Happy 1/2 Birthday Baby Girl

Holy sh** Ava is 6 months old!  Ok, I know I say this every month but boy has Miss Ava changed this past month.  She has made such strides and is coming into her own.  I'm loving it but Mason on the other hand is noticing his sister more and the fact that she needs us too.  This transition hasn't been easy on him (poor guy). Ava, on the other hand is OBSESSED with Mason and still can't keep her eyes off him.  I can't wait to watch their relationship flourish as Ave becomes more interactive and mobile.

Playing with her brother 

May 30th was officially the last time Ava was nursed.  She now takes 4 bottles (4- 6oz) a day and eats 3 meals a day.  She especially likes pears, squash and apples.  Ava likes the baby food version of bananas much better then actual bananas and is averaging a container of food per meal.  She takes 3 naps a day and is usually sleeping by 7pm.  She still isn't able to get her own pacifier at night so we usually have to make a couple trips to her nursery.  This month Ava officially learned to roll over from her stomach to back.  We also put her in bouncy seat for the first time (even though she still is a bit tiny for it).   She is scooting all over the place while playing on her play mat or on her back.  She is also cooing and or screaming more....she is so trying to talk to us or get some attention. Poor Ava girl is working hard on some teeth, she is more drooly than ever.  We are all hoping the teeth brake through soon to get her some relief.

Ava is so aware of the world around her; she is such a calm and happy baby.  I love snuggling her before I put her down in the crib at night and I love blowing on her belly to make her laugh.  Ava brings us such joy!!! She is so precious; words can't describe how full my heart is or how lucky I feel to have such healthy and beautiful children.  I hope they both feel the eminence amount of love we have for them.

She LOVES her feet!

Mason at 6 months

Sweet Pea is 5 months

Ava has my heart and each and every day I am so thankful for her!  Our little family of 4 is surely blessed.  Ava has eased into a pretty solid daily routine; of course it waivers at times but it is predictable enough.  I have a few favorite times during the day: 1) anytime I get to play with her 2) her 3rd nap of the day.  This nap is one that Ava spends laying on my chest snuggling and so very peaceful.  I know I need to get her in her crib during this time sooner rather then later (mainly because I need to get things done while both kids sleep) but I love having her so close.   It is so hard to believe how much bigger she is now compared to when her nights were spent sleeping on top of me.  It is amazing how strong and happy she is now.  It makes my heart so happy to see these amazing changes that she has made in just 5 months.

Ava LOVES Mason; she literally can't take her eyes off him.  If she is lucky enough to get close to him she grabs for him and tries to touch him.  I love the connection she already has with him.  Mason loves her to but just doesn't know it yet.  One night Ava was in her crib playing on her back and Mason took it upon himself to climb up and start playing and talking to her.  Matt and I stood outside her room, our hearts full with love for our little family.  Mason often sings to Ava when she is crying, "It's ok Ava, we hate to see you cry."  I take these little signs throughout the day as proof he loves and cares for his little sister.  

Ava eats two meals a day and has graduated to a highchair which she seems to enjoy.  She also took her first big girl stroll in the stroller, the big seat is cooler then the car seat and gives her much more wiggle room. Ava is still fitting in 3 month size clothing but I've started using some of her 6 month outfits....they are only slightly big on her.  We also switched to size 2 diapers just days before she turned 5 months.

1st time in the highchair

1st stroller ride in the big seat

There is little that makes Ava unhappy; there is little that upsets her.  Her calm, easygoing personality allows me to drag her along with me to run errands or simply plop her on the floor to play.  When she needs something or doesn't like something she lets me know.  If she is crying she is either tired, hungry or needs a diaper change.

Likes:
- kisses on her neck & feet
- her pacifier
- walks
- apples & pears
- when we talk with her

Ava is our little sweet pea!  I love watching her change right before my eyes; I know all to well she will won't be a baby forever.  She brings me such joy with her cuddles and giggles I am so lucky to be her mom.

Mason at 5 months

Ava Mado We love You {4 months}

We are so in love with our little sweetie pea! It is so fun to watch her make so many changes each month.  It seems like so much has changed in such a sort period of time (it is hard to keep that in mind during those months of sleepless nights but it is so true, time flies).  Ava seems to be a fussier baby then Mason ever was but in general her demeanor is calm and cool.  When I run errands with her she is either sleeping in her car seat or just looking around at the new surroundings.  She is totally in love with her big brother; she always seems to have an eye on him and watching what he is doing. Ava smiles when you talk to her or give her kisses.  She is starting to giggle when you tickle her feet or belly and I love those moments; along with the peaceful moments that I get to snuggle her a few extra minutes before putting her down to sleep.  I know too well that those moments of rocking a sleeping peaceful baby go by too quickly.

