Ava's 1st Christmas Tree

I am so excited that the Christmas season is finally here and I get to celebrate all the things that make it so special with Ava. Although Ava won't remember her 1st Christmas we have enjoyed thinking about and planning out all the new family traditions we want to start with her. First one on our list, decorate the tree! It was close to Ava's bedtime so we didn't decorate the whole tree but it we put just enough ornaments on to see her expressions. What little baby would not love the Christmas tree? It has many of Ava's favorite things all in one...leaves (or fake pine needles, still interesting to her), lots of lights, and toys hanging all over it!! We have had a fake tree for the past 4 years now and I have to say it is just not the same as a real one. I wish we would have bought a real one for her 1st Christmas so she can really get the full tree experience (nothing beats the smell!!) but I guess next year will be just as good since she can actually help us decorate it and be more involved.

Hanging the first ornament! I should have planned it better and bought a 1st Christmas ornament for her as the first one we hang.

She wanted to play with the gingerbread ornament or maybe just eat it.

Posing by the tree with my girl

(I traded the boots for my comfy slippers, not so great for picture taking but oh well)

No Macy did not take our picture! This was a staged one using the timer.

Macy was not enjoying the decorating as much as we were. She doesn't enjoy much these days though. We think she might be depressed. :( Now that Ava demands even more of my attention Macy tries even harder to steal my attention away from her or she just sulks and looks sad. It breaks my heart!

Santa's reindeer!

Now I get to play dress up with both of my babies!!!

Ava had no clue these were on her head but she definitely noticed Macy's! Macy was just leaving them on because she knows when I put stupid stuff on her head that she will get a treat.

"Hey Mom, you have them too!"

Best Friends and Baby Showers

Our best friends Jenny and Bekah were in town to help us host a baby shower for our dear friend Rebekah. Have I mentioned how much I love Jenny and Bekah and how much I love spending time with them?! Everytime I watch our girls play together I am reminded how much more special our friendship is.

They each got a bath and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take pictures of them in their towels! Ava is sharing her brush with Bekah. Sharing is something new she has been doing but its only on her terms. If someone takes something from her she gets upset and if someone is playing with something she wants she grabs it.

All cleaned up and in their snuggly pj's! Bekah had ducks on her feet and Ava had bunnies. Mikey babysat once the girls went to sleep so that Jenny and I could go to Amy's to help set up for the shower.

Tried to get a picture of them holding their dolls...

Saturday was the day of the baby shower for Rebekah and baby Margaret! Everything turned out beautiful and we had a great time.

The food! Amy did a great job!

Each of us hostesses made a onesie for baby Margaret and Jenny found a bible verse to go with each one that we attatched to the onesies. They turned out adorable and I just know Rebekah and Margaret will cherish them. ( I would if I got them! You can't find them any cuter in the stores!)

The diaper cake that Amy created. Lovely! Jenny and I "helped" by wrapping diapers in rubber bands but this clearly is an Amy masterpiece. Rebekah's shower was a Flor De Lis theme since she is a Lousiana native.

Beautiful Rebekah

All the hostesses with Rebekah

Ava and Luke

We recently went over to Vaune's house so that Ava and Luke could play together and Tana, Vaune, and I could do crafts, drink apple cider, and listen to Christmas music. It was so fun!! Luke and Ava have a mutual love for one another and this was the first time that they could actually play together now that Ava is a little older and crawling. She loved having Luke climb all over her and give her attention. Most of her other friends just take the abuse (like bow grabbing, eye poking, etc...) but this time Luke dished it out to Ava and she loved it!

Still smiling! She didn't mind being tackled at all. haha

Busted!

Look what my little chipmunk has been up to

Now that she can stand in her crib she aparently enjoys nawing on her crib rail. The video monitor doesn't show her face when she stands, just waist down, so I didn't have a clue this was what she was up to.

Little stinker! So innocent looking with her pretty smile, rosey cheeks, and candy cane striped pajamas.


