Baby Aves turns 2 Months!

My little girl amazes me more each day and today she turned 2 months! She has become such a big girl and already weighs 12 pounds! Although yesterday was pretty tough for her because she had her first round of vaccinations, she was so brave and such a good little girl!

After a morning filled with doctor appointments, we had a family lunch at a local restaurant to celebrate Chris and my 3 year wedding anniversary! So far, marriage has been a blast and now, even more amazing since we have added a new, precious member.

Sleeping through the night?...I think not!

As my maternity leave comes to an end in the next couple of weeks, I am soaking up every minute with Aves. Hmmm, as if I haven't been doing that already for the last 8 weeks. 8 weeks? How is that possible?! Boy am I redundant these days.

I would love to be that first time mom that happily types the good news that her baby is yes...wait for it...sleeping through the night.

But, that would be far from the truth because we are in fact, not even close. The perfectionist in me kinda wants to exaggerate...perhaps even lie. But I chose for my approach on motherhood to leave perfectionism behind even before I became a mommy. I just want my family, my household to be happy.

Despite not achieving long stretches of sleep at night yet, I am much more directed and on the right path thanks to the wonderful Heather! She has her hands full with a toddler and a baby as young as Aves and yet finds time to write me lengthy emails filled with "sleep advice". I am so thankful. I'm not sure why...but her advice speaks to me far more than any book I have read so far. The minute she decides to write a book of her own, I will let you all know immediately. ;)

Another crazy insight to waking up every two hours throughout the night? It means more time with my baby girl. I told you it was crazy. But again, this little sleep I can somehow handle. Back to my college days. Before I know it, she will be sleeping through the night, overnight at a friends, away on a school trip, and moving into her first dorm room. You get the point. So for now, I choose my baby over sleep.

I pray the transition back to work goes smoothly. I know it will be hard but I decided to do the most "unlike Kelley" thing possible...I am going to take one day at a time.

Aunt James Visits Baby Aves!...

Just as quickly as Jen and Jake's visit was over...a new visitor arrived: Avery's GodMommy! Aunt James, of course!

The Morrison Household was lucky enough to spend close to a week with James after being away from her for over a month! James helped me out SO much and was there to lending a helping hand any chance she could! It turns out, there is room for one more little girl in the cloud and we wouldn't want anyone else but Baby Aves!


Since Avery's nursery is right next to the guest room, Jamie was such a trooper to take on each evening of baby crying throughout the night.

Glenda was so sweet to watch Avery on Sunday evening so Chris and I could accompanying Jamie to the "Monica & Rory Proposal Evening!" We were so happy to be there to celebrate with them after hearing about this big night for months! Congratulations to such a fun and entertaining couple!

We miss you like crazy, James.

My 11 Pounder!

Is that even possible?! Now, that is not doctor certified but according to our home scale, we have a little chubby 11 pounder on our hands!

The last week, we have seen Avery's growth reflected more in "chubbiness" than anything. It's soo cute to see and so reassuring that her eating is "A" Okay! She's slowly transitioning into the 0-3 months clothing and has a few new chubby crevices we find each new bath!

Here are just some of my latest favorite pictures of my growing girl...



Family Walk!


Getting comfy for The Bachelor Finale!

The SWING.

She has woken up my friends.

I'm not sure on the exact date but for the last couple of weeks, Avery has become much more alert, harder to put down for a nap and sometimes just plain fussy. Of course I am bias but despite the occasional fussiness, she is a great baby as far as I am concerned.

With that said, I have found myself thinking up new ideas to keep her entertained in effort to avoid the fussy state.

Thanks to Jordan, she has taught me some nifty tricks with the car seat alone that works MAGIC! Since Avery loves movement and strong movement, I had no choice but to adopt this car seat masterpiece Jordan should patent. It may sound simple but just swing the car seat back and forth in big swinging motions, you automatically have a very entertained baby on your hands. Another positive is that it's one heck of an ab workout but after 5 minutes, I'm about done.

Enter the purchase of the SWING. It has been the new best friend of the Morrison Family. Aves loves this piece of plastic wonder. I even find myself a bit envious. I guess that's the one thing the "cloud" doesn't have. Hmmm, beggars can't be choosers ;)

Jen and Jake Meet Avery!

Yes, here I am again! Be patient as my blog entries are clearly "spaced" more than usual. Life in the Morrison household continues to be fun and exciting with a growing baby and new milestones among the daily "usuals" of diaper changes and bottle feeding. Still...I am not even close to tiring of such an incredible routine.

