Two A-maizing Kids! - Stories Page 5

Last Updated:
Nov 20, 2009

Two A-maizing Kids!

Avery Candace Maize

Stories

7-8-08: On June 26th, Avery & I left for Wisconsin for 10 days. My grandparents were celebrating their 60th anniversary with a mass and reception afterwards, so the whole family flew into town for the special event. I was so grateful to have my parents, sister & brother-in-law on the flight with us. They were a huge help! Avery was a PERFECT angel on the flight to Wisconsin. She sat on my mom's lap and just looked out the window most of the time. She did not make a peep - and even fell asleep for about an hour. When we landed, everyone around us commented on how great she was, and some didn't even know we had a child on our lap!

While we were in Wisconsin, we soaked up every moment of the absolutely gorgeous weather. We could have done without all of the mosquitoes, but with all of the flooding and standing water, the mosquitoes were in full force. Surprisingly enough, Avery didn't come home with any mosquito bites!

We stayed the 10 days at my mom's parents house. Avery got to use the high chair my mom used when she was little, which was purchased in 1951! Avery went for wagon rides in the wagon that was mine & my sisters when we were little, and played with the old-fashioned Fisher Price farm, house, telephone & push popper that belonged to my cousins when they were tots.

We spent a lot of time with our family and savored every minute of it. We had barbecues, watched fireworks, went to a parade, went shopping and ate lots of good, home-cooked meals! Oh - and we can't forget the melt-in-your-mouth fried cheese curds, which went very well with Spotted Cow Beer!!!

Avery "burned the midnight oil" as my grandparents would say. She was up until 11:00 or midnight every night. She did not want to go to sleep when she knew people were upstairs having a good time. She did really well the entire trip, even with having a bad cold. We had to make a doctor's appointment when we were there because she had a runny nose and cough for 3 weeks and it started to get worse. A few doses of an antibiotic and cough syrup and she was good to go. Avery cut her 4th molar while we were in Wisconsin too.

While Avery was in Wisconsin, she learned quite a few new tricks. She does the hand motions to my Grandma's version of Pat-a-Cake, makes the animal noises for cow, dog, cat, monkey, tiger & duck. She continues to nod her head yes or no when you ask her questions, and more recently learned to shrug her shoulders and put her hands up as if saying "I don't know" when she's not sure of something. That started when we'd ask her "Where's Daddy?" while on our trip.

The funniest thing was how Avery loved this tall wooden cow that my grandparents have on their front porch. Avery would see it and start saying "MMMMMM" and would walk up to it and kiss it. Every time we'd drive past my grandparent's house to leave or come home, she'd say "MMMMM" and point out the window. About 5 days into our trip, we noticed that every time we got on the street to the side of my grandparent's house and were about to turn onto their street she'd start saying "MMMM"! We thought it was so neat how she began to recognize where she was. Another one of her favorite things was this large cardboard statue of Elvis that my grandparents won in a drawing years ago. We would say "Where's Elvis?" and she'd point to him. She also wanted people to pick her up and put her next to Elvis so she could kiss him.

The plane ride home wasn't as perfect as the one there, but she still did great. She took a 2 hour nap on the long flight, so that helped a ton. She was a little unsure of Daddy when he greeted us at the airport, however she warmed right up to him once we were home and she saw her doggies & all of her toys.

Now that we're back home, we're working really hard to get her back on her sleeping/napping schedule, which I'm sure will take a week or so.

6-18-08: For Father's Day, I took a picture of Avery "golfing" and put it in a frame that I decorated with golf tees that said "Tee-rific Daddy". Then Avery & her little friend Jack surprised their daddies with a playdate scheduled for next week - a "tee party" as they called it. The daddies will play a round of golf then Jack & his mommy, Avery & I will meet up with them for lunch afterwards. We had omelets from AJ's for breakfast then Steve spent the whole day with Avery while my mom and I went shopping. It was a great day!

6-10-08: Breaking News: Avery is walking all over the house! Yes - the day has finally come where Avery is CHOOSING to walk all over the place. It is so exciting and so cute to see her waddle like a baby penguin! It was last Thursday evening when she decided she'd just get up and go.

