San Diego Safari

Thursday afternoon we grabbed Alegra and Skyler from school, jumped on the 15 fwy and headed to Escondido.

We arrived at our hotel, soaked our feet in the pool and headed out to a sushi dinner.

The next morning started at 4am, for me and Avery, while Jay and the girls slept in our hotel's sleep number beds.

We went to breakfast and headed out to the San Diego Safari Park.

 No comment on the bat pic.

 Looking at the gorillas with her daddy.

Auntie Aya and Uncle Steve drove down and met us for a day of safari fun.

I look pregnant, dang!

What would we do without daddys and piggy back rides?

All the walking around and fun made this lil one thirsty!

"Uncle Steve, do you see that??....Whoa!"

 Tram ride around the park.

Jay is extremely proud of himself for catching this pic of the cheetah as it zoomed by at 70 mph.

 The car ride home, she looks exhausted!

Thank you Grammy Pammy and Pops for this amazing Christmas present! We had so much fun and made so many memories.

1 1/2

Yesterday Avery hit 1 1/2 years old! I know it's an old cliche but, "Time flies," and it really does. I still can't believe how quickly she is growing. The changes from birth to now are astonishing. From the first giggle to the first step it has been an amazing journey.

Last night, Avery was running around as Jay and I finished up dinner. I looked at him and said, "I couldn't of designed her more perfect." Jay just looked at his little girl as she explored the house with complete agreement on his face. Her strengths and weaknesses, her triumphs and failures, I'll take them all because they are what make her who is and who is going to be.

At her 18 month check today, the doctor said she is doing great. I am so grateful to have a happy and healthy baby.

I can't even imagine my life now before you were in it Avery. (Well, maybe I can when I am completely sleep deprived or sick and just want to lie on the couch). You have brought your father and I complete joy and shown us love so powerful it continues to overwhelm us and bring your mommy to tears.

You are willful, loving, stubborn and sweet.  Your current philosophy seems to be, why walk, when I can run! You are learning new words everyday and wowed the doc this morning when you said "please." Your favorite video is Wheels on the Bus, you refer to it as Beep Beep, Bus or wideo. It is the most annoying dvd ever, but you love it! Your giraffe, TaTa, must be with you at all times, and very recently a Ladybug Pillow Pet has become almost equally important. We spend a majority of our mornings feeding baba's to your baby dolls and I can see you becoming a Daddy's girl. 

We love you Avery! Thank you for giving us the best 18 months we have ever had! 

Dear Coffee,

Oh how I miss thee! I remember skipping to my Keurig each morning and selecting the perfect flavor for the day. Now, my drawer filled with coffee bean treasures sits half full, a painful reminder of the coffee that I cannot drink. I could try decaf, but it's not the same. I miss my 10 ounces of goodness that I sip, black, from my favorite mismatched mug. We will be together again someday. But for now, know how much I love and miss you.

My 2 fav mugs.

My mint tea that I am currently sipping on. You are good my tea, but I am sorry to say that you are not my coffee.

Eternally yours,

Stephanie

First Beach Adventure

Kind of embarrassed to admit this, but yesterday was Avery's first time at the beach! We arrived in Huntington at 9:30am excited for the day. The morning was very cold and foggy so we explored the pier.

Watching the surfers with her dad.

Watching for sharks with her mom.

When the sun broke through we headed for the sand and waves. Avery had no hesitation with the sand and was immediately throwing it everywhere.

She charged the water! We couldn't believe it!

Avery chasing birds...

Jay chasing Avery.

Love at first sight for this potential surfer girl.

It was a great start to the new year. Welcome 2012!