Ever since we started feeding Averie solid foods, we have been committed to making sure she eats better than us so that she gets off on the right (healthy) foot. She got all organic baby food, lots of fruits and veggies and lean meats. It's no secret that Chris and I have more than a few extra pounds and we didn't want Averie to struggle with weight the way we have.
Recently, we've found the motivation to get our weight under control. We've cut back calories and started exercising more. The calorie cutback hasn't been as hard as I would have thought - I was envisioning days of counting the minutes until the next mealtime, but really, I am surprised at how much I get to eat for so few calories!
Just since last week, I've lost 3 pounds and Chris has lost 4. I plan on sharing some of our favorite new, healthy recipes as we go!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Paaaaarty!!
Saturday was Averie's birthday party. Never did I realize how much hosting a 1-year-old's birthday party would wear me out. By the end of the day, Chris and I were both completely exhausted but it was so worth it. We all had a great time and everybody was so generous to our little girl. Our living room looks like Toys R Us threw up :P.
Going into it, I knew we wanted to make her "smash cake" ourselves. I guess we did a good job since several people asked where we ordered it!
Averie was a little unsure at first...
I had to help her get to the cake itself (it was a little hard for her since it had been in the refrigerator) but once she had her first bite, there was no stopping her!
(click to see the collage bigger)
Going into it, I knew we wanted to make her "smash cake" ourselves. I guess we did a good job since several people asked where we ordered it!
Averie was a little unsure at first...
I had to help her get to the cake itself (it was a little hard for her since it had been in the refrigerator) but once she had her first bite, there was no stopping her!
(click to see the collage bigger)The end result:
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
1 Year!!!
We made it! At 1:23 PM today, our sweet baby turns 1 year old!
Averie has been such a joy to have in our lives and I can't believe we were blessed with such a good, happy baby. We dealt with jaundice and acid reflux in the beginning, and are now facing 1-year molars (read: very fussy baby), but all in all, we could not have asked for an easier baby. She has slept through the night since 3 weeks old and at 1 year now, still sleeps for 11-12 hours straight each night and two naps a day. In fact, we feel that we've been so lucky with her that for sure, our next baby will be much more difficult!
Averie is walking and talking! At this point, she's taken up to 10 steps in a row without falling. When she first started walking, we had to coax her to let go of whatever she was hanging onto, but she has gained the confidence to let go on her own and venture out! She says "mama", "dada", "hi" and "ni-ni." She's always adding new sounds to her "vocabulary" and we still love hearing her baby babbling.
After a rough start on solid table foods, Averie is finally reliably eating "real" food. She's been getting 3 solid meals a day and 4 8-ounce sippies of formula (yay, no more bottles!), but that will be going to whole milk now that she's a year! We gave her a taste a couple weeks ago and she loved it so I'm hoping we won't have any problems once she's on it all the way. Her favorite foods are waffles, string cheese, and whatever Chris and I are trying to eat :P.
We'll be moving her into 12 to 18-month clothes soon. She only has one pair of 12-month pants that are long enough for her and that's only because they haven't been washed and dried yet! Of course, the 12 month pants do fit perfectly in the waist so I expect we'll be hiking up her pants more often than not once she moves to the next size :P.
We had to push back her 1-year well baby visit to next month so here's her probably-less-than-precise weight and height that we measured on our own.
She is 22 lbs, 13 oz which puts her right back in the 75th percentile for weight (she was the 50th percentile at her last doctor's visit) and exactly 30 inches long, which is also in the 75th percentile (last time she was almost off the charts so it has really slowed down!).
And now for the pictures! Just a few of our favorites from her "shoot" yesterday.
Happy birthday, Averie!!
Averie has been such a joy to have in our lives and I can't believe we were blessed with such a good, happy baby. We dealt with jaundice and acid reflux in the beginning, and are now facing 1-year molars (read: very fussy baby), but all in all, we could not have asked for an easier baby. She has slept through the night since 3 weeks old and at 1 year now, still sleeps for 11-12 hours straight each night and two naps a day. In fact, we feel that we've been so lucky with her that for sure, our next baby will be much more difficult!
Averie is walking and talking! At this point, she's taken up to 10 steps in a row without falling. When she first started walking, we had to coax her to let go of whatever she was hanging onto, but she has gained the confidence to let go on her own and venture out! She says "mama", "dada", "hi" and "ni-ni." She's always adding new sounds to her "vocabulary" and we still love hearing her baby babbling.
After a rough start on solid table foods, Averie is finally reliably eating "real" food. She's been getting 3 solid meals a day and 4 8-ounce sippies of formula (yay, no more bottles!), but that will be going to whole milk now that she's a year! We gave her a taste a couple weeks ago and she loved it so I'm hoping we won't have any problems once she's on it all the way. Her favorite foods are waffles, string cheese, and whatever Chris and I are trying to eat :P.
