And she is really off....

Avery Walking! from Taylor Martyn on Vimeo.
side note- check out the rug she walks on, it is a recent purchase to make home feel more like our home!

First New Year's Eve "Party"

Not so much a party as a bath and silly giggle time before bed. The pic of Avery acting silly shows off her top two front teeth. She also started to really walk today! Just in time for a new year! The video is almost done uploading and should be up soon for you to enjoy!

Here is a better view of her new toy...

Here are some better pics of her new walker/ride on toy. It even has a storage compartment for "all your neat little toys". The box describes the toy as "Lovely, Funny and Easily" and it has "four wheels drive". Ahhh, I love wording on items over here. Sadly that is how we will be with Arabic for a long while. Our Avery is such a smartie that she quickly learned how to back up and do three point turns to get out of situations when she walks into walls, piles of toys or anything else that might be blocking her way!

Merry Christmas to all and to all....

...I guess it is still day time for most of you but you get the gist. Here is a better family photo from Avery's first Christmas! Hope you all had a peace-filled day reflecting upon our Savior's birth. We are so very grateful for our loving families who gave us amazing spiritual heritage. Merry Christmas!

New skills..

Avery actually kept her 1st Christmas bib on while eating today! She loves sitting on Dad's shoulders and rubbing his head. She just today started making the bbblllbbblllbbb sound and using her fingers to move her lips to make the sound even more funny.

Avery's Christmas Present!

Looking at the pics I was sad to see that none really show off her toy very well but I don't think anyone will mind that the shots are mainly focused on Avery :) Here is her new toy walker/rider that she loves! I will try and get a wider shot that shows off her new toy more.

Her Christmas finest!

Avery put on her finest Christmas outfit to celebrate to birthday of our King! If you look close at the closer shot you can see that Avery got her wish of her two front teeth (or at least the tips) for Christmas

Avery's first Christmas morning!

Avery was very generous in her gift to us this Christmas. She slept in until after 7 am! Here is just a quick glimpse into some family time on her first Christmas!

Well, we tried...

Who can blame her for being scared of a person in costume, I sure can't! At least she got a cool toy to distract her afterwards.

No autographs please...

What a day! (happy 100th post!)

Avery had quite the day. It started off by eating a whole pear and some oatmeal. Yes, a whole pear! After her snack she said what sounded like "done" when she was finished! Then she had to go get her doll which was across the room and took her first steps! So her first steps were on African soil, well, four floors above African soil :) She took a step or two a few more times today, so that is yet another thing we have to get on video and upload. It was timely as today is the Kenyan Independence Holiday and Avery took her first steps towards independence! Yes, I am that cheesy!

We also figured out why she was up all night a few nights ago, she is getting a new tooth. Her upper left front tooth is painfully making its way in. She is feeling a bit better today which is a relief.

Just because she is the cutest thing EVER...

how could I not pass up the chance to share this pic?

uh oh...

It has begun...Avery is starting to figure out she can do things she isn't supposed to do. We are in for it since she looks so cute and laughs when she sees us coming over to her to stop her from eating something off the ground, pulling a cord, or like this evening taking off her diaper! It is so hard to look at her and keep a straight face sometimes. And yes, she actually stood up by herself for that picture!

New skills

We waited to show Dad once he got back from Sudan before we let everyone know that Avery is finally clapping! We have to get it on video soon to share with you all. She is just too cute and looks so proud of herself!

Little laughing machine!

Brrrrr!

This morning was very chilly and we bundled up! I can understand the many looks we get when we looked like this :) Avery is basically wearing what most Kenyan babies wear all the time, even in 80 degree weather!

Such an adorable girl!

With her cloth diapers she is finally able to keep up these nine month pants and wear the complete outfit! It was so cute I had to share. This was also her first time wearing her cute Robeez bird shoes!

This eating thing is hard work!

Getting into the holiday spirit

Here are a few shots of Avery really getting into the nativity story.

Happy 11 months Avery!

Hard to believe that she is almost a whole year old! She has been pulling herself up and standing on her own longer and longer these past few days. Still as cute, if not cuter than ever

.

While Dad is away...

...the girls will play. I have a super cute video of Avery and I that I can't wait to share once I figure out how to upload it with our slower internet. I have been able to do a few crafty things I have been meaning to do for, oh, the past year or so. One of which was painting letters for Avery to use as a room decoration wherever our home might be. I also put up some of our Christmas decorations, including our stockings! To keep them out of the every reaching arms of Avery I hung them up high on a window!

Just because she is the cutest thing EVER...

Avery has a new best friend, her doll. It goes everywhere with her. She will however put her down for a good book or a paper bag.

Where did Avery go?

I had a small panic attack when I turned my back for what I thought was a second and Avery disapeared on me! Our little girl is a speedy crawler these days but this was quick! She has found a new hiding place behind the drapes!

Advent season is upon us!

Where did this year go? To my surprise the first advent candle was lit at church yesterday! What a wonderful reminder to pause and reflect on the true light in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of life.
On another note, Avery was all dolled up for church so of course I just have to share. Please note the bow and matching shoes, only for her Sunday best! :)

A bindi?

Don't worry, though we are throughly enjoying the Indian cuisine here that is all of the culture we are taking part in. By the way Avery's "bindi" here is a bit of carrot :)

Lemma outta here!

Avery is moving around faster and faster! Today she even stood up by herself. It is only a matter of time before she gains enough confidence to take her first steps, then watch out world!

Sniff sniff...

...I miss my Daddy already!

Just a glimpse...

...into everyday life here. Avery enjoys trying on her many hats to help keep the bright Kenyan sun off her. Also, she looooves playing on the stairs with Daddy!

Too cute!

Thanks Grandma and Grandad Rounds for my 9 month onsies!

At least she is eating something?

Avery has been giving us a hard time lately with solid food. She isn't a fan of finger food either so it was a surprise today when she wouldn't eat and I tried to let her feed herself. She loved it as you can see. She also is getting over her fear of the new tub here and did okay with her bath afterwards! Notice all her hair!