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

Mommy Mason Dates

Mason and I had a few mommy & Mason dates this week and boy does it make a difference!  Most people would consider our dates "running errands," however Mason and I call them dates!  This week we went to the bank, grocery store (twice), bakery, Starbucks and took a walk.  This time is special for both of us and seems to recharge Mase a bit.  He loves this time alone with me and I feel the same way.  It allows me to focus all my attention on him - no ipad, laundry or cooking going on.  Just some good old fashioned quality time with my son.

Thanks to my mom for poppin' in while Ava napped; allowing Mase and I an hour out and about.  The juggling act with two kids, dinner etc is a real balancing act and sometimes a real struggle (that's for an entire other post).  It takes a village and I appreciate ALL the extra hands and help when given to me.  Words can't express how special this brief alone time out with my son means to me & I'm fairly certain Mason feels the same way.

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

We're Moving

Our home December 2012 - June 2015

If you haven't already heard; we are moving.....around the block!  I know I have stated time and time again that the year 2015 was going to be the year of doing nothing (aka no big life changes, please & thank you).  However, Matt literally woke up one morning and said we are moving.  I of course, said ok (god only knows how many hours of sleep I had actually gotten that night) and let him run with it.  He house hunted on Sundays and reported back with his findings. I guess I didn't really think we were going to move or maybe I just thought the process in general would be slower, but the last month of our lives has been consumed with the buying/selling process.  We made lists at night of our house "must haves" and "would likes," I rushed over to see houses we thought might be a good fit (with the kids in toe) and I had nightmares about putting the house on the market.  Before I knew it we bought a house and it was time to sell ours.  I'm pretty sure that is when reality set in and my panic and anxiety peaked.

The stars aligned for us (thank god) and I'm slowly accepting the fact that we are moving.  We are moving to a house Matt absolutely and whole heartrendingly loves and in the neighborhood I don't want to leave. We'll have a fenced in yard with a swing set for the kids, we will no longer live on a busy street and we'll have two floors (one for sleeping and one for regular everyday activity) and we are going to be so happy there once we make the house our home.

Our house sold quickly (phew)!  The first couple who saw it bought it; we did however allow others to see it and we spent the majority of the week it was on the market out of the house.  It was stressful and I'm glad that part if over.  I don't know how people with small children (mainly toddlers) live for long periods of time with their house on the market (they are saints in my eyes).

You're waiting for the BUT, right!?!?!?!  There really isn't one besides the fact the process behind us and the moving process ahead of us is plain old stressful...  However, last night I woke up in the middle of the night not to feed Ava but thinking about the new owners of our house.  I imagined myself leaving them a note on colored construction paper with marker, it would read:

Welcome - I hope you have as many wonderful memories in this home as we did!  Our son took his first steps in the basement after a morning at Oakbrook getting his haircut.  We brought our daughter home from the hospital for the first time and this home is where she gained her strength.  Your neighbors our wonderful; enjoy them.  Welcome to the community; it is an amazing place to live!

My conclusion, we made this house a home!  The colors on the wall our perfect for us and the memories we made here are some of the best.  Mason transformed from a baby to a little person here; we found out we were expecting our 2nd child here and reviled Ava's gender here...I like it here.  Deep down I know the move will be best for our family and Matt was able to see that way before I was.   We will make the next house a home too.  Create more wonderful memories but never forget the ones we created here.  Maybe part of me isn't ready for the change or the move and the exhaustion that comes with it (I'm already tired enough).   But on to the next adventure for us.....just around the block!!!

Our 1st move as a family

Color wonder how we love you

Color wonder products popped in our lives prematurely (maybe when Mase was about 1) but we have discovered them recently and we are obsessed. Crayola hit the mark perfectly with this line; mess free markers, paints and finger paints. A dream come true for children and parents alike. For the past few days we have been coloring away with the marks on blank paper and their Princess Sofia coloring book. This has been such a fun activity for Mason and I to do together.  I have been on the hunt for the paint without any luck so I let it go until Mason asked for the paints (which he saw on the coloring book). So today, we hit up Target and we found them! 20 little masterpieces later we are completely out of color wonder paper and have had to hit up the nearest Target post bath to get more. I love being able to let Mason be creative with little to no mess. This also keeps him very busy which is a win win or both of us.

I'm impressed with his paintings; we may have an artist on our hands!

Recap {Ava's Baptism}

On April 12, 2015 Ava Michelle was Baptized at St John of the Cross Church in Western Springs (the same church where we got married and where Mason was baptized).  We started our morning off by having brunch at Ruth Lake then headed to the church to celebrate Ava.

Family of 4 at Ruth Lake Brunch

Ava was a little tired and very hot during the ceremony but she did great.  She was fussy until they poured the cold water on her head; I'm pretty sure that was her favorite part.  The baptism totally wore her out and she had an amazing nap following her big celebration.  Thank you to her god mother's for standing beside her on this special day.  I know both Aunt Megan and Aunt Michele will always be there for Ava & always hold a special place in their heart's for our sweet baby girl.  I can't wait to watch these special relationships flourish in the years to come.

Ava with Aunt Megan & Aunt Michele

Our beautiful baby girl showing off for the camera 

Mason's Baptism

Mason Turns 2.5

Mason is 2.5 years old; and like every other mom in history I ask where has the time gone!?!?!?  I was looking at pictures the other night from his 1st birthday and it is amazing how much Mason has changed and how big he has gotten. Mason has an amazing personality, he is chatty, passionate, strong willed, funny loving and very smart.  He is so much fun to be with and makes us all laugh while always keeping us on our toes.

loves playing with eggs 

Likes:
- water (he loves playing with, drinking and being in water)
- Pay doh
- singing (mainly to daddy finger) and dancing (to anything)
- plastic eggs
- Sofia the 1st

- watching videos on YouTube

Dislikes:
- listening
- strange noises
-things out of order
- using the big boy potty with any clothes on

- milk

Mason is extremely friendly and tends to make friends wherever we go!  He is starting to do imaginary play which is so fun.  We have the best time playing at the park or just walking around the block; it is amazing to watch him enjoy the little things.  Mason is always asking questions; if we see a dog he wants to know what the dog's name is. He also is in the "me" phase of his life. If he isn't singing Daddy Finger he is saying "me" or "me do."

"me do, me do"

Here is a video of Mason Singing Uptown Funk in someone's garden.  He stopped to belt out the tune in someone's garden.  (to view video you may have to go to the original post).  He spends the majority of his day singing and dancing; he is always putting on show....especially when we have guest over.  

It is such an adventure being Mason's mom and I am so lucky to be the one doing the job each and everyday.  He has my heart; there is no question about that. We have so much fun together; he makes me laugh each and every day.  I can't imagine what changes will occur in the next 6 months but for now I enjoy watching him explore the world, his cute little voice, his belly laughs, and his kisses.