"Mom, there is nothing to see here"

Something else worth noting is how much she is pulling herself up on everything! Now that she is crawling and able to stand with support she wants to pull herself up on furniture, toys, ME! She has so much more energy now. It's been stored up for so long and she is letting it all out. She hardly sits still and even diaper changing is becoming an impossible task. Ever since the crawling and standing she seems more like a toddler than a baby. :(

She looks so big right? Our living room has been transformed into Ava's playland. We move the ottoman to block the TV and all her toys are spread out on the floor. Of course everything goes back in it's place when she goes to sleep but it goes right back to a big mess in the morning when she gets up.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Beaumont with Mikey's mom and Stepdad. We arrived late Wednesday night and stayed till Sunday night. Plenty of time for Gigi to love on Ava and for us to enjoy lots of eating and family time.

Yes, that is a turkey on my husband's head. Only Gigi could find turkey hats. His hat looks pretty ridiculous but how cute is Ava's? She's ready for Christmas!

The crew got up early Thanksgiving morning to run in the Beaumont Turkey Trot. Ava and I stayed behind in the warm house all cozy in our pj's.

Gigi won first place in her age division! Woohoo!

Since being introduced to my dad's cat Ava has fallen in love with cats. She spotted Gigi's cat and would not let her out of her sight.

"Here I come kitty you better run"

Gigi and Ava danced to some music.

Mikey decided that he is going to ride in the MS150 with his dad so he tested out the bike he will be riding.

And the hat

We had a wonderful 1st Thanksgiving with Ava. I absolutely love being able to share these special holidays with my daughter. They are a little bit more special and meaningful now that she is around. I have so much to be thankful for that my list would go on forever. #1 on that list...you, Ava Marie. Thank you God for this beautiful gift and thank you Ava for bringing more joy to my life than I ever could have imagined.

Good Ol' San Antone

This past weekend we went to San Antonio for my friend Cathy's wedding and while we were there we spent some quality time with friends and family. We left Thursday night so that we could travel while Ava was sleeping and it worked out great. It was a late night but it was so nice to not have to stop to feed her or entertain her in the backseat. Plus, leaving at night gave us a full extra day to spend with our friends Ryan, Paige, and their new baby Ray. This was our first time to meet Ray and boy is he a cutie! Thank you Ryan and Paige for letting us stay with you and being great hosts!

Ryan, Ray, Mikey, and Ava

or

The Dads and their mini-mes

Playing music with the little ones


Precious Ray

We practiced our crawling

And played in Ray's swing

Ava and Ray playing footsies

It wouldn't be right if Ava didn't try and take Ray's pacifier.

On Friday night we attended Cathy and Danny's wedding. Cathy was radiant! I have never seen her look more beautiful. I had so much fun dancing with the girls just like old times. Congratulations Cathy and Danny!

(The picture I took of them is on my other camera so that will be posted another time)

Sauce and the saucy husbands

(Sauce is the name we gave our group of friends from High School. I still don't know the reason behind it but it always stuck. These girls will forever hold a special place in my heart. Many of us have moved away, gotten married, and had kids yet we still have managed to keep in touch and remain close. I love them dearly.)

Paige and Little Miss

Ava and Jenny



Paige(Reynolds) had a great idea for us mommies to get together with the little ones for lunch on Saturday since she has never met Bekah or Izzie. We had our own mini playdate.

Ava and Izzie

Bekah, Izzie, and Ava

Ava of course pulled off Bekah's bow at one point and Izzie being the big girl she is told her "no no". It was precious!

After lunch on Saturday we went to my Dad's to visit and stay the night. He hasn't seen Ava in months so I was anxious for him to see her and see in person just how much she has changed. He lives out in the country so it was like a petting zoo for Ava. I never realized just how much fun his place is going to be for her until this trip.

Checking out the horses

They had this baby doll in the closet left by Shirley's granddaughter so they gave it to Ava to play with and she loved it. She pulled the baby's hair, chewed on her hands and feet, and she didn't even cry! Hopefully she doesn't try that on her real friends.

Ava had fun climbing on the couch

Jumping in the jumperoo

Sitting in Papa's lap

And terrorizing the kitty

We can't wait to go back! I am sure kitty would love for us to stay away though. We packed a lot in this trip but had a great time. I have noticed I am a lot more laid back when we are out of town for some reason and I think it rubs off on Ava. She has been an angel during all of our traveling this month. She even naps better! Who would have thought?

Sending our love to all our San Antonio loved ones!