I have officially been tailgating!

Ava Grace went to her first tailgating party yesterday afternoon. Tim, Ava Grace, and I made a quick appearance at the Ultimate Tailgaters parking spot at the Carolina/NC State game on our way to the beach. We had a great time and Ava Grace handled the crazy atmosphere (including a flip cup game) really well. "Uncle" Mark couldn't wait to see her and hold her. He talked to her and she smiled back at him - he loved it!! Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera, so there are no pictures to show of the fun time. I will make sure that I take pictures next weekend when she goes to a REAL tailgating party at Clemson!! :) Just kidding all of our Gamecock family and friends!! We really did have a great time and hope that we can hang out with all of those special people again soon.

1st month check-up

Ava Grace went to the doctor yesterday for her 1st month check-up. Yes, she is 6 weeks old and is overdue for this appointment. However, her doctor has been sick for over a week, so this was the 3rd appointment scheduled. We were so glad to finally get to go see the doctor (I don't think I ever said that before I had a child).
The appointment went well with Ava Grace weighing in at 9 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 23 3/4 inches. We were very excited about her weight gain and that she had grown so much. The doctor checked her hips and they are a lot better, but she still wants us to double diaper her in hopes that by the next appointment everything will be totally cleared up. We are having to stretch her neck muscles on the left side a little everyday. She favors her right side when sleeping and playing, so we want to make them as evenly strong as possible. Ava Grace is holding her head up nicely though, so tummy time is starting to be more fun now. She did have to get a shot as I wrote about in the last blog. She did really well though!! She screamed for a second (literally) and then went to sleep as soon as we got her dressed again. We were very proud of her!!
So, that is the update with the doctor's visit. We go back again in 2 weeks and unfortunately, she has to have multiple shots then. We know she will be fine though! :)

Why we love America?

Everyone I know who lives in this great country has many reasons for loving it!! First and foremost, we have many freedoms to live as we want and to have the things that would otherwise not be accessible if we lived in other places. We love America for the courageous servicemen and women who fight every day for the things we do have. We love America for its vastness, the 50 states we can travel to, and the industries that create jobs and allow us to buy our own products. Well, the Perry family has decided there is another reason we love this country so much....it produces band-aids (yes, made in America - not another country) that have the American flag on it. You might be asking yourselves...why is this so incredibly important to the Perry's? Well, it was the gift given to Ava Grace today when she had to get a shot at the doctor's office. Yes, they put an American flag band-aid on her "boo boo". So, we just thought we would share with everyone some of the reasons we love America...including the nifty band-aids!!

1st day of school

So, today is the first day of school here in North Carolina. I heard the school bus outside as I was up feeding Ava Grace. Not to make anyone jealous, but I am so glad (and fortunate) to be able to stay at home with Ava Grace for the first 8 weeks!! I will enjoy every minute of it and don't worry - I will be thinking about all of my friends at school!! Have a good year everyone!!

First UNCA event

Ok...so Tim doesn't really want anyone to know this, but Ava Grace attended her first UNCA event last night and it wasn't a baseball game. Some of our baseball kiddos were running the concession stand for the Men's Soccer game against ETSU, so we made it a family affair. Willie and Christine were there with Kendall and we took Ava Grace. There was a huge crowd, so Christine and I (and the children) decided to stay close to the concession stand and out of the way. Plus, we could ask for food and drinks when we wanted it - definitely a perk to being the coach's wives!! Tim repeatedly told Ava Grace that she could play any sport she wanted to as long as it wasn't soccer. Sorry to all of our family and friends who have played this game!!

It was a great time and we won the game 3-1. Go Bulldogs!!

Ava Grace and I love to go strollin'! We usually go out once a day to see what is going on in the neighborhood. Since I am an avid walker, there were many people in the neighborhood that were waiting on Ava Grace's arrival. I think they just didn't want to see my big belly go around the block again. So, when we stroll we see many of our neighbors and their dogs. They always stop to speak to Ava Grace. As you know, once you have a child, it is never about you anymore!! Ava Grace seems to enjoy everyone who speaks to her and the sights as she coos and smiles often while we are out.

