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 

Nearing a year {Ava 11 months}

As we approach the year mark (a huge milestone in my opinion) it amazes me where we were 11 months ago and where we are now. The transformation is a crazy one. The crying till 1 am, up every two hours, pure cloudy head (on my part) isn't a distant memory yet but something I hardly ever think about.

Ava still prefers to be held but she also loves to crawl around, pull herself up, climb on her brother and be outside (I find her giggling at the other kids playing at the park). She is a tough cookie; she wants what she wants when she wants it. She is happier when we sit next to her while she plays, if we don't she cries and screams at us. She is a good eater and we haven't found anything she doesn't like. She is a happy girl but often tired because she isn't the best at taking naps. Her morning nap is fairly short and usually taken on the go; the afternoon one is often taken in my arms (I'm ashamed to admit that but she has a stronger will power then I and will cry for an hour if she has to). I keep trying to tell myself that this too shall pass.  We are phasing out her six month clothes and buying 12-18 months as our little peanut is getting a bit bigger. 

Likes:
- ceiling fans
- playing in Mason's room
- peek a boo
- crawling around with Mason
- her light up activity table
-bath time

Dislikes:
- getting her diaper changed (especially first thing in the morning)
- be left alone to play
- having her hands or face wiped off
- getting dressed
- reading books she just wants to eat them

Mason 11 months

Ava {8 months}

It has been a month since I last logged on; all is well over here we've been soaking up every minute summer has to offer.  Trips to the pool, filling up the pool for the kiddos in the backyard, walks walks and more walks, time with friends and family.  Enjoying the good kind of busy that comes along with summer.  It seems like we pack as much into our weekends as possible leaving all 4 of us extra tired Monday mornings but knowing that fall will be here before we know it keeps us on the go.

Summer Lovin:

 Not only have we been busy but so has Ava.  She is learned to sit up this month and she seems to have really found her voice.  Ava let's us know when she isn't happy (believe it or not she has a little temper) and she smiles and or screams when she is happy.  Ava attempts to clap her hands which is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.  Her bottom 2 teeth have popped up; it was clear she was in pain during the process.  I have a feeling she is working on some more teeth because the drool; can't stop won't stop.  We are officially packing away Ava's 3 month clothes and starting to buy 9 month sizes for our little peanut.  We weighted her at home last weekend and she is 16 pounds and in size 2 diapers.  She seems to be eating more these days and is also a bit more active during the day.  She loves jumping in her jump-a-roo, rolling around on the floor, stroller rides and anything to do with her brother.  Ava is a little snuggle bug and loves to be held and cuddled.  I know that won't be the case one day so I try to remind myself that on the days she has been on me every second.  Ava wakes up between 5:30am and 6:30am; and anytime before 6am I really struggle.  Matt is much better at pulling it together for her 5:30 wake up calls (thanks babe).

first time with yogurt 

Likes:
- Bubble Guppies TV show
- being held
- being tickled
- when you dance and clap for her
- jumping in her jump a roo
- being part of the action

Dislikes:
- sold foods
- getting dressed
- long naps alone


Mason 8 months 

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

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