Catching Up

(I'm trying to get a lot of posts in today, since I have time and because I actually remembered to take pictures this week.)

Avery and I met up with our friend Crystal and her three cuties yesterday for a little Jumping Beans action. It's a huge warehouse that has about 10 inflatable jumping thingies (do they have a proper name?), plus a cute little toddler area. We bounced around in the big ones for awhile before lunch, and then off to the toddler area when the school group took over.

Look who sat at the big kid table all by herself!

I think she's trying to climb up the slide.
Weee!
I tried a new cupcake shop. This is in Cedar Park, and oh so yummy!
L to R Snickerdoodle, Devil's Food with Peanut Butter Frosting, Strawberry, Devil's Food with Chocolate Frosting

Normally Avery wakes up very happy and much perkier than this. But, today was a MOPS day, which meant three hours in a nursery, which she HATES. Something about having to play! with toys! and other babies! The horror! So, on days that she misses her morning nap, she sleeps pretty heavily, and then wakes groggily, and is grumpy. Watch this unfold:

 No pictures please, Mom. 

No, really! No pictures. I'm gonna get really angry.

I told you!

Oh, wait. Did you say "cookie"?

Thanks Mom! You're the best.

In Another Life

Today I threw out a large stack of papers. Not a big deal, right? I throw paper out everyday. Luke would argue that I should throw more paper out. But most papers don't give me a sense of nostalgia, not like these did. These were all of the important notes I saved from college (yes, I still had those!) - the ones that I would use when I went back and got my RD (registered dietitian). Basic Nutrition, Advanced Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Advanced Clinical Nutrition, Food Science, Biochem of Nutrition, the list goes on. I think getting rid of them really made me see that the door is closed. It was closed a long time ago. Much by my own decisions. But it still stings a little.

See that tiny stack on the left? That's the food science section...notes that are pertinent to my baking and that will probably get tossed out in another 5 years.

I'm feeling a sense of loss with this, a sort of identity crisis. Life has gone down a very different path than I thought it would as I walked across that stage at Baylor graduation. It's been a very enjoyable journey, and I'm happy where I've ended up. But sometimes I wonder what if I had pursued the clinical side of food? And really, it stems back to the wonky system in which they place people into dietetic programs. When you get cross-cut from the system, it kinda screws with your plans. So I floundered for a few years, decided not to try again, did culinary school instead. LOVED IT. Most fun I've ever had. Never had as much fun studying biochemistry. I didn't really like the hospital visits and trips to the nursing home. Nutrition research - highly interesting field, learned a lot, great experiences, not for me. Counseling in nutrition was better, but only when you got those people who really got it, who really understood what kind of changes were needed to make their lives healthier. Apparently I just prefer dessert and those that like dessert. But at least I can tell them why they shouldn't eat that extra cupcake and should just stop at one (okay, maybe two).

Fun in the Sun

We took Avery to the pool today - one benefit of apartment living...easy pool access. This will be such a blessing this summer. The weather has been nice and warm, but the water is still FREEZING. Once we got over the initial shock, we had a blast. Aunt Michelle and Uncle Nick - too weenie to try it out.

Avery and Daddy

No, Mom! You're not supposed to be in the picture!

Fine, if you must.

Light

Scarf

She found my scarf and put it on all by herself. She's so observant of how things work these days.

First Steps

First Steps from Luke Presley on Vimeo.

1, 2, 3 Strikes

We took Avery to her first baseball game last night. Thanks to Luke's job, we scored some free tickets to the Round Rock Express game (although they're super cheap anyways, thank you Minor League Baseball!) We weren't quite sure how she'd take to it, since the game started at her bedtime, but she absolutely loved it. We managed to catch 4 or 5 innings before she was done. We live so close to the stadium, so I think we'll spend much of our summer there this year.

Ta-Da!

I'm no cake decorator; I'm (semi)officially declining any kids' birthday parties for cakes from here on out. I'm more of the goopy, homestyle, Americana-type cake lady. And I LOVE to do those. But for this girl, I'd do anything. Even a two-tier 1st birthday cake. And it was pink inside.

Pictures from the birthday party are being held hostage by my parents until I go home to visit. To tide you over, here's the link from our family pics.

And I'm hoping to get pics from her 1 year photo shoot soon too - cupcakes galore on that one! Avery had a blast. I'll post pictures or a link when I get it. 

New Trick

Does This Make You Hungry?

The Life of a One Year Old

Thanks Mom! I love puffs!

Birthday pancakes are DELISH.

So are birthday cards from Gramma and Grandpa Great.

her BFF Daisy

Cheerios taste best when I've first made a mess.

Daddy's helper.

Happy Easter!

...one...

Sweet Avery Jane,

Exactly one year ago, plus a few hours, you were born into our lives, handed over into our arms, and permanently sealed within our hearts. You have made this the craziest most wonderful year ever. Your presence has made us stronger, kinder, gentler, more patient, sillier, happier than we've ever been. You are a true testament to God's hand in our lives. You are a gift, and may we always treasure you.

You remind me that I shouldn't spend my life stressing over the small details, and that I should simply enjoy the day with you. I wasn't so good at that today, but once we sat you down to dinner, the pure joy on your face at the mess you were allowed to make made me forget about all of the stress I placed on myself. Just so you know, cake doesn't come at the end of every meal now that you're one. But I promise you'll get it a couple more times this week, to make this celebration last a bit.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Don't mind the poor decorating job - we were lucky to have cake at all at this point in the day. 

Cake is good, but making a mess is better!

What meal is complete without a little digging around?

Thanks Grandmommy and Granddaddy for my new ride!