Everything continues to get better and better every day. Avery had a great trip to the beach, a great week with Aunt Kaitlin while I went back to work, and a great weekend out and about around town. She is doing very well and we are so thankful!
The beach went better than expected. I was really worried about the car ride to North Carolina, but she did GREAT!! She fussed the first 3 minutes and that was it. She ate, played and slept in the car, and we made it there in 11 hours. We only stopped to burp and change diapers. She LOVED the sound of the ocean. She's officially a beach bum, and she'll fit in perfectly with the rest of the family. We went on walks when she was cranky and the wind and water calmed her down and put her right to sleep. It was great. Mom and Kaitlin were such a big help, and it made it a true vacation for Ben and I. We love the beach!!
So, it was back to work on Tuesday. It felt great to get out of the house and back to my normal self. Then, Thursday morning came and I was EXHAUSTED! I get up at 5:15, take a shower, get Avery up at 5:45 to feed her, pass her off to Ben around 6:20, finish getting ready, eat breakfast and put Avery back to sleep at 6:45 and then leave for work. Kaitlin would spend the night and wake up when Avery got up around 9 to eat again. It worked out perfect, other than the getting up at 5:15 part! Yuck!
My students were pretty excited to see me and hear about the baby and I was equally excited to see them. They did great while I was gone and it was so easy walking into my classroom and picking up right where I left off. I was really scared that I would forget everything, but it was an easier transition than expected. 4 more days of work and then we're out for the summer! Everyone was wondering why I went back just for eight days....it's because I didn't want to ask for a leave of absence and discontinue my health insurance for the summer.
This weekend was great. Thursday night Avery got to go to her first baseball game-- she was spectacular! Friday we stayed in and hung out. Saturday Elizabeth came over and hung out with us and then we went out for Sushi and ice cream. Sunday was a great day for a walk and long naps. Avery even slept in until 10:30 this morning. God knew I needed a sleeper!!
We have planned a trip to St. Louis for the 4th of July and Avery will get to meet another cousin and more aunts and uncles. She will also get to meet her Pops for the first time. We are excited, and hope she'll enjoy fireworks under the arch.
Developmentally, Avery continues to make all kinds of progress. She met her goal for vacation in learning how to laugh, getting used to other people holding her, and used to riding and sleeping in the car. She also has no trouble taking a bottle. She's rolling over a lot, trying to talk (still saying "agoo"), she can hold her head up, push her self up with arms while lying on her tummy, and hold a rattle. She can also reach for things now and she loves sucking on her hands.
