1st Birthday Party

Ava's party was a very memorable one to say the least! My original plan was to have Ava's butterfly party at the park but aparently mother nature had other plans. Because of the cold temperatures we had to move her party indoors. Never in my wildest dreams when I was planning her party some 3 months ago would I have thought that it would snow on her birthday (first day of Spring too!). We made the best of it and squeezed about 60 people, about 17 of those being kids/babies, in our little house to celebrate Ava's day (now you know why I planned it at the park!). It was definitely not the ideal situation and we were all cramped for sure but having so many friends and family there made it incredibly special. Ava was perfect the entire party and didnt seem bothered by all the people at all. She loved her cake and stayed put for us to open almost all of her presents. She didn't get to play with her other friends like I was hoping she would have time to do but at least her friends got to play with each other. We converted the study into a temporary playroom with all of Ava's toys, books, her new table we bought her, and her pink car. Thank you to all who came to her party and stuck it out with us. Her 1st birthday party makes for a great story!


I had several people taking pictures for me so there are a TON! This is only a fourth of them but I wanted to make sure to capture a few of the special moments for Ava's book I am making her from all of my posts.


I meant to take some pictures of all the food and decorations I made before the party started but that didnt happen so some things arent pictured.

Ava's smash cake that Aunt Kassandra made

Flower arrangement and party favors in entry way



Cupcakes and butterfly shaped pb&j sandwiches for the kids (adults had chicken salad sandwiches)

All her month pictures taken with her bear

Flower arrangements for the table

Amy punched out the letters and circles for the birthday banner using her Cricut machine and I strung them all together on the mantle.

The birthday girl in her wings and tutu!! (wings didnt stay on long but thats ok)

Ava and Ryan (Sara's little boy)

The guests starting to arrive! Here is Ava with Luke, Brinley, and Ryan

These two have become our best buds

Miss Leakhena showed up for a little while to wish Ava a happy birthday

Mom and her girls (minus Bri who was playing with the babies). Alli was a great photographer at the party and my mom did a great job at greeting all the guests and making sure they had what they needed since I was tied up most of the party.

Dad and his girls. He drove all the way from South of San Antonio to be at Ava's party. Very short visit but so thankful he was there.

Ellie, Katie, Luke, and Bri coloring at Ava's new table we bought her for her birthday. Just waiting for the chairs to come in stock. Love Ikea! I can't wait for all the fun crafts we can do at this table and it even has shelves for craft supplies!!!

Some of the moms and babies (with dads) from our playgroup. Sara, my dear friend from Mohawk, and her husband and baby Ryan were there too.

Singing Happy Birthday. She didn't know what to think about all those people singing and staring at her.

Blowing out the candle before she touched it

Hmm, what is this?

Digging her fingers in. I put some icing in her mouth for her to get a taste.

And after that she was feeding herself. Yum yum!!

This is fun!!!!

Family picture

Feeding Daddy

and Mommy

and Brinley!! :)

Get ya some girl! She loved it and I thought it was precious!

Opening gifts (Aunt Alli gave her an Elmo puppet. We love Elmo in this house)

She was much more into opening gifts this time around as compared to Christmas

She even wanted to read the cards ;)

The girl got a TON of clothes but this one, from Leakhena, I think is her favorite because the second she took it out of the bag she took off with it in the other room to show it off.

The family stayed put in the living room. I wouldn't want to give up my seat either! They were hard to come by.

Ava got a flower headband and Macy had one from last year so now they are twins.

Check out my new shopping cart!

This is at the end of the day and she was still as happy as can be. She must have known it was her special day!

11th month slideshow

Sorry if these are annoying. The grandparents love them and I can't keep up with photo albums so I am going to put them all on a DVD.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Ava!

Dear Ava,

A year ago today you came into our lives and changed our world completely. The first time I held you and kissed your beautiful face is a moment I will never ever forget. I had finally met my precious little girl and was holding her in my arms, something I have waited my whole life for. Carrying around my baby dolls as a little girl was all in preparation for YOU. I cannot believe that you are already a year old and turning into a little girl. This past year with you has been one of the happiest years of my life and not a day has gone by where I haven't thanked God for you. I still can't believe that you are mine. I have enjoyed experiencing all your "firsts" with you and even though you won't remember them, which is crazy to me, I will hold those memories very close to my heart. Lucky for you you have a mommy who is obsessed with documenting all of them for you! You have taught me so many things this year. You have taught me how to be selfless, patient, prayerful, appreciative, playful, and because of how much I love you,my sweet daughter, I now have a glimpse of how much my Heavenly Father must really love me. I pray that as you grow up that you will always feel that same love and that you will always remember how special you are. I promise to always love you, guide you, hold your hand, and be the mommy that you need me to be. You and I are a perfect pair my sweet angel. I am sad that you are no longer a baby but I look forward to experiencing with you all the new and exciting things you have ahead for you as you blossom into a little girl. Ava Marie, I love you more than words can ever say. Happy Birthday!!
Love,
Mommy




Ok, now that I have tears streaming down my face here are the highlights from this past month.

*Ava has become such good little walker. She no longer holds her hands out beside her or above her head for balance and she can travel FAST! She loves to go from room to room and I am constantly following her around.

