Jeff was in Palm Springs last weekend golfing with some
buddies. The time away was well deserved for the hubs. He has been
working really hard lately; not only with work, but projects around the house
(thank you Jeff, Grandpa Wayne and Uncle Fred for the amazing and huge storage contraption
you built in the garage), as well as other miscellaneous things (garage door sensors going nutso, being on the board of directors for Home Start - go babe!). The weekend allowed Jeff to let loose and "hang with the fellas."
Avery and I definitely missed Jeff, but kept ourselves
busy with some mommy and me time and fun play dates! Here are a few shots from my weekend with my baby...
Is this a model pose or what?!
Belle and Avery investigating the bushes. Oh, what fun!
Play date with the Taits!
Future prom dates...
Ha - I LOVE this one! Cody putting the moves on Avery. Good taste, my man!
Avery and Stone. So many cute Tait brothers!
Play date with the Myers!
Sandcastles galore!
FPT!
Can't get enough of bath time photos! This one is called "devil in diapers."
Okay, so we all know that I'm not an ultra frequent blogger (...some would argue I'm not even a frequent blogger...). Let's just get that on the table, so we won't make a big deal that I'm writing our Easter recap 10 days "late."
Ahhhh - Easter! I love Easter ("second favorite holiday after Christmas" - blah, blah), but this year was even more fun than in years past, because Jeff and I got to witness our daughter taking part in the Easter "fun!" From her Easter dress (thanks, Mom) to Easter egg hunts (yes, she partook in three Easter egg hunts!) to eating jelly beans and chocolate, Avery was in it to win it when it came to Easter celebrations.
Below is a picture/video recap our of Easter holiday festivities...
Nicholas, Quinn and Avery at our neighborhood BunnyPalooza
Avery hates "fake" bunnies. Clearly.
Avery loving on her cousin, Helen. Look at these two!
Avery, Helen and Papa checking out the ladybugs that Auntie Moosh brought to Saturday Easter. (The girls are wearing matching ladybug dresses.)
Helen smiling at Grandma. Love!
Good Morning, Easter Morning!
Avery in her Easter Church Outfit trying to scale the joint.
Spending time with GramCin at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad
Papa and Helen taking in the view
Family photo opp!
Love my little Easter baby!
As if we didn't overload you with enough Easter pictures already, below are short clips of two of Avery's Easter egg hunts. Note how she's still grasping the concept in the first video (Saturday), but by Easter Sunday she nailed it! Ignore the fact that there are 25,000 people telling her where the eggs were at first...she knew what she was doing, but we were all too excited to be quiet!
Hope everyone had a great Easter! Love to all!
FPT
Think she's a little excited to find more eggs?? =)
Avery Elizabeth Simpson is officially 18 months old. I know...what?!
Happy half birthday to my beautiful baby girl! You are my little buddy and I love love LOVE you with every single ounce of my being. Who would have ever thought that a little peanut could make me so happy, so proud, so enamored? I am head over heals in love with you and cherish every moment spent with you. You make me laugh, stare in awe and smile every day. My most recent enjoyment...your hilariously adorable rendition of "I'm a Little Tea Pot." I need to get that on video, because it literally is the cutest thing in the WORLD.
In the meantime, for our reader's enjoyment, here are some samplings of Avery's other cute-as-can-be expressions, smiles and personality:
Books and legos at Barnes & Noble - we're in!
Kisses all around!
I asked Avery to smile for a picture. I give her credit for trying...
Here are a few Avery updates:
1) She loves airplanes and motorcycles. They're loud and they move. Who wouldn't be intrigued?
2) She is starting to be a great eater! And I'm very happy to announce that she loves pasta. Definitely mama's girl! She also loves popsicles. I mean loves them...and, I love them too, because when she eats them she likes to snuggle in my lap and read books. Popsicle time = cuddle time!
3) She loves playing with her stuffed animals and dolls. Feeding them, pating their backs, kissing them and wrapping them in blankets are a few of the things she loves to do. She's becoming very gentle and nuturing. Belle appreciates this the most, I think.
4) She loves to run. Walking is great, sure, but running...now that is fun! She has had her share of falls due to this new found mode of transportation, but Avery is tough and just gets up and keeps going. One of little neighborhood boys who is about six asked why she didn't cry when she nearly face planted yesterday. I told him she was a tough cookie and that, my friends, she is.
