Thank You!

Avery is seven weeks now and is finally starting to sleep in longer stretches in the night. I don't dread bedtime anymore now that I am figuring out what she likes and needs. Sadly, I had to cut out all soda! I'm not entirely sure that is what made the difference, but it sure has helped. She doesn't scream for hours on end right before she falls asleep now. I want her to know someday how hard it has been to say goodbye to my caffeine boost of diet coke in the mid afternoon! Also, Aunt Tania sent this nice package that had a sleeper sack in it. Every since I started putting her in it and then wrapping her in a blanket the sleep got better as well. She slept from 9 to 5 last night and I kept rolling over and checking the clock. It was glorious!! She is going to bed earlier and earlier and I feel like my life is getting into a better groove. Miss Avery is the smiliest baby ever! Addison and I love to get her to smile in the mornings when we go and get her up. Keep up the good sleep work Avery and your mama will be one happy lady!

And Their Gone...

Drum roll please... Addison is BINKY FREE! I truly didn't think that we would be able to tackle this until she was in kindergarten. She was a binky lover. They were a huge comfort to her and she usually slept with multiple. For the past couple of months she would go sneak one whenever she got in trouble or "was having a hard day". Last week she even started stuffing them down her pants to hide them from view. It was a constant battle to get her to leave them in her bed. That is until she heard that her bff Will was taking his to the store to trade in for a toy. She told Dave and I that she wanted to do the same. I about fell over, but figured we should jump on the thought. We put all the binkys (which was about 7!) in a baggie and went to the toy store. Addison got to pick out her own toy all by herself. We had to keep steering her clear of the $50 giant dolls. She finally settled on a baby that came with a doctor kit. We went to the check out and she handed over her baggie and that was that! She went to bed just fine that evening. Nap times are still a little tricky, but in a week I think we'll be back to normal. I haven't even heard a , "Where's my binky?" when she's crying. Although this special baby doll does come with us just about everywhere! I am so proud of Addison! Next step...potty training...attempt #2!

Special Moments

Right before Dave left for his last week away he gave me a blessing. I was really emotional through it and Addison was very concerned. She sat still during it with her arms folded watching. Afterwards she came  over and asked her daddy if he could give her one. This caught us both off guard, but Dave looked at her and told her of course he would. Having the priesthood in our home is a special blessing that I am grateful for every day. We all said goodbye to Dave and I went to close the door behind him. As I turned around I saw Addison next to Avery who was in the swing with her hands on top of Avery's head. I went to tell her to be soft and to not touch her head. That's when I heard Addison begin to mutter prayer words and then shout, "Amen!" I asked her what she just did and her response was so innocent, "I'm just giving Avery a little blessing." I started to bawl. How often we forget the influence that our actions have on these special little spirits. I tried to explain that only daddy's who hold the priesthood get to give blessings, but it was hard for her to understand. Throughout the week when Avery would cry Addison would run over and put her hands on Avery's head. It makes me smile inside every time it happens. I know this is a little phase, but I want Addison to read this one day and know how special she is!

Last Week

Dave is DONE! He just finished his last week in Rochester and we are finally a happy family of four. It has been a long 10 weeks and we are all glad it's over. Addison is really happy to have her Dad home to give her big bear hugs and to kiss her good night. They went on a big ride right when he got home on Friday. I was actually got a few extra hours of sleep while Dave rocked Avery before she finally fell asleep. Dave has about 5 weeks left of school before he graduates. Yes, I said graduates! It hardly seems real. Hopefully we find out from the Air Force shortly where we'll be stationed.  I took the girls to two Halloween parties this week. One for our music class at the church and the other one was for playgroup. Addison couldn't believe she had to wear her costume again! Halloween night was this past week as well. I debated back and forth whether or not to take Addison out. It ended up being a warmer day so I bundled Avery up and we went to a few houses. We met up with the Quinn's and they helped me chase Addison from house to house. She filled her back up with lots of candy and has already forgotten about it! I'm sure Dave will have it all eaten here soon! We also carved pumpkins for family night. Addison chose to color her and Avery's pumpkin. She drew tons of tiny little circles and was really proud of it. Dave roasted the pumpkin seeds after which turned out really good. Addison picked for Dave to carve a jack o lantern face on our family pumpkin. She loved seeing it lit outside with a candle.

One more Visit

My mom came and stayed with me for one more week before heading up to Boston. Her and Addison were able to do a lot of fun things together. They made Halloween cupcakes and pumpkin jigglers. Addison kept saying that the jigglers were too cold to eat. We went to the carousel and play place at the mall. Lately all Addison will wear at these yellow and pink striped pants. It is driving me crazy! She pulls them out of the dirty basket if I don't hide them.We had our ward Trunk or Treat that Saturday night. It was a Christmas Miracle that we got Addison to wear her costume. All month she refused to even look at it. I ended up cutting an opening up the back and Dave and I managed to wrestle it on her. Addison got the hang of saying trick or treat and enjoyed eating a few pieces. She was the cutest little flapping owl and Avery was a happy pumpkin girl. I was very grateful to have my mom come for another week to help me out while Dave was gone.

One Month

Miss Avery turned a month...a few weeks ago. Time is flying by and I don't even know what day it is because I'm so dang tired!! I was a terrible sleeper as a baby and apparently Avery didn't just get my looks. We went in for her well visit check up and all is well. Avery is packing on the weight...mostly in her cheeks! Here are her stats:

Weight: 10 lbs 3 oz - 72%

Length: 21.46 in - 59%

Head circ: 14.3- 36%

She still gets up every from 1 to 2 hours at night, which is slowly going to kill me. We've had a few miracle nights where she will go 4 hours before waking. Avery is full of smiles and I've been lucky to catch a few on camera. She loves to smile at Addison. While I am cleaning up breakfast and doing the dishes Addison pulls up her stool next to the swing and makes Avery smile. Addison gets really excited when she can get her to smile, that she jumps up and down and screams. It's my favorite part of the morning to watch them interact. I got out the play mat for Avery and she really likes it. She will stay on her tummy for quite if I have the music playing. Addison likes to get under there with her and help her touch things. Avery has ended up in bed with  me a few times in the early morning and falls right back to sleep. This worries me a little bit! Hopefully this doesn't become a habit. She is the biggest cuddle bug ever. She wants to be held all the time and pretty much fusses when I put her down. Needless to say I don't get much done. Happy one month Avery Mae!

Sisterly Love

Addison LOVES to lay on the floor next to Avery and talk and sing to her. She will hold her hand and tell her it's okay if she starts to cry. Avery will turn and look at Addison and start to wiggle to the sound of her voice. Addison likes to give Avery her dolls and make sure she has lots of binkys around as well. We're working on not shoving lots of them into her mouth at once:) Someday these girls will be best friends!