A Letter to Averi: Eight Months

Hi baby girl!

You have gotten so big and hit so many milestones this month! The biggest one is that you became a crawler!!! You LOVE being able to go wherever you want and "help" your brother.

I braved going to the zoo by myself with just you and your brother. We had a lot of fun and you guys were really good!

So good that I decided to take you guys again! 

You got to go on your first carousel ride! Unfortunately, you're too little to ride on one of the animals so I had to wear you. You got a little scared and nervous. BUT watching your brother be confident helped you feel ok.

We went back to my high school for Homecoming. You loved watching the football game and the cheerleaders (much to my dislike).

Speaking of football, Mommy & Daddy are making sure that you learn to love sports.

So, we were orange on Fridays and Saturdays....

...and navy and red on Sundays!

You have started feeding yourself.

And you got your first 2 teeth!! So you were chewing on anything to help them come in this month.

You are pulling up on everything!

And I mean everything!!

You are a mover and a talker. You love to tell me when you want/need something different than what you have. I cannot wait to see how that strong opinion turns into when you get older. I know you will do big things. I love you so much!!

"I love you to the moon....and back!"
Mommy

A Letter to Averi: Seven Months

Hi big girl!

This past month hasn't brought many changes. To me, that means changes are coming soon!

A new talent you have is "standing" on your head. You have even begun to "crawl" by scooting with your head on the ground.

We started eating and trying solid foods this month. You really like bananas, sweet potatoes, and mangos.

I got out your doorway jumper. You like it but are not sure about the swing that it has. It's not as stable as your jumperoo and I can tell that worries you a little bit.

Now that you're sitting up on your own, I finally started to sit you up in the carts when we go shopping! I'm so excited to finally have all my cart space back!

You love sitting up with your brother and playing with him. Now, we just need to get him better about sharing with you. =)

You started to get up on your knees in crawling position and even rocking while there. However, you really like crawling on your head right now.

We went to a Sugar Land Skeeters game with our friends. It's the 2nd time you've been to a baseball game and you loved it.

The biggest event of this month was Hurricane Harvey. It made landfall just South of Houston one week before you turned 7 months. Thankfully, our house got no water inside of it. Daddy was home with us and he made us this awesome tent in our living room.

We had a lot of tornado warnings while you guys were sleeping but one time, during the day, we were in the middle of a tornado warning area. We all had to get into the hall closet to make sure we were safe. You read books and Brother played on the iPad after reading books too.

After the water got really high on our street, it lowered and we were able to drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We wanted to be there just in case the weather got bad again. Thankfully, it didn't but we got to spend a few days at their house. You have started to really grab your toes too!

After we went home, the best day of the year happened - opening day of college football!! Go Pokes!! You are able to fit into the OSU onesies so we dress for Orange Fridays and Gamedays!

You are enjoying "reading" still too!

I can't wait to see what changes come this next month. Hopefully, that tooth comes and maybe you'll crawl too. I'm not looking forward to that because then it means you are growing up. I love you baby girl...

"I love you to the moon...and back."
Mommy

A Letter to Averi: Six Months

Hi baby girl,

Again, let's pretend that you're not turning 7 months tomorrow. =)

We celebrated the 4th of July at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

The next day, Aunt Michelle went with us to Tiny Tots. You decided you wanted to sit up on your own for her! You were supporting yourself with your hands on the ground but that's still a big deal.

We drove to Oklahoma for Poppy's birthday. It was your first road trip. You did pretty good. We drove at night so you and Jayce could sleep in the car. You got to swim in a pool for the second time. You really like it. This was your first time without a floatie.

You got to meet your Great Grandma,

your Aunt T,

your Uncle C,

and your cousins, K & P.

You loved swimming with Poppy.

When we got home, you decided that you could sit up all by yourself - without support!

You have now noticed Shorty and love "petting" him. You really just grab is fur and try to put your mouth on him. He's pretty patient with you.

Daddy got your walker down from the attic. You really like the toys on it...but so does Jayce. You're not quite tall enough to walk in it but you like to play in it anyways.

We volunteered at VBS. I got to be in your room. Lots of your friends were in there with you and you had fun.

Jayce has started wanting you to "get him" and you are okay with it. He lets you tackle him and lay on his tummy. It seems fun and he likes to "get" you too. We try to make sure he doesn't lay all the way down on you.

You got your first Usborne books and Nana bought them for you. You are just starting to try and turn pages in books. It's super cute.

Another thing you've just started is accepting pacifiers and putting them in your own mouth by yourself. It's so funny to have you be 6 months old and just now liking pacis. However, you are mostly just chewing on them to help comfort your gums. You STILL have no teeth. I keep feeling your bottom one get closer but it's not showing yet!

I love you little girl. I cannot wait to see what changes come next month!

"I love you all the way to the moon...and back."
Mommy

A Letter to Averi: Five Months

Averi Joy,

You did not grow much physically this month, but BOY! did you grow mentally. So many changes and leaps forward. You are making your mama so proud and sad at the same time.

I love this picture because you hardly sleep on your back anymore and your feet are crossed. It's so cute!

You rolled from your tummy to your back this month! That's so soon after rolling onto your tummy. I'm so proud of you baby girl!

We went to our first splash pad this month. And I already had to buy you a new swimsuit! Notice where your fingers are...in your mouth! This silly tooth isn't coming in yet! You are still sleeping well and handling it well during the day.

You are so intrigued by everything your brother is doing. He is making so much noise and you are captivated.

Father's Day happened this month too. You have made your daddy's life so much sweeter. He loves being a daddy of two kiddos and that wouldn't be possible without you.

You are reaching for toys now on your own. And, like this picture shows, your toes. You are accidentally grabbing them every once in awhile. At least you aren't eating them!

When you get a little fussy, you love to be bounced up and down. I asked some of my friends if they had something for you. One friend had this jumparoo that we are borrowing. You love it! You like the toys and being able to bounce on your own.

Mommy and Jayce have started another round of Tiny Tots and Tunes. Grandma came to hold you and help you be happy while I was with Jayce. You actually loved the music and watching the dancing. I can't wait to do a Tiny Tots class with you.

We went to our friends house for another play date and you got to try an exersaucer. You loved it! I think your favorite part was the toys that bend down for you to chew on. =)

We celebrated the 4th of July at church. Your "shirt" was actually a dress that had gotten too short. You grew too fast! I love having you girly. I love dressing you and seeing what we can do with all your outfits and bows!

We went to my aunt's house for a Shrimp Boil after church. She and her husband are always cooking for lots of people. I was so happy that you got to go to their house for one of these get-togethers. She loves holding you and your brother. In this picture, she's feeding you ice because it was so hot!

This is you guys at the Shrimp Boil. I love how you are reaching for your brother, resting back on your daddy because you trust him, AND watching everything around you. You are so amazing already. I can't wait to see what this next month brings.

"I love you all the way to the moon...and back."
Mommy