pictures

Sometimes this girl is just so darn cute that I can't help but take pictures of her all day long.

Thank goodness she doesn't take pictures of me all day long.

Geeeeesh!

I can only imagine how unphotogenic greasy hair, adult acne and stretchy pants could be. 

Lately our days have consisted of Avery trying to walk, falling,

 and then giving up and playing with toys.

I've been trying to "workout" more.

Oh and by workout I mean put on workout clothes and hope that playing with Avery and or doing the laundry causes me to break into a sweat at some point throughout the day.

That way when Brandon asks why I smell and am not dressed I have a good "honest" answer. 

Honesty is the key to a happy marriage!

Thank goodness he loves me.

holiday weekend

In this home weekends are a big deal.

We try to treat each one like a mini vacation.

My fun idea for this weekend was to go shopping at the outlet mall, 

but since the outlet mall is Brandon's idea of pure torture...

we decided to try something a little more fun.

So we went to the zoo.

Going to the zoo is 20 million times more fun with Avery! 

She thinks everything is so fun and exciting.

 She loved the watching all the animals...and all the people.

Then we came home and played in the pool.

I've decided that every weekend should be a 3 day weekend.

I told Brandon to tell Apple that he wants every Monday off. 

I think they're totally gonna go for it.

(fingers crossed)

Life is so good.

Dear Motherhood,

Its hard to believe that I have been apart of your exclusive club for almost a year now. Its even harder to   remember what my life was like before.  This has been a year full of ups, a few downs and lots of learning. I swear I learned more in this short year than I have throughout a majority of my life. I learned that most of the things I thought were important are insignificant. I learned that the moment I met my sweet little Avery my needs would happily take a backseat to hers. I learned that her sleeping, eating and bathing habits would become far more regular than mine. I learned that my house can be messy and its ok. I learned that I can do a lot on little to no sleep. I learned that a little bit of spit up can easily blend into most outfits. I learned that the sweetest site in the world is watching Brandon and Avery play. I learned that not being able to fit into some of my pre pregnancy clothes isn't a big deal. I learned that Avery still gives me the biggest smiles even when my hair isn't washed, my makeup isn't done and i've worn the same yoga pants 3 days in a row. I learned that the extra little chub on my tummy (and everywhere else) makes me a better snuggler.  I learned that Saturdays are no longer for relaxation but for taking Avery to experience something new. I learned that seeing Brandon as a father would make me fall more and more in love with him. I learned that dressing a baby is way more fun than dressing myself. I learned that my off key singing can calm a cranky baby. I learned that from now until the end of time I will worry about my little girl. I learned that its ok to make mistakes because I'm still learning. I learned that each day gets better and better. I learned that life doesn't much better than this. I learned that this is something I was born to do. I learned that spending each day with my Avery girl would be far more rewarding than anything else I could do. I learned that this is my happiness. I learned that I am living the life I always dreamed of. I learned what it means to be a mom.

 Love,
a happy mom