In other news, Avery had her first sleepover this past weekend. My parents offered to take her overnight so Steve and I could have 24 hours of relaxation, peace & quiet. Our 7th wedding anniversary was yesterday, so we decided to treat ourselves to an overnight stay at the Marriott up in north Scottsdale while Avery was with Grandma & Grandpa. We had dinner Saturday night at Maggiano's Little Italy (Y-U-M!) and even slept in until 8:30 on Sunday morning! Avery did awesome at her sleepover. My sister & brother-in-law stayed at my parent's house as well. Saturday night they all went to church, then out for pizza. Avery didn't go to bed until 10:00 pm that night! She did cry a bit when it was bedtime, but managed to fall fast asleep when Grandma rocked her in the chair. Sunday morning they all went out to breakfast at 5 & Diner, then went to the railroad park. I guess Avery was terrified of the carousel. My dad said she shook like she was freezing cold, so he took her off the horse and sat on a bench with her. She absolutely loved the train ride and had a "perma-grin" during the whole ride.

Just tonight we noticed that Avery now covers her mouth when she sneezes or coughs! I wonder where she picked that up because I'm STILL trying to get the daycare kids to do it!

6-2-08: Avery went to her 3rd Diamondbacks game on Saturday night. This time we sat in a suite & Avery had a blast walking all over the place. Grandma had a goodie bag for Avery, as usual. This time it had all kinds of colorful bangle bracelets & books in it. (Avery LOVES bracelets - she has to put them on before she plays with her toys . . . what a girly-girl!) It was sure nice having the extra space in the suite to let a 14 month old semi-walker play and cruise around. Needless to say, mom didn't get to see any of the game, which happened to be the shortest home game in history for the DBacks!

In other news, Avery has proved to us that she can walk on her own, however she just chooses NOT to walk . . . . . soooo frustrating! I know I'm going to regret saying this, but I'm going to say it anyway . . . . I just can't wait until this child CHOOSES walk on her own!!

Avery has some new favorite foods - mandarin oranges & dill pickles (the super garlicy ones)! I had 3 baby dill pickles on my lunch plate the other day and Avery swiped all 3 of them and ate them up like nobody's business!

Our little sunshine has not been the greatest sleeper lately. For about a month now she's been waking up in the night crying - sometimes multiple times. I'm not sure what is going on, but it's pretty frustrating. It is currently 2 a.m. and she just woke up for the 5th time tonight!

5/15/08 - I ended up taking Avery to the Pediatric Urgent Care on Saturday morning because I could tell she was absolutely miserable. The vomiting/diarrhea thing was gone, but now she had a super-stuffy nose and a "yucky" sounding cough. While we were in the exam room waiting to see the doctor, Avery coughed and proceded to throw up ALL over herself, me, the table & the floor. She had so much drainage that it just gagged her. Daddy had to come to the rescue and bring mommy a new shirt so we could be on our way. They sent us home with antibiotics & cough medicine, and after 3 doses, she was a happy & comfortable little girl again!

Avery continues to walk while pushing her push toys around, and even toys that aren't meant to be pushed. She has somehow learned to climb, as I found her on top of my Sam's Club purchases the other day! She has also figured out how to get on and off her little ride-on cars, and feed herself with a spoon. Now . . . . if we can only get this child to walk on her own! She CAN do it - she just doesn't want to. . . it's so frustrating!

Avery is still such a happy, easy going child, however we are starting to see a little stubborn attitude appear every now and then. She loves getting into my cupboards and pull everything out. However, mom and dad decided that we have enough messes to clean up with having a daycare here, so we'd rather her not play with the dishes, then have to rewash everything and put it back. She has figured out how to get the cupboard latches undone, so now it leaves us to tell her "no" and redirect her to an activity. This causes Avery to drop herself to the ground & cry, then get up and go back to that cupboard. I feel like the Super Nanny because I keep telling her "no" and taking her back into the playroom every time she gets in there, and somedays it can take quite a few tries before she realizes she can't play in the cupboards.

