TOU Marathon

Our neighbor was silly enough to try and talk Chris into running the Top of Utah marathon in Logan. ha ha ha ya right!!! Chris can barely run the bases playing softball (sorry babe but it's true.) I have always wanted to run a marathon so I told him I would run it. I have been running a few miles here and there and started a 16 week program 3 weeks ago. The training program consists of running 3 miles one day then 4 miles then 3 miles and a long run starting at 5 miles and increasing a mile every week. I am now supposed to be at 7 miles. Last week Chris was out of town so I wasn't able to run except two days while pushing Avery in the blistering wind up hills both ways. Come to Saratoga Springs and you will know what I'm talking about, our tree sure does. This week Chris was out of town again and I work so I'm not sure when I am going to do my runs. Chris says to run when I wake up at 2pm. Are you kidding me that is the hottest time of the day! I only work 2 days a week, if that, but it seems like the days I do work get in the way of my ever so eventful life. I started out so excited but am now getting discouraged. I did my 4 mile run yesterday at 9am and it wasn't pretty. I hadn't eaten breakfast, it was hot, I was dehydrated and I ran rolling hills into the wind both ways. I was huffing and puffing and barely made it in! my face was as red as a nice plump cherry. I still have hope that I can pull this off. I just need to figure out a time I can go. Now that Chris isn't galavanting, I mean traveling, I can go in the morning or evening. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Avery at 9 months

Holy cow time really goes by so fast, Avery is now almost 10 months old! Her personality is really emarging now. she is all smiles but gets shy, hiding her face when strangers try to talk to her. She jabbers like crazy and has been saying "Mommy" and "Daddy". She definately has a mind of her own and knows what she wants and will let you know when she doesn't get it. For instance, she loves Maggie's leash and will scream bloody murder if I take it away. I finally broke down and just let her play with it. Now that is all she will play with. So much for all the toys we bought her. Who knew that all I needed to do was get her a dog leash. It is hilarious watching her play with that thing.

I cought Avery making faces through the takeout box. I made faces back at her on the other side and she would laugh so hard then make faces back at me. We had such a fun time.

I was so excited for Avery to start crawling and walking but now realize how much easier life was for me before she could move. just today I was trying to change a poopy diaper and she twisted around onto her knees while I still had a hold of her feet holding them in the air trying not to get poop everywhere. I swear she had ADHD in the womb and now as a baby. She is all over the place! She is crawling on her knees with her belly off the floor and stands up holding on to objects and will walk while holding on. I love to stand in front of her while she holds onto my pant leg and walk backward while she walks forward. She really isn't afraid of much and acts more like a boy than a girl when it comes to trying new things.

Here are Avery's 9 month pictures

More Teeth!!!

I discovered another tooth coming in, Avery now has 7 teeth! She is going to have a full set before long. I read that some babies are born with teeth, how creepy is that! I had a dream the other night that I had a baby that was born with a full set of adult sized teeth. He kept smiling at me with his big horse teeth. It was really weird and the baby was latin... What?!

Here are Avery's 8 month pictures.

I went into get Avery one morning and saw this. She cracks me up sometimes.

Avery at 8 Months

-Avery is now army crawling around the house and gets on her hands and knees more and more. I'm amazed at how fast she gets around like that. She will stand at the side of the couch holding on for dear life. When I hold her hands she will lift up her legs and walk foreward. I think the Baby Einstein videos are really teaching her something.

-Avery had her first fall today. She was leaning over the edge of the couch and before I could stop her she toppled to the floor with a loud thump. I knew this day would happen eventually but I wasn't prepared for it to be so soon. She was more terrified than hurt, I felt so bad. After we went for a walk today I had her sitting in front of me on the floor. She grabbed my shirt and pulled herself to a standing position all by herself, I was shocked. I tried to get her to do it again but she just got frustrated.

-She now has four teeth that are totally sticking out; Two on the bottom and two on the top left. there are two more coming in on the top right. she will have six teeth by the end of the month for sure!!! I am slowly weaning off breastfeeding and am totally fine with it. My goal was to go 6 months and now that she has so many teeth, I really don't like to be bitten. As you can see from the image she is a monster ready to snap.

-She will drop objects on the floor from her high chair and look down to see where they went. I know it sounds cute and she is learning, but it isn't very fun for me. When she hears Maggie's collar jingle, she will turn to look where she is. Sometimes the jingle will wake her up from a nap. She also will look around when she hears Chris's voice and get so excited when she sees him.

-She like to hold books on her own and will talk as if she is reading. I think she is starting to imitate her mommy. If I take the book away or turn the page she gets so mad.

-Avery is getting a little attitude. She knows what she wants and when she doesn't get it, all heck breaks loose. When she is focused on something we cannot distract her (should I be worried about that?). Her favorite items as of late are bottles including lotion bottles, water bottles, formula bottles.

- She loves her stuffed animals now. When she sees them she will squeal and give them hugs. I love that she plays with her toys and can entertain herself for a little while.

-Maggie is still extremely jealous. When we are on the floor playing with Avery, Maggie runs and gets a toy trying to get us to play with her too. Poor thing is neglected. Avery loves Maggie and will laugh at her, especially when she licks her hand.

-We have discovered many tickle spots including her ribs, stomach and thighs. I've never met a baby that laughs as much as Avery does.

-Avery is still sleeping about 10 hours at night and I am so thankful for that.

I love this age, she has so much personality.

25 things that are great

25. I have lost all my baby weight and am now to where I was before I was pregnant. My body doesn't look and feel the same though. I only have 5 more pounds to my goal weight.

24. I got pulled over in a construction zone and didn’t get a ticket. I didn't even have to cry.

23. The manager at Great Harvest Bread gave me a free cinnamon roll because I was in a cheery mood. They said everyone that day was in a bad mood so when I came in, I made their day brighter. I guess nice things do happen to nice people.

22. Udot has been making great progress on the road from Saratoga Springs to the freeway and the overpass in AF. They are getting things done so fast and we haven’t noticed much inconvenience from all the construction.

21. I had a coupon for a free bow at Katelyn and Co, a free panty at VS, and a free lotion at Bath and Body, then they gave me a free piece of pie at Deseret Book just because. I love free stuff!

20. Now that Redwood Road has been widened from Bangerter down to Saratoga Springs, my commute to SLC seems like nothing now and the road is so smooth.

19. It was actually sunny and kinda warm last week and the beginning of this week... and now it's snowing (the snowing part's not great but the sunny is.)

18. I have been running every day.

17. I ran 5 miles this Saturday. I’m amazing! I'm trying to work up to a half marathon.

16. I’m already getting booked for weddings this summer.

15. Avery is now giving me loves. That makes my heart just melt.

14. After working a night shift, chris took Avery to the babysitter and he ran some errands so I was able to sleep with no interruption. I felt great when I woke up.

13. Chris

12. I didn’t have to teach Sunday School this week. Thank you stake conference.

11. Visited Grandma Carlla.

10. Besides working last Wednesday, I did whatever I wanted to do (Be with my cute baby all day).

09. Avery is no longer sick.

08. I have the happiest baby in the world who smiles at everything and has the cutest laugh.

07. Avery is talking up a storm. I love her little voice.

06. Chris ironed all my clothes. I really hate ironing.

05. Did I mention it was sunny!?

04. I bought me and Avery some new clothes.

03. I Started reading the Book of Mormon to Avery every night she actually seems interested.

02. Did one full pull up on my pull up bar without cheating.

and the greates thing of all is Avery. I just love her so much and am so happy that I finally get to be a mom to the best baby EVER!