Memorial Day 2011

 We had a wonderful weekend with beautiful weather! We spent countless hours in the pool both in our neighborhood and at one of my best friend's house, Marissa, in Fort Worth! Avery loves the water and is completely fearless so we have to watch her like a hawk. She will walk right into the water without missing a beat. We now all have really good tans and a small taste of what our summer is going to consist of.  We worked in the yard, cooked out, cleaned house, and just enjoyed having a low key weekend with each other.  We even made a Braum's run!  Nothing quite like a chocolate malt.  Here are the very few pictures we took........I have no idea why I did not take more pictures.     

So after the "big" pool down the street, we decided to get Avery's pool out that she got for her birthday and put it up in the backyard.  In my mind the pool was much bigger than what it turned out to be.  I filled the whole thing up with baby Avery in a tiny little section.  She was fine though, but I felt huge. She had fun regardless!

 Playing with her water table toys!

 Laying out with momma

Getting tired and ready for a nap

On Monday we spent the day with Hilary and her husband, Elizabeth and her husband, Bonnie and her boyfriend, and many other friends at the Hampton's.  Marissa and Jordan cooked for everyone and opened their home up to all of us!  We had so much fun catching up and talking about everything under the sun.  I have some of the best friends and we have so much fun together.  We missed everyone that could not be there.  It was a very enjoyable Memorial Day!  

Uncle Larry

Jason's Uncle Larry went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday May 7, 2011.  He was an avid golfer and will be remembered for his love of his family.  Please lift the Cathey family up in pray and pray for their strength in this difficult time.

Happy Mother's Day

Side note: I lost everything I typed and this is my second attempt........frustrating.

My second Mother's Day was as special as the first. The day started off with Jason making me breakfast before church. It was delicious and so very nice. I love our church! The sermon was all about mother's and our pastor made all the moms feel so special. Being a mom is the most awesome feeling and I find myself thinking about how lucky I am on a daily basis. I feel so privileged to be a mom; especially Avery's momma! I have so many friends who have struggled to become a mom or are still struggling and I pray that God allows them the opportunity all in good time. After church, my parents, Lindsey, and Jason's mom and step-dad came over for lunch. I cooked baked chicken, ranch style beans, green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni, salad, and bread. I am really enjoying taking over a bit with family meals. After lunch, we all got a chance to visit and then we walked down to the pool. My parents really enjoyed watching Avery play in the water and Nana took lots of pictures. After everyone left, I took Avery jogging (Mommy jogged, Avery slept!). I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that make it special! Thank you babe for all you do!

I want to say this about my mom: She is loving, caring, honest, selfless, giving, kind, and most of all an excellent example of what a mother should be. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and being such a good Nana to my Avery! You have overcome a lot and to become such an amazing woman and mother that you have become is truly a gift from God. So I leave all you moms with this:

A Mother's Prayer:

Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

As moms we worry about everything, it is our job, but rest with this promise that God will take care of you.

Sweet baby face!

Papa being silly with Avery's float!

One of my favorite pictures. Thank you Nana for taking pictures for us!

Daddy and Avery

Having fun in the sun

Precious baby

Holding on

Happy Mother's Day

I love this little baby so very much!

My wonderful breakfast that Jason made me before getting ready for church! Yummy!

Splish Splash

Our new hangout, the backyard! Nana and Papa got Avery this awesome table and chairs for her birthday and she loves to sit and feel like a big girl!

Avery hard at work with her new water table! Ms. Holley, her awesome sitter, has one and she told me Avery loved it. So when her birthday rolled around and her Gigi and Pawpaw wanted to know what to get her, this is what I told them. She was so excited to finally get to play. It has been so chilly the last couple of evenings, so this evening was perfect. Mommy even had time for girls night out! Thanks daddy for watching our precious little girl.

Mesmerized by the water!

Maddie even wanted to play

One concentrated little face! It this not her Daddy through and through or what? So cute!

In action

What am I looking forward to......

I am so ready for summer to be here. I have four weeks left of work and then two and a half months off with my sweet baby girl and wonderful husband. I wanted to make a list of things to do/looking forward to so I do not forget!

I am looking forward to:

• Waking up late and going to bed early
• Putting Avery in bed with us in the mornings to watch Disney
• Working out in the mornings rather than the evening
• Spending countless hours at the park
• Splashing in the cool water at the pool (the pool, park, and splash park is a block and a half from our front door. NICE!)
• Four-wheeling in Colorado
• Watching Avery at the beach for the first time when we travel to Destin, Florida with my family
• Working on my Photoshop skills....or just getting some skills due to a lack of.
• Listening to Avery laugh
• Teaching her new things
• Going to San Antonio: visit the Williams, Sea World, and the Outlet Mall
• Dates with my husband on the back porch
• Finish the backporch......more of a Jason project! :)
• Reading my Kindle
• Soaking up some sun

I have planned many things, but most importantly I want to relax! Last summer was hard because I was still trying to recover from my horrible headaches and we moved from Houston to McKinney. Not an easy task! I want to enjoy everything this summer and just take it in. June 4, please get here quick. August 22nd, please stay far away!

Our little CUPCAKE!

Avery's birthday was the 27th of April and we had her party on the 30th. We had so much fun with our friends and family and we missed those who could not attend. Avery is a blessed baby and we have so enjoyed watching her change and grow into a little person this past year. It was a wonderful celebration of a sweet baby girl who is loved by many. We are so thankful for everyone who shared in her special day. It is still hard to believe that she is ONE!

Avery's Nana made these super cute cupcakes for the yard and the door! Thank you mom!

I displayed her monthly pictures so everyone could see her changes.

