Ponytail...yep, you read right!!

Ava's first little ponytail!!! This was taken tonight after her bath. We combed her hair straight back and clipped the bow in. Surprisingly, there was enough hair to hold, even as she ran around in her room and played! Maybe not the prettiest sight but for a day time "do" we would work it a little more :) Have a great night everyone...we love ya'll!

Pancake Breakfast

As I have learned in my own life we always experience "firsts". So, even though we have reached one of the most celebrated "firsts" in Ava's life - the first birthday - we are still experimenting with new things everyday.

This morning for example was her first pancake breakfast... umm...looks yummy huh?? I must say, that is one thing my mom taught me well was a *perfect* pancake :)
I made her a special "Ava" size pancake and handed it to her. I wasn't sure what she would think of it. She's really funny about textures sometimes. And I must admit I was nervous giving her the whole thing...she likes to stuff her mouth full with cheerios...

But, as you can see, she took a dainty bite and thoroughly chewed it before taking a second bite...

then a third, so on and so forth...

And in the end, I think pancakes were a success!!

Sunday smiles

Ava FINALLY has enough hair to hold a bow! She has worn this bow for at least 30 minutes without pulling at it or it falling out on its own. She loves to make raspberries...silly girl, especially when she walks - it gives her fuel I guess??

She likes to smile and laugh at her Daddy. He always knows just what to do when Mommy is behind the camera to get a good smile. She is so busy now with walking that it is really hard to get her still enough to take a cute picture...

Awe, the innocence!

Well, she tells it like it is...how she really feels about having her picture made.

She loves to carry things around while she walks. This tigger is super fun...it talks and bounces. It really makes her laugh out loud!

Lucky Friday the 13th

Ava had her one year check up...she's growing wonderfully! She's made it to 20 pounds (30th percentile) and 30 inches (80th percentile). She got 2 shots but did well...she slept a little extra over night. AND her top right one year molar has broken through and is showing it's corner. She's walking everywhere and now would when she falls she would rather stand back up and walk again than just crawl. She also loves to "run" which she is getting better at. She loves to eat "big girl" sweet potatoes, spaghetti, green beans, carrots, and little pieces of chicken. What a sweet blessing she continues to be!

Happy Valentine's Day~

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! Ava's second, but she was only 5 days old last year so we are kinda counting this as her "first"...the first one she can enjoy anyway. She got this balloon from me and her daddy - what fun she had playing with it. The back was silver so she was able to see a gorgeous baby looking back at her :) My favorite part. Daddy clipped the balloon to her pajamas and she ran around the house just giggling. Music to my heart and ears...may you all (single, taken, or married) be blessed with loved ones today!! We love you all!!

Happy Birthday Ava!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!


It's 5:25 p.m. as I write this. Exactly one year after your birth. You were a sweet little angel just in a huge hurry to get here! I went into labor at about 9:30. It was a gorgeous day, very similar to today, so I took Lily and went for a walk to enjoy my last few hours of being pregnant. I called the doctor at 2:00 because my contractions were very close together (not really painful but coming about every 2-5 minutes lasting for about 45 seconds to 1 minute). The doctor wanted me to go to the hospital just to get checked out. We left the house about an hour later and arrived at the hospital at 4:00. I walked into the hospital leaving my bags and camera in the car because I just knew they were going to send me home.



Once in the hospital they checked all my vital signs and hooked the monitor up to my belly. You sounded great on the monitor...my contractions had slowed a little and I thought for sure we were coming back home! The nurse laid me flat on my back to check for dilation (I was 2 centimeters) and that's when we lost your heart rate. They called my doctor and the house OB. The house OB came in and broke my water and told me we were gonna go for a C-Section. He found your heart beat with an internal monitor but it was weak, you were stressed... They were trying to give me my epidural as we rolled down the hall to the OR. Your Daddy wasn't even allowed to be in the room because they didn't know if I was gonna have to be under general anesthesia. My epidural kicked in JUST IN TIME!! I remember feeling your weight leave my body as you were born.



The doctor announced your birth time at 5:25 and then your Daddy was brought into the room. He took pictures the best he could...with his cell phone!! Thankful for a healthy baby...what an exciting birth. I am so glad that you are a healthy, happy, sweet girl! I love you!



What a year you have had. We have enjoyed you and all the joy you have brought to us. I never knew being a mother would be so rewarding and hard at the same time. Since you have been here I now know that I was born to be a mom! You have made me want to be a better person. You have given me a reason to be more pro-active in my own life...so that I can be more pro-active in yours. I love you with all my heart!!



This year you have made tremendous progress. In the past few weeks you have learned to walk and have decided that it is faster then crawling. You are even getting around while holding your cup of milk. We put you on whole milk on Feb. 1 and you LOVE it...you have had 2 gallons in 9 days :) Keep it up, grow those bones!! You love to be outside, you love to laugh, and you love to play. You get very excited to see Daddy come home! You have a little horse that you love to ride and you think its a lot of fun to push toys around the living room. I am so proud of all your accomplishments...you make my heart swell.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET AVA!!

Ava's Party!

We celebrated your first birthday on February 7, 2009. We had a party at our house. It was fun. You were very good!! You weren't a big fan of opening presents...you especially liked the paper and the tape :) You LOVED the icing from your cake. We got you a very special little cake that you could dive into...it was a hit!

More Sledding Fun

Ava had more fun sledding today. The weather was a little warmer and she had a full belly!! I think that she really liked being pulled around in the little sled...she laughed out loud and kept pointing forward like she wanted to do it again! What a blessing to have such a happy and engaging baby...only 8 more days til the big 1!!!

Sledding with Daddy

Daddy took Ava sledding today. The snow is slowly melting but we still had enough in the yard to enjoy. He missed the adventure last week so they had their fun today...Listening to them play makes me smile!