Ava was in a silly mood the other day. Just about anything we did made her laugh.

Happy Halloween!

Haloween was a lot of fun this year. Ava dressed up as Tinkerbell and Gracie was Superman! We carved a pumpkin and gave it three teeth, just like Ava. Ava was more interested in the newspaper that we had under the pumpkin than the actual pumpkin itself.
After the Chiefs game we got Ava dressed up and went out to see some friends before heading over to Nana's house. Friends and family gathered at Nana's for pizza and snacks before heading out for trick or treating. Chloe was dressed up as a ladybug and Chase was dressed up as a spider. We only went to a few of the neighbors houses to trick or treat since the girls don't eat candy and mommy and daddy have plenty at home. Aside from the Tigers losing it was a really fun weekend and we're already looking forward to Thanksgiving and then Christmas!

7 1/2 Months Old

Ava is getting so big! She is beginning to stand at the coffee table and around chairs. But watch out, because she will fall at any moment. Both Matt and I are standing right there to try to catch her. She is so much fun right now and she has started to do things on command. She will dance, wave, and give fives when you ask her to. So precious. We went up to St. Joe this weekend to visit Matt's Grandma, Aunt Janet, and Grandpa. Ava had such a good time and I think the family really enjoyed seeing how much she has changed. After our visit we met Big Brad and his wife Heidi at Chili's for lunch. Aunt Megan was our waitress and we recieved on the best service ever. She even took care of Ava! Brad and Heidi were a bit taken back when Megan walked by and kissed Ava on the head as she passed by. I guess we forgot to tell them she was family. We had a great time visiting and catching up with them. On Saturday night we watched the MU Homecoming game where they beat #1 OU! Matt, Ava, and I all had on our MU gear. Sunday was a bit of a lazy day, but we all needed to relax and grab a nap. We did get out and take some pictures of Ava in her new outfit. I don't have school this Friday so if the weather is nice we might take Ava to the zoo! I love the fall.

Autumn is in the air

Haloween isn't too far away and we're getting ready by picking out costumes and pumpkins. Ava will be dressed as Tinkerbell this year. Wings included! Earlier this week we went to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin for Ava. Not too big, not too small, but just right.

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch. Ava didn't really get her usual afternoon nap in, so she was cranky when we arrived but cheered up quick when she saw the little kids running around and the animals in the petting zoo. With the leaves changing color its the time of year for us to get out and take a family picture together. We'll post pictures soon.

7 Months Old

Ava turned 7 months old yesterday. Time continues to fly by way too fast. She is now a pro at sitting up and rarely falls over. She loves to sit on the floor and play with her toys. Her favorite toys right now are her wubbie (I made 2 for her), blocks, signing bug, and new toy cell phone. She goes to sleep every night with her little pink elephant blankie. We always lay her down with a bottle and she rubs that blankie over her head, from one hand to the other. She loves that silky feeling over her head and face. She usually wakes up around 6:15, but she always has a smile on her face. We change her diaper and then go wake up Daddy so Mommy can finish getting ready. Then we all head downstairs for breakfast. Ava loves her cereal except when we try to sneak some applesauce in with it. She is not a fan of applesauce and gags on it or refuses to open her mouth. We have been pretending to give her the bottle and then shoveling in the applesauce, but she has wised up to that. She is so smart. We are getting Ava's picture taken on Saturday in her Halloween costume, which we have yet to get. I better get on that. Ava continues to amaze me and she is so aware of her surroundings. She babbles and can copy you making grunting noises or slapping your legs. I am now done with softball and today will be my first day to go home after school!! I am so excited. I can't believe how much she has changed my life... I am obsessed with her and cannot even begin to show her how much I love her. I cannot imagine my life without her- life seems way too perfect. I am so blessed.

6 1/2 Months Old

It was so hard to leave Ava this morning. She was a little fussy after eating her cereal so I picked her up and cuddled her for a few minutes. She was as happy as could be in my arms, but I had to leave for school. When I sat her down in her saucer she was fine unitl I rounded the corner for the garage. Then she started fussing; it was like she knew I was leaving. She has started to want me more, which is great! But it also makes you feel terrible when you do have to leave. I went to hand her back to GG this week after a softball game becasue I had to clean up the field and she immediately started fussy and reaching for me.
Ava is growing so fast, and we will soon run out of summer clothes that fit. Come on cooler weather! She has a doctor's appointment next Tuesday and I am curious to see her height and weight percentiles. When we got her shots about 2 weeks ago she weighed 16.6 lbs. Big girl! She is also becoming much more coordinated and vocal. We can get her to laugh all the time now. This is such a fun age!
I had a game in Lee's Summit this week so Lynn and Brad got to come to the game and Matt drove out after work with Ava. We went to Fazoli's for dinner and Ava was so happy in her high chair. We tried peas for the very first time and she had some great faces. She even got to show Grandma and Grandpa how she can drink out of a straw like a big girl. But as 7:00 pm rolled around, she was fading fast. It was really great to get to go out to eat with them and they got some Ava time in too.
With parent teacher conferences, homecoming, and District softball around the corner, fall is definetly here. I am looking forward to being done with softball so I can pick Ava up at 3:00pm. I am also looking forward to fall activities with Ava even though she won't remember a thing... picking out a pumpkin, carving the pumpkin, dressing up for Halloween, and taking colorful pictures outside. I can't wait- just a few more weeks to go.

6 Months Old

Ava is officially 6 months old and we are doing new and fun things each week. Last weekend Ava went to her first Royals game. She was a champion tailgater and loved sitting in the bumbo, which we placed in a lawn chair. She got pretty tired around 8:00 and we decided to head home in the 7th inning. We started fruits and vegetables a couple of weeks ago too. She really likes squash and yams. She does not seem to care for apples at all and makes some pretty terrible faces. Baby cereal still seems to be her favorite though.
Jayne came and visited this weekend. We celebrated a late 21st birthday for Stephanie and went garage saling all day on Saturday. We found some cute pajamas and shoes for Ava, an umbrella/stand for our deck, and I ended up buying a bedroom set on a whim. Matt was less than thrilled but Ava will love it when she is older. I reminded Matt that just as Ava is ready for her crib to covert to a bed, we will probably be ready for baby number two. Justification justification. Haha.
Ava also mastered sitting up this weekend. Jayne was downstairs playing with her while I finished getting ready and she told me she was doing so good sitting up. Wh didn't even know she could do that! She is getting so big. She can wave now too. Apparently Nana has her wave bye bye to Daddy when he drops her off in the morning. She was waving bye bye to the family all weekend. I think we have a future doctor on our hands! Mommy is so proud!