Happy Birthday, Papa!

Birthday Celebration and Easter Preparation

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?)

Dancing Queen

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.

Big Bear, Baby!

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 Cameron Manzi

She's here!!

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...

Sit and Sleep...and Someone Special

Avery spends the majority of the work week being watched by her wonderful grandmothers (and me on Fridays).  The other day or so she spends time with Miss Shannon at her home daycare by my work.  Avery loves Shannon and always has such a great time playing with her and the other kids.  Just the other day I went to pick Avery up and everyone was in the backyard drawing with chalk and splashing in puddles.  It was so cool to see Avery interacting with the other children and playing in a new environment (to me).  Shannon always tells me that she gets along really well with the other kids and the only thing Avery doesn't like is when her almost 3-year old friend hugs her too hard.  Ha!  Avery has been taking naps in a pack n' play in the back bedroom like all the younger kids do, but this week Shannon tried something new (this was prompted by Avery starting to take shorter naps and really, just shouting from the back room that she wanted to play!).  Anyways, Shannon told Avery that she could grab her blanket and lovey and sleep with the big kids on the mats in the playroom.  I never would have thought that Avery, my 15 month old, would have the discipline and understanding that communal nap time actually meant "napping."  Well, I will never doubt her again!  Shannon sent me the pictures below to document day #1 of big girl napping and I nearly cried with excitement.  I am so proud!

She's the one on the right.  The bear hugger is on the left.

Blanket, lovey - yes. Pillow - no.  Staying on the mat - impossible.

Another update I wanted to share was that Avery received her first piece of big girl furniture.  Our neighbors have children a little older than Avery and they asked us if we wanted their Pottery Barn kid-size chair that their children grew out of.  I jumped at the opportunity, because I knew Avery would love it (and I knew how cute it would be to see Avery sitting in it).

Just as cute as I pictured it would be...

We're still getting the whole "sitting" thing down.

In other Avery news, we discovered that she loves Chinese egg rolls and olives.  This girl won't eat a carrot unless it forced its way into her clenched mouth, but a juicy black olive?  You betcha!  In the world of words, Avery can now say help, apple, water, cheese and baby.  Help, up (an oldie, but a goodie) and apple all sound very similar, so you have to listen closely to the context in which she says them.  Last week I made the silly mistake of picking her up when she clearly stated that she would, in fact, just like a piece of apple.  Oh, and when she says "baby" you will melt inside, as my mom says.  It's literally the cutest sound in the world.

So, the someone special you ask?  Well, suffice is to say that Mr. Nicholas and Miss Avery had another wonderful date today.  Things are getting pretty serious, so thank goodness Vivian and I were there to chaperon.  Getting a good picture of the two is next to impossible since they're both very active (and easily distracted), but here is a good picture of the love birds after an intense round of "who can whack the garage door harder?!"  (I would like to say that this was my garage they were hitting, but sadly, it wasn't.  Neighbor fail #17.)

You're invited to the Simpson-Wilkie wedding: June 2036

The next time I post I will have some very, very, VERY exciting news to share.  Hold your breath - it's gonna be a good one!  (Hint - I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT! AVERY IS GOING TO BE A COUSIN!  JEFF IS GOING TO BE AN UNCLE!  Shoot man, did I give it away?!)

FPT

Gooooooo Pats!  Kick some Giant a$$!

2012, It's a Pleasure to Meet You.

What's 77 degrees with clear skies and includes an afternoon of pure, child-induced fun?  Yup - the first day of 2012!  (As I reread that sentence I realized the first part sounds nuts, but yes, it was very warm in San Diego today and felt more like June than January!)  Jeff and I made it a point to keep the New Years weekend open and relaxed since our December was crazy busy.  We kept our word and didn't do much...ran a few errands, took walks, did some projects around the house and read every kid book we own 179,963 times.

Anyways, back to our New Years in June.  We took a drive along the coast with no expectations and no plans.  About 30 minutes into our drive I got a craving for a sandwich and we decided to stop at Board & Brew in Del Mar.  That was a delicious decision, thank you very much.  Jeff and I devoured our sandwiches while Avery entertained the other patrons and flirted with passerbys like no one's business.  Then we took a walk and ended up at a clifftop park.  Here are some photos/videos from the day (I think/hope this makes up for the lack of Christmas pics)!

And, this makes 179,964 times we've read this book (this weekend)!  =)  I love my little reader!

Waiting for the train to come.  Always a treat!

Mrs. Sunnypants, Miss Look at the BIRDS! and Mr. Serious.  Awkward Family Photos 2012 - Take 1

Happy New Year!

FVT!

As I've mentioned before, Avery knows some basic sign language.  I laugh every time I see this video and just had to share (Sign Language: Exhibit A)...