Funny Tummy

In 5 days you will be 16 months.
How did that happen?

When I poke your tummy like the Pillsbury Dough Boy you giggle just like the commercial and then throw you head back with a huge grin.
You will point out the eyes on all your animals and dolls and you LOVE to give them big hugs.

Blackberries are your new favorite. And you love to get a sample at the deli when I buy ham, or turkey, or whatever it is. You just want to try it.

At 15 months you are still speaking in your own language. You have quite a bit to say to the world.
You know your head, toes, eyes, nose and tummy.


You like to help me put the groceries away....everything goes in the cheese drawer.
Throwing trash away in the garbage can is now the fun thing to do...Although I have found a few of your toys in there too. (I guess you didn't like those)

You like to climb EVERYTHING!

The slide is your new favorite activity at the park.



I think we are at the stage where sitting in a shopping cart is nothing short of torture. Your daddy has vowed to never take you shopping alone again.

I know you like a book if you let me actually let me read it all the way to the end. Otherwise it's a race to the finish...let's see just how fast we can turn the pages.

Your new favorite thing to do is pick up clumps of dirt, grass, mulch, rocks...whatever and offer it up to the sky then throw it down on the ground.
You are also on a tree hugging kick.
You go right ahead and be one with Mother Nature Ava, you always have been my little nature girl. Hug a way baby girl.....Hug away!



When ever you hear an airplane you point at the sky and search until you find it. The same with birds.
You are not afraid of ANYTHING. Only once have I seen you unsure about something and that was the Black Bear at the Zoo. You didn't cry but you weren't exactly excited about being that close to it.

Grampa has started a game called "head butt" which you just think is a riot. Mommy however, does not....especially when you head butt me in the mouth or the wall.

Daddy was trying to teach you not to bite but it backfired one day when you came up and bit my hand and started laughing.

You love Toy Story. L.O.V.E.



Your cousin Hazel is your best friend.



Flash-forward 20 years....sigh.
Forever friends...complete opposites, but best friends!

Ava and Hazel

You love your cousin.

And your cousin loves you.

You may not always share but in the end.....

She takes your hand and says "Aba, Come on!"

And you happily follow.

I love you both Ava and Hazel.
I hope you always have fun together.

Sunshine and Sweaters.

I love days like this.
Days where the skies are a clear blue, the sun is shining brightly and I can still wear a sweater.
It makes me happy. Very happy.
Ava, today you took it upon yourself to climb up the stairs to the kiddy slide and then slide down all by yourself. You were SO very proud of yourself.
You jibber-jabber all day long. You love to point to the birds. WHen you hear an airplane you immediately look in the sky searching for it.
Yesterday you stuck your finger in my eye and said "eye".
Today, you looked at a tree and said "treeeee".
The words are coming and gone will be the days of your adorable jibber-jabber. So I am going to soak it all in because it is the sweetest thing to listen to you "talk". I have to say that I will miss this part of your life. Everything is new and it is such a joy and honor to watch you discover all the new things you are capable of doing. I do however hope that the days of you screaming are coming to an end. You can be so very loud.
So. Very. Loud.
We are learning together Ava and I hope that I am being the kind of mother that is helping you prepare to become a strong, intelligent and independant woman. I love you to the moon and back and will do anything to help you acheive your wildest dreams.

I did not keep up

It's almost New Year's Eve.
It is safe to say that I did not do a very good job at writing down daily what I am thankful for. There are so many things that go by each day that make me grateful for my life. I don't take them for granted, or at least I try not to. Little things like Ava's toothy grin. Her giggle that comes from the belly. The moments when I'm driving around town and there isn't a cloud in the sky and the colors are so vibrant. Snuggle time with Andy, snuggle time in the morning with Ava. My mom's hugs. My dad's laugh. My sister's compassion. Hazel's sweet voice when she says "OOOOh my Gosh". Dave's jokes. My health. My job. My family. My friends. Fuzzy socks. Super crazy soft blankets. Coffee with whip cream. Ava's smile when she sees Andy come home for lunch. Watching Drew play with Ava and hearing them both laugh. My King size bed ...that is sitting in storage calling my name.
My wedding day and how PERFECT it was. And the feeling of being loved by my family.

30 Day Bandwagon

Ok. So for 30 days I am to write what I am thankful for. To truly appreciate the meaning of Thanksgiving and why we celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm stealing the idea from a few people. It's a good way to get me to write each day as well as learn to be aware of all that is good that surrounds me.
Today is Thursday November 3.

