I don't LIKE food. I LOVE it. If I don't love it, I don't SWALLOW.

Eating is my favorite pastime. I'm not kidding. I would rather eat than go for a run, watch a movie, play a game, or catch up with a friend (all things that I also love!) Food has a section of my heart that will never be shared with anything or anyone else. 

Now, there are lots of people out there who claim they are lovers of food. Kyle is one of them. But I'm pretty sure he doesn't spend half of his day getting in touch with his stomach, trying to think of what food would perfectly "hit the spot." I've never seen him light up with joy from cooking something spectacular, or have his entire night made because the meal he ordered was exactly what he wanted.



I'm trying to cultivate this love of food with Avery. At this time Cheerio's and peaches are at the top of the list.



However, she is a very silly girl. I've heard that with most babies parents typically have to try and limit distractions in order for the child to finish their meal.



Not so with our wee little thing! The more silly faces, toys on the tray, and noises happening, the more bites of food you can sneak into her mouth.



So, at this time I am alone in the household with how much I love food.

Unless you count my dear friend Remy from the movie Ratatouille.

Or maybe the food critic Anton Ego. Either work.

Water Bottle

It started like any other day. I was guzzling water like there was no tomorrow (seriously, I go NO WHERE without this puppy! Was anyone else thirstier while nursing than pregnant?)

However, now that Avery is mobile, what's hers is hers and what's mine...

is also hers.

Not that she knows how to work a straw yet.

And she gets it in her mouth about 50% of the time.

 

But she has fully tested the length of the straw.

And whatever makes a happy baby,

makes a happy mama!

Over a week ago, we had our first snow in Indiana.

Which, consequently, meant it was Avery's first too!

And even though it was a light snowfall,

I think the connection that snow=cold was planted in her brain.

But even between the wind blowing,

and snow melting on faces,

and noses turning red and running,

we still got some smiles

And snow really is pretty,



and kind of magical,



at least until you remember that you'll be scraping all this pretty and magical stuff off your car in a few hours.



But until that time, it was nice to enjoy hot chocolate and the view.

Happenings

So here is some video proof of the latest happenings in our household.

Crawling. Or at least the beginnings of it. This was taken on Christmas Day at my parent's house.

Her crawling as since morphed more into this. I'm not quite sure if it's a crawl, but a scooch in the least!

Avery also has perfected her spitting. She spends at least half the day making these noises (which translates to a dark wet ring on the front of her shirt for more than half the day.) 

But maybe the biggest accomplishment is her new best friend.

It's great. They laugh when you laugh, they give you kisses only when you want them, and you can always count on them being there for you.

Growing, growing, growing!

So here's a little timeline progression of Aves:

4 months old:

5 months old:

Before a sneeze

And the little smile that always follows.

6 months old:

7 months old:

 And today at 7 1/2 months old:

At 14 lbs and 1/2 oz  you sure look good! I want to freeze you in time because you are SO much fun, but I'm still SO excited to see you grown up and see the person you become. Basically, I think you are the funnest gal pal I could ever have and I'm so glad you are in our family! 

The last of the holiday.

Alright, here it is. The last of our holiday adventures. And really, what better place to end any vacation than in Colorado? Not going to lie, I would be mighty happy if that's where we put down roots one day.

Avery finally got to try out her fluffy pink coat since Colorado had some snow!

Not that this picture shows the snow, but it was chilly walking to the store, thus qualifying the need for a winter's coat.

She did a great a job at the store, and had fun playing with the displays of sweaters and what not. Perhaps I have a new shopping buddy!

Another discovery was this toy! Avery absolutely loved it! Not that she played with it in the most conventional way.

Avery also ate in a high chair for the first time! (I know, a piece a furniture we should have owned well before she was 7 months old.) It worked so well we bought the same kind when we got back to Indiana.

But most importantly, she had lots of time to play with Grandma and Grandpa.

First you have to size up Grandpa.

Distract him with a big ole kiss.

And then go for his eyes.

Fortunately, she played nicer with Grandma.

What a great break! Much love to all the family all over the States we saw during those awesome 3 weeks. Hopefully we get to be reunited soon!