We'll be moving her into 12 to 18-month clothes soon. She only has one pair of 12-month pants that are long enough for her and that's only because they haven't been washed and dried yet! Of course, the 12 month pants do fit perfectly in the waist so I expect we'll be hiking up her pants more often than not once she moves to the next size :P.
We had to push back her 1-year well baby visit to next month so here's her probably-less-than-precise weight and height that we measured on our own.
She is 22 lbs, 13 oz which puts her right back in the 75th percentile for weight (she was the 50th percentile at her last doctor's visit) and exactly 30 inches long, which is also in the 75th percentile (last time she was almost off the charts so it has really slowed down!).
And now for the pictures! Just a few of our favorites from her "shoot" yesterday.
Happy birthday, Averie!!Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Trick or Treat!
Averie celebrated her first Halloween today, since she was born just four days after it last year. Of course, she couldn't say trick-or-treat but she did look adorable in her ladybug costume.
Unfortunately, due to her 1-year molars coming in, she wasn't much of a happy ladybug! However, she did enjoy reaching into all the bowls at the Trunk or Treat in our ward and grabbing fistfuls of candy.
In other news -- and because I can't wait until her 1-year post to share the news - we have a walker! Averie has taken up to six steps in a row without falling, although sometimes she still needs a little coaxing to let go of whatever she was hanging onto. I hear that running is in our future :-\. Just kidding. We're very excited to have a toddler!
Exactly one week til her birthday party!
Unfortunately, due to her 1-year molars coming in, she wasn't much of a happy ladybug! However, she did enjoy reaching into all the bowls at the Trunk or Treat in our ward and grabbing fistfuls of candy.
In other news -- and because I can't wait until her 1-year post to share the news - we have a walker! Averie has taken up to six steps in a row without falling, although sometimes she still needs a little coaxing to let go of whatever she was hanging onto. I hear that running is in our future :-\. Just kidding. We're very excited to have a toddler!
Exactly one week til her birthday party!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Words
I've been a slacker and not posting so just for my records, thought I'd update with a bit of Averie news.
After a long hiatus from the time she uttered the first "mama", Averie is now regularly saying "mama" and "dada"! She's also said "hi" a few times. Her newest word is "ni-ni", although sometimes it sounds like "nah-nah." We think she's going for "night-night", which is what we say to her at nap and bedtime, since she usually says it when she is ready to go down. Averie has started hissing at us, too. LOL! She likes to make the "sssssss" sound under her breath and then smile like she's being naughty when we look over at her. Mischievous little thing :P.
Two weeks til her 1-year birthday bash!
And, finally, on an unrelated-to-baby note, Chris found out that he is one of the final two candidates for an awesome beyond all awesome job. We're hoping for good news soon.
After a long hiatus from the time she uttered the first "mama", Averie is now regularly saying "mama" and "dada"! She's also said "hi" a few times. Her newest word is "ni-ni", although sometimes it sounds like "nah-nah." We think she's going for "night-night", which is what we say to her at nap and bedtime, since she usually says it when she is ready to go down. Averie has started hissing at us, too. LOL! She likes to make the "sssssss" sound under her breath and then smile like she's being naughty when we look over at her. Mischievous little thing :P.
Two weeks til her 1-year birthday bash!
And, finally, on an unrelated-to-baby note, Chris found out that he is one of the final two candidates for an awesome beyond all awesome job. We're hoping for good news soon.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
11 Months!
I can't believe how quickly time has passed. Averie is 11 months old today!
Not much has changed on the movement front. Averie is getting SO close to walking. She'll be holding onto the furniture, and reeeeach out like she's going to take a step, but she hasn't yet. She has stood by herself on several occasions for several seconds each time, so we're getting there! Averie is a super fast little crawler though, and loves to be chased.
She did finally start talking. She is saying "mama" regularly and has said "dada" a few times. I don't know if it counts as a word, but if it does, her favorite word is "oh." Eeeeeverything is "oh." It's very cute :).
We are working on transitioning her to more solid table food, but it's slow going. We have started making some of our own "baby food" by coarsely chopping and grinding our own meals in our food processor, because even the jars of stage 3 foods tend to be too runny for her liking.
Averie is still wearing size 3 diapers and we estimate she will be for at least a couple more months (when our size 3 stash runs out; we'll see if we have to buy more or if we can move on to the size 4 stockpile). She is wearing all 12 month clothes because she needs the length. All her 9 month tops were turning into belly shirts, although they fit width-wise. Her weight hasn't caught up with her length so we're constantly hiking up her pants!
