So Long to USC

Dustin graduated from USC School of Dentistry on May 16th. Yay!!!! We are so proud of him and all of his hard work. We packed up and moved out of L.A. on Wednesday and will be spending time with family and friends in Utah and Idaho until he receives his license. Dustin got a great birthday present in the mail today; his Western Regional Board Score. He passed and he can now apply for his Colorado license.

One month left

We're under one month until Dustin's graduation (13 days to be exact). In between school, work, and packing, we have been trying to revisit some of our favorite L.A. places before we leave. Some of our favorites: Malibu tide pools, Disneyland, the beach, Getty Museum, and the hike to Inspiration Point at Will Rogers. The hike is simple and well marked; easy enough for Avery to do. There were lizards everywhere which she absolutely loved. She would try to touch them and when they would run away she would say "Uh Oh" and sign "more". We want to go to Scallions one more time, a yummy Chinese restaurant and we are stocking up on all of our favorite Trader Joe's items. We are going to miss this place but we're looking forward to what's ahead.

A Budding Artist

Avery had her first experience with painting this week. She had a blast! As for me, it definitely exceeded all of my expectations of the mess it would make.

18 Months Today

Avery is 18 months today. I can't believe how much our lives have changed over the past year and a half. I remember reading newborn and infant books when I was pregnant, trying to prepare for what was ahead, but, I soon found out that nothing can truly prepare you for parenthood until they place that baby in your arms and you become mom or dad. What a sweet little addition she has been to our family. Here are a few pictures of Avery over the past 18 months.

1 month old

2 months

6 months

8 months


9 months

11 months

12 months

16 months

17 months

Pacifier Anyone?

So, Avery has loved her pacifier from the very beginning. At around 8 months, she decided that one just wasn't enough and started sleeping with two; one for her mouth and the other to hold in her hand. Dustin and I try to hide her pacies during the day, just giving them to her at night or for naps, but sometimes she finds them, and when she does, she doesn't give them up very easily. We couldn't pass up this picture of her finding all 4 of her pacifiers. We are definitely NOT looking forward to the day when we will have to pull the plug.

A Day at the Beach

On President's Day we went to one of our favorite places; the beach. We went with some friends up to a place just past Malibu where you can hike to these tide pools. It's still too cold to get in the water, but the starfish and sea urchin seeking was great.

A duck says "Quack"

Babies do the cutest things until you get out the camera. We have been trying to capture some of Avery's new words and animal sounds on video for quite awhile now. Well, this one will have to do. It is amazing how much personality and energy are contained in these little bodies.
AAaaaaaahh, parenthood!