Happy Thanksgiving

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving and enjoyed celebrating our first with Ava. The weather was magnificent. We woke up a little early to be down for the parade. We got a great spot at an intersection so there was plenty of room to spread out the chairs, strollers, and our friend's little guy Matt could run around safely. The floats and balloons were great. My favs: Rudolph and Frosty :)

After the parade we went and bought our Christmas tree. This was an exciting moment...last year, we decided not to put one up...it was very sad in the end...and I realized that all the work was worth it!! So, we got a tree on sale for almost nothing!!

We had dinner over at Dave's aunt and uncle's house. We enjoyed our visit and of course, stuffed ourselves with turkey! Ava was in great spirits despite having no sleep! She enjoyed meeting and playing with everyone.

Thank you, Brooke!!

Hey Brooke-
Ava wants to say thank you for the great lady bug card you sent her to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving! It is really cute and she's so glad that you thought of her. Sorry that we won't be there for Thanksgiving this year but we are excited to see you at Christmas!! Thanks again-

We love you!!
Ava, Amy, and Dave (& Lily too!!)

Officially Miss Priss

Well, today Miss Priss made her "official" debut. We finally have enough hair that will stay in 2 or 3 of her bows. This cute little bow lasted about an hour. Ava didn't seem to mind, the bow eventually slid out. And...these pictures, especially the second one remind me of my 9 month old pictures. It seems that she is starting to favor her mommy a little more...but she still looks a lot like her daddy!!!
I think that she looks so much more grown up in just the past few weeks...its amazing how much they change but still look the same...

Snow Bunny

Here is Ava dressed up very warmly for this cold weather that has arrived in St. Louis!! Our high on Thursday was 32 degrees and on Friday...another incredibly chilly day at 32! Tomorrow it's a big warm up, all the way to 46... Ava's babysitter, Nadya, had this outfit left over from her daughter and lets Ava wear it. Maybe I'll check the stores for one that she can wear all winter long :) Isn't she precious. It reminds me of that scene in "A Christmas Story" where the little brother has on his snow suit and cries out to his mom, "I can't put my arms down"...

40 Weeks

This past weekend my family had the pleasure of getting together for a wedding in Tennessee. It was a great time. Ava was so good, she really loved getting to play with her Aunt Jennifer and Uncle John...but I especially loved watching Nana and Pawpaw enjoy Ava. She got some "prizes" from them - a doll stroller and a puppy dog that sings with her. She has mastered standing with the stroller and even pushing it several steps. She is getting braver with her independent standing, she stood for almost 8 seconds before gracefully making a controlled motion to sit down. I realized that Saturday, November 15, 2008 Ava was 40 weeks old. That means I have had her with me longer than I was pregnant with her. And just like my pregnancy, this time has flown by and yet seems like she's been with us forever. I pray that our family will continue to be blessed like it has been the past 40 weeks!

Great Check up!!

Ava had her nine month check up today. She weighs in at 18 pounds 10 ounces and she's 28 3/4 inches long. What a long way we've come since 6 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches... Everything else is picture perfect. We are so blessed!

Nine Months...

My Sweet Ava- You are nine months old today...I can't believe how fast the time has passed. I am amazed at all the wonderful joys you have brought into this world. Your daddy and I love you very much. We are privileged to know you. I look forward to the baby I see tomorrow and can't wait to see what you learn next! I love you with all my heart baby girl!!!

You sleep really good at night...pretty good at nap time, depends on the day:) When it's time, I take you up to your crib, lay you down, give you your paci and "dolly"...I tell you "night night". You like to roll over onto your tummy. Most of the time you talk a while but you rarely ever cry when you are in bed.

You eat rice cereal for breakfast, a jar of vegetables at lunch, and one at dinner. Green beans and butternut squash are your favorites...peas - oh, not something you like! But of course, you'd rather have finger foods. I think we are raising a very independent young lady. You drink four 6 ounce bottles a day (24ounces). You have started to be independent with a sippy cup but you get tired.

Here are some photos to remember this precious day...

You love to pull all your books out of the basket...we are trying to teach you to put them back in but that must not be any fun, you aren't in a hurry to learn how.

What a face...only a mother could love the left over carrots!! And - sadly that's after we wiped the face clean. Carrots stain everything :)

Ava and Mommy

Spending time with Daddy!

You are checking your balance...you can let go for about 4 seconds but then you grab on again quickly. You really know how to get around crawling so that's your preferred method of transportation.


A big no-no that you are learning...up the stairs. You are really quite good at the going up part. We will have to teach you how to come down safely as soon as you show us you are able to remember!!


"Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?"

There you have it...a nine month birthday. Tomorrow we see the doctor to see how well you are growing!

Row Row Row Your Boat!!

It seems as though nine months is not too early to have favorites... Ava has decided that one of her favorite songs is "Row Row Row Your Boat". It has a very calming effect on her. It has become a great weapon in my driving arsenal - when she cries in the car we simply sing...and she is quiet as long as we're singing...as soon as we stops she starts crying again. Mostly she's a good rider, I don't mean to imply otherwise - this happens mostly when we push the envelope. Guess it's time for some kids songs in my car!

In training as first born -

Have I mentioned how much Ava LOVES our dog and how little the dog cares for Ava?? In the past 2 days or so Ava has found great humor in learning to tease the dog. She stands or sits next to Lily while Lily is sitting next to me. Ava just laughs and points to Lily like she is about to touch her...Lily just growls a little warning. I can hear the banter now:

Lily- Mom, make her stop touching me!
Ava- I'm not touching you.
Lily- She's touching me.
Ava- I'm not touching you.

So on and so on and so on...

Baby fine hair

Well, its not obvious enough to show up on film yet...but we had a little ruffle to our hair after nap yesterday. She must have slept hard and well. One little spot on her left side was sticking straight up!! It's the little things in life that make us realize the miracles...

Spaghetti

Well, over the past few days Ava has been introduced to some new foods - textures especially. Last night she met two milestones...she waved "bye bye" to our parents as teachers educator, then at dinner she got to try macaroni and cheese...she loved it so much she pushed my hand out of the way faster than I could put them down on the table. Tonight she was able to try the baby food spaghetti. Boy was that a messy meal! While she still thought it was novel to feed herself - she wasn't so crazy about the way it tasted...no worries baby girl - I didn't like the taste I had either.