Averie's first birthday party is next month! Planning is in full force :).
Not much has changed on the movement front. Averie is getting SO close to walking. She'll be holding onto the furniture, and reeeeach out like she's going to take a step, but she hasn't yet. She has stood by herself on several occasions for several seconds each time, so we're getting there! Averie is a super fast little crawler though, and loves to be chased.
She did finally start talking. She is saying "mama" regularly and has said "dada" a few times. I don't know if it counts as a word, but if it does, her favorite word is "oh." Eeeeeverything is "oh." It's very cute :).
We are working on transitioning her to more solid table food, but it's slow going. We have started making some of our own "baby food" by coarsely chopping and grinding our own meals in our food processor, because even the jars of stage 3 foods tend to be too runny for her liking.
Averie is still wearing size 3 diapers and we estimate she will be for at least a couple more months (when our size 3 stash runs out; we'll see if we have to buy more or if we can move on to the size 4 stockpile). She is wearing all 12 month clothes because she needs the length. All her 9 month tops were turning into belly shirts, although they fit width-wise. Her weight hasn't caught up with her length so we're constantly hiking up her pants!
Averie's first birthday party is next month! Planning is in full force :).
Friday, September 3, 2010
10 Months!
Averie is 10 months old today! Only a bit longer before we start planning her first birthday party (let's hope Chris has a job by then!).
She is wearing 6 to 9 and 6 to 12 month sized clothes and size 3 diapers. Based on her length at her 9-month appointment, I am sure she is over 30 inches long by now!
Not too much new mobility-wise since her 9 month post - Averie is still cruising on the furniture and anything else she can use to move around. She does stand by herself more and more often, and when she is standing on her own, will lower herself to sitting on the floor instead of falling/flopping down. She has turned into a climbing machine - climbing up furniture and people alike!
Thank heavens, Averie is not a picky eater like her mommy (insert guilty face here). She will eat anything and everything, though she still likes most things pureed and will only eat a few completely solid things. We transitioned her to formula a little over a month ago for some personal reasons and although I felt guilty at first for not meeting my goal of nursing until 1 year, she is doing fantastic! We did discover that generic formula doesn't agree with her tummy (always foiling our attempts at saving money!), so she gets Similac Advance.
Averie still has her yellow nose in pictures. She loves her sweet potatoes and carrots (mmmm, Vitamin A!) and it shows! Of course right now, I wish I could find a way to scrub off the yellow, but I'm sure one day, I'll look back and think it's cute :).
She can't be bothered to use one of the many teething rings we have - instead, she gnaws on her pointer finger (doesn't suck on it though!). And she doesn't appear to comprehend how big her head and shoulders are as she will fight tooth and nail to squeeze herself through impossibly small spaces!
Things we are working on with Averie:
Pincer grasp - She will hold puffs and other small snacks in her fingers if we place them there, and even put them in her mouth by herself. However, when picking things up by herself, she uses all her fingers and her palm to pick things up, and then can't get the puff in her mouth because it is closed up in her fist.
Talking - She babbles endlessly (so cute!), but hasn't said any "real" words.
She is wearing 6 to 9 and 6 to 12 month sized clothes and size 3 diapers. Based on her length at her 9-month appointment, I am sure she is over 30 inches long by now!
Not too much new mobility-wise since her 9 month post - Averie is still cruising on the furniture and anything else she can use to move around. She does stand by herself more and more often, and when she is standing on her own, will lower herself to sitting on the floor instead of falling/flopping down. She has turned into a climbing machine - climbing up furniture and people alike!
Thank heavens, Averie is not a picky eater like her mommy (insert guilty face here). She will eat anything and everything, though she still likes most things pureed and will only eat a few completely solid things. We transitioned her to formula a little over a month ago for some personal reasons and although I felt guilty at first for not meeting my goal of nursing until 1 year, she is doing fantastic! We did discover that generic formula doesn't agree with her tummy (always foiling our attempts at saving money!), so she gets Similac Advance.
Averie still has her yellow nose in pictures. She loves her sweet potatoes and carrots (mmmm, Vitamin A!) and it shows! Of course right now, I wish I could find a way to scrub off the yellow, but I'm sure one day, I'll look back and think it's cute :).
She can't be bothered to use one of the many teething rings we have - instead, she gnaws on her pointer finger (doesn't suck on it though!). And she doesn't appear to comprehend how big her head and shoulders are as she will fight tooth and nail to squeeze herself through impossibly small spaces!
Things we are working on with Averie:
Pincer grasp - She will hold puffs and other small snacks in her fingers if we place them there, and even put them in her mouth by herself. However, when picking things up by herself, she uses all her fingers and her palm to pick things up, and then can't get the puff in her mouth because it is closed up in her fist.
