj's all day and relax!

Things that make us go 'nerd'...

Aside from our near obsession with our beautiful daughter, there are two very excited things coming up that we are getting giddy about. The first thing is the return of LOST on February 2nd. This is the last season, and since there are many (actually too many) questions that need to be answered, we have come up with our top 10 AMBA (absolutely must be answered) list.

Dear Mr. Lindelof & Mr. Cuse, we beg of you... please answer these very important Q's:

(1) What is the significance of the numbers?

(2) What is the smoke monster?

(3) Why are Benjamin Linus & Charles Widmore fighting?

(4) Who is Jacob?

(5) What happened to the people/children taken by the Others?

(6) Is Christian Shepard (Jack’s dad) alive or is he a ghost?

(7) Why was Claire's baby Aaron so important?

(8) Is Libby good or bad?

(9) Why doesn’t Richard Alpert age? Who is he?

(10) Who will make it off the island?

The other thing that we are pretty pumped about is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening this spring at Universal Studios Orlando. We have to admit he mere thought of starting a day wandering through Hogwarts School of wizardry followed by a lovely trip to Hogmeade Village has us grinning from ear to ear. We each want our own wand to choose us at Ollivander's (we won't even pretend they are for Avery) and we will finish the day sipping butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

Here is a sneak peek at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-preview.htm

And, yes, we realize we can never make fun of our friends that are 'twilight' fans again. Well, maybe just once more:Jeff says that sparkly vampires that play baseball are lame.

Avery is 7 months old!

Lots and lots of milestones in Avery's 7th month... trying all sorts of new tastes like sweet potato (likes), peas (does not like), avocado (LOVES), squash (HATED her first experience, but has come to like a bit better). For her 7-month birthday we started out with blueberries in her rice cereal for breakfast and had a yummy lunch of potatoes with broccoli. Here is Avery with remnants of breakfast all over her face...

It's been fun experienting with the different tastes and textures, and Avery provides us with hilarious faces during each new experience. Sometimes she just holds the food on her tongue and sticks it waaay out so the food just drops off her tongue and onto her bib. Best invention ever: the plastic wipe-away bib! The one from Pottery Barn that we got from 'LaLa' (Adrienne's mom) is our favorite, because not only is it easy to clean, it also matches the Bumbo seat where Avery typically eats her lunch at home. Fashion matters! ;)

I am batch-cooking lots of different veggies for Avery, and love my new Babycook steamer and food processor from Grandma White! It goes great with my favorite baby cookbook, "First Meals" from Grandma Bricker. The main container both steams and purees; it's quick and efficient. Plus, the veggies just look so pretty once they are pureed... my favorites so far are the butternut squash and the potatoes with broccoli.

Avery is rolling over like crazy, but she gets really frustrated on her tummy, because she is just dying to get movin.' We know it will happen soon enough, but for now she ends up on her tummy kind of pushing herself forward and backward trying to tuck the knees up and under her body. She can turn herself on her belly to reach and grab all of her toys on her mat, and then when she gets bored of that she starts grunting and whining for someone to help her get out of her tummy situation. I remind her each time that I am not that one that put her in that position, that she got into it herself.

As I mentioned, on New Year's Day we discovered Avery's first tooth coming through. It is apparent now that the second tooth is right behind - another source of frustration for our little gal. She's taking any pain she may be experiencing like a little trooper, and really only seems to get fussy in the evenings for a bit. Baby Tylenol has done the trick so far! We've tried teething toys, but really, I think she just prefers chewing on her hands. Those little teeth are SHARP though. I think if it were me I'd prefer a teething toy. (Luckily I won't be getting any new teeth any time soon).

Here is Avery's latest vid playing in her exersaucer. Along with repetitive music from her baby boombox, you can also hear Jeff sweeping the floors and whistling in the background. :)

Happy 7-month birthday Avery (also now known as "Spike" due to her fine little blonde hairs sticking straight up on her head)! You continue to remind us what a true blessing being a parent is, and we love you more than words can say!

