Goofing off!!

At the grocery store you get stickers on the things that don't go in bags...Ava went with her Daddy to the grocery store - I guess Ava didn't fit in a bag :)







Such sweet southern manners, she's even offered to share! I am a proud Momma!!

Newest Milestones

Here is a little video of Ava's most recent milestones. She is really growing and changing so fast. Enjoy!

A Day in the Life

What a blog worthy weekend!!

We had a full day of fun. We got all the flowers planted out front and then even got some hydrangeas planted in the backyard...fingers crossed they grow well!! Ava even helped Daddy clean up the rocks that were hiding beneath the grass in the backyard...what a sweet girl-





Ava got a new sprinkler/pool. We were going to wait until a sunny day to give it a try BUT after watching the way she loved the water hose today...we couldn't resist {besides she was already soaked from head to toe}.





she signed that she wanted "more" water...and of course cried when we put it away!



Fun times after playing outside. Ava loves to be silly...why she picked the socks, I have NO idea! Oh well, she entertains herself and us. See, she even tries to share:)

Flowers and Showers

We finally planted some flowers to replace the dried, dead, leftovers from last year. I heard a sigh of relief from all the neighborhood ;-)

Ava was a big helper. She loved the water...and helped us keep an eye on Lily! We hope the weather is beautiful where you are today. Enjoy your Memorial Day!

still playing

I'm using flickr now...another blog I follow uses it and her pictures are as wide as the page. I am still playing. I promise that tomorrow I will take new pictures to practice with!

trial

Image 1 {the old way}

Image 2 {the new way}

Ok, I know I already posted this picture but I am trying a new upload method...which one do you like better?? Can you tell a difference? I think the new way is much clearer?? or is it just my eyes/computer... Leave a comment and let me know!

Diaper Head

I'm sure this may be defined as child abuse in someone's eyes...sorry but it was a clean diaper!! She is learning about her diapers. She will go get one for me and lay down to be changed. Then she thinks it's amazing to go and throw it in the garbage for me. What the little helper she has become!

The other night I noticed that she had taken a diaper and her pink teddy bear to our "changing" spot on the carpet. She laid the teddy bear down and then unfolded the diaper trying to put it on the bear. After her efforts failed, we put the diaper on the bear for her. Of course that didn't last long so she brought the diaper back to me...to be funny we put it on her head. I thought it would come right off - but no - she wore it around giggling! What a fun night!

signs

Today at lunch, Ava started using the sign for "more". She did this consistently for the first time. I am so proud. I was starting to think that I was making a fool out of myself showing her all these signs...finally it is starting to pay off!

I love my pancakes

Yum, Yum, Yum...my favorite breakfast!!!

I love pancakes so much I want to eat with both hands...

Random Pictures

Some pictures I took on my cell phone...not the best quality but cute just the same.

First time facing forward - April Fool's Day 2009...she probably thought it was a trick :-)

Ava, Daddy, and Lily

Cool baby with her shades, she's too quick to take them off!

Fun times

Ava loves to walk around the house with my shirts around her shoulders... Silly girl~

Somebody must have seen the Kentucky Derby {although not at our house - we didn't watch it} and thought the dog needed a drape!! Lily didn't appreciate the cuteness and innocence of this...

Looks like she is talking to her "pup". Isn't it the cutest?

Movin' on to the next baby. She worked hard to get that teddy bear crammed into that doll stroller :-)

Cozy Couch

Who is that big girl sitting up on the couch...? You look much older than 15 months!!!

Watchin' Daddy

Ava patiently waiting for her Daddy to come inside and play! She wanted his company very badly today!!

Ava had a doctor's appointment today. In the hall, she waved at everyone - she even went running toward a little girl she saw {I'd say a direct result of the exposure to other kids at daycare!!}. Here's what we learned today:

She weighs 22 pounds 3 ounces putting her in the 45th percentile, she's officially gained exactly 16 pounds in 15 months. She is 31 inches long placing her in the 70th or 75th percentile...I can't remember exactly :)

Snacks

Ava has learned what a privilege it is to be able to feed herself. She is becoming VERY independent! Today she grabbed the cracker box and ran into the living room, I watched just to see what she would do. She is a smart little girl...she knew exactly what to do! She opened the box and dug in :-) She is very proud of herself in that first picture!!

Mother's Day Blessings

What a gorgeous day...and we spent the whole day outside!!
Ava and Momma... blowing bubbles and watching Daddy grill us some yummy steaks :-)

Daddy, Grandma & Ava on the deck celebrating a blessed family.

Ava and Grandpa playing at the park. We had a picnic with the whole family, including our 4 legged *daughter*, Lily.

Ava loves to sit on her ball-

Ava, Grandma, and Grandpa at the park...not a happy girl...way past nap time :'(

15 months!

Ava is 15 months old today!! Boy, what a transformation she has made.

We decided to celebrate this milestone by getting out in the sun shine!! Welcome Spring...we are so glad you are here...

Ava can make all her needs WELL known by pointing - her favorite right now is going to the refrigerator or pantry and banging on it until I come get her milk or food. She "tells" me when she is ready to go to bed - She goes to the stairs and points up. She definitely knows what she wants. I keep trying to remind myself that that is a good thing. We are seeing defiance at times and she is honestly keeping up with the girls in the family. She has learned how to throw a little temper tantrum. She sits down nicely and then slowly and controlled she lays down on her back then she starts wailing like someone just cut off a finger... {can anyone say DRAMA???}.

She loves bath time and reading. She started daycare just a few weeks ago and she seems to LOVE it. She has learned to experience different things...finger painting, sharing with other kids her age, and separation anxiety...

She can say Uh-OH, Dada, Mama, Dow {which is a toss up for down, dog, or dolly - we haven't quite decided}. She is running, kicking at a ball, throwing a ball, climbing, and being extra cuddly. She has 12 teeth and working on her 4 canine teeth. She closes the baby gate and the toilet seat when we forget to and she likes to shut the doors {no finger mashes yet...}. She hasn't had a bottle in 5 months and we got rid of the pacifier almost a month ago. She's come a long way since her first birthday.

I can't believe that this is my second Mother's Day. Where has the time gone!!

She loves to climb into her rocking chair. Amazing how she's grown to fit it!

Sidewalk chalk. Today was her first try with it...the Easter Bunny brought it to her. She'd rather just carry it around then actually draw with it!

I laid Lily's leash down to try to blow some bubbles... Ava apparently has started to imitate my actions. She picked up the leash and Lily knew what to do from there!!! Good thing I was already on my feet and we live in a relatively quite neighborhood with little traffic!

Smelling the Dandelions

"They" say you should always take to time stop and smell the roses...will dandelions do??

She thought it was great to pick the dandelions and blow them away! We gave her one and she held onto it until it was a wilted stem... She didn't want us to take it away but she was happy enough when she got a new one! We would show her a new one and let her pick it...she giggled outloud.