Talking - She babbles endlessly (so cute!), but hasn't said any "real" words.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Pink Slip
Chris was let go from his job at Convergys a couple of weeks ago. Normally, I am the big panicker in the family, but all I felt was peace when he came home and told me. Truthfully, both of us are glad he is gone from there - it was a very hostile work environment for him, complete with micromanaging and politics. I hated that he had to go there day in, day out, but as the sole provider for our family, I was grateful for his hardworking spirit and that he continued to go so I could stay home with Averie.
The only thing either of us miss is the paycheck, but we both know the Lord will provide for our family and an awesome, new job - THE job - is out there for Chris.
For now, Averie and I are enjoying having him home. We have so much more time as a family now - sleeping in (thank heavens for a night-owl baby who likes to sleep late!), walks around the neighborhood with Averie, and just spending time together. And Chris is finally getting around to all the little projects on his "honey-do" list that he never had time for before! :D
The only thing either of us miss is the paycheck, but we both know the Lord will provide for our family and an awesome, new job - THE job - is out there for Chris.
For now, Averie and I are enjoying having him home. We have so much more time as a family now - sleeping in (thank heavens for a night-owl baby who likes to sleep late!), walks around the neighborhood with Averie, and just spending time together. And Chris is finally getting around to all the little projects on his "honey-do" list that he never had time for before! :D
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
9 Months!
Time flies! It is time for another monthly post about Averie!
Averie is crawling like a pro now and wreaking all kinds of havoc around the house. Nothing is safe here anymore! She likes to be chased and will crawl faster if you pretend you're coming after her, or if she's trying to get to something that she knows she's not allowed to have.
She pulls herself up to stand on EVERYthing. She is an equal opportunity climber and will use the furniture, her toys, the baby gates, people, and one time, even the vacuum!
She is cruising on the furniture and will take slow steps if we hold her hands. At a recent visit to my parents' house, she stood up using the coffee table and then let go and stood fully unsupported by herself for 5 seconds! We all gasped a little in pride, and as soon she saw us staring at her, she promptly fell on her butt. But she can do it! Go Averie!
Averie will reeeeach to get to things on the couch that are just out of her grasp, and give a sad little pout when she can't get to it that says, "Mommy, won't you pleeease let me have those scissors?" *bat eyelashes*. Obviously she can't have scissors, but she sure does make it hard to resist her cute face.
Averie loves to give "kisses." I put that in quotes because her "kisses" involve coming at us with a wide open mouth and pushing that slobbery mouth against a cheek, a forehead, a neck, anything she can get to! We can't help but laugh, which only encourages it more! She loves to grab faces too and we're working on teaching her "gentle touch."
She is wearing size 3 diapers and 6 to 9 month clothes. Some of the 6 to 12 month sized things are still too big on her, mostly around the neck and shoulders area (and these aren't shirts with big, droopy necklines!), although 6 to 12 month pants fit great lengthwise.
Averie is crawling like a pro now and wreaking all kinds of havoc around the house. Nothing is safe here anymore! She likes to be chased and will crawl faster if you pretend you're coming after her, or if she's trying to get to something that she knows she's not allowed to have.
She pulls herself up to stand on EVERYthing. She is an equal opportunity climber and will use the furniture, her toys, the baby gates, people, and one time, even the vacuum!
She is cruising on the furniture and will take slow steps if we hold her hands. At a recent visit to my parents' house, she stood up using the coffee table and then let go and stood fully unsupported by herself for 5 seconds! We all gasped a little in pride, and as soon she saw us staring at her, she promptly fell on her butt. But she can do it! Go Averie! Averie will reeeeach to get to things on the couch that are just out of her grasp, and give a sad little pout when she can't get to it that says, "Mommy, won't you pleeease let me have those scissors?" *bat eyelashes*. Obviously she can't have scissors, but she sure does make it hard to resist her cute face.
Averie loves to give "kisses." I put that in quotes because her "kisses" involve coming at us with a wide open mouth and pushing that slobbery mouth against a cheek, a forehead, a neck, anything she can get to! We can't help but laugh, which only encourages it more! She loves to grab faces too and we're working on teaching her "gentle touch."
She is wearing size 3 diapers and 6 to 9 month clothes. Some of the 6 to 12 month sized things are still too big on her, mostly around the neck and shoulders area (and these aren't shirts with big, droopy necklines!), although 6 to 12 month pants fit great lengthwise.
STATS
Weight - 19 lbs 3 oz (50th percentile)
Length - 29-3/4" long (100th percentile)
Head - 44.5 cm (75th percentile)
Length - 29-3/4" long (100th percentile)
Head - 44.5 cm (75th percentile)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
