Barbeau Family Picnic

Sunday was the Barbeau Family picnic. Avery got the chance to meet his Barbeau Great Aunts and Uncles and a hand full of cousins. While we ate and talked, Avery played and had a great time. Showing off some of his new skills Avery stood at his music table and bounced along to the music. 

Standing and Playing

Later he spent some time practicing walking with Uncle J’s help. You can always tell when Avery has a good day, because he falls asleep almost the instant he is buckled into his bucket, so he definitely had a good time.

Tired after a great day playing

Sunday was a great day for more then just a picnic, it was the one month birthday of Avery's cousins, Dylan and Freddie!

Happy One Month Birthday Dylan and Freddie!

Choices

 These days you can see Avery thinking and making choices. Before in the quest for toys he would have just played with whatever he was in arms reach, now you can see him look around for a particular toy and if it is too far to reach he will move himself in a position to get it.

Picking out a toy

So many choices

 I love to see him take his toy basket or box and pull it towards himself and pick out toys. He is getting to be such a big boy with his own personality. 

Pizza Party

All the toys in the world and Avery, like so many other babies, likes to play with things that aren’t really toys. It was big and shiny and makes a great banging noise when hit, and being he is his father’s son, Avery’s new great non toy was nothing other then a pizza pan (that I couldn’t resist giving him because it was big and shiny and makes a great banging noise when hit). Avery enjoyed playing with his new toy, he even gave it a taste or two. (Sorry Avery, no pizza just yet, the pan will have to do)

Admiring his new non-toy toy 

Giving the Pan a taste!

Sunshine Bath

I LOVE this face

Taking advantage of the sun, Avery took a bath on the deck this weekend. For awhile Avery just splashed as usual and then he noticed that when he splashed the water went out of the tub and that caught his interest so he focused on where the water went when he splashed, looking over the edge of the little tub at the deck. Then he figured out that if he reached forward he could bring himself forward, and get a better view. Wiggling and wet his attempts to get out of the tub put an end to our sunshine bath. 

Reaching forward for a better view

First attempt at escape

So out of the tub he came and into a cute little hooded robe he went. Trying to put a robe on a wet, wiggling 7 month old is rather difficult and not some thing I will do very often, but he was so cute sitting in  his little robe it was worth it. 

Aren't I cute in my robe

Sunny Summer Days

Summer days will soon be over but that hasn’t stopped us from soaking up all the fun and sun we can. This weekend while Jon played softball, Avery and I played on a blanket in the grass. 

I love the feel of the grass!

Not sure how this cup thing works yet 

Playing on a blanket 

Cool Summer Dude!

I will be sad to see the summer days go, but cannot wait to see what new adventures the season change brings for Avery. 

Have a seat...No I think I'll stand!

Daddy keeping Avery from falling forward

We had a great weekend! Caped off with Avery showing us his new trick. Avery was playing with an empty laundry basket so I decided to put him in to see what he would do, and what he did shocked both of us. He pulled himself to standing! With no help! Dad was close to keep the basket from tipping over and Avery from falling out. Guess we will be moving the mattress even lower in his crib now! 

Corners of the Crib

Like the four corners of the earth each corner of Avery’s crib has a unique treat for Avery’s enjoyment. Last night Avery rolled himself down to one end of his crib where a lamb, that plays lullabies and lights up, hangs. Usually he doesn’t pay too much attention to it but last night it was his toy of choice. We had put Avery down in his crib while we got his dinner ready and when we came back he was playing with the lamb with his feet, pushing the center turning the light on and off and playing the music with a huge smile on his face like he just found a new friend that lived in his crib with him.

Avery and his new friend

Shorts & Tee Shirts

There is a saying that "the clothes make the man", and I agree, somedays the clothes I put Avery in make my baby look like the big boy he will too soon be. 


When Avery was a baby, I mean a newborn baby, his wardrobe consisted of footed sleepers and sleep sacks, in soft colors with sweet patterns, and spent his days sleeping and eating. Now he wears shorts and tee shirts and romper outfits with cars and trucks and big boy toys and spends his days playing and moving all around.

Newborn Avery napping in a favorite sleep sack

Big Boy Outfit 

Sporting a new big boy outfit from GG (Grandma Gladys)

Kicking Back

This weekend we didn’t have any plans so it was a great time to relax.

Saturday we woke to Avery playing with the monitor in the crib. He had a hold of the bars of his crib and had pulled himself over and was banging the monitor into them. He was very proud of what he had done. We will be moving the monitor now.  

Clever little guy

Having time, and nice weather we decided to work on some projects we have started around the house. As helpful as Avery would have been in the removing of the shed from the garage he went to visit Grandma & Grandpa instead. Jon and a friend took down the shed (helped when I could) and took it to the dump, if was a fairly fast process, it will be the building of the new garage addition that will be a more timely process.

After the work was done I went to pick of Avery. I pulled into my parents drive way and got out of the Jeep and started walking into the house when my dad pointed and said,” There’s your  baby.” I turned around to see Avery asleep in his stroller beside the motorcycle my dad was working on. Still in his pajamas, sleeping in his stroller, was Avery, in such a silly position I couldn’t help but laugh (and take a picture)

Avery Kicking Back

Avery woke up from his nap our afternoon was filled will play time and a bath before heading over to spend a few hours with Grandma G and Grandpa T while Jon and I went to a going away party.

Such a lucky little boy to play with all his grandparents in one day. And play he did, he played so hard that when he closed his eyes at 9 he didn’t open them again until 5:30 the next morning.

Sunday was another great plan free day. Avery showed us yet another skill he has. While in his swing he sat up and leaned forward, a little scary to see. We put the tray on his swing now, and should help him keep from performing this little trick again.

Look what I can do!