5-9-08: It's been a long week for this family. It started off with me having to get a root canal done on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, Avery spiked a fever and was throwing up everywhere. I took Avery to the Dr. on Wednesday and it sounds like she may have Rotavirus. Some daycare kids have been sick over the last 3 weeks, so I guess it's my kid's turn now. : ( Avery hasn't vomited for 48 hours, but still has a fever and now a terrible head cold. Mom and dad didn't sleep but about 3 hours each night this week, so we're looking forward to catching up sleep while hoping our baby girl feels better soon! The Dr. suggested that Avery remain on a clear liquid diet for 3 days to help her tummy heal. As of yesterday, she was finally able to hold down water, jello & crackers. Since she can't have any milk or formula for a few days, we haven't been giving Avery a bottle (she won't drink water from a bottle - only the sippy cup), so I guess she's weaned from the bottle now! I think I'll pack them up and take them to the storage unit this weekend. The Ped. said not to worry about her refusing to drink milk from a sippy cup, but to keep offering it to her and eventually she'll drink it. She said as long as she eats yogurt & cheese, she's getting all the calcium she needs for the time being.

I was looking so forward to going to church & out to brunch with my parents & family for Mother's day, but I think we may have to stay home if Avery isn't feeling better by tomorrow night.

4-27-08: Yesterday the 3 of us went to the Phoenix Zoo with some friends of ours and their little girl who is Avery's age. We had a nice time and the girls did awesome! It was so nice and cool out in the morning, but by 11:00, it was toasty! Afterwards, we had brunch, then came home for a nap! Avery seemed to really like the Desert Tortoise exhibit, as well as monkey island and the orangutan exhibit.

Avery took 3 steps last night from me to the sofa, and has taken quite a few steps between her toys today.

4/20/08: Avery took 2 steps on her own today!!!

I forgot to mention that Avery cut another tooth sometime last week. Her lower right lateral incisor popped through.

4-19-08: Last night, Avery & I met up with my sister & parents to go to the Diamondback's game. It was a great game (a blowout!) and Avery was PERFECT throughout the entire game, and even during the fireworks show at the end of the game! The people around us were smiling at her, saying how cute she was, and were in complete disbelief at how well behaved she was. It made us all so proud to hear such nice comments about our little sweetie pie. : ) Avery absolutely loved the fireworks show. The "booms" were quite loud, but it didn't bother her a bit. She just sat back in her own chair, looked up into the sky and pointed at all of the pretty colors. I took a couple of short videos that I hope to post on here.

4-14-08: Avery was 13 months old yesterday, and today is my birthday! Avery & daddy surprised me last weekend by taking me to the Coach store and letting me pick out my own gift. I was soooo excited!!! I got a really nice black, tote-style handbag. Yesterday my parents came down for a birthday dinner, and today my in-laws are taking us out to dinner.

Avery sure had a bad tummy ache over the weekend! Last Thursday evening, she ate almost a whole snack size bag of sliced grapes which gave her major gas, a horrible diaper rash, and some uncomfortable "plumbing problems". She was on a bland diet most of the weekend that included mostly carbs and Yo Baby Yogurt, which she LOVED! (If you haven't tried it - it is soooo good!) I am happy to report that she is back to normal today!

We have been spending quite a bit of time outside lately, since the weather has been nearly perfect. Avery loves having picnics, looking up at the moon and seeing the airplanes & birdies fly by. We are very anxious to get into the pool and see how Avery likes to splash around in the big bathtub. She loved the pool last year as a 4 month old, and I'm sure she'll love it even more this summer!

4-6-08: Avery's latest trick? Kissing!!! I watch my friend's little boy on Tuesdays. We joke around and say that we want her son & my daughter to get married some day so we can be in-laws. Last Tuesday when Avery woke up from her nap and saw that her little friend was at our house, she immediately kissed him and kept kissing him all afternoon. It was SO cute (see pic). Yeah, I think it's cute now, but in 15 years it won't be so cute & funny!

