Avery Turns One

It's hard to believe that a year ago today I held my sweet Avery for the first time. On that day I thought no way could life get any better little did I know that each day gets better. The past year has been no walk in the park we have defiantly had our ups and our downs but I would not want to take a single moment away.

This is how we announced to the world that after two hard years we were finally pregnant.

 This is our first family photo as we headed home from the hospital. Too bad it was taken on a cell phone! I will never forget how scared I felt as I headed out the hospital doors. I just wanted to pull the nurse into the car with me and take her home.
 

We blessed Avery in Utah at Nate's Dad's house. We decided that it would be easier to drive up to Utah so we could have the majority of our family there. This was one of the sweetest days as we were surround by family.

On our trip for Avery's blessing I had to go to Pocatello to see my grandma. I love this picture of four generations. So many of my childhood memories are with my grandma; I always looked up to her for her strength, tender heart and her ability to always make others feel loved. Growing up next door to my grandma was amazing every one of my childhood memories has something to do with my grandma.

 This has to be one of my all time favorite pictures of Avery. Avery by far is the happiest baby I have ever seen. Avery's favorite thing in the entire world hands down is her daddy. Only Nate can get her to smile like this.

Here is Avery in one of her Christmas dresses.

 For Christmas, Auntie Kirsten gave Avery Mittens the kitten. Since that day they have been best friends and we don't go anywhere without him. Mittens has been through every surgery since he joined our family and Avery does not go to bed until she has given Mittens a good night hug.

 

 Tonight after work we had a small party where we opened some gifts that Grandma and Grandpa Vidrine sent down.

 Avery loves books and while she was looking at this super cute book that Grandpa and Grandma Vidrine sent down she would point at something and say, "ohhh." it was so precious to see her get excited as she would turn the pages. Avery loves books and would pick a book over toys any day.

Since I am a slacker mom, and it is only a bazillion degrees outside we decided that instead of making her another Birthday cake that we would let her have a donut. I think that she like the donut better then she liked her Birthday cake.

Here are a few things that I want to remember about her today.

 Avery loves to communicate through Sign Language. Avery knows and signs: clean, baby, food, drink, all done, more, swim, bird, chicken, dog, mom and dad. This makes for one proud mama, every day I sign with her and she picks up the signs so fast!

Avery started walking on Friday night. She will take a few steps with tons of encouragement but then gets too excited and drops. Avery prefers to crawl but when forced she will take a few steps.

Avery LOVES to swim, this girl is a fish! Grandma Deborah came down last week and taught Avery to put her face in the water. So now, Avery has zero fear and loves to jump into the pool and doesn't mind at all when she goes completely under the water.