Viva Lost Daddy

Last month Mommy got to go play with KK & friends in San Diego.  I missed my munchkin and hubby a ton, couldn't wait to get home to them, but it sure was nice to have a weekend to myself without Miss Avery attached to my hip.

The SD girls on the Duffy Boat.

KK & Jenn

 Last weekend was Daddy's turn.  He went to Vegas for 4 days.

This is the only picture Andy sent.

 We tried to keep ourselves busy while Daddy was gone.  We went to the park a few times.

And got to play with Margie, Baby Cole and Doggy Fonzy.  Avery has a major crush on Cole, she can't get enough of him, just wants to take care of him.

 We took a bath and Avery's Hermans/Greene genes came out in full force... (We're slightly anal).

We played at Cara's house with Doggy Lucy and sidewalk chalk!

We washed Mommy's extremely dirty car at Nana & Opa's in the rain.  So fun!

 

 And got to spend a little time with Grote Oma & Grote Opa.

 Phew, that was exhausting Mommy!

 We were so glad to get Daddy back on Sunday!

Daddy showing Avery his Vegas pics.

 It only takes a couple weekends away to realize how valuable "family time" really is.  If it's possible, I think Avery has received even more hugs from Mommy and Daddy since we've been back.

"Tew" Birthday Parties

Last Saturday was Avery's birthday extravaganza!  Because we have a diverse group of friends to celebrate with, we decided to do 2 parties to accommodate everyone. Avery's first party was at Dizzy's Bus Stop in Bellevue with kiddos.  We had a spectacular Spring day, upper 70 degree heat (wouldn't you know, the year I plan a party indoors).  The kids had a great time tumbling, bouncing, sliding, screaming and running.  If you haven't been to Dizzy's yet, I highly suggest you take your kiddos and check it out!  After 2 hours of crazy fun, set up and clean up, we headed back home to let an exhausted 2 year old girl nap and get ready for party #2.  We hosted friends and family over for a BBQ to celebrate our little munchkin.  We had a great turn out for both parties.  It took us a total of 3 days to open all of Avery's presents, and she has worn herself out this week playing with every one of them. 

Thank you to everyone to attended Avery's parties and sent cards and well wishes for our Sweet, Spunky toddler!  We feel truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

Birthday Banner - Avery "helped."

The Monkey cake!

The birthday girl

Peek a boo!

Avery & Nolan fighting over the mower.

Ready for cake!

Ambreen & Sienna

Avery thinks Sienna is pretty cute.

Blowing out the candles.

Avery & Alena - almost birthday twins.

Tea time for Grandma & Nana

The popular trampoline

Avery got to hold Baby Cole

And so did Opa!

Hanging with Auntie Nan

Braden's game is too cool!

Hanging with Auntie KK

Phew, that was exhausting, I was on my feet for 15 straight hours!  But so worth it!
To see all the pictures from the day, go to Kodak Gallery: http://pix.kg/p/591173843507%3A359430284/scl

The next day we went to brunch with the Hunt clan at the Harbor club in Bellevue.  We had a delicious brunch and stuffed ourselves full.  Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

The Hunts (Ruhls)

Kisses for cousin Nolan.

Andy took Avery and I out to dinner at Hectors in Kirkland, for a dinner in the sun.  What a perfect way to finish the weekend!  I hope all the Mothers in our lives had a great Mother's Day too.  Thank you to Mom Hermans and Mom Hunt for being exceptional Moms and Grandmas!

"Tew!"

Tuesday, May 8th, Avery turned two!  I can't believe it's been 2 years already since Andy and I welcomed our spunky little girl into the world.  It's so cliche but so true, kids really do grow up way too fast, though we enjoy each new stage of her development so much!

Avery had a great birthday.  She woke up to balloons from Nana (or as Avery now refers to her "Nannie"), and a new bike from "Mommy" and "Daddy." Btw, "tew" is Avery's absolute favorite number, and anytime she has 2 of anything she holds them up and exclaims "tew!"  On her birthday I asked "is it your birthday today?"  "Yes."  "How old are you today?"  "Tew!"

For lunch, Nana brought Avery into Mommy's work.  I think at least 15 different people told me she looks like a mini-Me - finally! :)  We had a fun lunch and Avery put in some serious work on Mommy's computer.

When Mommy got home from work I asked Avery what she wanted to do, and "Go-go" to the park was top of her list.  We attempted the new bike but she's still not too sure what to do with it yet.

"Cheeeese"

When Daddy got home we sang Happy Birthday and she finally got to blow out the candles that she's been practicing for.  She did great, one at a time.

She thought the 5 or 6 bites she had were delicious.

And finished the night with a bubble bath.

I think she had a great day because she went to bed singing "Happy, happy."  Happy birthday my sweet girl!  We can't wait to party with all of our friends and family this weekend!

Countdown to Two!

As time ticks down to Avery's 2nd birthday, I thought I'd take a minute to reflect on her HUGE personality as a 1 year old.  This kid never fails to amaze me and constantly keeps me on my toes.  She is loving, caring, sweet, mischievous, dramatic, funny and energetic all rolled into a small 28 pound package.  We're still waiting for her big growth spurt, her genes just don't allow for the skinny kid with size 5 shoes that she is!  But what she lacks in size, she makes up for in hair and personality!  Avery has been very lucky in her first 2 years of life, she's been at home with Mommy, Daddy or Nana (& Grandma), and as such, has become a bit... well, spoiled.  She doesn't feel the need to speak the English language, for her subjects must learn to speak Avery and demands are requested with a simple point and "uh" followed by "pease."  I'm thinking the Avery language has a Dutch/German influence, because she is fond of the Dutch flemmy "ckkk" sound.  My favorite of these is snack, "nackkk."  Just this week she started calling us Daddy and Mommy instead of Dada and Mama, which we LOVE!  Our favorite activity at home is our dance parties, as Avery leads us to the dance floor (the space in front of the iPod doc) and shows us how to really get down!  She loves to entertain and keeps me laughing with her antics and endless silly faces.  She loves to give back rubs and  gives the biggest hugs and sweetest kisses.

My little Avery Albertine is truly one of a kind and I couldn't be more proud to call her mine. :)

At the park with Daddy

Being the "Cutest Girl in all the Land"

At the M's season opener.

Avery got to take home the foul ball that came right for our heads!

Hugs for buddy Alena.

Playing in the sand.

"Chucky face" has come back in full force.

Not always a happy baby.

Crazy Girl!

Maybe she's trying to stay a "baby" for Mommy.  She thinks her old bassinet is fun to pretend to nap in.

Helping Mommy with her birthday banner.

"Nackkk" (snack) time!

Appropriate for her upcoming 2nd birthday, Avery's favorite number is 2.  Whenever she has 2 of anything she throws them up and says "two!"  She calls her "bitty blankies" "Two" (because she has 2 of them), and is working hard at conforming her hands into the 2 sign.  In just 7 days our lives will be all about 2, as Avery rolls in the beginning of age 2 and hopefully not too much more terrible 2's...