TV Shows I've Enjoyed from 2000-2009

I'm a little late with this but wanted to give you my version of the "Best of TV" from the past 10 years. I'll start off with the television shows then move on to movies. Thanks to Netflix on Hulu.com you can check some of these out. The list is not in alphabetical order and some of these shows are long gone. I'll bold the ones still on the air.

1. Survivor: The Reality TV King, memorable characters, awesome host and ton of unwelcomed nudity...Fun fact: Has never won an Emmy.

2. Scrubs : I never understood the appeal until I tuned in a few seasons ago. Hilarious show, great cast, funny dream sequences and touching moments. Even the new season is good. Doctor Cox has some of the funniest lines on all of television.

3. Fastlane: A 1 and done undercover cop program on Fox. Starred Bill Belamy and the guy who married Kelly Taylor from 90210 (Jennie Garth). Oh and Kelly Kapowski was on it!

4. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: 4 misfits own a bar, do stupid and completely inappropriate things, hilarity ensues. Not for anyone who is easily offended. Plus, Danny Devito drunk.

5. Deadwood: A profane look at the "Wild" West during the gold rush. Seriously, PROFANE, you've been warned. Brilliant story telling about a good sheriff and a money hungry bar owner. By the way, don't let my warning fool you, the writing is outstanding. Fun Fact: I have a man crush on Timothy Olyphant.

6. Dexter: I watched 5 minutes of this show and was completely hooked. Dexter is a forensics analyst for the Miami police department, he also has a very dark side or dark passenger as he calls it. See, Dexter is also a serial killer. I tell everyone to watch this show because the story telling is top notch, the characters are believable and because Michael C. Hall is so creepy I don't know if I'll ever look at him as anyone other than Dexter Morgan. I don't know if I want my Mom or Mother in Law watching because of the language and violence but it really is an outstanding show. This is their warning. Fun Fact: I've been known to telling people my name is Dexter Morgan.

7. Entourage: 4 guys living the high life in Hollywood. A fun behind the scenes type look at movie making. The real star of the show is Ari Gold, Vince's agent, played by Jeremy Piven. Loosely based on Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg's life breaking into Hollywood.

8. Lost: My guess is many of you haven't watched this show and it would be extremely difficult to start now (the final season starts in a month). It's a huge cast, with a ton of theories on what is going on and not a ton of answers provided, yet. Well worth dissecting all the literal, pop cultural and philosophical references that are mentioned in each episode.

9. Greek: A program about Fraternity and Sorority life in a fictitious Ohio college. A very funny cast and writing that sometimes out performs the best comedies on television. Great pop culture references, guest appearances and characters named Cappie, Beaver and Spitter. I had flashbacks to my KA days the moment the first episode began. Fun Fact: Kent Wyatt (See The Wyatt's blog on the right side of the page) was my pledge Dad.

10. Burn Notice: The coolest spy this side of the Atlantic (Bond, James you get everywhere else), who is trying to find out who "burned" him. Being "burned" means the spy is cut off from the government he worked for and left to survive on his own. Thankfully that was in Miami, FL. Michael Westen has to figure out why while helping out local citizens with their issues. The awesome Bruce Campbell is also on the show.

11. Smallville: I'm a huge Batman fan but this retelling of Clark Kent aka Superman is pretty darn good. Basically it's Superman the High School years before eventually moving on to the Newspaper reporter years. The scene stealer goes to Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) who you want to root for to be a good guy and be a good friend to Clark. We all know that doesn't happen.

12. Supernatural: I remember hearing a lot about this show before tuning in about how it was a cool concept (hunting supernatural monsters/demons, etc), two likable characters (Sam and Dean) and some fun story telling (pop culture references mixed with a ton of supernatural mythology). Excellent old school rock music soundtrack. Probably not going to be watched by many of you but well worth it (TNT runs reruns right now). Fun Fact: I plan on owning the 67 Chevy Impala (or Impaler in my Jersey accent) featured in the show.