We'll start with Tuesday November 1:
Today (as well as everyday) I am thankful for the whole faced grin my daughter gets when she sees her daddy. It is a sight that never gets old to me. Her eyes crinkle up and and she develops a dimple by her nose on the left side. I am so thankful for the happiness it brings me.

Wednesday November 2:
Today I am thankful for those of you who dine out and understand what it means when the servers are vacuuming around you.

Thursday November 3:
Today I am thankful for my mom. I am so thankful for her desire to always want to help us. She helps me understand what it means to be a mom. The friendship I have with her as an adult is something I cherish.

My One Year old.

You are always happy!




This is you at one sweetie pie.
We love you more than anything. You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives.

Bye-Bye Baby

That's it.
You are a one year old. I can't believe it.
I. Can't. Believe. It.
Here's what's going on with you as you move into your second year of life.

You sleep on your stomach with your knees up and your arms in between your legs.
You are walking everywhere.
As you have started to walk I've noticed that your left foot turns in. Just your left, so it tends to make you always turn right.
I'll have to keep my eye on that.

You chit chat all the time. We don't really know what you say but you are telling us all about it. You do say... hi. bye-bye. no. yep. Daisy. Drew.
(no mommy, no daddy )

You have a new found love for books. You simply LOVE to turn the pages. It's the coolest thing in the world.

During bath time you get very excited as I start to count to three...You know it means I'm going to pour a cup full of water over your head to wash the soap out of your hair. You get the biggest grin on your face.

You taught your self that to get down from something you need to go feet first.

You are starting to figure out that it is fun to climb on top of anything and everything.

Your favorite seat is your box of blocks, or any box for that matter.

This is the cutest thing ever but Hazel gets very excited when she sees you and starts running towards you yelling "ABA" (which used to be AYA) and you get super exctied and start shreeching. It is truly the sweetest thing.

You love to give big big kisses followed by very big hugs.
I love those moments! Tonight when daddy and I were saying goodnight to you, you gave us both very big hugs and lots of kisses. It was amazingly wonderful.

I can't believe it's been a year Ava. This time last year (10:13) the nurse was getting ready to come to take you to the nursery at the hospital so mommy could get some sleep. You got your first bath that night and I can still remember the smell of your skin when they brought you to me after your bath.

Tonight we went to Grampa's and had a swim and pizza party with Grampa, Grandma, Aunt Katie, Uncle Dave, Hazel and Drew. After dinner we went down to a yogurt place on 5th and opened a few presents. It was a great night. Grampa ordered Arelio's pizza, which just so happened to be the pizza that dad ordered that first night we were at the hospital with you.

I love you Ava. Thank you for bringing so much beauty and love to my life.

Happy Birthday sweet baby.

One Year

Ava,
Tomorrow you are going to be 1.
I'm slightly overwhelmed about that. You have brought more joy to my life than I could ever have imagined was possible.
You make me laugh each and every day.
(i'll write more tomorrow)

I love you more than anything Ava Virginia.

Love,
Mommy

Just another day

You walked again Ava! It's been a few weeks since you last got the courage to take more than one step. This time your daddy was home to see it.
I have to admit that I almost started crying again...but held it back.
I can't be a blubbering idiot every time you do something Aah-Mazing.

You are so funny to me. You are all cheeks. Literally. I don't know where you got these chipmunk cheeks.
You still like to scream alot. Lately it has been REALLY loud. But you do jabber and chit chat all the time. When you wake up in the morning now the first thing you say is "hiiiii" It is so cute. I smile every time.

Every. Time.

You love Daisy. You look for her in the morning and get so excited when you hear me call her name so she will come into the bedroom.

You will be One in a couple of weeks.
ONE.
That kinda freaks me out. It makes me realize just how quick time goes by. It's a constant reminder to cherish every single moment and stage of your life because before you know it, it's over.
It makes me so happy to watch you grow and change but it makes me sad too. I can't believe a year has gone by already. It's just too fast.
You'll be married with kids before I know it.
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Nooooooooo! Reverse. Take a step back.
You are only 11 months.


I can't say it enough Ava but I lova ya!

Walking!!!

Ava. You did it. You walked. 6 whole independent steps. It was so amazing it made your mama and grandma cry. I wish your daddy could have been there. We were at Grandpa's and you walked from Mommy to Grandma.

This is a big day my baby girl.

The art of learning.

Ava and I have been practicing the skill of "taking things out and putting them back"
It has been maybe two days of working on this with her. We only "practice/play" for a couple of minutes before she gets bored and moves onto something else but it seems that something has stuck with her.

I say this with such pride in my heart. I witnessed the fruits of my "labor" tonight.

