Wordless Wednesday {Need I say more} wk 17

Is that not the most confusing title for a post ever! Man there is just way to much going on.

These pictures explain themselves. Who do you think is in charge? She is showing cousin Luke who is boss.

                                     (Linking up with Jenni from the Blog, The Paper Mama, and Parenting for Dummies.)

ps. So embarrassing, but that flower thing in the back round is a duvet cover.  We moved this past September and still have a few things left to do on our to do list. Curtains is one of them. The rod is sitting on the floor right in front of the the sliding door. I guess I should get on top of these things if I am going to take pictures.

Must Watermark! Day 6

I was reading a post from "a sorta fairytale", and she brought up watermarking. I kind of ignored it, never thought it was that big of a deal. Then as I read on, I saw that someone had stole shots of her son and was claiming that he was hers. What the heck. I mean that is just ridiculous. I am committing to watermarking from here on out. I would hate for anyone to claim my little girl as their own. She is 100% mine. *big smiles*

I honestly have no idea why someone would do that. I mean people who know you, know that you have a child or not. It is so confusing to me. I guess it is a good thing that I cannot relate. Otherwise I would be just like them. 

So this is my attempt at watermarking. I figured her 20 month photo was a good testing image. I could see how someone would want to use this image. She is a serious bundle of cuteness.

Steps to Watermark:

1. Open Picassa (I downloaded it for free)
2. Select the photo you would like to watermark.
3. Click on the wrench (or commonly needed fixes)
4. Select text.
5. Type in the watermark verbiage.
6. Change to your desired font, size, and color (I use white).
7. Finally, change the transparency.
Tada!!!! You have a Watermark.

Ugh, WHY Monday. Day 3-5

Do you like how I did that. My weekends are just way too busy to blog. Between juggling a 20 month old and watching the oldest play softball. I have my hands full. It was a really good weekend though. Anessa went 10-17 on the weekend. She is smashing the ball these days. I have to say that seeing the way she is hitting the ball right now, makes me that much more excited for the High School season to start. In addition to watching Anessa play. Brian, myself, and the baby watched a couple of college games. Cal vs. San Jose, and Cal vs. Nevada. I love watching the college teams play. They are so competitive compared to the Travel ball games.

Sunday, Averie and I stayed home. It was unpredictable how many games Nessa's team could play, and so I had no idea what I needed to pack. When they have days like that it is easier for me to stay home. I am not a huge fan of pack everything kind of days. So.....instead we ran errands with Grandma. I love going to Target. It is one of the best places to shop. I like the clothes, the toys, well everything. We also went to Safeway, for obvious reasons. We have been going through a gallon of milk every 2 days. It is ridiculous. After all the errands were ran, we headed back to Grandma's house and hung out. Averie had some lunch and very short nap. I napped a little with her. I think that is why I like it at Grandma's house. There is nothing for me to do. If I am at home and Averie is napping. I am off cleaning something, folding something, or washing something. It is always something.

Poor Averie had to sit in her old car seat. Daddy left her big girl car seat in the car he took with him to softball. Geese. I think this one is officially to small to use. She looks like a monster.

Auntie Amber bought Averie this cute top and bottom, so I decided to take some pictures of her in it. Grandma's backyard is the best for staging pictures Unfortunately Averie was not in the best of moods but I still got a couple of cute pictures out of her.  Next weekend we will take more, and some of her in her Halloween costume. That was the plan originally, but like I said she was not up for it. My Little girl is officially 20 months old. I cannot believe how fast time is flying.

@ 20 Months Averie is: Top 10

1. Loving books and being read to. She will grab a book and climb up onto my lap for me to read it to her. She also says book kind of. She goes "boo". We are working on the "K".

2. She also likes to play ball. I can throw it to her and she throws it back. She has a pretty good arm. I swear she says "ball" too. Pretty clear too. I say I guess, because I am so critical. I expect it to sound the same as when I say "ball".

3. Her speech is improving rapidly. She is really catching on quick these days.

4. Standing has improved, I am predicting walking by Halloween. I HOPE! *smiles*

5. She loves the water. The only problem with her being a water bug, is that she wants to swim in the big people pool. We put her pool out for her, and within minutes she darts off to the big pool.

6. She has 3 teeth, her two bottom ones, and a top molar. We noticed last night that she is finally getting her top teeth. Thank goodness. I was wondering if they were going to come in at all. It makes sense actually, she has been pretty grumpy lately.

7. Eating habits are excellent. She eats most table foods. Except for fast food. She uses a fork pretty well. I still have to stab the food for her, but she is getting the hang of it.