5) Kisses. She is a kissing fiend! From us to her friends in her storybooks, Avery likes to show you she loves you by giving you a wet little peck. Cute. As. Can. Be.
FPT
What better way to get ready for Easter than to plant one on a bunny?! (No, he's not chocolate...but wouldn't that be awesome if he was?)
This video was taken on accident (if I haven't mentioned it before, I am notorious for my camera being on the opposite setting for what I want at the time...and not realizing it until the moment passes); however, this accident turned into something that makes me smile from ear to ear. My little girl and her adorable personality were caught red-handed for all of us to enjoy!
FPT!
Lovie - check. Barbie - check. Face and shirt covered in orange popsicle - CHECK. Being super cute and pointing at the plane in the sky - CHECKITY CHECK YOURSELF.
Avery met a big bear this past weekend. Oh no, that isn't right. Avery went to Big Bear this past weekend. Sorry, it's been a long week. What is that you say? It's only Tuesday?! Bring on the W-I-N-E!
Jeff's parents took the three of us and Lindsay and Pat to Big Bear for the weekend. There wasn't much snow, but we managed to have a wonderful time in spite of that. Avery went on her first sled ride and loved walking around touching (and eating) what snow there was on the ground. She's a very outdoorsy girl and stood strong against the cold temps while stomping through the leaves in the yard. And, it was really fun to dress her up in coats and hats that are normally just too warm to wear in San Diego!
Here are some pictures from the trip:
Charging through the wilderness in Big Bear...
Where's Goldilocks?
Laughing at something hilarious I said. Typical.
Sledding! (Yes, Jeff is wearing a t-shirt and yes, that snow is dirty. Don't worry - she didn't eat that snow.)
Part of the skiing/snowboarding crew!
It was a great weekend with family I love dearly. Getting away is always fun and spending time on the slopes was definitely one of my highlights! In the same breath, what trip would be complete without a few mishaps (Pat's snowboarding injury and the Big Bear flu)?
The weekend before Big Bear we went over to the Rookers to meet their new puppy, Max! Avery loved him (duh, we all did...he's adorable)! Surprise, surprise...I didn't get a good picture of the two of them. I mean, should it really be that hard to get a six week old puppy and a 17 month old to sit and smile for a photo sesh?!
Cute, huh?
Can we come inside??
FPT!
Avery and her buddy, Stone. Not sure what's going on, but I'm thinking it was a good idea that Janae and I were there to chaperone...
Helen was born on Monday, January 30th at 9: 30 a.m. She weighed in at 7lbs 14 oz and was 19.75 inches. She is happy, healthy and absolutely beautiful. Michel did wonderfully and is proving to be a natural and loving mother. Brennan is a hands-on dad and loving every moment being with his daughter. They are easing into parenthood smoother than anyone I have ever met and I think it helps that Helen is a great eater and sleeper already. The three of them fit together perfectly and seeing them as a family unit melts my heart. {tear...}
Avery loves her cousin...calls her "baby" and gives her gentle pats and toe squeezes, but since Helen can't quite play yet Avery is ready to move on to something else once all of the "look how cute" yelps from onlookers dissipate. The age gap will slowly begin to disappear and by the end of this year I think they'll be playing together like I did with my cousins growing up. Great memories for all of us!
Here are a few recent snapshots:
Daddy and Daughter
Helen, Alistair (Helen's cousin on her other side) and Avery. Too many funny things in the picture to mention...
All of the kids at Alistair's 3rd birthday party...this was prior to Avery's outfit mishap...
The Simpson family with the party's dragon dancers. What entertainment!
Papa cuddling with his two granddaughters and loving it!
Helen, I love you so much already and can't wait to see you grow up. You have a huge family that will love you unconditionally and your parents are two of the best people I know. Avery is already planning sleepovers and can't wait to show you the ropes. From all of us, welcome to the family, Helen. Get your party pants on - it's going to be one hell of a ride!!
FPT
I told Avery to do something artsy. This is her interpretation. Just when I think I couldn't love her any more...
Jeff and I met on a blind date in December 2004 and were married in October 2007. He is the apple of my eye, the hop in my step and the love of my life. In September 2010 we proudly welcomed our first child, daughter Avery Elizabeth and this site was created to share with our friends and family, near and far, Avery's journey through this magical thing called life.
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