4-4-08: I took Avery into the doctor to have them look at her rash, since it looked worse when she woke up today. The doctor believes she has a "sensitivity" to Augmentin, which is the antibiotic she's been on for 10 days. She didn't say it was an allergy, since Avery didn't have hives, but that she's definitely "hyper-sensitive" to it. There is no medication needed to treat it, since today was Avery's last day on the Augmentin.

4-3-08: Another tooth! Now letter "I" has popped through (1st molar on top left side).

Avery seems to be feeling well. Tomorrow will be her last day of the eye drops & antibiotic from last week's urgent care visit. However, now she is covered in a red, bumpy rash! The doctor told Steve that she could break out in a rash 1-2 weeks after receiving the Chicken Pox & MMR vaccinations. The sheet says it's a non-contageious rash and she could have a fever with it (which she did earlier in the week). The good thing is, it doesn't seem to bother her at all.

3-31-08 - I forgot to include the news about a new tooth in my update last week! Avery loves to play and be silly while crawling around on the sofa. One night last week, I noticed something white in her mouth when she threw her head back laughing. She has a molar!! It would be letter "B" (2nd to last molar on top right). It wasn't just the sharp tip poking through either. A good portion of the molar is through! We were both shocked, to say the least! We thought for sure she'd get her bottom lateral incisors (next to center teeth) next.

This weekend had a few funny moments that I will share. First of all, we've been giving Avery a lot of "naked time" in the evenings to try and help her diaper rash. The doctor told us to give her as much time without a diaper as feasible. We're used to little Miss Avery pottying on the floor every now and then, but Saturday night we were in for a "bigger" surprise. Steve & I were putting away the huge mess of toys when I turned around to see Avery sitting in a pile of "poo" just as happy as could be! It was soooo disgusting! I won't go into any more detail than that . . . . you can use your imaginations . . . !

Secondly, we've been working on teaching Avery not to drop food off her high chair when she's eating for two reasons 1) our dogs are both overweight, thanks to the droppings and 2) mom doesn't like mopping the floor every night! So yesterday, the 3 of us were out making a couple of big purchases . . . a new carseat for Avery, and a new digital camera. We decided we would stop for a late lunch/early dinner and wanted to try the new Logan's Roadhouse. It's a very family friendly restaurant, where you are free to drop your peanut shells onto the floor. Well, Miss Avery picked right up on daddy throwing "food" onto the floor and decided it was ok to throw her puffs, chicken, bread, fork & napkin onto the floor too. Note to self: It's not the best place to take a child when you're teaching them not to throw food onto the floor.

3-26-08: Avery is sick again! She was totally fine on Saturday, but on Sunday she turned into a stuffy & runny nosed, crabby little monster! She had been like that since Sunday, so we started to think she was having a reaction to her vaccinations. Then yesterday she woke up from her afternoon nap and her right eye was red. By dinner time, her whole right side of her face was swollen, and her eye was all red & puffy. Steve tried to put a cool cloth on her eye, but when he did she broke out into a red, splotchy rash all over her head. I had given her strawberries for the first time the other day and we were both worried about her having the rash and a reaction to them where her throat could close, so I took her to Urgent Care.
Apparently, the doctor thinks she picked up a cold from her well visit at the doctor's office on Friday. Her sinus cavity is so inflamed and swollen that it has put a lot of pressure on Avery's eye to where it caused her to get a blocked tear duct, and an eye infection! She's now on Augmentin and some really expensive eye drops. After 24 hours on both meds, Avery is doing a lot better today! She even ate turkey today for lunch! I couldn't believe it since she has not touched meat in a couple of months. Maybe it was the little picnic the daycare kids had today. We "brown bagged it" and ate outside since the weather has been so gorgeous. Amazingly enough, the daycare kids even ate their veggies today!