After a day of playing and some napping at home we had plans for dinner with Grandma G & Grandpa T. Avery sat in his highchair and played and banged on his tray while we ate before he had his turn to eat, garden veggies, cereal and a bottle. After we ate it was off to the park to swing.

Enjoying the Park

It was a great weekend!

All Smiles after a great weekend

Applesauce

This weekend Avery started fruits. He started with applesauce and is now on to pears, next will be bananas. 

Avery enjoying his Applesauce

After Avery has made his way thru the fruits he is going to tackle a new cereal, Oatmeal. (Funny the things you look forward to when everything is new)

Splish • Splash • Splish • Splash

This summer Avery has had a great time "swimming" on warm days. He loves to splish and splash in the water. 

Avery and His Ducky Pool

Splish!

Splash! 

Taking a taste of duck

I love to see him so happy and playing, no matter how drenched I end up getting.

Less Sleep and More Tears

Saturday night Avery felt warm, so I took his temperature and found he had a low grade fever.

Sunday morning Avery woke with the same low grade fever. Fever and fussiness, I think teeth must be coming soon. Avery spent Sunday chewing on everything he could get his little hands on, and sleeping on and off.

Relaxing on Sunday

If it's in my hand, it's in my mouth!

He was a little bit off all day, maybe more then just teeth, his fever reached 100 degrees that night before he threw up twice. That sealed his fate, he would not being going to daycare Monday.

Monday, Avery spent the day playing with my mom, with no fever and some fussiness he seemed to be on the mend. Monday night was another first for us, it was the first difficult night that Avery has ever had, waking up about every 2-3 hours in the night, sometimes to have a snack, some times just needing to be held.

After a long semi-sleepless night, Avery woke this morning smiling and happy, but still not totally himself, but who is after getting less sleep then they are used to:)

Avery is back and daycare today, having a great day, and I even got an email from him telling me so...

ol/.i ,uilmm?GDFDFDFDFDFCCCC


cl,a,a,a,a,a,azc hoauhau   ,..............


gvb uth

c v hmky                                  ionmnuiu bbb,,b


Translation......

Avery says Hi mom!!!!  I am having a great day at Daycare today! I was having so much fun jumping in the jumper.  Beth said I was flying!!!!!  I must have been kind of wild!!!  I am now helping Amy in the office.  She likes when I help her!  I had smiles all morning and charmed the ladies in the room.  They really missed me yesterday.  I missed them too and also missed my friends.  I am glad to be back and playing with Carson.  Hope you are having a great day too!  I miss you but will see you soon.  Say hi to dad for me too!

Love,
Avery
(best email ever)

I am sure with teeth on the way we might have a few more nights where we get less sleep and have more tears, but I guess that is part of the deal.  

Watch Me Grow- Seven Months

Seven Months - Sitting

Today Avery is Seven Months old! He now is sitter and eats solids, has two new cousins, he loves the sight of cats and dogs, loves to play and smile!

Seven Months

 Another month has gone by, and as usual we cannot wait to see what he will do next!

Favorite Things (Part 2)

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things....
 

Avery doesn’t have any bright copper kettles or any mittens (yet) but he does have some favorite things. On the list of Avery’s favorite things is, his blue tag blanket (“Banks”), his mobile, and crib side peek-a-boo musical toy...

Avery with some of his favorite things

He also loves to play with a new car steering wheel toy, that makes noises, and has lights

Playing the new car toy from Grandma

And he loves to spin his musical alphabet wheel

I love things that spin!

And to jump!

I love to jump!

Everyday Avery grows and learns and finds new things. Adding to his list of favorites, with Mom and Dad and his loving family at the top.

Want to see past favorite things check out:  Favorite Things

Yummy!

One month ago we started Avery on solid foods. And so far so good! On Avery’s menu is rice cereal, green beans, peas, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. 

First Time having Rice Cereal!

Green Beans! 

Peas!

Squash!

Carrots!

His new favorite, Sweet Potatoes!

Avery starts his day with Breakfast, 2 tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with an ounce of formula (and most recently a little pear juice for flavor) and a bottle. Next for lunch he has some veggies and a bottle. For afternoon snack he has another bottle. When it comes time for dinner Avery has 2 tablespoons of rice cereal mixed with an ounce of formula and a bottle, and starting last weekend we added another serving of veggies, usually mixing the veggie with the cereal.  Next for Avery is fruits, which we are starting this weekend, apples, bananas, pears, peaches and prunes. 

Tiny Babies

Yesterday Jon and I were able to go visit the new members of the family Dylan and Freddie. Dylan and Freddie were born at just 24 weeks 6 days. It is true that great things come in small packages, born at 1lbs 10.5 oz (Dylan) and 1lb 6oz (Freddie) are doing great, winning new battles everyday. Jon and I were lucky enough to be there to see their mom hold Freddie and their dad hold Dylan for the first time. 

Chris & Dylan

Dylan in her Daddy's hands 

Lori & Freddie

Freddie in his Mommy's Hands

I am truly grateful for all the amazing medical staff that have loving cared for these two precious babies, we will never be able to thank them enough. Every baby is a blessing, we are so happy to have two more in our family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanandfreddie

Officially a Sitter

I can sit all on my own!

According to the calendar at daycare Avery is officially a sitter! It is something Avery has been doing for a few weeks now but he now has it mastered! He can’t get to the sitting position on his own yet but I am sure that is coming.  The other thing that is coming is crawling. When Avery is on his tummy Jon and I have seen him pick up one leg and put it back down, pick up one hand and put it back down, then doing the same with the other leg and hand, he doesn’t usually go anywhere when he does this. You can see it on his face he wants to go forward so badly, he just staires at where he wants to go but with no luck, reverse only.

Happy Little Sitter!