Well Spring is just around the corner and life is not too shabby. Work is good for both Carrie and me, Averi is growing out of clothes like no one's business and we are all pretty excited for Grandparents in May. For Carrie and Averi this will be the first time they meet my Grandpa and Grandma Barker. Likewise soon after our Grandmom Sherrell will also be visiting from North Carolina and Averi has yet to meet her. May cannot come soon enough, between family, baseball and a growing little pipsqueak it will prove to be a great month of activities and special time with family.
There will be a lot going on this summer but first and foremost its about Duke right now. Baby Girl already is a big Duke fan and often sits and watches with me during the games. She also cries when she sees something she does not like, a bad pass she gets really upset(Ha). She does not know it yet but she will also be a big Yankee fan (She already has her jersey ready, thanks to Nicole) and of course a Rockies fan with the Helton jersey pressed and ready to go.
I cannot wait for her to attend her first baseball game! We attended the University of Wyoming men's basketball game back in February and she was so mesmerized by the whole thing, it was really neat to see. She loves to see all of the people, colors and all of the other fun stuff. Uncle Dave and my friend, Melonie, also met us at the game and the whole time the look on her face was priceless.
Averi loves to see new faces. Her first reaction is a stare down, then depending on your first move, you get a great big gummy smile or a shy away dish into mom or dad's shoulder. Aside from meeting new people she loves to be held, right now it does not matter who you are as long as you smile and give her a great big smile, the little cutie takes to you real quick. With all of the family we have, she has to be pretty versatile and not so picky about who she goes to.
Early this month she got to spend the day with the Salas'. Uncle Mike, Aunt Les, cousin Taylor and Shelby were all there to lend a hand. It had been a couple weeks since we had seen them and Averi was hesitant to start, yet warmed up quickly and ultimately had a great day!
Averi has had a pretty diverse babysitter club, between Carrie's family, Kristen the babysitter and all of my family, she will have a lot of people to thank when she gets older. Averi usually comes up to Cheyenne once or twice a week and gets to stay with her Grandaddy and Uncle Big Al in the morning, then G-Ma comes home, then comes Sis and then Uncle Needles which all leads to a spoiled little cutie pie. And she loves it.
When we are all finished at G-Ma's and Grandads, we usually make a trip to see Nana and Grandpa. Every time we go over there, I bring Averi up in her car seat and set her in the kitchen. Usually Grandpa is sitting watching TV with a cup of coffee and greets us with a "Hey Man! and Hey little girl!". While my Grandpa greets my Nana says "hello?" and "Did you bring the baby?", I laugh and reply with the affirmative and she quickly comes to the kitchen. She gets down on both knees like a little kid and sits back on her heels and proceeds to just stare and kiss Baby Girl. After a minute she pulls her out and my Grandpa and Nana ask how she is doing.
The little personality is starting to shine through. Let's just say she is definitely a little girl but a Daddy's girl. It is unfortunate to say but man she has me wrapped! Sometimes when I am tired, grumpy and just not happy, a simple smile can bring me back to life the way it should be spent.
With that said sometimes I do not know how Carrie does it. She has an incredible amount of patience, however she has put up with me all these years so I guess she is accustomed to it. However, some of those late nights, those nights when baby girl wakes up every ten minutes, Carrie is quick to her side and with no complaints. She is great. I on the other hand am not so patient and to my rescue comes my Carrie. She definitely has the touch when it comes to sleep whereas I am the antithesis to sleep for Averi, I am her cup of coffee as soon as she sees me. I think that is why Carrie tries to get her before I do, mostly because as soon as the little pipsqueak lays eyes on me apparently it is time to play!
All in all summer is going to be great. I look forward to all the friends and family and not to mention the big family barbeques!
