Trip to California

In July, we packed you up and took you on your first airplane ride! You were a great little traveler...you didn't fuss much at all, and the flight attendants even asked to hold you! You loved sunny California and spending time with your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. You got to meet several for the first time - your Great-Grandpa, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Mark and cousins Gavin, Abby and baby Austin.

Avery Grace earning her wings...

The entire Beauchamp gang!

Avery and Great-Grandpa Campbell

Cousins! Gavin, Abby & Avery

You took in your first fireworks show at the Fourth of July celebration in Redlands. We thought the loud booms might scare you, but you really liked the pretty lights! We spent the evening with all of our family, Uncle Dan's family and our friends, the Fecteaus.

Grandma with her new grandbabies!

Our sweet little patriot.

Also, while in California, you attended your first Dodgers' game, saw the ocean for the first time, attended a luau, and just enjoyed some front-porch swinging with Grandma and Grandpa. We had a blast in California and can't wait to visit again!

Your first Dodger game! (Daddy was in heaven.)

Getting your first taste of the Pacific Ocean

With the Beauchamp Ladies at the Luau / Grandma's Birthday Party!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Beauchamp!

P.S. You looked cute sleeping in California, too. I couldn't help myself.

Avery's Nursery

Avery's Nursery is so special to us - a lot of love is reflected in this room. The crib bedding and window valance was hand sewn by my mom (Grandma Johnson). Early on in my pregnancy, she mentioned the possibility of making Baby Girl's crib bedding. She hadn't sewn in decades, but was willing to make the effort for her little granddaughter. Apparently I was determined to make it as hard as possible for her, since I waited until a month before the baby was born to decide on a fabric! She had a couple of weeks to work on it at home in Olathe, and she finished up the hand stitching at our house the night before Avery was born.

She did such an amazing job - the finished product is so beautiful...it's even better than what I had envisioned. Thank you, Mom, for such a special gift. (She also made the window valance and a pillow from the leftover material - she's so crafty! I need to take some lessons from her.)

Both Grandmas helped me hang these paper lanterns (which were also used in our wedding) the night before Avery was born. I have such wonderful memories from that evening. :) The guys went to a SuperBowl party, and us ladies went to eat at Chili's, did some last minute shopping at Wal-Mart and then relaxed at home while preparing for Avery's Homecoming.

Here is Avery's changing table, which is honestly one of her most favorite places to be. She loves to lay here and look up at her stuffed friends - the pink monkey from Aunt Kelly, the Dalmatian Puppy from Grandma & Grandpa Johnson, and the Koufax Dog from Mommy & Daddy. She loves to look at herself in the mirror when I bring her here after Bath Time.

Above her closet doors, I have hung the wooden letters spelling Avery's name - these were hand made by her Great-Grandpa Campbell. Another sweet, special gift!

Here is a peek inside her (currently messy) closet. Some hand-me-downs from Cousin Daphne and Cousin Abby, and lots of gifts from our generous family and friends.

On her door; a decoration from the Baby Shower thrown by her Aunties Carol, Rhonda and Marge. And the little girl on the cloud that is hanging from her door handle - that was in my room when I was growing up.

Avery's dresser (which I hope to paint some day). The canvas above is one of the newborn photographs that Aunt Emily took - it's an incredible photo, and I love seeing it every day. We also have the beautiful quilt made by the ladies at 151st Street Church of Christ, a framed sonogram photo of Avery, Daddy's alpaca, a piggy bank from the Gisels, and on the side table is the bear from Grandma & Grandpa Beauchamp that Avery likes to look at while she's eating.

Lastly, this is the rocker that Mom & Dad gave us (thank you!) and the hand-made quilt from Aunt Emily. Avery loves her room and she wants to thank everyone that helped make it perfect just for her!

Five Months Old!

Avery turned five months old in California, so we took her monthly "front porch picture" at Grandpa and Grandma Beauchamp's house.

I am back at work, so Avery spends her days at home with Daddy. I think they have fun together, even though I suspect they are watching quite a bit of baseball and World Cup soccer! Avery rolled over for the first time while at home with Dad, and he told me all about it when I got home. He sings her songs about Mr. Green Shell and Toucan Sam and he tries to get her interested in his Lego figurines. But, by the time 5:00 rolls around and I get home, I think he is ready for a little break.


Avery started eating real food this month! We gave her rice cereal for the first time on June 29th. She wasn't sure what to do with it, but by her second try, she was a pro. Her first baby food to try was green beans - she loved them! She also took her first airplane ride to California to meet all of the Beauchamp clan (more on that trip later!).