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

4 months: Apples, squash, peaches & pears oh my

Mason celebrated his 4 month birthday this past weekend!  It is honestly so hard to believe how quickly he is growing up and changing.  Mason is extremely observant; he watches our faces and actions very intensely. He is starting to make new noises (that have us adults laughing out loud) and he tries his hardest to mimic our facial expressions and tongue movements. His rapid growth and development have me mesmerized and watching his every move.  Basically, I just can't get enough of my little man!

For the past month of so now I've been giving Mase baby food mixed with oatmeal and milk!  He loves it; he kind of yells at us when we aren't getting the food in his month fast enough.  So far, there isn't anything we have given him that he won't eat.

Since we have been back from Florida Mason hasn't been sleeping through the night!  I think it is combination of 4th month regression of sleep and teething.  Some nights are better then others but when he wakes up every couple of hours it makes for an extremely long day for Matt and I.

Visit from Jean and Darrell: Jean & Darrell drove in this past weekend!  They hadn't seen Mase in a few months and were shocked on how much he has changed.  They were kind enough to help us with a few projects around the house.  Thanks to them we have another room painted and a place to hang our coats!  Their craftsmanship was greatly appreciated and I'm pretty sure will have a new list of projects for them come their next visit.

Random Tid Bits & Thoughts: Mason got another cold this past weekend and this time Matt and I were armed with a NoseFrida!  This little invention from Sweden is fabulous and really helps with his stuffy nose.  If you are a mom with a young child go out and buy the NoseFrida now....before your babe comes down with another cold.  It might seem kind of gross but truly it isn't and the relief it offers him makes a world of difference.

This week is Healthy Relationship Week (Feb 11- 15).  Alpha Chi Omega is celebrating by encouraging everyone to change their Facebook profile or send an Instagram pic of themselves with a sign that says "Love is _______________." This really got me thinking, 1) because I really want to participate in the campaign and 2) how would I describe such a strong yet important word to someone who didn't know the meaning or to my son in the future. Part of me thinks there aren't any words needed and a picture of Mason and I describes the meaning of love in and of itself. Since I had him love has taken on an entirely different meaning in my life and at the same time has become something indescribable. Any who, this is what I ended up submitting!  Feel free to participate in Healthy Relationship Week as well.