Our Ava Girl {7 months}

Ava is so very alert and when she doesn't have her eyes on Mason she is in awe of her surroundings.  I feel like she is constantly just taking it all in.  Ava goes with the flow; even in the most hectic moments she keeps her cool and remains calm (I'm fairly certain she gets this trait from Matt).  Mason has struggled this past month; I believe the move has affected him more then we realize....during the tough moments with him Ava just plays and coos unaffected by the craziness and not startled by the extra noise.

Ava gets up a bit earlier then Mason and I use this time to give her extra snuggles and attention.  She is so loving and cuddly.  It is amazing how much love I have for my kiddos, they fill my heart with joy each and everyday.  I am lucky to be their mommy and watch them grow and change right in front of my eyes.

1st brother/sister bath

This month's firsts:
- rolled from back to belly
- took a bath with her brother
- went swimming in the pool
- celebrated her 1st 4th of July
- had a cold
- sat up for a few seconds unassisted

Ava's 1st 4th of July

Ava is becoming more playful this month which has been fun for all of us.  Mason has been playing with her more; he wants to hold her and interact with her.  These moments are so heartwarming; I love how much these two love each other.  I know that big changes are heading Ava's way over the next few months so I am trying my best to relish in the moment with her.  I have a feeling she will be chasing after Mason before we know it.

Currently, Ava takes 2 naps during the day and one cat nap in between. She has 4 bottles a day (4- 6 oz on average) and 3 meals.  She weighted in at 13 pounds 10 ounces on July 12th and she is wearing both 3 and 6 month clothes.







Likes:
- her toes
- splashing in her bath
- kisses on her neck

- knocking down blocks
- holding on to her sleep sack or other material when she is having a bottle


Dislikes:
- taking long naps
- putting shirts over her head
- having the sun on her

Mason at 7 months

Our Growing Family {my sister is getting married}

Their proposal at Diversey Harbor

On June 6, 2015 my sister called me early in the morning (early for her) to tell me she is getting married.  She was beaming with her new bling and I was the first person she was able to get a hold of (funny how history repeats itself because she was the first person who know about my engagement to Matt).  Marc set up a perfect proposal and even had a photog capture the moment. Mia and Marc will be getting married in the Spring of 2016 and I can't wait to celebrate the couple between now and then.  I am so happy that my kids are gaining such a wonderful and thoughtful uncle and Matt and I are gaining a brother in law. Welcome to the family Marc! 

Cheers to Mia and Marc and  our ever growing family!  

Silenced by the Mayhem

Mason pulling his wagon to the new house.

We did in fact survive the move; although our move was just around the corner a move is a move is a move.  We had to take the same steps as if we were moving  miles away.  I did my best to prep for the move hoping  to make things less stressful in the long run.  However sometimes the powers to be have an entirely different plan.  We had a very stressful closing (one that might not have happened and left us to rent or move in with my parents), we ended up having less time to prep the new house (2 days instead of 6; my painters did an excellent job accommodating this.... let me know if you need a painter), Mason came down with a temperature of 104 the night before the move (which resulted in no sleep and the 3 of us sleeping on the cough together), and I fell down the stairs and sprained my shoulder the day after the move.  Mayhem at its best folks!  So, just when I thought we would be giving my parents a chance to breathe we now needed them more then ever.  Not to mention Matt was going to be gone for a week on a business trip.  We ALL have pushed through on pure exhaustion which has lead us all to come down with colds but fingers crossed the chaos is behind us.  Honestly, at this point you just have to laugh.  We have years to make this house our home so we just have to surrender to getting everyone healthy, happy and a bit more rested.


The house overall is fabulous, it is offering us the space we need on a block filled with children and friendly neighbors.  We are going to be happy here! Although, we have to figure out our new groove in this new space.  Last week while mom and I had the kids up stairs post bath time I realized Mason was being too quit.  I didn't think much of it other then to just go find him.  When we went downstairs looking for him we quickly realized the back door was wide open.  Mason and his "love bus" (one of his new faves) were in the backyard completely naked.  I didn't know if I should laugh or cry.  Disclaimer, since the incident doors have been baby proofed and or are now locked at ALL times.  Haha

Luckily our new yard is fenced in and no one can see Mason while he plays outside sans clothes.

During this time of chaos I am most thankful for Mason adjusting to the new environment better then anticipated.  I am also so grateful for my family.  My parents and my sister have gone beyond the call of duty the last few months.  I don't know how I will ever by able to repay them for their time and energy....they have certainly made all the Murray Family  Mayhem more bearable.  It truly takes a village to raise kids and I don't know how people do it when they don't have family/friends close by.  Thank you so much for everything you do for us everyday!  We truly owe you a vacation.

Trying to figure out where things go is never easy but we found the perfect spot for Mason's table.

The kiddos loving the huge tub....there is enough room for all of us in there.

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