Avery's 2nd Birthday: The Recap

Last week, my biggest little turned 2. Due to some scheduling conflicts, her celebrations have been spread, somewhat evenly throughout the past 8 days. That's how we roll. We'll celebrate all month, if we want to... right?

Honestly, I already feel like I've over done the sharing part with pictures on facebook and a blog post, but I can say this will be the last Avery Birthday post, until next year, of course.

On her actual birthday (9.29.11), we celebrated with our dear friends/neighbors/might-as-well-be-family family, the Harrison's. Howard and Kim, affectionately referred to as "Wah-Wah" and "Meme", respectfully, are such a big part of my little family and am so thankful for that.

Mini charm bracelet. Avery liked it. Momma LOVED it.

I had fully intended on making homemade cupcakes for my girl's special day, but with dilated eyes (first eye appointment in 14 years, give or take) I found that I couldn't see my grocery list... so a little ice cream cake never hurt anyone.

Saturday (10.08.11... also known as today) we celebrated with the rest of our family, at my mother's.

Look at this mess.

I made the homemade cupcakes and am pretty pleased with how they turned out (recipe courtesy of the Brown Eyed Baker). Yes, this is Hilary. No, I have not been abducted by aliens and replaced with a look alike version of myself that is suddenly comfortable in the kitchen. It's really me... I'm pretty sure.  I mean, they could have come out of the oven a smidge sooner and I may need to work on my icing skills, but I'm not throwing in the towel on this baking thing, just yet.

Avery got her "big girl" present from Andy and me this evening. Melissa & Doug Art Station. She was definitely a happy camper. I love that she has this ever growing interest in artist expression. I know... she's two. But, I still love it.  She is very into painting. She "chalks" every time we're outside. We color every day. It's awesome.

Lovely evening.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

You. Are. Loved. So. Much.

*Busy last couple of days. I'm exhausted. I promise to give you all a break from the constant postings. Hope you have a relaxing Sunday!

09.29.09

09.29.09. Two years ago today, God gave me my greatest earthly gift. I became a mother.

Avery Drew Caudill

It was a long trudge of a pregnancy, where I experienced every emotional extreme possible: elation at the discovery of being pregnant, severe anxiety (having had a miscarriage, not but 2 months before), mourning of the loss of my grandmother, a husband working 3.5 hrs away to provide for us.

But, 09.29.09, at 6:06 PM, everything changed. She was here... finally here.

I held her. I felt her velvety soft peach fuzz. I smelled her sweet skin. I was scared to death and the happiest I've ever been in my life, all at the same time. My life, forever changed. 09.29.09

   

To My Dearest Avery Drew:

You have taught me so much about the world and myself. I pray that I continue to learn from you daily. I am forever grateful that I was chosen to be your mother. I love you more than you will ever know.

09.29.11

Happy 2nd Birthday, beautiful girl!



Deleted? I guess not...

HELLO, everyone! I have not written ONCE in 2011. It's September. For some reason, I was under the impression (I assume because I haven't written in 9 months) that my blog was deleted... by accident? Or by blogger... Doesn't matter. I was misinformed! 

So... This is my vow to you, my loyal 17 followers. I vow to catch you up on the last 9 months (*spoiler alert: I had a baby.) and I swear promise will TRY to keep you informed on my EXCITING LIFE at least once a week.

OK... How should we do this "catching up" thing? Hit the highlights? OK, here we go: I became a Thirty-One Gifts Independent Consultant in February. LOVE this company! Great looking, reasonably priced products with an amazing, Christian-based company & support system. Some of you that know me, might be a little shocked by this, but being a stay-at-home wife & mother has caused me to take on a little bit of an introvert personality. I don't want to say, I'd "lost part of myself" or anything dramatic... but when your main human contact during the day is a toddler... well, most conversations are a little one-sided. This is a way for me to get out of the house, interact & talk with other adults... I know, crazy concept. Who knew?
So, (**shameless plug) let me know if you'd like to place an order or check out the catalog. Or you can click here to view the online catalog.

April 20th is now a Caudill holiday! We welcomed our 2nd sweet baby girl, Elliot Grae, into the world & this family.

