Family Times

Avery taking a much needed rest from trick or treating.
Our sweet ladybug.

Two cuties!

Avery the Ladybug

Avery and our neighbors

Avery and Kai playing in the hay at the pumpkin patch.

Us with our friends and their kids over the weekend.

Claire and I with Kai and Avery on the bouncy slide.

The last month we've been able to do a lot of things together as a family, which I just love! Life gets to busy and hectic, and sometimes I feel like we don't get to spend as much time together as I'd like. Over the past year of becoming a mom I would be lying if I said I don't miss my B.C. days...Before.Children. I definitely sometimes miss being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it on my own schedule. Not too often do I miss my B.C. life, but it hits me every once in a while. The last few weeks have been rich with family time, and there is nothing sweeter than spending time with my two favorite people- John and Avery! We went to another pumpkin patch over the weekend with some friends and had fun picking pumpkins, riding the hayride, cooking our own hot dogs over a campfire, and riding the bounce house and slide! Last night we went trick or treating with Avery and our next door neighbor. Having these experiences with Avery is so fun even though she's not aware of what we're doing. I know when she's older and can really enjoy them it'll be even more fun. She took a bunch of steps over the weekend, so I feel like she may be getting close to walking on her own! She will walk when you're holding on to her hands, and she's been walking while holding onto a surface (like a couch or coffee table) for probably two months now, but the independent walking she hasn't mastered yet.

Avery's Birthday

October babies and mommies

Me and Avery

Fun playing with the bags and tissue paper all the gifts came in.

Avery playing with her smash cake.

Cutie in her shirt and tutu

Clapping is her thing!

Playing on the bike John got her

Yummy fall food, and two crockpots of chili in the kitchen

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On Saturday we celebrated Avery's birthday with a big party! Lots of our close friends came, and my parents were in town for it, too. I had a tutu and birthday shirt made from etsy- the tutu was a tad ridiculous, but oh so cute! A woman I teach with made her smash cake, which was super adorable, but difficult for Avery to smash- oh well! She got a ton of fun presents, and thankfully was fever free for over two days before the party so we didn't have to worry about her spreading her sick germs. I loved having all of our friends at our house celebrating Avery's special day. I know she wasn't aware of what was going on, or that the party was for her- but the pictures will be fun to share with her when she is a few years older!

365 days of Avery

Today- 10/21/11

Last year- 10/21/10

Today we celebrated 365 days of Avery! I know all parents feel they are blessed, but we especially feel blessed to have Avery as our daughter. She is so full of joy, wonder, and excitement. At times she can be full of drama, tears, and can cause us to be frustration, but I have truly loved every day of her first year!

Birthday Eve

Dear Avery,

Today is your birthday eve, meaning that tomorrow is your big day...you will be turning 1! This day last year, your dad and I (and Nona) were at the house doing last minute things to get ready for your arrival. We went out to dinner, and went to bed early since we knew the next day would be a crazy one! I knew you would be beautiful, but had no idea how beautiful you would be! Your dad and I prayed before we went to bed that the next day would be a joyous day without any complications, that you'd arrive healthy, and that it wouldn't hurt mommy too much. 2 our of 3 ain't too bad :)

Love,

Mom xoxo

357 days ago

I crept into Avery's room to get a peek at her tonight after she had gone to bed. I had parent conferences tonight, so I got home later than usual. She was sleeping on her side with her paci in one hand, and her other hand relaxed. She looked so peaceful as I watched her chest/back rise and go back down with each breathe.

I got emotional (surprise, surprise) remembering this time last year. My due date was October 18th, and it felt as though any day I'd be meeting her! This time last year I sat in her nursery dreaming of her arrival, and I could hardly stand the excitement/anticipation. I couldn't wait to lock eyes with her, and hold her the way only a mother can.

Sometimes I love her so much it hurts. Does that make sense? For those of you who are parents...you know exactly what I mean.

Thank you Lord for giving me the most precious gift: Avery Paige Dorr. She has absolutely redefined the word blessing!

Our trip to Pumpkinville

John and Avery in the corn maze.
Avery posing in front of some pumpkins and gourds. She makes anything look cute!Us on the hayride

My crew in the corn maze.

After work yesterday, we went to Pumpkinville (that's the name of the place) in Toano, which is just past Williamsburg and had so much fun! I had asked people on Facebook for suggestions of a fun pumpkin patch to go to, and a lot of people suggested Pumpkinville.

It took us about 30 minutes to get there, and it was a beautiful fall evening...couldn't have asked for better weather! We walked through the corn maze with Avery in the backpack, went on a hay ride (both were free!), and then picked out some pumpkins for our front steps. The pumpkins were pretty expensive, but you get to do the hayride and corn maze for free, so that's why they jack up the price of the pumpkins. We took lots of pictures (surprise, surprise) of Avery! She seemed to have a really good time looking at everything new around her, and she LOVES 'riding' around on our backs in the backpack. We pulled her around in a Radio Flyer(ish) wagon and she loved that, too.

I read online that you can have birthday parties there, and I was thinking in a few years, maybe when she is 3 or 4 having one of her parties at Pumpkinville. I think it would be fun to do a hayride and corn maze with a bunch of kids, and then each kid could pick out a small pumpkin (we'd pay for the pumpkins) and maybe decorate/paint it. I don't know...I'm a hyper-planner and like to think far ahead :)

Even if you don't have kids, I think it's a fun place to go to get pumpkins and support small, local businesses. They also have lots of fall/Halloween decorations and lawn stuff.

Kickoff to Fall

The birthday boy and his smash cake!

BFFs through and through :)

October babies and mommies- they are getting SO big!

Swinging at the park

Me, John, and Avery at the Fall Festival

Me and my gal- love her to pieces!

We had a great weekend spent with our friends! Our best friend's son had his 1st birthday party on Saturday (Kai) and it was a blast celebrating with him! Today we went to the Newport News Fall Festival with a friend and her two kids and enjoyed the cool weather. No doubt about it- we are people persons (is that how you word it??)! We love spending time with our friends, and feel so blessed to have wonderful people in our lives!

We are in the process of baby proofing our house, and boy has this become a project! It's much more complicated than baby gates and outlet safety covers. This is John Dorr demolition style! He has been in the crawl space under the house for days running wires so our television and crazy sound system are completely wireless- you read it...not.one.single.wire! Geeeesh! I'm sure it'll be awesome when it's done, but our living room is a mess, and our office (which is off the living room) has become the 'work space' aka dump area.

Avery's party is next in line! I really can't believe she is going to be 1! John and I feel like we were just at the hospital waiting for her to make her appearance. I can't wait to share her special day with our incredible family and friends...the same ones who prayed for her while I was pregnant, visited us at the hospital, brought us yummy meals, and loved on her (and us) over the last year.