*She has found an attatchment to a blankie. Just when I was telling a friend that I might have to force her to adopt something as a "comfort blanket", mostly to help her sleep better when away from home, she rediscovered this taggy blanket that my friend Chelsea made her. She loves to carry it around and sleep with it. So darn cute! (Thanks Chels! Might need to get you to make us another one for backup!)

Carrying her blankie and chasing Macy

*As you will see in one of the videos on her slideshow she now loves to hitch rides on Macy's back. She grabs on to that long hair of hers and then Macy takes off dragging Ava a foot or so. I wish Ava wouldn't always grab for her tail end. Yuck!

*Ava's torticollis has improved so much thanks to our dear sweet Leakhena. She still shows signs of it when she is tired but for the most part she can hold her head pretty straight which is so different from the earlier days. Leakhena thinks that she will be able to be released from ECI (therapy) no later than May. It will be bittersweet...

Ava and Leakhena


*Ava has been taking much better naps this month! They are getting better and better which is such an answer to prayers. Two things that I believe have really made a difference are darkening her room completely and the new sound machine that we recently got her that sounds like a fan and blocks out almost all noise. Wish we would have tried these things sooner! I think she might slowly be transitioning into one longer nap in the afternoon because her morning nap has been a lot later than normal.


*Now that Ava can walk she loves to move the chairs and stand underneath the kitchen table. I see some fort/tent building in the near future! Can't wait!

Going under the table (with blankie alongside)


*Another fun spot to play is in Macy's water bowl. I knew the day was coming soon when she would discover the greatness of splashing around in Macy's water. We now have to keep the water bowl outside.

*Ava is getting her 4th tooth. It has just barely broken the skin. This explains all the drooling, runny nose, and waking up in the middle of the night that has been happening lately. Poor thing.


If you click on the picture and look closely you can see one of her top teeth. It's the best picture I could get.

*Ava loves feeding daddy her food now and I can officially say that she hates green beans. Last time I tried to give them to her she took a bite, made a nasty face, squished the rest in her fingers, and then very slyly dropped them over the side of the highchair to Macy so we wouldn't notice.

*She has started signing "milk", "eat", and "more" and she loves to point to things, mostly to things that she recognizes. She also babbles a lot more than before as if she is having a conversation with you. I love how expressive she is becoming and that she can now somewhat communicate with me. She understands so much of what we say and I feel like I can talk to her like she is a big girl rather than just a baby.

Look mommy and daddy!

(The car is her fun birthday present from Papa and Gramielle. She LOVES it)

Hugs and Kisses to you on your birthday from your Mommy and Daddy!! We love you!!

(12 month slideshow is in the works and coming soon! Been just a little busy this last week ;)

Looking back (updated montage)

Ava will be one year old on Saturday March 20th. I seriously can't believe it has already been a year since I first met my baby girl. I have been thinking a lot about this past year and looking back at old photos to remind me of my precious times with her. Since I started making her monthly slideshows when she was 4 months old I put together a slideshow of the early days/months with Ava from birth till 3 months. Enjoy and stay tuned for Ava's 12 month post!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Coming Soon

Hang in there with me blog readers. This week has been extremely busy with visitors and preparing for Ava's party next Saturday. I will have an update on things soon.

In the meantime, please pray for pretty weather next Saturday as her party is at the park and there are isolated showers expected. :( Dont know what I would do with so many people in our little house. Oh boy!

These shoes are made for walkin'

The Burkharts so generously gave Ava a pair of white leather keds for her birthday, which were super cute, but she was about to outgrow them so I went to Stride Rite today to exchange them for a size 4 (her foot measured 3 1/2) only to find out that size 3 is the biggest size that style comes in. ??? At first I was dissapointed but then when I came across these hot pink patent leather shoes with a flower (I can't resist flowers) I was instantly happy again. Bonus is they are the ones that squeak when she walks!!!! She is the cutest thing walking in her sassy new shoes! The squeaker might need to be removed after awhile but for now I am enjoying listening to her squeak around the house.



Here are some videos of her walking around the house in her new shoes, her sweet big sister Macy, and swinging at the park.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ava and Bekah

This weekend the three of us went to Round Rock so that I could c0-host a baby shower for Cassie. The shower went really well, thanks to the help of Joe (Cassie's sister) and Jenny, and Cassie was glowing. Jenny took pictures of the shower so I dont have any to show but I did manage to get some of the boppsey twins Ava and Bekah. The dads babysat the girls while Jenny and I were hosting the shower. Poor little Alex was sick so he couldn't join the girls.

I bought these dresses for the girls so that they would match. Jenny and I needed a current twinkie picture of the girls. They have changed so much since the first time Jenny and I played dress up with the girls. One thing that hasnt changed is how much they look like their daddies. I mean that picture might as well be Zack and Mikey in a dress age 11 months!

Cassie gave the girls some early birthday presents like these fun push toys from Ikea that make tons of noise. Thanks Aunt Cassie and Uncle Travis! ;)

(oh, time for matching bows)

The Isaacsons also gave the girls a touch and feel book about puppies since they each have one of their own at home.

Ava and Bekah played Mr. Potato Head

Poor girls. They can kick their mommies later for this one.

Ava, Me, Jenny, and Bekah

This picture also brings me back to the very first one of us and girls.

I think Bekah is the only one looking normal in this picture. Poised and beautiful as always!