Lessons From My Little Sister

As most of you know by now my sister Jaymie delivered her twins Monday...slightly ahead of schedule (only 25 weeks). Doctors were unable to stop her labor and around midnight on Sunday things had progressed to the point that she had to have them. While there have been some scary moments, the babies have done well. A blog has been set up to keep everyone informed of their progress since they are expected to be at the hospital for a while. The address is http://www.thephillipsphamily.blogspot.com/. Everyone is encouraged to use this as a way to keep up with their progress so that phone time is kept reasonably low. Also, we ask for your prayers... Prayers of healing, comfort and peace. Certainly times like this cause you to be thankful but they also reveal powerful things. Maybe its that we don't typically stop to think or maybe its because in critical moments we only have room for what is important but I have certainly come to understand some things on a greater level in the past few days, that God is powerful, in control, and all-knowing. A lesson I have learned before but not like Saturday night. That Maurine and Avery are precious and shouldn't be taken for granted. That a brother-in-law like Kory provides immeasurable security for an older brother. That my sister is the toughest girl I know. While genetics may lead me to be an emotional vacuum at times, watching my little sister the past few days has shattered any attempt at suppression of feelings I might have otherwise accomplished. Proud is too weak of a description. She is currently my hero. While it doesn't exempt her from future taunting and harassment, I will carry a respect for her that is rivaled by few.

Here is my favorite nephew Kanyon Phillips

and his pretty little sister Jayde

Me with Superwoman

The proud parents and me

Growing, growing, growing...

I blinked and Avery isn't a newborn anymore! What happened? I have to admit though that I'm loving every new stage... I am constantly in awe of how God designed us. It is a joy to be able to stay home with her and just soak it all in. I am so grateful to Clay for working so hard so that I am able to do that. So for those of you who can't stay at our house all day and watch Avery grow, here are some more updates. :)

Avery and her friend Cassidee got to spend a little time together the other day. I think Cassidee is wondering why Avery doesn't actually rock on the rocking horse.Gotta love those cheeks!

Starting to notice those feet.Clay and I got to spend some time at the farm with my parents a few weeks ago and got this sweet picture.Avery has totally found her voice and knows she is in control of it. Here she is during one of her monologues.Avery has also figured out the bedtime routine it seems and knows she's good as long as she keeps that head up. It is one of the sweetest feelings when that little head finally gets heavy and snuggles down into my neck.Clay loves to peek in on her at night to see what kind of crazy sleeping position she is in. I don't know if you can tell but she is sideways in her crib here and her legs are sticking straight up in the air. I love this picture of Grandma Mac (one of her great-grandmothers) feeding her. Here she is again with those feet. Anytime you lay Avery down she either immediately turns over to her tummy or she flips those feet up into the air and starts to play with them.
This last weekend was beautiful and with Clay at the State Basketball Tournament, Aver and I decided to go with Nana and Pop down to the farm. Avery dressed appropriately in her PearlSnap Pros overalls! Look at the back pocket.
Snoozing during a hike with Nana.The four-wheeler is tempting, but will have to wait until she is a little older. I mean, could you resist this girl?
After we got back from the farm, some very dear friends came and visited our family. This is Julie, my first babysitter. I was about Avery's age when she kept me for the first time. We had a great time visiting and can't wait for Avery to meet the rest of the family (hint, hint Sue!).On top of all that, we got to see Aunt Jaymie and the twins again! Avery was shocked at how the twins are growing. They'll be here before she knows it and she has so much to do before they come!

It's been a while...

Well, I know I'm a little late in getting this post out, but we've had some busy times here lately! Avery had her first bout with something other than a cold. Somewhere, somehow she came down with roseola and it was not a pretty sight! One of the nights, when her fever was the highest, the only time she wouldn't scream was when we drove. So drive we did... all night long. I found places I didn't know existed that night. Anyways, she is over that and doing great. Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks...
Presidents' Day weekend we went to Childress to see the Green family. Avery, Roselyn and their friend Ayelan got to hang out a lot! Here's Avery and Roselyn sacked out after a long morning of playing.

Ayelan took Avery under her wing and tried to teach her all the cool big girl tricks... Avery was a little slow to catch on, but she gave it a good shot.
I thought this was too cute.
And this was even cuter. Just to be a tattle-tale, Avery and Ayelan got fussy at the same time. Roselyn was still happy as could be until Rachel made her cry on purpose by picking her nose so we could get this shot.
Now some random pictures. I just had to give a shout out to Camp Deer Run! :)
Here's Avery happy as can be helping me fold laundry.And I couldn't resist this picture!Here she is in her 4 month pictures! I love how expressive she is getting!She always falls on to the giraffe by the end. I think she loves him and just wants a hug.