Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Puppy Love

Ava's love for animals knows no bounds lately (see here)...in fact, her favorite book right now is Puppy Parade, and she's working on mastering the word Fish (sish).

The other day she decided to get in some play time with Lily, and the pictures below show off the range of smiles and laughs that ensued. Some are blurry or have bad lighting, but they really captured the moment and joy she was feeling.

PS, this is my new absolute favorite outfit on Ava. I may have to buy another size for next summer. :)








Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Dinner and a Movie

A recent visit to some friend's house inspired this post. This dinner may have consisted of us watching babies feed themselves tiny pieces of our pasta, and the movie was watching each other's home movies of the kids. But that's what some Friday nights are like for us now.



Three years ago, hanging out with these friends would have probably started at 9:30 pm, instead of hauling sleeping babies out to the car at that time and heading home. No complaints though. Good times are still being had.

Monday, April 22, 2013

When Dad's In Charge

He makes sure Ava and our cat get in plenty of quality time. Gotta love mornings warm enough to hang out on the deck.




Friday, April 12, 2013

Ava - 11 Months Old

You guys. Today is Ava's 11 Month birthday. You all know what that means. We're T minus one month until Ava is one. That is crazy. Blow my mind crazy.

Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday I was staring at this little thing in my lap, so tiny and helpless. So foreign and new. But then again not really. Ava's face is something I've always known and loved in my heart. I remember when she was a newborn telling Wynston that it felt like I've always known her precious face.

We are working our way steadily through a very busy month. Some friends of ours are getting married at the end of the month, and pre-wedding events are keeping us busy. As is planning Little Miss' party. You may have guessed that the post a few back with the fabrics was for her party. It's going to be a fun day!

So here's what's going on now:

Ava is definitely independently standing and doing some walking. She's regressed a bit in the over the past couple weeks. My mom said my brother did the exact same thing. But there is definitely still walking going on.

Ava now says momma. Finally. Sometimes its "nananana" but I know what she means. More often than not, when I ask her to say Momma, she says "dadadada". Little stinker.

Ava has started singing. She's fond the song Creepin by Eric Church. At the beginning there's this "bomb bomb bomb bonna" and Ava likes to sign her own "non non non non non". Sweetest sound ever. She learned to do this in one day. She's also very chatty these days. She even has some "words" of her own.

We now have two top teeth. There is a sizeable gap between them that is hilarious. She uses her four teeth to bite food now, like quesadillas.

She has a new expression, which is a squint/frown combination. Seen here (towards the bottom of the post).

Ava's little brain has been busy this month. She can now identify certain objects like her fox, ears, toes, belly button, her bottle, her binky, etc. She also knows how to use some objects properly, like a phone (or other object) which she will hold to her ear and she'll brush her hair or yours with her brush.

Little Miss can give enthusiastic high fives, especially to her Poppy (my dad).

She loves to wrestle the big sofa pillows. Put one on the floor and she'll launch herself onto it and roll all around squealing. She also loves to play in pack and play, which always amazes me since in general she's not fond of being contained. But she'll stand in there, then squat down so her face is below the rail, then she'll pop all the way back up and play "peekaboo". Funny thing is she thinks we can't see her when she's squatting, but normally her face is pressed against the mesh and we can see her very clearly. Ava also loves "anticipation" games. Like when you hold her and go "ready, set, go" before running with her. Or just looking away, then slowly back at her, usually accompanied by a tickle. She loves the build up. :)

Food is anything and everything we give her, pretty much. Next month Ava will be allowed into the land of milk and honey. Those are the unallowables until 12 months. Haha. Sleep is getting better. Teething has really proved a nighttime stinker. Ava still hates changing diapers and clothes, and loves wallering, animals and other kids.

Here's a few pictures from her 11 month birthday morning.

"Mom, it's too early for pictures"
Telling me a story.
Working on blowing kisses!
Chewing on my necklace.




Thursday, April 11, 2013

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

When Dad's In Charge

Sometimes he needs a copilot.
The tongue, it's always out.

This picture kills me.

No babies were harmed in the making of this post.

Friday, April 5, 2013

A Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of something fun I'm working on (sort of). Got any guesses?

   





Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Easter 2013

I'm quickly learning that holidays with a baby are exhausting. But worth it. :)
We spent this Easter going to church with my parents and and hanging out with family.
When we arrived at church I had to start the morning off with a diaper change. We took care of that business, then returned to the sanctuary. As we were sneaking our way back to our seats, I noticed a ribbon in Ava's hands. I wasn't sure where it came from, but when I followed that ribbon, it led up to a big red balloon! Much to my surprise, ha. Our church has tall ceilings, so I could just see it floating to the top and Ava screaming. I grabbed tight to that ribbon and tiptoed back to our seats, completely confused as to where this balloon had come from. Turns out the nursery attendants were passing them out and probably gave Ava one as we passed by. Little Miss surprises me each day, but some surprises are more "left field" than others.

It was so bright that day! Not that I'm complaining.

I wonder what got all of our attention here? Maybe the Easter Bunny hopped over our toes.

Ava and I did spend the day before Easter with my mom, shopping for me a new dress and Ava some new shoes. Our friends Will and Amy bought Ava the cutest little dress that I decided was just right for Easter Sunday, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to wear something that coordinated. Ya, that happens around here and I love it. Sorry kid.

Too bad I didn't have Ava's super cute shoes on here. They matched her dress PERFECTLY.
The afternoon was spent playing and having lunch at my grandma's. Ava ate her own food that I'd made and then a lot of my food as well. We finally decided to get her away from the food because I think she would've eaten herself into a bellyache. She's an eating machine these days! She'll eat the entire duration of dinner. She'll eat a whole egg for breakfast. Ava's so long right now that I guess she needs some fuel if she's going to pass through these 12M clothes so quickly.


Can you see the buttons up the back of this dress? So precious.




Talking on the phone, well her cousin's toy keys. :)

Taking almost no nap that day took it's toll on Ava, and she finally fell right asleep in her dad's arms. Always the cutest thing of the day. Always.