Ava goes to bed a bit earlier these days....around 7pm.  It takes her awhile to get settled but she is getting a hang of it.  She still wakes up once to feed in the middle of the night; sometimes her stretches are long then others.  And last night she slept through the night....we'll see if Easter wore her out or if this will become the new norm. We already had her 4 month check up and the Dr. is very happy with her weight gain and has approved her for solids.  Ava weights in at 11 pounds 4 ounces.  We started feeding her once a day....she isn't 100% sure about it but she is getting the hang of it.  Ava also is getting a the hang of bottle feedings (all that worrying on my part for nothing).  The pacifier is finally her new best friend which is nice because it helps soothe her.

Ava makes it very clear what she likes and doesn't like and here is what going on in her world this month.

Likes:
- baths
- being ticketed on her neck or feet
- her wooden toy ball
- taking walks
- Watching Sophie the First

Dislikes:
 - putting a shirt over her head
-  any kind of dirty diaper
- getting shots (she was extra fussy for a couple of days)
- loud noises (or Mason screaming/singing at the top of his lungs in the car)

Daddy gave Ava a bath for the 1st time this month

             

Ava celebrated her 1st Easter this month!  We celebrated with brunch at Ruth Lake:

Mason at 4 months

Ava {3 months}

Ava has made a lot of changes this past month! One of them being that she started sleeping in the crib at 11 weeks.  I'm not big on co-sleeping but I'm a huge fan of doing what you need to do to survive. A combination of colic till 12am and needing to be held all the time had Ava in our bed or in our arms at night. This was creating a situation where we all were longing for a good nights sleep; so I made a point of transitioning her to her crib (happy dance and a better few hours of sleep here and there for me).  Her sleeping pattern has improved as well, she is asleep by 10pm with one middle of the night wake up and then an early morning one (I'll take it, another happy dance for Ava).

Ava's big personality is beginning to shine through.  With more hours awake we are discovering her likes and dislikes as she discovers the world around her.  I'm fairly certain Miss Ava is going to be a social butterfly.  She and Aunt Mia have full blown conversations when they get together. 

Likes:

- when you smile and talk to her 

- mimicking actions & sounds (sticking her tongue out & cooing when talked to) 

- being held 

- looking at herself in the minor
- watching TV

Dislikes: 

- dirty diapers 

- being left alone to play 

- laying flat on her back for too long
-being away from the action

my silly kiddos

Not only has Ava become more chatty this month she has also rolled from her tummy to her back.  She prefers being held and when we do put her down she wants all of our attention. Ava is a little peanut (especially compared to Mason at 3 months); she is fitting comfortably in her 3 month clothes still.  Luckily her reflux has improved and/or the medicine is working wonderfully and our regular weekly trips to the doctor have stopped.  We now are on schedule for the regular infant checks from here on out.  We haven't started baby food or cereal with her yet but I am hoping to get the ok from the doctor to begin those next month.

With warmer weather approaching (another happy dance) Ava will be experiencing many firsts.  I can't wait to take her on her first walk and get Mason out of the house (we all seem to be suffering from cabin fever). 

the Murray girls in gray

Mason at 3 months

Christmas Recap {2014}

Christmas 2014

This Christmas was both extra special and extra tiring. Christmas 2014 marks Ava's 1st Christmas and our 1st Christmas as a family of four. Although, Ava surprised us by being 3 weeks early (which is even earlier then I had anticipated) we were all set for a memorable Christmas. The house was decorated and presents we all bought and wrapped. Thank goodness for being prepared.

Miss Ava's 1st Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents. In the morning we "helped" prep for 30 plus people and our traditional fish celebration. Even Mason got his hands dirty this year by helping Papa ans Daddy open up clams.

Mason learning our Christmas traditions

Very focused on the task at hand

Christmas morning Matt and I opened up gifts from each other and tried to get Mason into opening his Santa gifts. He received this cash register and it caused all opening of presents to come to a halt. Once we realized none of his other presents were going to be opened we headed back to my parents; where we opened presents and enjoyed leftovers. As we all took turns opening up gifts Mason started to catch on. He finally dove into his pile of presents and was truly excited about Christmas. 

We were all exhausted by this point so a nap was in order before heading to uncle Neal and Aunt Rose's for dinner. It took some motivation to get both kids out the door but it was so worth it. Mason played with his older cousins and had the best time. It is heartwarming to see him interact with them and give them hugs (this is unusual for Mase, seeing he isn't big on hugs and kisses). 

This Christmas is one to remember! I also took an important lesson away from this season of craziness: Christmas is just as exhausting for the adults as it is for the kids. All the prep work is well worth it but by the end of the day Mason was exhausted. It was just a little too much. 

