A beautiful smile!

Boy, she is growing up fast!

It is hard to believe I only have two weeks of maternity leave left...

The Indiana State Fair

After growing up in northwest Ohio, I can really appreciate a good fair. While we were visiting the Indianapolis area, I wanted to make sure Averelle's first fair experience was a good one. So, off to the Indiana State Fair we went!

My friend Jenni LOVES the fair so we went on her birthday to make it extra special!

As usual, Elle slept through most of it! Maybe the baby carrier is just too comfy for her...or she wasn't sure what to think of the giant pumpkin carved to look like a sow with piglets suckling. Someone sure was creative!

Annalise shows Elle how to feed the animals in the FFA barn.

The annual cheese sculpture is one of my favorite exhibits. 1,498 pounds of cheese!!

I mean, really, who doesn't love a giant cheese sculpture to root on the home team? Go Colts!

There was also an large exhibit with miniature farms and distribution centers shown. As we looked at the grain elevator, we couldn't help but think about Grandpa Brown. So, when is Starke County Co-op going to pony up and sponsor this instead of the Kokomo grain elevator??

Once Elle finally woke up, Jenni wanted to make sure she had a full fair experience. We went through the barns to see the pigs, horses, and cows. They had some of the cleanest stalls we have ever seen.

Elle even got to pet a calf! Good thing she got her shots a few weeks ago!

And, to borrow from Jenni's family tradition, we had to take Averelle's picture in front of a big tractor. Of course, she was back to sleep at this point so I didn't want to get her out of the stroller. Never wake a sleeping baby right?

On the Road Again... Part 3: Carmel

Before heading back to DC, we stopped in Carmel and visited with my friend Jenni and her family. Thank for hosting us!! We had a great time!

When we got in, we went to have lunch with a few of my girlfriends.

...with Angel and little Zoey. Thanks for driving in from Kentucky for lunch with us!!

...Jenni and Annalise (being a goofball!)

...with Carrie

And, while we were there, we were able to celebrate Jenni's birthday with her! I'm not telling how old she is though! (Her loving husband put the candles on the delicious ice cream cake - good thing it didn't melt!)  

Evie and Annalise were great hosts. They had a lot of fun playing with and reading to Elle. Thanks girls!

All of the girls together!

Evie is the only clean one in the bunch! Jenni, Annalise, Elle and I had spent the day at the Indiana State Fair (more on this in a future post) and I think we look like it!

I have to wonder what Elle is thinking with that expression on her face...maybe that a bath would be a really good idea?

Thanks for having us!

On the Road Again... Part 2: Knox

After we left Bryan, we went to Knox to visit with the Brown/Smith family for a few days.

...with Great-Grandma Smith

...with Great-Uncle Rodger

...with Grandpa Brown

...and Grandma Brown

(Who is more tired? Grandma or Elle?)

While we were in Knox, quite a few people stopped by to meet Averelle. It was really nice to see everyone!

On the Road Again... Part 1: Bryan

Call me crazy because I apparently am! I decided to take Averelle on a family tour of the mid-west. So about two weeks ago, we got in the car and drove to my hometown, Bryan Ohio for a few days.

Elle did pretty well in the car. I think she was feeling pretty lonely in the back seat after a normally 8 hour drive took us 10 hours.

I didn't take as many pictures as I had hoped...I forgot to take out the camera at most of our visits. But, here are a few I did take!

...with Uncle Ray

...with Aunt Angie

...and cousin Connor

...with Aunt Sarah

... with Aunt Billie

Averelle is 10 weeks old!

Hard to believe it has been two and a  half months since the little munchkin entered our lives! She is so much fun and is starting to coo and smile A LOT! What a sweetie!

Last week, she went for her two month check up. She now measures 23 1/4" long and is 11 pounds 9 ounces. She is holding her head up well and the doctor commented that she was acting more like a 3-4 month old, not a 2 month old. He also said she may start walking early. Scary!!!

Even after getting her first round of shots, she was still smiling!

Random pics...

I was complaining last time about Miss Elle's 'knack' for not letting me participate in my pilates class. This past Monday, she let me work out for 20 minutes before needing to eat. Then after about 15 minutes she fell sound asleep for the rest of the class. I had to take a picture of it since it is so rare!! Even the instructor was surprised...

Then she woke up... this grin was a warning for what was to come.

Screaming the entire 20 minute drive home. Oh well, at least I got to exercise a little bit this time!