We were lucky enough to have our great friends, Jen and Jake in town AGAIN this year! Over the last year, they have spoiled us rotten with countless visits to AZ, gifts galore for Avery and myself and treating us to dinners, starbucks, and even doggie cakes! They have been way too generous and I am on a brainstorm mission on how to possibly give them the thanks they deserve!

They were so understanding that our activities would be pretty limited due to Avery's age and not yet being vaccinated. As a result, Jen and I spent a lot of time at home, watching movies, catching up and playing with Aves. Boy does she LOVE her Aunt Jen! The moment she was in Jen's arms, she was sound asleep. Precious.

The boys ventured off to a spring training game and friend's birthday party for the first two nights so by Sunday, Jen and I were ready for a night out! Sweet Ann watched Avery all night so the four of us could go see a movie and grab dinner together!

Every time they leave, I can't help but have tears in my eyes when I wave goodbye at the airport. They are AMAZING friends and I cherish every moment spent together.

The spoiling even extends to our pups since they took Wally to Starbucks every morning and if you can believe it, Jen even made Wally his very own Doggie Birthday cake for his 3rd birthday on Sunday. Dorks? Yes! But it's the little things that I get a kick out of. Thank you Jen and Jake for EVERYTHING! You are INCREDIBLE!!

Auntie Leona, Auntie Lisa and Daddy/Daughter Day out...

It's been an eventful past few days with some down time mixed in...thank goodness!

Friday night, Chris, Avery and I packed up and headed to Dad and Ann's to visit Auntie Leona while she was in town! We had a fun pizza party evening but Aves was a little off her game. Since she slept so well the night after, I guess we can attribute all her fussiness to being overtired. We have learned that she loves to keep things "moving"! Whether it's a car ride, stroller ride, or the rockin' mamaroo...she wants them going full speed! It makes sense since she's such a squirmer herself :)




She also got to visit with Auntie Lisa earlier this week! Lisa came over for a visit and Avery enjoyed every minute in Lisa's arms!



Yesterday turned out to be a great day despite having to make SUCH a tough decision! Chris' dad had a BBQ planned for the afternoon and as HARD as it was to do, I stayed home to try and catch up on sleep. Since I find myself wanting to spend every second with her, you can imagine how difficult it was to convince myself to choose sleep. But since I am yet to get more than 3 consecutive hours of sleep, I figured I needed to. And although 3 hours actually sounds like a lot to me, I am never in a deep sleep. My body doesn't let me relax into a deep, distracted coma...mother's instinct I suppose. Although I have been away from her before, it doesn't make the decision any easier but I need to slowly prep myself for going back to work...

So I packed up Chris' daddy diaper bag and off they went! I was able to sleep for 3.5 hours and slept SO well that it felt like I slept for 6! I woke up around 7:15pm missing my family like crazy but took advantage of two free arms and finished thank you cards, did laundry and prepped bottles.

By 9pm, the two loves of my life returned home and I didn't stop smiling for about an hour! You could tell that Chris and Avery had such a wonderful time together; it was great for them to venture off as Daddy/Daughter duo! So, so cute.

I hate to be repetitive but...

This motherhood thing really is that amazing.

The moment I gave birth to Avery, I thought to myself...wow, I don't know how it's possible to go through that experience and not believe in God. Each day since, that same feeling has been exemplified.

I cannot believe it's already been over a month. I have cherished every moment and love "experiencing" Avery every day.

Avery had her "1 Month" doctor appointment earlier this week and now weighs 9 lbs, 9 oz.! She is my growing girl and changing everyday.

Sunday was the first day I was officially "projectile vomitted" on but couldn't help and just laugh. Well, I laughed only in hindsight of it all as I first needed to make sure Aves was okay! Of course, motherhood brings a new element of worry (as if I didn't worry enough already before) but I only see it as a challenge to myself to learn to face my constant fear and worry about EVERYTHING and instead...embrace life! Embrace the moment. Which so far, seems to be the rewarding lesson I have been learning throughout maternity leave.

Each day, I try to prep myself for the return to work and feel confident I can do it! I know it will be a hard transition but one worth prayer and trust that it will serve as a good balance for me and my family. Besides, I have amazing friends who have already gone through this life transition and know they will be there for me to offer words of comfort. To think...I missed my bulldogs while at work. Boy oh boy.