Let me set the scene. Our living room, post bath time, pre-bottle. It's her nightly play time. Ava was by her "desk", as usual, where all her books are. Next to her desk is her box of blocks. Tonight I sat and watched her quietly pick up a block from her box and place it on her desk. She looks at it. Looks at the box and picks up another one in which she places it on her desk.

(...Now, I guess placing is a very gentle term. It was more of a throwing action and she would jerk her hand away after she put it on the desk.)

After she had about 7 or 8 on the desk she would either throw them off over her shoulder or pick them up and put them back in the block box. For 30 minutes she sat there. 'Taking out and putting back'

I cried. I didn't sob, but I did cry. I was so proud.
It was profound moment in my life as a new mom. I taught someone how to do something. She took the skills that I lovingly taught her and put them to use.
For someone who constantly questions herself. Am I teaching her all the things she needs? Am I giving her the right amount of mental stimulation? This moment of action made all those worries disappear.
I'm a mom.

Let me say it again.

I'm a mom. Tonight,I think it really sunk in.

My eyes are swollen with tears and my heart is swollen with love, pride and honor to be your mom Ava.

Busy Days

man oh man....Have we been busy.
Ava, You are 10 months and 1 day old.
You wear mostly size 12 months clothes but there are some 9 month pants thrown in the mix.

You HATE when I wipe your hands and face after you are done eating. And I mean HATE. It gives me a good chuckle.

You went on your FIRST ROAD TRIP!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!


Destination = Gatlinburg, TN.
I have to say that you were amazing. (for the most part) Our first day we drove 13 hours. That is a heck of a long time for a baby to be in a car. Needless to say you were VERY excited to be out of the car.
On this trip you experienced :

Your first bath in a jacuzzi tub. It was interesting. I had to sit in it with you and I was at eye level with the top of the tub. It was a VERY deep jacuzzi tub.

your first hotel room


Your first Continental Breakfast (such a world traveler)


Your first Mountain


Your first air vent (they were your favorite thing to play with at the cabin)


You saw your first bear, horse, chipmunk, otter and hedgehog

You saw and dipped your feet in your first river (super cold water)


Your first lightning bug

Your first Cracker Barrel

(you really did enjoy it....you were just tired, we all were)


Your first rocking chair...L.O.V.E.D. it


So many things Ava. You had a great time on your trip. I think you loved having your sister there everyday when you woke up.
It was such a great vacation. It was a big deal for you and for your mama.

On a less enthusiastic note, you have gotten your very first cold. It's a sad sad thing to see you cry like that.
I don't really know if it is a cold or maybe you are getting some teeth, but you have slept ALL day and had a temperature of 103.1 at it's highest.
I can hear you whimpering in the bedroom. I've got you only in a pair of shorts. It breaks my heart, little Ava.
I hope tomorrow brings with it good spirits and a healthy happy baby.

I love you Ava!

I am Ava, hear me ROAR!

Hello,
My name is Ava and I like to scream.

At all times.
It's what I do.

And I dare ya to try and make me sit in my tub for more than 3 seconds.

Tuesday

It's Tuesday.
It's raining outside. I like overcast days like this but I don't like the fact that with all this rain more and more mosquitoes are being born.
It's a freaking epidemic.
It's unnatural.
There is a daily killing spree inside our house. Typical death toll...7.
Poor Ava wakes up with a welt on her skin almost everyday from some flying bloodsucking mosquito.

It's also really really warm and humid. We went swimming in dad's pool last week and it was like swimming in a bath tub.
The opposite of refreshing.

I wish I could find it in me to not be grumpy during the summer but so far I haven't found that inner calm yet.

Regardless of the weather Ava, you still LOVE to be outside. We went for a walk around the lake at the Botanical Gardens this morning. At 9a.m. it was hot.
Hot. Sweaty, humid hot but you loved every single second of it. When i took you out of the carrier your face was all red and your head was sweating but you were smiling.

Let's talk about Ava some more.
You are becoming more and more adventurous. You go everywhere in the house and investigate everything. It's fun to watch you discover new things.

You have been so happy these past few days. It has been so cute. You smile so much.
We still have only heard you laugh those two times. We are still waiting to hear more.
No teeth yet.

You won't hold your bottle. Period. Why should you do it when I can? :)

You love taking baths in the "big girl" tub but all you want to do is stand up so it's not as much fun for mommy as it is for you. Sometimes we have very short baths.
But you smile so big and splash the water. You are having a jolly good time.

And today, this rainy Tuesday, you are 9 months.
It's still so hard to believe. It's true what they say.
It goes by so fast......