13. One Tree Hill: A show I continue to question why I still watch, especially when two of the original characters (one of the main storyline protagonists) are no longer on it, one of which I really liked (and most hated), Chad Michael Murray aka Lucas. Breakdown: Two brothers, two mothers, one father, a ton of drama and Sophia Bush. The show was so well done the first season it was inevitable it couldn't keep it up. I'm not quite sure what the heck is going on right now. Fun Fact: My friends Haley/Grey Kinlaw stalk the cast as the show is filmed in their city of Wilmington, NC.

14. Arrested Development: I remember not wanting to watch this because I thought it was a "smart" comedy, kind of like Seinfeld or Fraser. You know, intellectual jokes and snottie characters. I was completely wrong about AD. I think this is the funniest show of the past 10 years and probably my second favorite comedy (Married w/ Children) of all time. The story follows the dysfunctional Bluth family who are trying to clear their name after the head of the family George Sr. is arrested. There are 3 seasons of "callback" jokes (the chicken dance, "no touching," Tobias's sexuality), a great cast, great guest stars (Carl Weathers, Liza Minnelli, Scott Baio, Charlize Theron) and a supporting cast that included The Fonz (Henry Winkler). Fun Fact: Ron Howard does the voice over on the show.

15. Invasion: Another 1 and done. An invasion of water based aliens invade a small town in Florida during a hurricane. Not the most original plot but still an interesting show. Standout performances from Tyler Labine and William Fichtner (who needs a starring role in a strong TV series). Fact: The show probably failed due to a 10 pm time slot and began airing a month after Hurricane Katrina (promotions were pulled immediately due to a hurricane being a plot point).

16. Reaper: A story about Sam (Bret Harrison) whose parents sold his soul to the Devil. Sam then works as a bounty hunter tracking down escaped souls for the Devil. It's a heavy concept but it was a comedy and a pretty darn funny one. Another show starring Tyler Labine and another show canned too early. Ray Wise, as the Devil, should have netted an academy award nomination, he was that good. Fun Fact: Kevin Smith of Mallrats and Dogma fame directed the pilot episode.

17. The Office: Beats, Bears, Battlestar Gallatica. I think everyone knows this one.

18. The Loop: Another show that wasn't given much of a chance to succeed. Bret Harrison (also of Reaper) starred as an executive for TransAlliance Airways who always has the worst of luck. Funny supporting cast (Sully), hilarious boss and awkward tension. Fun Fact: Hank's fantasy football team name a few years back was named Derek Tricoli Out (named after a supporting character).

19. Family Guy (canceled and technically debuted in the 90's): I think most of you know this one too. Funny show, great cut aways (Conway Twitty, other TV shows/movies) and excellent use of pop culture.

20. My Name Is Earl: Interesting concept, a repeat law breaker wins the lottery only to be hit by a car. He loses the lottery ticket only to find it a few months later. He decides to change his life due to karma and start correcting all his wrong doings. He keeps a list of all of these and checks off one each episode. It's a funny show and reruns can be found on several networks. Fun Fact: Rednecks are funny.

21. Chuck: My second favorite TV spy. Ok, he's not a spy technically, he's a computer geek who has a ton of government secrets implanted in his brain. Good mix of comedy and action, strong cast and great guest stars (Scott Bakula, Chevy Chase). Support the show so it can continue on a few more seasons! Fun Fact: There is a character names Captain Awesome (that's enough for me to tune in).

22. Prison Break: One brother in prison, another brother who decides to join him only to break him out. A little like Shawshank Redemption minus the good writing & Morgan Freeman. Here's a spoiler, they break out. Once they do, you'd think the show would end but no, they go on the run and I'll stop there. It's a pretty good edge of the seat show, Michael Scofield's plan to break out is pretty cool (tattooed details covering his entire torso) and a wicked good villain (T-Bag played by Robert Knepper). Fun Fact: Prison is scary.

23. Man v. Food: Adam Richman travels around the country and takes part in the biggest eating challenges a restaurant can offer. I've never seen someone eat this much in my life and I lived with Elliott Wilson. I've seen him eat a steak the size of a small child, a huge burrito and some of the spiciest wings around. Check out the Travel channel for new episodes soon. Fun Fact: The second time I watched this show I got sick to my stomach.

