Happy 2013!

2012 was a life-altering year for us and will be remembered fondly, but I'm also excited for what new things 2013 has to offer. Avery is continuing to grow like crazy. He grew IN two shiny new teeth this last month (he cut the first one on 12.12.12!) and grew OUT of his 9 month clothes. (I can't keep up!)

He is quite a ham and makes me laugh every single day, especially now that he's started 'gurgle-giggling' (it's the best way I can think of to describe it. It's hilarious.) He is amused by practically everything and it's such a joy just sitting and watching him explore and experiment with the things around him. My #1 goal for 2013 is to soak up every minute with this sweet little morsel... I can literally watch him growing every day.

We made another trip to Wisconsin this month, this time making our way through the heart of the winter storm to Grandpa Jim & Grandma Linda's house in Rhinelander for a few days, then across the state to Ridgeland to see more family!

Avery had many firsts this trip, including enjoying all the activities his first Christmas had to offer, meeting some of his aunts and uncles and cousins for the first time, staying in a hotel, swimming in a pool (at the hotel), seeing snow and sledding down Grandpa Jim's well-groomed hill, and sadly, even running his first fever (on Christmas eve and Christmas day... boo.)

Although traveling 1300 miles with a teething 6 month old isn't the most ideal way to spend a holiday, it was a fantastic trip and a great way to spend Avery's first Christmas. Every time we get to spend time with family I'm so overwhelmed by how loved and adored Avery is. He is SO BLESSED (we all are) to have such a loving bunch of people that he's lucky enough to call family. I only wish we could be closer to them so he could see them more often - I think we're both going through withdrawals!

                         
Avery working on his push-ups (proof that he really IS strong enough to crawl... if he ever chooses to. (Please excuse the music, Justin and I were taking a trip down memory lane, apparently Avery has a thing for Crazytown, too!)

In place of crawling, this proud little stinker prefers to be upright - on his feet!
He is so proud of himself and has now mastered the 'one-handed stand'