8 months and growing fast

8 beautiful months of life have gone by.

You are getting so big and becoming more and more independent. You will stand all on your own for seconds at a time. It's such a thrill to actually witness those small moments of independence. You are starting to venture out into different parts of the house now. It's so fun to see the surprise and excitement on your face when you turn a corner and see us standing there waiting for you.

One VERY exciting milestone happened this month. YOU LAUGHED!!!! An ACTUAL laugh. It was so stinking cute I cried. Tears actually formed in my eyes. Daddy was making funny faces and then blowing raspberries on your belly and you just started giggling. My heart almost busted out of my chest. It's a sound we have been WAITING to hear...And I always new it would be your daddy who would make you laugh. You two have the sweetest bond.


You cry when he leaves the room.
When he comes home from lunch you can't contain your excitement and will cry if he doesn't pick you up for a hug right away.
If I bring you outside to see him when he comes home you can't get out of my arms fast enough.
Your WHOLE face smiles when you see him.

You are clapping.


You will do a make-shift sign for 'more'. (super cute)
You have started to say ba-ba-ba. But for the most part you stick to your usual grunting, screaming and squealing.

Some days while we are driving in the car I will hear you in the back making very soft and sweet noises. It's like you are trying to figure out what noise will come out when you make different shapes with your mouth.
You have also started sucking on your toes while in you car seat.

I wish I could record every single second with you Ava.

Oh...Yea! We took you to the beach for the first time where you actually played and got in the water. You weren't too sure about it at first. You were a little clingy when I got close to the water but eventually you figured out that it wasn't as scary as you thought.

Let's not forget!

So for Mother's Day Katie, my sister and your Aunt got a really cool gift. It was her blog put into a book! I mean HONESTLY!!!! How fun is that?! So when Hazel is older she will be able to read all about her delivery into this world and what happened afterwards. I thought blogging to Hazel was a great idea and that is how I started blogging to you. When I read the blog last week I realized that over a month had gone by before I wrote anything down. A MONTH?!

Do you know how much you change in a day let alone a month. Man! So, I just wanted to make sure that I remember to write all the big milestones and all the little accomplishments and even all the little funny things you do. Like pucker up your lips and stick out your tongue when you eat fruit.

Or the fact that regardless of when you fall asleep you wake up at 7am.

You are totally into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. When Mickey sings the Hot Dog song at the end of the show you squeal. I know you want to clap but you still haven't figured that out yet.

I swear you have said mom and your daddy swears that you have said dada.

Anyways Ava, I love you so much it hurts. I mean just look at how cute you are!!!

Hot Summer Days

It's May. The middle of May and it's in the 90's. Yeesh.
Although last night was a BEAUTIFUL night it is safe to say that summer is here.
Ava, you are 7 1/2 months old. You are crawling all OVER the place and pulling yourself up onto anything and everything. You want to stand up at all times.

You love, love, love the park and going on the swings. My heart melts watching you get that huge grin on your face. It's as if you can't smile big enough.

We go to a place called My-Gym and you are in the Tiny Tykes class. It's a great thing to do in the summer months. We have only been a couple of times but so far you LOVE it. The second I set you down on the floor you crawl right over to the baby sitting closest to you. You smile so big and then crawl up onto their mommy. At least I can say that there is NO issue with separation anxiety. It's so fun to watch you. You are always so intense and aware of what is going on around you. I think going to MyGym will be good for you and for me. It's good for both of us to socialize.

Let's see, You love to go swimming. We went swimming today with Aunt Katie and you are so comfortable in the water which makes me happy. You automatically start kicking your legs and you constantly smile. I wish you would wear a hat though. It doesn't take long to get sunburned, even with sunscreen on. You will learn this the older you get but I hope that you will be smart and ALWAYS put sunscreen on and wear a hat and sit under an umbrella. Your mama just wants to protect that beautiful skin of yours.

You are still a GREAT eater. You will eat pretty much anything aside from bananas. You simply don't like them. We have tried you on a few "big people" food like bread...you seem to do ok and know that you need to "chew" it quite a bit before you swallow. It is so cute to watch you eat. We are working on getting you used to the sippy cup. Some days you get the hang of it...others, well, let's just say I have had to clean up quite a bit of apple water up off the floor.


We have yet to hear you laugh or do much baby talk. For the most part you are a squealer and a grunter. You can hit some pretty high octaves for a baby.


