Early Christmas with Gigi and B-Pop

Since Ava has been blessed with 7 grandparents, yes that is right, she got to celebrate her 1st Christmas with each of them on different occasions. First up, was Gigi and B-Pop. They came in town a few weeks before Christmas so that we could exchange gifts and they could spend a little time with Ava since we would be spending our first official Christmas at home. Traveling in November did us in so we were glad that most of the granparents were able to come to us around Christmas time. Although their visit was short we enjoyed every minute we got to spend with Gigi and B-Pop.

Ava's 1st Christmas gift- a moose from Build-A-Bear that sings Frosty the Snowman and lights up!

Even the moose's shirt had lights. We thought it was pretty cool.

B-Pop being silly and trying to get a smile out of Ava.

One of Ava's gifts to all the grandparents was a calendar filled with pictures of herself

Macy got a new toy too but it didn't last long

9 months old

Hard to believe my little munchkin is already 9 months old!!! Only 3 more months till her 1st birthday! Gotta start the planning soon. :) Each and every day that I get to spend with Ava is such a gift. I realize just how fortunate I am to be able to stay home with her and I never want to take that for granted. She is my best buddy and we love to play and smile with one another. She has even started cuddling again and if I could freeze time at the moment I would. I always shut my eyes and just "savor" the moment and think to myself I never want to forget what this feels like. Ava is growing up fast and developmentally this has been her biggest month. Here are the highlights:

*Weighs 16 lbs. 11 1/2 ou. (10-25%) Not a huge weight gain but the dr. said this is normal now that she is so active.

*28 inches long (50-75%)

*Head size 17 1/2 inches (75%)

Ava has become an expert at pulling herself up to standing and has even stood on her own for a few seconds without holding on to anything. I have a feeling walking is right around the corner. From the picture you can also see that she enjoys watching cartoons now. They dont hold her attention for long but it is so cute to watch her stare at the screen.

I think I might have been giving her puffs to eat while watching cartoons.

I just recently started giving Ava more finger foods that she can eat on her own. It makes meal time a lot longer (and messier) but I think she enjoys feeding herself. Here she is eating cheese.

I broke out the tupperware recently when we were both in the kitchen and just like all kids she loves it. Definitely keeps her occupied for awhile so I can get some things done in the kitchen.

Ava is picking up speed with her crawling! Just as I expected this crawling phase has kept me on my toes. I can't take her out of my sight for a minute. She is always drawn to the things that I don't want her to go to like the basket of dog toys, the fireplace, the buttons on the dvd, the barestools, etc...Her and I are exhausted at the end of the day! Here she is showing off her crawling and standing skills.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ava has also started waving hello or goodbye. She doesn't wave all the time but when she does it it is always at the appropriate time. She kind of twirls her wrist when she does it which makes it even more cute! Mikey happened to be filming when we were saying goodbye to Jenny and Bekah recently so this is the only video I have of her waving. It is kind of dark and Jenny and I had no idea we were being filmed (thought he was just taking a picture) but he did capture a very sweet moment between all of us girls. Also on the video is a clip of Ava playing with her basket of toys. She has learned how to tip it towards her to get more toys out and she has a ball playing with them.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ava has been teething again over the last two weeks so I think those two front teeth are just about to make their appearance. I keep singing to her "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". Maybe by then we will have more teeth. We shall see. She is a good teether, only waking up briefly at night with hand in her mouth and a little drooling, but I will be glad when they come in so they stop bothering her.

I don't want to jinx it but the last few weeks she has napped so much better. I was a little worried there for awhile because not only were her naps short but for about a week she was refusing her second nap of the day even though she was tired. We are back on track now and her naps are getting a little longer. I have learned that this may all change next week but for now I am enjoying having a well rested baby and a little more mommy time during the day.

Happy 9 months old sweet girl!! You continue to amaze me and every day that passes my love for you grows stronger and stronger.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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.