Another Nice Night

Having a good time watching softball

Another nice night and another softball game. And another night he fell asleep on the way home. 

One tired little ball player

Tuesday Night Softball

On Tuesday nights Jon and I play Coed softball and it took until almost the last game of the regular season for the weather to be nice enough and the game to early enough for Avery to come with us.

Ready to have some softball fun

Last night our game was at 6:15 and the weather was perfect. All the Grandmas and Grandpas were coming to the game so there were plenty of people for Avery to play with, not to mention all of our friends. From what I could see from the field he was having a great time. One bad thing about when the weather is nice and there aren’t any clouds in the sky is that you really have to watch which way he is facing to keep him out of the sun because I don’t think it will take much sun to turn him into a lobster, but he kept his hat on and stayed shaded. Thankfully he is almost 6 months (which is how old he should be before sunscreen use is recommended) and with the holiday weekend coming up and with our plans to be outside it will be good to put some sunscreen on him. Avery had a great time at the game, smiling and playing all night long, hope the weather is nice again next week.

Putting his feet up after a good night 

Friday Night Family Fun

Friday night, with little to no rain in the forecast it was the perfect night to head over to Grandma and Grandpa B’s and have brats on the grill with some family. Avery was his usually smiley self, and again it was confirmed that Avery looks like his daddy, (but I think he has my eyes). The rain held off just long enough for everyone to finish eating and for Grandma G to take a new 3 generation picture.

3 Barbeaus

Then it was inside, where Avery played in his jumper and checked out his new light and sound table while the others played some cards. Later Avery got in on the card game as he helped Daddy pick which cards to play.

Playing cards with Daddy

Picking what cards to play

It was a late night for Avery he stayed up until 10:45 but once he went to bed he didn’t wake up until 8 the next morning.


Saturday we spent our day playing and doing things around the house while Daddy played in a softball tournament. If the weather would have been a little nicer we would have gone to watch  but it was threatening rain all day and where he was playing there isn’t really a place to hide from the rain except your car, so we stayed home, next time I think we will go watch....Avery had another great night on Saturday after playing with Daddy, he slept thru the night waking up at 8 to eat then napping in our bed until 11. 
Daddy had more softball to play on Sunday, so Avery and I played some more  and took a long walk because the weather was nice, before we knew it Daddy was home and it was time for supper. Excited to see Daddy, Avery fought hard to stay awake all night and play with Daddy, but he couldn’t fight his heavy eye lids forever, later then usual we put our sleepy little boy to bed, and ended another great weekend.

Play Date!

Health Update: It turns out that Avery’s ears are clear, no fluid, and he weighed in at 17 lbs 8oz

Last night Avery has his first play date! Because of the none stop rain, rather then take a walk and a play at a park, we went to the mall had some pizza and played in the indoor play area. 

New friends playing at the mall

When we first got to the play area there were kids that were way to big/old to be playing there, jumping from  place to place, something (in my opinion) they should not have been doing, before we had to say anything those kids were gone. Then it became a zoo, little kids came from every where and the play area was buzzing, some times we found ourselves looking at the mob of kids wondering were some of their parents were and why their children weren’t being more closely watched. Avery had a great time watching the other kids run and play while he jumped up and down on our laps, soon enough he will be able to run and play too. 


After the play area it was on to the carousel.  Happily riding a horse next to his new friend on a zebra, Avery went on his first carousel ride. 

Avery's First Carousel Ride

Ready to Ride

I was surprised at how unaffected he was by the ride, I thought he might actually be a bit scared when we started moving, but he didn’t really seem to notice that he was moving up and down and spinning around, he just kept his eyes on the light and mirrors in the center. After that it was home for a bottle and into some pjs, a book and little play/cuddle time and it was lights out. It was really a great night, can’t wait until we can do it again, maybe the weather will even cooperate. 

It's Summer, please tell the Sun.

It's officially Summer, but it won't stop raining! There is so much fun to be had outside in swings and strollers but it won't stop raining. Hopefully the rain will stop someday soon so we can go outside and play in the sun, and mow the lawn that is starting to look resemble a rainforest.