8. Starting to DANCE! This past weekend, she was dancing up a storm. It was too funny. I will post the video later this week.

9. Every time someone claps, she claps. Especially at Softball games. She likes to see good plays too.

10. Kisses. My favorite. Daddy and I are getting lots of kisses these days. She is so loving.

It's Friday, Friday, Friday! Day2 {21 for 31}

I am so glad that it is Friday. Ready for a fun filled weekend. Anessa has softball, and her college is playing at the same complex, so we are going to watch both. San Jose and Cal play right before Anessa's game starts on Saturday. Should be fun. I am also going to finally post some photos of the house. It is slowly getting to completion. However, now it is being decorated for Halloween.

I am so excited this is the first year that I am really decorating. Oh! and I am going to take some pictures of Averie in her Halloween costume this weekend. Last years photos were not that great. I am determined to take some great photos this year. Well this is going to be a short post. I got very little sleep last night. Meaning, my brain is not in writing mode.

I can't wait

Here are some videos of Averie that I took last night. I was going to post them tomorrow, but I am not a patient person.

Day 1 for me {31 for 21}

I am ready to raise awareness. I am behind by a couple of days, but I just now found where everyone is going. I am jumping on the train. My daughter Averie has down syndrome, and she is a true blessing, the trick is to not let it define ANYTHING, who you are or who she is. The only difference is that she takes her precious time learning, and needs a little more attention and practice. Which is easy to do. Who does not want to spend more time with their baby. She has her own agenda, that is what I say. I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Averie was born perfect. No heart defects, just an extra chromosome. I have read many blogs over the past 12 months, and I could not imagine going through what some of the other families have gone through. I just don't think I am strong enough to handle those hurdles. I commend those families. Your strength is relentless. I have a special place in my heart for those families. One thing that does not change is the love. Man, if I could describe the love I have for this little girl. We are talking crossing oceans, climbing mountains, and fighting off great whites. Was that a step too far. Oh well. I would go to great lengths for her. So with that said. Let's get the word out there. The best blessings are always in disguise. Mine is 33 inches long, 23lbs, and perfect.

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Wordish Wednesday {18 months} wk16

Averie is technically 19 3/4 months old, but we just had her 18 month check up. She is doing fantastic. Her head is 18 inches {50 percentile}, she weighs 23 lbs {25 percentile}, and she is 33 inches long {75 percentile}. They are continuing to use a typical child growth chart, so these percentiles are based off of that. She has a ton of personality. She smiles a lot, loves to laugh, and enjoys being read to, and listening to music. She has just started to enjoy watching the Sprout channel. Her favorite shows are the Pajanimals, and Thomas the Train. She also watches Angelina, and Chloe's Closet. However she is not as interested in the actual show. She enjoys the opening music more.

She loves all types of food. She is using a fork, but would prefer to use her hands. I would say her favorite food is pasta. Especially Grandma's spaghetti sauce. She gobbles that all up.We give her fruit for dessert. Trying to keep her away from processed sugars. Dad likes to step in and give her ICECREAM though. 

Grammy takes Averie to My Gym, Music class, and the Library for story time. Averie loves being read to. She moves right up to the front row of story time and is very attentive. She also likes to touch the books. She gets visits from a speech therapist, her PT, and teacher, almost every week. She has grown really close to all of them. They are all like her family. I really appreciate all that they are doing for her. More blessings.

Averie goes to bed at about 7-7:30 every night. We have a pretty good routine. Dinner, bath, bottle {I know this is bad, she uses a cup throughout the day, bottles only come in to the picture at bedtime.} we watch some shows on Sprout, and then it is bedtime. I spoil her at night, I rock her to sleep. I know she is supposed to be learning to self soothe, but it is my only time with her after work. I take advantage of every minute. She is a great sleeper. She gets up around 6:30 every morning. Unless she is teething then she will usually get up once in the middle of the night. Super lucky there.

Speaking of teeth, my little girl has two front bottom teeth and one molar. Poor baby right. I am waiting for those two top teeth patiently.

What else......

Oh, she loves to throw her ball back and forth. She is standing independently, she can stand on her own, and stand from a squatting position. I swear it is only a matter of time before she starts walking. I am waiting patiently for that one too. I would love for her to be walking by Halloween. She is going to be a bumble bee, and boy is she going to be the cutest bumble bee. She loves to play with her older sister. Dad has been working hard all week, so their time has been cut short. When he gets home, generally I become invisible and she wants only Daddy. She is our love bug.

This is my little girl eating grapes.

{Linking up with The Paper Mama, Jenni from the blog, Parenting by Dummies.}