Happy Spring!!

We have been loving this weather. And, your personality is shining through, making this time so fun for us! Instead of typing it all out, which does not do it justice, here is a picture blog to capture all this preciousness!

Sitting up like a big girl!!!

Getting clean for your first day at daycare...

You played your little heart out at daycare. You were so exhausted.

Later that day, at a soccer game with Gigi.

Enjoying the sunshine at Jetton Park.

You and your Daddy enjoying this beautiful weather.

I mean, it doesn't get any cuter!!

Birkdale and TCBY.

Shopping with mama, daddy, and Gigi...our big blue eyes!

Trying on summer hats!

Sitting in your stroller like a big girl.

Telling Gigi all about daycare and your week

And now in preparation for Easter, here comes Peter Cottontail...

We are having so much fun with you. We are so blessed. You are such a JOY!!!
We love you, cupcake!

Daycare

We are officially in daycare and doing well. After dreading it for the past two weeks, we finally started our transition into daycare on Wednesday. I cried and cried on Tuesday night but by Wednesday I only teared up a time or two.

Daddy and I both dropped you off. They were ready and waiting for you. You have your own cubby hole, jacket/bag hook, everything. They all were super excited for you to be there. This made us feel so much better. You went right into Ms. Amanda's arms. She is the assistant director of the daycare, who helps out in the infant room. You have three teachers...Ms. Patrice, Ms. Patricia, and Ms. Lindsey. You have EIGHT GIRLS in your class and ONE BOY, who is only part time. Daddy is happy because that means no boyfriends yet, but I see many cat fights and hormones flying in that room. :)

Your little lip quivered when we were telling you bye, but I think you were just confused what was going on. Mommy and Daddy went to eat lunch at Firehouse together before we both went to work. Then at 3:30 I came back to get you. I was so excited because I just knew when I picked you up I would get the BIGGEST SMILE and I could not wait. Nope, second best!! You were sound asleep. You were in a little swing, just swinging away. I unhooked you and took you out, held you while I talked to your teacher, put you in your car seat, drove you home and then got you out of the car seat at home. You did not even stir until I got you home. THEN I GOT THAT BIG SMILE!! But, I would call it a success! You must have really played your little heart out.

Today you went back for your last transition day. Daddy dropped you off super early this morning and I picked you up at noon. Ms. Patrice said you were great! It was PICTURE DAY!! YOUR FIRST SCHOOL PICTURES!! I was so excited. We sent you with your Easter dress. I was hoping for the best, but just knew you may be sleepy, fussy, or just not having it. But, when I went to pick you up, they said you did wonderful with your pictures!! I am so excited to be able to see/order them!! They said you had another great day, minus the fire drill! Every month they have to do the fire drill. Today was obviously the day...and you were sleeping and it must have scared the dickens out of you. Other than that, perfect little girl!

Mama doesn't want to leave you at daycare baby, but you have helped make it easier than I expected. You seem to enjoy it. I love your teachers. And I cannot wait to see everything you learn and the friendships you make. Mama loves you baby girl and I am so proud of you!

TEAM AVERY!!!!

http://www.promisewalk.org/pfpw/participantpage.asp?uid=5276&fundid=1943

The link above will directly link you TEAM AVERY where you van sign up to walk, donate to the Preeclampsia Foundation on Avery's behalf, or just to check it out!!!

Promise Walk For Preeclampsia!

On May 19th, 2012, Mike, Avery and I will put on our tennis shoes and walk. We will be walking in the Charlotte Promise Walk For Preeclampsia. This walk supports the Preeclampsia Foundation to bring hope for healthy lives to millions of mothers and babies each year.

We will be walking because of the 6 weeks we spent on bedrest...two of those horrid weeks spent in the hosptial.
We will be walking because of all the NSTs and BPPs we endured biweekly...
We will be walking because of the scary, life-threatening blood pressures I struggled with...
We will be walking because of the 36 hour induced labor...
We will be walking because of the emergency c-section...
We will be walking because of our amazing doctors and nurses who became our family...
We will be walking because we fought for our lives...
We will be walking because the first time we heard Avery cry!!!


We will be walking for all the other mothers and babies who have gone through this. ...
We will be walking for all the mothers and babies who have lost their lives because of this...
We will be walking to raise awareness!!!
We will be walking to save lives!!!
We will be walking to find a cause and a cure!!!

I am in the process of creating our team...TEAM AVERY!! Should be up and running by tomorrow. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us to walk. We hope you do!! We would love for all of you...who faithfully prayed for us...and with us...to come walk beside us as we stand strongly with everyone who has been through this, and stand hopeful for all those that will one day endure this.
As a team, our goal to raise is $500. If you would like to donate or sponsor Avery, we would love for you to, although it is not required or expected.
If you walk, the registration fee is $20. This money counts as a donation and goes directly to our goal. If you register BY THIS FRIDAY, you will get a t-shirt on the day of the walk.

Either way, we hope each of you will join us on this very special day. You can find more information and how to sign up to walk with us at www.promisewalk.org/charlotte, or just click on the badge below. If you have any questions, please email me (stephanielane102@gmail.com) or call my cell (980-297-0970).





From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you and love you all! We cannot wait to see you there!
Mike, Stephanie and Avery

Two Months!!!!

Happy Two Months, Avery Mackenzie!!! What a blessing you are!!!

You are becoming more active by the day. You are sleeping less during the days, but you sleep pretty well at night. You fall asleep between 8-9pm and do not wake up until 2-3am. After that it's only one or two hour stretches, but that first 6 hours is wonderful!! By 5-6am you are up and ready to start your day. We have gotten use to it, our little early bird.

You have found your hands and try so hard to get them into your mouth. Sometimes you are successful, sometimes not. It's precious watching you trying to make those connections. You love being stretched out and kicking your legs. You love your floor mat and have realized if you hit the dangling toys, music plays. You are fascinated trying to hit those toys. If you can't, you just kick the bars to make the music play.

We have finally found a formula that works well with you. It is Gerber Good Start Protect. Your tummy is doing MUCH better on it. And, there's an outlet in SC I can get it for super cheap....even better!!

A few weeks ago, I packed away your preemie clothes. Yesterday, I had to pack away your newborn clothes. You are getting so big. We go back to the doctor next week but I would definitely say 8-9 lbs by now. You are in 0-3 clothes, and some 3 month. We are still in Newborn diapers and will be for awhile. Your little legs have to get chunkier before we can put you in Size 1 diapers.

You have become a huge fan of your pacifier, but I can't complain because you only want it when you are sleepy. You definitely get to smacking on that thing though.

You have a little monkey that we pull her tail and she plays music. She is by far your favorite toy right now. You still fall asleep to your Glow Seahorse. You are a champ sleeping in your own room. We are so proud of you!

You love when we sing to you. Your favorites are "You Are My Sunshine" and "Jesus Loves Me".

You are everything we dreamed of in a daughter...and more. We love you so much and love watching you grow and learn. You have stolen our hearts.
We Love You, Avery Mackenzie!

Here are a few pictures from today....2 months...3/10/2012