Daisy and your Daddy always make things better. They make you smile so much. I love to watch your face when you hear your daddy come in the house. You know he is there and your eyes get really big and you start looking for him. When he finally comes around the your whole face smiles and you let out this long squeal followed but a grunt. Every time. It is the SWEETEST thing ever! Daisy is very patient with you. You will crawl right up to her and "pet" her on the face or eyeball and then tug at her ear. Daisy just lays there and doesn't move a muscle. I hope you two become best buds.

I love each phase of your life Ava and at the same time look forward to the next milestone. I am beyond thankful that I am able to spend every day with you Ava.
You bring so much joy to your Mommy and Daddy.

Life in motion

Ava, In two days you will be 7 months.
Your mama can't even believe it. This is all just moving too fast.

You are crawling, sitting up on your own and pulling yourself up into a standing position. This has become your new favorite thing to do.


It is so cute. You are so proud of yourself each and every time you stand up.
You use the tops of your feet to push yourself up though. It looks like it hurts.

You are a big squealer. No laughing yet and no words just squeals. Your daddy is DETERMINED to make you laugh. It makes my heart swell just watching you two. You give your daddy the BIGGEST smiles. I have to admit that sometimes I get a little jealous. :) You adore him and he totally adores you. It's so fun to watch.

As far as eating goes....there are no problems there. You are a great little chow hound. The only things that you don't really like are bananas. You will eat pretty much anything else. Oh yeah, except for mashed potatoes. You tried those about a week ago and made it very clear that you did NOT like them.

You are almost ready to take a bath in the big tub. You try and crawl out of your whale tub now. I want to wait until you are a little more sturdy when you are sitting before I try that out.

The outside is still your favorite place. When ever you are upset or bonk your head we just open up the door and the sadness stops immediately.
You are always looking out the window while we are driving.
Your daddy bought you a little pool so we can splash in it during the hot summer days. We discovered that you love being in the water. When ever Grandma watches you she takes you swimming. She will put you on your back and you just put those arms up behind your head, get a big smile on your face and enjoy the water.
It's really stinking cute.

Let's see. You are in #3 diapers. You can fit into some 9 month clothes. Crazy. Really crazy.
You are a sweet happy little girl. We are all waiting to hear your laugh. And to see what you will sound like when you decide to start baby talk.

You're crawling.
Sniff. Sniff. My baby girl is growing up so fast. (sigh)
You are also climbing up your crib. We had to lower it today. (Finally)


I tried not to laugh too hard at you but you were ever so proud of yourself for getting up all on your own. You would squeal in delight. It was so so stinking adorable.

You love Daisy. When you are on the floor Daisy is SERIOUS motivation for you to crawl. Right when you get close enough to grab a handful of hair Daisy high tails it outta there! But you just keep on following her until she lets you "pet" her.

I am thankful everyday for you Ava. Every single second of every single day.

Just a snuggly day

Yesterday was a great day.

I decided that the laundry and sweeping could wait till you went to bed. That is was ok if the dishes sat another day cause all I wanted to do was snuggle and play with you.

You seemed to be ok with this idea. You told me so by giving me a big slobbery open mouth 'kiss' on my cheek. I have to admit that my heart melted. M-e-l-t-e-d.
Maybe you liked the idea that I was hanging out on the bed with you and all your toys instead of being in your crib while I fold laundry. Or playing with you on the couch instead of you sitting in your highchair while I do the dishes.
I gotta say....I liked it too.
My mom today told me that I need to savor every second now...that there is no past and no future, only NOW. I understand what she means. Ava, you change so much and so fast. You are only moments away from crawling.

CRAWLING.
you prop yourself up onto your elbow now and can catch yourself from falling over (for the most part)
It is so fun to watch you but at the same time it is a glaring reminder at how quickly time slips away. A reminder to take the time to play with you on the floor. To get out a few books or go for a walk and let the sweeping wait. I mean that's what socks are for right? That way I don't even know that the floor needs sweeping.
We went to the doctor today for your 6 month check up.
15.5 lbs.
27 inches.
You LOVED the very loud and highly entertaining paper that is on the doctor's 'lounge chair'. (I don't really know what to call that, It looks like a chaise lounge, only higher up and uncomfortable) That was all you wanted to touch. You kept banging your hands on it to make noise. It was really cute.

Yesterday when you woke up from your nap I walked into the room to find you LEANING over your crib trying to grab a bottle of lotion! YIKES!!!! I guess it is time to lower your crib. It is still so mind shattering how fast you grow.

You stick your tongue out now when you are happy or excited. You still are not laughing but your whole face smiles, just no sound comes out. You are "chatting' more and more. I'm looking forward to hearing that laugh of yours.

I want to savor every moment with you, every change, every milestone. I am so magically in love with you Ava. You make me laugh every day!