Thank goodness for mobiles!

Ava Grace is really enjoying her mobile that swirls around with a crocodile, monkey, panda, and elephant and familiar tunes. She "talks" to it and even laughs at times. I would probably laugh too if I saw flying animals! Thank goodness for the mobile as it allows me to get a few things done while she is entertained and confined to her crib! Here is a picture of her enjoying it. Sorry I am not savvy enough to have a video of it, but trust me, it is really cute to listen to her.

Many celebrations to share!

August has been a busy month so far for all of us. I wanted to take some time to give some wishes from the Perry family! This past Sunday (17th) would have been my mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary!! Amazing, huh? Although my dad is not here to share in this day with her, it is still a day to remember forever. So, Happy Anniversary, Mom!

Today has been a big day in our family as well. I will start by saying Happy Anniversary to Lacey and Matt! Lacey and Matt are close cousins who are celebrating their 2nd anniversary today. As they celebrate their anniversary, they are looking forward to becoming parents in February!

Today is also Aunt Stacey's birthday! Happy Birthday Aunt Stacey! We won't tell your age, but are glad that you had a great day (even if you did have to start school today). We will celebrate in a couple of weeks!

Today we had a new cousin join the family! Callie Ann Rhymer made her debut at 3:49 pm. She weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs, 14 ounces and was 21 inches long!! She may be bigger than Ava Grace is and she is already a month old!! Congratulations to Amy and Michael on the arrival of their beautiful little girl!! We are so excited for you and can't wait to see the adventures that our little girls will have together!!

1 month old

Ava Grace is 1 month old! Time has really flown by and she continues to change everyday! In her 1st month, Ava Grace has gradually learned to enjoy baths, been shopping, and been to lunch with several friends. She has also started smiling when she hears our voices! It is the small things that make your day, you know? Ava Grace has actually grown out of 2 bedtime outfits and a few pairs of socks. Since she has grown a little bigger, Ava Grace has been able to wear some of her mommy's dresses (yes, Cece kept these dresses over the years). Isn't she cute (see picture)?

She was supposed to have her 1 month doctor's appt. this past Wed., but her doctor was out sick. So, we are going to the doctor on Monday. We are looking forward to seeing how much she has grown, how much weight she has gained, and how her hips are maturing. We'll let you know!

There is going to be another wedding!!

Congratulations to Kevin and Megan!! Kevin popped the question last night and Megan happily accepted the proposal!! :) We are so excited for both of them (and Sydney) and are looking forward to their Big Day!!

Reading is fun!!

You would have to assume that Ava Grace has lost of books already. That seems to be the gift among educators (Ava Grace's Cece, Cece's friends, and Ava Grace's mommy)!! I believe that she is starting to enjoy reading (which we try to do at least once a day) since the pages turn frequently and the colors are bright on each page. I hope and pray this continues when she begins school one day!!

Olympic Bound?

OK...so this is probaby very premature, but Tim and I wonder if we have a future Olympian here. Ava Grace has shown some interest in softball and swimming. As you can see from her pictures, her Daddy is coaching her around 3rd base - they really were yelling "Go Home, Go Home"! It was quite funny! Ava Grace has also learned about the breaststroke. She flails her arms so fast that Tim thinks she is already in training! I guess we'll see what type of star she becomes one day!

Swing Time

Thank you to Aunt Deb, Brittany, and Rebecca for bringing me a swing to hang out in!! I am really starting to like it! My mommy says a BIG thank you too since she can actually do some things around the house without me crying or in her arms!!

There's going to be wedding....

CONGRATULATIONS to Jonna and Brendan!! They are now engaged to be married! We are so excited for you and can't wait to see where this new adventure takes you!

Welcome to Bathtime!!!

So, Ava Grace has not been fond of taking baths in the first few weeks. Since her umbilical cord has fallen off, I would think it would be more fun to take a bath in her little tub (with a sling of course) rather than sponge bathe in the sink. Well, as you can see, Little Miss Priss wasn't very keen on either idea! But doesn't she look cute when she is swaddled with her hooded towel!