All Clear

Playing with his truck & reading about cars in the clinic lobby

Avery had a repeat x-ray this week to check to make sure his pneumonia had cleared. His x-ray did in fact come back clear. Great News! Even though his lungs are clear we will continue to treat him with Pulmicort via his nebulizer twice a day until the end of June to make sure they stay that way. 

K&G Gymnastics

Sunday while Jon was playing his final rounds of pool, Avery and I had a play date. We met some friends at K&G Gymnastics, we were actually tagging along with the Cleveland ECFE program who had the gym reserved from 4:30-6:00, and for $5 a family we got to play in a really great facility. Being a gymnastics gym it has all the things you need for gymnastics, Beams, Bars, Vaults, Trampolines, a springy floor and that was just on one side. The gym is actually 2 large rooms, in one room is all the “real” gymnastic stuff is, where kids of all ages are taught basic to advanced gymnastics and in the other room, half is a pee-wee gymnastics area and half is a small basket ball court. Also on the pee-wee side there are bins filled with bats, and balls, golf clubs and lots of fun things. Both sides of the gym had lots of room to run and play, with lots of new things to try and explore. 

Jumping (standing) on a trampoline.

Walking on trampoline

Vaulting.

Jumping & Climbing

Avery tried out just about everything, he rolled and ran on the mats, climbed up and down on things, held on to the bars, sat on a high beam, jumped off the vault, jumped on a trampoline or four, chased balls around and even tried to shoot a “basket”. K&G have a great facility, with great staff who were very friendly and good to the kids, even showing them some of their “tricks” on the Bars and Beam.

Our crew at K&G

 I think I will look into when then have open gym so we can go again sometime. It really was a great way to “round off” the weekend (ha, that was a gymnastics joke, I am so funny!)

Trampolines & Cars what a great night.

State Pool Tournament

If our Saturday wasn’t busy enough, after the ALS walk and Avery’s extra long nap, we headed down to the Verizon Civic Center to watch Daddy play in the State Pool tournament. I am not sure Avery really knew what to think when we walked into the civic center, pool tables and people (he didn't know) filled the entire place. After wandering around for a little bit we finally found the table Jon and his team were playing at. Avery was very glad to see some familiar faces in the sea of people he didn’t know. He had a great time sitting on his Daddy’s shoulders, stealing his hat, and playing “peek” with it.

Hiding

Peek!

Avery was really good the entire time we were there, I was worried that Avery might be a distraction from the game, especially when it was Jon’s turn to play. But he wasn’t, the only time he “interfered” was when Jon was moving around the table to line up for the 8 ball on his last game and Avery said “Da Da” a few times until Jon looked up, Avery waved and said “Hi” which Jon did in return, and then made the shot, winning his game.

Jon shooting pool

Winning was the team’s theme for the tournament, for the first time ever the team made it to Sunday (the Finals) and then ended up finishing second overall in their category. Way to Go guys, nice shooting!

2nd Place Team 2012

ALS Walk

Saturday morning Avery, my Mom and I headed out to do the ALS walk. ALS, (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement, ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A close family friend has been battling the disease for a few years now, so even though the weather wasn’t great we went out to help support the cause and raise money to help find a cure. Before the walk starts everyone gathers together and fuels up (eats cookies, muffins, bagels, apples, popcorn and other donated treats) before heading out.  It was great to see so many people out to support the cause, people wore matching shirts and carried signs in support or in memory of their loved ones. Our team color was violet, my mom and I wore team shirts (under our rain coats) and we tied a balloon to Avery’s stroller.

Ready to roll for ALS

Walking in the rain with grandma

All bundled up and ready to walk we headed out, we didn’t get to far before we turned back, choosing to do our walking in the hallways of the school. This choice was fine with Avery, he went up and down the hallway, he went outside and came back in and then went out again. He was one busy little boy, and kept his grandma on her toes. After all that excitement there was only one thing Avery could do, take a nice long nap! It might not have been a great weather day, but it was a great day to support those who suffer from ALS, I am glad we were able to be a part of it.

Ships Across the Ocean - Avery Style

Well it’s spring in Minnesota again, warm and sunny one minute and cold and rainy the next. Because toddlers don't really understand, it's raining or it's too cold to go out and play, I was a little worried how a week forecasted with low temps and rain would go for a little boy who loves to be outside. It did rain and it was cold most nights this week and it did in fact keep us in. But to my surprise Avery didn't really seem to mind, and we found other ways to keep busy. For example Avery adapted a classic school yard game to keep himself entertained, Ships Across the Ocean, became Stroller Across the Living Room.  The game is very simple. Step One: mom needs all her trunk room in the Jeep so the stroller has come in the house. Step Two: Push folded stroller into the living room from the kitchen. Step Three: Call for mom until she comes to reposition the stroller in the room for maximum rolling space. Step Four: (This it where it gets fun) Sit in the basket area of the still folded stroller and use your feet to roll yourself across the living room.  

Step Four: Rolling Across the Room

Step Five: Get out and push the stroller back across the living room.

Step Five: The Return Trip

Step Six: Repeat Step Four & Five, over and over!
It so funny to walk into the living room and see him doing this, he was just as happy as can be, and very proud of his new game. Such a silly boy we have!