3-22-08: Avery went for her 1 year well check-up yesterday. Daddy took her to this appointment since I still had daycare kids here. She got 3 shots: chickenpox, MMR & Polio. Steve said she didn't cry at all for the Polio or Chickenpox vaccinations, but screamed pretty good for the MMR. (I remember getting that one in college and it hurt . . . BAD!) Avery weighs 21.4 pounds (75th %), is 30.5 inches tall (90th %), and head circumfrence is 18.5 inches (90th %). I have a pretty good idea where she gets her big head from, but where is she getting her height from? Her ears were all clear and looked great - HOORAY!!! No need for tubes at this point, so we're going to continue with the Zyrtec once daily to hopefully prevent fluid from building up in her ears. Her Pediatrician was very impressed with her development. He said it's great that she's pointing to everything and saying "Who's that?", so she can learn to identify things. He also said her vocabulary is great too! She even showed the doctor her latest trick - pointing to her nose when daddy said "Avery, where's your nose?" Thank goodness she didn't stick her finger in her nose, like she did all week!

Wednesday & Thursday night Avery got really ambitious and started cruising all over the place. She held onto the sofa and walked the whole length of it, then turned and walked around the coffee table. She also likes to walk around her Leap Frog table, and walk around pushing her little ride-on cars or pushtoys. She is not taking steps on her own as of yet, but by the looks of how things have progressed in the last 3 days . . . . daddy & I think it'll be very soon!

Tomorrow = Happy Easter and Happy Birthday to Daddy!!!

3-15-08: Avery's 1st birthday party was a huge success, thanks to the help of my awesome family!
Avery took a 3 1/2 hour nap prior to her party, so she was well rested and happy. We had a great turn out, the kids had a fun playing with all of Avery's toys & running around the back yard while the mommies & daddies got to chit chat and have a "cold one".
We had a flower themed party. All of the cakes/cupcakes were decorated with flowers, we had hanging flower decorations, flowers in vases, flower paper goods, and flower pot party favors for the kids.
Avery got tons of awesome gifts, but was most excited by all of the wrapping paper, tissue paper and ribbons.
When it came time for Avery to eat her cake, she daintily stuck her fingers in the frosting and licked it off. We were all so surprised that she didn't dive into it, because she has come to really, REALLY like cake & ice cream!

3/13/08 - HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY AVERY!

Avery woke up today as happy as can be, which is typical for her. I could barely get through singing "Happy Birthday" to her, as I was pretty emotional. It just doesn't seem like it's been a year since we were blessed with our sweet baby girl. Avery & I drove up to Scottsdale and Grandpa babysat Avery while I went to two appointments. Then Avery, Grandma, Grandpa and I went to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch. Grandma got Avery a special cupcake from a yummy place in Scottsdale and she LOVED IT! We drove home to pick up daddy and went grocery shopping for her big birthday bash this weekend. Now the princess is all worn out and in bed getting her beauty rest for her birthday party tomorrow with the daycare kids, and her big party this weekend.

3/7/08 - Ear infection # ??? I've lost count! Steve came back from the pediatrician's office and said Avery has another ear infection. She just finished her last dose of antibiotics last night! The Dr. said he wants her to take Zyrtec on a daily basis through the allergy/cold season to see if it helps keep her ears & sinuses clear & dry (this is exactly what mommy has to do!). He also gave her a really strong antibiotic to see if this one clears it up. If the combination of these two drugs do not help, he said he'd like to try an antibiotic where she would get a shot in her leg. If that didn't work, then we would meet with an ENT doctor to discuss tubes.

3-7-08: Avery has finished her 4th round of antibiotics and is still not completley well. She continues to pull at her ears, cries and fights lying down to get her diaper changed, and has a runny nose & cough. Steve is going to take her to her pediatrician today to see if her ears are still infected or what. In the meantime, Steve & I have both managed to get sick as well. We just keep passing it around! As much as I love the cool weather, I'm kind of anxious for the hot summer weather to arrive and burn off all of these germ bugs!

In other news, Avery has been learning a bunch of new tricks lately. She consistently pulls herself up to a standing position on the couch or her toys, and yesterday, she actually started walking around the couch while holding on. She also loves to walk on her knees while pushing her little push toys, cars or even her high chair around the house. Her vocabulary consists of saying: hi, mama, dada, duck and uh-oh. She nods her head "yes" or "no" when you ask her a question, holds her hands up in the air when you say "Where's Avery?", and waves hi and bye-bye.

I can't believe in less than a week my baby girl will be 1 !!!

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