8 Months

Avery is now 8 months old.
Trying to take these monthly photos is nearly impossible. She's either got something in her mouth, or she's trying to stand up, crawl off, jump off, fall off - anything but sit still and smile at the crazy woman behind the camera. I'm waving my arms, squealing, snapping, and making all kinds of high-pitched weird noises just to try to get her to look at me. It's quite a scene!

Here were a few other attempts:







































She is growing up so quickly. She has 2 bottom teeth, can crawl, pull up, and even stand alone for a short time. We find her in all kinds of places now.















































Avery's favorite toys are her socks and shoes. She'll take off one of her shoes and try to chew on it all day. If she doesn't have a shoe on, she'll take off her sock and chew on it until it's soaking wet.


































She has also started eating finger foods. She does pretty well, but she definitely drops more than she gets in her mouth. There is usually a nice little collection in her highchair when she's finished.







































For her first Halloween, Avery was a butterfly, courtesy of Auntie Kim.





















































We are really looking forward to this month as she will turn 9 months old, experience her first Thanksgiving, and get to see family in Florida!

September

September was a whirlwind! This month we went to the beach, Avery turned 7 months old, she met my good friend Marilyn for the first time, Aunt Josie came to visit, and we went apple picking! Here are some highlights:

Avery loved the beach and LOVED the sand. Apparently, it tastes great! I realized that the beach will never be the same for me (at least not for a long time). No more relaxing, napping, reading a book, listening to my iPod!

My good friend Marilyn came to visit and meet Avery for the first time!











Aunt Josie came to visit and we took a day trip to Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville. What a fun fall-day thing to do!











































The view from the top of the mountain is beautiful!









We are constantly amazed at how fast she is growing and how every day brings something new. She is crawling and exploring everywhere, and now pulls herself up on anything she can. Walking is going to be just around the corner!










This adorable hat is courtesy of Auntie Kim Kim :)












This is the best I could do for her 7 month picture. Getting her to sit still long enough to take a picture was quite a task!

August (part 2)

It's so hard to believe that August is over and we are already in September! Where has the time gone!? August was a really fun month, filled with a lot of "firsts".

Avery turned 6 months old this month.

































She also tried "real" food for the first time. This picture pretty much sums up her thoughts on peas. She was not impressed. She hated them so much, she gave them right back to us! (no, I don't have a picture of that.)














The day she turned 6 months old, she took her first real crawling movement. And now, a little over a week later, we will find her just about anywhere.




























Today I came around the corner, and this is what I saw:





















Avery and Lucy have become best friends. Avery LOVES Lucy and will crawl after her, mouth wide open. Lucy just lets her crawl all over her, pull her ears, whatever.
















Caught in the act! These two get in trouble for this all the time!

















We're headed to the beach in a couple days for a much needed week long vacation. I'll post more when we get home!

August (part 1)

Here is a little of what we've been up to so far this month!





























Happy Birthday, Unkie Wes!














Visiting Mimmy & Poppy in Greenville, SC.




























Downtown Greenville.














Trying to figure out the whole crawling thing. She's so close! This position usually ends up in a face plant. She hasn't quite gotten the arm thing down.














Sitting up! She looks so grown up in this picture.

Love at First Bite

Avery took her first "bite" of semi-solid food a couple of days ago and she was instantly hooked! She loves her rice cereal and will shake and cry if you don't shovel it in fast enough. I love this stage!

5 Months!

These months are FLYING by! It seems like yesterday that I was posting her 4 month pictures, and today she is 5 months old. She does seem to change everyday. Now she rolls over and can cover a good amount of distance just by rolling. It won't be long before she figures out the whole crawling thing. She will laugh every now and then, but she squeals all the time. She can make raspberry/spitting sounds, and pretty much anything in her hands ends up in her mouth. She also will grab anything near her, including my face which just melts my heart. Each phase is getting more fun!



































































The other day she was supposed to be taking a nap, and when I went in to check on her I found her sucking on the top of her crib bumper.





























Last weekend, we hiked to the top of Sharp Top, one of the Peaks of Otter. It was quite a hike to the top, but so worth it. The view was amazing!










































Avery LOVED being outside. She squealed the whole way down the mountain. She fell asleep during the last few minutes of the hike. I guess being carried up and down a mountain can take a lot out of you!

The 4th Month

Avery is now 4 (and 1/2) months old!




















She LOVES her feet!






























I love those mouth-wide-open smiles :0















She is now a full on finger sucker. You can tell when she's getting sleepy because those fingers go right in her mouth.















Avery's first trip to the Peaks of Otter - and mine!
















Happy 4th of July!