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little family of four, that Ava is healthy (she just needs to gain some weight), that Matt has some time off work and that Mason is happy & healthy too. We still have adjusting to do with our new addition but we are slowly creating our new norm. 

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Till next year. 

Love the Murrays


What a difference a year makes, check out last year's Christmas post.

38 weeks {No bump but a baby}

On Saturday December 6, 2014 we welcomed Ava Michelle into the world and officially became a family of four.

Ava Michelle December 6, 20145 pounds 11 ounces 20 inches 

She surprised us all by her early arrival at 36 weeks and 6 days!  Although she is a little peanut she is doing well.  Once she gains a bit more weight she will be ready to meet everyone that already loves her so much.  I know I am basis but I must say she is a cutie and so very precious.  We are looking forward to a very special and blessed Christmas with both our children. Thank goodness for all that mad prepping and list making pre-baby.    

 Her name:  We had a few names in mind for our little Miss; I really wanted to use Michelle for her 

middle name after one of my cousins.  My cousin Michelle passed away at 36, leaving 3 beautiful children behind.  I spent many nights babysitting for her children and I admired Michelle so much.  She was a wonderful mother, a strong woman and amazing wife.  In honor of this very special woman in my life I have gifted the name to my daughter.  Ava just fit so beautifully with Michelle and since we thought she was so beautiful with her dark hair and little lips we landed on the perfect name.  

Pictures via Bella Baby

Check out Mason and his hospital pictures

8 month Bump {32 weeks}

                                             

Less then 60 days till baby girl arrives!  Time is flying yet moving so slow at the same time; I'm getting so very excited to meet our sweet baby girl who is going to make us a family of 4.  The reality of sleepless nights are just around the corner so I'm taking full advantage of the energy I continue to have (thank goodness for that).  Baby girl moves in a pattern throughout the day (unlike Mason who moved all the time).  I feel her when I wake up, when I relax while Mason is napping and at night. I rarely feel her while on my feet which had me nervous but the doctor said as long as I know her pattern and she continues to follow it or kick more there is nothing to worry about it.   Luckily, she doesn't keep me up at night moving and shaking.  This past week I felt her hiccups for the first time and I believe I have felt my belly tighten a few times (braxton hicks?).  Needless to say I'm getting bigger, it will be interesting to see what I look like right before the babe comes.  I am carrying so differently this time around....

In preparation for baby's arrival we hired a painter to paint the rest of the house. Matt and I also know we weren't good enough to paint bathrooms & kitchens.  It turned out great and I have a new love for my house once again.  The peeps at HGTV are more then right when they say paint can change the entire look of the house.

8 month Bump with

We're Growing by 2 Feet

That's right, baby number 2 will be joining our crew in late December! If you know us personally or just keep up with the blog you know we like to keep things interesting around here. We wanted more kids and we didn't want them to be too far apart so we feel blessed to be expanding our family.

*Baby bump pictures and more on this pregnancy to come.*

Almost a month old....

It is hard to believe that are little one is going to be a month on Saturday! I don't know if I remember life without Mason.  We are very lucky, Mason is such a good baby his fussy days are even bearable. He truly has brought joy to all of our lives; we are blessed.

 Mason's Adventures: Poor little guy got his tongue clipped two weeks ago; honestly I think it was harder for me to watch then for him to get done (a big thanks to my mom for coming with me).  All the different opinions from the "experts" make it difficult to pull the trigger and do anything these day.  I'm sorry to say that all the conflicting opinions made me wait two weeks before having the procedure done.  He is fully healed now and more importantly he can move his tongue around (and we won't have to stress out about any future speech issues). Mason has made several trips from the city to the burbs to hang out with my parents; luckily he loves the car and falls asleep within minutes.  He even got a sneak peak of our new house in Western Springs.  He has met several family members and friends and has received a plethora of gifts; everyone has been beyond generous.  A huge THANKS to everyone that has brought over food or a special gift for Mason.  He is going to be the best dressed baby on the block....

 

Murray Family Mayhem is right!  Since I went into labor things have been crazy and so many changes have come our way.  We are very excited about our move to the burbs but getting the new house ready and unpacking with a new born is going to take some time.  Matt also accepted a new job and will be starting the Monday after we move (December 3rd).  Good news is that the house is like a 5 minute drive from his new office but... since the he won't be taking the train to work any longer we are in the market for a new car.  All these changes are good things and with the help/support of family and friends I'm sure all the new transitions will be a breeze! Now, if I can get used to keeping our current house clean and remember to take time to brush my teeth in the morning I will be in good shape...