Avery Kate is Six Months

My Sweet Avery Kate,

I cannot believe that half of a year has gone by since you joined our family! You are such a sweet, carefree and happy baby and it has been a great six months together. When your sister was born I had never experienced such love, and I wondered and worried if I could love another child as much as I did her. It turns out that a mother's love doesn't divide with another child, it multiplies.

Watching you and Madelyn interact warms my heart and gives me so much joy. No one can make you laugh and smile like your sister can. You two give each other more than I can ever give to each of you, and I cannot wait to watch your relationship grow throughout the years.

You also LOVE your daddy. You light up whenever he talks to you, and you can't take your eyes off him when he's around.

Over the past six months you've learned to smile (a lot!), occupy yourself in a bouncing chair, and you manage to grab everything you can find. We look forward to see how much you'll change in the coming months.

Happy six months, AK! Life just wouldn't be the same without you, and we are so glad you have joined our family.

Who Needs a Dog?

Baking with My Girls

A little more patience and a lot more clean up, but I wouldn't have it any other way. So blessed to be home to experience such moments.

Santa 2012

Before Avery noticed who was holding her...

...and after.

Merry Christmas!

Five Months with Avery Kate

Happy Five Months, My Sweet, Sweet Girl!

Happy Halloween

What a great Halloween this year. We spent Saturday with the Cousins, Samantha and Andrew Bear at their school's truck'or'treat, and on Halloween we went around the neighbor with her good buddy Connor "The Hulk". 

Madelyn was so much fun this year.  She would get so excited each time she spotted another house with their lights on as her and Connor took off, holding hands, running to the next house, upon arriving, looking in the window as they waited for an open door with a bucket full of candy. 

This year she really enjoyed Halloween, and it was such a joy to watch her run and laugh. Avery didn't feel quit as enthused, but she sure did look pretty stink'n cute.

Happy Halloween, enjoy...

Four Months with Avery Kate

I never knew I could love so much.

Happy Four Months, AK!

What Can I Say...

The girl LOVES her sunglasses.

Shaving Cream Fun!

Three Months with Avery Kate

A photo update of Avery Kate at three months old:

Avery at 3 Months . . .

. . . and Madelyn at 3 Months.

She generally sleeps eight hours at night and shares a 7:00pm
bedtime with her sister (we hope this trend continues)!

She loves bath time . . .

. . . and loves her sister even more!

Happy three months Avery, I love you!

Two Months with Avery Kate

Avery is two months old today, and of course, it seems like she has been with us forever. Like any infant, she has her moments, but she is generally a very happy baby and is very generous with her smiles. Like her Dad, she loves movement so the baby bouncer has become her preferred piece of furniture. We have learned to keep her bouncing while doing just about everything. In our house, a bouncing baby is a happy baby.

Here's to our two month old sweet girl!

Determination

Madelyn definitely shares a primary personality characteristic with her mom - determination.

That determination was on full display as she sat down to a waffle breakfast with me recently. When you're THIS determined, there's no such thing as a bite too big.

Thankful

So thankful for an easy going day today after my day yesterday. I have included a little glimpse into my yesterday.

One Month with Avery Kate

I cannot believe that one month ago today sweet Avery Kate joined our little family. Life has been quite crazy,  but I have really enjoyed having my two girls to spend the days with.

Avery has started to adjust to life outside the womb, and Madelyn has more than accepted the fact that Baby Avery is here to stay. Although my days are spent getting one baby to sleep just as the other wakes, and most of the time doing two or three things at once, it's been great and I can finally say life feels somewhat "normal" again.

Happy One Month, baby girl! My heart is full.

Welcome to My New Life

Life with a newborn and a two-year-old is no joke! But through all the craziness the sweet moments are still there, you just have to look a little harder for them.

My Baby Girl is Two

Dear Madelyn,

I cannot believe I now have a two year-old! These past two years have been the best years of my life. The time has gone so fast, and I just want it to slow down.

I've treasured these two years with you always by my side, and you will never truly understand how special this time is until you have a daughter of your own. Now that you're a big sister we'll both have to learn so many important lessons, including how to share our time and our love with Avery.

When we brought Avery home from the hospital, I was sad to realize that it wouldn't be just you and me anymore. I cried at the thought of missing out on bath time and bedtime stories, but the sadness quickly turned to excitement as I watched you interact with Baby Avery, already caring for her like a big sister should.

I am honored to watch you grow into your role as a little girl and a sister. You truly are a precious gift, and I love you so much.

Mommy

Welcome, Avery Kate!

What a day! I was at the office sitting down for a meeting at 9:00 a.m. and, before I knew it, I was holding my new baby girl around Noon.

Stephanie successfully completed her second natural water birth at North Fulton Hospital, and she continues to amaze me, as well as all the other family members, midwives and nurses around her! She is truly remarkable!

Welcome to the World, Avery Kate!

Madelyn was able to meet her little sister as she
was just minutes old.

Big sister already in action.

Thanks to Aunt La La for Avery's first Birthday card!

Live Strong, Even in Trimester 3

Here we are, a little over two weeks until my due date. It's funny because when you are pregnant it seems that people expect you to live such a boring life - stay inside, eat junk food all day, and (oh my gosh!) don’t have sex. Thankfully, I have been fortunate with both pregnancies and have felt great throughout. The weekend I had Madelyn I hiked at the river, fished with Eric, planted flowers, and went to the gym. After all of that activity, Madelyn finally decided she was ready on Sunday night.

Who knows what I will do the weekend before I have this baby, but I hope it goes something like that. Sure, I have been tired in the evenings after chasing Madelyn all day, and I get winded carrying Madelyn up our two flights of stairs all day, but all in all, I have felt great. I really think much of pregnancy, and in life really, is in what you make it. If I laid around all day and ate cookies, of course I would feel terrible.

Here's to our final days before we welcome baby #2, and hoping I can still fit in a few more adventurous activities before that time.

Shoot'n the Hooch - 35 Weeks

Marc Broussard Concert - 36 Weeks

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Long Distance Relationship

Last week Madelyn was lucky enough to see her Great Grandma Rita. I am so thankful that she was able to make the trip from California to visit us.

We don't see Grandma Rita often enough, but when we do I love every second of it, and I can only imagine that Madelyn does too.

Hilton Head Island

We always love a trip to the beach, and my parents were nice enough to sponsor a trip to Hilton Head Island recently. As always, it was great to get away and spend time with the family. And thanks to Nana and Granddad, Eric and I got some great "baby free" time that I'm sure we'll really appreciate in about a month!