Update of Conner's Garden..it's really growing!!!

It's really amazing to watch this stuff grow!  I wanted to spend some more time out there photographing the garden... but where does the time go???   The Lavender is blooming, the small daisy's, and the other blue mystery flower.  The lily's are budding - which are my favorite - and this year - that rabbit deterrent worked.  Last year, we had no lily's - the rabbits ate every one (well except the one that Brenden stepped on) 

standing...yeah thats right....standing!

So I think I can say she has mastered crawling and is moving up - literally!  She stood for the first time a week ago - and is now starting to do it more - as you can see in the pics.  She has been having some low grade fevers and after yet another trip to the pediatrician - we have concluded that sometime soon - she will have 2 teeth.  They are not yet at the surface - but you can see them a tad (boy that exam was fun - Avery wants no parts of anyone looking in her mouth - lol) So maybe in a week - or two - or three - she will have some teeth!  Despite the low grade fevers - she has been really happy and pleasant.  She is such a joy!   Last night she didnt want to go to bed - and Carl and I sat up with her - until midnight just playing and watching her crawl all around - SO FUN!!!!  Brenden had a GREAT game today - 3 awsome hits!  And in the August (deep swallow) he starts tackle football.  Yikes!  Brenden also was a child model for a photography workshop today in DC - quite fun  - cant wait to see the final pics!  

Avery's really standing!!!

Went in to get Avery from her crib - and when I walked in she was standing on the side waiting for me - she's really getting around!  She is crawling all over the place - and now pulling up on things - very exciting!   Hopefully  I can grab some standing pictures soon!  Here's one from this evening at sunset.

Avery 9 mos 1 week

So Brenden looks excited huh - well once he got out into the open water - he was no so excited - lol.  Carl took him out first and he was scared - so I took him out.  I drive pretty fast - so he still got scared.  He's been on jetskiis before - not sure what was up this time.  All in all he had a great time at Scotts pty - and loved swimming!  Glad it was such a beautiful day - because it's raining and freezing now - argh!  Avery did great - she didnt like the cold water too much - but she really enjoyed eating sand - yummie!  We lowered her crib mattress on Sunday -  and right before we did - SHE DID IT!  SHE STOOD UP FOR THE FIRST TIME!   - WOW!  I cheered for her like she just won a great prize.  It was so exciting!  She has become quite the challange to get dressed or change her diaper. You know the song "It takes two"  Well... it totally takes two to change a diaper.  She is like a little wild monkey!  It's been a really long time for us to be chasing around this little person - we are enjoying every second of it.  I find myself just smiling and amazed everytime she crawls away from me with her naked butt in the air before I had a chance to put a new diaper on.  She is not interested in baby food AT ALL.   But, she is eating all the usual kid favorites - or as Brenden would say "crap".  She's tried chicken, pizza, french fries, tomato's - and so far her fav is pizza I think!  

Field day fun!

Field day was fun - but HOT!  The highlight for the kids was the snow cones - what a great idea.  Avery was SO good the whole steaming hot 2 hours - what a relief.  She has not stopped saying "ah da da da da da da"  It's the cutest thing ever!  Also  - a huge accomplishment - we are lowering her crib mattress this weekend.  She has been caught - on her knees hanging on the side - next step - standing - WOW!  Today we are off for a fun day at the pseudo beach (severn river) to celebrate Scott's college graduation!  Avery's first time in a bathing suit - how cute is that?

drama, drama, drama

So my little guy got off the bus in tears today...  It seems that once again - HE DOESNT LISTEN!   Some of the kids have been sneaking toys to school. (I have known about it for a while - but let him keep sneaking around)  He has these two toys that he LOVES  - "Bakugons" - they are all the rage when your 5!  He told me he wanted to take them to school and I told him I didnt think that was a good idea and it was just going to cause trouble.  He decided to do it anyway and well....  he came home today without them.  So, he asked me to write his teacher a note to get them back - WHAT????  So, when I said "no way"  he wrote one with my help - It's SO SO SO cute!

Avery 9 mos 2 days

Basically just a picture post for today - Avery just got back from her 9 month old appt and two shots - OUCH!  She is weighing in at 17 pounds 4 ounces, 27 1/2 inches long!  She is doing beautifully.   

Our baseball star!

Brenden had a rockin game last night.  Hit 3 balls (game's only 3 innings) and made a play at 3rd!  Gets better and better every week!  Yeah Brenden!  Looking forward to the next game :)

Avery 9 months old! Adjusted 7 1/2 mos

9 months never was so fun!  So I tried some "baby in a basket" photos with Avery - well as you can see she wasn't interested in staying in the basket.  I must have put her back 6 or 7 times - each time tumbling out into the grass.   With each passing day she is getting better and better at crawling.  Next is for her to get to a sitting position from crawling - oh how fun!   She is really doing amazing.  With her being a preemie - we weren't too sure what to expect - developmental delays, etc.  To our amazement.... she is following right on track with babies her age - which has been a relief and we're so proud of her!  She is a terrific little lady!  She hasnt been sleeping too well the past couple nights - I think she wants to practice all her new found freedom.  Happy 9 months Avery! 

Avery almost 9 mos!!

A certain little lady is OFFICIALLY crawling!!!  She isnt a expert yet - but she's definalty crawling!  It's very very exciting.  She is also starting to babble some and say "ah da" - not calling daddy "da-da" or anything yet - but making some new sounds!  She has been sick for a week now - and I think her cold is finally on it's way out.  Brenden had strep throat for the first time, and I have my usual crummy sinuses.  As soon as Avery is done nursing - I am starting on allery medicine - I am MISERABLE!   Some of you know that I have become involved with a family that has twins who were diagnosed with a fatal leukodystrophy.  I photographed these babies for the second time one week ago.  Sadly the little baby girl Ashley died Saturday morning.  She was only 2 1/2 months old.  Please keep this wonderful family in your thoughts as they struggle with the passing of their sweet baby girl, and the health care needs of their son.  This is sure to be a very trying time for this family.  Please take a moment to visit and leave some kind words.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/tommyandashley

Avery 8 1/2 months - adjusted 7 mos

Ahhh - where does the time go - it's been more than a week since I blogged... Geez - since then two kids have been sick - one still. Brenden was sick first and lovingly shared his bug with Avery. She started Thursday with a fever - then got the runny nose and cough Sunday afternoon. My allergies have been kicking up - so all in all no-one's feeling especially wonderful. I spoke at the annual pediatric memorial service last weekend. It went very well - and I even got some pretty nice feedback from a bereaved family. Honoring Conner makes me feel good and Im glad that it can some how help another family. Mothers Day is always a tough day for me - but yesterday was nice - I did something nice for another family - and that made my day a little more bearable. Brenden let me take him out for pictures as a mothers Day present (2 are posted) we went into the woods - and a certain someone was not very cooperative. He was climbing some tree roots over a knee deep stream - and slipped and fell in - soaked... that was the end of our shoot :( Then he made me a mothers day card - on the front were two little stick people holding hands. I asked him who they were and he says "thats me" - so I asked who the other person was and he replies "thats you - dragging me off for more pictures" - LOVE it - lol