Elliot Grae Caudill. 4/20/11 6:06PM
8lbs. 4oz., 20.5"

 And, let me just tell you... She. Is. Sweet. Looks exactly like her father, with my coloring & 5th generation brown eyes. Her big sister, Avery Drew, also favors her father (his coloring, my brown eyes), but not like this one. It's a little eerie.

See... I told you.

Avery Drew is growing entirely too fast! AND, has hair?! It just happened... all of a sudden! Boom! Pigtails. :)

I'm having a hard time with the fact that this one will be 2 years old at the end of this month. TWO?! But, look at her! When did she get big?

purple piggies

Birthday Fairies

August 20th, I celebrated my first 29th birthday. I have not come to terms with this yet, so that is all we'll say about it. Well, that and this:

Me & my littles
8/20/11

Recap: Life is good. God is great. I'm thankful, grateful, and very blessed. Thanks for reading. Share the love. Send your friends. ;) Talk soon.

Happy Birthday, Avery!

 See that face? I get to wake up to that every single day, and I love it. This was taken around 6:00 AM on Sept . 29th, which is a very special day here at the Caudill house. Sept. 29th is Avery's birthday, and with this being the first one, it was extra special.

Burgers, cupcakes, gifts, family, and a few friends = ONE GREAT BIRTHDAY! So, here are a few pictures that were captured on this special day.



Julia & Jonas came all the way from northern KY to celebrate with us.



Hanging out with Aunt Kim & Ali. (I love Avery's bday shirt!)

Gifts!

Cupcakes! (This might have been her favorite part.)

Pap, Uncle Blake, & Papaw



Nana & the birthday girl.







After a long day of partying, she's still a happy camper!




Loves her Rockabye from her Moe.



Happy Birthday Avery! Being your momma is, by far, the greatest gift I could ever ask for.

"To you, I would give the world.

To you, I'd never be cold, cause I feel that when I'm with you, it's alright. I know it's right.

And, the songbirds keeps singing like they know the score, and

I love you, I love you, I love you like never before."

- Songbird, Eva Cassidy 

Good Friends. Blackberry Cobbler. New Earrings.

When I woke up this morning, I got out of bed all sleepy-eyed and groggy. I trudged into the kitchen, and *BING*, I was wide awake. I spotted the treasure chest sitting on the table.

My husband is awesome. When your day starts out like this, it's going to be a good great day!

I'm also proud to announce, Avery has had her first taste of the delicious goodness that is Jolly Pirate. Andy broke off half of a blueberry doughnut ("It's got fruit in it, so it can't be that bad... Right?"), and she went to town!

Doughnut Baby

In the past, I've been notorious for celebrating my Birthday Week. This year, I've shortened it down to just a Birthday Weekend. So, since today was the last day of this wonderful weekend, the Caudill's went across the street to the Harrison's, for one more birthday celebration.

We had pork tenderloin, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and a super fresh salad. For dessert, we they had watermelon ( I don't eat watermelon... ever), and Kim made a blackberry cobbler, which was divine. My mom joined us for the final birthday festivities too! AND, I got another present! The Harrison's got me some super cute Brighton earrings. I put them on right then and there.

Watermelon Baby

I don't usually dig the self-portrait pictures, but I have so few with just me and my girl (because I'm usually behind the camera).

So, thank you Howard & Kim (and you too, Ali), for the wonderful food, my new earrings, and great fellowship. I love you all and am very thankful you're in our lives (and across the street).

Have a great day!

28 yrs.

Friday was my 28th birthday. Yes, that's right, I'm 28. Since it was my birthday, I thought that this was an acceptable mid-day snack.

Avery even got in on the action, and she was a happy girl.

Presents? Oh yes, there were presents. Andy got me a series of DVDs from PhotoVision (when I say "got", I mean: I ordered them, then told him that they were for my birthday), and I LOVE them.

And, I got these BEAUTIFUL flowers and a bunch of clothes from Ann Taylor Loft (my favorite) from my mother.

I also got a gift card to the mall from my dad (love gift cards!), and some smell good stuff from Bath&Body from Sally.

Overall rating of the day: Fabulous. I even got to blow out some candles.

I am so thankful for my life today. It's not the life I deserve. No, it's much more. It's the best present from my merciful, heavenly Father.

Have a great day

 &

God bless