Weary

That's how I'm feeling these days. Christmas is 4 days away, and I'm ready for it to arrive, as in NOW. Because I need the holidays to be over. Is that awful? My house is in a state of disarray, which seems reflective of my inner self these days. I can't seem to get my act together, like my brain is only halfway functioning this month. And maybe it isn't the holidays, but this move (the 6th move in 4 1/2 years, by the way). I'm tired of moving and renting and moving and renting again. These were the choices we made, of course, and we've enjoyed our adventures, but I'd love to slow down and settle for a few years. I have 2 weeks to pack up everything...guess I better get going!

December

It's halfway through December already - can you believe it?

Avery had a doctor appointment last week for shots, and she weighs in at a little over 18 lbs. We thought her first tooth was popping up, but I'm not so sure now. She's such a late teether, which is a blessing with nursing, but makes me wonder if there are any teeth in there at all!

We enjoyed a "snow day" last week, complete with a few flurries. The cousins had enough to build a couple snowmen though, lucky them.

Not sure how the hat works. But she's cute anyways.

Avery got to sit on (country) Santa's lap - I like the John Deere tractor in the background.

She isn't crawling yet, but she's managed every other possible maneuver to get to her toys. For the longest time she'd only push herself backwards or turn in circles, but just this week she's figured out that her arms can pull her forward as well. She'll wriggle towards her book (she'll only work for this one book...the other toys aren't as exciting I guess) and then lay there and "read" it for awhile, until I pull the book away and make her practice again.

 

 

She can get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth, but she doesn't move from that position yet. And her latest move looks like a yoga position. 

 

 

Now that she's figuring out her mobility, nothing is safe. For instance, ribbon (I've been wrapping Christmas presents):

Or presents:

She is just SO fun.

The heater was blowing her hair straight up.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Trip

I have just NOT been in the mood to blog - sorry it's been awhile! We traveled to Louisiana for Thanksgiving, to the "ancestral homeland" as Luke calls it. His grandparents live out there, and that's where his parents will eventually retire. Not much to do except eat and play Monopoly, both of which I'm a champ at. We had a great time visiting with family, but Avery was not enjoying being away from home AT ALL. We cut our trip short because we couldn't take one more sleepless night, and I'm sure his grandparents were thankful for the quiet. Avery has officially reached "stranger anxiety" - not that Luke's family are strangers, but they aren't Mom, and she was having none of it. It's sweet to know that I'm (one of) her favorite(s), but sometimes a gal needs a break. She decided that she didn't like the Pack 'n Play after all. She prefers her bed. She would hug her bed if she could. See?

Despite the cold weather, she loved being outside, which was a big shock to me, simply because this girl has always hated being cold. I think outdoors just has a bigger draw on her than temperature, so she'll suffer hours of cold weather if it means she's not cooped up in the house. So, Avery swung with Nana, and even fell asleep for a matter of 3 minutes on her lap (which never ever happens...see comment about her bed above).

And Avery "helped" the men chop firewood.

While Emily rode the tractor:

She "helped" me play Monopoly (and beat the pants off of everyone else) .

Here's Uncle Aaron and the girls frying up the turkey (I'd never had fried turkey before)

And Avery and Aunt Lela

We cut the trip short by a day and headed back home. I think it'll be awhile before we do any major traveling with Avery.

HP Touchsmart Giveaway

What?! I'm posting about another giveaway? Big surprise. I love them. LOVE THEM. This one is for the new HP Touchsmart 600. Isn't is so pretty? I know, we're a Dell family, thanks to the hubby, but I'm willing to try new things. You too can try to win your own computer. But, if you do win, because you heard about it from me, you better let me come over and use it. Five chances to win:

My Charming Kids
Boo Mama
Nie Nie Dialogues
A Year of Slow Cooking
Kelly's Korner

I'm working on a post with pics of Avery. Sorry it's taken so long!