18 months old!!!

This past Thursday, April 24th, Avery turned 1 1/2!!!  Hard to believe it's only been 6 months since she turned 1 and even harder to believe that in 6 more months she'll be 2!  Where did the time go???

So let's talk about what little Miss Avery has been up to over the past 6 months.  Physically - home girl will do and try anything...she's a runner, a climber and if she could jump, she would!!!  She definitely keeps us on our toes more than Riley ever did.  We've had to put a gate up by the stairs because the furniture that worked like a charm in the past, she has learned to climb up on.  She hates the gate and we love it!!!

Verbally, Avery has been speaking more and more.  She pretty much will repeat what you say if you ask her too.  Over the past month, she has learned and been able to say more without prompting.  She will go through the members of our family saying "mama" "dada" "sis" or "Ri Ri" constantly.  She calls for the "wirrels" (squirrels) in our yard.  She says "thank you" most times when you give her something.  If she forgets to say it, you only need to ask her if she has something to say and then she will say it.

She can identify and say "grandpa" "Juh-Juh" "pop" "Babcha" and "Matt."  She knows a ton of animal names and sounds and often requests apples, oranges and bananas.  But she does love to ask for "Cheeweeios" (Cheerios) or "cooks" (cookie).  There are so many more - but my all time favorite is when she says "I love you."  Heart melter right there!!!

Avery will eat anything!!!  She is a way better eater than Riley ever was (and is).  

She has moved up once again in class at daycare.  She loves her new teacher and of course the friends that had left her behind when they moved before her.  

Avery loves doing her own thing - she hates the stroller (how dare we restrict her) and loves to run free - and not listen.  She would be the one we lost in Target!!  One thing for sure, is that Avery LOVES her big sister more than anything.  She constantly wants to be with her and will copy her in any way if she can.  

We definitely have our hands full with this one - but we wouldn't have it any other way!!!  Happy Half Birthday, Avery Parker.  We're looking forward to seeing what you accomplish in the next 6 months. 

Happy Easter ~ 2014

Easter this year was great!  Avery was able to participate in dying eggs and hunting for eggs.  She loved dying them (though we couldn't keep up with her)!  Riley also loved that her sister could do what she was doing!

Riley left a note for the Easter Bunny, along with some carrots and water.  She couldn't wait to see what he was going to leave for her and her sister!

Avery and Riley LOVED hunting for Easter eggs.

And they loved getting dressed up in their beautiful Easter dresses. Riley picked out her dress all by herself at Marshall's and Avery wore a dress given to her by her cousin Keira, who wore it for Easter when she was 1!  They both looked gorgeous!!

They hunted for plastic eggs outside.  We definitely lucked out with the weather, it was a gorgeous, sunny day.

They ate a yummy ham dinner (well, I think Avery ate mostly mashed potatoes) and had dessert.

It was a fun day and I think it's safe to say that the girls enjoyed their Easter!!

What's happening?!?!?

Has it seriously been almost a month since I last posted?!?!  I guess so!  I wish I could say it's been so busy that I hadn't had time to blog.  Truth be told I think it's been so long because I have nothing to blog about.  To say this winter was fun and awesome would be a lie.  This winter was rough and cold and really, really snowy.  It was awful.  And then to top it off, there was a stomach bug that hit our house for Jeremy, Riley and I.  Avery managed to not catch the bug, but did have pink eye and an ear infection.  We also found out that she is allergic to penicillin.  UGH!   But, it's April and the weather is breaking (for now), so we're trying to do more as a family and get these kids some Vitamin D, the old fashioned way.

We brought them to the zoo - Avery LOVED it.  It's been so long since we've gone, I think Avery forgot about how much fun it is at the zoo.  She is a die hard animal lover like her sister.  

While I've already participated in some fun runs and races, it's now getting warm enough where Riley can join me in the kid's fun runs.  So last weekend it was off to Paint Westvale Purple.  Riley did the Cherry Rd. Dash, while I did the 5k.  Jeremy and Avery cheered us both on.  Our next run will be in mid-May.  How long until Avery is joining us???

This weekend, the weather was gorgeous!  We spent hours outside playing.  Riley and Jeremy decided that they want to do a garden this year...so stay tuned to see how that turns out!  Avery loves running and playing in the yard.  She also loves watching the birds and squirrels.  Again, quite the animal lover.

We have a lot to look forward to over the next few weeks.  Easter, a new garden,  the start of T-ball, Avery's 18 month doctors appointment and hopefully some fun family outings in the nice spring weather!  Hopefully there won't be too many weeks between posts again!!!  HAPPY SPRING!