Big Dog = Big Fun

Sure our dog is big but this past weekend Avery got to play with an even bigger dog, Duke. Duke is a pure bred 90+ pound Doberman puppy. Some people think Dobermans are big intimidating, dangerous dogs, and that might be true for some of the breed but for most that is only an incorrect stereotype. Dobermans are simply intelligent, alert, loyal dogs that are big, real big in Duke's case (No Jon I still don’t want one). Dogs (and people, for that matter) temperaments and behaviors are the result of how they are raised and treated. And Duke is no exception, Duke is friendly, well behaved and is very gentle with kids. Avery had a great time playing with Duke, it was so fun to watch Avery follow Duke around the yard. 

Avery & Duke

Playing with Duke

Duke Welcoming Avery 

Another highlight of visiting Duke was Duke’s owners lawn mower, the seat moved close enough to the searing wheel that Avery could reach, he loved sitting on it and “driving”.

"Driving" the mower

Hugs!

Recently Avery has learned to hug. If you ask for a hug, you'll usually get one, same goes with kisses. Last night after Avery had his bath and had a few more minutes left to play before bed he did the sweetest thing. Without me saying anything he walked up to Nico who was sitting in the living room and hugged him.

Hugging Nico

After hugging the dog a few times he moved on to Diesel. When Avery hugs the cat it looks more like a body slam but its a hug, a whole body hug.

Hugging Diesel

Whole Body Hug 

Such a soft friend

And actually the cat is more tolerant of hugs then the dog, Diesel moves around the room during a "Hug Attack" but never goes far or hides, Nico on the other hand stands up (making it impossible to hug him) or leaves the room. Hugs all around. Happy Friday!

My Baby the Pin Cushion, Part 6

Hanging out, playing waiting for his Doc

Yesterday Avery had his 15 month Well Baby Visit, he got 2 shots and pretty much has a clean bill of health. I say pretty much because Avery does have a follow up x-ray from his pneumonia, we also scheduled an Echocardiogram because of his occasional blue lips, nothing to worry about, just checking a few things out. Avery is otherwise happy and healthy. He meets all developmental mile stones. He weighs in at 26 lbs (50th percentile) and measures 2’7” (70th percentile), making him tall! Actually tall, not sure when it will change but I am guessing it will – not sure its in his genes to continue to be tall. It was a great visit I am always glad to meet and discuss things with his doctor, she always makes me feel so comfortable and filled with knowledge. 

Hoppy Easter!

Hoppy Easter!

Avery had a very Hoppy Easter! We started the day with lunch with GG & GT and Jon’s family. Once we got there Avery spotted in Easter basket and with some encouragement went over to investigate. He got a bat and ball, animal crackers, a book about ducklings that quacks, some clothes and sunglasses, he was very happy!

Easter Basket Time!

Sunglasses!

Having a cookie!

After lunch we hid some purple plastic Easter eggs (purple seems to be one of Avery favorite colors) for Avery to find, again with a little encouragement and guidance Avery found all five animal cracker (aka cookie) filled eggs.

Hunting Eggs

Grandma is the greatest! Cookies!

Avery fell asleep on the cross town trip to my parents house. After an hour nap Avery was ready to play. We went outside and played and played. He tried out a tricycle that I can steer from behind him (the tricycle is a little to big and Avery cannot reach the pedals) and he played in the sunshine for an hour or so before. 

So Happy to play!

After playing for awhile we went in with Avery to open a Easter basket sent from Colorado. What a lucky boy, Lee and Veronika have sent Avery a Strider, a peddle-less balance bike! Avery’s eyes lit up at the sight of it, he pointed at it and happily stated, “MoMo”, I think this would have made Lee and Veronika (motorcycle enthusiasts) very happy to hear. The seat and the handle bars are adjustable so the bike fits him perfectly! He is a little intimated by it but loves to look at it and be close to it and every now and then sit on it. He really does love it.

Look what I got!

Avery and his Strider!

He also got a Easter basket with a sprinkler, bunny puppets, tub toys and a new blue truck. After another delicious meal we again went outside, this time to find Easter eggs around the yard. 

Sherbet Cone! 

This time Avery had some company (competition) for the eggs, Avery’s cousins from up north were down to celebrate Easter. Everyone had a great time hunting for eggs and they were all found very quickly. 

found one! 

Eggs! with goldfish hidden inside

Family Shot!

It was a great day, a very Hoppy Easter!

Fifteen Months

15 Months

15 months, today Avery is 15 months old. Avery has quite the month, a week of being spoiled by grandparents, a ambulance ride, an over night hospital stay. Also in the past month he has added 2 new teeth, and is working on a third.  He keeps adding more and more words to his vocabulary everyday, most recently he has added, “Mo-Mo” (for motorcycle or bike), and it seems his favorite words are “truck”, and “puppy”.  He walks/runs like he has been doing if for more then a month.  Loves, loves, loves to play outside. Tuesday we will get his official measurements at his well baby visit.

Bunny Pictures

Again this year Avery had his picture taken with some bunnies, real bunnies!....Avery’s Grandma took him while we were on vacation, and from the looks of the pictures my shy guy was the one having his picture taken. You can see his shy, coy, flirty, look in the pictures. He did great, I loved the pictures, but how could I not? My baby boy and bunnies what’s not to love! Hoppy Easter!

my favorite picture

Bunnies! 

Being a little shy

Hi Mr. Bunny

Shy Guy

New Shoes

Even though sandal season is fast approaching we got Avery some new shoes. His size 4 shoes were just getting a little too small, so while we were out last weekend Avery got a shinny new pair of size 5 shoes. They are so cute, they are Cars themed, and they light up. 

Avery's New Shoes

Avery loves them too and he gets around in them great, as he demonstrated in the park swinging, playing in the sand and sliding.

Swinging

Playing in the Sand 

Playing 

Sliding 

More Sliding

And More Sliding