Swimming!

Mmmmm, plastic.

Having a good time in the pool!

Avery a little upset after I dunked her.

Avery in her swim diaper :)

I promised some photos of Avery @ the pool and here they are. It was really hard to get good pictures because she does not stop moving in the water. Fun times!

7 months old!

Avery is already 7 months! She went to the doctor yesterday and was 14lbs 2oz! Still small, but maintaining on her own curve. We also went to her first swim class last night and had a blast. We know one of the babies in the class (a 9 month old named Lucy) and the rest of the babies are between 6 and 9 months. Sam was even able to come along and watch how much fun Avery has in the pool! He did, however, forget the camera and so I have no pictures right now :( She is oh so close to crawling, she manages to go backwards and will take one step forward and then she quits.
Today we are attending Peek.a.Boo time and then a trip to Wal*mart for some more packing tape. Only two weeks until we move all our stuff (it's complicated).

...blahs...

I totally have a case of the blahs today and I am not motivated to do a single thing. I have been taking care of Avery and have managed to start the diaper laundry, but other than that I have been absolutely worthless. I guess maybe it is me just mentally preparing for the chaos that is slowly (well actually quickly) creeping upon us. In less than a month it will be Dr. Smith, a move to Santa Fe, NM and a 2 week long and much anticipated vacation to Hawaii!
I will start with the Mister becoming Doctor. I couldn't be more proud of him for sticking it out and achieving his goals. I knew he could do it and honestly the hardest part for him was the longevity of the process, dealing with the world of academia and what he calls "stupid" people. The knowledge and skill was all there and just needed to be refined. He will tell you that he has a lot to learn and by no means deserves to be a Doctor, but IMO the kid is a freaking genius and has more skill then he will ever give himself credit for.
MOVING!!! I am really kind of sad to leave Fort Collins. It is really a great town and has been my home since I moved here from Anchorage 7 years ago! Oh where has the time gone? It really feels like yesterday that swimming was my life. I sometimes even miss the smell of chlorine, well actually I miss it all the time. But, I have been here for 7 years and it has been great and we are ready to move on. I finally have a "plan" out of Sam and we should be moving most of our stuff to Santa Fe the first week of May and then we'll drive down after Hawaii at the beginning of June and he will begin work :)
Finally, Hawaii! We are really, really excited and we are so grateful to have such wonderful family that are taking us along with them. Thank you guys! I also get to see 2 of my very favorite people while in Maui. I love you Mom and Dad and I can't WAIT to see you guys again!

Her Royal Highness

So I have been trying to get out everyday and get some exercise, but this morning Princess Avery decided she was not going to have it. About 1/2 way through my 3 1/2 mile run she started screaming bloody murder. She wasn't hot or cold or tired or hungry or wet. She didn't even want to be held. She was bored. There was not a single thing I could do except keep running. So I ran while pushing a stroller with a screaming child (I was laughed at by two passing runners) until we hit the neighborhood when I stopped and walked while carrying her. I thought maybe this would help, but I was wrong! She proceeded to scream at the top of her lungs until I arrived home and sat her down on the floor with her toys. She then picked up her toys and began to babble. How could I not smile :)

Dancin'

Avery has started this really cute wiggle when she is excited or sometimes when she hears music. Super cute and quite entertaining. I just can't get over this little one of ours.

It looks as if Avery has inherited my dancing skills!

It's "Official"

Sam's class photo has been released and as long as he treads water for the next 3 1/2 weeks he will be named Doctor Smith mid May! We are pretty freaking excited to close this chapter and move on to the next. The graduation ceremony is being held @ 8:00 am on Friday, May 14th! I made lunch reservations @ the Rodizo Grill a Brazilian steakhouse following the ceremony...YUM Anyone who would like to come celebrate with us is more than welcome to join, just be sure to give Sam or I a heads up.
P.S. Poor Sam found his 1st gray hair the other day...