Beautiful cookies made for party favors!

1 of 3 yard cupcakes

Invite

The most delicious cake! Thank you April!

Food with cupcake picks

The birthday sign her momma made

So interested in her gifts!

Thank you Grandpa Powell! I love my car!

Before cake

After cake ........and quite unhappy. :(

New outfit and still going strong

Cute baby bottom!

I love you Jason and Avery

Ugh......formatting trouble

Please excuse the format of Avery's Birthday post. Blogger is not cooperating right now. I dislike technical problems.

Avery is ONE!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet Avery!!!!!!!
Angel Baby

So Avery is now ONE year old. When I started her monthly posts the thought of writing her 12 month post was few and far between. And here we are! Avery has changed so much in the last 12 months. She has developed her motor skills, her communication skills, and has definitely developed a little personality! Since she started walking she loves to follow Maddie around, which Maddie does not like. She loves to climb up in her "Avery" chair, all by herself, and look or tear up books. She thinks it is so funny to escape through the baby gate and climb the stairs leaving her father left to tighten the gate for the um tenth time and her mother chasing after her. We do not know what it is to sit still anymore because she has more energy than the energizer bunny! I am so thankful for Avery's health and happiness and I love watching her discover new things; such as her bubbles or the taste of dirt from the flower beds :) Daddy had fun teaching her how to smell flowers and instead she put them in her mouth! The WHOLE flower. The things she does are hilarious and she continuously makes us laugh. She loves going outside and will stand at the door pitifully wanting out to play. When she talks, she knows exactly what she is trying to say, but nothing makes sense! I love the sound of her voice, the look in her eyes, and the smile that she gets when she see us. I could do without the arching of the back when you don't get your way or the occasional swinging of the hands that leads to a "we don't hit", "hands are not for hitting", or a swat on the bottom. I am really struggling with this new found attitude. But until she understands right from wrong we will continue to teach her what she should be doing. We so look forward to spending the summer with you at the pool, outside playing, and going to the park!

Here is what Avery's been up too:
Size 3.5 shoe

Wear a size 4 diaper

12 month clothes

You are eating mostly table food with 1 to 2 baby foods mixed in

Started eating Teddy Grahams which you love! (Thanks Nana)

Two bottles of formula and two bottles of Whole milk (which I am still struggling with)

You are still not sure about sippy cups, which we will continue to work on.

Weight 23.1

You are now saying momma and dada

You are 29.5 inches tall

You have mastered telling everyone how old you are, by putting your cute little finger up and then clapping when we say "Good job!"

You say "dye" instead of bye and wave your hand like crazy

You are definitely more reluctant with strangers or people you have not been around regularly

You mastered Easter egg hunting by attending four egg hunts and then all the practice in the backyard with mom and dad.

Celebrated your 1st Easter on April 24, 2011

You have two teeth on bottom and four teeth on top, which we have started brushing

You love to empty your drawers in your room. I am not fond of this new game.

We will start all sippy cups and no baby food this next week so please cooperate! The following is a letter that we wrote to you. We love you very much!

Dear sweet baby Avery,
You are now ONE year old! Your mommy and daddy cannot believe it! I recall the day you were born like yesterday; the smell of your soft baby skin, the feeling I had when I first held you at 2 am in the NICU, and the feeling I got when I finally realized that I am MOM. You have brought us so much joy and happiness this past year. I think back to the day I found out I was pregnant with you, September 11, 2009. I received the phone call as I was coming home to change and get ready for a football game. When I heard the words on the phone, I had to pull over because I was overcome with tears of joy. I catch myself sometimes in awe at the thought that I am your mommy and that God chose me to be your momma. I prayed for you and you could not be more perfect. I look forward to teaching you about your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and watching your grow spiritually. I am so thankful that you are healthy and happy. I think of the day that we take you to your first day of school or the day you ask me about boys and I tear up. I tear up because I am torn between happiness and sadness. Happy because you will thrive in life and we will be there to support you each and every day, but sad because I will no longer stroll the isles of Babies R’ Us looking for baby goodies to get you. As your mom, you will need to understand that I WILL CRY at everything because I am so proud of you and that your dad will show his emotions for you SILENTLY! We take such pride in being your parents and we will work every minute of the day to be the best parents to you. We love you with all our hearts and for right now we will rock you quietly and cherish every little step that you are taking. We promise to be in the moment with everything you do. You are our sweet baby Avery and we will protect forever. We love you.

Your proud parents-
Dada and Momma

Happy 1st Easter Avery

Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Today this scripture caught my attention. I look around at my family and friends and I thank God each day for each and every one of them. I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband, a husband who has become an amazing father in the past year. I have a healthy little girl who radiates happiness and joy. Our families are so special to us and we love being so close to them. In the above scripture it says we persevere from our sufferings and I truly believe this. Jason and I have been through a lot together and even through the hard times, we are still hand and hand in the end. I thank God daily for Jason and our relationship. We work as one machine as a couple and we are team as parents. I always strive to be a better mom and to live a life with a strong faith. I pray each day to guide Avery in the right direction and teach her to be a caring and loving person. I am so thankful for the wonderful church we have found and for the kind people we have met. Happy Easter to everyone!

Happy 1st Easter Sweet Avery!
Cousin Tucker and Avery getting ready to hunt eggs. He is so sweet to her!

What's in here?

So Avery would not get ten feet from the dressed up Easter Bunny, so this will do!

Sweet little face

Reboot! Just lounging on the couch.

Momma and Avery

Look at everything the Easter bunny left at Nana and Papa's

Stuff for the beach!!!!!!! Thanks Nana and Papa!

Digging through my stuff at home from the Easter bunny!