Ava visits Santa Clause

Ava recently paid a visit to Santa Clause at the Hallmark offices. Each year Hallmark envites employees, reitred employees & family to come visit Santa at their Liberty office. Since Grandma retired from Hallmark she just had to take Ava this year. We weren't sure what to expect with Ava & Santa. Would she cry? Would she laugh? Would she just sit there trying to figure out who the fat guy is with a big white beard? She didn't cry or laugh. She was not real sure what to make of Santa. Ava's wish list for Santa has only two things. A wagon and an Ipad.

Mommy wrote the wish list. Just saying...

8 1/2 Months Old

Ava is growing like a weed and is already starting to wear some of her 12 month clothes. She has got really long legs so the shirts are still a little big. She is finally rolling over like a champ. She rolls all over the living room now collecting dog hair on her outfits. She loves to roll over to the DVD player to get Daddy's xbox controller. She is standing at furniture all by herself for about 10-15 minutes at a time. She still hasn't really learned to bend her legs when she falls, so we have had some tears when we bang our head on the carpet.
Ava really likes Gracie now too. She wants to pet (or hit) her every time she comes close. But she blinks when Gracie gets all in her face. We are still having to protect Ava from dog kisses. So gross! Ava celebrated her first Thanksgiving with the family and got to eat turkey (after I chewed it a bit for her) mashed potatoes, noodles, corn, and green beans. Her favorite had to be the rolls. The girl loves bread!
Ava's favorite word right now is Dada. In fact, if you tell her to say Momma, she will look right at you and say Dada. She says Dada, Momma, Nana, and dog. Ava also got her first Christmas tree this weekend. She loves the angel at the top. After telling her that was an "angel" twice, she now will look at the angel everytime you ask her to. She is so smart! Christmas is right around the corner and we can't wait to see Ava's reaction to Santa and presents~

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.