Avery and Daddy playing

Everyday Avery is changing, discovering something new, and this week he has discovered his ears. Correction, one ear, so reading between the lines Avery has a doc appt. this afternoon to have his ears looked at. Jon and I both had ear infections as kids and it seems like every baby i know has had their fair share of them too so I would not be surprised to find out that he has some fluid in his ear.

First Father’s Day!

Sunday was Jon’s first fathers day. Avery and I didn’t have anything special planned because Jon had to work all weekend but Avery still got to spend plenty of time with his Daddy.

Happy Father's Day!

Saturday night we went out to eat with some Jon’s family to celebrate Father’s day with his dad. Since father’s and mother’s day are all about the handmade crafts I did a little Photoshop work, and put Avery in a Corvette (Grandpa likes Corvettes – someday I think his die cast models might be look like toys to someone, good thing they are too high to reach for a while)

Finger food...my favorite

Avery ready for a ride...

Sunday morning Avery gave his Daddy the card he made at daycare as they cuddled in bed before we headed out for breakfast at Perkins.

Jon's First Fathers Day card from Avery

What a great looking magnet

 Sunday night we when to my parent’s house for the final meal of our Father’s Day celebration weekend. Again I had done some Photoshop work for my dad and put Avery in the bag on his motorcycle. 

Another good meal with Daddy

Hiding out in Grandpa's motorcycle bag.

When we got home Avery helped Daddy pay some bills online while I put away some laundry, and then there was just enough time to play before bed. 

Paying bills with Daddy

Dads are Great!

This Sunday will be Jon's first Father's Day. We don't have anything special planned, but I am sure Avery and I will think of something.

By the looks of it being a Dad is great!

And Dads are great at and great for some many things...

Dads are great when you want to go home

Dads are great place to sit

Dads are great places to relax

Dads are great napping buddies

Dads are great when you need a better view

Dads are great!

Roll Over Special

Avery taking a look around

Jon and I were sitting a the table having supper last night while Avery played on the floor under his jungle gym (on top of a blanket for extra padding on the tile floor). Avery was talking and playing then all of a sudden he stopped talking, so we both looked up and he was on his tummy trying to grab the designs on the blanket. This is not  the first time he has rolled over, but it has been awhile. After being on his tummy for a little bit he rolled to his back and then back to his tummy, he doesn’t barrel roll it is more of roll over and roll back but he just kept doing it, taking time to look around while he was on his tummy.  I got Avery to take a time out from rolling over to go watch Daddy play softball but after the game it was right back to the rolling back and forth game. Because it was getting close to bed time and he was tired, rather then roll back Avery just stayed on his tummy and put his head down and went to sleep, and that was the first time he slept on his tummy. It was a short little tummy nap on the floor then it was off to bed, I laid him in his crib (on his back) but he didn’t stay that way (asleep or on his back), he woke up to eat, and while I was making his bottle he rolled back on to his tummy, to check things out in crib from different perspective. After having his bottle, Avery fell asleep for the night. This morning he was still on his back, not facing the same direction as the night before, but I except to find him that way, and now I am guessing I might even find him on his tummy some morning. 

Happy Flag Day

Happy Flag Day!

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times.

Last weekend and again this weekend we had the opportunity to get together with friends and enjoy some good times and some even better food. Last weekend hot as it was  a group of our friends got out the fryers and fried the fish they has caught the day before, along with some seasoned potatoes, guess it was good I don’t like fish so I didn’t have any, and since Avery doesn’t eat solids yet he didn’t have any either, but everyone who ate it said it was good.

Waiting for the fish to be done

Checking out the food at the fish fry

This weekend, Saturday was perfect for another afternoon/ evening with friends with some good food, but this time at our house. Jon got up early to start the brisket on the smoker, it’s a 10 hour process, but the prep and day of cooking was worth it it was good. It was a perfect night to sit out on the deck and eat and talk. I loved it, good friends, good food, good times, weekends are great!

Hey good lookin',  good cookin'

Playing in the sunshine 

Good Times!

Retired and Just Tired

Yesterday was was my mom’s last day at work, for the past 20 years or so she has worked for the school district and yesterday she retired. Her friends/co-workers gave her a great send off, I have no doubt she will be missed and that she will miss them. Part of yesterday’s fun was a decorated car informing the world she had just retired (which I was lucky enough to get to ride in) and a small get together with food and fun. Avery and I went to join in the fun and have some food.