24. 24: Ha, I was able to list 23 other shows. Anyways, this show takes place in real time and all events take place within 24 hours (I sat through 12 hours straight once). The lead played by Kiefer Sutherland is the type of dude I'd like to have a drink with. Of course, he's been known to tackle Christmas trees and fall over, so maybe I'll pass. Anyways, Jack Bauer fights terrorists, family members, the President and many others all to keep our country safe. Fun Fact: My cat is named after him. Also, Jack Bauer could beat up Chuck Norris.

25. The OC: Ryan is a troubled teen who gets a chance to turn his life around while living in Newport Beach (in Orange County, CA) with the Cohens. He befriends their nerdy son Seth, falls in love with the girl next door and gets in fights with water polo players. A witty show, strong cast and in my opinion the beginning of the nerdy/comic book loving/geek revolution on television due to the popularity of Seth Cohen (played by Adam Brody). Fun Fact: Not filmed in Newport Beach...filmed in Manhatten Beach.

A couple shows I enjoyed that you can look up on your own: Being Human, Torchwood, Merlin, White Collar, The Dead Zone, Jackass, Warehouse 13 and CSI (The original). The First three air out of England so they usually don't pop up in the US until a year or so later.

A few I never had a chance to watch: The Wire, The Shield, True Blood, Heroes and Alias.

A few I wish would go away: Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, American Idol

Christmas at the White House

Christmas 2009 was a special one for us! Here are some highlights...

Avery has been practicing sitting up quite a bit - this was her first extended period of un-assisted sittin' on our bed on Christmas Eve. She is modeling Christmas pj's Grandma Bricker got her.

Here is a close up of that cute little tushie...

Avery set out her cookies and milk with a letter to Santa, then retired for the night.

On Christmas morning Avery enjoyed watching Jeff and I exchange gifts then we helped her rip into a few of hers. Her "auntie" Stacey sent some fun toys that make lots of noise. Avery just ate the wrapping paper, yum yum. (Later she started slamming her hands all over the toys making lots of noise).

Avery also enjoyed finally getting into her farmyard exersaucer.

She especially likes the "dirty piggy."

She wasn't the only one that enjoyed the exersaucer...

After many failed attempts at taking a family photo with the timer on our camera, like this lovely one...

We got the next one which wasn't much better. Not sure why we didn't think about the fact that Avery wouldn't just look and smile at the camera.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

xoxo~

Hap- Hap- Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

For our New Year celebration this year we headed to my (Kate's) mom and dad's place in Sun City Hilton Head. The long weekend was filled with MANY laughs (we especially liked when "Grandma" played the hula hoop game on Wii Fit), LOADS of yummy food (we love you chef Martin!), and TONS of cuddle time with the cutest babies in the world (just quoting my mother here... haha).

Baby Parker has learned a little chuckle laugh that is a very low and hearty "huh huh huh." His smile is the best and it's so awesome to see how much he adores his mommy and daddy! He is also still doing his little "Touchdown" arms whenever he eats, poos, sleeps or, well, does just about anything. He just loves to throw his arms straight up over his head.

Parker hanging with "Uncle Jeff"

Avery was so much fun to watch as she opened up more gifts. She especially loved the crunchy elephant from Aunt Erin and immediately recognized her little red friend Elmo when she opened up her "Tickle Me Elmo" doll from Grammy. She had previously met him in one of her favorite books, "Where's Elmo?" She thinks his laugh is funny, however the whole shaking thing when he laughs was a little overwhelming at first.

In honor of our NYE trip with our friends Kent and Kirsten two years ago, Jeff put our gal Ave in her first Mexican wrestler mask - La Parka. She didn't seem to mind it at all, so maybe she will be keeping that tradition from year to year. We will let her decide.

Two HUGE milestones were met this week... I discovered Avery's first TOOTH cutting through on New Year's Day & she can officially sit up on her own now!