Happy 1st Birthday to our Sweet birthday Girl

 Wooo Hoooo Ava turned one and turning ONE is a huge milestone in my book!  I think as a mom it is a bittersweet time as the baby phase becomes a distant memory yet  I know so many new adventures are ahead.  I remember like it was yesterday: calling my parents to come watch Mason, heading to the hospital but not thinking I was in labor, worried about all the unknowns.  Never leaving the hospital and coming home with the tiniest little baby I had ever seen.  Heading back to the hospital because she was loosing too much weight.  Adjusting to life as a family of four; making sure everyone was getting what they needed.  I hesitate to admit this but I had the mom of one thing down pat but adding the second rocked my world a bit. I'm happy to be out of the newborn fog and creeping toward the next chapter....life with two toddlers (wow, does that sound odd).

Our sweet Ava girl has made so much progress in a month!  She is cursing the furniture, walking with a walker, opening drawers/cabinets, throwing balls & food and yapping up a storm.  Ava heads for the stairs whenever possible and can make it all the way to the top (never alone of course).  She can say mom, dada, ba, hi and this.  She loves to scream at the top of her lungs with her brother and giggles when you tell her no.  She is happiest playing in the cup/bowl draw I set aside for Mason.  Ava still loves to be held but when having a good time she is just as content playing or crawling around.  The bond between Mason and Ava has grown this month.  Mason tells Ava often how much he loves her and gives her kisses too.  He wants to play with her and interact with her more as well.  Ava loves his attention until he hovers on top of her or is pushed down in all his excitement. Seeing them together melts my heart.

We started Ava on whole milk a few days prior to her bday.  It was like many of her other transitions; talked about and then all the sudden complete.  Not relishing in the moment of "the last."  Ava still fits best in 12 months clothes but I'm starting to buy 18 month sizes just to get more use out of them. She takes two naps a day more often then not.  The first one is in the car and the second is on me.  These options aren't ideal by any means but poor baby girl is tired.  Matt and I had a few afternoons of rest when she did actually take an afternoon nap in her crib.  It made me feel like a whole new person.  For now I lean in and do my best to enjoy her weight on my chest, a few minutes of napping/quit to myself while checking emails.


Likes:
paper
food (any food)
stairs
bath time
playing in the basement
walking with walker


Dislikes:
getting diaper changed in the a.m.
putting your coat on
napping
reading books (wants to eat them)





Baby Girl - Thank you for being you!  You are sweet and a bit feisty all wrapped into one strong little body.  You are absolutely gorgeous and I can't believe you are all mine.  I look forward to the adventures that await us; I have a feeling we are going to have some fun.

Love you so much!
Mama

We threw a birthday party for Ava on her birthday!  Needless to say she had fun celebrating with all her family.
 It truly was a special day.  

Mason 12 months 

{The Big ONE}

It is official, we are parents of a one year old! This is huge; Mason is a toddler and Matt and I have survived our first year of parenthood.  The day was special for me; and although Mason won't remember I did want to make the day special for him too. For Mason that means a day filled with pancakes, meatballs and playing!

We started the day off by going out for pancakes with Nana!  We hit up the Honey Bee Cafe; a local diner.  They hands down made the breakfast a special one; check out those birthday pancakes!

 

The day was bittersweet but mostly filled with lots of love, joy and fun!  Mason is getting so big and he is such a sweet boy.  We are enjoying interacting with him; he is smart, silly, active, determined and loving.  We are so LUCKY!

Happy Birthday to our sweet baby boy!!!!

 
 

This month Mason has really started cruising; he uses pretty much anything to get from point A to B.  He has taken a couple spills but nothing serious (yet).  He is a little chatter box when he doesn't have his Monkey Monkey in his mouth.  He loves saying dada, babies, apples, trees etc.  

 Mason's Likes:

- Monkey Monkey (his wubbanub)
-Dora the Explorer
-Playing in the fridge
-clapping
-books

Dislikes:
- being told no
- getting his diaper changed
-mashed potatoes

Just thinking about this past year brings SO much to my mind! I could write down all my thoughts but I will spare you all.  Just know that when our angel went to bed we popped up the prosecco and toasted to the most fabulous year of all our lives.  We celebrated the BIG ONE!

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Mason has enjoyed his week full of presents!  It is amazing how exciting Elmo wrapping paper can be (pretty sure Mason said Elmo for a good 20 minutes).  He really enjoys interactive toys so a big thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Murray and Aunt Megan for a week of birthday fun! Clearly, Mason enjoyed all of his fun gifts and of course the Elmo wrapping paper.









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Here is the birthday sign Mason was playing with.  I ordered it from Etsy; I figured it was something we can use every year (even for Matt's birthday).  You can choose your own colors; if you want to create one for you family click here.