Avery with his party pants on

 It was perfect, good food, and good friends and a lot of laughs. Avery even got to see another baby.

Grandmas and their babies 

 I think everybody had a great time, after the party my mom is officially retired and Avery was just tired!

Grandma's Retired and I am just tired

Watch Me Grow - Five Months

I can believe that another month has gone by already. Today Avery is 5 months old. He is happy and healthy (for the most part) and can do lots of great things. He smiles, laughs, talks, makes raspberries, and “roars” from time to time. He can roll from his back to his tummy (not that he does it very often) and from his tummy to his back. He likes to jump and play with his toys, and loves being upright so he can see what is going on around him. He doesn’t have any teeth yet but I think someday soon some might appear. I can’t wait to see what he will do and learn in the next month.

5 Months

Dinner with the dinosaurs

Avery having diner with the dinosaurs

Yesterday it was too hot outside to do the things Jon and I were hoping to do, mow the lawn, etc so we settled on have dinner and then just relaxing with our baby, hard choice right. Thanks to friends and family whose babies are now toddlers or big kids we have inherited clothes and toys for them, it has been really nice not to have to buy some of the bigger stuff, one of the newest things to be added to our collection is a adjustable walker thing, it has wheels and (dinosaurs) toys that move to the sides if you want to use the tray below it. It's great we put Avery in there while we eat and clean up and do other things around the house, and because it has wheels and we have wood floors we can roll him just about any where we are, so last night while Jon and I ate Avery had diner with the dinosaurs.

Park Rapids Party Time

Avery’s weekend plans were to go to a birthday party for his 2nd cousins at my aunts house, so he skipped out on daycare Friday and we made the 4.5 hour journey north to Park Rapids. The drive is a long one, and it’s the longest Avery has ever been on, this ride almost doubles his pervious car ride record, but he did great, playing some, but sleeping most of the ride.


When we got there he was well rested and he was rewarded for his travels with a new experience, a swing. Sure he has swings at home and at both of the grandparents, but he has never been in a swing outside, and it was a perfect night to swing. He loved it, of course. 

Outside Swinging!

I love to swing!

After a little swinging we took a stroller ride back to the hotel for the night.  In preparation for his big day Avery slept all night long, something he does often but it still was a nice surprise. 


Saturday was party day, the craziness wasn’t planned until the afternoon so the morning Avery spent playing and napping, then around 1 the twins and their big brother showed up and it was go time! 

Pre Party Nap

Everybody played inside with toys toys and more toys, every body played outside in the swing, in wagons and strollers and then it was nap time for 2 of 4 (Avery being one of the two).

Avery playing with Danny

Getting some stroller time in

All the boys

Time out to Nap

After a quick nap it back to playing for Avery. Avery loves to watch the leaves in the trees move in the wind, he even got an up close look at the trees. 

Hand full of a tree

After a day full of playing it was party time, we all sat around the table, 7 adults in chairs, 1 in a booster seat, 2 in high chairs and 1 baby in my arms (almost sleeping).  We had some great food, cake and ice cream (Avery missed out, he thought napping was a better use of his time).

Birthday Girl 

Birthday Boy

Avery was awake for the presents and some more play time before we made the walk across the street to our hotel.  Once back at the hotel Avery in his pjs played with grandma for a little bit before he was out for the night.  

Just enough energy left to play before bed

Sunday morning we got packed up and headed home, Avery slept most of the way, we woke up to eat and play for the last hour. It was a fun trip, can’t imagine what it will be like when Avery can move around and play with his cousins, then the craziness will really start, but it will be fun. Avery was glad to be home with his toys, his bed, and his Daddy.

Health Update

Avery & his Nebulizer 

After a weekend of meds and neb treatments Avery sounds much better. Today is the last day of his antibiotic but it will stay in his system for 3-5 more days and he doesn’t have as much of an wheez when he breathes so we might get to do fewer neb treatments soon, but for now we will keep doing them every 4-6 hours.  I think he is on the road to recovery.